As the La Venganza sailed south, leaving the Montaigne laughing in their wake, the Heroes set about the task of scrubbing away the iodine that had bought them their freedom under the guise of plague lesions. Of them, only Asgard was left with several deep red marks that showed up all too clearly against her Vendel skin, in far too sensitive places to scrub away determinedly with brine and bristle.
In La Venganza's path, several Castillian warships hove into view, and hailed Captain Orduño. After a brief conference aboard the largest of them, he returned with grim news: his ship had been ordered to join the Armada for an assault at La Reina del Mar, to break the Montaigne supply lines and lay the groundwork for liberating Castille. Meanwhile, the land forces of Castille had slowly retreated south, giving its generals time to construct the massive earthworks known as La Ultima Muralla. The children were to be put ashore, and the Heroes were free to either escort the children to safety south of the wall, or to continue to the battle at La Reina.
After an exchange of looks among the Heroes, Quinn responded that the children were their responsibility and that they would see that responsibility through to its conclusion. Thus, the children's crusade hit the shore and commenced walking south, crossing farm and wood alike. The Heroes carried children on their shoulders to pick oranges as they walked through orchards, and the sweetness of fresh fruit lifted everyone's spirits.. Thoughts of singing around the campfire died quickly as no one could think of songs they knew that were suitable to teach their young charges...
A few days in, the merry band awoke to find themselves surrounded by cattle. Supplies were getting a tad low, and Asgard looked to Henri, asking if he could supply them with fresh beef. He loaded his musket, carefully looked for a good spot, and prayed that he could bring the cow that had persisted in following them down in a single shot. To his very great relief, he did. A day was spent smoking meat, eating their fills, and getting ready to continue the trek.
The following day brought a meeting with the Castillian army at last. Soldiers met the Heroes, heard their story, and agreed to escort them past the wall. The children were taken to a church, to join with the children of several other communities abandoned or scorched before the Montaigne onslaught. The heroes promised to return soon, and instructed their comrades of the road that if Captain Orduño should come before they returned, they should go with him. The oldest of them, nearing puberty, were taken to load & fetch at the wall. The youngest, Henri instructed to remain brave for their older friends; the remaining middle ones he asked to take good care of their playmates.
General Montoya briefly thanked the Heroes for having done so much to aid the people of Castille, and asked if they would be willing to help in this last defense. He suggested that Henri need not fight, understanding how hard it must be to take up arms against his countrymen. "General," he replied, "in the time I have spent in Castille, nothing has impressed me so deeply as the love your people have for their country, nor inspired me so deeply as their bravery. This invasion is wrong. I would be honored, if you would permit me to fight alongside your soldiers."
The Heroes were permitted to draw from the Quartermaster whatever they might need to fight. Aliya drew a medical kit, Cecil a pair of pistols, and Henri extra bandages for his kit, and a Castillian uniform. A night was spent with writing wills, writing letters, Henri silently wondering if Asgard would come over for one last go, and silently hoping he would meet his end courageously when it came.
Among the events of the battle: the men through themselves into the worst of the fighting. Aliya stayed with the medics toward the rear, while Asgard moved toward the thick of battle. Quinn stood against a Montaigne soldier leading an assault on te wall, drawing on his Rose & Cross training to ignore the crippling injuries he'd sustained from the Montaigne volleys. Asgard, seeing a fellow soldier fall from the wall, leapt to drag him back to safety. Cecil, seeing the regimental flag fall, rushed to raise the battle standard. Henri, for his part, saw another standard fall, and held it aloft to sustain the troops as the Montaigne wave began to falter. As Cecil led the soldiers around him forward, he met with the center of the remaining resistance: a great Eisen sellsword bearing the Montaigne colors. Cecil roared in defiance and charged the fellow, and fell before him. Henri and Quinn, seeing him fall, raced to save their comrade and strike the Eisener down. Henri struggled, puncturing him once or twice before he too was knocked sprawling. Quinn, crippled though he was, bore in on the standard bearer like grim death, batting his blows aside, and carefully pinking the fellow here and there, with Theus only knew what reserves of strength left in him. On his last legs, he began to press his attack, deflecting the Eisner's swings, then lunging home with painful blows. Both men were exhausted, and the tide of battle hung on their next attack. Quinn's blade flew straight, piercing the Eisener's chest and sending him crashing to the ground. Men scattered as the Montaigne sunburst toppled into the mud of Castille. The day was won. Quinn staggered back, with three flags, supporting friends on either shoulder, and calling for surgeons.
The following morning, The Heroes awoke, still gravely injured, but alive
and well, and among friends. Quinn had recovered the Panzerhand and Broadsword
of his monstrous opponent, and others found bits and drabs of money, gear,
and the like given to them by their grateful allies. Slowly, with the help
of a cane, Henri walked the battlefield looking to see if Lieutenant Audra
Antre had fallen there among the Montaigne, so that he could minister to her
wounds and save her life. Elsewhere, Asgard stalked the fields for the very
same quarry, fingering her pistol...