Chapter 17

The banner emblazoned with a huge ice plains wolf fluttered in the fierce wind, making rustling sounds. Rikapur's heart surged, but he was extremely nervous; this would be his first time leaving the North, and also his first step onto a true battlefield.

Translation: The banner emblazoned with a huge ice plains wolf fluttered in the fierce wind, making rustling sounds. Rikapur's heart surged, but he was extremely nervous; this would be his first time leaving the North and also his first step onto a true battlefield.

The banner emblazoned with a huge ice plains wolf

making rustling sounds

Rikapur's heart surged, but he was extremely nervous

This would be his first time leaving the North, and also his first step onto a true battlefield.

Now output: 【1】 The banner emblazoned with a huge ice plains wolf fluttered in the fierce wind, making rustling sounds. Rikapur's heart surged, but he was extremely nervous; this would be his first time leaving the North and also his first step onto a true battlefield.

Make sure it's one line.

They marched swiftly south along the causeway of Bin Hai and the adjacent endless marsh, making no preparations against the marsh direction. He hoped the marsh people would see their raised ice plains wolf banner, see them avenging the North, but more importantly, he hoped the marsh people would still regard them as allies after seeing the banner, not as bastards from the sea who would fire poison arrows.

Translation: They marched swiftly south along the causeway of Bin Hai and the adjacent endless marsh, taking no precautions against the direction from the marsh. He hoped the marsh people would see their raised ice plains wolf banner, see them avenging the North, but more importantly, he hoped the marsh people would still regard them as allies after seeing the banner, not as bastards from the sea who would fire poison arrows.

They marched swiftly south along the causeway of Bin Hai and the adjacent endless marsh

making no preparations against the marsh direction

He hoped the marsh people would see their raised ice plains wolf banner, see them avenging the North

but more importantly, he hoped the marsh people would still regard them as allies after seeing the banner, not as bastards from the sea who would fire poison arrows.

Now output.

The marsh people would certainly see the ice plains wolf flag also flying simultaneously over Kalinn Bay.

Translation: The marsh people would certainly see the ice plains wolf flag also flying simultaneously over Kalinn Bay.

The marsh people would certainly see the ice plains wolf flag also flying simultaneously over Kalinn Bay.

The marsh people still remained loyal to the Stark family, didn't they, just like the Pur family—Rika thought, no, the Pur house was a direct vassal of the Stark family's lands, their relationship even closer—his uncle Weiyang Pur even served as the steward of Winterfell.

Translation: The marsh people still owed allegiance to the Stark house, right? Just like the Pur house, Rikaru thought—no, the Pur house was a direct vassal of the Stark family's lands, their relationship even closer—his uncle Weiyang Pur even served as the steward of Winterfell.

Rika thought

their relationship even closer—his uncle Weiyang Pur even served as the steward of Winterfell

Now output.

When the young wolf lord went south, he was still too small; at that time he wasn't even qualified to wield a real iron sword. He remembered his uncle Weiyang Pur mocking him, saying his greatest achievement was shooting rabbits with a child's bow and plucking bird eggs from trees six meters high. At that time, amid the mockery, he shrank back, returning dispirited from the banner-lined Winterfell to the Pur family estate, where he tended the old and young horses for his father—nothing more than eventually feeding them hay. If the weather was fair, his father would let him ride a pony for a while. In his spare time, he practiced swordsmanship with the elders of the household; they were not as skilled as Ser Rodrik of Winterfell, but as veterans who had fought in every campaign since the Trident River, they instructed him more than adequately. They said that if he kept training, by the age of the young wolf lord he would be qualified as a mounted warrior.

Translation: When the young wolf lord went south, he was still too small; at that time he wasn't even qualified to wield a real iron sword. He remembered his uncle Weiyang Pur mocking him, saying his greatest achievement was shooting rabbits with a child's bow and plucking bird eggs from trees six meters high. At that time, amid the mockery, he shrank back, returning dispirited from the banner-lined Winterfell to the Pur family estate, where he tended the old and young horses for his father—nothing more than eventually feeding them hay. If the weather was fair, his father would let him ride a pony for a while. In his spare time, he practiced swordsmanship with the elders of the household; they were not as skilled as Ser Rodrik of Winterfell, but as veterans who had fought in every campaign since the Trident River, they instructed him more than adequately. They said that if he kept training, by the age of the young wolf lord he would be qualified as a mounted warrior.

When the young wolf lord went south, he was still too small

at that time he wasn't even qualified to wield a real iron sword

He remembered his uncle Weiyang Pur mocking him, saying his greatest achievement was shooting rabbits with a child's bow and plucking bird eggs from trees six meters high.

At that time, amid the mockery, he shrank back, returning dispirited from the banner-lined Winterfell to the Pur family estate, where he tended the old and young horses for his father—nothing more than eventually feeding them hay.

If the weather was fair, his father would let him ride a pony for a while.

In his spare time, he practiced swordsmanship with the elders of the household; they were not as skilled as Ser Rodrik of Winterfell, but as veterans who had fought in every campaign since the Trident River, they instructed him more than adequately.

They said that if he kept training, by the age of the young wolf lord he would be qualified as a mounted warrior.

Now output.

I don't want to be a mounted warrior; I want to be a true knight.

Translation: I don't want to be a mounted warrior; I want to be a true knight.

Now output.

To become a knight, one must first be a squire; besides the she-wolf who now commands Winterfell, who is the most renowned knight in the North?

Translation: To become a knight, one must first be a squire; besides the she-wolf who now commands Winterfell, who is the most renowned knight in the North?

To become a knight, one must first be a squire

besides the she-wolf who now commands Winterfell, who is the most renowned knight in the North?

Now output.

After the Red Wedding, the she-wolf, to lift everyone's spirits, summoned all the direct vassals of the Stark lands to Winterfell as guests, representing Winterfell in expressing gratitude for their sacrifice. Gratitude was not her theme; revenge was. He remembered that at the start of the feast they mourned their dead kin, but after the feast all that remained was a tearful howl.

Translation: After the Red Wedding, the she-wolf, to lift everyone's spirits, summoned all the direct vassals of the Stark lands to Winterfell as guests, representing Winterfell in expressing gratitude for their sacrifice. Gratitude was not her theme; revenge was. He remembered that at the start of the feast they mourned their dead kin, but after the feast all that remained was a tearful howl.

After the Red Wedding

the she-wolf, to lift everyone's spirits, summoned all the direct vassals of the Stark lands to Winterfell as guests, representing Winterfell in expressing gratitude for their sacrifice.

Gratitude was not her theme; revenge was.

He remembered that at the start of the feast they mourned their dead kin, but after the feast all that remained was a tearful howl.

Now output.

It was then that he became the she-wolf's squire.

Translation: It was then that he became the she-wolf's squire.

Now output.

This position was envied by many; many foreigners brought back by the she-wolf from overseas held hostility toward him. But that didn't matter—only he was qualified and worthy of the Stark family's trust, just like his uncle.

Translation: This position was envied by many; many foreigners brought back by the she-wolf from overseas held hostility toward him. But that didn't matter—only he was qualified and worthy of the Stark family's trust, just like his uncle.

This position was envied by many

many foreigners brought back by the she-wolf from overseas held hostility toward him

But that didn't matter—only he was qualified and worthy of the Stark family's trust, just like his uncle.

Now output.

Rikapur felt these foreigners were untrustworthy, except for Xia'er, Wei'er, and the Red Warrior. Among these foreigners, he disliked Gaxia'er, Ke'er, Honghuzi, and Fengniu the most. Gaxia'er visited the she-wolf too often; Ke'er was worse—not only ugly, he came just as frequently, each time bringing various foul-smelling hides that occupied the training field. Honghuzi and Fengniu constantly mocked his slender build in the training field, though he wasn't actually small—just slightly shorter than Earl Saiwen and a bit younger.

Translation: Rikapur felt these foreigners were untrustworthy, except for Xia'er, Wei'er, and the Red Warrior. Among these foreigners, he disliked Gaxia'er, Ke'er, Honghuzi, and Fengniu the most. Gaxia'er visited the she-wolf too often; Ke'er was worse—not only ugly, he came just as frequently, each time bringing various foul-smelling hides that occupied the training field. Honghuzi and Fengniu constantly mocked his slender build in the training field, though he wasn't actually small—just slightly shorter than Earl Saiwen and a bit younger.

Rikapur felt these foreigners were untrustworthy, except for Xia'er, Wei'er, and the Red Warrior.

Among these foreigners, he disliked Gaxia'er, Ke'er, Honghuzi, and Fengniu the most.

Gaxia'er visited the she-wolf too often; Ke'er was worse—not only ugly, he came just as frequently, each time bringing various foul-smelling hides that occupied the training field.

Honghuzi and Fengniu constantly mocked his slender build in the training field, though he wasn't actually small—just slightly shorter than Earl Saiwen and a bit younger.

Now output.

The only thing he could admit was that they were good swimmers. In Winterfell's moat they often won swimming contests. He disliked swimming, not only because the moat water was icy and biting, but also because every male competitor competed naked, drawing crowds of women to watch from the walls and drawbridges.

Translation: The only thing he could admit was that they were good swimmers. In Winterfell's moat they often won swimming contests. He disliked swimming, not only because the moat water was icy and biting, but also because every male competitor competed naked, drawing crowds of women to watch from the walls and drawbridges.

The only thing he could admit was that they were good swimmers.

In Winterfell's moat they often won swimming contests.

He disliked swimming, not only because the moat water was icy and biting, but also because every male competitor competed naked, drawing crowds of women to watch from the walls and drawbridges.

Now output.

Having crossed Kalinn Bay, they were actually already in the South.

Translation: After crossing Kalinn Bay, they were actually in the south.

Now output.

Dust rose on the causeway; Rika turned in his saddle to glance back at the towers amid the smoke and dust, leaning askew at the end of the causeway like swords thrust from the earth, or like hands waving farewell to all those heading south from the North.

Translation: Dust rose on the causeway; Rika turned in his saddle to glance back at the towers amid the smoke and dust, leaning askew at the end of the causeway like swords thrust from the earth, or like hands waving farewell to all those heading south from the North.

Dust rose on the causeway; Rika turned in his saddle to glance back at the towers amid the smoke and dust

leaning askew at the end of the causeway like swords thrust from the earth, or like hands waving farewell to all those heading south from the North.

Now output.

Had Old Master Eddard, his uncle, the young wolf lord, and his brother Torren seen the same view? What feelings did they have when they went south—anticipation, worry, tension, just like me?

Translation: Had Old Master Eddard, his uncle, the young wolf lord, and his brother Torren seen the same view? What feelings did they have when they went south—anticipation, worry, tension, just like me?

Had Old Master Eddard, his uncle, the young wolf lord, and his brother Torren seen the same view?

What feelings did they have when they went south—anticipation, worry, tension, just like me?

Now output.

He lightly patted his warhorse beneath him and caught up to the banner ahead. His mount was named Yellow Oriole—not the horse he treasured most; his favorite was the small gray mare he had ridden for years, named Sea Mist, which shared its name with a certain Targaryen dragon but had not matured, and his father thought its timid nature unsuited for battle. Yellow Oriole was different: worldly, steady, and strong, a perfect horse that had previously belonged solely to his father. He often rode it to inspect the family's fields and woods, never allowing anyone else to mount it.

Translation: He lightly patted his warhorse beneath him and caught up to the banner ahead. His mount was named Yellow Oriole—not the horse he treasured most; his favorite was the small gray mare he had ridden for years, named Sea Mist, which shared its name with a certain Targaryen dragon but had not matured, and his father thought its timid nature unsuited for battle. Yellow Oriole was different: worldly, steady, and strong, a perfect horse that had previously belonged solely to his father. He often rode it to inspect the family's fields and woods, never allowing anyone else to mount it.

He lightly patted his warhorse beneath him and caught up to the banner ahead.

His mount was named Yellow Oriole—not the horse he treasured most; his favorite was the small gray mare he had ridden for years, named Sea Mist, which shared its name with a certain Targaryen dragon but had not matured, and his father thought its timid nature unsuited for battle.

Yellow Oriole was different: worldly, steady, and strong, a perfect horse that had previously belonged solely to his father. He often rode it to inspect the family's fields and woods, never allowing anyone else to mount it.

Now output.

Had Yellow Oriole ever seen lands beyond the North?

Translation: Had Yellow Oriole ever seen land beyond the North?

Now output.

「After he was selected as an attendant, everything changed. "A good attendant also needs a good horse. Take good care of your knight, take good care of the warhorse and armor, don't bring shame to the Pu'er family." His father personally handed him the reins of the Yellow Oriole. His father rode alone from the estate to Approaching Winter City, coming specially to deliver this, "Things were rushed; I only prepared this set of chainmail; it might be a bit large, but if you wear enough layers underneath, it will still fit; I also had a leatherworker make two sets of leather armor for you." He gave a few reminders and then hurried away. 」

"After the war ends, I will personally return the Yellow Oriole to you, I will also send the heads of our enemies to you; by then you will know, the Pu'er blood feud is avenged." He solemnly swore to his father, but his father merely gave a light laugh and shook his head, saying nothing.

"What does this mean? Hah, I will make you believe it."

The next day afternoon, light snow began to fall in the Hejian region. They obeyed the order to change horses, then continued to gallop along the King's Road, under the huge Ice Plain Wolf banner, no one dared to block their way.

Among the guests, he felt the snow melting in patches on his face, and his cloak began to accumulate small shards of ice; aside from the rumble of warhorses trampling the ground, the only sounds were his own heartbeat and breath. He felt his thighs and knees going numb. All around him were other knights from the North, gray snow drifting about; he saw the distant clearing already turned white. Hejian was already winter—what was the North like?

This is bad news, the snow will wet the ground, hindering their march. No, snow is a friend of the North.

As dusk approached, the snow stopped; after the army briefly paused on the King's Road, he changed mounts and rode the Yellow Oriole again. He no longer knew where he was. The Yellow Oriole showed no fatigue; it hadn't run such a long distance in a while and was probably getting excited. He bit into a few mouthfuls of dried, hard beef on horseback, and tasted a little milk wine from a leather pouch—this too had been sent by his father.

When the sun had completely set behind the cliffs and the whole sky was shrouded in gloom, they departed from the King's Road.

"Turn west." The cry was passed from front to back; he joined in the shout, feeling his face and lips already stiff.

He saw scattered riders bearing flags or torches around the main force, guiding the cavalry units to turn off the road.

In the blink of an eye, he lost sight of the Wolf Woman's banner.

This won't do—I am the Wolf Woman's attendant. I need to stay by her side.

He spurred his horse faster; the Yellow Oriole understood his intent, overtaking the dozens of cavalry ahead and their riderless mounts.

The Wolf Woman was just ahead, surrounded by her retinue and conversing with them, but he was too far away to hear what they were saying. This made him somewhat angry. As the Wolf Woman's attendant, he should always be at her side, yet her retinue pushed him to the outskirts, preventing any contact with her.

They must be discussing how to attack Twin River City.

He heard that word. He had once heard the scholars of Approaching Winter City say that Twin River City straddles both banks of the Green Fork River, with towering castles and heavy gates on each shore; the Fulei family built the castle's high walls of stone, guarding the river crossing. What's more terrifying is that they diverted the Green Fork River's water to encircle the castle, making the river a natural moat for both fortresses. As long as the Fulei family holds the gate and raises the drawbridge, even a hundred thousand troops could do nothing against that castle.

According to the scholars, once you pass the Neck Marsh, everything in sight belongs to the Fulei family's domain. The King's Road to the west and the Green Fork River to the east, all the way to Salt Field Town, is Twin River City's territory, and all the lords there swear fealty to Twin River City.

Ruika felt that with several thousand cavalry riding in someone else's territory, attempting a surprise attack would be extremely difficult. He did not know what method the Wolf Woman had.

He recalled what other knights had said—what if we can't take it? Let us make a show of force beneath their walls, dampen their spirit, knowing that Kalin Wan is already in the North's hands; we can at any time move south to harass them. Let them live in fear.

Hmph, I don't want them living in fear; I want to hang them all, to avenge my brother and set an example for my brother.

Night gradually fell, the surroundings grew darker and darker, they were forced to reduce their marching speed and lit torches. Looking behind, most of the points of light faded gradually into the thin mist with distance.

He followed the rider ahead, mounted on the Yellow Oriole, with another riderless horse trailing behind. They rode thus across the plain. The atmosphere among the crowd was icy, no one spoke, only the hooves' sound and the occasional neigh of the horses. He pulled his cloak tighter, drawing himself in even more.

His legs began to ache, the inner thighs chafed and sore. They had set out from Approaching Winter City, and now it was the fifth day; during this time he had hardly rested—he either passed on the Wolf Woman's orders, waited for orders, or, if there was any spare time, tended to the horses and inspected armor and weapons.

A few days ago he still felt energetic, fresh and stimulated, but now only fatigue remained. He even realized he had dozed off several times while on horseback; fortunately, for marching safety, the Wolf Woman had reduced their pace.

"When sleeping at night, don't sleep too soundly. Did you hear that, a wolf howl?" Beside him was a soldier equally fatigued, named Aolun, about the same age; Ruika thought he was speaking to fight off drowsiness. He not only spoke, but also softly imitated a wolf howl for Ruika, "wooooo..."

Sleep at night? He thought this companion was rather naive. They had camped at dusk the previous days, but tonight there was no sign of stopping despite the complete darkness—he instantly realized the battle would come tonight. He licked his lips, telling himself he was a man of the Pu'er family, always ready, and moreover the Wolf Woman's attendant, he would not be frightened by battle.

"Croak——" he saw a huge crow land on the Wolf Woman's shoulder, and the companion beside him stopped his wolf howl.

"You know, the commander is a shapeshifter who can control animals. This big bird can help us guide the way." An older knight beside them spoke softly, only he and Aolun could hear.

His name is Laurent Xuenuo, the illegitimate son of Earl Harris Howard; now that the earl and his heir Dai Lin'en have died, he will become a formidable contender for the Earl of Howard title. Although illegitimate, his actual standing is far above Ruika Pu'er—Howard Castle is a genuine fortress and fief that has endured for a thousand years, and the Earl of Howard holds jurisdictional authority over disputes within the fief. Ruika felt that if he had not become the Wolf Woman's attendant, this man would certainly not speak to him.

"Why isn't it guiding us now?" Aolun asked, "It's dark—can it not see either?"

"Can the bird not see? There's another possibility," Laurent laughed, "that we're almost there, so there's no need for it to keep guiding us."

Ruika only saw the crow perched on the Wolf Woman's shoulder, pecking at her palm, and then it flew off shortly after.

"Extinguish the torches, remain quiet." Ruika heard her give the order.

"Extinguish the torches, remain quiet." They began shouting the order to the rear; the fire torches were extinguished one after another. But he seemed to feel he could see more clearly.

With the firelight extinguished, he felt the surroundings growing icy cold, and even other sounds diminished greatly.

The cool moon was hidden behind a thin veil of clouds, the land appeared vast and hazy, the wide plain looked utterly dead, save for a lone silhouette looming in the distance—Ruika knew that was Twin River City.

They stopped here, changed mounts again. But they moved even slower. She could see the castle far off, but when its true outline finally became clear, they had marched on for several more hours; Ruika could declare that it was now deep into the night.

He gazed upward and could faintly see a great crow circling above their heads.

"Even here, the Fulei family has laid no ambush; this only shows they know nothing of our march." Laurent brushed back his hair, steadied himself, "I dare say the commander certainly has a brilliant stratagem."

Ruika hoped the Wolf Woman had a sure plan, but he didn't need to overthink—just conscientiously do his duty; in fact his mind was already a tangled mess.

He saw the Wolf Woman discussing something with Gaxia'er, who then blew a whistle backward; instantly many knights left the main group and gathered to the side, about a hundred in total. After counting heads, they shouldered their bulging leather bags and hurried off toward the northwest.

"Those?" he asked Laurent.

"You know Twin River City has two fortresses, right?"

「In the middle of the river, there is also a defense tower. 」 He struggled to recall the few words the scholar had once mentioned. Laolunsi looked at him two more times after hearing this, which made Ruika secretly pleased.

After the large cavalry unit departed, they advanced in the direction of Twin River City, stopping half an hour later. This place is not close to Twin River City, but not too far either; the neighing of the warhorses and the sound of felling trees should not let the dogs of Twin River City notice anything.

「… Fell timber quickly. Distance measurement must be sufficiently precise. 」 Ruika tied the oriole and another military horse to the simple horse post made by the vanguard, then went behind Langnü's side, seeing Langnü directing from the front. He didn't understand what she was directing at all, "Test the weight and angle of the rammed earth as quickly as possible. This bunch of stupid pigs hasn't noticed us yet."

They had too many horses and too few infantry; now most of the knights had dismounted, each busy with the tasks assigned to them. Ruika blankly realized he seemed to have nothing to do; Langnü's horse had been taken away by the quartermaster beside her, and Langnü herself had nothing else needing his attention, she held a waterskin, perhaps she would like something to eat?

Seeing Ruika, Langnü merely nodded slightly. The nod relaxed him a little; perhaps he didn't need to get busy like everyone else? He really wished Langnü would say something to him, arrange some task, best to order him to go sleep. But he also felt that even if she ordered him to sleep, he couldn't possibly fall asleep.

The battle is tonight!

Ruika gazed at the castle in the dark distance, imagining the river before it and its high stone walls, imagining how they would charge up the walls, lower the drawbridge, open the gate, fight in the barbican, then seize the stronghold, completely subdue the garrison, and finally take all of Twin River City. Imagining a moat like that of Approaching Winter City, with its high walls and immensely thick gate, Ruika felt some worry.

Ruika followed Langnü as she inspected the ranks; thousands of horses neighed incessantly on the plain, the soldiers were orderly, seven or eight people formed a circle, sitting on the ground, speaking softly, they walked past the muddy roadside that had been trampled into a mire.

After the round of inspection was finished, Ruika had already seen two tall wooden frames.

"Fill the sling of the catapult with stones or earth. According to the weight of the oil barrels, test the throwing distance; I want to ignite a great fire in the tower."

They launched, continually measuring the distance the shot stones traveled. Thanks to the hazy moonlight, they could actually see the launched stones in the faint light.

Soon after, they pulled two catapults to not far from the main gate of Twin River City. At this time, the city walls of Twin River City were already lined with lit torches.

"Commander, the position is ready." Kleisaiwen reported to Langnü the preparations ahead. The sixteen-year-old Kleisaiwen had already become the Count of Saiwen City; Ruika felt he was the most likely to marry Langnü.

Langnü merely nodded slightly, not issuing an attack command, until he heard the crows calling in the sky. When the crow landed on her shoulder, Ruika saw the catapult had already hurled the oil barrels into the sky.

Following the dim arc, Ruika saw the oil barrels launched into the moat, falling a bit short of the gate. The young Count of Saiwen angrily ordered his troops to keep pushing the catapult forward. When fired again, the oil barrels slammed hard into the gate.

They kept doing this, continually hurling oil barrels; some struck the wall crookedly, some were thrown into the city, and he heard some screams.

At that moment Langnü dismounted; Ruika raised the torch before her. Langnü lit an arrow, drew the longbow fully, and shot toward the gate. Soon Ruika saw flames ignite inside the castle, and he even felt he heard the tumult within.

Behind Ruika were the restless neighs of warhorses; ahead of him were the uniform, orderly commands of the soldiers operating the catapult. The soldiers behind him remained silent.

They also knew that even if the gate were burned down it would be useless; moreover, behind the gate there was a heavy iron barrier made of steel, which they could lower to block the enemy if they wished.

After the oil barrels had been hurled, they ignited the black balls; the black balls readily caught fire, and they threw each burning fireball into the city.

Langnü casually tossed her bow and arrow to Ruika. The crow then flew again into the dark sky.

What could the crow observe? Ruika, like all the soldiers behind him, stared intently at the walls, castle, and the long bridge spanning both sides of Twin River City.

Vaguely, he saw large numbers of West River City soldiers rushing via the long bridge toward East River City. Shouts of chaos came from within East River City; needless to say, they were putting out fires everywhere.

I heard there is a wildfire in Junlin; if we had one too, that would be great.

"Milady, they have moved out." The speaker was a warrior who inspired awe in Ruika; he might be taller than the people of House Anbai, and Ruika thought he might also have giant's blood, paired with huge armor, making him practically a humanoid monster. He is not a Westerosi; it is said he comes from the Disputed Lands, nicknamed the "Red Warrior"; rumor has it that in battle he slaughtered, his whole body drenched in enemies' blood, hence the name. Ruika held him in great reverence.

"My crow saw that the soldiers inside Twin River City number at most two hundred. Now, the Freys defending Robb and them number at most twenty; they will surely succeed."

Ruika only wanted to know how they would take the castle before him. Even if the knights behind him were brave, they could not charge across the moat, nor storm the castle defended by the walls; their cold regard for the fire attack was clear proof.

"The rest depends on the animals."

"Animals?"

"I will have the birds open the kennels, so the dogs bite to death the soldiers guarding the drawbridge, let… hehe." She chuckled lightly, as if victory were already in hand, "but all this must wait until I see the signal flare or see them seize the western city."

The incendiary shells were not continuously tossed into the city by the catapult; the raging fire inside was already burning everywhere. The soldiers on the walls stood calm, unaffected by the flames; anyone rashly storming the city would be shot full of holes by them. Ruika saw them holding bows, cautiously taking cover behind the battlements.

"Better to let the dogs open the door directly. I've never seen a gate burned through." This solemn giant warrior seemed to be joking, but Ruika did not see him smile.

"There is also the iron grille." The iron grille is a second defensive measure set up after the gate falls to prevent the enemy from charging out of the passageway.

"West River City has fallen." Ruika heard Langnü's voice; following their gaze, he looked toward the castle across the river, where two flames burned atop it. This was the signal of capture.

"Do you say East River City will return to reinforce?" Langnü asked the nearby officers.

"They should." Weierdao said, "Milady, can you see how many of us are in West River City?"

"There are still thirty-two. Three are seriously wounded." Langnü seemed not very anxious, "They occupy the tower with bows; they should be able to defend us for a while, drawing some manpower."

Ruika felt his palms full of sweat, his legs a little trembling; the cold air seemed to pour entirely into his trouser legs.

A strange creaking sound came, and immediately the drawbridge collapsed, the riverbank emitting a huge impact noise.

"Ke leiduo, take your squad, hold your shields steady—now, follow me in a charge!" Langnü rode her warhorse, leading the charge amid the flames, utterly disregarding the archers stationed on either side of the battlements.

Ruika tossed aside the torch, drew his longsword, and followed close behind Langnü forward. He saw Langnü cleave the thick shackle on one side of the drawbridge with a single sword stroke, then continue charging toward the gate.

Arrows rained down; Ruika heard the groans behind him and the dull thuds of arrowheads striking armor, heard the front horses falling into the river and their neighs; Langnü fought at the front, blocking each incoming arrow with her sword, Ruika followed closely, unscathed—perhaps he didn't even notice any injury; his eyes held only the still-burning massive gate.

"Push!" Ruika didn't know who issued the command; together they shoved the door.

Has the bolt been removed? He didn't know; without the slightest hesitation, he threw his body against the door.

The door showed signs of moving; it wasn't lack of strength, but something behind it blocked it, preventing it from opening. Ruika already felt the heat coming from the door; he didn't care.

Right after him came the Red Warrior, then many others in armor whom he couldn't recognize. They all let out a roar, and the gate was finally pushed open by them.

"Kill!" He shouted it instinctively, not knowing when he had become so brave.

A huge fat pig burst from the passageway, nearly knocking him over. The pig had several spears stuck in it, yet remained lively; its wounds made its voice shrill.

Fortunate, he thought.

Langnü took the lead with her longsword through the passageway; Ruika excitedly realized he was the second warrior to charge into the city. Just a moment later, he saw Frey soldiers streaming continuously toward the passageway; he thought he would be afraid, but Langnü gave him no time to think, launching straight into the slaughter. He thought of nothing, simply followed close behind.

Ruika felt killing was no more than this; every enemy who came near him seemed to stretch out his neck, waiting for him to deliver the crucial stab; here he was completely at ease. He began to like this feeling.

"Lower the iron grille!" he heard the Freys shouting loudly.

"Too late, Freys, I'm already inside?"

"Boom!" the roar of the steel chains, the outlet of the passageway finally lowered this final protective iron grille.

"Ah!" Ruika heard the Red Warrior's tremendous roar; he turned his head and saw the Red Warrior directly lift the grille again, exposing a half‑person‑high passage, after which the north‑western warriors in mail passed through the gap, continually streaming into the castle.

"Focus!" he heard Langnü shout at him.

He hastily dodged the enemy's feeble blow, then backhanded and killed him.

He felt many arrows had pierced his mail from behind, breaking through the leather armor his father had prepared for him, now embedded in his flesh; he knew these were merely minor superficial wounds. But the arrow shafts swaying on his body affected his movements.

That didn't matter; he was obviously not the enemy's main target—Langnü was. He saw Langnü almost every sword strike taking down an enemy, her unstoppable momentum making the Frey soldiers tremble; facing her, they appeared timid and shrinking.

The iron grille was held up by the Red Warrior and a few others together; Ruika saw the cavalry already having charged through the passageway, slaughtering into the castle, the cheering howls stimulating his senses, making him feel himself a warrior as well.

Langnv quickly killed the several soldiers beside her, clearing the road to the tower. Rika and another armored soldier followed closely behind Langnv, guarding against enemies from behind.

The tower constantly had spear-wielding soldiers charging down, but their spears were snapped one by one under Langnv's sword, and then they fell under the sword. Rika and another kept delivering finishing blows, completely wiping them out.

Rika felt only excitement, no fear, thinking he was the second bravest under heaven.

The cavalry below the city swiftly cleared the battlefield, they dismounted and followed behind Rika, continually surging toward the tower.

The narrow tower passage was complicated, but fortunately torches had been lit inside the tower; although dim, he could see Langnv ahead of him. Langnv was familiar with the way, Rika needed to think of nothing, just closely following her.

From ahead constantly came the cries of Freud soldiers and the sound of bodies rolling down. Rika showed no hesitation, fiercely slashing at those rolling toward him; he had lost count of how many times he had swung his blade at such people. He felt his arm trembling, yet still felt he could swing that many more times.

He felt the cool wind blowing from the river, knowing he had successfully taken the city wall. He gazed toward the distant riverbank; the Ice Plain Wolf Riders' cavalry had already begun to enter the city in a steady, measured pace in the gloom.

He and Langnv cleared the last few archers on the city wall; afterward the castle showed no other resisters, only the weeping and pleading cries of women and children. The cellar, training ground, stable, warehouse, and Wei River Tower might still be fighting, but the overall situation was settled.

Now he felt only the thumping of his rapidly beating heart. He really wanted to sit down and drink a cup of hot wine to ease his inner and outer fatigue. But Langnv did not rest, nor did he have reason to rest.

The battle ended completely at dawn; all soldiers who dared to resist were slain. The North Border cavalry unit completely occupied the castles on both banks of Twin River City.

In the morning light, Xuelangnv pulled down the bifurcated flag of the jeweled-crown stag and golden roaring lion from the tower; Rika likewise lowered the blue twin-tower flag on a gray background following her motion. He carried the flag back to the hall still lit with torches. At this moment, Langnv was drenched in blood, seated high in the chief seat, showing no trace of fatigue.

Rika stood beside Langnv, feeling utterly exhausted yet wildly exhilarated. He felt completely light-headed, having heard none of Langnv's orders to the knights in the hall. Perhaps she was merely giving a final pep talk.

"Clear the training ground, bring all the living there. Bring all the dead Freud there as well."

Mei Yi inspected the area between the two eastern and western treasure houses, set up defenses, and tallied the spoils. Rika saw a cellar filled with silver, a weapons room stocked with swords and armor, and piles of various provisions and furs; the Freud had not burned them, and he felt quite fortunate.

The soldiers spent several hours clearing the training ground and brought all the living Freud there. Bloodstains on the ground were still wet; some Freud were tightly bound and tossed aside, and even the women were all roped. Most striking was a bald old man sitting in a chair, surely the Marquis Wade Freud, said to be ninety-two years old, like a pink giant rat.

"Silence!" Langnv's voice rang out, loud and imposing, beyond doubt. Red blood congealed wildly on her face, hair, and leather garb, "The castle is mine now, scholar; do you still remember whom you should serve?"

"Yes, miss. I understand; I serve the master of the castle." The scholar was listless and weak.

"Good. I need the list; you know what list I mean." Langnv said to the scholar.