2025-06-04 09:45:55The midday sun blazed in a hazy sky as Northfort shuddered under the barrage of siege engines. Kaelthorne’s catapults battered the fortress walls, each impact sending stone dust and shards showering down on the defenders. On the ramparts, Ethan wiped grit from his eyes and peered at the battlefield beyond. Enemy soldiers encircled the fortress in a bristling ring—infantry massed behind shield walls, archers trading arrows with the North’s bowmen, and two massive siege towers lumbering slowly forward on groaning wheels.
“Brace!” a watch captain bellowed. A boulder struck with a teeth-rattling boom, but the walls held—for now.
Nina emerged through the swirling smoke to Ethan’s side, flushed but determined. “They’re moving siege towers to the east wall,” she panted, just as a war horn’s blast signaled a renewed enemy push. “They’ll try to storm us any moment!”
Ethan grimaced at the
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CHAPTER 81: Aftermath
The battlefield finally quieted as dusk settled. Amid torn banners and smoldering wreckage, Ethan moved among the survivors, ensuring the wounded were cared for. At his side, Celestia strode with draconic grace, her tail flicking behind her. The Northern army had triumphed, but the toll was heavy.A sudden cry drew their attention to the makeshift refugee area enclosure. Two guards struggled, stumbling backward from a silver-haired thrashing figure. It was Lyssandra, the wolf-girl they'd freed during the chaos. Her amber eyes blazed defiantly, teeth bared even as her body trembled with exhaustion and lingering pain."Lyssandra!" Ethan called, quickening his pace.At the sound of his voice, her ears perked up, and she immediately stopped struggling, eyes wide and searching. "M-Master Ethan?""Just Ethan," he gently corrected, stepping closer. "You're no one's slave anymore."Lyssandra dropped to one knee, bowing her head deeply. "Forgive me, I—I onl
CHAPTER 80: Outcome
Sparks flew as Ethan’s sword met Kaelthorne’s black blade in a furious cadence of strikes. The courtyard burned around them – toppled wagons aflame, the air choked with smoke and ash. Yet in that moment, everything narrowed to the two combatants at the center of the ruin.Kaelthorne moved like a man possessed, his obsidian armor drinking in the hellish glow. He thrust out a gauntleted hand and a bolt of crackling purple energy burst forth. It caught Ethan in the ribs and hurled him backward into a pile of splintered timber.Ethan’s breath exploded from his lungs as he struggled to his feet. The taste of copper filled his mouth. Through bleary eyes he saw Kaelthorne stalking closer, confidence radiating off him in waves of palpable malice. Distantly, Ethan heard Celestia’s roar and Lyssandra’s battle cry as they fought off the last of Kaelthorne’s guards, but none could intervene in time. This fight was his alone.Kaelthorne lunged, raining down a flurry of bruta
CHAPTER 79: Assault on Northfort
The midday sun blazed in a hazy sky as Northfort shuddered under the barrage of siege engines. Kaelthorne’s catapults battered the fortress walls, each impact sending stone dust and shards showering down on the defenders. On the ramparts, Ethan wiped grit from his eyes and peered at the battlefield beyond. Enemy soldiers encircled the fortress in a bristling ring—infantry massed behind shield walls, archers trading arrows with the North’s bowmen, and two massive siege towers lumbering slowly forward on groaning wheels.“Brace!” a watch captain bellowed. A boulder struck with a teeth-rattling boom, but the walls held—for now.Nina emerged through the swirling smoke to Ethan’s side, flushed but determined. “They’re moving siege towers to the east wall,” she panted, just as a war horn’s blast signaled a renewed enemy push. “They’ll try to storm us any moment!”Ethan grimaced at the
CHAPTER 78: Blackwood Plains
Dawn broke cold and grey over the Blackwood Plains. Ethan’s forces stood arrayed at the northern end of the field, backs to the river. Across the southern horizon stretched Kaelthorne’s army—a dark tide of soldiers and banners beneath the rising sun.Ethan sat astride his warhorse at the center of his line, armor gleaming dully in the weak light. Celestia was mounted beside him, violet cloak rippling as she fixed her eyes on the enemy ranks ahead. Further back by the supply wagons, Nina watched anxiously, clutching her reins.A horn sounded from the Carosso side—long and low. The enemy vanguard began to advance, a bristling wall of spears and shields. Behind them, rows of conscripted infantry and knights on horseback moved in step. Ethan’s jaw tightened as he saw collared beastkin fighters being driven at spear-point to the front. The sight sickened him.Ethan raised a gauntleted hand, signaling his front line of pikemen to hold ste
CHAPTER 77: War Council
The heavy oaken doors of Northfort’s great hall groaned open, admitting a lone royal messenger clad in Carosso’s colors. Ethan rose from the high table as the man strode forward across the stone floor. Around Ethan, a ring of his closest advisors—Celestia, Nina, and several northern commanders—stood in tense silence.The courier halted and unfurled a parchment scroll emblazoned with King Aldric’s seal. His gaze swept the hall, taking in the stern faces and the silver dragon banners draped on the walls. He cleared his throat. "By decree of His Majesty King Aldric," the messenger announced, voice echoing, "Lord Ethan Blackthorne is hereby commanded to disband all armed forces under his command and present himself at Castle Carosso to reaffirm his fealty. Failure to comply will mark him and his followers as traitors to the crown."A flicker of outrage crossed Ethan’s face. He stepped forward, accepting the parchment from the messenger’s hand. The hall was deathly still as
CHAPTER 76: Kingdom Divided (2)
Prince Edwin paced the length of the royal solar, the afternoon sun painting streaks of light across the marble floor. His face was pale, eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep. Outside the open balcony, the city of Carosso sprawled under a haze of tension. From the streets below rose the distant clamor of unrest—voices raised in anger and fear.Kaelthorne watched the young prince silently from a corner of the chamber. He stood quietly in the corner, the picture of calm control. Finally, Edwin spun on him, voice shaking. "Lord Kaelthorne, what in the world is happening out there? The people... they're saying the North is withholding grain. That Lord Ethan means to rebel. Half the city is in panic."Kaelthorne inclined his head, feigning concern. "Your Highness, I won't lie to you. The rumors are spreading quickly." He moved toward the balcony, as if listening to the distant shouts. In truth, his agents had seeded those very rumors since dawn: whispers that Ethan hoar
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