The morning sun had barely crested the jagged mountains surrounding Fort Blackthorn when the convoy reached the final rise.
The fortress loomed ahead, massive stone walls covered in ivy and reinforced by ancient dwarven steel, standing proud against the backdrop of the northern wilderness. Spikes lined the outer curtain, enchanted watchtowers pulsing with mana at their peaks, and ballista crews stood at attention, watching the incoming army with nervous hands on triggers.
It wasn't often that a force of over 4 thousand marched directly to the northern gates.
Especially not dragging a hundred wagons behind them.
"OPEN THE GATES!" one of the gatekeepers shouted after receiving confirmation of the king's seal.
And so they opened.
With grinding steel and booming echoes, the fortress gates parted.
And then the first cart rolled through.
Silence fell like a guillotine.
