Death and Walls

Next day forces of Five Towers or how locals call them Five Phalluses besieged our fort. It was our last day of piece and then gruesome siege began. Fivers tried to assault us on second day using ladders but it ended in utter disaster, most of first wave ended up dead either shot or boiled alive. Some lucky few made it to the walls but died either from strike of short sword or pierced by spear.

Failure of first assault didn't falter enemy commander, he ordered to prepare rams, siege shields and more ladders. So next assault was much rougher, despite being able to burn down battering ram enemy archers were able to kill a lot of defenders using large siege shields. Lack of archers on our side made things much more difficult to us. Now we had to fight off enemies under constant arrow volleys.

Arrow almost pierced through my shit-quality shield while I was standing on wall waiting for enemy to climb up. My attempt to push out the ladder were of little success, archers were keeping an eye on walls killing anyone who gets too close to ladders. Now I am waiting for enemy to climb up.

Finally I can see face of enemy soldier and with short thrust my spear hits him right in a face ending his life. Now its time to wait for next unlucky bastard. But all my plans went down the sink as enemy archers started to supress as by unleashing indirect fire at us. Five Tower's commander seems doesn't care about losses as such fire will kill some of his own.

My platoon had first losses, our shitty shields couldn't always stop enemy arrows. But we still keep holding the line. I was working like sewing machine, killing every enemy with each hit. Seeing how easily I am killing enemies my platoon felt encouraged and started fighting with more vigour. At the end of a day we were still holding on our positions despite heavy losses. I was in the middle of maraude.....let's call it trophy management, when I got called by one of the garrison soldiers to report to Drill Master Magnus.

"Guys keep stripping enemies of their armour and weapons. Anyone who tries to intervene and take away our trophies must be told to fuck off. Now get back to work" - I left after giving out orders.

After short walk to commandant's office I was reporting to Magnus.

" My platoon had faced heavy losses. Seven dead, ten wounded and I doubt that three of them will make it. Twenty soldiers still ready to fight although morale is low. Reporting Platoon Leader Askar."

" Your platoon showed the best result except for our non-human gang. However, other platoons have lost almost at least 4/5 of their numbers so they will be merged. I wanted to appointed you as the new leader of those leftovers but your results impressed me so I will let you keep your platoon. Now dismiss and get back to work."

" Drill Master if possible, can you give me non-humans to replenish losses in my squad."

" Are you sure you want to command that bunch of filthy scum?"

" In my case even they would be of great help"

" Alright, you can take them but I expect that you will be able to hold your positions. Now get out I am busy"

After leaving his office I went to pick up my new soldiers. My first thought after having a look at non-human gang was " Damned Dirty Dozen". Eleven dwarfs and the only elf were giving me looks full of suspicion.

" Hey lads look its that human that wanted to be friends with us. So what do you want now? Don't you think that it is not the best time to make friends?"

" I am your new commander, you will join my platoon to replenish losses after the battle. And you will follow my orders since now. Is that clear"

" Heh seems your wet dream of being accompanied by brave dwarfs got real...."

" Silence shorty, I took you because nobody else want to bother with you while I need to fill the gaps in my platoon. Now get up and start moving to wall on the west"

Grumbling a bit dwarfs started picking up their weapons and getting ready to move. Elf as complete loner walked on his own.

After dealing with non-human gang I went to armoury where after short but very aggressive negotiation I was able to get some good shields and one bow with full quiver.

Coming back to my platoon I saw a small pile of enemy armour. In our case even those tattered and damaged chain mails and leather breastplates are valuable assets.

" Dwarfs I got you some good shields and now you must be able to form good shield wall. Also start putting on the armour. I don't care if it looks like a piece of shit this is all we have right now. Elf you must be good with bow so catch this one. I expect you to kill anyone who break throughs our lines." - I started giving out shields after tossing bow with quiver to elf.

My platoon started grumbling that they must get armour and not dwarfs but a short order to shut up and knowledge of how strong is my punch brought them back in order. Now its time to tell them about our new combat formation.

" Dwarfs you will be in first line, form a front shield wall and kill anyone with short swords. Humans will be right behind you protecting you from arrows using their shield and help with their spears. Elf get a good flanking position at the tower and keep an eye for commanders. Now lets practice our formation"

Next few hours I spend trying to teach them this bastardised tortoise and spear wall formation. Luckily dwarfs used to fighting in shield wall made it easier for me and at the end of a day we were able to fight in this formation.

Second assault started at early morning. This time my position was stormed by more experienced and heavily armed enemies. Only thanks to new formation and stubbornness of dwarfs we were able to hold on the wall. But shit hits the fan when I saw that enemies were able to overcome resistance at other sectors. If we will not retreat now we get encircled and butchered.

" Everyone prepare for withdrawal. We are going back to citadel and form line of defence there. Hurry up!"

We had to leave our dead and badly wounded ones, I was carrying on my back one of the dwarfs.

" Human why don't you just leave me here"

" You are a good arrow catcher and shield so I decided to keep you haha."

" Haha and I just started to believe that not all humans are bad"

" Keep dreaming, now shut up we still need to make it to citadel"

All survivors gathered around citadel and started to make barricades in preparation for last desperate defence. Drill Master Magnus was the only surviving commander except for some platoon and company leaders.

I wanted to report to him but right at that moment enemy forces started attacking us. Thanks to barricade we were able to hold for an hour but with every minute our numbers were going down. In the end we had to fall back inside the citadel but gates didn't hold for too long and bloody melee started inside.

I just killed heavily armoured knight with a my spear hitting right into his helmet visor. But soldier next to him broke my spear with his axe and I had to unsheathe my sword and fight with him now. Quick shield bash and I see opening in his defence and sword like a viper hits him right in a chest piercing his heart. Dwarf next to me fights off dual wielding knight and is able to kill him with good aimed hit in the stomach but falls down next moment with bolt stuck in his eye. Fuck they got arbalest.

" Everyone use the dead bodies to make barricades otherwise we just get shot here."

Its gruesome thing to use bodies of your soldiers but we don't have much of a choice. This barricades gives us protection from arbalests and bows but melee is still going on. After a while barricade gets higher as more dead bodies pile up. But this just delayed our end as only few dozen soldiers remain. Seems this is the end.

Right the moment I was preparing to make enemies pay hefty price for my life they started retreating. I rallied up remaining soldiers and launched attack killing all the fleeing enemies. Chasing and killing was an easy thing and we were able to reach the walls where I saw how enemy camp is getting attacked by forces under the banner of Red Lake Kingdom.

Haha, cavalry is here. Always almost late.

I let soldiers rest and treat their wounds when group horsemen carrying flag of local lord requested report from commander. All other leaders except me were either dead or wounded so I had to do it.

" Platoon Leader Askar reporting. Hangman's Fort still under the control of Red Lake Kingdom. Two dozens of soldiers ready for duty. Rest of garrison and recruits either dead or wounded. End of report"

Leader of horsemen just nodded and said that he will send reinforcements. In the end he congratulated me and ordered to act as temporary commandant of fort and left.

Well seems the bloody siege is over and now I can finally rest.