The old man hobbled down the road...

Pelias, fighting with great valour on the extreme left flank saw the danger of this, and yelled to Aurelius "Aurelius! We must win this battle quickly, the men are beginning to tire, and some of them are losing their drive to win! We must end this NOW!"

Aurelius heard Pelias’ cry amidst the clangour of battle, perched on a high stone and picking off the enemy with the might of his yew bow. Whistles could be heard singing through the air as his infallible arrows brought down the enemies in droves. He closed his weary eyes, Yes, this has to be done or the men will have fallen unnecessarily thought Aurelius, and murmuring another incantation, an aura spread and glowed around his body, he slung the great bow over his shoulder and stood tall to invoke a spell.

Floating above the troops, Aurelius thrust the staff forwards and his glowing form was a spectacle to all the troops, who stopped momentarily just to stare at this wonder. Eyes registering the breach from where the innumerable reserves were flowing out from, his resonant voice could be heard by all the troops, issuing a plea to the land…

Water, water that flows and nourishes this land

I plead for thy assistance in thine strongest form

Freeze and become ice, ice that would stand

Against battery and onslaughts, against even the gales and tempests of storms

May thou stand where thee is sent for all eternity,

Until thy aid be dismissed, I thank thee dearly for thine aid…

All the warriors heard churning of water, and with amazement-filled eyes they watched above them, astounded by the sight.

The torrential river that this fortress used for its water supply churned and a pillar of water rose from the surface and lifted itself from the main body, gliding high above the fighting, it churned and mixed violently, finally transforming into a flat sheet of water. This sheet followed the direction of Aurelius’ staff, encasing the fortress and all its inhabitants as a seal of water. This eventually froze, and a heavy, impenetrable chunk of ice formed a barrier around the entire fortress, barricading all the reserves inside, forming an effective siege weapon.

The commander leading the forces against Aurelius, named Polorium, a giant of a man with incredible strength, fought viciously, striking out left and right and downing a few of Aurelius’ men, but seeing what had become of his city, he urged his men on, with a roar what was heard over the din of battle. "Troops! We must fight now! Charge! Slaughter them all! The Great King must not be failed in this defense! Follow Me! CHARGE, MEN!!"

Polorium hurled himself into the thick of the fighting, bringing what portion of the reserves he had with him, in a crushing, dominating charge that was animated by their will to impress their king. The tremendous initial clash between the two front lines of the armies pushed Aurelius’ men back, because they simply could not withstand the might of the giant Polorium and his front guard, advancing forward as a massive wall of shields that forced everything out of its path.

Aurelius saw the danger, and let loose a deafening war cry, charging forwards without precaution, without constraint, fighting like an enraged lion and giving his men heart, fighting furiously to force the enemy back and maintain a better position to assault the enemy ranks.

Swinging his shield, sword and staff around in a frenzy, Aurelius sowed fear among Meilo’s army, taking out anyone who came within striking distance, his sword cleaving man and horse and shields alike.

Polorium watched the relentless assault of the enemy, a fistful of men lead by such a courageous leader, his men helpless to prevent those blows so expertly guided by a well-experienced hand.