Torches were fixed to the stone walls, and the light danced on the armor and faces. Lord Trevor Drakarion stood tall at the head of the hall, his eyes fixed on the faces surrounding him.

  On his right stood Commander Declan Horse, his body like rock, and his eyes unblinking.

  On his left was the sage Astor, jotting down notes in an old leather-bound book.

  And before them, the knights, commanders, and officers, at their head Ser John "the Beast," and Ser Louis, the commander of the armored knights.

  Silence reigned in the hall... then Trevor began to speak, his voice carrying the authority of a man who knew that what lay ahead was blood and fire:

  Trevor:

  "Ser Horse...

  The defense plan will be as we have always known it.

  Archers on the towers and ramparts.

  When the attack begins,

  the longbow archers will empty their quivers upon the enemy's heads."

  He took a step forward, his voice more focused:

  Trevor:

  "When the enemy approaches the walls and gates,

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  the crossbowmen will advance...

  raining down flaming bolts upon them.

  And at the same time,

  the longbow archers will turn their attention to the heavy weapons...

  boiling oil, burning rocks,

  and anything that can burn or destroy."

  He looked at Ser John, with the eye of a leader for a wolf who had proven himself:

  Trevor:

  "Ser John...

  You lead the swordsmen.

  You are the second line of defense,

  stationed behind the gates,

  intervening if the wall is breached."

  Then he turned towards Louis, a huge armored man who stood like a mountain:

  Trevor:

  "Ser Louis...

  The armored knights are in your hands.

  You are the last line of defense...

  the final trap.

  Your war is hit and run,

  strike, withdraw, and return like a storm."

  He raised his voice slightly:

  Trevor:

  "Prepare the hounds.

  And prepare everything that can fight...

  swords, axes, clubs, even knives."

  Then he turned to Alister, who stood at the end of the row, a hint of hesitation on his face:

  Trevor:

  "Alister...

  Prepare a team of workers,

  station them near the handles beneath the gate.

  As soon as you receive my signal...

  I want them all to be pulled."

  Eyes exchanged glances of understanding, worry, and awe...

  Then silence fell again.

  Trevor looked into all their faces,

  then said slowly, as if his voice were being etched into the castle walls:

  Trevor:

  "Alister...

  Prepare a team of workers,

  station them near the handles beneath the gate.

  As soon as you receive my signal...

  I want them all to be pulled."

  Eyes exchanged glances of understanding, worry, and awe...

  Then silence fell again.

  Trevor looked into all their faces,

  then said slowly, as if his voice were being etched into the castle walls:

  Trevor:

  "Perhaps we will not all emerge from this night...

  But if we fall, it will not be because we were afraid...

  but because we resisted until our last breath.

  You are the sword of Drakarion...

  and I am the pride of this sword."

  Everyone bowed their heads,

  and the earth breathed as if it knew that the battle had already begun...

  even before the drums of war were heard.