And On The Seventh Day.... [OPEN]

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The 7th day of the Siege of Hyrule.

It was a peaceful time before dawn. The eastern horizon was already dyed a soft orange, small and shy, as if the sun was still unsure of coming out and wanted to extend his sleep a few more minutes. The freezing night air was slowly giving way to the cool breeze of morning. A subtle, gradual change; A passing of a baton too secretive to be noticed. A few birds on the far forest fringes were chirping wistfully, safe from the rampant destruction that is Hyrule Walls and its surrounding plains. The walls of Hyrule themselves stood tall and majestic in this dim light, their thick massive construction a mighty rock and steel protecting the deathly quiet Castle Town inside. In the center of it, lording over the scenery like a proud king was the silhouette of Hyrule Castle itself, its towering spires and incredible walls both fearsome and wonderful to behold.

Inside her tent in the Eastern side of the Hyrule Walls, Duchess Maedhra had already bedecked in her famous silver-and-red armor, and was sitting on a low table with her war ministers and a few second-in-command. The Red Demon, Her Grace’s epithet, was thoroughly at ease.

When the flap of her tent opened.

“They are moving!” a soldier came rushing in, “The Southern Army has moved and are in position! The walls are teeming with the enemies! They are taking the bait, just like you said!”

Duchess Maedhra, who had allowed her soldiers to drop any honorifics in the field of battle, reached out to her cup of tea.

“Is that so?” She answered, calmly sipping her tea. “Why so in rush, Alistair? Come, enjoy tea and crumpets with us. Tell me more.”

An empty seat was procured for the messenger who, apparently used to his commander’s whims, took her seat and munched on a crumpet.

The Duchess grinned wide once the whole situation had been relayed to her. “Good. Very good. The last cracking day doing nothing but preparation was not a waste of time, then.”

One of the generals nodded. “Should we start the advance of our troops?”

The Duchess shook her head. “No. Let’s wait until those soggy donuts have sallied forth from the castle walls. We have to make sure they really go for the Southern Army’s throat. With our current strength if we get caught outnumbered…. We are toast.”

Another general joined in. “Your Grace, where will you be?”

“I’ll be with the Ironhearts,” The Red Demon answered, after thinking for a while. “I’ll lead the first charge and hold the frapping line with them. I trust you already know when to sound the charge?” she inquired to another minister, who nodded.

“I won’t disappoint you, Your Grace.”

The Duchess smirked.

“No. You won’t.”

It was a peculiarity of the Bion Duchy that no one opposed the fact that their very leader would be risking her life in the thickest of battle. She was the brilliant strategist, yes, but everyone also knew that she was first and foremost a warrior, as was expected of the leader of Bion Army. To lead her army in front was not only a honor, but a responsibility.

And at that moment, a faint bugle could be heard. The aura suddenly became tense.

“The enemy are advancing…” Alistair, the soldier, gulped. “They are going towards the Southern Army after all…”

The grin in the Duchess’ face was almost scary. Everyone could already see the lust of battle in her eyes. To be fair, each and every one in that room had the same lust burning in their eyes.

“Well then, ladies and gentlemen. What are we wating for?”

The order to form the line was disseminated. The Eastern Army, led by the fearsome Ironhearts sentinels in their thick armors and flanked by the fiery Crimson Order knights who were twirling their lances in anticipation, were on the move. Their aim: to finally break one of the gates and enter Hyrule itself.

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Open and Free! (No posting order)
P.S.: Please look at Maedhra's profile to see the initial battle plan!

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"SHIELDS!!!"

Almost in unison, the advancing Eastern Army soldiers raised their shields above them as the incoming arrows filled the sky. Some, like the Ironhearts, had large shields able to cover a wide area around them, ensuring their safety. Other foot soldiers were not so lucky, their shields too small to completely protect them. Yet, a small protection was better than no protection at all. In tense silence and huffed breath their hopes were for the arrows to hit their shields and spare their bodies. The cavalry had much better time, being stationed a little away from the arrow range, directly behind the advancing column.

When the arrow came raining down, they struck hard.

Even with her larger shield, Duchess Maedhra could not but curse under her breath. Her arms already sore from the impact. She, along with the heavily armored regiment of Ironhearts, were at the forefront of the column, directly guarding the precious siege weapons, while other infantry regiments made up the rear.

"Fried these bowmen!" She gritted her teeth. "How can their arrows be so strong?! What are we facing against, arbalests?!"

A well-armored Ironheart on her right raised his helmet. "They seem to be regular archers. Though I bet my ass they are magically enhanced or something."

The Duchess spat. "Yes. Magic. Of course."

Another Ironheart on her left grinned under his helmet.

"Don't die now, Your Grace. The fun has not even started yet."

A tense laugh answered his quip. "Feh. I am not that wimpy cucumber on her first battle you remember, Reyson. I'll show you that."

"Bahaha! Sure. Sure."

And with their characteristic high morale, The Eastern Army crept closer and closer towards Hyrule Outer Walls. The massive, three-tiered Hyrule East Gate loomed in their sight, a formidable enemy they had to conquer. A few of the special Gerudo troops had already scaled the outer wall, aiming to disable the archers on the battlement and perhaps open the gate, if luck would allow it. Meanwhile the giant battering ram and ladder-carrying troops were getting nearer and nearer. No matter what the Gerudo's results, they would still try to force open the gate by the old-fashioned way.

Duchess Maedhra eyed the nimble Gerudo climbing the walls with interest. "Remind me to recruit some of these applecakes Gerudo later, Reyson. We can use such a specialized stealth team in our ranks."

Reyson nodded. "I think the same, Your Grace." At that moment the lumbering battering ram, finally, arrived at the gate.

"Man the ram!" Shouted Duchess Maedhra, the Red Demon "Ironhearts to me! Ladders forward! Archers ready to shoot back! 2nd and 3rd regiment advance! Today, I swear by The Golden Goddesses! WE! SHALL! ENTER! HYRULE!!!"

With a loud cheer the Eastern Army begun the siege in earnest. With the first loud crack as the battering ram hit the East Gate, the battle of the Eastern Wall had truly begun.

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Still Open to all!