[b]Maren Trevoste[/b]

For all her thinking, and planning Maren was not ready for the anarchy of a full blown siege. The mercenaries had momentarily beat back the orcish raid and now focused their assault on the city. The siege towers that Maren had watched grow ever larger with each passing day did not seem a threat at the time. Surely they would [b]become bogged down in the fire-fens?[/b]. But Maren had underestimated the Karsusians. One of the towers lurched forward with the grunts and straining cries of the men and horses pushing and pulling the wooden monstrosity. Maren expected it to tumble into the marsh immediately, but it miraculously remained upright. [i]Bastards must have filled the fens with rocks or wooden planks..[/i] she thought. One of the towers seemed to be struggling to advance however and it would surely be an hour or more before they reached the walls.  

A booming crash sounded from the gatehouse just as a volley of missiles soared over the city walls. Maren ducked instinctively. The gate exploded with such force Maren saw a dozen men tumble back. Then the enemy was through the gate and the battle ensued. She turned to Cassius. 

"Defend the city Cassius! I am no use here on the walls. I will go to the Chapel to see if I can help with the wounded!" 
Maren hurried down the stairs just as a large rock smashed into the wall nearby crushing a defender instantly. She grimaced. She had not seen such carnage up close before. The blood seemed to rush from her head as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Maren felt suddenly very, very tired. Her vision blurred. She looked up and saw a man flinging javelins into the mass of mercenaries hacking their way into the city. Then Maren collapsed at the foot of the stone stairs and fell into darkness.