Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

…1 hour before dusk…

A dozen towers had been hastily erected across the wall of the Southern Gate of Hollow Shade. Atop each tower was a trebuchet, manned by several engineers and brown mages. Large smooth boulders served as their ammunition. Arcane sigils lined the boulders and a magestone had been embedded into each one. When the time came the brown mage would activate the enchantments, setting the boulder aflame, before launching it into the enemy lines, where the second round of enchantments would go off upon impact, detonating the boulder into a storm of flaming shards.

The hundreds of guards atop the southern wall felt a sense of comfort at the intimidating structures wrought by magic and engineering. Many of the soldiers had never seen a true battle, only scuffles in the city streets between drunks or sometimes gangs. None had ever experienced a full-scale siege and the thought that they might not make it through plunged the soldiers into a bleak atmosphere.

Still, Bulwark Commander Stonehand was in charge of the southern wall and tales of his exploits in the valley were legendary. Tough as he was on his men, he was a living terror to his enemies.

It wasn’t just Commander Stonehand the enemy would have to contend with either. At the base of the wall, surrounding the inner side of the gate were the armies of the Ruling Houses of Glaz and Veres, led by their respective family heads. Though both armies had suffered heavy casualties recently, their combined strength was still oppressive.

If the Southern Gate was somehow ever breached, the valley savages would be faced against not just the armies of Glaz and Veres, but some of the greatest warriors in all the Ebon Realm. The elite mage-guards of House Glaz stood proud next to their lord Lucius, each adorned in deep blue armor with dark purple lining, the colors of their House.

The soldiers of House Veres were clad in jet-black armor and stood at attention, ready for a command at any moment. At the forefront of the army stood a small group of white-armored warriors; each donned a scarlet cape, along with a pale sword and a shield with the crest of a woman in a warrior’s stance. Even from atop the wall, the soldiers recognized the legendary Shield of Veres, the warriors of House Gale. There were no greater blade masters in the Ebon Realm, perhaps all the Null Realms.

At the center of the ivory swordsmen, sitting atop a centaur, was a woman clad in thin scarlet armor and a black cloak that covered her pale face. Lady Elise Veres, head of her House, eyed the soldiers of her army with a grim gaze.

“What’s the point of all this…?” Elise muttered.

To her left, stood Lady Gale VIII, leader of her House, and commander of the Veres guard. She brushed her blonde hair aside and looked up at her mistress, “My Lady?”

“Not once in three centuries has the wall ever been breached. The Ebon Lords forged the wall with ancient magics so powerful that no one, not even a dragon could break through.” Elise impatiently tapped her fingers over the pommel of her sword. “I see no reason for the entire city to fall into such a defensive position.”

Elise was a powerful mage and an even more skilled aristocrat, well-versed in the arts of maneuvering through high society’s treacherous webs. But she never spent much time on a battlefield, unlike her late elder sister, Carmilla. Elise had little experience in combat, but Gale thought it prudent to indulge her mistress’ words.

“What would you have us do, my Lady?” Gale asked.

“For starters, I wouldn’t have erected any trebuchets. That will only scare off the enemy. I’d let the savages get close, let them think they have the advantage, until the shades surged out of the walls and devoured them. Once their armies are decimated and they’re retreating, we ride out and meet them in battle.”

“An excellent plan, my Lady,” Gian spoke up from Elise’s right. “If the enemy was foolish enough to charge blindly into the wall. Surely the warlord Marek is aware of the shade wall’s capabilities. I do not believe he would be so stupid as to–”

“He was stupid enough to wage war against Hollow Shade, wasn’t he? Those savages think they can overwhelm us simply if they have more men,” Elise said through clenched teeth. “Or do you think you—”

“My Lady,” Gale interrupted quietly. “I understand your anger. You are not the only one who lost their father to the savages. So please, do not take it out on the ones who care about you.”

Elise’s scarlet eyes softened. “Forgive me, cousin. Tomorrow will be the day we avenge both our fathers.” She turned to the realm’s Sword Paragon, Lord Gian, “I trust you’ll destroy the enemy when they come, uncle?”

Gian smiled and bowed, “To the very last, my Lady.”

As they spoke, a Gale warrior strode through the army and made her way to them. Elise smiled at her confidante’s appearance, “Lynette, you made it. Any news?” ɌαꞐỒꞖĚ𝐬

Lynette shook her head, “We’ve searched every corner of the city, your brother, Callum, is not here.”

“I see…” Elise turned to Gian with a serious expression, “Tell me, uncle, is my brother safe?”

“As I told you before, I do not know where Callum is,” Gian said politely. “But if I know anything about the young lad, it is that he is resourceful. I’m sure he’s somewhere far away by now, safe and sound.”

Elise narrowed her eyes, “We will talk more about this later, uncle. Lynette, report.”

She stood at attention and nodded, “Certainly, my Lady. The enemy is still nowhere in sight. By the scouts’ estimates, they should be here by dawn. As for our forces, we have covered each of the city’s crucial points. House Goldelm’s army is stationed at the Northern Gate. War Master Katag ordered House Ashe’s to be stationed at the Eastern Gate where the enemy’s forces will be smallest.”

“Marek’s forces are coming from the south-west, are we certain they’ll even attempt to besiege the Eastern Gate?” Elise asked.

“Perhaps not, but the city docks are to the east,” Gian explained. “It would be foolish of them to not at least try and take our access to the Dire River. After all, the docks are a terrible defensive position, we cannot hold it.”

Lynette nodded in agreement, “Which is why the docks are currently being evacuated and the ships sent off by order of the War Master.”

“Plus, House Ashe’s army is the smallest of the Seven, it is the least we can spare to aid the eastern wall,” Gale added.

“I suppose it makes sense, but we could have used Lady Ashe’s magical prowess over on this side of the wall,” Elise muttered annoyedly.

“That’s true,” Gian replied. “She is very powerful, but she isn’t at the eastern wall either. The High Priestess has chosen to stay at the Central District, in the temple of the gods. In fact, I heard she has opened the Central District up to any who seek shelter from the battle.”

“Nobles and merchants have priority over the commoners though,” Lynette noted. “Many are still moving into the District. It’ll be several hours before any commoner might make it through.”

“As it should be,” Elise said matter-of-factly. “What of the other armies?”

“House Noir and House Katag’s armies are stationed at the Western Gate,” Lynette continued. “As for the merchant House Helene, they have no standing army, but they have contributed their resources and what men they have to reinforce the Western Gate as well.”

“It makes sense,” Elise nodded slowly. “The enemy will most likely try to breach the western gate first. The Katags boast the largest army and after House Glaz’s losses, the Noirs control the largest teams of mages. It’ll be difficult for the savages to get close whatsoever.”

A horn sounded in the distance.

Elise furrowed her brow, “What is that?”

The horn blared once more, this time in quick successive order, with slight pauses in between each few. A pattern. A signal.

“What’s going on?” Elise asked.

Gian’s eyes widened in understanding, “Oh no…”

~~~

At the Western Gate, the Noirs and the Katags stood atop the wall, while the bulk of their soldiers stood at the base of the wall, in front of the gate. Loh wandered through the wall, checking for any weak spots in the parapet. Mages and soldiers ran back and forth, working on the parapet's defenses.

Una Noir and her husband, Atlas, were speaking with the dark cloaked mage-warriors that Holo had brought with her into the city. Loh supposed that her grand-aunt was a part of them as well. A secret group of mages loyal to the mysterious Holo. Loh still didn’t know how to feel about that woman, or if she could fully trust her.

As for her grandfather, Elzri Noir was standing next to War Master Krall Katag, and Lady Ismene atop the wall, planning their next move no doubt. Krall’s sons and daughters were at the base of the wall, running drills with their soldiers, and walking them through possible scenarios. Loh admired their resolve, the courage in their amber eyes. They reminded her of Tauri and a pang of worry filled her chest. She wondered where Stryg and Tauri might be and if they were safe in Vulture Woods.

Loh scoffed to herself. They were at least safer over there than here, she supposed.

“Elohnoir?” a timid voice asked.

Loh looked up and gasped in quiet surprise. “Louise…? What are you doing here!?”

The human girl shrugged hesitantly. “You left this morning without saying anything… And, well, the guards let me up after I showed them the nameplate you gave me.”

Loh ran up to her and embraced her tightly. She breathed deeply in her sweet scent and felt the warmth of her body. “You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered.

“What? Should I be at the bakery making muffins?” she asked sarcastically.

“You know what I mean. It’s dangerous here.” Loh leaned back, but didn’t let go of her embrace. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“And what if I lost you?” Louise frowned, the freckles on her cheeks somehow making her seem cuter while angry. “Did you even think how I might feel when I woke up alone in bed, knowing there is a war coming? I know you’re a Noir and you have to fight but— but, you could have said something!”

“I’m sorry,” Loh mumbled with downcast eyes.

Louise stared at the drow’s saddened expression and groaned. “Ugh, dammit, stop doing that, you’re making me feel bad!”

Loh looked up, a smirk slowly forming on her dark lips. “Oh, why? Is it bec— OW!”

Louise slapped her across the cheek. “Don’t ever leave me like that again. If you have to go, at least leave a note!”

Loh rubbed her stinging cheek but she couldn’t help but smile. She leaned forward and touched their foreheads together. “I promise, I’ll leave a note next time.”

“Promise me…” Louise mumbled.

“Hm?”

“Promise me you’ll be okay.”

“I promise.” Loh brushed Louise’s red hair aside and kissed her. As they kissed, Loh reached into her pocket and held a small object tightly.

A horn abruptly blared in the east. Loh looked up at the sound with a frown. “That doesn’t make sense…”

The horn blared again. Her face paled.

“What is it?” Louise asked worriedly.

“The scouts were wrong. They’re already here…” Loh muttered.

“The enemy is attacking the docks!” a soldier shouted.

“I love you.” Loh kissed Louise fiercely and shoved her into the arms of a Noir guard, “Take her to the manor! Now! Don’t stop for anything!”

“Yes, my lady!” the guard nodded and dragged Louise away.

“Elohnoir, wait!” Louise yelled. She tried to kick and shove herself free, but the guard’s grip held tight and he threw her over his shoulders as he ran.

Loh smiled bitterly at Louise before she turned around and headed towards the east. Her heart sank as she watched Loh disappear.

Louise slowly opened her palm, Loh had thrust something into her hand before she had pushed her away. A golden ring. Tears filled Louise’s eyes, she looked up and searched the crowd of soldiers, but Loh was already gone.