He planted the knife in the table. "The challenge has been made."

He saw the avalanche plummeting towards him. The rope swung back towards the cliff face and he stretched with all his might towards the shallow fissure in the stone.

Devon activated the bay lights. "What the..." Elija breathed.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Devon responded and shrugged. "But I know she's been here for a long time."

He planted the standard in the ground and his men gave a ragged cheer. Across the plain their foe was already assembled -- an army at least 10,000 strong.

"Equal in numbers," he said to his second.

"Hrrrmm." Yuri started at the sound -- he'd left the last village and, more importantly, the last human behind three days ago. He scanned the area, but it appeared he was alone atop the hill.

"HHRRRMMM!!!" The sound caused the boulder he'd been sitting on to vibrate and Yuri threw himself off. He spun about and stopped in shock when his gaze fell back on the rock. A perfectly etched face of stone stared back at him.

"They're just standing there!" Incredulity dripped from the Major's words.

"Seems so." The Sergeant spat, but the liquid didn't even touch the parched earth. "What do they know we don't?"

"Captain, we've been out for 59 days!"

"I'm well aware, Sam. The ship has informed me."

"Well then, we only have enough food for six more days."

The captain sighed. "I know that too. Looks like its time to start rationing."