The Battle of Surma River and The Temple of Darkness

For fifteen days, Strom and the Royal army have been fighting near the Surma River. The tide of war has begun to turn. After the war with Latvia ended, many soldiers of the Royal army were sent here from the north. This greatly increased the number of the Royal army.

Strom also recruits more mercenaries. He arranges for more troops by pressuring the nobles.

....

The morning sun is beginning to rise, its dim light casting a long shadow over the bloody field of the Surma River.

The waters of the river were now mud and rubble, the banks littered with the remnants of battle—broken shields, shattered weapons, and fallen soldiers from both sides.

The air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke, blood, and charred flesh. The cries of the wounded echoed softly, a poignant reminder of the terrible cost of this conflict.

Strom stood at the edge of his camp.