The zest of the conflict pointed rather to their directing the defence. Else their mercenaries would have left Astura to its fate.
Suddenly an unearthly voice startled the combatants.
"Guard, devil, guard!"
There was the upflashing of a sword, and a hoarse challenge frightened the night.
Giovanni Frangipani saw a furious face glaring dead white from under the shadow of a shield.
He stopped in his onward rush, blinked at the duke as one gone mad.
"Damnation, what have we here?"
"By the love of God, I have you now!"
"Fool, are you mad?"
The hoarse voice echoed him, the eyes flashed fire.