Fall, 1430

The siege went on. Lively skirmishes erupted all around Tar Hollow as the Imperial Remnants exchanged fire with the cyno defenders led by Rewrkerw atop the palisades, the Overmountain Boys tussled with Oevcn’s patrols on the supply routes South, and fighting broke out in the rear of the human lines as returning parties of Ovecn's Raiders harassed their opponents.

Then on the ninth night the besieged cynos heard the distant sounds of neighing, then screaming.

And early the tenth day the Imperial Remnants had abandoned their camps.

&They’ve pulled back!& Beimcu called down just before dawn from atop the parapet.

&What?& Ovecn had been at the plaza assembling his patrols for the raids for the day and the dark cyno quickly scrambled up to the wall and pulled out his Visby lenses, staring into the distance.

In the hazy blue light the human forces were still visible on the edge of the Eastern Doldrums, banners waving atop Lookout Hill, but they were already assembled in columns and marching away from Tar Hollow.

&What’s going on?& Beimcu asked her commander.

Oevcn stopped and removed his helm.

&The Revenants are retreating back to the Overmountains.&

&They didn’t attack.&

&I guess they decided that it would be too costly to storm.&

&Should we pursue?&

Ovecn looked at his weary forces, quietly conversing among themselves, wondering if they’d be thrown back into combat.

&No, let them be. We're exhausted as well.&

As the enemy ranks turned away and finally disappeared into the woods along the Kern, the cyno commander finally lowered his lenses, fell down on his butt and breathed deeply.

The repulse of the human attackers had been done through the skin of their teeth. Tar Hollow’s defenders, left without the bulk of their professional forces, had been forced to rely on hastily raised volunteers for the attack, and they paid for it dearly. Of the 4000 total warriors assembled, 210 were killed and almost 600 were injured in the four major engagements and innumerable skirmishes and raids that had made up the deep Imperial Remnants incursion. Two thirds of those losses were in the fraction of Oevcn’s Raiders that managed to return in time to fight, the only trained troops that the commander could rely on for combat and the ones he desperately leaned upon to protect the community.

A few hours later the cynos scouting units were picking through the ruins of the Imperial encampment, salvaging equipment and checking for enemy stragglers. The front lines were mostly empty, with only mantlets and broken baggage lying about. A small, hidden, but well organized cemetery held perhaps 200 individuals as determined by scent. Further to the rear however, there was chaos: tents and campsites had been trampled, weapons and personal belongings had been scattered all over, and here and there were the remains of enemy troops, gored or mangled by some mysterious attack.

&What the hell happened here? I don’t think this was from Myrewecs’ forces was it?& Beimcu scratched her head at the devastation.

&No.& Myrewecs himself appeared from a ravaged warehouse with some of the other Raiders, wearing an Imperial sallet on his head. &We heard the commotion while preparing for another sally, but by the time we got here it was over. Three large encampments have been destroyed, with dozens- perhaps hundreds- killed or injured. The Revenants immediately retreated from those positions, and pulled out the rest of their forces at dawn. We’ve been poking around all morning, and whatever came after them it’s clear whatever happened gave them a fright.&

&Can you tell what made the attack?& Ovecn asked.

&No. But I did find some strange footprints. Like hooves, but of large goats.& The cheerful brown cyno pointed to one a couple feet away. “Here’s one if you're curious.”

The commander went over to look at the large but surprisingly shallow two-toed impression in the dirt. A sudden realization hit the dark cyno and he stopped.

&What is it, Oevcn?&

&Nothing. I think we have some secret allies in this fight, but I can’t divulge them at this point. You all just have to trust me. &

Beimcu and Myrewecs gave their commander an odd look, but both finally nodded.

Oevcn turned to his female companion.

&What’s your assessment of the situation, Beimcu ?&

The tan, brown and gray agouti cyno looked around the broken siege lines, and sniffed the air. &The Imperial Remnants seem to have suffered about 1000 total casualties-perhaps 250 dead- but the reason they turned around was more due to whatever happened last night than actual battlefield defeat. They were afraid to attack our walls, and looking around, their supplies appeared to be low. I think they simply reached the limit of their capabilities, and pulled back after whatever happened last night rather than any actual battlefield defeat. They’re still dangerous.&

Oevcn nodded and sighed, looking back down at the hoof-print. &Very well then. This seems enough for now.&

Beimcu frowned at that and crossed her arms. &I guess they’ll regroup then and attack us again next year.&

Oevcn suddenly looked back up at her with a slight smirk.

&Not if we take the mountain passes first.&

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Chumbawamba- Tubthumping

A sweet gift by the great  Shamerli! Thanks again!