Dense clouds of dark smoke rose into the gray sky above the inflamed city of Aldrake, as the scene came into our view aboard The Golden Dawn.
Towers with gaping holes in the sides, belched fire and crumbled into hundreds of pieces as projectiles exploded into them.
Palkkan's two massive mortars were stationed on the south side of the wall, being cranked and fired with calculated precision at the defensive outer wall of Aldrake's city.
Thousands of men dotted the southern plain, all of them scurrying hastily in their given commands.
My hands tightened around the wooden taffrail of the ship, feeling the grief welling up as tears in my eyes.
The burning fires, the deathly black smoke, and the thunder of boulders crashing was all a devastating portrait for me to lay eyes upon.
I could already hear the screams and cries for help inside Aldrake though we were not in range of hearing.
I had heard it many times before in other battles.
And I could no more shut the cries out than I could come to their aid, no matter how much I wished to.
Oh, how I desired to do more than I could aboard this ship!
But it is impossible to save every individual, I had been told.
Yet this was something I continually struggled with, and felt guilt whenever I was unable to rescue those in need.
My generals tell me that some decisions require the loss of a few lives in exchange for thousands.
It is the cost of war.
But I am human not machine, and I cannot justify sacrificing one – not a number, but a living and breathing human being – to death when they are crying out to you, and you have the power to help.
I admit the truth in my generals' words, and the necessity to obey them, but as I said: it is a struggle.
We approached Aldrake's port, swiftly.
It was situated on the west side, and possessed two thick walls paralleling each other and forming a semi-circle around the port, that opened to the sea.
As you know, Lennox's ships are transporting his troops while my forces are strictly sea-going support, therefore it was our task to take the opening strike at a group of Palkkan's men who were holding the port and gate there.
The Krespanian armada came in at an angle and fired our cannons in a crippling blow, and then sailed aside as my brother landed his troops and overwhelmed those who were left.
It was one small victory, however there remained the bulk of Palkkan's army on the southern plain, continuing to assault the main gate with artillery in attempt to break through to the city.
As Lennox and his men made their way inside to strengthen Aldrake's fortifications from within, we sailed south and attacked Palkaan from the sea.
The reach of our cannons were limited, and we could not strike the central detachment but helped weaken those who were by the shores.
That attack must come from Lennox, who, according to our plan, will meet them head-on with his army.
But until that move has been executed, I have sent a company of ships to the other side of the island to ensure that Palkkan is not attempting to ambush us by sending more of his men from a different direction.
As for ourselves, we will continue to buffet Palkaan's left flank, and stave off any attack or escape that they undertake.
-Emerald de Gavrillac
Queen of Krespania
