The skill and craftsmanship of the Tech Priest was legendary among the Eastern Kin. Those ponies that had devoted their lives to the study of technology so that they may better their abilities to serve the crown. Some made watches while others forged weapons, all bore their own personal touch which featured in every piece. Sil Ran rarely trusted the Tech Priests, preferring to have his own weapons hammered out of basic iron components. But an alliance with the Tech Priests was essential for none can deny their skill at constructing machines of war.

Azzal Khan, advisor to the lord, handled affairs with the Tech Priest with care. When war was declared the Priests supplied a number of various tools to make siege on Canterlot. Great catapults, contraptions that hurl boulders miles upon miles in the air, cutting scores in ranks and brining towers crashing to the ground. With them they also brought crossbows, easier to use than conventional bows and far more deadly. Azzal considered himself well trained in ranged combat, but rarely engaged in such.

But when it came to the Lord of the Eastern realm, the Tech Priests would craft weapons and amour unpeered as tribute. As a result, Sil Ran bore the lightest and yet most efficient armour of all his vassals. But what truly cemented his rule was his own personal weapon of choice. The Messorem, the Talon of Pain. Crafting the iron alone took the skill of all the Tech Priests, putting it together was another task entirety. It was made to fit on one hoof, made personally for Sil Ran’s own. Within its construction were a number of sensitive pressure plates that responded to the smallest movement of his hoof. The Talon bore on it five razor sharp claws in the likeness of a dragons own. Each blade was opposable and would move as an extended limb. While it may be heavy and a little cumbersome in battle, it stood as an icon of Sil Ran’s rule. As his troops watched him tear his foes to shreds with it they learned to fear its presence. One swing could flay the skin off a pony’s flesh, hack bone into meal. It was a deadly tool in Sil Ran’s hooves.

Azzal on the other hoof was not so fortunate, bearing little in the way of gifts from the Tech Priests. He carried his Basilisk Dagger and a Tempered Iron Skirmisher but little else. It mattered little for Azzal did not lower himself to combat very frequently. That was not to say he could not fight, he was a brilliant fighter, but that does not give you an excuse to charge in like a barbarian.

The camp was slow to wake, the sun taking little head to let them sleep in. But as the captains awoke they ordered the troops to make themselves busy. Azzal on the other hoof and been summoned to the war tent along with the other generals to discuss the opening moves. Obviously he had a plan worked out in his head; it was simply whether or not he could slide it by Sil Ran with little notice.

Within Sil Ran’s tent were laid a variety or scrolls and weapons, the only clear space surrounding the table in the centre. The generals had all gathered around but did not speak a word to each other, none having caught sight of Lord Sil Ran yet. It was strange not to see him cooped up in his little corner which did leave Azzal to wonder why.

Suddenly from behind them entered the lord himself, his usual mighty posture slumped and his eyes weighed heavy. It was obvious he had difficulty finding sleep overnight. Indeed, the lord had refused to fall asleep until he was sure that only the watch were still awake. This being away from home was starting to gnaw at his fragile mind, his usual mighty self replace with the shell of a stallion.

“Pardon me from my absence; I just needed some time to stretch my legs. Let’s just get on with what we are all here for.” Sil Ran walked in and rested against the war table, his eyes quickly pouring over the maps before speaking again. “Dellas, tell them your plan off attack if you please.”

Har Dellas, second general and right hand to Sil Ran. A renowned fighter, and a capable tactician. Across his body was an intricate set of lightweight armour, covered in his robes. He stood a head taller than Azzal, being an Earth Pony, but lacked the bulk carried by Sil Ran.

“My lord. As you all know Canterlot is well situated and supplied, able to hold itself for weeks if necessary. This is why I have planned to draw them from hiding and bring them out from the city. If we choose to divert our attacks to nearby towns and villages, such as Ponyville, we can force them to come to us on open ground.”

Nods of agreement were handed around the table until it reached Azzal. He gave a rather sarcastic nod to the general before speaking. “Your strategy is commendable, Dellas, there is one flaw in your plan. IF we are to strike our foe we must lay a decisive strike, one that will give them no time to prepare or react properly. If we attack the surrounding towns then we have given them time to ready themselves and fight us on their own terms. This is what I propose, send our force at the city, bring down the gates by means of our mages, and then drive them into their own city. By slow advance we can slowly push them back into the palace, the skill of our troops mastering theirs. Meanwhile we shall send our pegasi auxiliaries through the mountain, taking them off guard. We cut off all roads and railways and stop anypony attempting to enter the city or escape. Strike the heart and the body will fall. If we kill the princess who lies in the tower above the city then total victory is ours for the taking. All of Equestria will be yours, Sil Ran, yours to turn into a new empire.”

“Azzal, calm yourself.” Dellas spoke up at the advisors words. “This is no place to be charging in without thought or reason.”

“A decisive strike will end this war before they have realised it has begun. We cannot risk the citied of Equestria uniting under one banner. They will slaughter us before we have a chance to play our hand.”

“And you propose we engage them in their own city, surrounded by fortifications?!”

“Do not question my reasoning!”

“Silence, the pair of you!” Sil Ran spoke up from the bickering stallions. “I have enough of a headache as it is without you two at each other’s throats. Onto the matter at hoof, we are well supplied and well equipped thanks to the Tech Priests. We have the means of holding Canterlot to quick and brutal siege. Soon I shall be in control of the city, soon I shall rule them and their princess shall fall. Azzal, I do not trust your motives, but your tactics are sound. We shall prepare for war and be ready by nightfall.”

“My lord, you cannot endorse such rash acts. Surely you must see that-“

“Our lord has spoken, general. You would do your best to follow what he says.” He gave him a smug smile, earning a rather harsh scowl that said ‘you win this time, bastard’.

“Now all of you, be gone for now. Go get ready or something, I don’t care.” Sil Ran waved off his generals with his out stretched hoof. “And Azzal, keep out of trouble.”

“As you wish…  my lord.”

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