Whilst last in Orsinium the Forge-Mother Alga informed me that her son, King Kurog, had already left for Frostbreak Fortress to deal with the Reachman Warlord Ice-Heart. They believe this Ice-Heart to be the last remaining leader of the Winterborn in Wrothgar, whom dominated these mountainous lands under the Longhouse Emperor’s reign. His defeat they hope will bring the Reachmen’s legacy in Wrothgar to an end, and will perhaps also be a catalyst for the last of the recalcitrant Orc tribes to bend their knee to the throne of Orsinium.

The siege upon Frostbreak Fortress however seems to have stalled upon the old Breton ramparts. For weeks the Orc’s have laid siege but are no closer to a breakthrough now than when they began. The ancient walls hold firm against the Orc’s siege weapons, whilst harpy’s spy from their eyries atop the towers ready to pick off any soldiers that approach, and tales are whispered around camp fires of mighty Reach warriors whose hearts are grown from poisoned seeds. And on top of that, with the stolen supplies the Reachmen are perhaps in a far better position to see out the harsh winter than their Orsimer besiegers.

Kurog though has an inbred thirst for battle, he is set upon leading from the front in the hope that his gallantry will unite the clans behind. I find myself wondering if Kurog were to lead the Covenant upon the crimson fields of the Heartlands would this accursed Banners war be any closer to the cusp? One might ask however who would be so foolish to follow a king into battle who cannot even unite his own people? Well, as I charge after Kurog up the hill towards the fortress, I guess that fool is me.

S.K