As the army prepared for war, they also ordered the townsfolk near Victory Pass to move further ind, so they might be kept safe from the fighting.


    There were several viges beyond the gates that were still part of Starhaven. These people had lived there for generations. In times past, Dominic had urged them to move further ind, but they had always refused.


    To them, Victory Pass had shed with Westhaven many times before. Yet, the conflict had never touched their homes. They believed that leaving now would be the same as abandoning theirnd, and would rather die than do so.


    But this time, Dominic went in person. He promised that if war broke out and their viges were destroyed, his soldiers would help rebuild their homes. Dominic was well-respected and deeply loved by the people. When he spoke, they listened. He spent nearly a whole day talking to them before they finally agreed.


    Soldiers were sent to help with the move, with Carissa''s unit among those assigned to assist. In just a few days, the resettlement wasplete.


    Carissa remembered that when full war broke out, the two kingdoms had agreed not to harm civilians. But once the fighting began, looting and forced evictions were bound to happen, and people were sure to get hurt. So, relocating the vigers was the only way to truly keep them safe.


    Soon after the move waspleted, the reinforcements led by Tyler arrived at Victory Pass. Carissa didn''t see Barrett or Aurora, as they were stationed in different divisions.


    In the past, war had already begun before the court sent help. But now, the reinforcements had arrived before Westhavenunched its assault, which meant that something had changed. Events were now moving faster than before.


    The very next day after the reinforcements came, Westhavenunched its attack on Victory Pass. On the city walls, the defenders raised their ballistae, aiming them at the sea of ck-d soldiers advancing outside the gates.


    Victory Pass was a walled stronghold with a double gate system. The outer wall was thick and solid, and the gate was nearly imprable. Even if the Westhaven troops managed to force their way past the first gate, they would still be met with another high and unyielding wall that stood ready to stop them.


    To break through Victory Pass, Westhaven would need at least twice the number of troops. And clearly, they had them. What was more, their spirits burned high. They came with the fierce resolve of men who would not rest until the city fell.


    Victory Pass sent nearly all its forces to defend the gates, including


    l.ne


    Carissa and her friends. They were but new recruits, and by rights should have remained in the rear for support. However, because of Travis'' past valor, Otis had taken a liking to him and granted his request to fight at the front, so his entire unit was allowed to join the vanguard.


    Tyler''s reinforcements had only just arrived. After a long and hurried march, the men were weary and had not yet rested before being flung into the fray. It was in that many among them were already spent.


    Westhaven''s soldiers came on strong, with numbers that far surpassed those of Victory Pass. By the second day of battle, the outer gate had been broken.


    Once inside the first wall, the enemy met a deadly volley from the


    ballistae. But Westhaven''s troops e. But


    put updders to scale the inner


    walls, and their soldiers et


    climbed one


    after another. The ck mass of their helmets and heads surged like a swarm of hos. No matter how many were killed, they kepting and never backed down.


    Soon, the ballistae broke down from overuse and could not be repaired in


    time. Archers rotated in and out,


    volley after volley, but there were too many casualties. Too many had fallen, and too many were wounded. And still, Westhaven pressed on relentlessly, hurling rocks from their catapults in continuous waves.


    Leroy was desperate to im Victory Pass. It was his chance to prove himself to the people of Westhaven, to secure his standing and challenge his brother. He couldn''t afford to stop; he needed a swift and decisive victory.


    By the second day, Victory Pass had sent out all its soldiers. The cost in lives and weapons was heavy. By the third day, most of the ballistae and catapults were broken. If things carried on like this, it was only a matter of time before the city fell.


    Sure enough, by the fourth day, the sound of the battering ram pounding on the gate shook the whole city. The gate was starting to give way. If the troops of Victory Pass couldn''t hold the walls, then they must take the fight outside.


    Dominic resolved to lead the charge himself. He would move the line of battle beyond the city and meet the enemy on open ground. They couldn''t let Westhaven through the gate, and definitely not into the streets or the heart of the city. If the fighting reached the alleys and houses, all control would be lost.