Battle of Aster Day 2 Pt. 2

Andrew Allister, Month 11, Day 20, Year A.F 652. City of Aster, Kingdom of Rosalia.

The barrage of fireballs has ceased. Perhaps their command has noticed what the impact shall be against the bridge if they continue with such a plan.

I intertwine my fingers in thought. What could they possibly plan then? With the rate they are going, there's no way they'll be able to take the city today.

But I shouldn't be too comfortable, I should. A sudden tremble interrupted such thoughts. The ground shook as thousands of men entered through a gate of the outer city, their armour shining from the afternoon sun.

Each synchronous step, displaying a disciplined force, one honed through training. Such sights would have scared me if I never stood behind this city's defenses. Fortunately, I did.

Though this display of force has got me thinking about my next moves. If they ever decide to once more commit in their bombardment, they'll have to take the losses on their knights.

Or if they decide to do this without magic, they would exhaust valuable time to do so. Either way would be a boon for me, more time they waste on thinking up strategies, more time for me to wait for reinforcements.

Vincent Dunsten

The smell of smoke and ash, incite a violent fit of cough from me. I wipe my mouth with my sleeves, seeing a splatter of blood. I wince as a pain shoots through me, yet I push forward through the molten gates.

The charred woods and black walls showed the immense heat it subjected these buildings to. It could only be a matter of time before it crumbles.

Another cough, makes way as my attendant rides to my side, a man as old as me shouldnt be here. I shake my head, the war I have involved myself in is not something I can back down from.

With Arthen Rivider, galvanizing the south around him, I've tried to scrounge what little influence I had left.

This battle could at least give us a position of power in determining future events, that is, if we win. As I ride through the streets, an anomaly then occurs. The barrages stopped and I furrow my brows.

Why was it stopped? I believe I explicitly ordered them to burn the gate down before the army arrives in full.

I look at one of my officers and gesture at him with my hand forward.

He understood the meaning and rode forward.

I tap my chin in thought. What could have stopped them in their tracks? I furrow my brow in thought before realizing the fact that we held no information on the city's layout, on what hides behind the city walls.

There was no chance of scouting it out due to fire blazing through the streets.

A migraine presents itself as I once more cough violently from the smoke.

The sounds of galloping horses takes my attention as Ansen Rivider arrives, his blue eyes a reminder of who he represents.

He straightened his back as he reported the situation, his eyes filled with confidence.

"There's a moat, and a bridge connected to the two gateways. With us taking cover from a repeated onslaught of arrows, I cannot expect my men to be capable of accuracy." He lowers his hand

I take in his words as I tap my chin in thought. His words make sense, any fireballs that would hit the bridge would surely jeopardize our chances.

"Perhaps you're right. Then what do you suggest we do?" I ask him, to see what he would suggest.

"I do not know," He looks down in shame before he continued, "That's why I came here for your guidance."

This action fills me with suspicion. His continuous act of ignorance is grating. Since I am aware that no son of that man could ever be raised with such lack of knowledge.

Then what could he be planning? Did his father put him up to this? Does that man's scheme have no end? I shudder as I remember his eyes boring into me. Despite our difference in age, Arthen remains one of the few men I fear.

Even now with me as his subordinate, his schemes did always bother me. Specifically now, what possible reason could he possibly have so that he sent the three most valuable heirs in our faction into a warzone, one of the most volatile warzones in our campaign.

"Uncle! The situation has changed." A young, familiar voice shouted. Yes, as long as he remains alive and well, House Dunsten could at least remain under good hands.

He smirks to me, looking dishevelled, spoke up as he rides to our location. I nod to him as I replied, "I am aware."

Another man rides up to our location, Prince Athan, looking worse than he was this morning. His own folly had a deep impact on the young man.

As much as I wish to help the boy, the battlefield wasn't a place for such.

I look up from my thoughts as I gesture them closer, "It seems we would have to tackle this problem with a unique approach."

Viller Dunsten

"Will this truly work?" I spoke beside Ansen as we rode forward, the infantry behind us.

He glances at me, his carefree expression now grave and weary, "Let's hope it does."

I scratch the back of my head. Ansen hasn't been the same ever since the war started.

I look down, it doesn't matter. I just need to finish the war and I would have avenged my parents.

Another group of soldiers passed by me, their clothing similar to that of the infantry.

They salute at me as I spoke to them. "Take your positions. We'll be breaking through those gates."

Andrew Allister

I stood over the view of thousands of men, preparing to siege down the inner walls.

A messenger comes beside me, saluting as he reports, "Sir, the knight at the other gate is retreating as well."

What could this mean? All barrages have ceased, there have been no hostile movements as of late. Yet a foreboding feeling seems to be weighing over me.

I look out once more under the afternoon sun. Their armored infantry stood in front, their armor shining brilliantly. I chew my lip in thought as I tried to find what they plan to do.

There's no way they'll send their infantry to death, right? They could probably create some shields to mitigate the arrow's damage, yet those wouldn't be enough.

Though if their knights are all retreating, could it mean that reinforcements have arrived?

My eyes widen in realization as I look around in view of their soldiers. Despite the uncountable amount, I could estimate this army to at least hold five thousand men.

"You! How many men were our scouts able to see on their initial contact." I asked the messenger who brought me the news.

"Ten thousand, sir!" The messenger straightened his back as he replied.

That's twice than of what they're fielding. That means their knights are required elsewhere.

I sat back at the thought that maybe brother have already arrived to provide relief. Though such thoughts were instead drowned in noise.

The five thousand troops before me was starting to march closer at the gate at where I stood. Their lines thicker than expected, as ten rows of men, marching in synchronous order. They raise their wooden shield forward.

If they wish to die by my arrows, I'll be happy to oblige them.

I look to the longbow men and shout, "All men, Fire at will!"

The longbowmen let loose hundreds of arrows, striking the infantry with their arrows penetrating their wooden shields.

Striking their armors, halting their advance. I grin a bit before the march rolls on forward. Their determination to reach my gate would be admirable, if it wasn't so foolish.

Perhaps they are determined to quickly end the siege, with reinforcements coming, I would need to hold on for a day.

They grow closer inch by inch, till the front row reaches the gate. An admirable achievement, since my men have targeted everyone in the front row.

Though as I smile, watching their helpless form weave through the volleys of arrows, I notice something.

Something that gives me a horrified realization.

Their last line of soldiers weren't mere infantry. They were demons, their skin hidden through wooden shields their clothes typical for a soldier

And with this close a range, there was only one thing I could shout, "All men retreat from the walls!"

I ran as everyone scrambles, my legs ache as I put every power I had in it. Though before I could even run a sufficient distance.

It was too late.

A loud and ear-splitting explosion tears apart the gate. The spot where I was from, almost evaporating from the sheer concentration of heat.

It threw me back as I see my men run around,set on fire from the sheer amount heat. Their distance caused them to.

I lay down as I look up at the blue sky, my ears ringing continuously as pain travels around my body, leaving me incapacitated.

I look to my side, only to realize with horror to see blood staining my clothes.

"Shit." I mutter to myself as I lose consciousness.