Mightily, his heart thudded in his chest like a war drum intent on resounding glory. Moving his chest up and down in a steady rhythm he kept his head high, his shoulders rolled back and his huge golden eyes glinting as their small but glorious army rode towards the city. Sprawled out like a gnarled growth Tylmerande was both a blemish on the hillside, and a beauty to be admired. It was established over the years, fitted with a suitable defensive wall, supported on the port side by lighthouses, war ships and - what the bloody blazes ...

Sharply, he hissed through his gnashed teeth, eyes spiralling with fiery fury. His mount - a heavy female tera'k - pulled sharply up at the sound of his anger and snorted heavily. The great musk-oxen-like creature of muscle, fur and horn planted her hooves into the dirt, halting with no warning. It was only because Veridian was used to such sudden hesitations from his beloved, partner-of-his-heart-and-soul, Philomel's mount that the fox-humanoid managed to hold on. Even though he was unused to this form entirely. Grinding his claws into the saddle before him he saved his body from being swung head over tera'k horns, just as he also came to terms of what was before them.

The Broutherhood army had already arrived.

If they were trying to be hidden they were doing a poor job. A camp sprawled to the east - or at least the beginnings of one. There were so many of the Brotherhood force that even with Tylmerande's greatest and size it would not be able to house the staff, luggage, boot space, horse dung or armoury that was needed. Instead, the start of a rudimentary camp had begun, suggesting that they had been here for an hour, maybe more, and that already things beginning with a 'shhh' and ending with 'it' had gone down.

"Oh balls," muttered the huge human on the war horse who rose up to be beside him.

"Yes," grunted Veridian, now very pleased he had persuaded Philomel to give him one of her swords. It was slung across his back like a bard's lute. "Not good."

The man - Vaeron - paused before looking back behind him, to where their own army of three hundred strong were catching up to them in small packs of ten steeds across. It was perhaps careless to not be in one group, and thus be more protected, but the warrior mage had found that in this manner they could cover more ground. A large forest lay to the north and snaked towards Tylmerande, and some of the groups were able to use this as cover. From his brief view he could spy around eight groups currently at different stages of riding towards them - all female warriors, bared to the teeth with metal and best leather - with the rest probably close by.

"Look," Veridian said, and Vaeron looked back.

Following the fox-humanoid's paw he was able to spy the road that just peeked out of the general view of the city; the crest of a hill most convenient. Like an avenue to heaven it led the central way from the gate, upwards to the town hall, and it was on this that the fox and human could see three riders cantering.

Briefly, they were there, then they were gone, hidden back into the depths of the buildings.

Vaeron furrowed his brow, but nodded. "We must ..." he twisted, pulling his mighty horse Megladon with him, who huffed. Veridian was left, then, as the human charged down the hill they had crested, aiming straight for the closest group of Gilded Lily warriors. Blinking once more at the sight of the city under siege, yet who seemed to be welcoming their captors with open arms, Veridian gazed at the city, waiting to catch sight of the three riders once more. He had seen the unmistakable glint of the silver hair, the proud posture, the possible grin. Or perhaps the latter was the fox-form earth-spirit's imagination.

There was the noise of galloping behind him. Looking back Veridian saw that Vaeron had managed to contact one of the groups of warriors, who were now following him, whilst others were apparently hearing the news. With some awe Veridian watched as one rider broke off from the group, galloping at high speed towards that behind them. Then, one or two from that would ride off to others in a pre-arranged manner, creating a web of information that was fascinating to watch as well as worrying. It was clear they had fewer warriors than that at the crest of the hill. Were they simply to barter their way to peace? Spread rumour and gossip like they did this news, until they defeated the Brotherhood?

No. That was stupid. Yes, it was possibly a tactic that they could use to distract the Brotherhood for a while, but not defeat them.

"Come," Vaeron said, "we must go meet those barbarians."

He pointed at the town hall. Veridian paused, but nodded, shifting in his seat, and feeling more comfortable as the nine women now surrounded him and Vaeron. Collectively, they breathed in, as behind them the Gilded Lily prepared for what brilliance would occur.

There was a dull pause. The dusky sky overhead was overcast, suggesting the probable doom that was to come. A single crow cawed, and beat its way into the air.

A sigh passed from the fox's black lips.

Then they began to ride.

All to gallop fitfully through the city, and meet the Brotherhood 'heroes' at the town hall ... and demand they cease.