"Do not drag this out, Steelheart. Ableford doesn't have the time for you to play general." - King Ovantis Halsford
The Siege of Votund sparked the events that changed the course of history, begun by the most unexpected of actions. After all, who would think their own allies would betray them?
The Conflict
Prelude
Alvalon, Agaland, Gyrminia, and Sveldvar were once steadfast allies, eager to trade and negotiate with each other. There seemed to be nothing that they couldn't resolve together. King Ovantis of Sveldvar's betrayal came as a complete shock. He used the bonds of trust to attempt an assassination on King William Ableford of Gyrminia. The poison was intended to work slowly, not being discovered until it was far too late for the renowned Alchemists of Gyrminia to act.
However, William noticed the symptoms and connected the dots too soon. William's alchemists determined the type of poison and a time frame the king had left. With experimental treatments, they were able to delay the more serious effects. Ovantis' hand was forced, the offer of half of Ableford's lands in exchange for the antidote was made and steadily declined.
Agaland's infantry and cavalry were deployed, joined by Gyrminia's mages and spellswords to march on the fortress Ovantis had fled to, close to the border of Gyrminia and Sveldvar.
Battle was met at the fortress of Votund, fifty miles into the borders of Sveldvar on a flat plain bordered by forest. Ovantis' forces held the advantage of height and the death field, archers capable of picking off soldiers as they emerged from the woods surrounding the five mile span.
The battlefield was covered in a sparse blanket of snow, the ground beneath churned to slippery mud the day before with the churning of hooves and boots. Wind blew down from the north, lending distance to Ovantis' arrows.
King Hadrick Steelheart himself led the charge on the walls, his heavily armored troops acting as a shield for the second charge, interspersed with mages and spellblades. The siege lasted for two weeks with precision strikes, picking at the walls in various spots until the defenses were finally breached in one last charge.
King Ovantis Halsford died in direct combat with King Hadrick Steelheart.
King Hadrick Steelheart took a severe wound to the leg, resulting in a permanent injury that prevented him from leading further campaigns personally.
King William Ableford was killed in battle with Ovantis, though rumor from those present say that it was Hadrick Steelheart who killed the dying king. One version of this rumor is he was murdered, the other a mercy killing as no antidote existed.
Hadrick Steelheart took William Ableford's daughter as his wife after she tended his wounds the best she could to form a lasting alliance between the two nations, a promise to a dying man to take care of his children and kingdom. Prince Henry Ableford was coronated as king with his mother acting as regent.
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