The Place Where Loyalty Lies | Meetings of Fate

 For the third time since chaos had engulfed the Kingdoms, the castle walls were surrounded. Positioned at the end of Stormsedge Ridge, the fortress overlooked a number of settlements in the lowlands and holding the location was essential for controlling the lands below. Smaller forces had tried to lay claim to it previously, but the force now gathered outside dwarfed them all. Stood in ordered ranks, the auburn-armoured knights waited patiently with their equipment readied but held at ceremonial position, rather than aimed at the obstacle before them.
 At the head, their leader's armour was covered with embelishments and engravings marking his division, rank and the names of past victories which, when viewed in detail, could be traced all the way back to the earliest battles of the Kingdoms.

 In contrast, the fortress master's once shining armour had been scoured black, removing any markings but for a stylised dragon's head which held many of the same origins, denoting veterancy of the first great conflict that the Kingdoms had seen. Proof that old loyalties remained in this time when new ones could no longer be trusted. From atop the south-eastern tower, he kept watch as his nominated second, Flaire, made their way to his side.

 "What do you think?" Galatt acknowledged his subordinate's presence, but continued to scrutinise the new arrivals with the full zoom of his lenses.

 "If they're here to beseige us then they seem awfully relaxed about it on this occasion."

 Flaire's untroubled temperament was greatly welcome in these testing times. However, in this case it was not the perspective he was after, so he clarified the question. "What do you think they are here for?"

 "I can see a few different badges among them, but the majority seem to be from the Bared Fangs - an offshoot of the Adamant Claws, I think. Fortifications and sieges were the specialty of the latter, so maybe they are here to lend their aid?"

 "We should remain careful about raising our hopes, though this could be just the change in fortunes we need. Head to the keep and unseal the last relics of our order while I assemble an honour guard. Then we shall accept their audience."

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 "Well met, Master of Stormsedge. I am Lord Gideon of the Order of Bared Fangs. While I would prefer to follow tradition, we must keep our talk brief; the true regent has sent out the call to arms and we must make our way to his banner. Tell me, how do you and your troops fare?"

 "For the past twelve weeks the enemy has tried to break open this bastion, but we have scattered them all. The walls are sturdy but the beating has taken its toll upon them."

 He did not mention the acts of betrayal from within which had fatally undermined the defences. Terrible sabotage had been wrought upon the internal generators and, while the culprits had been caught, the mechanisms had begun leaking toxic gases and metallic particles into the air as they steadily deteriorated. At this point it was not a matter of if the walls would fall, but whether it would come from within or without.

 "You have done well to hold out this long. You and your subordinates will be a valuable asset to our forces when we leave this place."

 Galatt frowned within his helmet; this was not the discussion he was hoping for.  "Would that we could, but I fear the renegades will make another attempt the moment that we depart these lands."

 "I appreciate your commitment to your duty, but the decision is clear. Every loyal knight is to make their way to our regent's side."

 Once more Galatt tried to stress his concerns, hoping to earn some empathy that might sway this iron-willed commander's demands. "Then what of the people here? You would abandon them to the invaders when they we might yet defend them?"

 To his dismay, Gideon's tone only darkened. "Choose your words carefully, castellan. The lord of traitors once said much the same before renouncing their oaths."

 "You question my loyalty?!" He responded in disbelief.

 "I question your resolve. This battle is greater than any one fort, and there is a cost that must be paid for victory."

 "Then what good is victory, if all that is left to us is ruin?"

 Almost resigned, Gideon made a declaration in clearly rehearsed tones. "If you fail to honour your oaths, then your arms and armour are forfeit."

 "That would doom us and our charges both!" Galatt interjected.

 Gideon continued, raising his voice over the outraged defender's objection "You have until the day's peak to make your decision and comply. If you refuse, then we shall strip the honours bestowed upon you by force and end your legacy in dishonour."

 "Don't do this, Fang Barer." He spoke, regaining a degree of resilience in spite of his shock.

 Lord Gideon looked up towards the sky, then back to towards the walls in front of him.

"Make your choice quickly, the coming light will not wait for you."

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 There was no discussion upon their return - only grim-faced determination - as Galatt ordered the last of his once-proud knighthood to take their posts for one more time.

"Divert all power to the shields! I want to taste the ozone before the first cannon fires."