At fifty yards, the human archers began suppression fire against the settlement defenders on the walls. Arrows forced goblin and serpentfolk archers to duck behind crenellations, reducing their firing rate.
The ram team reached the eastern gate.
"Ram at the gate!" Vex reported mentally. "They're beginning the breach attempt!"
"Defenders on the wall—drop stones and burning oil," Lyra commanded. "Make them pay for every second they're at that gate."
Settlement defenders had prepared for this. Large stones and heated oil pots were positioned at intervals along the wall. Now they heaved them over, targeting the ram team clustered at the gate.
The results were horrific.
Stones crushed skulls and shattered limbs. Burning oil splashed across armor, seeping into joints and igniting clothing underneath. Screams rose from the ram team as soldiers caught fire or were pulverized by falling debris.
Fifteen casualties in ten seconds.
