章 139: Chapter 139: The Queen's Challenge and the Siege's Tipping Point
Tensions and Strategies
As the laughter subsided, Skáthach turned to Lott with a playful yet serious tone. "Well, if you don't have the kind of food we're used to, then you'd better arrange for some barbecue and such. If not, I might just hang you on the wall."
Lott, realizing the gravity of the situation, assured her, "Of course, we'll manage that."
With the matter settled, Lott invited Skáthach to return to the castle. Together, they began to enjoy the celebratory feast, marking a temporary respite from the ongoing conflict.
In the camp of Vortigern, frustration simmered. "Why did you lose so quickly today?" he demanded, directing his ire at King Marko.
King Marko, defensive, shot back, "Aren't you in the same boat?"
Vortigern was adamant. "I faced Skáthach, a legendary figure. How could I have expected to win against someone of her calibre? She's ancient—probably older than me by several decades. You, however, faced Lott, a king younger than you. How could you not defeat him?"
King Marko felt a pang of embarrassment but knew the truth. Vortigern's opponent was indeed formidable, but he had barely fought. "I was unprepared. If I had to face the full strength of King Lott's forces, I might have struggled even more. It's not something I'm proud of."
Despite their argument, both leaders were intent on revenge. Vortigern turned to strategize with King Marko. "What's the plan for tomorrow's battle? Can we still defeat the Queen of the Kingdom of Shadows? We need a strategy to counter the brave knights on King Lott's side."
Vortigern, though frustrated, was resolute. "Our forces are still strong. Don't let one setback deter you. The Queen of Shadows might be powerful, but we must press on. She's limited in her actions, as evidenced by her reluctance to pursue us."
King Marko, though initially reluctant, agreed. "If we abandon this raid and return to our territory, we'll be at the mercy of Lott, Morgan, and their allies. I won't risk that."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Vortigern prepared for a more aggressive attack the next day.
Back at the castle, Skáthach was savouring the feast. She took a generous bite of meat and poured herself another mug of wine before addressing Lott. "I'm here to help with Vortigern, but I won't be assisting with anything else."
Lott, though somewhat disheartened, asked, "Can't you help with a few more things?"
Skáthach's eyes narrowed playfully. "Do you think I'm Altria? I'm not here for just the food. I came to protect and support. My role is to stop Vortigern, but I won't intervene further. If other troops attack and the castle falls, that's on you."
Galahad, curious, asked, "What if we all die in battle?"
Skáthach answered candidly, "That's also your responsibility. Hope is just hope. It's up to you to manage your destiny."
She then shifted her tone, a smile appearing on her face. "As a friend, though, I'm interested in seeing how your skills have developed. Especially yours, Lott. I'm curious about your current situation."
Altria and Galahad stood up, eager to demonstrate their progress. Despite the victory in the previous day's battle, the strength of Vortigern had left them all feeling restless. They were eager for revenge.
Lott, who preferred avoiding conflict, was reluctant. However, Skáthach's insistence meant he had no choice.
"Come on, one by one. You're first, Lott," Skáthach said firmly.
Lott's face showed clear reluctance. He preferred peace, but Skáthach's challenge left him with no excuses. He knew that if he didn't put in the effort, he couldn't support Morgan in the battles to come.
The next day, Vortigern renewed his assault. This time, he stayed behind the lines, observing rather than participating directly. He had learned from the previous day's engagement and hoped that Skáthach's absence would allow his forces to make significant progress.
Behind the enemy lines, Vortigern expressed confidence. "If the Queen of Shadows doesn't engage, our armies should have an easier time."
With the defenders struggling and their resources nearly exhausted, Vortigern's confidence seemed justified. The city's weapons were running low, and the remaining defenders had almost used up their supplies. The battle turned increasingly grim for Lott and his forces.
King Marko, eager to reclaim his honour, charged forward. "It's time for me to make my move. We have the advantage now, and I intend to press it."
On the city walls, Galahad reported the dire situation to Lott. "We have less than a thousand arrows left, and our defences are almost gone. We can only rely on hand-to-hand combat now."
Lott, resigned to the grim reality, prepared for a desperate fight. "We must fight with everything we have. It's time to use all our resources."
As the enemy approached, ladders were raised to scale the walls. King Marko led the charge, determined to capture Lott and his allies. His bravery was undeniable, but his actions were driven by a mix of shame and determination.
The stage was set for another intense confrontation, with both sides bracing for the imminent clash.
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