<div align="center"><em>The conquering of Kavenburg, the raids up the coast and the assault on Gristurn itself...</em></div><hr/><hr/><br/>With a signal from Volrath, hell on earth was unleashed. Multiple screams were heard as a city went up in fire. Walls crumbled and men died by the hundreds, blood stained roads and earth were left in a gruesome wake. The barbarian hordes had come, conquered and most of all gained what they needed to take to the sea. Craftsman were spared as long as they accepted the new rule, those loyal to Cormac were gruesomely executed in the public square. Their deaths were never swift, those who took up Volrath's cause trained on those loyal to the dark king. It would take five or six cleaves or slashes of a sword or axe before the next man was brought up and used as a target dummy. Some pleaded for such brutality to end, but a man had to know death before he could wage it without losing his nerve.<br/><br/>The winter months came, the docks never went calm and the conscripts were drilled until muscles clung to their frames like an insatiable lover. Aeirik was given more responsibilities as the city became secure and the banner of Cormac no longer flew on the cities walls, they did, but only to fool the shipments of taxes and supplies which kept the invaders and its people well fed. Boats capable of war were built as quickly as possible, the gorgeous forested landscape to the east was stripped bare as planks and masts were in much need.<br/><br/>As Spring came, the conscripted army, a army of slave rowers and more of Volrath's men crowded the streets of Kavenburg. Men were assigned to boats and the raids up the coast began. Leaving a sizable amount of men to keep producing war ships and act as the main supply line for Volrath's army, he left with a new destination in mind, Gristurn itself. The island fortress of the Dark King himself.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Unmanned sailing boats were sent into each post city up the coast, raiding and plundering along the way for supplies. Attacks by night, leaving the docks and ports in ruin to prevent being attacked by the rear. Boats that could not be used were sent to the bottom of the ocean without second thought. Merchant ships followed the main fleet, full of weapons, food, slaves and enough supplies to feed an army for a good portion of the waring season.<br/><br/>Weeks turned to months but finally Gristurn was in sight. The day was ashing over to evening, a signal was sent over to Aeirik to send the unmanned fire boats into the docks like they had many times before. The attack would come by night and would not end until a base camp was established at the door steps of Cormac's castle. With a fleet of ships and men eager to take down the king, the aged barbarian simply wished for the sun to set sooner...