Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

The Battle of the Lions

Jerren watched the Summon Water Village through a pair of binoculars. It seemed tranquil and innocent. Although they had soldiers stationed to protect it, the people within were unaware that the Redmanes were just outside their doorstep. He had kept his men hidden, advancing only during the cover of night with Radahn's gravity magic, making their armor and weapons light to make their movement swift as the wind.

The campaign's goal was to take the three bridges leading into Limgrave: one that led directly to Stormveil, another to the Weeping Pennisula, and the third, which Jerren led, that overtook the Saints Bridge.

It was a good strategy that cut off Godwyn's movement in Limgrave and effectively preventing him from getting behind Radahn's army or attacking Caelid directly. However, it was not without its flaws. Jerren feared that if Radahn could not end the conflict soon, he might stretch himself too thin to hold all three positions.

Jerren played the strategy over in his mind. The attack needed to be swift, and he had no chance to mount a defense, but he had to overcome the water surrounding the village. Unfortunately, buoyancy had nothing to do with gravity and they couldn't easily cross without drowning.

A direct attack was impossible, but he could lure the people into a panic and force them to not only abandon the village but also provoke Godwyn to face the Redmanes on equal grounds instead of the high cliffs.

With his decision made, Jerren turned to his men and said, "Hear me now! Should we go forward with courage in service of the Great Red Lion Radahn and justice? Let us lay out this victory today!"

"Justice."

Jerren felt a sense of guilt after he had argued with Radahn over the matter when the general brought back Malenia. He had thought this was a mere affair of two stepbrothers over wounded pride, but it wasn't until later that Radahn painted the entire picture.

After a long talk, the two reconciled their differences while Radahn carried Malenia and Finlay to bed., one in each arm The general explained what he knew and what he suspected. His sister, Ranni, was not well. She was afraid and anxious and didn't want to open up even to her two brothers. She went to the Caria Manor to seek their mother's comfort.

Radahn began to suspect that Godwyn had coerced or outright forced his sister. The entire purpose of kidnapping Malenia was to force Marika -and, to a lesser extent, Radagon- to reconcile the situation rather than sweep it under the rug as she had done in the past with Godwyn's misdeeds. Before her throne, all might be laid out: Ranni would have a chance to speak on the matter from her perspective, and Marika would have to listen. Then, perhaps, she might see that her son was indeed unworthy of the title of Lord and thus move forward with her plan to place Miquella on the seat instead.

When Godwyn decided to burn down the church, all plans soon changed. Godwyn showed his willingness to retaliate, which surprised Radahn. Such things were often viewed as a direct attack against Queen Marika herself, and could shake the faith of the mortals to their core. The general had to show those he swore to protect that he was still willing to defend them and not allow such violence to stand.

So Jerren now stood at the edge of the Summonwater Village with a prayer to the Goddess he no longer believed in and that the general was right: this was what it now took. Jerren ordered the great bowmen to prepare to move into position first. Three volleys, one after enough, Jerren predicted, was enough to cause the panic he wished.

He spotted Ogha, who was stringing his great bow. He was quiet, the opposite personality of the old knight who always shared a camaraderie among the younger ones. It concerned Jerren that his frown and lack of encouragement might affect the morale of the other men.

"She doesn't do well in new places," said Ogha.

"She'll be fine, Ogha," said Jerren. "She and the little demigod are practically inseparatable."

"She needs to come home," growled Ogha. The castle was the only real life Finlay knew, and Ogha worried she wouldn't adapt well to living in the church with a dragon.

"Just don't let it affect your aim," replied Jerren.

As the archers started moving to position, Jerren was pleased that the other men were already picking themselves up from their rest, readjusting their armor, and gathering their equipment. The heavy knights mounted their horses, and the entire force was soon aligned in perfect rows.

The arrows soon soared through the sky and rained down over the village. People ran from their houses and began to flee towards the bridge. Jerren hesitated, even knowing he shouldn't before he ordered the light infantry to make their attack. Their minimal equipment and light armor allowed them to sweep through the village, which Jerren hoped all the villagers had already fled.

By this point, Godwyn's orange and green forces came marching toward the village in formation.

Jerren sounded the horn for the cavalry forward at a full charge, with the heavy and medium infantry moving in as support.

The horses slammed into the line at full charge, breaking into the middle. Godwyn's soldiers struggled to close the gap as the Redmanes pressed their advantages. They made their war cries and ran forward, slamming into Godwyn's lines in a loud clash.

Swords clanked against armor, hammers shattered shields, and spears splintered against breastplates. Each man turned to a savage as he ripped and tore into his enemies.

The ranks of Godwyn's soldiers began to collapse under the weight of the Redmanes. They were forced to pull back and retreat towards the bridge. The Redmanes gave chase, but only until Jerren ordered them to hold their position on the bloodied battlefield.

The Redmanes began to cheer at their victory among the bloodied battlefield.

Godwyn's men fought well, and bodies from both sides littered the ground. Men began to help lift their wounded comrades from the ground and carry them back to the village for treatment.

Olge approached him, "Why did you ask us to stop? We had them on the run."

Jerren pointed toward the Saints Bridge with the high cliffs on the western side.

"If we advance on them, they have all the advantage. Since our only mission was to keep Godwyn from using the bridge, I don't see any purpose in risking more lives," said Jerren. He sighed, "I pray there might not be further retaliation."

Back in Stormviel Castle, Godwyn kicked and broke the chair next to him in his war room and threw all the papers from his desk when he heard that Radahn now controlled two of the three major bridges in Limgrave.

"Why? Why can't they leave me be?" cried Godwyn. "Mother should have destroyed them all when she had the chance. Damn that Radagon for not keeping his dick from that witch."

Ranni listened as Godwyn's angry words echoed into their now shared bed chamber as she caressed her stomach. She stared out the window in the pale moon light and dreamed about a journey among the stars. Things were supposed to be easier once Godwyn knew, but aside from his initial reaction, Godwyn showed little interest in his unborn children. Ranni almost had to remind him that she was pregnant for him even to take notice, and then, it felt often forced.

"I am Godfrey's son! Me! I am the scion of the Golden Order. What is Radahn? A mere general who thinks he can emulate my father? He doesn't know the first thing about him!" said Godwyn. "First, he stalls the stars and steals my chance to become Lord. Now he kidnaps my sister and destroys my land. What makes him think he has any right to even lick my father's boots?"

Ranni could stand it no longer. If Godwyn didn't wish to bruise his fragile ego against a rock, then she should. She penned Godwyn a quick note and then called for Blaidd.

"Please, care for Godwyn," said Ranni as she handed him the note.

And therefore when the Lion doth thirst, Make him drink till his belly burst. - (Three Works of Ripley).