[color=#239C89][b]"I don't have too much information about him-- he seemed to be perfectly content with lording over the smaller Orc and Goblin tribes, as well as raiding the occasional caravan."[/b][/color] said Balthazar evidently in thought. [color=#239C89][b]"It makes me wonder why he had such a sudden desire to besiege Bergkoff."[/b][/color] he continued. 

[color=a187be][b]"I see. Perhaps the beast is simply overconfident, due to its alleged triumphs."[/b][/color] replied the Duke, becoming more curious about the Orc. 

Leonidas spoke up next, [color=fff200][b]"We are going to need to reposition one cannon to the east gate, and one to the west. We don't know when they will attack the flanks and we can't show a weakness on our sides. If we show these beasts any chink in our armor, they will jump at it without a doubt."[/b][/color] He said observing the map. [color=fff200][b]"The goblin numbers won't be an issue if we can keep them outside those walls. If they get in though, they could be a major problem. As for the Orcs, how many of them came out to fight this morning? Were we able to dwindle those numbers at all?"[/b][/color] 

[color=a187be][b]"It is hard to say my Prince. As we have only the estimates provided by my and Sir Balthazars contacts. All we can do is hope these estimates are true to their strength."[/b][/color] replied the Duke. 

[color=fff200][b]"My fear is the longer this battle lasts the more word of this fortress' strength will spread and draw in more Orcs looking for a challenge. So any thought on how we could try to end this battle quickly?"[/b][/color] continued the Prince. 

[color=#239C89][b]"I believe cutting off the head of the snake to be a viable option if it can be done. Alternatively, we could try to collapse the entrances to the tunnels that they are using to move around the region."[/b][/color] said Balthazar as he explained his idea upon the map. [color=#239C89][b]"I suspect that it will be no easy task, but if we can do it, it would only be a matter of breaking down the remaining forces. An army without supply lines or reinforcements is certain to crumble, given time."[/b][/color] 

The Duke nodded in agreement,[color=a187be][b]"A good idea. But perhaps, we should start on the tunnels first. That way, it may draw their leader out into the open, hopefully providing us a better chance at removing it."[/b][/color] said the Duke as he observed the idea presented by Balthazar. 

‐------
Rudolph continued to guide the troops still atop the walls, occasionally helping some of them as they removed the dead and wounded from it. He then turned in time to see the large woman approach his position. [color=c4df9b][b]"I just came from the cannons, the crew shouldn't be far behind me."[/b][/color] said Faira as she viewed the situation. [color=c4df9b][b]"If the cannon can break that catapult, we may not even need to leave the wall."[/b][/color] 

[color=8493ca][b]"You're not wrong there."[/b][/color] Rudolph replied simply. He then saw that the goblins had renewed their assault, bolstered with some archers of their own.
He carefully observed their activity, [color=8493ca][b][i]Something doesn't feel right.[/i][/b][/color] he thought to himself unclear on what it was that made him anxious about the situation.
Soon enough, a familiar voice snapped him out of it, [b][color=#FF9900]"Hey Rudolph!"[/color][/b] it was Acrius, [color=#FF9900][b]"Do you think fire arrows would work? Gotta try something, those cannons are taking their damned sweet time. I have half a mind to jump down there and burn them myself!"[/b][/color] 

Rudolph rolled his eyes at the thought and then replied, [color=8493ca][b]"Do what you like, as long as it involves killing the green bastards."[/b][/color] he snapped back.
He took a glance at the city behind him to see what was happening. It appeared that the majority of the civilians were within the keep now, so at least that was one less worry. He caught a glimpse of a familiar figure staggering around some troops, it was the rotund form of Captain Haart. [color=8493ca][b][i]Good to see the fool is actually doing something other than being in the bloody tavern[/i][/b][/color] he thought scoffing at the thought of him.
When Rudolph turned his focus back to the fight at hand, he noticed the woman, Zatana had joined them, and was firing out a few arrows of her own. He also noticed further down that the lizardman had been throwing wooden beams like javelins, [color=8493ca][b]"Whatever."[/b][/color] Rudolph said to himself as he sighed and turned away from the activity. 

[color=c4df9b][b]"Off the gate! Explosives incoming![/b][/color] alerted Faira. Rudolph immediately ordered several archers and riflemen to reposition to the gate. He picked up a dropped rifle and took up a position himself. All he could see were the usual goblin warriors. He squinted trying to see what the woman was talking about, and then he noticed some of which were carrying sparking objects, [color=8493ca][b][i]Could they really be..?[/i][/b][/color] Rudolph pondered for a moment.
[color=8493ca][b]"You lot! Focus your shots on the greenksins with the bombs!"[/b][/color] he ordered soon after. [color=8493ca][b][i]How in the gods names did they get a hold of explosives!?[/i][/b][/color] he thought trying to wrap his mind around it.

A good few shots were sent out by the troop, but many of which seemed to either hit the shields of the goblins trying to protect the runners, or just miss altogether. At least two of the runners were brought down, one of the bombs went off killing a small score of the greenskins closer to it. The other hit the ground and the wick snuffed out by the mud underfoot.