SIEGE OF WINTERFELL | NWL vs AIA | THE LEGEND OF KOVEN.

The Siege of Winterfell has entered its fourteenth season and the first round is bound to be one for the ages. The opener is between NWL and AIA, the former being led by the powerhouse Ba1erion, the team is looking to build on the foundation of last season, where they had three wins and now wish to move further along in Super League. The former team is led by the formidable KOVEN, well known in Westeros for dominating the battlefield and now AIA will need their leader to once again show his prowess against a bigger force. Both teams are fired up and Westeros is eagerly watching to see who will take the upper hand in the first round of Siege of Winterfell.

Ba1erion wanted to split his forces in two, one force going for the Armory and the other heading towards the Hotspring, “team A and B will be going to the Armory with me and team C and D will go with Joel1101 towards the Hotspring,” Ba1erion had sorted his force into teams, which had their orders beforehand. “Stark Outpost 1 and 2 will be defended by small groups and they will create ambushes for the enemy,” Joel1101 had been busy preparing for the first round and didn’t want the poor start they had in season thirteen. Siege of Winterfell has a symmetrical battlefield, both sides have two outposts and two strongholds on their side with the Armory and Hotspring on the left and right side respectively with Winterfell itself directly in the middle. The team which controls these structures will accumulate points per minute with a package coming from Winterfell which when delivered also provides points, the team with the most points at the end of the match wins.

Joel1101 wished for a new NWL, one which is feared, “we won League A alliance conquest last season, we need to show the same spirit and might,” Joel1101 was still running off the high of their alliance conquest win and now wanted to replicate their success in the Siege of Winterfell. With Ba1erion’s leadership on the frontline and Joel1101’s new found hope, NWL has the foundation and firepower to push beyond last season’s limits. As they step into Winterfell, they are not just fighting for victory but for a legacy that could cement them among the elite alliances of Westeros.

On the other hand, KOVEN was faced with an uphill task, “we face an enemy with a bigger force but they don’t have what we have, our unshakeable courage, “KOVEN knew AIA were the underdogs but wanted to use hit and run tactics and had decided to use a main force in one direction instead of splitting his forces evenly. Whether they emerge victorious or not, KOVEN’s past accolades are sure to cause fear in the NWL ranks.

As the match got underway, NWL’s split strategy became apparent, “they have split up, we can use this to our advantage, “KOVEN decided to have his main force meet them at the Armory and from there they could maintain their bridgehead for further expansion. AIA didn’t just send their entire army towards the Armory, they had a small contingent force heading towards the Hotspring, mainly there for slowly down the enemy, so they wouldn’t take the entire right side of the battlefield. “A large force is heading towards the Armory, team A and B will be overrun, we need to send more from team C and D,” Joel1101 was afraid they would be giving AIA a window of opportunity, making the match more unstable for NWL, a less stable match, the better it would be for AIA. “We will continue with the plan, I believe team A and B can handle what ever is coming towards us long enough for the rest to swing around and meet them again,” Ba1erion wasn’t going to be deterred by KOVENs plan, splitting the team further would cause more chaos than good. 

Joel1101s team finally made their way to the Hotspring, “this small squad they have here are no match for us, finish them quickly, we can’t waste our time with them,” Joel1101 could see AIA’s second in command MaRA goading them towards the stronghold instead of the Hotspring. MaRAs plan was to force NWL to split and follow their force into a trap at the stronghold, “they didn’t fall for our plan, we need to meet them on the battlefield but we don’t have enough forces here, do the rest of you have any ideas”? MaRAs looked towards his comrades, “we could run past them and head towards their outpost and force them to follow us,” a young warrior replied back. “I like this idea if they ignore us again, we take their outpost and if they follow us, we have completed our mission, onwards with me.” AIA’s quick thinking and adaptability gave them a fighting chance, proving that even the smallest forces could find ways to overcome a stronger opponent on the battlefield.

The fight for the Armory was over before it began as AIA decided to defend their Greyjoy Stronghold 1 instead, “ we hesitated to move at the start and they reached the Armory before us, better to stay here and react to their moves, “ KOVEN was fighting with what he had, a smaller and weaker force. “We have them on the run, they tried to overpower our side but in the end they played themselves, “ Ba1erion was proud of himself, he stuck to the plan and NWL were dictating the pace of the match and AIA were reactive. With the Armory under NWL control and the Hotspring taken by Joel1101’s squad, the stage was set for a slow squeeze on AIA’s positions.

The time had come for the package fight and NWL sent their most elite squad to take the package as soon as it spawned. “ The team dedicated for the package start making your way their now, I suspect there won’t be much of a fight there, “ Joel1101 was feeling confident as much of the battlefield held the banners of NWL. On the other hand AIA knew the writing was on the wall, “ we don’t have the forces to contest this package, we will fight for the strongholds instead, “ MaRAs plan to outflank Joel1101 squad failed and now the only option was to take what they could while NWL were distracted with the package.

As predicted by Joel1101 the first package was entirely uncontested, “we will see what they do for the next one, the rest of you return back to your positions, “SS069 was usually under a lot of pressure to deliver the package but now had a carefree stroll in the woods to the closest stronghold. The stakes for the next package were clear for AIA, it represented one of their last chances to shift the momentum, while for NWL it was an opportunity to cement their dominance. 

With 37 minutes left in the match, AIA were pushed all the way back to their outposts, “without the Hotspring we can’t afford to lose many troops, hold them back at our outposts, the distance between their main base and our outposts should give us an advantage,” KOVEN was being realistic rather than having AIA spend all their resources so early in the match. Meanwhile NWL were busy taking the second package uncontested again, “they gave us an easy one today, “SS069 saw a chance to gain maximum points for NWL, giving them a shot to qualify for Ultimate tournament. 

Half the match had already flown by and NWL had a commanding lead, “they must be hurting for resources without the Hotspring, push the Greyjoy outpost 2, lets finish the job,” Joel1101s squad had secured much of the Hotspring side and wanted to demoralise AIA. “We will wait for the fourth package, I want our final push at that point, be ready everyone, show me what you have, “KOVEN was rallying the troops for one last push, it was all or nothing for AIA, can they comeback with a respectable last gasp attack or will they falter at the last hurdle, the finals minutes of the match are sure to be a clash of wills. 

As the fourth package was about to spawn at Winterfell, KOVEN made his way out of his main base, like thunder and lightning he pushed away any resistance and made his way to Winterfell, “keep them here, I will push on and contest the package,” KOVEN had left MaRA in command while he alone would play his final trump card. Meanwhile at the outposts, MaRA gathered the troops, he was determined to hold the line. “Stay sharp, we hold our ground and buy KOVEN time,” MaRA yelled, knowing that if they faltered, it would not only compromise KOVEN’s chance but also seal AIA’s fate in the match. The tension was in the air as the penultimate clash at Winterfell was about to begin, KOVEN stared at SS069 and his squad who were waiting at Winterfell. “You can run now or I will have no choice, “KOVEN gave them an ultimatum but it seemed like it was ignored and thus the noise of steel clash began.

KOVEN immediately ran towards SS069 and with lightning speed, he dispatched him with a single blow, “I warned you all,” KOVEN knew his team was counting on him and he didn’t want to come back empty handed. Diazinon quickly picked up the package, while his comrades ran towards KOVEN, “you fool, I only want the package, leave while you still can, “KOVEN felt pity for his opponents but he had made his mind up, he was going to show his real power. Diazinon felt a calm beside him, he couldn’t see KOVEN anymore, perhaps his comrades had delt with KOVEN or so he thought. Diazinon went to turn his head and as quickly as he could reach for his blade, he was on the floor and the package was free to take. Meanwhile NWL had rallied their troops and started their march towards the package, “KOVEN is here, we must go as a group or he will take us one by one, “Ba1erion knew of the legend of KOVEN and wasn’t going to make any mistakes.

Finally, Ba1erion caught up with KOVEN, “take the package, while we deal with KOVEN, “the final battle had begun. Ba1erion lunged at KOVEN, hoping to deal a fatal blow but he bounced off the armor, “is that all you have”? As thunder and lightning could be heard overhead, KOVEN started attacking the forces defending the package, each strike caused more thunder in the sky, “I held back but now I will show you all, why I’m so feared,” he started to rip through every warrior that blocked his path, only having eyes for the package. Ba1erion could see this was getting out of hand, “we need more reinforcements, he’s stronger than he showed, why has he been holding back for most of the match,” Ba1erion could see he was sweating for the first time in the match, perhaps he knew he had bitten off more than he could chew.

The clouds in the sky were pitch black, KOVEN stood over the many bodies he had dispatched, “give me the package, “KOVEN could see NWL were slowly making their way to their stronghold, he only had a few more moments before they would deliver it. Ba1erion threw his body at KOVEN, “If I must sacrifice myself for my alliance, I will,” Ba1erion was now in combat with KOVEN, holding his own against the legendary foe. “You are brave to fight me but foolish,” KOVEN struck the armor of Ba1erion, a huge crack formed in the base of his armor, Ba1erion fell back holding his chest, finding it hard to breathe, “if I must die, then I will take you with me, “Ba1erion was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and KOVEN knew it.

As KOVEN stood above the injured leader, the clouds dispersed and the sun could be seen again, “you have impressed me and so has your alliance, I will return to our base for the rest of the match, you have earned my respect, good luck in the rest of your matches,” and with that KOVEN started to make his way back to his main base, no one stood in his way, which was smart and somewhat forced. Ba1erion stood back up and looked at the sky, “we were lucky, he didn’t show his true power today.” NWL delivered the fourth package and would deliver many more before the match would be over. 

As the match started to wind down in its final minute, KOVEN and MaRA knew they had been bested by a better team and they were content with that,” we fought for most of the match but its best to keep our strength for future matches, matches we can actually contest,” MaRA asked KOVEN about the Winterfell attack but was given the silent treatment as they once again turned their sights on future endeavours.

Ba1erion and NWL rejoiced, they had accumulated over 100k points which would boost their rankings and their hopes, “I never want to mess with KOVEN when he’s angry, “Joel1101 missed the fight at Winterfell but was given a story which made KOVEN seem like an old god. As both teams turned their eyes to future matches, the battle at Winterfell remained etched in their memories and this battle is sure to add to the legend of KOVEN.