บท 30: 30: The Siege Begins
The dawn broke with a deceptive serenity over the Kingdom of Eldoria, the sky painted in hues of pink and gold as if to lull the inhabitants into a false sense of security. But beneath that tranquil sky, the kingdom was bracing itself for the storm that had long been brewing. The air was thick with anticipation, tension simmering just beneath the surface as everyone waited for the inevitable clash.
Nadia, Captain of the Eldorian Guard, stood atop the eastern wall of the capital city, Eryndor, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The fields that stretched out before her were eerily silent, the farmers having long since abandoned their posts to take shelter within the city's fortified walls. What was once a landscape teeming with life was now a barren no-man's land, a stark reminder of the conflict that was about to unfold.
She shifted her gaze to the distant treeline where the enemy forces were massing, just out of sight. The Vossians, known for their cunning and ruthless tactics, had made their intentions clear. They wanted Eldoria, and they were willing to raze it to the ground to claim it.
Beside her, Erik, her second-in-command and trusted friend, let out a low whistle. "You can practically feel the tension in the air, can't you?"
Nadia nodded, her expression grim. "This is it, Erik. The Vossians have made their move, and now it's our turn to respond. We've held them off before, but this time… this time it feels different."
Erik looked at her, concern etched on his face. "You think we're ready?"
"We have to be," she replied, her voice firm. "The council has already issued the orders. Every able-bodied man and woman is to take up arms. The city's defenses are as strong as they'll ever be, and our people… they're as ready as they'll ever be."
As if on cue, the sounds of preparation echoed up from the streets below. Blacksmiths hammered out swords and shields, their anvils ringing with a steady rhythm that mingled with the low murmur of voices. The marketplace, usually bustling with traders and villagers, had been converted into a makeshift armory, where weapons and supplies were distributed to the defenders.
Nadia could see families saying their goodbyes, wives pressing handkerchiefs into the hands of their husbands, and children clinging to their fathers' legs, not fully understanding the gravity of the situation but sensing the fear in the adults around them.
One such family caught her eye—a young couple, their faces drawn with worry as they exchanged a final embrace. The man, a farmer by the looks of his weathered hands and simple clothes, held his wife close, whispering reassurances in her ear even as he handed his young daughter to her. The little girl, no older than five, clung to her mother, her wide eyes reflecting the unease that permeated the air.
Nadia's heart tightened at the sight, but she forced herself to look away. There was no time for sentimentality. The Vossians were coming, and they would show no mercy. Her duty was to protect these people, to keep the city from falling into enemy hands, no matter the cost.
Erik followed her gaze, his brow furrowing. "It's never easy, is it? Seeing families torn apart like this."
"No, it isn't," Nadia agreed, her voice quiet. "But it's our job to make sure they have something to come back to when this is all over."
Erik nodded, but before he could respond, a shout rang out from the watchtower above them. "Movement on the horizon! Vossian forces advancing from the east!"
Nadia's grip tightened on the hilt of her sword as she exchanged a glance with Erik. "Here we go," she murmured.
The two of them hurried down the stone steps from the wall, making their way through the bustling streets toward the command post. As they moved, they were joined by other members of the guard, their faces set in grim determination.
When they reached the command post, a large tent set up in the city's central square, they found Chief Marius and several council members already gathered around a large map spread out on a table. The mood was tense, the air thick with unspoken fears.
"Marius," Nadia greeted the elder as she approached, her voice steady. "The Vossians are on the move."
Chief Marius, his lined face betraying the weight of his years, nodded solemnly. "It was only a matter of time. Our scouts reported their forces gathering in the woods late last night. It seems they've chosen to strike at dawn."
"What's their strategy?" Erik asked, his gaze fixed on the map.
"They're coming at us from the east, where our defenses are strongest," Marius explained, his finger tracing the path the Vossian forces were likely to take. "But we've received reports of smaller groups moving around to the north and south, likely intending to flank us."
"Classic pincer movement," Nadia observed, her mind racing as she assessed the situation. "They'll try to overwhelm our main force while the flanking groups hit us from the sides."
Marius nodded, his expression grim. "That's our assessment as well. We'll need to reinforce the northern and southern walls, but we can't afford to weaken the eastern defense too much. It's a delicate balance."
"We'll hold the eastern wall," Nadia said firmly. "Erik, I want you to take a group and reinforce the northern side. I'll send another squad to the south."
"Understood," Erik replied, his tone matching her resolve.
The council members exchanged worried glances, but Marius nodded in agreement. "Do what you must, Captain. The fate of Eldoria rests in your hands."
Nadia met his gaze, her expression unwavering. "We won't let you down."
With that, she and Erik left the command post, splitting up to relay their orders to the troops. The mood among the soldiers was somber but determined. These men and women knew what was at stake, and they were ready to fight for their home, their families, and their future.
As the troops mobilized, Nadia made her way back to the eastern wall, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew the Vossians were ruthless, but she also knew that Eldoria's defenders were strong, their resolve unshakable.
She reached the wall just as the first Vossian soldiers came into view, a dark wave of armored figures marching in perfect unison. The ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet, the air thick with the scent of impending bloodshed.
Nadia drew her sword, the blade gleaming in the early morning light. "Hold the line!" she called out, her voice carrying across the wall. "We stand together, or we fall together!"
The soldiers echoed her cry, their voices rising in a powerful chorus. They were ready.
The Vossians advanced, their ranks closing in on the city's defenses. Archers lined the walls, their bows drawn and ready, waiting for the signal to unleash their deadly volley. The tension was palpable, the silence before the storm.
And then, with a single shout, the battle began.
Arrows flew through the air, a deadly rain that descended upon the advancing Vossians. Some fell, their armor no match for the precision of the Eldorian archers, but the enemy pressed on, their determination unwavering.
The first wave of Vossian soldiers reached the wall, and the clash of steel against steel rang out as the defenders met them head-on. Nadia fought with all her might, her sword a blur as she parried and struck, her movements a dance of death.
The battle was fierce, the Vossians relentless in their assault. But the defenders of Eldoria held their ground, their resolve as strong as the stone walls they protected. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, the sounds of battle filling the air as the two sides clashed.
Nadia fought with every ounce of strength she had, her focus narrowing to the task at hand. There was no room for fear or doubt; there was only the fight, the need to protect her people.
She felt the strain in her muscles, the burn of exhaustion creeping in, but she pushed it aside. There was no time to rest, no time to falter.
The battle raged on, the sun climbing higher in the sky as the hours passed. But despite the ferocity of the Vossian assault, the defenders held the line, their determination unyielding.
Finally, as the sun reached its zenith, the Vossians began to falter. Their ranks were thinning, their numbers dwindling under the relentless defense of the Eldorians. Nadia could sense the shift, the tide of battle turning in their favor.
And then, just as it seemed they might emerge victorious, a horn sounded from the distance—a deep, mournful note that echoed across the battlefield.
Nadia's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the sound. It was the signal for reinforcements.
She looked out across the battlefield, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the new wave of Vossian soldiers emerging from the treeline. They were fresh, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, their numbers overwhelming.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. The first wave had been a distraction, a sacrificial force meant to wear them down. The real attack was just beginning.
"Fall back!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the din of battle. "Regroup inside the walls!"
The defenders began to retreat, their movements disciplined and orderly despite the chaos around them. Nadia led the way, her sword still at the ready as they made their way back through the city gates.
The Vossians were close behind, their momentum renewed by the arrival of reinforcements. The gates closed just in time, the heavy wood and iron barricades holding back the tide of enemies.
But Nadia knew it was only a matter of time before the Vossians broke through. They needed a new plan, and they needed it fast.
She made her way back to the command post, her mind racing. Marius and the council members were already there, their faces pale with worry.
"They've brought in reinforcements," Nadia reported, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "We can't hold them off forever. We need to consider our options."
Marius nodded, his expression grim. "We've already sent word to our allies in the west. They've promised to send aid, but it will take time for their forces to arrive."
"We may not have that time," Erik pointed out, his voice laced with urgency. "The Vossians are relentless. If they break through the gates, the city will fall."
"We have one last line of defense," Marius said, his voice heavy with resignation. "The Citadel. If all else fails, we can retreat there and make our final stand."
Nadia's heart sank at the mention of the Citadel. It was the last refuge, a fortress within the city that had never been breached. But if they were forced to retreat there, it would mean the rest of the city was lost.
"We'll hold the gates as long as we can," Nadia said, her voice resolute. "But if it comes to it, we'll make our stand at the Citadel."
Marius nodded, his expression one of weary acceptance. "May the gods watch over us."
As they left the command post, the reality of the situation weighed heavily on Nadia. The Vossians were closing in, and the defenders were running out of options. But she couldn't afford to lose hope. Not yet.
The battle was far from over, and she would fight until her last breath to protect Eldoria.
As she returned to the walls, she caught sight of the farmer she had seen earlier, now standing with the other soldiers, his face set in determination. His wife and daughter were nowhere to be seen, likely hidden away in one of the city's safehouses.
Nadia's resolve hardened. She would not let these people down. They had placed their trust in her, and she would do everything in her power to keep them safe.
But as the Vossians began their next assault, battering the gates with a relentless fury, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in her chest.
The siege had begun, and there was no telling how it would end.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง