Chapter 544: Assault on Oldtown

"Archers!" "Archers, be swift!" "Form ranks here!"

As Dorne's vast army approached, Oldtown's gates were shut tight. The city's defenders hurriedly climbed the walls, preparing to fend off the impending Dornish assault.

Oldtown's walls, not particularly tall or formidable, had been breached multiple times in history—by Dorne's King Samwell Dayne, Iron King Corlys Hoare, and River King Garth Gardener I. After Garth Gardener I's conquest, he had sold three-quarters of the town's populace into slavery, but he never managed to conquer the Hightowers' towering keep.

A distant horn blew from the Dornish ranks, breaking the silence of the battlefield.

The disciplined formation of Dornish soldiers advanced, their presence imposing and suffocating. The soldiers wore their signature desert-yellow uniforms with metallic scale-stitched leather armor, and helmets wrapped in turbans.

Their cavalry rode tall desert horses, wielding curved swords and round shields, with short spears strapped to their backs. Dornish infantrymen carried long spears and shields, while their archers bore quivers and double-curved longbows, with the iconic curved sword at their waists.

Various banners of Dornish nobility fluttered in the wind, with the most prominent being the Martell's sun-pierced spear, followed closely by the Yronwood's. Other notable banners included House Dayne of Starfall, House Toland with its dragon-eating tail, House Uller of Hellholt, and even House Fowler of Skyreach, known for their differences with the Yronwoods.

"To arms!" "Prepare to assault!"

Under the command of Lord Anders Yronwood, the assault on Oldtown commenced.

The Dornish soldiers unsheathed their curved blades and, raising their shields, charged.

"Attack!"

From the rear, newly crafted war machines roared, launching flaming boulders skyward. Some of these fiery projectiles struck the city walls with a deafening impact, while others landed on the battlements, causing casualties among the Hightower defenders.

One of the boulders flew over the city walls, crashing into buildings beyond.

The civilian homes, unlike the city walls, were not fortified and were quickly demolished by the trebuchet's projectiles. Fortunately, most of the residents had fled Oldtown before the onset of the battle. The boulders, drenched in oil, ignited the ruins, sending flames and smoke spiraling upwards.

Oldtown, known for its scenic beauty with its streams, vast rivers, and canals accompanied by cobblestone streets, offered a refreshing urban landscape. Though densely populated, it lacked the political intensity of King's Landing.

However, the advent of war disrupted its tranquility. Flames consumed the city's ruins.

"Extinguish the fires!" "Quickly! Extinguish them!"

Sir Gunthor Hightower, the third son of Lord Leyton Hightower, was at the base of the walls, directing his men to put out the growing fires.

On the walls, his elder brother, known as 'Greyiron' Garth Hightower, led the defense. Their eldest brother, 'Flatulent' Baelor Hightower, had already perished in the Battle of Honeywine, leaving the younger siblings with the responsibility.

"Archers!" "Ready!" "Release!"

Under the command of Garth Hightower, the city's defenders unleashed a volley of arrows. The Dornish, however, were prepared.

"Raise shields!" "Raise them!"

Sir Gullian Coghall, the eldest son from Sandstone, shouted commands as arrows rained down. Dornish soldiers promptly raised their shields, deflecting the barrage. Yet, some arrows found their marks, causing casualties.

The Dornish troops soon reached the base of Oldtown's walls.

"Hurry!" "Set up the ladders!"

A knight from House Uller, overseeing the scaling of the walls, was suddenly struck by an arrow and fell from his horse.

Despite Oldtown's tenacious resistance, the Dornish managed to set up their ladders.

"Scale the walls!" "Scale them!"

The promise of a thousand gold dragons by Lord Anders Yronwood to the first man atop the walls fueled the Dornish soldiers' fervor.

"Charge!"

Oldtown's defenders, led by Garth Hightower, valiantly repelled the climbers, dropping rocks and pouring boiling oil. Many Dornish soldiers met their end midway up the ladders, but their relentless assault eventually paid off.

"Stand your ground!" "Fight to the last!"

Garth Hightower, now visibly distressed, tried to rally his men, but the defense was crumbling. More Dornish soldiers surged over the walls.

Oldtown's gates were flung open.