Thread: All the Richer [Kyre & Alvis Alendran]

Most did not look upon the great Empire as a subtle thing. More akin to great storm, a rushing wave, something that destroyed adn ruined all it passed over. And while the comparison was apt, the fact remained that much had to go on in the shadows to allow that to happen. THe battlements were high, but ropes linked to the grapples still made it with a srong cast. Forms swarmed up the ropes silently. The first guard died to a bolt from a crossbow, laying him out cleanly before an alarm could be raised. The advance was swift and sure. It wasn't long before they came to the great gate that sealed the city off from the world at night. And kept it safe from the surprise of what was looming. Aldred was a younger man, the third born to his line, which left him with little to no hope of succeeding the family fortune. He took thta as a sign, adn joined the army, knowing that with some luck he could cover himself in enough glory that he might be able to build his own legacy, amass a fortune of his own, adn start his own branch of the family. Become a patriarch in his own right, owning no fealty save to the crown. It was a lofty ambition, but half-assing your goals did nothing except keep you strictly small. And he would not abide that. He was going places. And this night assault had been his idea. He'd volunteered his unit to open the gates. The general had approved the mission on the idea that if it failed, then a traditional siege could be enacted. But if it worked...they would pour into the city proper unimpeded, and the city could fall in a single glorious night of fire and blood. And Aldred would be recognized for his achievements. The gate was opened by a series of well maintained winches. One of his men simply threw a lever, adn the gate began to wind open. Other members of the unit were killing off the few guards that had began to note the change in the gate. Aldread stood atop the gatehous,e adn waved a burning ttorch overhead, five sweeps to signal the call to advance. He saw a black tide swarming forward, the 2nd Imperial Legion. He smiled, and descended. His work was done. Now it was time to join in the pillage. There was always work to be done. Once inside the city, shouting began as the Imperial soldiers began to kick in doors, searching for plunder and captives. There was a vast train of wagons being deployed just out of bowshot, room for the captured slaves. All that were taken were given to the army, to be divided as plunder according to standing and reward. The same went with gold and riches. But Aldred was content with this. He would have excellent rights this night. He tossed a torch into a small structure that looked to house no peopel currently, adn watched as it began to burn. The assualt was in full swing. He heard the rythmic pounding of a forge, and made for it. The man at the forge looked up in time to catch the bolt from a crossbow in the chest. Aldred glared at his squadmate. A smith was a valuble captive. It would have been an excellent thing to bring back to the army, giving htem a larger share in the plunder. But they would make do. Fan out! Find anything of value! Adred roared. He swept his blade in a wide arc, and his squad moved. He himself made for the stairs that would likely lead him to the housing above the forge. He caught sight of a form, adn knew that he was not alone. Blood on his blade, or flesh in the cages, one way or another, this person had an appointment to keep.