Interlude: The fall of Galia CitadelThe Month of Noel, Day 13, Year 681 of the Second Holy Calendar

  Alec grunted in frustration as his sword cleaved down onto the enemy's shield once more. He was so close that he could feel the man’s breath and see the scrape marks where the Tower's symbol had been removed. The enemy was cd in armor stolen from one of Alec’s fallen comrades.

  Infusing his sword with mana again, Alec sshed at the enemy’s head. The enemy attempted a shield bash in response, but he didn’t realize that Alec hadn’t strengthened his arms with mana as was customary—he had reinforced his legs and core instead. When the shield bash nded, Alec held his ground, unshaken, while his sword carved a small hole into the enemy’s helmet. The bde dug deep into the man’s skull before Alec released it.

  The enemy colpsed, body convulsing. Alec would have liked to grant him a mercy kill, but his sword was buried in the man’s head, and exhaustion weighed heavily on his limbs. Seeing their leader fall, the enemy forces began to retreat, but Alec’s own men were too drained to pursue them. Instead, they slumped to the ground, gasping for breath—Alec included. Normally, as a sergeant, it would be his duty to lead the chase, but he had no intention of doing so, especially since—

  “What are you doing? Pursue the enemy at once!”

  The arrogant voice of the lieutenant cut through the air. He was a noble—twenty-five years old—and the fact that he was still only a lieutenant at his age was proof of his incompetence. If he had dispyed any real skill, he would have been a captain by now. But that was how the Redtowers army worked: the few good officers were promoted, while the useless nobles were kept in low-ranking positions to minimize the damage they could do. Unfortunately, that didn’t make them any less insufferable.

  The lieutenant continued ranting before marching right up to Alec, screaming in his face. Alec met his gaze but refused to react. He knew better—nothing good would come from engaging with him.

  The eastern Norost Mountains were notoriously difficult to invade and unite, but that hadn’t stopped the Towers Empire from trying. Galia Citadel had been constructed precisely for that purpose, serving as a powerful fortress to project influence into the region.

  After the Tower’s Empire fell, the Kingdom of Redtowers—one of its successor states—took over the Citadel and its ambitions. However, they had been just as unsuccessful in conquering the territory, though they had managed to bring the western portions under their influence.

  During the Golden Stallion’s invasion, the King of Redtowers, being the Golden Stallion’s brother-in-w, aided him by unching an attack on the Kingdom of Bck. However, his campaign ended in disaster when Valerius Bck preempted the invasion and crushed him at the Battle of Erinvale, costing thousands of lives.

  Not long after, a new power emerged—the Army of the Dawn, led by a woman known as the Iron Lady. She began subjugating nearby tribes and factions, even daring to attack the Kingdom of Redtowers itself.

  For a time, Redtowers was too weak to respond, but after regaining some strength, they unched counteroffensives in 679. Their first attempt became a grueling war of attrition that ultimately ended in retreat. In 680, the kingdom’s council, bming their losses on the previous general’s passivity, appointed a younger, more aggressive leader. They're young and aggressive leader succeeded in the battle, not turning into a stalemate because he lost decisively.

  By 681, the kingdom escated its response. The King himself led an army of 30,000, winning a few minor victories—crushing traitorous factions and even defeating the Army of the Dawn in a small skirmish. However, by autumn, he was forced to withdraw when raiding parties from the Kingdom of Bck intensified. One, led by Samuel Magyar, even reached the capital gates, inflicting heavy damage.

  With tensions rising, Redtowers began preparing for another war against the Kingdom of Bck, with or without Anttur’s support. As a result, the King left only a single brigade behind to guard Galia Citadel.

  No one expected anything significant to happen. The Army of the Dawn had already suffered defeats, and it was the dead of winter in the Norost Mountains. In the lower elevations, people still braved the cold, but at Galia’s high-altitude position, stepping outside in such conditions was unthinkable.

  Apparently, 15,000 soldiers of the Army of the Dawn were insane enough to do just that.

  A company of traitors opened the eastern gate, allowing the enemy to flood into the city. The 5,000 defenders of Redtowers used the narrow streets to hold them back for days, but casualties mounted.

  Alec let the lieutenant’s shouting pass through one ear and out the other. In the Kingdom of Redtowers, nobles controlled everything. While it wasn’t legally impossible for a commoner to become an officer, it was practically unheard of. Even if the lieutenant died, another noble would take his pce. That was why, despite serving in the army for fifteen years and holding the rank of sergeant for ten, Alec was still only second-in-command of his ptoon—the highest position a commoner could ever hope to achieve.

  The lieutenant, frustrated by Alec’s silence, began spping his helmet. The dull cng echoed in the cold air, but it did nothing to Alec except mildly annoy him.

  “What is it, Lieutenant?” Alec finally asked, feigning concern.

  “Didn’t you hear me? We need to pursue the enemy! Why are you just sitting there like a fool, Sergeant?”

  “Sir, my head is ringing. I think I got hit in the battle or something. I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” He shook his head for effect, pretending to be dazed.

  “Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?” the lieutenant screeched.

  “What? I can’t hear you.”

  The lieutenant growled in frustration and stomped off to berate someone else.

  Alec finally removed his helmet, wiping at the sweat on his brow. He cursed under his breath—if the lieutenant had forgotten to send a messenger to the commander, informing them of their victory, then they wouldn’t be getting reinforcements. If reinforcements even existed.

  Just as he was about to dispatch a runner himself, a voice boomed across the entire Citadel.

  “Soldiers of the Army of the Dawn and the Kingdom of Redtowers, I am Elizabeth Warren—or, as you call me, the Iron Lady. Cease fighting! I decre a temporary truce to retrieve the wounded and the dead. Soldiers of Redtowers, I have an offer for you.

  "You have fought well these past few days, but I know you are at your breaking point. I also know where your loyalties truly lie—not with your king, not with your officers. I know how they treat you.

  "In my army, your skill—not your birth—determines your rank. In my army, you share in the spoils, rather than handing them over to the nobility. Surrender now, and I will guarantee you a pce among us. Resist, and you will likely die. If you wish to accept my offer, come to the Central Pza in two hours.”

  The citadel fell silent.

  Alec exhaled deeply, his body aching. He looked around—some of the men met each other’s gazes, uncertain. Others stared at the ground, fists tightening around their weapons.

  A rough hand grabbed Alec’s arm, hauling him to his feet.

  “You wouldn’t actually listen to that traitorous witch, would you?” the lieutenant snarled, his breath reeking of wine. “I’ll have every one of you flogged for even considering it!”

  Alec met his gaze.

  “And who’s going to do that? You?”

  The lieutenant’s sneer twisted into fury. “Damn right, I—”

  Alec’s fist crashed into his jaw. The noble staggered, but before he could recover, Joran—Alec’s closest friend—drove a sword into his ribs.

  “This is for all the men you’ve gotten killed,” Joran muttered, twisting the bde.

  As the lieutenant’s corpse crumpled to the ground, Alec turned to the men.

  “You all heard her offer. You know she’s right.” He took a deep breath. “I’m going to the Central Pza.”

  One by one, the soldiers nodded. They left the lieutenant’s body to cool in the snow.