Start of the siege

"The scouts really were right. I still find it hard to believe, even though it's right in front of me." Colonel Orus muttered bitterly, looking at the black stone walls and the swirling clouds in the distance.

He was mounted on his familiar, a black bicorn. Unlike their one-horned cousins, bicorns were violent creatures and had an affinity for fire and darkness, being almost the size of a bull.

The fortress had an evil appearance that screamed "we are evil!" for those who saw. He could clearly see that his soldiers were shaken, but Orus couldn't blame them. The swirling black clouds and the occasional black bolt were a sight that would make any sane person turn and flee, but what really worried him were the black walls.