Leah and Justin dismounted and sprinted to Zechariah's side.

"We must shut the gate!" he said.

"What about the town?" Leah shouted.

"It's us they're after, not the town!" Zechariah shouted. "Those things will be right behind Ahlund. We've got to cut them off! Ready: one, two, pull!"

At his order, the three pulled on the lever. It didn't budge.

"It's stuck!" said Leah.

"Again," said Zechariah. "One, two, pull!"

The metal cut into Justin's ...