After eight hard days and nights of battle, the great wall encircling the bulk of Ahlyss' city had finally breached under the onslaught of the Contingent's forces. The battle was not over, however, not by a sight. Much of the city had already been abandoned by its people, leaving room for Ahlyss' militia to range throughout instead. Range they did, using the homes and the shops of their people as bunkers or strongholds from which they launched their counterattacks, there was rarely a moment when they allowed themselves to be drawn into the open. The Magi and Sorcerers of the Azure Staff worked together with the Crimson Lance and the Emerald Shield, laying down what protections they could afford and launching coordinated attacks as well. Nevertheless, the battle inside the city was furious and brutal, and the ground that the Contingent won was won hard.

Towering over the city, the great castle of Ahylss rose strong and steady, the home of the ruling house of Ralac -- and site of the second front of Kenyon's attack. As it was built into the side of the mountain, attack from below could only occur from a winding road that led down into the city. That was why General Iathad of the Emerald Shield - the highest ranking officer from Monchale - sent a third of his men to climb the forested mountain and circle around to the back of the castle. While the frontal assault on the city drew the attention of Ahylss' militia, the second front constructed in secret a series of small catapults, their range meant to arch high enough to clear the trees, but not so high as to miss the castle and careen into the city below. Magic muted their work; magic aided their work. But only the steady pressure of the frontal assault could push the Ahylssians into doing what would trigger the second attack -- and that was to attempt to destroy the path leading up to the castle holding.

That sign of desperation had come earlier in the day, and the dual-front attack was in full swing as part of Ahylss' militia raced up the incline instead of destroying it. From his vantage point in the hills toward the west, General Iathad watched with cautious optimism. The battle was, thus far, going well. It seemed almost too good to be true, that Ahylss was so relatively easily overcome. From what his scouts reported - and from the report from Kenyon City itself - he had expected a magical fight far harder than the one they waged now. Then, the victory was not yet declared. He watched a moment longer as the fires of the battle illuminated the midnight scene, then turned his steed away and urged the beast down into the encampment where his human soldiers took their rest and tended their wounds.

It would not be long now, if the messenger was accurate, before the Commander himself appeared at the head of the force from Kenyon City. He left his horse saddled by the flap to his tent, then ducked inside and began collecting his reports. A large part of his heart longed to be in the midst of his men, fighting beside them as he did when he was a Captain. The role of a General, however, demanded more than just brawn and more than just strategy. He led. And sometimes, to lead meant to remain apart from the battle. It still sat uncomfortably.