35 Storming Blacktyde! - Part 6

It was not easy to climb up a castle wall using ladders in a siege because most castles had moats (long, defensive pits filled with water) around their walls. However, the Blacktyde Castle has no moats. As such, the siege ladders made a day before, by their army, could be utilized effectively, allowing the soldiers to climb up the walls. Still, they had to defend themselves against arrows being fired and stones being thrown at them by the enemy soldiers atop the wall as they scaled the ladder to reach the top.

Damian stayed behind together with Lady Maege, Lady Dacey and Ser Wendel while the foot soldiers rushed at the wall with a war cry. Some carried the ladders, hoops and rope with them while the rest carrying shields tried their best to protect them from the arrows falling from above.

Damian watched silently as men trying to scale the wall fell down after being hit by one of the rocks and stones. His own men reached the base of the wall and tried to scale it while bearing the attacks from above. Every person that Damian saw falling down caused him unbearable pain in his heart.

"Look, some of our men made it to the top," Jory shouted ecstatically. Damian had made him stay behind rather than let him rush ahead with the first batch.

Jory was right. Some of their men were indeed able to reach the top in record time. Damian slipped into the mind of Ace flying above the castle for a moment to see the situation more clearly.

"It's Arslen," Damian said after confirming through the eyes of his companion. Arsen killed and pushed the defenders back to create a space for his fellow companions that were just behind him.

Noticing that someone had climbed up the wall, the defenders from other parts of the wall started moving towards Arslen's place to kick him back and win back that section.

But the presence of his three elite knights bolstered Damian confidence. Raymond, a seasoned warrior wielding a broadsword, killed a lot of Ironborn with his powerful strikes. Each swing of his weapon was a testament to his strength and skill, cleaving through armour and flesh alike.

Beside him, Arslen stood like an immovable wall, his massive axe swung with devastating force. The ironborn soldiers who dared to challenge him quickly found themselves on the receiving end of his merciless onslaught. His sheer power overwhelmed them, shattering their defences and leaving them defenceless against his brutal attacks.

Meanwhile, Selena's agility and precision were unmatched. With her longsword in hand, she moved with grace and finesse, her strikes landing with surgical accuracy. Her swift movements allowed her to evade enemy blows effortlessly, leaving her opponents vulnerable to her deadly counterattacks.

Together, the four warriors fought as a cohesive unit, their individual strengths complementing each other perfectly.

Damian didn't waste any more time and rushed ahead with Jory to reinforce his men.

Damian was clad in a suit of full-body armour, every inch protected against the perils of battle. In his right hand, he firmly gripped a longsword forged with utmost craftsmanship from castle-grade steel (system-bought). A mysterious runic knife, obtained during the journey to the Lonely Light Islands, was securely fastened to his belt. With Jory by his side, Damian swiftly made his way towards the wall, where his men had successfully seized control of the upper position.

The path leading up to the wall was littered with the aftermath of raining arrows - a grim tableau of fallen soldiers, writhing in agony, and a barrage of arrows peppering the ground. Damian focused his gaze ahead, determined to reach the wall without succumbing to the deadly rain of projectiles. Ignoring the distressing scenes around him, he summoned every ounce of his agility and quick thinking, swiftly darting and weaving through the chaos, evading the lethal trajectory of each arrow, and pressing onward with unwavering resolve.

Before Damian could voice his thoughts, two of his loyal comrades and Jory selflessly stepped forward, offering to ascend the wall ahead of him. Their unwavering loyalty and courage shone through as they volunteered to face the dangers that lay ahead, ensuring Damian's safety as he followed closely behind. Grateful for their selfless act, especially to Jory, Damian nodded in appreciation, knowing he could rely on their unwavering support and valiant protection during this perilous ascent.

As Damian's knights held their ground on the captured section of the wall, the enemy defenders grew increasingly desperate. Like a relentless tide, more and more enemies surged forward, determined to reclaim the territory they had lost. The clash of swords and the echoes of battle filled the air as Damian's knights braced themselves, their weapons ready to meet the onslaught of the enemy. With unwavering resolve, they stood firm, prepared to defend their hard-won position against the relentless onslaught of the Ironborn defenders.

However, Raymond remained steadfast as he swung his sword, slashing the chests of the enemies. He bravely defended the foothold as Damian and the soldiers of the North climbed up the wall on a siege ladder.

"Kuwaagh!"

As an enemy soldier fell back towards the ground while spraying blood, Raymond turned without delay and swung his weapon towards another enemy.

Screams and blood accompanied his attack without fail.

"Argghhh…"

On the opposite side of the secured section, the formidable Arslen swung his mighty axe with tremendous force, cleaving through the ranks of enemy soldiers who charged at him. Each swing of his weapon resulted in a grisly decapitation, leaving a trail of severed heads in his wake. Meanwhile, the agile Selena showcased her exceptional swordsmanship, deftly manoeuvring through the chaos. With precise strikes, she severed the limbs and heads of any enemy combatant who managed to bypass Arslen and their valiant companions. Together, Arslen and Selena formed an impenetrable barrier, their coordinated efforts ensuring that the enemy's advance was met with swift and deadly consequences.

As Damian finally reached the top and hoisted himself over the ramparts, a sudden danger emerged. In a split second, his instincts kicked in, and he caught sight of an arrow hurtling through the air, its deadly trajectory aimed directly at his head.

Reacting swiftly, Damian relied on his heightened reflexes and dexterity. With a deft movement, he twisted his body to the side, narrowly evading the lethal projectile. The arrow whizzed past his ear, it's fletching grazing his cheek in a chilling reminder of the peril he had just narrowly escaped.

His heart pounding with adrenaline, Damian quickly assessed the source of the arrow, his gaze locking onto an enemy archer taking aim for a second shot. Determined not to be caught off guard again, Damian unsheathed his castle-steel-forged longsword, his grip tightening around the hilt with a steely resolve.

Though the Archer couldn't fire the second arrow as he was killed by Raymond who was nearer his position.

Nevertheless, with a defiant roar, Damian surged forward, accompanied by Jory and their comrades. His sword sliced through the air, beheading one of the ironborn assailants with a swift and clean strike. A powerful shove sent the other soldier tumbling over the rampart, disappearing from view. But before the fallen foe hit the ground, a new adversary emerged, brandishing a sword and shouting with relentless aggression.

Determined not to be caught off guard, Damian swiftly sidestepped the incoming attack, narrowly evading the enemy's blade. Reacting with lethal precision, he thrust his own sword forward, targeting a vulnerable opening in his assailant's defences. The clash of steel reverberated as their weapons collided, the ironborn fighter desperately trying to land a blow while Damian deftly parried and countered.

The battle between the two combatants intensified, their blades dancing in a whirlwind of strikes and parries. Damian's agility and honed reflexes allowed him to swiftly defend against his opponent's onslaught while seeking opportunities to retaliate. Every movement was calculated, and every strike was delivered with lethal accuracy.

In a decisive moment, Damian seized an opening and struck with unwavering resolve, driving his sword deep into the ironborn soldier's chest. Pain and shock registered on the enemy's face before he collapsed, lifeless. Damian stood, catching his breath amidst the chaos, his eyes scanning the battlefield for the next challenge that awaited.

Once again another Ironborn tried to sneak attack Damian.

Ting!

As the clash of steel echoed around him, Damian's senses sharpened. His heightened dexterity allowed him to perceive every subtle movement of his opponent. With a swift parry, he deflected the ironborn's strike, his own sword meeting the enemy's blade with a resounding clash.

In that brief moment of respite, Damian saw an opening. Drawing upon his quick reflexes, he swiftly manoeuvred his sword, deflecting the enemy's weapon to the side. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward with a burst of speed, his blade arcing through the air with lethal intent.

The Ironborn, caught off guard by Damian's lightning-quick response, attempted to react but was too slow. Damian's sword found its mark, slicing through the enemy's defences with deadly precision. The Ironborn's eyes widened in shock as the lethal blow struck home, his life extinguished in an instant.

Damian's high dexterity proved to be a formidable advantage. His movements were fluid and precise, allowing him to react swiftly to his opponents' attacks. With each engagement, he capitalized on his superior speed, evading strikes with ease and countering with deadly accuracy.

His adversaries soon found themselves overwhelmed by Damian's agility. His strikes were like a blur, landing before they could react. His blade became an extension of his will, dancing through the chaos of battle with grace and lethal intent.

One by one, the Ironborn fell before Damian's swift onslaught. His high dexterity stat granted him an almost supernatural ability to predict their movements, dodging their attacks and exploiting every opening with high precision.

As the battlefield around him turned into a graveyard of fallen foes, Damian stood as an unyielding force, his dexterity proving to be his greatest asset. The Ironborn who faced him trembled, their morale shattered by his unstoppable onslaught.

In the midst of the chaos, Damian's speed and precision shone brightly. With each victorious strike, he carved a path through the Ironborn, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that he was a force to be reckoned with.

As the battle raged on, Damian's high dexterity continued to serve him well, ensuring that his every move was executed flawlessly.

The soldiers on the rampart were caught off guard by the ferocity of Damian's and his knight's assault. His sword moved fast, parrying their feeble attempts to defend themselves. With each strike, another enemy fell to the ground, their lifeblood staining the path beneath their feet.

Damian men fought valiantly, their unwavering loyalty inspiring them to match their leader's prowess. Together, they pushed back the enemy soldiers, gaining ground with every step. The rampart became a battleground littered with fallen foes, as Damian sword danced through the air, dealing death at every turn. Raymond and Jory kept pace with Damian, dividing the pressure.

Sweat dripped down Damian's brow as he fought on, his muscles straining with the effort. Yet, he remained resolute, driving his men forward. The enemy soldiers, overwhelmed by the relentless assault, began to falter. Fear crept into their eyes as they realized they were no match for Damian and his men's skill and determination.

All of Damian's soldiers were pushing Blacktyde soldiers back. The pressure on the Blacktyde soldiers soared to the maximum and caused some of them to step back on their own.

With a resounding battle cry, Damian unleashed a final surge of strength. He struck down the last remaining soldier on the rampart, sending him sprawling to the ground. Damian men and other Northmen soldiers who joined them after they cleared a section of the wall rushed forward, joining the young Stark in the heart of the enemy's position.

Together, they pushed the enemy back, claiming the Southern side rampart wall and securing a vital foothold in the castle siege. The enemy Ironborn, witnessing the devastation wrought by Damian and the unwavering resolve of his men, began to retreat in disarray.

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