Chapter 055:

Two days had passed in realtive peace since the battle at the Gravestone. Now they were closing in on the Border Forts. They marched from dawn till dusk and covered substantial ground. Endless grasslands, and an occasional small forest, continued to greet them as they hurried across the wind swept lands. Only the looming mountain range in the north, the border with the Deweth Clans, told them that they were getting close. The air was becoming noticeably more cool and the vegetation was starting to reflect the change. Becoming more suitable to cold and frost.

After the Orcs and Clansmen attack had been defeat he expected them to rush to the Border Forts to try to finish their assault before they could intercept them. Alfred, Hemiskr and Conrad agreed with this sentiment. Though it seemed that the enemy force was spiralling out of control.

They had come across four villages and five hamlets, completely razed to the ground. Everything was blackened and burned, all destroyed well before their arrival. Now though there were Clansmen amongst the Orcs in the villages. Only a few hundred enemies were in each village and hamlet, but enough to slow them down every time they came across them. They no longer were disorganised and charging wildly against them.

The Clansmen had enforced some sort of grim order amongst their combined forces. They kept their lines tight, shields raised and used everything they could against them. Even using captured villagers as human shields. He did not know if they knew of just how much magical power he could unleash but human shields were always an effective strategy. If heartless and cruel. Anton used his lightning magic to stun the captors, the army charged forward and crushed the enemy in the confusion.

But their efforts were working. Kal told them that they were getting further and further behind, the trails of the enemy were becoming older each time they resumed the chase. They could have bypassed the villages, and left them to their fate, but they couldn't.

Spending time to save each village and hamlet was not a wasted effort. Beyond a moral one. Their army had swelled with each victory. Despite the army passing through, quite a few villagers and peasants had survived. A very brave man, nowhere to be seen, had ridden from village to village to warn them of what was coming. Many took the warning seriously and hid, others remained and were slaughtered. Those that survived joined them without a moments hesitation. Now they had almost five thousand soldiers to their name. He knew that it would be nothing compared to the fifty odd thousand enemy, especially since many of their new soldiers were equipped with barely the most basic weapon; mostly a motley gathering of farming equipment and quite a few with hunting bows. It was better than nothing.

A little before lunch, and while they continued their brisk march towards the border forts, he saw a tiny wisp of smoke slowly starting to rise into the sky. Everyone else saw it as well. He could feel the sense of dread, of failure, coming from the soldiers beside him. After all their effort, of the blood and deaths, it seemed that they had failed.

“That doesn't seem right.” A voice came from behind him.

Conrad, leader of the White Dog Company, was a few horse lengths behind him.

“What do you mean?” Anton asked.

He did not want to say aloud what everyone around him was thinking. That could completely crush their morale. Not that it wasn't already flaging. Conrad whipped at the reins lightly, bringing him alongside Anton. Verona and Kal, on the other side, looked over at him. He glimpsed at Kal resting her hand on the hilt of her daggers.

“That's not where the Border Forts are.” he said, pointing closer to the mountain range past the smoke trail.

“So what are they attacking?” Verona asked. “If it's not the Border Forts....”

Something clicked over her face.

“The forts don't grow their own food, or make their supplies do they? Armour, swords arrows and the like?”

Conrad smiled lightly.

“They do not indeed...Lady Verona. It all needs to be brought in, they need resources to work with.”

Verona hummed happily at being addressed in such a manner, Kal cocked her head in confusion.

“So.” Verona continued. “They could really do some damage to the Forts if they attack where they get their supplies."

“But surely the forts would have some stores in case that were to happen.” Kal said, looking towards the mountain. “I doubt the Qaiviel Kingdom would be that stupid to allow that to happen.”

Conrad nodded again. “They do. But, it would still cause them considerable harm. Then if these Orcs and Clansmen attacked in force they would not have anywhere to get reinforcements. The whole defence could crumble. Doubly so since...”

“Since what?”

Conrad sighed. “Most of the nobles that live out here are not that....Noble? They make Duchess Belinda, of old, look good. The latest one, I forget his name, Governor Eilis, that's his name. He's taking a good portion of the money that's meant to be used for the defence of the kingdom for himself. Built this ridiculous mansion in the centre of the city. The defenders don't have much of a say in things, even the Knights can't do much against it without proof. He's very good at that."

“This whole place seems to be choking on corruption.” Anton shook his head. “So, why hasn't it fallen?”

“Because the soldiers fight on. Spilling their blood and lives in the defence. Regardless of what their idiotic rulers do.” Conrad was getting quite angry with every word. Such anger was personal and came from deep within.“It's only by their blood and corpses that the Clansmen haven't already overrun this land. That's why I fight for money. A much better ending for me.”

“What about those Knight Orders?” Verona asked. "Why would they put up with it?"

Kal nodded in agreement. “They sound like they're a bit different.”

Conrad's attitude mellowed slightly. “They get their gold from the King himself, so nobody can take their 'due share' along the way. .”

“So, is this supply city undefended?” Anton asked. “Surely the corrupt people wouldn't let it fall, they'd die too.”

“It is defended. Quite well in fact.” Conrad replied. “But, if what I've heard from Alfred is right, fifty thousand Orcs and Clansmen could probably breach the walls. They've got high walls and strong defences, but everyone's expecting the attackers to have to fight their way through the forts and not come from behind. I doubt they'd be looking very hard, especially if the warning didn't get through.”

Alfred approached, turning away from the front of the column of soldiers. His face was tired and worried, an undercurrent of fear underneath his face. Anton briefly wondered if he was worrying about Duchess Belinda's wrath if she found out they had failed.

“You see that...” Alfred said as he brought his horse next to them.

“Hard not to.” Anton said dryly, eliciting almost a smirk from Alfred.

“Well, it looks like they're not going after the forts at least.”

“They haven't lost that many soldiers.” Anton added.

Conrad grunted. “They aren't going to take the forts easily with that many tired soldiers. Maybe one, but not enough to make a difference to an invasion from the north. They're too tired to make those walls. They've been pushed very hard to get where they are.”

“And so have we.” Alfred lamented.

“True.” Conrad added.

“So, that means they're heading for Nonbu'rn.” Alfred said as he looked at the pillar of smoke. It seemed to be growing in size, and new sources of smoke were beginning to emerge to join the rising column.

“Do you have a map with you?” Anton asked. “I don't know where that is."

Alfred reached into a small bag, attached to his horse's saddle, and brought out a map. He unfurled it and passed it to him, moving closer so he could point. Anton lowered it so that Verona and Kal could see as well.

Alfred pointed to a small marker below the line of square boxes that represented the Border Forts. There were two of them, roughly equally spaced from the forts and each other. Underneath the most eastern marker, the side they were approaching the forts from, was the name Nonbu'rn.

“That's the city that they'll be attacking.” Alfred said as he looked forward again.

A cry rang out from the front as Hemiskr yelled at the soldiers to pick up the pace into a fast jog. They needed little encouragement to find an extra burst of speed.

“This city only provides for half of the Forts, but if they destroy the city the Forts on this side could be seriously weakened. If they push their whole army through there they'll just punch right through.”

“What sort of defences does this place have?” Anton asked.

“Large walls, and a decent city watch. But it won't be enough to hold them off for long.”

Anton took another look at the map, transferring what he could to memory, and handed it back.

“We'd better get moving.”

“You three.” Alfred pointed towards Anton, Verona and Kal. “Ride ahead and see what you can do about slowing down their assault. Conrad, I need riders to go to the forts and explain what's happening.”

“Do you want them to send reinforcements?”

Alfred stopped and thought deeply. It was some time before he answered, finally shaking his head.

“Tell them....Tell them what's happening and to send soldiers only if they truly think they can spare them. Remember, there's still a good chance that there'll be an attack of the forts very soon. Perhaps even today at the earliest.”

“On it.” Conrad bowed his head. “I'll send my fastest riders.”

“Good luck.” Alfred said, as Anton and Verona brought their horses to a full run.

---[]---

It was nearly half an hour later of before they saw the city. The flat grasslands began to rise and crested, now they could see the city of Nonbu'rn a few kilometres away.

The city was clearly larger than Maxill, possibly three or four times larger. Thick and tall stone walls surrounded the city. In peace time it would have been quite a bustling city, judging from the crops and small workshops that surrounded the walls. A city that they could have bought any number of important items from.

Smoke and bursts of flame poured out of the city. A giant hole had somehow been blasted through the stone wall. Outside he could see thousands of Orcs and Clansmen still waiting to pour into the city. There were quite a few lying dead in the grass before the mass of Orcs and Clansmen. Who knew how many were already inside causing havoc.

“They're in a lot of trouble.” Verona mumbled.

Anton could not help but agree. The city was on fire and in serious trouble, but he could see some white and green soldiers still fighting from the top of the wall. They were throwing whatever they could at the invaders. Valiant, but it was little in comparison to the invading horde.

“They fight on still.” he said, turning to them. “We'll do as much damage as we can. I want you two to hang back while I use my magic. I don't want you swarmed by thousands of them.”

Verona and Kal nodded. Verona began to glow and drew up some blood that she had collected from him earlier. She kept in a small sphere above her, still in its liquid form. Taking a deep breath, which only served to increase his worry and fear, he brought the horse into a full gallop.

They did not cry out as they approached, not wanting to alert the enemy and force them into the city to run away. It was the waiting that bothered him the most as they crept up on the enemy. He was well out of his magical range when they first spotted them. The waiting Orcs and Clansmen erupted in a flurry of movement. For a brief moment he feared that they were all about to turn around and charge right at him. Instead they began to push themselves into the city.

There must have been a scout watching that battle at the Gravestone. They wouldn't have just run away if they saw three people coming at them. Such a story would have certainly spread amongst the camp. I doubt they would know what I look like but they know that that army is now closing in on them. So...they're going to hide amongst the civilians again.

A few Clansmen horsemen broke off from the rear of the army and charged towards them. Even their horses looked huge and powerful. There were over a hundred of them, more than enough to kill three normal riders, but they were not exactly normal. Anton readied some fire bombs and summoned them above him. When the Clansmen horsemen saw this those at the back immediately turned around, taking nearly a third away. Anton readied to throw the fire bombs forwards when he heard a faint twang coming from his side.

Kal, pushing Verona to one side, fired an arrow over her shoulder.

I didn't know you could do that...

The arrow struck the lead horse in the face. A torrent of bestial screams erupted as the horse tumbled and brought many other clansmen down with them. Refocusing himself at the enemies infront he threw the fire bombs forward. Horses and men screamed as the fire engulfed their bodies.

It's not like I'm killing innocent civilians or those that are trying to surrender. You are trying to attack us.

He formed as many as he needed to blunt the attack, Kal letting loose another arrow.

I just hope it was quick.

They moved around the dying bodies before turning to the mass of Orcs and Clansmen. Seeing the small display of magic had brought them to a terrified panic. They clambered over one another to force their way through the breach. It seemed that over half of the enemy, that had still been waiting outside, had already entered the city. How many were already inside he had no idea.

The cities defenders were not so stunned. While he was certain that they had no idea as to who they were, they were smart enough to realise that they were on their side. Now that he was close enough he could see them firing arrows and even dropping large rocks onto the enemy below. The Orcs and Clansmen's overall lack of ranged weapons was becoming a serious liability.

Anton summoned larger fire bombs and threw them at the rear of the enemy army. Screams and shouts of panic filled the air as they were burned alive.

“What about the flame pillar things?” Verona asked, wincing as Kal loosed another arrow past her head. “I don't think it'll burn the city down.”

“I think just one for now.” Anton said, getting a weak smile from Verona.

She certainly did not want to be blinded by the flame again. Just one pillar would not do that, nor damage the walls.

He formed a single fire ring in his mind and threw it into the rear of the enemy mass. The ground burst into light, a few looked down in surprise, before flames burst out of the ground. It was not as powerful or bright as the tethered pillars at the Gravestone but it was nothing to sneer at. Those inside the pillar were vaporised in a brief scream, and those nearby were drawn upwards by the draft of the fire. They flew up hundreds of meters, burning all the while, before being thrown out and smashing onto the ground.

With an oddly satisfying crunch they slammed into the ground, their bones breaking and limbs twisting in unnatural ways. There was no chance they could survive from such a height. Hundreds upon hundreds of bodies landed around them. Many landed onto the live enemy, terrifying them further seeing their burning comrades crashing onto their heads.

The flame pillar began to die down. And now they could see him clearly. The enemy tried even more desperately to enter the city as the cities defenders fought even harder seeing that the enemy was utterly terrified.

Anton continued to throw fire bombs, and the occasional lightning bolt, into the crowd. Occasionally a group would part and try to attack him. They were quickly dispatched by Anton, and Verona's magic when they got too close, Kal continuing to help as best she could.

By the time the last enemy had entered the city Anton had no idea as to how many people he had killed. Several hundred easily, though he was a little concerned that Stratos was not going to be getting much mana from this whole fight.

Now that they're inside fire will just burn down the whole city. Guess Stratos might be getting his turn now.

A few minutes later horn resounded out from behind them. Coming down the slight hill was the rest of their army, their horsemen . They had ran very hard. Anton tried his best to wave them over, even though that he knew they would only be able to make out a tiny dot vaguely moving.

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“Who are you?” a voice shouted from the wall.

It was one of the defenders, her white and green uniform tattered and dirty as she leant over the wall. All the defenders were clearly exhausted from the fight. However her attention was mostly focused behind her into the city, where the sounds of fighting still continued.

This might be a good idea to drop Duchess Belinda's name.

“We fight for Duchess Belinda.” he shouted to her, getting an odd and doubtful look in return. “We've come to aid you in this fight.”

He saw her shoulder droop in a sigh, he could not hear anything over the growing shouts coming from within.

“Well, thanks for that.” she pointed to the piles of charred dead bodies near the breach. “But they're already inside and killing everyone....And each other.”

Kal let out a noise of surprise.

Guess that their little alliance has broken down.

Anton heard the sounds of horses running from behind. Alfred, Hemiskr and Conrad came up, the soldiers running to join them.

“What's the situation?” Alfred asked, bringing his horse to a halt. He was short of breath.

Anton gestured to the dead Orcs and Clansmen. That was evidence enough.

“Right.” Alfred looked up at the Qaiviel soldiers on the wall. “We fight in the name of Duchess Belinda to save this city.”

The woman chuckled. “Well, come on in. We can't hold it by ourselves.”

She turned around and started yelling at the other soldiers. They started throwing and shooting at the other side, the battle was continuing while they talked. 

Alfred turned around to face their army.

“Men and Women of Qaiviel! The enemy are caught in this city, but are not yet beaten. Today we will end their threat!”

A few cheers emenated from their side. He nodded to Hemiskr and Conrad, and they advanced into the city.

---[]---

The soldiers began to spread out into the sprawling mess of streets of Nonbu'rn. Anton had not been to a surviving medieval city on Earth, but he remembered that there was no overall planning involved when these cities were built. Buildings were built wherever they could fit them in, making the streets widen and shrink randomly. A confusing and winding mess. This city was no different. From the breach in the wall he could make out at least a dozen places they could have travelled, there were none waiting to fight them off. The battle had already moved on.

Everywhere they looked they could see dead civilians, Qaiviel soldiers and Clansmen and Orc warriors. It was becoming less of a battle and a frenzied fight for survival. The female Qaiviel soldier, and a hundred odd soldiers from each side of the breach in the wall, came down to meet them.

“Where are they?” Anton asked the Qaiviel guard.

“They split up and headed deeper into the city. They fought their way through our soldiers...Most of them looked like they were heading towards the center.”

“That means we'll be the ones hunting then.” Conrad said with a light smile.

“Most of the soldiers should go with someone else.” Anton said. “There's still tens of thousands of these-”

A roar came from the left of the breech. Nearly two hundred Orcs and Clansmen emerged. They were covered in blood and had a crazed battle frenzy in their eyes. Without a moments hesitation they charged straight towards them, bloody weapons raised to strike at them.

Verona dashed to the front as she reformed the blood into tiny shards, Anton threw a few lightning bolts around her. Those that made it to Verona were quickly dispatched in a flurry of red shards. Everyone there was stunned by what they saw, especially the city soldiers.

Verona chuckled as she withdrew her crystal shards. A shiver ran through her body, though she held it under control. She took another deep breath and turned towards him, a beaming smile.

“A few less now.” she said smugly, returning to his side.

“I....” the female soldier trailed off.

“You said that most of them were heading towards the center.” Anton began, catching the soldier's attention. “What's there?”

“Governor Eilis's mansion.” she replied. “It's the largest building in the city, it stands where the first fort stood. It's quite big and has another stone wall...”

A thought dawned on her face. “If they get in there it'll take a lot to get them out.”

Anton looked towards the center of the city. That was where most of the smoke was coming from.

“Hopefully they've headed that way. We'll head there and try and rescue as many Qaiviel soldiers we can.”

“We'll split up then.” Alfred began. “These narrows streets will lessen the influence of their overwhelming numbers. However, we should still stay close together to assist one another in case something happens.”

“Right.” Anton said, looking towards the center.

“I guess that you want me to join you?” the female soldier asked.

Hemiskr smiled. "Every sword and bow helps.”

Anton led a few soldiers and mercenaries towards the centre, while Alfred and Hemiskr went to the right and Conrad to the left, taking most of the soldiers with them. He felt that they could better use the soldiers than he could, he also had Verona and Kal to help him if anything went bad.

Slowly they advanced through the corpse strewn and abandoned streets. Sounds of continuing battles rang out in the distance. Most of the bodies were of dead civilians and Qaiviel soldiers, but an increasing number were of Orcs and Clansmen. Kal kept them moving at a cautious pace, and made sure that they were always glancing up in case of an ambush from above.

The further they went the more the streets were filled with bodies. Blood ran through the gaps of the stones like a river. Verona scrunched her eyes tight but continued as best she could. Noises came from the buildings either side. For a moment Anton thought it was going to be an ambush, but a quick glance revealed frightened eyes peering through. When they made contact they darted away. The civilians of Nonbu'rn were hiding in desperation. Anton let them hide in peace.

Finally they found the first group of Orcs and Clansmen. A large group of a few hundred. They were pressing forward into an alcove formed by the randomly placed buildings. While they could not see what they were fighting, they could hear the sounds of fighting.

Probably a group of Qaiviel soldiers still fighting on.

“Hey!” Verona shouted, reforming the blood into long crystal shards.

A few looked towards the shout, their faces instantly draining of all colour.

“Run! It's them!” one yelled out.

A few started to run, quickly cut down by a rain of arrows, led by Kal. The rest heard and diverted to attack them. A flurry of lightning bolts, crystal blood shards and arrows brought them down.

His assumption was correct. Forty odd battered Qaiviel soldiers stood in a close shield wall, though going by their trembling hands and faces they were not going to last much longer.

“Who...?” one asked, his face relaxing when he saw the white and green of the other soldiers with them.

“How many more fight on?” Anton asked.

There was no time to have a long conversation with each group they rescued. A roar came from the adjacent street. A few clangs of iron rang out, but then was quickly silenced.

“A few...We banded together and did our best to fight them off.”

“Fall in with us.” Verona said, waving backwards to the soldiers behind them. “We're heading deeper into the city. Were they heading towards the center?”

The soldiers stared blankly at her. Her red glowing eyes and body had brought them to a halt. Anton snapped his fingers to break them out of it.

“Yes.” he replied in a shout. “They passed us by and carried on towards the Governor's Mansion.”

“Start moving again.” Anton said, the rescued soldiers moving to the back.

They rescued another three groups of soldiers, each being larger in number and less wounded than the previous, and an occasional lone soldier. No soldiers had been lost when an inner wall came into view through the sprawling wooden buildings.

This wall was only slightly smaller than the tallest building and built like it was a genuine defence. This was meant to be a fort at the beginning. The inner wall of a layered defence. However, many bodies, Qaiviel, Orc and Clansmen, littered the ground below and slumped over the wall.

Kal went forward, waving the rest of them forward. “There's still fighting inside.”

He could hear the clanging of metal and shouting coming from within. As it was a genuine defensive wall there was no stairs or ramp on the outside to allow them onto the top. The dead bodies on the top, seemingly not killed by arrows, had been hacked to pieces.

“How did they get up there?” Anton asked, looking towards the south.

From the buildings to the south, Conrad and his forces emerged. They were bloodied but looked like they were ready for more. A momentary look of anger flickered over their faces until they realised they were friendly. Conrad gave them a wave and led his soldiers to them.

“Found quite a bunch of both.” Conrad said, blood covering his face. “The Clansmen fight really well, the Orcs are more of a mob than an army. I wished the Orc clans of old fought this badly. How many did you get?”

Anton shrugged, looking back to the wall.

“No idea. Quite a few I imagine. Though, it seems that they've already got inside.”

“Damn.” Conrad groaned. “Can you just make a hole in the wall?”

“I could. I don't want to damage the defences. But, what made the hole in the first wall?”

Conrad didn't have an answer, neither did anyone else. It reminded him of what the Yellow Goblin commander and its magic; a white ball of magic that destroyed the northern gate of Atros, the gate that was heavily reinforced and blew the hinges apart like it was wet paper. If there was more power to it it could break through a stone wall. Though he knew that line of thought was not going to get them anywhere. He shook his head and tried to find a gate.

Kal pulled harshly on his shirt, pointing to the north. Far away, lying against the wall, was a collapsed wooden building. The crumpled and destroyed remains of wood made a rough pathway to the top of the wall.

“How'd they bring that down?” Anton asked aloud.

They did not have an answer. If it was the same magic that brought down the wall...

A moment later Alfred and Hemiskr emerged between them and the collapsed building. They looked a little worse than Conrad and his soldiers. There also seemed to be a lot more soldiers with him than before. More than Anton or Conrad's group.

Alfred followed his sight and looked at the destroyed building against the wall, letting out a gasp of surprise.

“Anton.” he shouted back. “Can you get up and fight from there?”

“Yep.” Anton said.

The building was strangely solid underneath his feet. It took them a while but they reached the top, the last section requiring a jump up, and looked along the wall. There were hundreds of dead Qaiviel soldiers, they appeared to have died fighting the Orcs and Clansmen that climbed up the destroyed building. Many of the dead enemy had arrows and bolts sticking out of them. The defenders were prepared for fighting at range but not in melee. More bodies were strewn along the ramps down to the ground on the inside.

Inside the wall the fighting continued. The Qaiviel soldiers fought in close groups against a surge of Orcs and Clansmen running into the mansion. The Governors Mansion was several times larger than the mansion Duchess Belinda had, though it was made from wood rather than stone. It was clear that there was once many windows on the mansion, though these were now smashed out. The few archers they had took up position there and shot out.

Anton did not bother to try and shout out first, letting loose lightning bolts at the Orcs and Clansmen. As the first twisting and writhing bolt exploded an enemy, the Qaiviel soldiers took heart and increased the fury of their attacks. Some cried out reverance for the Holy Father but all seemed relieved. The Orcs and Clansmen retreated into the mansion, quickly forming barricades against the Qaiviel soldiers.

“Retreat to the wall!” Alfred shouted out, having just made it up to them. Many other Qaiviel soldiers poured onto the wall as well.

The Qaiviel soldiers on the ground looked to the source. As they realised who it was they began to pull back. Anton took the time to survey the area. From his position Anton could see several small gates that lead into this area. One, past the destroyed building, looked to be completely blown in, the metal bars forming the gate thrown about like match sticks.

“I wonder who could do that?” Anton mumbled, throwing out another lightning bolt.

“I don't want to know.” Verona replied. “Looks like that Yellow Goblin Commander thing did it.”

“That it does.”

The surviving Qaiviel soldiers massed at the bottom of the wall, no longer looking as afraid.

“Secure the wall!” Alfred yelled down.

“Are we not going to take back the mansion?” one soldier yelled back.

“Not yet. We need to take back the city and help anyone else still fighting. We'll make sure they don't get out.”

Dubious looks greeted them, but they agreed with the orders, quickly filing out. Alfred turned to Anton.

“Can you keep an eye on the enemy for now? Make sure that they stay in there. We need to retake the rest of the city before we move on them.”

“Not a problem.” Anton replied. “They won't get past us.”

“Is there anyone alive in there?” Verona asked. “Like...servants? Or the Governor?”

Alfred shrugged. “If they're still there, then there's little we can do for them. Besides...One noble's life is not worth loosing this invasion.”

Kal grumbled something but did not elaborate.

“I'll make sure that Hemiskr and Conrad keep soldiers on the wall to keep an eye on the other side while we search the city.”

He gave a wave, the two seemingly understanding straight away, and their soldiers began to spread out along the wall. Anton turned to watch the mansion seeing the hurried movement within.

What's your plan now?

---[]---

Over the next silent and uneventful hour control of the outer sections of the city was quickly established. Many Qaiviel soldiers, and quite a few militia style forces, had survived by barricading themselves into small defensible areas or had simply been passed by. Those on the north had suffered very little in comparison, where the Orcs and Clansmen had no coordination and had been left to their own devices. Many of the soldiers on the north survived. Now that it was clear there was an organised defence they quickly rallied to the cause. Nearly nine thousand soldiers now manned the inner wall, keeping a keen watch on the remaining enemy squeezed into the giant mansion.

According to the survivors most of the enemy had made their way into the mansion. There were so many bodies throughout the city that he had no idea how many were left. Whatever their initial army was it had been whittled away in the narrows streets. Still, the mansion looked very crowded.

He hoped that they would just surrender so they could go home. He wanted to sleep in his own bed again.

Alfred and Hemiskr had all the soldiers brought to the wall and took up positions, their green and white uniforms as clean as possible in a show of defiance and force. Anton wondered briefly why each of these Qaiviel cities seemed to have an inner and outer wall. He reserved that question for later.

“What's going on through their heads?” Anton said aloud, catching Verona and Kal's attention. “They've lost so many people already, and now they're boxed in...What was their plan coming here? I'm guessing it...”

Kal looked back at the city surrounding the Governors mansion. It was still smoking from the fires, fires that Anton had not lit. Some were still raging  across the city. The intensity was beginning to die down, replaced by an increasing blanket of smoke.

“To burn the city down...But.” Kal said, shaking her head. “But...now they've lost so many and now they're trapped. They're running out of ideas and actions. They can't do anything.”

“What would you do?” Anton asked.

Kal turned and looked at him in silence for some time. He did not mean it in the way he felt she was taking it.

“Either they can charge out and die, or they can surrender. That's all they can do now.”

“True.” Verona nodded, looking towards the mansion. “They're stuck in there. Now they've got lots of time to think about what to do next. They might come up with something.”

“Let's not give them that chance.”

Anton moved to the other side of the wall and shouted to gain the attention of the soldiers that were looking after the horses, to get the small bag containing the Karak fruit and bring it up to him. He had most of his reserves of mana but he did not want to take any chances. And this seemed that it would be one of the final battles for him in Qaiviel. Perhaps there would be another at the Border Forts, but this was not the time to be too frugal.

The solider quickly ran up to him, up the collapsed building. Anton gave him a thanks and took a fruit. Every bite filled his mouth with the soft and sweet flesh. His mana started to recover greatly with each bite. He attatched the half empty bag to his waist. He turned and offered one to Verona. However, she shook her head.

“I haven't had to use my power that much.” she said, a smile on her face. “I'm still fine.”

“Do you want one, just in case?”

Verona hesitated before taking one. Now Anton had two left, enough to see him through this fight. He hoped.

“You're right. You never know when something like this'll be needed.”

Anton gave her a quick pat on the head, letting out a cute whimper, before turning her attention back to the mansion. The mansion was very lavishly built and had many glass windows. Nearly all of them were broken, a clear line of sight through which he could see rapid movement.

Making glass like that would surely cost a fortune....I think. It looks like the Governor's trying to show off his wealth. I'm not actually sure how glass like that is made here. Another question...

Alfred moved past the waiting soldiers and next to him.

“We've got everyone in position. Can you deal with anyone that tries to escape?”

“Only if they're in my range.” Anton replied. “But, we can get down to our horses pretty quickly. Are you going to try and get their surrender?”

Alfred nodded.

“There's still so many of them inside. I don't want to have to fight that many Orcs or Clansmen. If we can get them to surrender without having to fight...We might even be able to get something in return for the safe release. We're close enough to their lands for this to work.”

“Wonder what that would be?”

Alfred chuckled, a thin smile forming on his mouth.

“Gold would be a good start. Enough gold to cover what damage they have done.”

“So long as it helps me in the long run, I'm fine with it.”

Alfred smiled again. “I guess we'll see if they're willing to be cooperative. Please wait up here.”

Alfred walked down to the ground, many heavily armoured soldiers with large shields went with him for security. They held their heavy shields around Alfred. He didn't get very close before he began to speak.

“I am Alfred, servant of her grace, Duchess Belinda.” Alfred bellowed out to the mansion. Anton was surprised by the volume he could create. “You are surrounded, cut off from whatever plan you hoped to accomplish.”

There was some movement, many faces glancing around the broken windows and any opening. Yet no sound came back. They were waiting on his words.

“We have a Fire and Lightning Grand Mage on our side, one you're quite familiar with. And a Blood Berserker. If you do not surrender, we will burn the mansion you are hiding in, with you and whomever you have held hostage in there. This is your only chance at survival. Surrender, and save your lives."

Still no noise came back. The faces that he could see looked terrified. They took the threat seriously.

“Does he really mean that?” Verona asked. “If they don't give up...they'll be burned alive. Would you do that?”

“I think it's just a bit of a threat.” Anton replied. “If he doesn't threaten them, and play on their fears, they might not give up.”

Verona hummed as she looked at the mansion. Still nothing happened.

“Anton.” Alfred said back to him. “Throw a fireball at them.”

He formed a small fireball and threw it at the base of the mansion. It landed on the wooden debris outside and burst into flame. He did not want to burn the mansion down yet, but hoped that the smoke would convince them that they were deadly serious.

Time passed, Alfred waiting patiently.

How long is he going to wait? Has he done this before?

“Something's happening.” Kal said.

Anton focused as hard as he could, he could hear something like shouting coming from the top of the building. It grew louder and louder.

A window near the source, one of the few still intact, exploded in a white flash. A body fell out. A Clansmen. He fell three stories before landing back first onto an orning on the first floor, rolling lifelessly onto the ground. The Qaiviel soldiers were stunned.

Slowly further shouts grew from within, but they were not like before. These were to fight. Something travelled through the faces that he could see peering out. They went from fear to anger in a few seconds.

“I don't think your negotiations going to work, Alfred.”

Alfred grumbled, waving to Hemiskr and Conrad.

“No it does not. Everyone, prepare for battle!”

-------------

Hello!

Brought the fight to the enemy, even though they're spiralling out of control. Now they're surrounded and going to fight their way out.

Next chap will be from the other side, a few moments before the explosion.

Thanks for reading. And any and all Donations!