Beyond the distant walls, tents of every color stood packed together, surrounding Fried City so tightly that nothing could get through.
Cold winds howled, and the banners of the Atwood Family and Reisingen flew together above the camp.
The moat outside the gate had been filled with earth, and the sharpened stakes were blackened by smoke.
Last night, an advance force loyal to Sir Eric had arrived without warning and launched a surprise attack on Fried City's North Gate.
Flames soared into the sky. The enemy had briefly stormed the walls, but the noble soldiers stationed there had ultimately driven them back.
After dawn, more troops arrived in succession and began felling the surrounding woods. Rumor had it that the crossbowmen on the walls could already make out the beginnings of siege towers in the distance.
Rumors spread rapidly through the city. Caspar Reisingen, long believed missing, had actually appeared alongside Eric in the besieging army.
Eric had reportedly also sent an envoy into the city, demanding negotiations with Albert Atwood.
Renato did not know exactly what the two sides had discussed, but the negotiations had clearly broken down completely.
The envoy's head had been placed on a silver platter, which a squad of guards carried through the city's main streets for all to see.
Whatever terms the envoy had brought, the appearance of Old Speaker Caspar Reisingen had already eliminated any room for compromise.
Albert had lost his family's support. There was no way he would relinquish control of Fried City now.
Otherwise, exile would be the best outcome he could hope for.
Tension hung over the streets. Many had died in last night's fighting, and laborers carried burlap-wrapped corpses toward the Temple District. Seeping blood left long, dark-red streaks across the flagstones.
"Old Burton!"
Renato called out to