CHAPTER 301 Smoke and Mirrors

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CHAPTER 301 Smoke and Mirrors

297 AC

POV THIRD PERSON

Aermir watched with mixed feelings as the entire force of twelve thousand men marched towards Newkeep. His initial expectation had been for only half that number to join, with the remainder stationed along the coastline as a precautionary measure. However, the logistics of withdrawing the ships from the island had proven more cumbersome than anticipated, granting the lords greater freedom of movement than he had intended.

With a force of six thousand men stationed at Newkeep and an additional two thousand at Strongsong, Aermir remained confident in his ability to overcome any opposition. However, he was acutely aware that engaging such a sizable force in battle would inevitably exact a heavy toll on his own ranks. While he intended to emerge as the Druid assuming the mantle of defender of the Old Gods' believers, the prospect of prolonged conflict weighed heavily on his mind.

Nevertheless, amidst the challenges that lay ahead, there emerged a glimmer of hope. The arrival of two new druids, bolstered by their newfound mastery of mana, offered a welcome reinforcement to Aermir's forces. Their presence not only expanded the ranks of spellcasters under his command but also imbued the army with renewed vigor. Seeing people among their clans bestowed with the power of the Old Gods, many of the mountain men burned with fervor.

Moreover, the addition of two wargs from the mountain clans further enhanced Aermir's strategic capabilities. These wargs possessed little prowess, but their existence promised to tip the scales in his favor. They might still be only level 1 druids, but the psychological effects on allies and enemy troops would be far more than their destructive abilities.

Thorn from the Burned Men and Ravenna from the Stonecrows may not have possessed the innate talent of individuals like Rickon or Dacey. While their mastery of mana paled compared to Aermir's formidable abilities, their mana pool had grown to around 100 when they created their manaheart. They should be able to cast around ten spells before running out of mana.

As they honed their skills and familiarized themselves with the intricacies of spellcasting, Thorn and Ravenna stood poised to play pivotal roles in the battles to come. Since they didn't get their spells in a revelation like Aermir, they had to learn from someone. As soon as they arrived here, Aermir started to teach them level 1 fire and earth spells. 

...

The druids within the temple possessed only a restricted repertoire of spells that they could grasp on their own. However, their eagerness to learn and their years of observing Aermir's magical prowess allowed them to understand the most basic spells, such as elemental balls. 

Aermir also took measures to facilitate their progress in his absence. He meticulously compiled a grimoire—a comprehensive compendium of spells and incantations—that served as a guide for the druids to study and learn from during his absence. With the grimoire as their guide, the druids immersed themselves in the study of spells, diligently working to learn more level 1 spells. 

...

As Aermir surveyed the scene, his men diligently followed his orders, creating makeshift fires inside the castle walls. The damp wood crackled and smoked, sending plumes of dark clouds into the air. The flickering flames cast an eerie glow on the surrounding landscape, heightening the sense of urgency. Thorn couldn't understand and asked, "My lord, why are we doing this?"

"This will create the illusion of a recent pillaging," Aermir remarked to his druid. "It should stir up panic outside the castle walls. When the enemy army comes and sees this, it will make them more susceptible to making mistakes. I want them to be hasty and impulsive."

His men nodded in understanding, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames. Each one understood the importance of this ruse in destabilizing the Vale soldiers and providing them with a tiny bit of edge.

...

In a few days, the 12 thousand Vale force will be at the gates of Newkeep. Robert Hersy and Ser Jon Brightsteel were burning with a vengeance. Ser Brightsteel was the commander of Belmore forces, and when he learned Belmore lineage was no more, he literally shed bloody tears in his rage.

He not only lost his liege but his own home and family too. House Brightsteel was a knightly household that served Belmore, but now he had lost everything. Jasper Redfort stood with the other lords, his gaze fixed on the battered southern gate of Newkeep. "Ser Ronnel, Ser Royce," he addressed his companions, "we need a plan to breach those gates. Any suggestions?"

Ser Ronnel Hunter, a seasoned knight with a weathered face, spoke up. "My lord, we could use our siege engines to batter down the gates rather than doing a hasty assault. It may take time, but it's a surefire way to gain entry."

Ser Robert Hersy nodded in agreement. "Aye, but time is not on our side. We don't know what those mountain savages are doing to our daughters and women. Look at those smokes. Only the Seven knows what they are doing to our people. They must have pillaged everything in that castle." Aermir's plan had worked, and now they believed the castle to be pillaged, creating a feeling of urgency.

Ser Brightsteel said, "We need a quicker approach. What if we send a small team to scale the walls under cover of darkness and open the gates from within?" Jasper considered their options, his brow furrowed in thought. "That could work, but it's risky. If they were caught, we would have lost hundreds of men needlessly. Ser Jon, what say you?"

Ser Jon Lynderly, a man of few words but strong resolve, spoke next. "My lord, I suggest we combine both approaches. While the siege engines batter the gates, we send a distraction force to draw their attention away. Meanwhile, a smaller team can attempt to scale the walls and open the gates surreptitiously from another point."

Jasper nodded, impressed by the strategic insight of his advisors. He turned to the chief engineer and asked, "How long will it take to assemble all the siege engines?" The chief said, "A day, my lord." 

Siege engines had to be broken down to make them easier to transport. Because they were so heavy, five or six oxen would have to pull one of them, and the weight would cause it to get stuck. That's why a siege engine was broken into pieces and put into two or three ox carts. With this, a single ox could pull some of the pieces without any difficulty.

 "Very well, start assembling the siege engines. Ser Royce, form the distraction force. Ser Robert, you'll lead the team in scaling the walls since you know the castle best. We attack in two days. First, we need to bombard them with stones and keep them awake for two days." With their plan in place, the lords set about preparing their forces for the upcoming siege.