"Well... that was pretty awesome," Emmaline admitted as the corpses of the beastmen shouldered. Horns began to blare as the city watch began to realize it was more than just high spirited rioters or the normal blackpowder week fires. Brassy horn blasts and bells were ringing and hungover guardsmen were staggering down the main thoroughfares towards the burning manor.

"Let's get out of here incase all these drunken guardsmen get ideas about pretty girls," Neil enjoined, grabbing her by the elbow and steering her towards the river. Another much louder bell began to ring, its deep tolling reverberating through Emmaline's bones. She assumed that it was just another alarm but Neil tensed up and froze.

"What?" Emmaline demanded. Neil continued pulling her down towards the river his body language tensed and troubled. They came out of the alley and down onto the waterfront. Out on the river there was chaos, ships were spreading their sales and heading down river. Downstream oared barges kicked up white spray as they beat their way down river. Even at this distance it was obvious that something was wrong. Emmaline could just make out men at the prows shouting through cupped hands, though it was impossible to make out what they were saying over the clamor from the city. One of the barges was burning and Emmaline watched flaming arrows leaped from the forested fringes of the river, striking one of the barges, it veered drunkenly away as men abandoned the oars to throw buckets of water onto smoldering blaze. Cannons on the wall barked out at unseen targets.

"What?!" Emmaline demanded, confused and exasperated. Winches began to turn at the entrances to the river, great metal chains raising to seal the river entrances.

"I think," Neil said glumly, "that we are under siege."