Why do we Fight? - Volume III - For Honor

Chapter 22: Cutting the Head Off

- Harrowgate, Eitrivatnen -

In one of the most important regions that the Iron Legion holds, a Horkos army is attacking both Lorderian Knights and Chimera forces in a preemptive strike. They knew that if the Chimera Alliance gain a foothold in Harrowgate where there are many routes leading to one region to another, their forces would be trapped. Defeating or at the very least, containing the allies in Eitrivatnen is their utmost priority. Should they fail, they will be boxed in and there will be no chance for them to mount a proper counterattack again.

The Chimera leaders also know the reason why the Order of Horkos is attacking now and how valuable Harrowgate to either side. Despite not consolidated and not completely organized yet, the now combined forces of the Knights under Amber Lorderius and Warborn Vikings under Stigandr Branson rushed to the fight. The allies fought the corrupted regiments of the Order of Horkos for some time until the defenses in the citadel itself has finally prepared. Once done, the vanguard of the allied forces fell back inside the walls and they prepared for a long siege.

Watching from a high point – the same place where Apollyon and (Argen) watched their battles – Amber observed the Horkos forces attempting to break their defenses to no avail. She had already made several plans for this exact moment, each one for a specific situation. Every detail of her plans are meticulously designed, making sure that every brick in their walls are strong and accounted for. Needless to say, she is beyond prepared.

"Milady. Messenger from the Warborn." A Darkrose Captain informed her.

Turning around, Amber saw a Warborn Valkyrie. She dismissed the Captain as the Valkyrie approached her.

"We meet again, Lady Amber." The raspy voice of Runa the Valkyrie said to once her enemy. Amber chuckled.

"Indeed we do, Runa, and this time, we are on the same side." Amber responded and Runa nodded in agreement.

"Our forces along with 'Ilma' and our best Raider will be joining the battle within the hour, but I have already brought some troops with me to assist in your defense." Runa informed Amber who nodded in understanding.

"Thank you, Runa." Amber said as she looked back down at the battle below. "From the tactics that they are using and the way they fight, these cultists are under the direct command of Erzebet herself." Amber said.

"Observant as always, Amber." Runa chuckled. "Erzebet... Hmm, I remember hearing about that name before. Was she not a Black Prior?" She inquired.

"She was, but as it turned out, her loyalties still lie with Apollyon and her ideologies." Amber answered, confirming Runa's suspicion. "No matter. If she sides with demons, she will follow them back to hell." Amber declared.

"And that I wholeheartedly agree with." Runa mused. "I'll be leaving now. I still need to inform Rowan of what we are up against."

Amber nodded and Runa promptly left. She refocused her sights on the battle to look for any opportunities that they could exploit as flaming boulders launched by their catapults fly over her and her officers.

"It would seem that Vortiger and his warriors have joined our troops." Commander Dain, once a Captain under Amber during their time as Blackstones and now a commander of the Darkrose Legion said as he looked at where he spotted the aforementioned Black Prior.

"There was no stopping him regardless. Even if Erzebet isn't here, he'll do whatever it takes to make her pay for her betrayal." Amber remarked.

She then wondered what was going to the west and more importantly, to the south where (Argen) is leading an offensive to attempt to connect their lines to their allies from the Wu Lin. She also knows that today is the day that they will begin the liberation of the Labyrinth of Sand. She hoped that they would succeed and that (Argen) would be safe, knowing that he will most likely join the actual battles themselves.