The water flowed south in a peaceful reverie on this late spring morning. Blue skies and few clouds would make it difficult for my vampires to fight but armor and helmets would provide shade where the day did not. It pained me to know that bloodshed was going to rip through the tranquility I’ve garnered admiration for in recent months.

Archers poised on the bridge. Engineers manned the ballista from our allies. A few hundred militia and other footmen awaited combat along the ...