Within an hour of receiving the letter, Astrid gathered his already prepared army and left for Thornwall, leaving only thirty percent of his soldiers behind.
Unlike Thornwall, which was revered for its impenetrable fort and strong defense, Ironvale specialized in weapons and war machines. Located in harsh valleys, it was filled with rare metal mines and was famous for its heavy infantry and devastating siege units.
On the day after Astrid left Ironvale, an elderly man climbed through the valleys and arrived before the fortress of Ironvale.
"Who is this old man?" asked a man who appeared to be in his early thirties with short black hair, standing atop one of the towers of the thick stone fortress. He was Soren Ironvale, the youngest of the three Ironvale brothers and the acting commander of House Ironvale in Astrid's absence.
"Must be someone from the outer villages looking for shelter here," the knight beside him guessed. "Should I thrash him out?"
