From the first stone used as foundation, to the flag of king Abistros planted atop the highest tower, Moonholme had been built with purpose and intent. It wasn't one of those cities that naturally spawned when peasant villages grew. Rather, the monarchy and merchant guild had decided it would be erected here, on this steep hill under the Skypierce mountain's shadow. Each building was carved out of the finest darkstone and held together by woven silver threads, able to take a boulder from a trebuchet unscathed. A large tunnel was dug out of the mountain behind it, securing a safe route to resupply the city. Moonholme was, by all accounts, a symbol of eternal defiance against the sun and its light.
The central tower served the same purpose. It stood taller than any other this close to the border, and with the mountainside ensuring a battlefield free of wind, it was an excellent nest for the best archers and mages the kingdom had to offer. They served as support to the secondary towers that carried the ballistas and crossbowmen, and they in turn protected the gates. Gates built of heavy, metal infused whitestone, behind which trained, armoured infantry lay in wait. It was no wonder the city could hold an attacking force five times the size of the one defending it. In its long history, it'd been captured only once.
Alex’s plan would change that. Despite not caring much for large scale PvP until now, he knew that normally sieges were long and costly affairs. With players being forced to log off daily, cutting supply chains would require a lot of NPC support. The other, more popular way to capture a castle was to storm it in a sudden all out attack, giving the defenders no time to take up arms and set up. The Hallowed had gotten pretty good at that over the years, it'd seem, because the commander right in front of Alex was absolutely clueless about the cruel fate about to befall the city, and the very keep they were standing in.
"As you can see, mister Radus," a chubby man addressed him by a fake name. "They have been perfectly armed as you requested. Tomorrow, they'll be handed their weapons and begin training with the city's best instructor." He turned towards Alex expectantly.
Alex pulled one of the men closer to the torch fixed to the wall and pretended to check the flaps of their hide, then pushed against the metal plates with his fingers. "Excellent work, commander. I will make sure to report back to the guild about these young men and their new stations. Thank you."
The commander laughed, placing a heavy, jewellery-filled hand on Alex's shoulder. The gemstones glinted under the orange light. "No, it is the garrison that ought to thank you. It is quite rare for us to receive such a sizable donation, and even rarer for someone to have hand picked capable young men."
Alex glanced at the three men and gave them a slight nod. Hiring them had cost seven times the amount he’d donated, and he’d basically spent through every last gold nugget Xua had given him. But for good reason. These weren’t simple soldiers, but the most capable control mages Alex could find. Powerful NPC casters with an extremely specific skill set and a single task. “Thank you, commander. May I ask for one final favour?”
The chubby man paled and gave a slow nod. This was the part where merchants often asked for ‘exemptions’, after their bribe was accepted. “Do you have a spare bed? If I start the journey back now, I fear that dawn may find me on the way to Shantalar.”
“Of course! You don’t even have to ask, mister Radus.” The commander tried to hide his relief. “You!” He yelled at a foot soldier. “Prepare warm water and our best room for this fine gentleman right here, and make sure he has everything he needs.” The soldier saluted, then went to it, as the commander turned to Alex with a sly smile, as if looking for approval.
Alex returned the pleasantry in kind. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need some time with the men. Goodbyes, family blessings and all that.”
“Naturally.” The man bowed and took his leave, wobbling away. Even his bloated figure seemed tiny inside the massive keep.
Alex looked around the stone tower swarming with darkblessed soldiers and motioned the three men around him a little closer. “What did you think of the commander?” he whispered. “Will you be able to slip unnoticed when the time comes?”
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“He seems awfully blithe,” one of them said, voice betraying the old age that his helmet hid. “Should be no issue.”
“You know how it is.” Another man answered, the light blue of his eyes shining through the visor. “The safest posts attract those with imperial favour and the most dire lack of skill.”
“His subordinates are highly trained though,” Alex said, “so be careful.”
“Don’t worry,” the old mage replied. He turned to look at the winding staircase leading up the tower, to the highest point in Moonholme. “Ironed out the details?”
“Mostly,” Alex said in a low tone. “Seeing the city and its defences has brought about a slight change to the original plan.”
“Which issss…?” The final mage spoke, gruff voice trailing off into nothing. His skin was black, and he was shorter than the rest of them.
“My guess is that the Hallowed forces won’t be able to take Moonholme,” Alex said solemnly. “They won’t even come close.”
“What do we do then?” the blue eyed mage asked.
“At the horn’s first sound, we will meet at the courtyard in front of the tower. I will shroud you all from sight with my spell, then I will rush to the walls to survey the battle. Most likely I’ll have to…” Alex lowered his voice to a whisper. “Lower the gate. Give our little Hallowed friends some help reaching us, huh?” He paused. “Now I just have to find the symbols that activate it before dawn breaks. Perhaps the commander’s quarters?”
“Silver, Snake, Drop, Metal.” The blue eyed mage said. “I peered through his mind a little while you two were talking. It was very unimpressive otherwise.”
“Hah.” Alex leaned back with a chuckle. Having capable aides really felt different. He had grown used to doing everything himself, but this was a welcome change. “What am I thinking right now?”
“That you’re lucky to be blessed by the stars and immune to having your thoughts stolen from your head.” The man replied, a smile showing under the fabric of his gambeson.
Alex raised an eyebrow. “You’re not too far off.”
“How are you so ssssure that the target will come here on his own free will?”
“When the walls are breached, this tower will instantly become the most important military objective inside the city. The last obstacle to complete capitulation. And when the dust of battle finally settles, the leader of the guild that claims the flag at the very top will be the one to take the credits. Trust me, he will rush here.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” the old man asked, showing some doubt. “He’s blessed by the stars like you.”
Alex glanced up at the vast darkness of the tower that extended far above and clenched his fist. It had to work. “I hadn’t really considered that, to be honest.” He chuckled. “Then I guess we die, don’t we?”
“Easy for you to say,” the blue eyed man replied. “You’re not risking anything.”
“I’m risking the gold I spent on you.” Alex’s face turned sour. “I want this to succeed more than any of you, trust me.”
“But you shouldn't be hasty. Remethat that he is a man of great renown and skill,” the old man replied. “And the only thing scarier than a soldier who can defy death and return, is one that doesn’t die in the first place.”
“That’s exactly why he must lose,” Alex hissed. “No one gets to be spared from the clutches of defeat forever. He must experience it again and again like the rest of us, until it burns a hole in his heart and casts shadows on his mind.” He glanced around the others. “Until he keeps glancing behind his back because of me.”
“So it isssss pride,” the dark-skinned mage grinned. “How human.”
“Perhaps. I’m mostly irritated by it. By the fact that he feels invincible. By the fact that other people think him so. No one deserves that luxury.” Alex took a deep breath to calm himself. “But it all ends tonight, thanks to me. Thanks to us.”
The blue eyed man shrugged. “You paid good money, that’s all I care about. I’ve met no one who could resist my magic up until now, but I welcome the challenge.”
“I’ll do as we agreed,” the old mage nodded. “But if the situation turns bad, I’m getting out of there.”
“It won’t,” Alex said, then pushed against the stone wall and righted himself. “Let’s get to work.”