The shouts of battle echoed within the distant valley, interspersed with drumbeats and the blare of bugles.
The shrill howling of the Holy Wind, the thunderous roars of the Holy Thunder, and the clashing sounds of hooves and armor never ceased for a moment.
The fierce assault five days ago came to an abrupt halt after the defeat of Stentok and his men.
The Border Knights, seeing the raid unsuccessful, settled into the task of digging trenches and filling them with earth.
The shield carts rested at the edge of the moats, while the captured laborers, faces smeared with sweat and dirt, shed tears while gritting their teeth as they tossed clumps of earth into the trenches.
Inside the parapets, wave after wave of arrow rain came down, and frequently, a dozen laborers were struck, clutching their arms or thighs as they rolled and wailed in pain.
