Catapults.

The catapults groaned and creaked as their crew pushed them forward. Lawrence watched as they seemed to be calculating their projectile distance. Raising his hand, Lawrence gave the signal for everyone to duck into the tunnels and within moments, the soldiers quickly ran into the system of underground tunnels, leaving just the crossbowmen and swordsmen in the surface tunnels while the others fled deeper underground.

As the catapults fired, their massive rocks hurled themselves towards the defensive lines, slamming themselves onto the ground before skipping against the surface and landing elsewhere. However, they caused merely cosmetic damage against the defenses. Lawrence waited for the bombardment to stop, before ordering the crossbowmen and spearmen out again. The moment the first wave of Gerheist soldiers were cut down by arrows, the commanding general of the opposing army raised his hand and the attack halted.

He tore a piece of blue cloth and tied it to his own banner before riding forward alone.

“In accordance with traditions, I raise my banner and this blue flag to request a talk with the enemy commander!” the commander shouted and Lawrence could see him much more clearly now. He rode on a black stallion, his face was heavily scarred and he sported a great greying beard. His weapon of choice seemed to be two blades. Lawrence climbed out of the trench, raising his hands high in the air and the Gerheist commander dismounted, taking long strides to reach Lawrence.

“I am Field Marshall Brezveck, you are?” Brezveck saluted briefly and Lawrence returned the salute.

“Lawrence, Lawrence Carstein, a humble knight of Lord Black, at your service.”

Brezveck seemed surprised for the briefest moment, before giving a small grin. He nodded, placing his free hand on his hip.

“You’re giving me quite a bit of trouble, Lawrence. Our intelligence told us that this place was supposed to be pretty straightforward,” Brezveck remarked and Lawrence laughed. He was slightly pleased that the enemy intelligence had considered this place a piece of cake. In all due honesty, the defenses inside the keep was weak. They have gambled everything on the exterior defenses. Lawrence had already planned to escape with most of his men if the place fell. However, it seemed as if everything was going nicely.

“I aim to please, Field Marshal. I hope this place gives you headaches for days and months to come,” Lawrence said, standing aside a little, showing off the massive defensive measures that he had in place. In the distance, the other Carmine commanders stood on the walls and watched in silence.

“I have orders to tear this place down in three days, Sir Carstein. I’m afraid I wish to persuade a remarkable commander such as yourself to surrender first. I promise you and your men fair treatment if you surrender,” Brezveck said, extending his hand towards Lawrence who smiled and shook his head.

“I’m afraid that I have a good position in this place, men to fight alongside with and a hole to die in. Quite literally, even.”

Brezveck smiled in reply.

“I, the Phoenix Commander will storm your keep if you do not surrender. I make no guarantees for the safety of your men who surrender, Sir Carstein.”

Lawrence’s face rearranged itself to that of a man completely at peace.

“Then, bring forth your storm, Field Marshal, and remember if you will, the name of this place.”

With that, their parley was over.