SoW Quarter Final - TsM vs tSN - Battle for Ever Frost

The day had finally come, TsM would be facing tSN in the quarter final of the inaugural Siege of Winterfell play-offs. The opponent had been decided a few days earlier but it was a predictable outcome; in fact, Eyaka had counted on it. All the preparations had been made, TsM had a plan for every eventuality regarding turnout and a win was within sight. Never, in all his years, had he wanted to win a match more than today. “Champion of Ever Frost” saying it aloud made shivers run up the spine. The winner of this match was guaranteed at least fourth place in the tournament and with that came the most beautiful frame as yet seen in Westeros, along with that awe inspiring title, a title like no other. Only twelve alliances could claim it, it was the definition of exclusive. Today would probably be their only chance; after this season TsM would be promoted to Super-league and there was simply no way they could reach the play-offs there.

The sun was still blazing fairly high in the sky when Eyaka found himself doing something he had not done in many many years, he was walking into the Godswood… to pray. Never believing in these old and antiquated superstitions before there never seemed a need to come here. Inside the walled garden two of the court’s ladies were lying peacefully, soaking up the sun. With a hint of embarrassment, Eyaka asked them to leave, the idea of them giggling at his prayers sent a flush through his cheeks and the strange look on their faces as they curtsied and scurried away suggested that is exactly what would have happened. Alone at last kneeling with one hand gently rested on the intricately carved face of the mighty weirwood, the prayer began:

“I do not ask for much, my health and my standing in this world are in my hands and my hands alone… but… if it is in your power, I ask for a strong turnout of commanders at the upcoming match. That is all I ask. Help my fellow Lords and Ladies make it to Winterfell.”

With that he stood, dusted himself off and left. Perhaps he should have asked for favour on the battlefield or strength in the hearts of his men but honestly he did not think it was necessary, they just needed numbers and the day would be theirs.

The evening was drawing in by the time Winterfell came into view. It was always a magnificent sight, not because of the castle’s beauty, but because the landscape was so desolate around it that it seemed an oasis of life. The juxtaposition gave the castle a splendour that was found nowhere else.

“You’re on time, again! Who are you and what have you done with our Eyaka?!” LadySam’s wry smile would have put even the most nervous of warriors at ease. “Yes, very funny, now tell me numbers, how many have we got?” There would be time for jokes later, right now only one thing mattered. “So far we have counted forty five but we expect more to arrive before the horns blow”. This was excellent news, perhaps the prayer was not a wasted exercise. “However, we have had word that STar has been taken ill and will not be attending and we’ve had word that several others who were not on the roster are available after all.” Eyaka cursed to himself “For fu… Gods be damned, what a waste of my time!” No more visits to the Godswood, except perhaps to enjoy the view.

TsM gathered, waiting for the horns of Winterfell to blow, signalling the start of the match. The plan was sound, the numbers looked strong, this could be a victory. The last time the alliance had met tSN they had been defeated but this was now but a memory, one that had taught some valuable lessons. As the last seconds ticked away the final scouting report returned. “Fifty one commanders my lord, on both sides.” A wicked grin crossed Eyaka’s face just as the sound of a hundred horns blew across the battlefield. This was their day.

The enemy spearmen had been spotted gathering to the west, they were undoubtedly heading for the armoury, Neveziad, LadySam and several of the other infantry commanders would meet them there with half the alliance. This left the hot springs for Eyaka, Scott and the other half. His spears arrived shortly after the forward cavalry and within moments a sea of red crowded onto the field. For a short while it looked like sweet pickings for the spears, easily targeting cavalry and making a great number of kills, TsM were outnumbering their opponent and the hot springs were taken. Unfortunately that good fortune would not last long as more and more enemy foot soldiers arrived. Within minutes TsM were outnumbered and control was being wrestled from their grasp.

Eyaka and his fellow commanders fought on but all the while they were counting down the minutes; “Just a few moments longer” the thought materialising on his lips, “NOW!” The plan was put into action. Trumpets blew and the signal spread across the entire battlefield, almost as one the TsM warriors broke from their engagements and raced to Winterfell en masse. A well drilled manoeuvre, executed with absolute precision, the combined forces of cavalry, infantry and spears arrived moments before the treasure was released, harassing any enemy troops they saw outside the castle gates. 

When the resources left Winterfell, SmoKer, the fastest in the alliance, reached them first and started his journey to their nearest base. It was not expected that he would make it the entire way, tSN were afterall arriving in great numbers, but with his speed Smoker was able to travel a great distance before finally being felled. All the while Eyaka and the rest of the alliance were biting at the trailing armies of their enemy. Scott was the first to pickup the dropped resources and once again the long march to their base continued. tSN were making an admirable attempt at halting progress but they were outnumbered, perhaps taken off guard by the coordination of TsM. Eyaka broke away from the escort to make sure their target base was secure, leaving Scott and the others, trusting that they would keep hold of the treasure. There were not many enemies attacking the defences, this seemed odd but was not bad news by any means. If the roles were reversed the order would surely have been given to overload the target base thus undoing any progress made with the treasure. As it was, the only threats were a few marches of cavalry, “Perfect, meat for my spears”.

 Scott’s march came into view, it had been ravaged by the pursuing Sinners and was severely depleted but that was of no concern. When the last soldier dropped SmoKer was back to retrieve the treasure and carried it over the last few hundred metres and into the base.

There would be some time before the resources were released again, TsM lay in wait, spending some effort securing the base from the enemy troops that had chased down the escort. The ground was soaked in blood from all the fallen, it wasn’t entirely obvious who was losing the most men, each alliance fighting with everything they had. Marches needed replenishing and were recalled to camp. They would soon set out for Winterfell once again.

The match was already a quarter gone and TsM were ahead, the lead was not great but it was there. The fighting was intense and many lords had spent a great deal healing their fallen soldiers but everyone knew the importance of this win, they would keep fighting, no matter the cost.

The trumpets blew again and the alliance made their way to Winterfell for a second time. The sight when approaching was of utter chaos. The enemy had not made the same mistake as last time and were there in numbers. As Eyaka’s troops arrived the resources were released, one of his forward marches almost made it there first but they were engaged by an enemy before the treasure was secured. KID BENGALA took the package, within moments he was targeted by a swarm of TsM soldiers, without even leaving sight of Winterfell’s walls his army fell. Scott was there to pick up the dropped treasure and started the arduous march to friendly territory. tSN were now outnumbering the allied marches, Scott did not make it much past the gates of the great castle before he too fell and an enemy by the name SIIO PEACI took up the treasure for tSN, unfortunately for him TsM had regrouped and made short work of his soldiers. Scott, this time with a stronger march, took up the package once more and, choosing a different route, started on death’s journey. After what felt like an age, Scott’s troops had made impressive ground, however, the onslaught proved too much and the treasure fell. This time it was Neveziad who made the pickup, with his strongest march.

TsM secured the second treasure and their lead was growing. There was no space for complacency though, there was still half of the match time remaining. The plan was working, one more treasure would surely secure the win.

The battle raged non-stop, marches were obliterated, healed and returned to the fray time and time again, it seemed as though the night was endless. The sound of steel on steel was so loud that every soldier on the field had a ringing in their ears that almost drowned out the shouts and screams around them… almost. The men would fight on, no matter the horrors around them. Glory was at stake and the passion and enthusiasm of the TsM leadership for this win drove them on. The treasure of Winterfell was released again tSN had managed to surround the castle and were there in great numbers. TsM looked to be in trouble. With a speed that was truly astonishing, SmoKer had his best cavalry ride around the back of the enemy soldiers and snatch the treasure while Scott, Eyaka and Entus engaged and distracted from the front. The story unfolded much the same as before. TsM through sword and spear, lance and shield pushed on to secure it for a third time.

The battle was two thirds complete and TsM had a healthier lead, a rider brought a report to Eyaka of the current elimination rankings, the best estimates of the kills of each commander. It made for grim reading with so long still to go.

The fighting had been brutal so far but their victory was not yet secured. They would need to keep going. Despite taking three out of three treasures, TsM did not have a large enough lead to withdraw. Scott caught up with Eyaka on the field; “This is intense! We almost have it, I can almost taste the Ever Frost!” There was something deeply disturbing about the face covered in blood smiling so gleefully, or at least, there would have been if Eyaka didn’t have an equally twisted smile on his face. “One more treasure and victory is ours.”

The trumpets blared for a final time, the signal was sent and TsM marched back to Winterfell for one last push to victory. The enemy were fewer in number this time and, after a brave attempt from one of their bolder commanders was squashed, Neveziad took up the treasure. With fewer soldiers harassing his progress Neveziad made it almost all the way to the base. When he finally fell SmoKer took up the task and with lightning speed, even outrunning some of the enemy troops, despite being loaded with the treasure, he took it over the line.

The cheers that erupted drowned out all other sounds. The match was not over but TsM’s score was now unassailable, victory was guaranteed. All of the planning, the anticipation, the anxiety, it was all over, only joy remained. tSN, the alliance that only weeks earlier had defeated them were now themselves defeated. After four long years fighting for glory, Eyaka had finally achieved something exceptional.

With renewed vigour the alliance played out the rest of the match. Their enemy had largely given up but many brave members were still fighting strong. In the end though, TsM managed to secure one more treasure before the horns bellowed out from Winterfell once more marking the end of the match, the final score:

That night the alliance celebrated like they had never celebrated before. This was the most exciting battle any of them had been involved in. They had gone into the match with a plan and they had executed it, every one of them had played a part. They were through to the semi-final.

Eyaka pondered whether they could go further yet, however, they would now be facing Unb and they were severely outmatched by that alliance. It did not matter though, their victory had secured at least fourth place and that meant one thing above all else; Eyaka and his fellow alliance members could now call themselves

“Champions of Ever Frost”