Ymiden 33, 719
Within the walls of Storm's Edge, business was as usual. The wall guards were on constant, vigilant duty, looking toward the south at the Stormwastes, where the threat of attack was a near constant presence. Soldiers moved about, changing out duty, cleaning, maintaining, always in a state of preparing for battle. The few civilians that chose to live here went about their daily lives, as they were oft to do. They had no need to be given orders for heightened security, for that was their normal routine.
The sentries shouted as they spotted movement in the distance upon the ground. It took a mere fifteen seconds for every troop stationed upon the wall to prepare to defend. This was still too slow for the fort's commander, but more than speedy enough for any threat. A massive force was charging full sprint from the southern wastes toward Storm's Edge, consisting of Gorde, Demargus, Blitzner, and Thundermaw, all of which were undead. There did not appear to be any humans or humanoid shapes among these forces, simply animals. The soldiers did not even flinch. While it was a large and impressive force of undead creatures, these men and women were hardened veterans. And so, they waited for the forces to close in on them.
As the southern force charged toward the walls, and the gate, another horn was blown, indicating another attacking force from the east. It didn't take long to spot this one, as they were flying through the air in huge numbers. Swooping down from high above were flights upon flights of Volareon. Just like the other force, these were all undead as well, though several of these ones had riders upon them, in the center of the flocks.
Soon formations were seen. Some flights were sent out in broad circuits around Storm's Edge, just out of bow and ballista shot, and were not readily seen attacking. That is, until a storm roc took off from the fort, looking to race toward Rharne proper, before it was swooped upon by three Volareon and both it and its rider were torn to shreds. However, other Volareons not maintaining the flight perimeter could be seen carrying large barrels. They moved into position over the fort, and dropped their payloads.
The barrels crashed against roofs, walls, and ground alike, but by themselves, did hardly any damage. However, the contents spilled out. From within the barrels were hundreds and thousands of rats, mice, snakes, and insects, all undead, that immediately began seeking out the living, to disrupt the defenses. A horn blasted from one of the riders in the Volareon forces, and soon, every Volareon, Gorde, Demargus, Blitzner, and Thundermaw were wreathed in ever burning flames. The Volareons changed their attention to those manning the walls, while the ground forces charged the front gates, with the Demargus' being out front.
