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To the south, the city’s Main Gate fell to a concerted barrage of catapult fire A legion of Betaklites swept into Jelarkan Concourse A well-ai pitch struck the Capanthall West Barracks -- the building rose in a conflagration that lit the entire city a lurid red

Shock troops of Urdomen and Seerdomin breached North Gate and entered the nearest Daru streets after destroying Nildar Ca everyone within it The enemy ithin the city on every side

The battle, Itkovian concluded, was not going well

With each report that a er delivered, the Shield Anvil issued co to the Ninth Barricade, between East Inside and Ne’ror towers Resupply the Capanthall in the ters … Seventh Wing to West Inside tower and wall I need a report on the status of Jehbar Tower There were five hundred Capanthall in the West Barracks -- likely they’ve been routed … Fifth and Third Manes into the streets around Tular Concourse to rally the Capanthall… First, Seventh and Sixth Manes doubletime to North Temple District -- block and strike until North Gate is retaken … Fourth, Second and Eighth Manes to New East Market Once the East Gate is recovered, I want Wings One, Three and Five to sortie Their rally point is the East Watch redoubt -- I want the siege engines assailing it neutralized, then any Gidrath survivors retrieved Have the Trimaster report toand going of elare of fires through seething clouds of s hard to break the barricades preventing the the prince’s palace Boulders had been ha the palace’s outer walls incessantly, all to no effect -- the thin, glistening stone walls did not sopitch roared itself to extinction yet achieved nothingthe unknown stone’s surface The palace would have to be taken the hard way, step by step, every rooin the task

The Grey Sword Tris arrived on the parapet He was one of the Shield Anvil’s oldest officers, lean and tall, grey-bearded to hide countless scars ’My assignment has been conveyed to me, Shield Anvil’

So why have I sent for you? I see the question in your eyes, sir You do not require any stirring words to cleave you to what could be a suicidal mission ’It will be unexpected,’ Itkovian said

The man’s eyes narrowed, then he nodded ’Aye, sir, it will With all the breaches the enemy’s front lines have lost their cohesion Chaos claiines as ordered We shall retrieve the survivors in the redoubt’

Aye, old friend I a words ’Keep your eyes open, sir I would know the positioning of the Pannion forces to the rear Specifically, the Tenescowri’

’Understood, sir’

Aas he cleared the ladder ’Shield Anvil!’ she gasped

’Your report, sir,’ Itkovian said

’From the Trimaster of the First, Seventh and Sixth Manes, sir’

North Gate He looked to the north Most of the Daru tene ’Proceed’

’The Trimaster reports that he has encountered the shocktroops of Urdomen and Seerdomin, They’re all dead, sir’