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What is Might and Conquest?
Might and Conquest is an non-magic medieval wartime story. A civilization flee's its kingdom as wars enrage between armies and kingdoms. They flee oversea's to find a lone isolated country, the perfect palce to rebuild their civilization. This country is then called Morithangar by the new discoverors. The story jumps 13 years ahead when the colonization of the isolated country is complete and back where the wars were had ended. An evil warlord by the name of Garathor gathers a fleet of ships loaded with an army, to travel across the sea in an attempt to see what lands lay ahead of him, and what lands there were to conquer and to put fear into the people of the lands.
Morithangar as of now is without a king, only the highest councillor takes control of the throne until a king can be found within the high ranks of the armies. After Garathor stumbling on Morithangar, he launches a devestating surprise attack on a port city, with the city not ready for war and unarmed Garathor only succeeds in taking it from surprise. He would have failed if the city was armed for war. Now, with the city as his main stronghold on the country. He plans to bring the kingdoms of Morithangar to ruin, as he rally's more armies across the sea and transports them to the city to reinforce his armies.
It will be very hard for the Morithians to retake their port city as their knowledge of warfare for defense is great. It will be like fighting their own technology.
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Chapter 1 - The three kingdom's.
Land's in our time were found and taken, kingdom's expanded, and war's raged from the distance where we could only hear of the rumours. We grew up in Cytorr, the country of wars. Where domination was at every corner of the land. The unstoppable struggle to conquer your enemy was never over. Not for kings. Our tiny kingdom settled on the southern corners of the country was left un-invaded. But we still got attacks from time to time. We the Arthavorians were not the best. We still housed thousands of people, and grew an army large enough to defend our borders. But as the year's past, wars grew bigger and they were ruining kingdoms. To the far north of Cytorr were the Gonans. A largely expanding kingdom backed up with hundreds of thousands of troops. They swept across villages to cities. It was obvious they were claiming victory. The Iseldians, stationed on the west borders of Cytorr grew weaker as their armies crumbled to the Gonans. Not only did they take a bombardment from the Gonans. But they were taking the most bombardment from the rivalled armies of Cytunns. The Cytunns were the first ones on Cytorr. Naming themselves similar to the lands they now call. They were making sure that Iseldian lands were claimed by them. The Gonans pulled back their forces on Iseldi forces. And amassed every single soldier on the heart of Cytorr. Which was the famously built capital city of the Cytunns.
When the city fell after a week of intense siege, our kingdoms border was under attack. We couldn’t do anything but fight a defensive war. Our wall broke, our defensive lines broke. Now they have access to our lands. But not to our city. Our king, Eric Thordul didn’t pay any attention to the outside defences. All he cared about was arming the city and locking it up and prepare for war. Several captains to the king came up with a plan that would let our time continue on. The plan was to simply abandon the city, get on the ships and sail off to a new world. Eric refused this; he refused to leave and to fight for glory and death. We all knew that we could live to see a better time. The captains decided to equip the boats and get everyone on them even if the king would kill them. As the armies of Gonan reached the city, hell was raining down on us. The night sky was lit up by the fires of the burning city. There was no army left to stop the Gonan warrior's from getting into the city. Eric Thordul he was at the fronts, unusually strange for a king to. Over his word to fight for glory, there was no way he would cower in his throne. Several hours of fighting lead to his death, but as he died he took a hundred or so with him. What could we do now, with twenty minutes of safety before they reached us? We sailed off ...
After a week of sailing east, we found land. Once we set ashore we sent scouts to explore the area ahead of us. Large tree's off the beach into the forest blocked the sun, it was the perfect spot for a rest after such a long journey. This was the time of a new age; it appeared that this massive island hasn’t had a foot set on it until we came? Our scouts reported that this was no island, it was an unmarked country. Filled with rich resources and animals inhabiting the island. We had found a miracle. We were all happy, not only for the large quantity of resources, but the amount of people we managed to get here. It was enough, and so our new age began...
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Chapter 2 - A nation reborn
Thirteen years have passed since the Arthavors left Cytorr and settled on the new claimed land known as Morithangar. We built grand cities and epic strongholds over Morithangar. These years of peace was what we expected. No one ever sailed out and found these lands. Morithangar was the perfect country for kings. It was rich with resources, and as we used about sixty five percent of it still was growing. We knew that we would be found sooner or later. We designed new weapons of war. And planned out new strategic forces that is supposed to cripple an army. We had no information on the outside where Cytorr lies. All we could do was sit and wait for the war to spill right through here. But we couldn’t always be ready, thirteen years of being prepared for war wasn’t right. And the temporarily lord didn’t allow the order to send an army to Cytorr...yet.
Morithangar was in need of a real king, the throne councillors had to agree who shall be king. And someone with a background of a vast range of knowledge and personality. "Morithangar needs a real king! Glynn may be the lord temporarily now as he is the greatest councillor, but once we have a king our nation will be complete." as one of the councillors shouted across the throne court room. There were many councillors in the court. Wearing gold robes patched over by bronze light armor up to the shoulder, and silver coated helm which the entire front and sides of the face and uncovered. It made them stand out and with importance. They were the ones to follow the lord’s orders and make those orders work effectively. They were war masters in battle, leading the objective to victory and not defeat. "If there is to be king, he better be as good as Glynn. There should be no adjustments made to our kingdom. We need a king who is the exact same as Glynn!" shouted another. The lord of Morithangar walked in opening the large arch shaped doors with both of his hands at once. He wore the same as an ordinary councillor, only with silver shields emblems on both of his shoulders.
"All hail Glynn, the lord of Morithangar!" the councillors shouted. Glynn walked to his chair following the brown carpet and sat down. "Now, where were we?" the lord said. "I’m presuming we are discussing my retirement and a new king." This subject was discussed for weeks on end, almost over a month. Glynn had enough. He had been lord for thirteen years; it was time for someone to take his place. "What about captain Lerad?" He chooses the right choices, he saved his own army back in Cytorr. He deals with situations with experience, not power." questioned a councillor. "He has retired from the military service sir. One heck of a player he is in tournaments." Glynn wasn’t too sure about Lerad as king. He does know him and has fought side by side with him once. He would be a choice to consider for king. But not yet had it to be decided on.
"If there is a king, there must be a princess" Glynn responded. "This decision will take months, not weeks!" a councillor shouted across the room. "Eric Thordul..." muttered a councillor. "What?" the one sitting beside him said. "Eric Thorduls daughter, is she not to take control of the throne?" Glynn turned away in couldn’t stand what he was hearing. "Glynn, if there is no worthy king. Eric's daughter Nyciel is worthy to take control of the throne." This new subject had all the councillors chatting amongst themselves, and shouting across the throne. Glynn had to step in. "Then who is the king?" Glynn knew it would take a king and a queen to control the throne. "This discussion is over for the time being." Glynn ordered.
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Chapter 3 - Accept to return
Between the rays of light from the rising sun atop the mountains that climb for miles and the lush rain forest lays the garden city known as Nalvori. Nalvori was the heart of any weapon producing facility for blacksmiths, sightseeing, and trading some rather rear materials on the market. Filled with hundreds of people in the markets under the large shades of the gigantic tree's that almost shaded the city people travelled for weeks just to get here. It was the perfect place for relaxation. The atmosphere of the city gave away a soft feeling. At night the city is lighting up by the torch lights on the branches of the overhead sky scraper tree's.
The crowd cheered when the knight fell off his horse after Lerad had struck him down in the jousting tournament. Lerad was once a mighty captain in the Arthavor armies. He has retired from that as he participates in tournaments around Morithangar. Lerad had short dark brown hair that never extended past his ear. His five centimetre scar on the top of his left hand was marks of war. "Down so soon?" Lerad questioned his opponent. "Well, wasn’t I wrong" the knight said to Lerad looking up at him on his horse. Lerad got off his horse and gave a hand to the knight who had fallen. "Good fight" Lerad awarded the knight. The crowd was still cheering but slowly got quieter every minute. "I have to say" the knight said "You’re exceptionally good at this sport sir. I shall remember you." Lerad gave him a hard pat on the back and walked over to the shelter post with his horse for his reward. "Well done Lerad!" the announcer said. The announcer had taken both of the knights in the center of the arena and shouted exceptionally loud so the whole crowd could hear, "The winner of the Season Five Jousting is Lerad!" The announcer handed Lerad a golden statue of a lion as his trophy. Both Lerad and the knight wore thick large scale armor which extended from the foot to the head. Their helms were carved into a Lion which faced the front. It was carved showing the lion leaping with its two front paw's in the air. The helm represented the Lion Paladins which were housed in Nalvori in the forest throne. The Lion Paladins were extremely good fighters on horseback and on foot. Polished silver armor shined in the sunlight, bright silver steady swords reflected its bright reflection into its opponents blinding them for just a few seconds. The Lion Paladins are elite, but not large in numbers. There were only a few hundred of them. And each year more people recruit up into the elite force making the Lion Paladins bigger than ever.
Lerad walked back to his tent for a break and a drink. Nalvori may have been entirely sheltered by the tree's shade, but when you start working it gets rather hot. Lerad put the cup quickly to his mouth for a cold water drink. Placing the cup on the side of the seat he was sitting on, he took off the thick shoulder pad armor and chest armor to ease the heat. A knight approached his tent followed by two guards. All three weren't armed, but the lead knight looked like he had a message for Lerad. "You captain Lerad?" Lerad looked up and the sun shined right into his eyes. He held his hand over the suns reflection. "Captain?" "You must be Lerad." "Just not the captain you’re looking for." Lerad refused to be called captain any more as he had quit the military service. "It’s good to see you again Lerad. It’s been quite a few years since I list saw you." The knight smirked. "Who are you?" Lerad said. "Councillor Cedrik." Lerad chuckled. "What do you want with me Councillor...Cedrik." Lerad said as he stood up to avoid the bright sun shining into his eyes. "Glynn requests...that you meet him in the capital." Lerad had that doubt look on his face. He knew something was up. Why would Glynn call him else for war. "Now why would Glynn want me? I am not the captain any more. I am only the citizen trying to live here. Tell Glynn that he won’t see me." Cedrik grabbed the scroll this was attached to his belt on his left side. He unclipped it lightly slamming it on Lerads chest. "This is why; I want you to read it through without destroying it..." Cedrik said. Cedrik turned away and walked off with both of his guards through the stadium archway doors. Lerad just thought of this as a joke when he started opening the scroll. From the minute he started reading it he froze in thought.
An important message for Sir Lerad
Imported only to you, I call that you return in the throne of the capital.
Your presence is requested as I need you to take up an important task.
You’re the only one I can count on at this time. Be sure to attend.
Lord Glynn of Morithangar.
The capital was the largest city in the entire country. It was filled with monumental buildings and trees. It was built in the center of Rhalascor. Rhalascor was the prime kingdom in all of Morithangar. It was surrounded by the kingdoms of Havenor, Nalvori, Krethun, Summithith, and Peakshire. Lerad didn't think of this too seriously. But he had to go, he was curious for what this was. He had to start packing for the journey to the capital. It was just a few hours later he got to his house after visiting the Nalvori market to get his supplies for the journey. It was near daybreak and the trees surrounded Nalvori were already lit up with lights bringing the light into the city. He started packing his bags with supplies and loading them onto his horse just outside his house. "What are you doing Lerad?" a voice said from the darkness. He stopped in his path and turned around, "Anna, what are you doing here?" he asked. Anna was a close friend to Lerad. He would always look for her first down at the city party held once a week. "Lerad, what is this?" Anna asked. "Anna" Lerad paused for a moment. "I must leave; Glynn has called me to the capital." Lerad had to tell her, he wasn’t going to leave without word. "You must right?" Anna said. "It sounds important Anna. I have to go." Lerad never liked leaving Nalvori for something important. Travelling to other towns to participate in tournaments didn't bother him as he would return. Lerad started to adjust the equipment on his horse. He adjusted it right so it would suit the horse as he rode. "Will you be back?" Anna questioned. "I don't know." "You must return Lerad, everyone likes you here. If you leave, your taking a piece out of Nalvori." Anna said in an urgent voice. Lerad gave Anna a promising hug, "Don't you worry. I will be back. It's just this matter is what I have to attend to is very important. Glynn wants me to meet him in the throne as soon as possible." Lerad got on his horse just after their hug. "Take care of yourself Anna. Why don't you go down to the town square and enjoy the festival." "I'll be waiting at the city gates when you return Lerad, I will miss you." Lerad started galloping off down the street into the light darkness. "Lerad!" Anna said with tears drifting down her right cheek. Lerad turned his horse around slightly enough for him to turn around to her. "I love you..." Lerad smiled with happiness. "I love you too." Lerad rode fast into the darkness in the street with the galloping getting quieter every passing minute. Lerad was now heading to the capital of Rhalascor. Little knowing what he was called for; Glynn would turn him over back into service if he were to become the true king.
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Chapter 4 - The beginning
A normal everyday life for the people in Krethsur. The large port city of Krethun. Krethun was a tiny, but powerful and economic kingdom which was situated near the perimeter wall. To folk it was called the market kingdom. It was the center of trading valuable materials and items. Although there was no other country to trade with, ships travelled from one part of Morithangar to here. It was often quicker and much easier to sail around the country than journey to Krethsur on foot. People trading at the markets, people walking on the large single path leading all the way around the market, and the bright sun shining right down on them. It was a beautiful day for everyone. It looked like no one would expect an invasion. Surprise was on the Avercans side. Krethsure was a big city, founded on the border of the sea. This is one of the most popular cities in Morithangar. The giant stone walls block the sun from shining its light down on most of the market. The tall buildings stood out as the brightness of the light from the sun layed on the walls of the buildings.
"So, what do you have planned today after watch." spoke the guard walking alongside another on the wall on patrol. "Get my pay. Then go home to my family. The same thing as usual you know. After work there isn't much you can do left at daytime." "Yeah, your right." "It’s such a nice day for relaxing. I mean look at the sky, the sea, and the sun." The other guard nodded his head in agreement. Guards always are around to make sure everything is the way it should be. Even though there hasn’t been a threat of invasion for thirteen years, there is always someone willing to steal something or even cause a fight.
Avercanian ships sailed closer every hour, but they were not yet spotted on the horizon. Garathor, leader of the Avercans stood on the bow of the ship grabbing onto the rope that led up to the sails. Garathor was a brute leader, he had unsorted black hair, and his vast hawk helm covered a million wars in his time. He was a tall warrior with a giant blade strapped to his left hip ready to break those who dare cross swords with him. "We'll be there in under an hour" Garathor said with a deep confident voice. Garathor ordered his captain. "Prepare the men."
Garathor could see the buildings only slightly shining from the suns glare. Soon he knew that bright city will not be so bright no more. Jealousy consumed him to see such weak people fled the lands to live safely here and build a vast strong army that would crumble any leader. He knew that they had increased their fighting power incredibly, and the only way to gain afoot on the kingdom was a surprise attack. If this was no surprise attack, his army would fail.
Back in the city, music was played well. The music always got people's attention as some of the greatest musicians would journey to each city and to play for the citizens of Morithangar. People loved all the music that was played, whether it was a sad one or a happy one.
In the tall watch tower that obviously levelled up with the tall hills around the city, a watchmen was sitting back on an old wooden chair sightseeing instead of doing his job. He worked in shifts with his partner, day and night. There was really no use to do your job. Just do some sight seeing. "What’s that?" thinking to himself as he looked into the deep distance of the ocean. He knew it was boats. But as the minutes passed it didn’t look right. "That’s alot of ships." As he finally started to speak out of his mouth instead of thinking it, he knew the color of the sails. "Black colored sails?" he asked himself. As the thickness of the ocean brightness from the sun settled down he saw more ships. "Oh my god." He got off his old wooden chair and rang the bell as hard as he could. The bell which was located well above him rang incredibly loud. Since for a large city, you obviously would require a large bell.
Garathor was talking to his men with his back turned towards the city as he heard the loud rumble of the bell; he looked over his shoulder just to know that his legion of ships was spotted. "They have spotted us!" shouted Zeth De'groth. Zeth was another captain of Garathor. But a well trusted captain. Zeth was an experienced fighter in both infantry battles and siege battles. He knew how to lay waste to strongholds and cities alike. He was five and a half foot, with a bow strapped behind his back and a long battle sword equipped in his hand. His dark black hair and wounds from previous battles made him a strong dedicated fighter to Garathor.
Everyone was rushing to the wall to see what the matter was. The guards were shocked to see this. They knew this was the time when their training would pay off. The wall got more crowded every frightening minute. Neither the army nor the defences were even prepared. Down at the docks people fled in fear up to the city. Grabbing what they could that was of importance to them. The guards down at the docks were trying to get everyone off the beach as soon as possible. Bags were being dragged along the sand, people were yelling to hurry them. A few guards were sent to the barracks to give word that they were under attack. "We are under attack! Ships are sailing towards us." The captain of the Swordsmen division looked at the guard and didn’t say a word. Not believing him, he walked fast past the guard and made his way quickly to the wall. He made his way onto the wall pushing everyone aside. As he saw the large ships approaching the shore he couldn’t say a word. He was shocked; thinking to himself how possible could this be.
Then suddenly, a ship in the distance behind the landing ships just launched a massive boulder which rocked the ship about. The boulder was aimed towards the cathedral tower. Everyone watched the boulder find its path into the tower. And when the boulder hit, a loud rumble from the impact shook the city and sent a loud streak through the sky. The tower fell slowly down on its side as the bricks came apart from its formation to keep the tower up. Everyone down below, were panicking and running around, trying to get out of the towers way which was heading to the surface waiting to smash hard into the stone path.
As the captain ran back to his barracks with haste, he ordered that his men were to be warned and ready. "It would take hours to prepare the swordsmen sir!" Said his guardsmen behind him. "Then get the archers in place! Get word to our men in the city fast! You do realise half the city knows of this." At this point, only the archers could be assembled. Since they required only a bow and leather armor, it would take a matter of minutes to position them on the wall. The townsfolk on the wall were ordered to get off the wall and take shelter in their homes.
Back down on Garathor's ships, the infantry ships were almost to the shore waiting to drop its soldiers onto enemy soil. The men held a shield in their left hand the size of half their own body. And a ordinary battle sword waiting in the other hand which was constantly moving as the soldier who was holding them was eager for battle. These men never feared dying, as they knew everything they do will help Garathor. Most of the archers in the city were already geared up and running towards the wall.
In just under a second, the ships landed. And the soldiers jumped off the front and the sides holding their shield in front of them up to their head. "Archers!" yelled the archer commander on the walls. "Fire!" The soldiers down on the beach were suddenly sprayed with a volley of arrows. The arrows hit their shields and penetrating right through with the arrow head sticking out behind. It worried the soldiers to see, that their tough shields just blocked an arrow that ripped through tough shield armor. It appeared that the Morithians upgraded their own archer power. The archers were firing volleys of arrows constantly. Their commander was constantly telling them to concentrate fire on certain squads attempting to make their way to the city gate. Another boulder was hurled towards the city by a distance ship, this time the boulder was heading right towards the high walls! Everyone ran for cover behind the wall where the boulder was going to hit. It missed its target and landed on the ground just meters in front of the wall. Garathor’s men were advancing slowly upwards to the gate, using their shields to protect themselves they moved quicker and quicker. There wasn’t anything to stop them, the archers couldn’t seem to get a good aim on the shielded soldiers advancing through the ground filled with arrows.
As more and more boats docked and were unloading more soldiers, the more arrows were fired. It was a three in ten chance for the archers to actually hit them , soon they could see more than just soldiers with shields and swords unloading. They could see that they had archers and crossbowmen with them. "What’s that?" Commander Spencer said after he just got his squad of archers to the wall. He could see a ship which stood out from the rest and was four times bigger. Something wasn’t right about it, he could see it was a long ship and some sort of weapon was on it. An archer further down on the wall also spotted it. "That sure is a big ship, what the hell is on it?" Commander Spencer ordered that the wall defences to be armed right away, "Get those heavy ballista loaded! They could possibly take out their ships."
A large ram was unloaded, and dozens of men were pushing it as hard as they could up the beach and to the city gate. The ram was huge. With fifteen foot beams keeping the ram stable, the ram was over fifteen feet long as well. A wooden roof protected the operators from missile fire. But was is enough to stop the Morithian ballista on the wall? Groups of Avercan warriors followed the ram with their shields high in the air. Every minute more warriors would join the group so once the ram breached the gate, they would slaughter the resistance in the city.
More soldiers were making their way through the beach with a large shield squadron protecting them. Archers were moving behind them and trying to get a shot at the archers on the high walls. Both the archers on the walls and the archers on the ground behind the shield formations couldn’t seem to get a shot at themselves. But they will soon once they hit the gate. "Watch out, they have archers near!" Spencer wasn’t going to let them get to the gate. "Here comes another boulder!" shouted an archer who was almost out of arrows in his quiver. This time, the boulder hit the wall and majorly damaging the wall. Fortunately, the boulder took half of the wall with it. But this created a major weak point. By this point people were panicking, and commander Spencer was starting to think that what would they use this city for if they succeeded in capturing it.
The large unidentified ship hit the sand, and dozens of men were lifting a long, wide, thin iron board. They were chanting as they were lifting it from the ship onto the beach. Commander Spencer finally got a look at what was on the ship. "My god, what is that?" He was in a confused state as the men were pushing the giant board upwards. It was incredibly long and when placed upright, it could stand to over thirty feet long. Spencer ordered the archers to put all their efforts into stopping the soldiers lifting this thing. But in a blinking second, soldiers with shields stood in front of the men lifting the board. There was no way the archers could stop it now. But perhaps the ballista on the wall could. They had finally been loaded and were ready to be fired. Their large bolt arrows could rip through ship hulls and were very effective against groups of soldiers. "Aim those ballista at that board now!" shouted Spencer with a commanding voice. "Fire them now!" One ballista was fired at the men lifting the board, the large bolt hit a group of men shielding the lifters. They fell to the ground with a shout after being hit hard by the bolt. Commander Spencer ordered his men "Archers go for the board now!" His men fired volleys of arrows at the base of the gigantic board. Arrows ripped through the flesh of the soldiers still struggling to get back up after the bolt hit them, and some arrows hit the men lifting the board. But that wasn’t enough to stop them; the board almost was standing upright! This wasn’t good, everyone on the wall knew what this was going to do. It was going to allow easy access into the city for Garathor's men.
Garathor stood with confidence on the bow of the ship. His ship wasn’t going to go near the beach since it was a war zone with ballista and archer fire. But he was impressed to see that his captain, Zeth De'groth's plan to deploy a giant "plank" on the walls was successful. Then, the unthinkable happened. The giant board was no longer being lifted, it was going to crash against the walls! The board slowly lost its balance and fell towards the wall slowly. Everyone in its way ran to the sides as this was going to hit extremely hard. Some of archers on the walls stood in shock as to see this towering siege weapon fall onto the strong walls of their city. Then, it hit. The sound of the board’s impact on the wall wasn’t as loud as expected. It had chipped the wall but there was no way to move it. Soon, before Spencer and the rest of the men on the wall knew, Garathor’s men near the board were moving to it.
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Chapter 5 - The Breach
Garathor was smirking as he saw his men walk on the plank with their shields in front of them held high to prevent the archers from hitting them. In a second, the archers on the wall suddenly fired at the men walking towards them on the board. Volleys of arrows were fired at them as the men started to run than walk with caution. One by one, they ended up being shot either in the neck or leg. When they were shot they fell off the board either side. So many arrows were being fired at them and there was no way to enforce a shield formation to protect advancing soldiers. An hour has passed since the siege began, and half of the Morithian army was still making their way without stopping to the barracks to get themselves equipped. Commander Spencer had to send word to the cities and thrones, this was a dire situation and the city needed help. "I want you to get to the city keep, get people, and send messengers to spread the word to the entire kingdom. Whoever they are, we must not let them spread through our lands!" Spencer’s guards ran off to the city keep as instructed. Spencer could see the men on the board were getting closer and closer, but were struggling to cope against the volleys of arrows being launched at them. This was obviously an advantage to the Morithians. This was the only path into their city, and all the archer fire could be concentrated on the board making it extremely difficult for their enemies advancing on it.
Large cannon like ballista were being pushed up the beach with shields both sides and in front. The Avercans were going to use them at the gate to help breach it quicker. The gate already missing large chunks from suffering powerful blows from the ram. Archers from above threw spears at the Avercans down below operating the ram, archers from were firing arrows through the gate into Avercan archers as they too were trying to get a shot through the gate. Most of the Morithian archers were holding the gate, but the rest tried to defend it as hard as they could. The gate suffered another blow, and the archers holding the gate fell backwards from the force of the ram hitting the gate. The large chains rattled above which were what operated the gate. "Take out that ram now!" an archer said down below firing his arrows through the gate. "Get the oil from the barracks quickly." They were planning to spill the oil down onto the ram and set it alight so it was no longer operatable. The ballista had reached the gate, and the Avercans started loading them. "Wind these ballista up as hard as you can" the one operating them said. They were winding them up so the ballista arrow could strike with a massive force once it reached its target. The ballista was exceptionally large and had bolts which would eventually bring a gate down.
One soldier made it to the wall and swung his sword hard at an archer trying to grip his short sword behind his back. An archer to his left struck the soldier down with an arrow to the neck. Commander Spencer ran to the breach where the board was and drawed his sword. Now the wall wasn’t only being invaded by a board, by it was taking arrow fire. Garathor's men were unloading arrow barricades and deploying them near the wall so the archers had the freedom of firing as well as great protection. Soldiers were reaching the wall by the board and taking out the Morithian archers, and Spencer finally got there just in time to save the helpless archers. Spencer swung his sword in multiple directions taking out one by one effectively. On the corner of his eye he could see an archer down below pointing his bow with an arrow at him, then released it. Spencer got out of the arrows path but let several soldiers past him. An unexpected arrow hit Spencers left shoulder and caused him to drop his sword. "Argh!" Spencer felt a surge of pain go through him as he moved his right hand to the arrow stuck in him to pull it out. An archer nearby helped him to his feet to get off the wall. "Sir, are you alright? You best get off the wall right away!" A handful of Morithian swordsmen running towards the wall in an effort to help, they had been fully equipped with their shiny thick armor and well balanced steel sword and shield.
"Sir, we are awaiting orders!" the swordsman spoke to Spencer as he walked down the steps with his right hand holding onto his wounded left shoulder. "Get to the breach on the wall and help our men. We need you." Spencer said calmly. "Right away sir!" Spencer wondered why their ships weren’t launching anymore boulders at the city, but he knew the breach was more to worry about. Several guards came to Spencers aid followed by another handful of men rushing to the wall. Spencer couldn’t fight with his injured shoulder, so the guards helped him sit down on the seat with a sword in his lap. "Are the swordsmen armies prepared yet?" Spencer asked quietly. "Some are, most are still at the southern barracks sir. They are still getting their equipment. They should be ready in thirty minutes." The sad expression on Spencers face made the guards know that there was no more time. It seemed Garathor's men was through the breach and into the city as they jumped off the wall into the city grounds and began wrecking havoc. "Order the retreat of the south part of the city. Get everyone to leave right now! The city defences have failed. We can’t do much more." Spencer strongly said. The guards nodded with command, and they headed down the south path to give word never to be seen again.
"The gates going to break! Everyone get back!" an elite archer said throwing down his bow and grabbing his broad sword. The ballista were breaking the gate with the large bolts being fired at the gate. One by one, the large bolts hit the gate with a heavy amount of force shaking the gate of whats left of it.The archers brought back oil pots in haste. "Sir, we have the oil. What shall we do with it?" he said with a worried voice. "Spill it on the ram now! Get the torch and throw it on the ram. It will burn and buy us some time." Nearby swordsmen stood with the archers behind the gate ready for battle. The archer above the gate poured the oil on the ram. "Oil! Run!" one of the ram operators said. The archer threw the torch down, and in seconds the ram was engulfed in flames. Burning the few people still trying to get out of the ram.
The sound of shouting and swords clashing started to wear down. Garathor could see the how victorious he was. His ship started to head to the beach. But he wanted survivors so he could at least let them know who he was and why he was here. It would feel a blank and dull invasion if he never told his enemies who he was. His men were running through the city like wild ants, they were grabbing torches and taking them to the city houses and setting them on fire. Killing the remaining people still inside them, they took no townsfolk prisoner. Guards would spot them down the village street and charge at them but what could they do when Garathor's men were backed up by even more men. Garathor set foot on the beach and headed to the dock. In front of him was a sign, saying "Krethsur City Dock." Garathor nodded his head slightly. He knew this was a great victory. The gate was down. And Avercan warriors ran through slaughtering everyone that fought back. It didn't last long, the battle at the gate was over. Avercan warriors were roaming free into the city now. Garathor's captain approached him. "Sir, we have taken the city. Most of the townsfolk are gone. They were retreated." "Excellent work captain." Garathor spoke.
Spencer was taken prisoner, as the soldiers knew he had the armor of a swordsman. "Why don’t you just kill me you damn mercenaries" Spencer spoke with hate. No one answered him, as they took him to their leader with speed and caution knowing that Spencer just might strike them somehow. "Sir, we have taken a prisoner." Garathor smirked and turned around to them. "Good" Garathor said. "Let me tell you who were are. I am Garathor, and we come here for this land because of your presence here. We are Avercan warriors from across the sea. And tell your king that this land now belongs to us, and we will give you a chance to leave." Garathor knew they wouldn’t leave, so he finished off the rest of his speech. "But it’s obvious no ones leaving after this?" Garathor said pointing his left arm towards the besieged city. The city was burning as smoke drifted high in the air as thick as mud. "You just got yourself into a whole" Spencer was paused when his wounded shoulder felt a surge of pain. "Into a whole lot of trouble, your going to be stopped here, Garathor" Garathor smiled, "I don’t think so." Garathor ordered his men to take Spencer out of the city and release him. "Let him go at the south gates, wherever that is. Just make sure you tell your king of my words." Spencer was led out of the city by Garathor’s men, they gave him a horse and water and let him go. They closed the gates behind him. Spencer struggled to get on his horse from his wounded arm. He rode off through the forest worried about the city that has fallen behind him. This was the beginning of the Avercans might...and conquest.
QUOTE
Chapter 6 - Mysteries
Night was upon Lorban, the capital of Rhalascor. Spanning hundreds of kilometres. The giant city is populated with over two and a half million citizens and military. In the centre midst's of the city, giant monuments and buildings fill the sky above the city. The rest of the city was all low level, about twenty five feet high structures. It was very common to get lost. As streets led to streets, stairs led to more stairs, it was impossible to stop. There was always a place where people would have never visited before. It would take almost a month or two to see everything. There was no tree in sight inside the city, except for blossoming flowers on the side of the pathways. Streets spanned ten metres due to the large amount of traffic. Shops and markets on each side of the road always had something new. The large monuments and structures sheltered parts of the street. And there were many places where you would stand in a street, surrounded by tall buildings where you would look up to see sky above and not to the sides. It took nine years to build this remarkable city.
The city defences proved the cities power against invaders. During the construction, a massive perimeter wall was put up to make it much harder for invaders to capture the city. The walls scaled over twenty feet tall. But, its one weakness was sustaining boulders launched from siege weapons. To counter this, they built catapult-sized ballista. Using an extremely large bolt for a missile. It was strong enough to rip through a division of infantry. Killing everyone getting in its way. The ballista was so huge it took weeks to build one. They couldn't be moved. They had to be built where they would be fixed,
In the late hours of the night, Lerad had finally reached Lorban. His journey was tiring and long. His horse was exhausted. He felt like he could just fall off the horse and sleep where he lied. But it was only another five minutes into the city. He decided to find the nearest inn. He could barely keep his eyes open. He rode under the large gate into the city which was being guarded by six guards on both sides with a spear in their right hand. The city was alive with festivals that reminded him of the ones in Nalvori. The streets were still crowded with carts, vans. All sorts of transportation and trading vans being pulled by horses. After twenty minutes of looking down the vast endless alley on both sides of the road, he found a building that stood out from the rest with the sign about describing Inn. Lerad was going to head to the throne tomorrow. And he was ready to spend all day getting there. Lerad was prepared to spend all day looking for the throne. It would be obvious what building the throne was. It was the most guarded structure in the city, as well as one of the tallest. Day finally was here. And life returns back into the city for another noisy, musical, crowded place. Lerad awoke to the loud festival just outside his open window. "Doesn't this city have a break?" Lerad said as he awoke still half asleep. He clenched his eyes together as he slowly got out of his bed which was right next to the window. A nice cold morning breeze swept in with dark clouds floating over in the sky. It appeared it was going to rain. If it was going to rain, it would rain half the city since the city is so big. Lerad gave himself a nice stretch as he got up. Then remembered about his task.
Lerad had grabbed his gear and walked out down the hall and down the stairs to the entrance. "Thanks for the stay" the inn keeper said as Lerad walked by to the front door. Lerad raised his hand given a swift hand wave and a quick nod with his head focused to the front door. As he stepped out into the bright daylight he had to shelter his eyes from the sunlight for a few moments to let his eyes adjust. Suddenly someone on a horse raced right past him into the city shouting at everyone to get out of the way. "What kind of place is this?" Lerad said to himself. He has been here before. Only in the western province. He was in the southern province. And he had to travel to the centre of the city where it gets even more crowded with people. Lerad started heading into the city so he could get to the throne.
Spencer had reached the throne in Lorban. He got to the front of the throne where no crowd is present. He struggled to get off his horse, and then he suddenly lost his will and fell off hard onto the concrete path. Guards up the throne stairs rushed down to help him, others stood their post. "Are you alright, sir" one of the guards said helping him to his feet. One of the guards noticed Spencer had blood on him from his wound where the arrow hit. "You’re bleeding, get him to a healer." Spencer didn't care if he died; he had to give word of this invasion to Glynn. One of the guards rushed off to call for healer aid. "I need to speak with Glynn right now!" Spencer said, struggling to keep afoot. "Glynn is busy right now. You'll have to speak to him later." Spencer wasn’t going to wait. "I must speak to him right now! It’s urgent! I must tell him right now. Before I die from this wound." Spencer felt dizzy and sick at the same time. There was more to this arrow than he expected. He suspected that it was a poison arrow. Spencer suddenly collapsed from his fight to stay upright leaning on his horse with his right arm. The guard managed to get the healer to come along. "This guys sick, you might wanna treat him." spoke one of the guards who helped him to his feet. "You might want to check out that wound there, its still bleeding slightly." The healer tried to examine the wound, but she would have to take off his armor to see it fully. "You'll need help carrying him." "Guards!" one of the throne guards said to two guards walking nearby down the street. People didn't seem to notice this event. They were too distracted in their daily life.
Later on, the throne guards met up with Glynn. They were just curious to tell him. "Glynn, earlier on today someone by the name of Spencer arrived here by horse, wounded by an arrow and wanted to speak with you. He said it was urgent." Glynn was confused. He had no idea what this was all about. He was expecting Lerad to arrive soon. "Spencer?" Glynn wondered. "Spencer from Krethsur?" The guards nodded. "Yes my lord." Glynn wondered what he was doing here. "What is he doing here?" "We don’t know. He came here with...a wound. It looks like he was shot." Glynn made confused faces. He didn't know why Spencer would be here with a wound. "Take me to him." "Yes my lord!" "If Lerad arrives, tell him to wait here." It was rather strange for Spencer to be here. Glynn had no clue what the wound was from. But if the guards said that Spencer had to talk to him immediately because it was urgent. Then Glynn had to hear it.
Glynn walked through the open door into the healer’s tavern. "Is he Spencer?" Glynn asked. "Yes my lord." The healer told him about the wound. "He's been shot with an arrow. A poison arrow. Spencer didn't leave it in him. I can't examine the arrow now. But this poison doesn't seem life threatening. He is very weak right now." Glynn stood closer to Spencer, who was lying down on the bed next to the wooden wall. "Spencer? Spencer can you hear me?" Glynn spoke with a low voice.