Gate of Dimensions

[Act 2] Chapter 8: Siege of Blanche

Mordred stood confidently in the central tower of Blanche, his gaze sweeping over the horizon, surrounded by his officers. As the German forces were closing in, instead of feeling anxious, he felt a combination of thrill and determination. The Germans may have conquered every town and village in the west, but Blanche was known for bleeding out every force that ever had the gall to march upon the walls, man or beast.

Blanche was impenetrable. Blanche was no ordinary stronghold. It was massive, impregnable, and it hummed with ancient magic. The fortress had stood for centuries, guarding the only pass through the towering mountain range that led to Camelot. For hundreds of kilometres, it is the only way past the mountains. No army had ever breached its walls; no invader had ever made it through. Mordred did not doubt that the Germans, with their panzers and artillery, would be no different. They didn't understand the power of Blanche. They don't understand magic. The pass was the only way through the mountains, and Mordred held the key in his blood. No one had ever breached the fortress, and he didn't intend to let anyone start now.

He had worked the dwarves of the mountains day and night, providing the humans of his army, which he led through the woods, with rifles, each equipped with only a few bullets. Though he only managed to arm a few thousand of them, the Germans cut off the supply. He expected every soldier who held them to know how to use their weapon immediately. Still, only those familiar with crossbows seemed to have a basic understanding of what to do. To him, it was better than nothing.

The monsters in his army were kept on the walls or behind them, appearing more fearful than bloodthirsty for the first time - a rare sight that had not been seen during his previous campaigns. His regular soldiers and conscripts fared no better; most of them were ducking behind the walls. The only thing keeping them there was the fact that only the Emperor and his extended family could open the gates to let them out. He planned to make his stand there. With hundreds of thousands cramped inside the walls, knowing that if he failed, Camelot would be lost.

He looked up, expecting to see dragons overhead, but his wife seemed serious about providing no more aid to him. He swore he'd have a chat with his supposed Empress about it. This would be the battle that would throw the Germans back, and he needed every available resource. The German steel dragons will likely cloud the sky, and he has nothing to counter them anymore. He settled on defeating the army. Even if he lost, he could leave through the secret tunnels in the citadel, something only he and his top leaders know about.

"Let them come," Mordred muttered to himself with a sneer. "They'll never take Blanche. Not while I'm here."

The distant sound of marching feet and rumbling engines reached his ears. The Germans were getting closer now; he could almost hear them approaching. However, his confidence never wavered. He had planned for this moment, determined to put an end to the Germans by wearing them down here and now. This was his fortress, his territory - it was his to control, his divine right. That was why he had taken it from his charitable sister. It was also the reason he would not surrender to the Germans. Unlike his sister, he'd never whore himself to the Germans for months just to survive.

"Prepare the men!" Mordred shouted as he turned and stormed down the stone corridor, flanked by lords and captains moving either way. "We're not letting them through. Not now. Not ever." His voice boomed, rattling off the walls as his soldiers scrambled to follow orders. They were loyal, or they were supposed to be.

He stormed into the war room, where a map of the fortress and surrounding areas lay sprawled across a wooden table. His wife, the magician, his nobles and his commanders were there. They were discussing something behind the door, but fell silent when he entered. Although Lazare looked to be picking up something under the table, he paid no mind.

"Report," Mordred barked.

Duke Lazare spoke first, his voice steady but laced with concern. "The Germans are advancing. They're bringing in panzers, heavy artillery and everything they could ever need to attempt to breach the walls. We've seen their numbers. They're well-organised, my lord. It seems none of our magical and non-magical earthworks have failed to delay their advance."