To the City:
The desert sun was hot, my armor was even hotter, and Devices complaints didn't make any of it more bearable. Leaving the vast host of our troops at Ahmerrad in case of an assault, Device, our Queen Not_So_Innocent_Virgin, my fellow bannermen DaBids and Wix, and myself where the only relief we could send to our allies in Acre. After a few long days ride we reached the outskirts of the city. Literal thousands of Legionnaires were amassed outside, with one purpose. To get in.
After a few moments of staring in awe at the sight of so many soldiers, Device was the first to speak.
"How exactly are we supposed to get past that?" he mused. "I doubt they'd let an armed group of lords and their enemy Queen waltz past their army and into the city".
As I cast a sour look at Device I opened my mouth to speak. However before I could, Wix chimed in.
"Maybe they'd let us tango on in?" he said with a grin, "Or maybe salsa?"
"We could Jive on in!" DaBirds said laughing, slapping Wix on the back with merriment. A loud sigh came from our Queen as she rubbed her temples.
"After we castrate these Legionaries, I swear I might just castrate the lot of you as well. Tristan, I sent you on a mission to New Tamnuh to ask around on how we could get into the city. Any luck?"
"Yes my Queen. We have found out about a water system that leads from the nearby lake into the city. Its how the city gets its water. We can swim up it going with the current to get to the city. We might have to ditch some of our equipment, but I'm sure we will be able to make it in.
Scoffing, Device looked at me as if I was mad. "Swim underground into the city? Thats madness. And if we found out about it so easily, why hasn't our enemy tried it?"
"Well they might not know about it. And we could always seal it up after we get into the city to prevent them from following us." I retorted. Device opened his mouth to debate but was cut off by the Queen raising her right hand.
"All of you be quiet. We will try Tristans plan. Lets head out." she said simply. We all turned our horses to the lake. We rode the short ride in silence, and upon arriving we all dismounted. After that we all just stared at the lake waiting for the first one to speak. After a minute, Wix walked up to the lake and poked his finger in the water.
"Wow, its actually surprisingly cold. This might be rather refreshing." he said while undoing his sword belt and dropping it on the ground. He took of his helmet and threw it on the ground and was removing his aketon before DaBirds spoke up.
"What are you doing? Stripping in the middle of the desert, in front of the Queen?" He asked, somewhat incredulously.
"Well its not like I'm going to wait all day, I recommend you all join me so we can get to our allies as fast as possible." before tossing his aketon on the ground and going for the shoes. Somewhat reluctantly, the rest of us followed in stripping out of our gear. After we were all in our small clothes, we dived in and started for the tunnel. It was a long swim and by the time we managed to surface my lungs were burning. I burst through the surface and gasped in air greedily. After a moment I took a look at my surroundings. I very quickly noticed the large amount of crossbows and bows aimed at us.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" demanded the Sergeant, in an Acre surcoat.
"Is this any way to greet allies?" Device asked sarcastically. Splashing him with one hand to silence him, I spoke up.
"Greetings good Sir. We are the Lords of House Stark and have come to help in the defense of your city. We had to take a somewhat secret route to get in, as I'm sure you've noticed there are several thousand Legionnaires outside city. I'm sure if you take us to King James he can confirm our identities." I said, doing my best to keep my voice from wavering as I shivered from the cold of the water. After a few moments of considering our ludicrous story, the Sergeant motions for us to come out of the water.
"Very well, I'll take you to see the King. But any sudden moves and I'll cut you down." and so with that, we went to meet the King.
Meeting With James:
After drying off and given some clothes to put on, we were in the Great Hall of Durquba. King James himself sat on the Throne, flanked by Axeman and Voren who stood on guard. After looking at us for a moment, he let out a hearty laugh.
"I barely recognized you Stark dogs from all the dirt you're under. Have you come to help us against the Legionaires?"
Stepping forward, the Queen did a curtsy fit for a King and began to speak.
"Long have Acre and Stark been allies, and we are here to honor that. Our swords shall be yours in the battles to come. Those Legionnaires may have numbers, but any who fight for gold lack heart and conviction. We shall stand resolute together for we must, less we stand alone and fall."
James sat there and pondered for a moment. "Well said M'lady. But I'm sure you're tired from your travels. We will have you shown to your rooms and food sent there, but keep at the ready. They may attack at any moment." Once he was finished speaking, his servants led us from the hall and we were taking to our chambers. I had barely eaten and drifted off when the horns blew...
Sieges of Durquba:
The first assault on the first day happened in the evening. Normally, I'd be up at this time but I had retired early for the battle. After being awakened by the horns of war, I quickly grabbed my sword, shield, and crossbow and sallied to the walls. On the way I met up with Device. Together we stood firm with our men, pushing back wave after wave of Legionnaires. Eventually they pulled back and stopped their attacks for the night. Tired and exhausted to the bone, I went to my rooms and passed out.
The next day I got up early, rested from the battle before. Upon arriving on the walls, I noticed our troops were mismatched and we had no crossbows or bows for our ranged fighters. I walked over to the Sergeant and asked him what was going on.
"Well you see sir, after gaining all the loot from last night, our armory is full and we cant get to the ranged weapons, and ladders, as they are in the back of the armory and there's a pile of equipment in the way. Dont worry, as we use it up we will get access to it. Maybe. If we are lucky." I stood there for a moment just taken aback at the stupidity I had just heard. After recovering I tried to stop myself from yelling at this man.
"Couldn't we just move the equipment? How does it make any sense to leave all the junk in the way to not use the useful stuff?" the Sergeant looked at me and replied as if I was an idiot.
"Well obviously we can't just get rid of the junk, our enemy attacked us. It would be dishonorable to get rid of it now. So we shall use it." I gave the man my biggest look of contempt and turned around and went to my post. Unable to get a crossbow(as it had apparently been buried in junk) I grabbed a sword and a shield, ready to engage in melee. However, I spent most of the day waiting, as the Legionnaires attacked later in the night than before. This time the Legionnaires left nothing out. Apparently in the night, two legendary warriors Allers and Miley had arrived. The two of them led the charges on our walls and hacked a swath through the defenders. However, our luck held strong and the small last vestiges of defenders pushed the attackers out of the city, causing them to retreat once again. This time, they had used up most of the forces. Feeling relieved that we had defeated two massive waves, the remaining defenders celebrated into the night. However, upon waking up my eyes saw new horrors. More had come in the night, and laid siege to us once again. When I found Device he was pacing back and forth, cursing their names, my name for bringing him into this city, and his own stupidity for letting me. I decided to let him be and went to stand on the walls once more. I dozed off in one of the towers when the horns rang out again.
"An attack this late at night? These Legionnaires really are getting desperate. Very well, I shall bring the fight to them."
Wrote a bit longer than I intended. Split it up into spoilers so it isn't a massive wall of text.
