Celestia stood on her balcony, deep in thought.  Far below, the city stretched awake under the life-giving rays of her sun.  The last telegrams from Ironhoof had been somewhat hopeful.  With the latest reinforcements, there was a nearly impregnable defense around the reservoir, and he’d taken it on his own initiative to lower the water level, which could confound a hastily-cast spell.  Unicorns had atomized every piece of the raft they found, so it couldn’t be re-used as a spell anchor.