Shadow Fortress CCS

It was the crack of dawn on a spring morning, painting the sky with beautiful colours. Every normal person would admire the stunning view and go back to sleep, but not ChristianOr.The Champion City Siege for Shadow Fortress was scheduled to begin shortly, and she was determined not to miss out on sixty fresh battle diamonds. She roamed the Great Hall in K389 Hall but not a single one of her fellow warriors was to be found. Bearface, Strandli, Balrum and Grogu were all absent.

And this after they all promised to be here, she thought fuming in anger. She took a quick peak in the battlefield and it did seem that many were absent as well.

Light Yagami was standing majestically in the battlefield and everyone was flocking to join him in AFV. ChristianOr who was acquainted with him, greeted him from afar, and consoled herself that if no one appeared she would just join AFV also.

That is a dead CCS allright, Yagami commented to Sylica who was next to him, and ChristianOr, who heard him, could not help agreeing.

Where is Crimson Dawn? he was supposed to join us, Sylica was asking…

She never heard more as she was interrupted.

Bet you were not expecting us, Chris, Grogu said with a wide smile, all four of them had appeared. We join AFV? ChristianOr nodded, but Lord Strandli who was examining the battlefield was sceptical.

We will never get in the castle to defend it, you know that right? There is only QKA and BBY to oppose but they both have too few members, Lord Strandli said worriedly.

Man does have a point, said Grogu, and it seemed everyone felt they would do better rallying against AFV.

ChristianOr sighed but she knew their arguments made sense. However, as she hated to go against Yagami, she did drop him a quick raven, that if by any chance he needed their help, they would come to join AFV. They joined the battlefield on the opposite side from AFV and settled as the heralds trumpeted the beginning of the Champion CitySiege.

Yagami was the fastest, capturing Shadow Fortress with ease and AFV filled the castle to the brim.

Balrum and Bearface called their banners, and every small ally in the battlefield emulated them. Oddly enough it was Balrum’s who filled first, as Balrum himself needed to train some cavalry to fill Bearface’s rally. 

Balrum hit the Shadow Fortress but not a single soldier came back.

Let us hope the counter helps us, Grogu said, hoping the cavalry would fare better against Yagami’s infantry. A terrific crash followed, and to their relief they saw their soldiers riding back home. A fraction of what they had sent, but a win is a win.

The friends were mostly amazed that they received a winning report, but as the next rally was annihilated, they debated between them if they should send another or wait for the second lead which was bound to be a fraction less strong than Yagami. ChristianOr was standing aloof, looking at the battlefield.

Chris no opinion? Grogu asked teasingly. It was well known that she had a lot of opinions and she would always voice them, but this time she looked concerned.

We do not rally. At all. Something is wrong, she said. Look over there. 

We would have made it to the castle after all, said Strandli amazed. Indeed Shadow Fortress was not filled at all, it had easily ten spots available. The small team observed from the side. It looked like a big part of AFV had changed sides and now they were rallying their former allies.

A raven left from Light Yagami coming towards her, but ChristianOr did not wait for it to arrive to take action.

Fast, we join AFV, Light Yagami will lose the building if they go on like this. She waved towards them, and immediately they were all accepted. Five big inf marches left for Shadow Fortress and not a moment too soon. Hank Hill, who was a notoriously strong cavalry leader, was about to hit the Fortress.

Ouch, groaned ChristianOr, who was a known complainer.

Ouch, Bearface, who unlike her, was very stoic. Everyone turned to look at him surprised. 

I sent a full march of T5 infantry by accident, he said and everyone winced.

We are not out of the woods yet, Yagami told his crew in AFV, we have to hold for four more minutes to secure the first place.

Unflinchingly, once more the five friends sent their marches. As most of the opponents were cavalry it was painful, but the good news was that it was painful from both sides. ChristianOr looked at her friends' armies dwindling with each attack but none of them hesitated. Determinedly they sent more and more. Slowly the moments trickled, and finally Light Yagami was safe. Sylica proceeded to capture the Shadow Fortress.

What is Sylica? Cav? asked Grogu hopefully.

She is inf, answered Bearface.

Excellent, exclaimed Lord Strandli cheerfully. He had ten million T4s and he was determined to sacrifice some.

Rallies started arriving, and AFV was ready to defend.

Good defense, Balrum said, who was very interested in the infantry lineups he was seeing. The Fortress was hit once again, by a suicide bomber. Finally this was fun.

You do not need to hold for much longer, Yagami told her, I have an idea. I will retake and secure the rankings.

Sylica exchanged a questioning look with ChristianOr. How was Yagami so sure he would hold easily this time?

Ok no need to suffer any more, Yagami called, I will take the castle, and send me spears this time.

So that was the plan? Chris laughed happily because indeed with such a heavy cavalry map, spears would be much safer than infantry. HankHill and Jolly Jumper immediately filled rallies, and for once, they were looking forward to their arrival.

AFV was finally having a blast, but with only a short time remaining for the end of the Champion City Siege, a barely awake voice called to them.

I am here now, my friends. Crimson Dawn had arrived, and with his late arrival, they had their work cut out, to make him take second. Immediately he was ushered to the Fortress, and finally Grogu and Bearface had wide smiles. It was well known that Crimson Dawn was a cavalry warrior.

Will he have enough time? ChristianOr whispered to Bearface, not wanting to disturb the rest.

Not if he gets kicked, he will not, he answered, let’s keep him full.

The discouraged by the Yagami spears opponents resurfaced and once more started besieging the Fortress. The only light was that AFV had not used cavalry so far, and that very little time remained. This encouraged them to keep fighting.

ChristianOr, as usual was training cavalry soldiers like mad, but AFV was holding steady for now even with Crimson’s defense weakened down by the diverse troops he was receiving.

Refresh your troops, and for the love of the Seven send cavalry this time, Grogu called invested in the final result despite himself. Hold on for a little more!! 

AFV held fast, and the trumpets signaled the end.

Light Yagami was thanking everyone who participated and all were cheering as they had dominated the battlefield. Lord Strandli approached the small group, looking impossible smug.

What is it, Stran? asked Grogu from where he was sprawled on the battlefield. Did you discover some free ale?

Third tent in the right, but that is not it. It is time for all of you to acknowledge who is the bravest of the land. Well the second bravest but still….

Oh you are the bravest indeed, said ChristianOr very satisfied her friends had enjoyed themselves despite having a very hard CCS. I think we did very well for a small band of turncoats. Now treat us to some ale to celebrate your bravery, and so they did for a long time…..