Contents
Chapter 35. Now: Luca
Overview
Luca realizes the Citadel has summoned Valshad, shifting the attack into a full-scale siege of Isara. Amid fierce exchanges, Luca mans a scorpio, is wounded by an arrow, and witnesses an east watchtower collapse. Valshad halts bombardment, forms siege lines, and rolls in equipment, revealing plans to capture the city rather than destroy it.
Summary
On the wall, Luca grasps that the Citadel has been messaging Valshad, proving the Consul intends to drag Isara down with him. As ballista bolts tear the Lower City, Vale orders counterfire and Luca races to a watchtower to man a scorpio.
Fighting the wind, Luca adjusts his aim and destroys one enemy ballista. The assault intensifies, arrows raining over the wall. Luca worries for Maris in the Citadel District as the battle grows more coordinated and relentless.
During a violent volley, Théo reaches Luca in time to keep him from falling. An arrow buries in Luca’s upper arm; Théo shields him, snaps the shaft, and tries to pull him from the wall, but Luca refuses to leave. Moments later, the east watchtower collapses under concentrated fire, killing the legionnaires inside and sowing chaos.
Vale scrambles logistics under fire as the enemy suddenly shifts tactics. The bombardment eases while Valshad’s cohorts redeploy with precision, revealing a caravan of carts loaded with siege materials. Luca recognizes the strategy: Valshad is establishing a siege to capture Isara, not destroy it, and the Lower City is poised to become a battlefield again.
Who Appears
- LucaPOV commander; mans a scorpio, deduces Citadel summoned Valshad, is wounded by an arrow, witnesses siege formation.
- ValeLeads defenses on the wall; coordinates archers and scorpios, manages resupply amid bombardment.
- ThéoReaches Luca on the wall, prevents his fall, breaks the arrow shaft, urges evacuation.
- RoskiaOfficer on the wall; helps coordinate scorpio fire and resupply during the attack.
- The ConsulOffstage instigator; his Citadel messages brought Valshad, shifting the conflict to a full siege.