Chapter Summaries

Alex prepared his cavalry to rush to the aid of White Earth City, while Viscount Hawke and Ricardo waited for a suspected mole to make contact. The chapter left Hawke reinforcing the city walls as he anticipated an envoy urging surrender.

• A young officer objected to abandoning supplies, but his regimental commander ordered him to follow the plan.
• Alex praised the three regimental commanders for preparing quickly and ordered the army to depart in fifteen minutes to rescue their comrades.
• Hawk raged over the lack of reinforcements, then ate a huge loaf of bread and wondered why he felt hungrier and stronger.
• Ricardo reported that Hawk's forces had suffered over 3,700 casualties, while the nobles' forces had lost about twenty percent of their troops.
• Ricardo predicted that an envoy urging surrender would soon reveal the mole, and Hawk ordered troops to reinforce the north and south while keeping only two squads with him.

As White Earth City’s defenders faced mounting pressure, Viscount Hawke committed the remaining reserves to the northern and southern walls, leaving the other fronts vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Duchy’s Fifth Legion agreed to use an inside man to lure Hawke to the eastern wall and assassinate him, hoping to throw the city into chaos.

• Baron Lukaku complained to Baron Rubio about Hawke’s behavior and opposed the order to send all reserves to the northern and southern walls.
• A messenger announced that Hawke had deployed every reserve troop and ordered the eastern and western walls to organize their own reserves.
• A Northern Alliance soldier reported to Count Kimberley and Viscount Rabia that their inside man could assist them from within White Earth City.
• Rabia proposed opening the eastern gate for an assault, but a deputy commander warned that the narrow approach made the plan too risky.
• Kimberley proposed luring Hawke to the eastern wall under the pretense of making contact, where infiltrated soldiers could attack him.
• Kimberley and the others agreed that each of their two legions would send fifty men and leave the operation’s details to their inside man.

Hawke went to the eastern wall to expose the traitor behind a planned assassination, despite Ricardo's concerns. After Hawke killed a disguised enemy soldier, Kimberley realized the plot was exposed and withdrew while Hawke attacked the other infiltrators.

• Ricardo identified the meeting letter as a trap, but Hawke decided to attend and draw out the traitor, wearing three layers of armor.
• Ricardo insisted on accompanying Hawke, and Hawke agreed after failing to change his mind.
• At the eastern wall, Hawke told Baron Lukaku to gather troops and keep watch on Baron Rubio, then went up with Ricardo.
• Hawke recognized that the soldiers on the wall had been replaced and exposed one infiltrator by ordering him to curse the enemy officers.
• Hawke stabbed the infiltrator when he failed to act, and Kimberley withdrew after seeing the plot had been exposed.
• Hawke beheaded another soldier on the wall, startling the remaining infiltrators.

Hawk and his allies repelled an assassination attempt inside White Earth City, then endured a renewed siege as Kimberley and Labia agreed to attack again the next morning. A hundred kilometers away, Alex ordered his exhausted cavalry to keep marching south with Boiling Blood Grass, despite knowing the horses might die.

• Hawk fought off the Duchy elites on the wall while Lukaku captured Baron Rubio and Ricardo’s reinforcements helped crush the infiltrators.
• The Duchy’s Direct Legions launched an afternoon assault, and Hawk’s forces held White Earth City until evening.
• Hawk imprisoned Rubio, arrested his officers, and reassigned the remaining soldiers to depleted units.
• Labia urged Kimberley to pause the siege, but they agreed to commit their reserves to another all-out attack the next morning.
• Alex ordered his cavalry to feed their exhausted horses Boiling Blood Grass and continue toward White Earth City, even though many horses would likely die.

Hawk and Baron Lukaku led White Earth City's defenders against a fierce Duchy Army assault using newly deployed siege equipment. Hawk's guards helped repel the attackers and burn two wheeled assault ladders, but Labia ordered a barrage against the wall as the assault stalled.

• Hawk and Baron Lukaku surveyed the Duchy Army's siege equipment, and Hawk sent a guard to ask Ricardo for reinforcements.
• The Duchy Army charged White Earth City while the defenders fired arrows and crossbow bolts; Labia moved enforcement troops forward to intercept routed soldiers.
• Siege towers suppressed the wall's archers, and attackers reached the battlements by scaling ladders and wheeled assault ladders.
• Hawk stopped Lukaku from committing his reserves, then led his guards onto the wall and steadied the defenders.
• Hawk's men defeated attackers on the wall and set two wheeled assault ladders ablaze, while defenders toppled scaling ladders.
• Labia ordered three volleys at the wall, and Hawk took cover as the defenders held off the assault.

Hawk witnessed Labia execute soldiers who had retreated without orders and feared another attack was coming. Meanwhile, Alex’s exhausted warhorse collapsed and died before the cavalry reached White Earth City.

• Hawk watched Labia’s troops execute a squad for abandoning the battlefield without authorization.
• Labia threatened further executions, promised rewards for taking the city, and rallied his soldiers to charge.
• Hawk sent for Lukaku and urged Ricardo to send reinforcements quickly.
• Fifty kilometers from White Earth City, Alex’s warhorse Black Cloud collapsed from exhaustion and died.
• Alex’s guards ran to him and confirmed that he was unharmed.

Hawk and Baron Lukaku fought to hold White Earth City’s north wall as the Seventh Legion launched repeated assaults and the city’s defenses ran low on reserves and ammunition. When the enemy seized a large section of the wall and Lukaku fell, Hawk led his guards into another counterattack, then heard a horn whose source was unclear.

• Alex’s horse, Black Cloud, died on the journey, so Alex transferred its tack to a spare mount and pressed southward.
• Hawk and Lukaku repelled another assault on the north wall, while the enemy’s black-armband supervisors executed at least two hundred routed soldiers.
• Ricardo sent reinforcements north, and Hawk learned that the southern wall was under heavy attack while the eastern and western walls still held.
• The Seventh Legion advanced with over eight thousand troops, and Lukaku urged Hawk to withdraw before admitting he had misjudged him; Hawk refused to abandon the wall.
• The enemy attacked with siege towers as the defenders ran short of arrows, and Hawk found that the attackers had seized a large section of the wall and Lukaku lay fallen nearby.
• Hawk charged at the enemy with his guards, determined to kill as many as possible, and then heard a horn.

Hawk’s defenders held White Earth City as Alex Iron Birch’s Cavalry routed the Seventh Legion and the besieging duchy troops surrendered. After reuniting with Ricardo and learning the enemy had withdrawn from the other walls, Hawk spotted a new development on the battlefield.

• Hawk saw the Iron Birch Family’s Cavalry attack the Seventh Legion’s camp and race toward White Earth City.
• Hawk called on the trapped duchy soldiers to surrender, and troops on the walls and below laid down their weapons.
• Regimental Commander Navarro told Hawk that Viscount Alex had arrived and instructed him to hold the city gates while Count Colt’s main force followed.
• Hawk kept the gates closed and ordered the surrendered enemy soldiers to leave, then found Baron Lukaku alive and recovering from a blow.
• Ricardo reunited with Hawk and reported that the enemy had withdrawn from the southern, eastern, and western walls.
• Hawk hurried to the wall and saw a new change on the distant battlefield.

Alex’s exhausted Vanguard Army broke off its attack on the Seventh Legion after Kimberley brought Fifth Legion reinforcements, then withdrew toward White Earth City and relieved its siege. Both sides suffered heavy losses and the duchy’s Fifth and Seventh Legions eventually retreated to their garrisons in Sextus County.

• The Fifth Legion’s cavalry clashed with Alex’s scouts, and Ricardo realized their horses’ stamina gave the Vanguard Army the advantage despite its own exhaustion.
• Kimberley gathered reinforcements and marched to support Labia, while Alex’s cavalry harassed the Seventh Legion and tried to slow the pursuing duchy cavalry.
• Labia’s Seventh Legion held its formation, and Alex abandoned his attack and reunited his two cavalry forces as Kimberley’s troops arrived.
• Alex withdrew toward White Earth City and told Hawk to keep its gates shut until the duchy forces left the area.
• Kimberley and Labia joined their forces and left the battlefield, ending the clash with heavy casualties on both sides.

A messenger delivered Viscount Alex’s report to Count Colt as the Northern Alliance Army marched toward White Earth City. Count Colt ordered the army to continue its advance and rendezvous with Alex, without pursuing the duchy’s forces.

• The marching army struggled through muddy plains as Old Pete and the auxiliary troops freed a wagon and tended to his horse.
• Viscount Alex’s messenger passed the army’s guards and carried an urgent report to Count Colt.
• Count Colt and his Legion Commanders read Alex’s letter and debated whether to publicize the battle or press the attack.
• Count Colt ordered Delock to hurry toward White Earth City, meet Alex, and avoid continuing the pursuit.

In Silver Maple City, Mora and his advisers responded to the failed attack on White Earth City by ordering reinforcements to prepare defenses and planning deployments against threats in the Eastern and Southern Regions. The chapter left Mora’s forces preparing for multiple campaigns while the Hampshire nobles agreed to join the fight against Lloyd.

• Mora discussed the failed White Earth City attack with Viscount Borey and Count Lagos, who advised him to reinforce Sextus County and prepare for the Northern Alliance Army’s arrival.
• Mora ordered Mback to hurry the Third Legion and told Labia and Kimberley to prepare their forces for defense.
• Viscount Borey explained that the damaged Fifth Legion should not be sent south and that the First Legion was better suited to confront the Golden Sunflower Family; Mora ordered the First Legion to mobilize.
• Count Lagos reported that Hampshire nobles planned to join the Cornwall County coalition and the Fourth Legion in an attack on Lloyd’s Iron Vine Family.
• Count Lagos explained that Lloyd’s extermination of two noble houses had prompted the Hampshire nobles to campaign against him, reassuring Mora that the Southern Region would be handled.

Grand Duke Mora ordered his forces to mobilize, sending the First Legion east to confront the Golden Sunflower Family while the Sixth Legion advanced into Notting County. Turas received a separate message from Count Carter, whose contents remained unrevealed.

• Mora approved Viscount Borey's plan, ordered the Imperial Guard Legion to accompany him, and left Count Lagos in charge of Silver Maple City.
• Bikair received Mora's decree and told the First Legion's officers to march east to Boler County and help Count Black's coalition defeat the Golden Sunflower Family.
• Bikair promised that a quick victory might let the First Legion join the northern war, and the legion departed for the Eastern Region the next day.
• Turas read a letter from Silver Maple City and burned it after the Sixth Legion entered Notting County.
• Karanga arrived on Count Carter's orders and personally handed Turas a sealed letter.

Turas learned that Count Carter and Cant planned to install Cant as the Second Legion's commander before Turas could take control. He sent Karanga back to Carn City with the commander seal and orders to free Zapar and open the city gates, then summoned Dirac.

• Turas stopped Sailik from attacking Karanga and recognized the Second Legion's commander seal in Karanga's letter tube.
• Karanga explained that Carter had recovered, endorsed Cant as his successor, and allowed Cant to imprison Zapar while senior officers backed Cant's appointment.
• Turas decided to use Zapar's influence to gain entry to Carn City and control the Second Legion without seeking its command himself.
• Turas gave Karanga a letter and the seal, instructing him to rescue Zapar and help open the city gates for Turas's troops.
• Turas promised to recommend Karanga for Zapar's vacant deputy commander post, then ordered Sailik to summon Dirac.

Turas sent Dirac and Karanga to seize Carn City's gates while he marched with the Sixth Legion, using a false arrival time to mislead Cant and buy the force more time. He then appointed the jealous Sailik to command the Third Infantry Regiment and continued toward Carn City.

• Turas ordered Dirac to help Karanga take Carn City's gates and hold them until the Sixth Legion arrived.
• Dirac and Karanga departed with the Cavalry Regiment, while Turas told them he would arrive before sunset the next day.
• Sailik admitted he envied Karanga's appointment, and Turas offered him command of the Third Infantry Regiment.
• Turas explained that his stated arrival time was a smokescreen meant to mislead Cant and give Dirac's force more time to secure the gates.

Cant searched Carn City for Zapar, suspecting that officers in the Third and Fourth Regiments might be hiding him. He returned to Count Carter’s bedside, troubled by the Count’s worsening condition and Zapar’s escape with the Legion Commander’s seal.

• Cant and Ribelius searched Carn City but found no trace of Zapar.
• Cant reasoned that Zapar might be hiding under the protection of officers he had appointed in the Third or Fourth Regiment.
• Cant told Ribelius not to alert Zapar and to let Gerard and Hulk quietly monitor their troops.
• Cant explained that Count Carter had intended the Second Legion to remain loyal to the Duchy while retaining autonomy.
• Cant visited the gravely ill Count Carter and recalled how Zapar had escaped house arrest after Karanga stole the Legion Commander’s seal.

Cant learned that Zapar and Karanga had taken control of Carn City's South City Gate with a force from the Sixth Legion and some Second Legion troops. He refused to attack the allied force first, instead ordering Gerard to investigate their intentions while Ribelius negotiated with them.

• Cant returned to camp and learned that Ribelius had spoken with Gerard and Hulk and begun inspecting their troops for Zapar's supporters.
• Cant heard commotion in the southern city and feared Zapar had started an internal conflict.
• Ribelius reported that an unidentified force had seized the South City Gate, disarmed Hulk's guards, and joined Zapar and Karanga.
• Cant and Ribelius rode to the gate, where Hulk and Gerard reported that the force included Sixth Legion troops and around five thousand men.
• Gerard urged Cant to attack, but Cant refused because the Sixth Legion was an allied force and the disarmed guards had not been harmed.
• Cant told Gerard to investigate the force and locate Zapar and Karanga, while Ribelius went to negotiate with them.

Cant learned that Turas planned to take control of the Second Legion by backing Zapar and Karanga, and decided to move against them before Turas arrived in Carn City. He ordered his allies to gather troops the next morning and retake the city gate, while trying to avoid a direct fight.

• Ribelius returned and reported that Zapar had refused to explain why a Sixth Legion cavalry regiment occupied the city gate or disarmed its guards.
• Gerard received a spy's letter, and Cant learned that Turas intended to make Zapar Legion Commander and Karanga Legion Deputy Commander.
• Cant asked Ribelius, Hulk, and Gerard to support him, and they saluted in agreement.
• Ribelius warned that influential Old Master Beck might neither join the opposition nor support Cant, while Ribelius and Hulk urged action against Zapar and Karanga.
• Cant ordered the others to gather their troops the next morning, retake the city gate, and try to make Zapar's forces back down without direct violence.

Dirac and Zapar prepared to hold the South City Gate against the Second Legion as Cant’s troops advanced and nearly clashed with them. Just as Cant was about to order an attack, Turas arrived with the Sixth Legion, leaving Ribelius to lament that they had come too late.

• Dirac saw the Second Legion gather in force and urged Zapar to help build a defensive line.
• Zapar’s surrounded troops were disarmed, and he retreated to the wall while Dirac prepared fortifications.
• Cant’s troops advanced until the opposing soldiers began fighting, and Zapar warned the Second Legion that attacking friendly forces was a grave crime.
• Ribelius urged Cant to order an attack, and Cant resolved to do so despite the risk of fighting fellow Duchy troops.
• Turas entered Carn City with the Sixth Legion, and Ribelius released Cant’s shoulder and said they were too late.

Turas arrived in Carn City with authorization to command the front, took control of the southern district, and backed Zapar’s bid to lead the Second Legion. Count Carter’s return reversed Zapar’s growing support in favor of Cant, then Carter summoned Turas to meet him.

• Turas showed his authorization to intervene in the Second Legion and proposed that his Sixth Legion take over Carn City’s southern district, which Cant and the others accepted.
• Turas recommended Zapar as the Second Legion’s next commander, while Hulk and Gerard declared neutrality and Zapar’s faction gained support from four battalions.
• Count Carter recovered and, with Beck’s help, publicly supported Cant as commander, causing most of Zapar’s newly gained forces to abandon him.
• Turas accepted the reversal without surprise, and Count Carter sent word that he wanted to meet him.

Turas brought Zapar to Count Carter’s meeting after reassuring him that refusing the summons would be more dangerous. Count Carter said he had informed Silver Maple City that he would resume overseeing the Second Legion despite his lingering health problems.

• Zapar panicked about facing Count Carter, but Turas told him to attend and warned that he could not protect him if Carter wanted him dead.
• Turas led a cavalry squad to the lord’s manor, where Beck welcomed him and stopped the guards from taking his weapon.
• Zapar insisted that his rank entitled him to keep his sword, embarrassing Turas and Beck before they entered the manor.
• Turas and Zapar joined Count Carter, Cant, Ribelius, Gerard, and Hulk at the meeting table.
• Turas asked about Carter’s health and the Second Legion’s disorder, and Carter said he had contacted Silver Maple City and would prevent further trouble.