Move not unless you see an advantage;

use not your troops unless there is something to be gained;

fight not unless the position is critical

-Sun Tzu

The morning sun spread across the ancient walls of Marunath, casting long shadows across the snowy landscape. Mengus, standing on top of the walls, fixed his gaze upon the distant horizon. In the valley below, the enemy forces gathered, their banners unfurled and their siege engines prepared for battle.

Rumors of an attack had reached Marunath weeks ago, and Mengus, who was put as the leader of the defense as no one else was in the town at the time, had wasted no time in preparing the defenses. A month ago, when he gave the prisoners away to the king, he didn't expect him to be in this situation. The prisoners were sent to the dungeons of Marunath castle, where the High King's Inquisition took over.

Not much time passed, as High King Kaladogg made his way back to the throne in the keep and made his decision that Barrania was going to war against Stargians. The Inquisition said that all the prisoners said that they were sent by their King to weaken Barrania because they were planning a war. Attacking villagers close to the border was just the start. In a couple of weeks, High King Kaladogg readied his big army and headed to Stargia, but before he left, he gave Mengus an important quest.

"My daughter, Karin, is in the castle and she is, you could say a hothead. The task I'm giving you is to test her sword skill a little bit, and then both of you with the rest of my men that are being recruited will join us up north."

Mengus didn't really have much of an option other than to accept the quest from the High King.

"It will only last for a week or two before the forces are recruited, I can manage that."

The next day, High King Kaladogg left with his army, and Mengus received word that Princess Karin, the daughter of High King Kaladogg, had arrived at the training ground. Eager to fulfill his mission, Mengus made his way to the training grounds where Karin awaited.

Karin stood tall and proud, her sword gleaming in the morning light. She looked like a good and strong warrior, with a scary look in her eyes, she resembled Lysa a little too much. As they sparred, exchanging blows and parries, Mengus couldn't help but be impressed by her skill and agility.

Karin's movements were swift and fluid, her sword moving through the air with grace and agility. She moved with the confidence of someone who had spent years on the battlefield, her eyes sharply focused on Mengus as they circled each other.

"You fight well, Mengus," Karin said.

Mengus grinned in response. "Not bad yourself, Princess," he replied.

"It is my honor to fight the arena champion," she said as she plunged for another attack.

Mengus parried the attack and distanced himself from her, "It is my honor to spar with the Princess."

With a fast swing of the sword, Karin, through her teeth hissed at Mengus. "I don't like being called a Princess, that's the title for the whores in the Southern Kingdoms. I am a warrior!"

Mengus raised an eyebrow, amused by her response. "My apologies, warrior," he said, offering a slight bow of his head.

They continued exchanging blows, and Mengus couldn't help but be impressed by Karin's moves and fighting. There was a raw power in her movements. She fought like a seasoned warrior, not like a princess, or royalty.

"You are quite skilled with a sword, I must admit," Mengus said with admiration as he parried one of her attacks.

"Years of training will do that," she said and smiled grimly. "But I still have much to learn."

For five days, without a skip or a rest, they continued their spar. Each morning, Karin would wait at the training ground for Mengus, she was never late. But then, the news of an army approaching the town put an end to their sparing, fear shook the town, somehow they needed to defend the town, but no generals were in the town, so they all went with the High King. And there were not many men available to fight.

In the grand hall of the High King's palace, Karin stood before the assembled council. The members of the council, advisers and nobles alike, stood frozen in fear, awaiting a decision on what to do against the upcoming siege.

"Members of the council," Karin began. "As you are aware, Marunath faces a dire threat. An enemy army approaches our walls, intent on laying siege to our town."

A murmur of concern rippled through the council, without a huge army, it will be difficult to defend the town.

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"But fear not," Karin continued. "For we have a champion among us. Mengus, the arena champion, had proven himself as a great leader and a fighter time and time again. He is the only one left in Marunath who possesses the skill and courage to lead our defense."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, their minds in battle of their own with the thoughts of the impending conflict.

After a moment of tense silence, one of the council members spoke up, his voice filled with uncertainty. "But Princess Karin, are you certain that Mengus is capable of leading our defense? He may be skilled in combat, but does he possess the necessary experience to command an army?"

"Right now he is the best we got," she responded. "Maybe he lacks experience as an army leader, but he already defended a village in the north when my father sent him to capture the attackers. He overpowered the enemy with his tactics, and I hope he can do it again!"

The council knew that they had little choice but to trust in Karin's judgment. After a moment of deliberation, the head of the council nodded. "Very well, Princess Karin. If you believe that Mengus is the best choice to lead our defense, then we shall defer to your judgment."

"Thank you, members of the council. I shall inform Mengus of your decision at once."

Turning on her heels, she made her way swiftly out of the grand hall, her heart pounding.

And this is how Mengus found himself standing on the walls of Marunath, preparing the defense. He wasted no time in the preparations. Every able-bodied man and woman had been summoned to the fortress, and the walls had been reinforced with timber and stone.

As the days passed, the enemy advanced steadily towards Marunath, their numbers swelling with each passing hour. Mengus watched from the walls as their siege engines were assembled and their armies readied themselves for battle. It was clear that they intended to lay siege to the fortress and crush all who stood in their path.

With a heavy heart, Mengus looked at his army, the defenders who gathered within the walls of Marunath. They were a mix of soldiers, farmers, and craftsmen, united to try and defend Marunath.

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the enemy launched their assault upon Marunath. Siege engines thundered and arrows rained down upon the fortress, but Mengus and his defenders stood firm. The walls of Marunath had withstood countless sieges in the past, and they would not fall down.

On the third day, the siege engines managed to damage portions of the walls, however Mengus and the defenders were able to repair the fortifications every night.

As the days turned into weeks, the siege of Marunath dragged on, with either side willing to give ground. Within the walls of Marunath, supplies dwindled and morale began to falter. But Mengus tried to motivate his troops by fighting alongside his comrades on the front lines. Despite the biting winds and freezing temperatures, Mengus and his men stood tall upon the walls.

Supplies grew scarce, and hunger gnawed at the bellies of the defenders. Yet, they preserved, rationing what little food remained and drawing strength from their determination to protect their home. Each night, Mengus and some council members gathered in the war room, strategizing and planning their next move. They studied maps of the surrounding terrain, searching for any advantage they could exploit against the enemy.

The war room was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows on the faces of those gathered around the table. Mengus sat at the head, his brow furrowed as he studied the maps spread out before him.

"We cannot hold out much longer," remarked one of the council members. "Our supplies are dwindling, and the enemy shows no signs of relenting."

"We must find a way to break their siege," Mengus replied. "We cannot allow Marunath to fall into their hands."

"But how?" another council member added, frustrated. "Their forces outnumber us ten to one, and our defenses are already stretched thin. What hope do we have against such overwhelming odds?!"

"We need to strike at their morale, to show them that we will not be so easily defeated. Perhaps a daring sortie under the cover of darkness could sow confusion among their ranks?" Mengus responded, everyone looked at him like he was mad.

"It is a risky plan, but it might be our only chance. We'll need volunteers to lead the charge and create a diversion while the rest of our forces attempt to break through their lines." Mengus continued.

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well the dangers that lay ahead. But they also knew that desperate times called for desperate measures, and they were willing to do whatever it took to defend their home.

"Very well," Karin said, rising to her feet. "I will lead the sortie, and you Mengus use that chance to give them hell."

"Princess you should-" one of the council members tried to say something but a slap on his face made him bite his tongue.

"We are at war, Jerq, I said what I said," Karin said calmly.

"We move out at dusk," said Mengus. "There is a good chance we won't make it back."

"I know," Karin said, meeting his gaze. "But if we don't try, then Marunath is lost anyway."

Mengus nodded, a grim smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Then let's show them what we're made of," he said, clapping her on the shoulder. "FOR MARUNATH!"

"For Marunath!" everyone responded.

* * *

"We'll need volunteers to lead the charge and create a diversion with Karin, while the rest of our forces attempt to break through their lines," Mengus stated.

The volunteers nodded in understanding. They knew the risks involved in such a maneuver, but they were still willing to do whatever was needed to win.

"We'll strike at their weakest point, where their defenses are thinnest," Mengus continued. "Once we've drawn their attention, the main force will make their move, with me in the lead. The goal of the first wave is to create chaos and confusion, to disrupt their ranks, and give our comrades the opening they need to break through."

Everyone listened to Mengus's speech as he continued: "Remember, this is not just about defeating the enemy," Mengus reminded them. "It is about protecting our homes, our families, everything we hold dear. We fight not just for ourselves, but for the future of Marunath!"

With a final scream of agreement, the volunteers with Karin set off into the night, their hearts heavy with the weight of their mission. As they disappeared into the darkness, Mengus turned his gaze towards the enemy's camp, soon he would need to lead the rest of the army into a charge, hoping that they would be too distracted to fight back.

The fate of Marunath hung in the balance, waiting for the final fight.