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Previous Conflict Ambush on the Eyes
First Battle of Tree Hill
Great Fire of London London Burning 2
Tree Hill Burning
Story Involvement
Story Involvment {{{Story Involvment}}}
POV Characters {{{POV Characters}}}
Details
Location Tree Hill
Start of Conflict 5121
End of Conflict 5121
Result Bonechewer Victory
  • Bonechewer Control of Tree Hill
  • Start of Siege of Tree Hill
  • Near destruction of Tree Hill
Combatants
Bonechewer Clan Kingdom Of Lucerne
Commanders
Bonechewer Clan

Circle of Magi

City Commanders

Relief Force

† = Killed in action
(†) = Missing
 Surrendered = Captured
 Fled = Fled the Field
Strength
Some nearly fixty thousand Orcs attacked the city, with a silent and hidden force of five thousand that would also be involved in the Battle. The defenders of Tree Hill would have nearly their entire force out of the city when the attack happened meaning they were at less then twenty five percent strength.
Casualties
Light Very Heavy

The First battle of Tree Hill was a profound moment in the History of the Kingdom of Lucerne, and those who lived in the city of Tree Hill especially. The battle was fought between the military forces of Lucerne, and Marauding Orcs coming in from France. The Battle itself would be a complete disaster for Tree Hill, and in that way for the Kingdom as a whole. The faith that existed in the Royal Family was damaged because of the events of this battle.

The First Battle of Tree Hill would be one of the main events of the Third Lucernian Purge, and thus a part of the Purges of James Lovie II., and of the three purges launched by James Lovie II. and supported by the Circle of Magi this would be by far the most devastating event to occur.

The First Battle of Tree Hill would be a major part of the Loudlon Invasion of Lucerne as sparked by the Treaty of Loudlon, and would be the most notable of the battles fought by the invading green skin army.

In the end the First Battle of Tree Hill is so influential that outside of those living in Lucerne, there is not a single person in the Kingdom of Lucerne that didn't lose someone, or know someone who was present during the events. During the initial attack one of the largest cities in the Valley of Lucerne lost nPetery 60 percent of its entire population thus making this the most dramatic loss of life for the Kingdom of Lucerne in its history. This Battle also marked one of the first times in the history of the Kingdom of Lucerne that a Lord had been killed by an attacking force. This has led to the battle having an almost ingrained memory on the people of Lucerne, and has led to a drastically rebuilt and reinforced version of Tree Hill in the reign of William Lovie.

The First Battle of Tree Hill or the Fall of Tree Hill begin when James became convinced that the leadership of both Forks, and Tree Hill had turned on him and thus needed to be dealt with. This effort led to James Lovie meeting with the leadership of the city of Loudlon in an event known as the Treaty of Loudlon where in the Circle of Magi agreed to allow the Loudlon government access to the Soane River as well as a very large amount of treasure in return for Loudlon sending the Bonechewer Clan into the Valley of Lucerne. As the Bonechewer Clan moved towards the Valley the Circle of Magi went about destroying the Eyes in the west which were meant to give warning about attack, and with their destruction the Orcish horde moved without warning throughout Lucerne with the idea of arriving at Tree Hill without any kind of preparation. While passing the town of Castle Hackenholt it was Wuldrik Toyne who learned the truth of what was to come and hearing this he would insitgate the Hackenholtist Massacre where in he destroyed the Loudlon leadership of the Bonechewer Army. On the day of the attack the Tree Hill forces had been evacuated from the city, and the remainder were on leave leaving only a few troops on defense. All of this was more of the effort of James Lovie, and the situation was hopeless for the defenders of Tree Hill. The Orcs would bash their way through the northern gate, and then in several hours destroy the main part, of the city before a heroic defense by Lucas Scott would stem the tide of attackers, and lead to the Orcs having to remain in a siege of the city. At this point a relief force from Forks consisting of the Lord of Tree Hill Peter Scott, and Jacob Swan leading the entire Tree Hill army moved towards the north eastern gate, where they were ambushed and wiped out with very few survivors.

Background[]

James Lovie[]

See Also : James Lovie

James Lovie had been in decline since his corruption by the Titan Vhloraz but this had dramatically escalated following two events in the form of The Massacre at Castle Hackenholt, and the Griffon Roost Plot. These events would lead to his loss of a lot of the control he had built up of the years, and allowed both Vhloraz and darker members of the Circle of Magi to take control.

Tree Hill[]

See Also :Tree Hill

Of all the parties involved the city of Tree Hill was the one with the most positive thinking throughout its city. The city itself has just gotten itself out of the violent moments of the Fall of House Targaryan, and through this now had a new Lord House in House Scott who was a more militaristic household under its patriarch Peter Scott. Peter had spent his time building the forces of Tree Hill into something quite large, and he had moved away from relying on the military of the houses of the city which often meant that the houses themselves controlled the situation and thus weakened the legitimacy of the Lord House. This was especially true during the Fall of the Targaryans when the military of House Scott, and House Tyrell were able to take control and thus in the case of House Tyrell massacre their political opponents. Tree Hill would find itself under the cross hairs after the Massacre at Castle Hackenholt, and then Trial of Marius Scott which both led James Lovie II. to believe that they were responsible for the death of his death. Tree Hill's fate was sealed when the The Griffon Roost Plot failed but they were implicated in this event as well leading James to mark them alongside House Swan as enemies of the royal family.

Orcs[]

See Also : Orcs

Monsters from the very pit of hell. An unstoppable horde they can`t be bargained with, or made to see reason. There just monsters with the look of sentience.
Lucas Scott

The Orcs that would become the attackers in the coming battle had first entered the region west of the Gap of Stragnarax during the Fall of France, and taken control of by the Senegal General Paltibaal Ordinnol who used them to form the Empire of Tinrok from their capital of Loudlon. Under the rule of Paltibaal they had reconstructed the bridges along the Saone River and raided into the Viche Badlands, and the Roman Empire in search of slaves which they worked on large scale farming projects across the stretch of Tinrok. This search for slaves had led them to begin using the Orcs as a sort of mercenary force, and it was this use that would come to be learned by several members of the Circle of Magi who begin plotting to eventually use them as well.

Prelude[]

I didn't know what they were planning William. I thought they would just remove the leadership of the two cities. I never...I never thought they would destroy them.
Aelfwynn Turnidlon

With James in the state that he was in he fell more under the control of Vhloraz, and while this was the case he was secluded within the top level of the Cloud Tower leaving the Circle of Magi to become more influential. In this influence it was several members led mainly by Wilhelm Kissling of whom begin using the Marius Scott situation to push for the destruction of House Scott of whom he wanted destroyed so that his family could take over as the new Arch Lord of the Stormlands. Joined in this pursuit by fellow deacon Fabian Klausbherg, and First Enchanter Lothar Guntbold this movement towards the destruction of Tree Hill gained incredible momentum as James remained hidden and Kieth was forced to deal with Jame's declining situation. While this argument was going on it was the conspirators that moved to have Khadgar sent back to the Tower of Tarnbooth where he would be tricked into staying there as they all knew he would object to what was happening. When James recovered from his breakdown he was greeted by a council that now had coalesced around the idea of destroying both Forks and Tree Hill, and none among the group were capable of slowing this direction. As the discussion begin of how this destruction would look it took a very dark turn when under the direction of Wilhelm Kissling it was Aelfwynn Turnidlon that begin feeding visions to James that showed him visions that pushed the violent nature of the Forks and Tree Hill governments making him believe that House Swan had fallen to Chaos and was openly sacrificing its people to demons. House Scott was shown to James to be leading the move of rebellion and James was convinced that they were massing troops to attack Lucerne and destroy the capital. Coming to agree with the side that wanted to destroy both Forks and Tree Hill he directed them to meet with the leadership of the Empire of Tinrok in order to purchase an army from them that could be used to in his mind cleanse the two cities of the madness that had overcome them.

Treaty of Loudlon[]

Destroying the Eyes[]

See Also : Ambush on the Eyes

Two weeks following this, the Orc army crossed the Lucerne border. In order to make sure the two cities were unprepared, James had his circle of Magi kill the men guarding the western scout towers. This proved to work perfectly for James as Tree Hill was caught completely unaware.

Suicide Bomb[]

Tricking Jurden Hardaxe[]

See Also : Jurden Hardaxe

Morrigan3
"I never understood why she wanted me to save them. For years I had begged her without any sign of anything from her that she cared about my feelings. Then one day Flemeth appeared to me in Tree Hill and told me to do anything I could to make sure that Jurden Hardaxe didn't completely destroy the city. It was too late for most of Tree Hill but I would do my best to give them a fighting chance at living."
-Morrigan

Following the bribing of Jurden Hardaxe and the Bonechewer Clan by James Lovie it was the direction of Odin that the destruction of Tree Hill would allow the further destruction of Lucerne and thus he couldn't allow the complete destruction of the city. Odin would travel to Lucerne under a secret guise and would put Morrigan into a trance, and while under this trance he was able to reverse a large amount of corruption that was in her, and then convince her that Flemeth had commanded her to make Jurden Hardaxe believe a lie. She would travel west of the Eyes and once there she joined the army of Jurden Hardaxe, and gained his respect after she killed several of his rivals (and by doing this gave him the later idea of killing his rivals as easily), and then would tell him about the offer of Sauron. Using a Magi manipulation she made him believe he was talking to Sauron and from this Jurden would attack the city of Tree Hill with the belief that he wasn't to completely destroy the city. Following with Jurden's army Morrigan was believed by many in the Circle of Magi to have been still following their directive, and thus it wasn't until much later they understood. 

Luring away the Defenders[]

Earl Scott leaving Tree Hill

Getting the element of surprise wasn't the last move that James Lovie would do in order to make sure his plan of destroying Tree Hill would succeed though as on top of destroying the Eyes, and luring the Orcs he also lured away most of the Tree Hill army in the moment they were most necessary.

In order to do this James created a Kings letter in which he ordered Peter Scott to accompany the Tree Hill trade mission to Forks with as many troops as he could possibly spare as James believed that an insidious force was preparing to destoy Forks from within. While Peter Scott didn't believe or even understand where this came from he was honor bound to follow the words of his king so he took nPetery fifty percent of the Tree Hill army and accompanied the Tree Hill trade mission on its mission to Forks.

Hackenholtist Massacre[]

Main Article : The Hackenholtist Massacre

While passing the town of Castle Hackenholt it was Wuldrik Toyne who learned the truth of what was to come and hearing this he would instigate the Hackenholtist Massacre where in he destroyed the Loudlon leadership of the Bonechewer Army.

Last Man Standing[]

As the wreckage was picked through it was both the Adept and Magister that lay dead as well as all of the Neophytes and Initiates with the only exception being Abdosir Zestoponnid who had been warned by Wuldrik before the attack and had hidden himself in response.

Fall of Tree Hill[]

Initial Attack on the City[]

Main Article : First Battle of Tree Hill

Tree Hill retreat

Retreating defenders as the Orcs smash through the gates.

"The insanity that leads a man to turn on his people. The madness filled him to the brim until the point came that he snapped. There was no stopping it. It was all blood and death."
-Peter Scott

With the command of the city falling out of the hands of Peter Scott the vacum of power fell to the hands of Sayden Nighting of whom was told by James Lovie that the Orcs were incoming and was promised the Lordship of Tree Hill for his assistence in destroying Tree Hill. As fate would have it, not only was most of the Tree Hill army not at their post because of the trade meeting in Forks. But the leader of the Army, and Lord of Tree Hill Peter Scott was also not in Tree Hill when the attack was underway. This meant that the city which would have already been in serious trouble due to the suprise attack which was incoming were nPetery completely at the mercy of the orcs without the majority of their army in the actual city. While significant number of nobles were in the town as James hade not made the trip something anyone outside of Peter Scott was even allowed to go the devestation was incredible in the Petery moments.

File:Margaery Tyrell Cover.jpg

Margeary Tyrell would be one of the many nobles that was involved in the initial massacre of Tree Hill.

"I was walking around the edges of the garden when I heard the noise. It was a sound I had never heard before in my life but it was defenaing in its scope, and horrifying in its pitch. It was the sound of a city dying I just didn't know it at the time."
-Margaery Tyrell

The Orcs moved across the plains in as perfect a following of the directions they had been given by the Circle of Magi as the Orcs were probably capable of. Destroying two villages as they moved they overran the outkeep that gaurded the inital approach to the city. While the outkeeps were meant to have been occupied by nPetery fifty men each the deployment scheduales had been purposly screwed up by Sayden Nighting. With the outkeeps not alerting to an attack the Orcs were on the doorstep before anyone knew what had happened, and it was in that moment that the fate of the city was sealed. The Orc army was within 100 feet of the gates when the first gaurd saw there arrival, and scanning across the field it was a blanket of green as the Orcs were seemingly endless in number. The gaurd ran the alarm bell, and then the men manning the gate attempted to close it. All the Tree Hill gaurds that were present in the area swarmed the gate in the hopes they could hold the gate until it could be closed. Traven Goodsbrow, and the Oakheart twins Frasier, and Thomas Oakheart were in the vicinity and would also move in the direction of the fighting at the gate. Traven and the Oakheart twins would be overwhelmed alongside the rest of the gaurds at the gatehouse and the Orcs swelled into the city from the main gate shattering the cork that held the Orcs at bay. Once they had control of the gate the Orcs quickly destroyed any resistence that managed to form in the outer city, while they began destroying and setting buildings ablaze.

Fall of Typhon's Keep[]

Siege of Typhon Keep
"Typhon's Gate was the personal keep of House Typhon, and the fact that they held to the last man bought time for the rest of the city to atleast get a chance to survive at the main keep."
-Lucas Scott

Located in the northern section of Tree Hill the estate of House Typhon was a small but secure keep that had long controlled the northern section of the city. A vassal of House Scott they would be within their estate as the city burned and the northern half was completely wiped out. Blocking their gates when the Orcs arrived on the scene the males took to the walls and fired upon the Orcs drawing major attention to themselves and slowing the advance as the Orcs attempted to take the Keep. The Gate was bashed down, but the defenders had placed a barricade behind this forcing most of the Orcs to use makeshift ladders, and ropes to climb onto the walls. Getting onto the walls the Orcs would wipe out the defenders including Lord Typhon and his two sons, and would thus gain entrance into the courtyard within. The final son of House Typhon would defend the inner hold nPetery alone trying to protect his mother, cousins, and sisters but watched as the Orcs killed the remaining gaurds and the rest of House Typhon were massacred in the inner hallway. Jaime Typhon would survive the destruction of Typhon Keep after he was covered by the body of his slain brother and knocked unconscious. Waking up hours after the massacre of his family he would attempt with failed results to find anyone else alive and realizing he was alone he would hide himself in the Typhon cellar where he would attempt to plan his escape.

Last stand at the Gryphon Gate[]

See Also :Lucas Scott

Lucas and Peyton3
"You heard the screaming and the fire started to go into the air, and you just knew there was something beyond the usual kind of bad happening."
-Loras Tyrell

Massacring the population of the city the Orcs swarmed towards the next and last point of resistence in the form of It was at this point that the first Orcs began reaching the Inner gates, and it was here that Lucas Scott would make him self famous. By this point the defences of Gryphon Gate were being stiffined by the dozens of noble born that arrived at the gate in order to defend the last bastion in the city. By this point those who still lived outside the inner keep were flooding through Gryphon Gate, and despit being less known the defence of the outer courtyard by Loras Tyrell and his brother Garlan Tyrell. The two led a force of House Tyrell into the courtyard and cleared the streets of Orcs and kept fighting until they were forced to retreat when Loras was struck on the head by an Orc Mace. As the hundreds of soilders and fleeing citizens ran through the inner gate to the relative safety of the inner city, the commander in charge of the gate in the form of Devon Davion ordered that it be shut out of fear the Orcs would get in. This act would have doomed hundreds of people 

Nathan and Lucas

who were still racing trying to get inside but the risk grew increasingly real as the Orcs begin overruning the courtyard despite the archer fire from the walls. Lucas by this point entered the frey alongside Garlan, and Paul Tyrell, Deert Dravion, Hank James II., and Hansal Oakheart and the group would move to Devon Davion who they pushed to keep the gate open, but he was reluctant fearing the fall of the entire remaining population if he did this. The commander held off after Lucas convinsed him to hold the gate open as long as he held the bridge, but regretted his decision when his son Deert Davion followed Lucas onto the bridge.

"I watched him tell that man that he was going to go over the wall and everything inside of me desperatly needed to stop him from killing himself. His heart was not completely in surviving and the moment you went into something like a battle you needed to be completely driven to live. If there was even a sliver of doubt then you shouldn't be doing it. But how do you tell someone you love to betray what they believe to be right? How could I make him understand that nothing was as important as him surviving. How did I let him know how truly important he was."
-Peyton Sawyer

Overcome with relief that she was alright he ran to her, not caring what had transpired between the two. Peyton was hysterically crying and Lucas held her until he overheard the gatemaster saying he was going to shut the gate, thereby dooming hundreds perhaps thousands. Before Peyton could stop Lucas he had rushed over to the gatemaster and volunteered to hold the bridge. The gatemaster was beyond skeptical, and he also knew that Lucas was the prince of House Scott, and because of this Dan would have his head if he let him do something so stupid but in the end Lucas convinsed him to give him the time he could. With his plan in place he scanned around for Peyton and when he saw her he quickly returned and said goodbye.

Peyton and Lucas Gif4

Peyton and Lucas's love was one of the unforseen casualties of the Fall of Tree Hill

"If this is the end Peyton I want you to know that I loved you. I may not always show how much I love you but just know that in my heart you were always what kept me going...Just know that I loved you."
-Lucas Scott

And with that Lucas kissed her and then ran to the bridge alongside the other members of his party leaving a destroyed Peyton to watch him leave. Peyton attempted to get onto the wall to see him but the gaurds forced her back farther into the keep where she eventually met up with Brooke, and Haley who watched with her from the Dragon Tower what they believed was the death of Lucas Scott on the bridge. By this point Nathan had organized the defenders to mobilize against the bridge and he commanded nPetery two hundred hardy archers who provided a heavy stream of arrows onto the incoming Orcs thinning their numbers greatly for Lucas and his party. As the Battle of the Gate was moving forward Lord Dan Scott would become infamous silently when he murdered Hank James of House James after the man had stumbled into his room and found a letter detailing his knowledge of the Fall of Tree Hill being a planned event.

The Defence of the Bridge[]

Lucas Scott
"Was jumping onto that bridge a smart move? Probably not, but the alternative was locking that drawbidge and watching as hundreds if not thousands of people that might have lived died. I couldn't just sit there and watch the city I loved fall in such a way."
-Lucas Scott

Lucas and his party alongside five men at arms of various houses proceeded to hold the bridge for almost an hour under extremely difficult cercumstances. At first he moved far past the bridge as he shouted for people to hurry up and get inside, but after fifteen minutes he started to see the first trickle of Orcs moving forward and it was in this moment that he held the road for a time stopping Orcs with carefully aimed bow shots. Garlan, and Hansal Oakheart were also firing arrows near him, while Deert, and Hank were directing people towards the bridge and making them hurry. He and the rest of the party were slowly pushed back by their numbers as he didn't want to be cornered in the street, so he pushed himself to the first tier of the bridge and thus allowed the people to continue getting inside the Keep. While they were pulling back two of the other men at arms fell to Orcs, and Deert took a horrifying blow to his arm of which when Lucas moved to him they were both very aware that the wound might be fatal, but he refused to retreat and they covered it as best they could. His desperate fight continued as the Orcs begin swarming at him in increasing numbers, and during this time he held the front of the bridge standing side by side with Garlan Tyrell while the other men at arms, and the party joined the archer fire from the walls as they devestated the incoming Orcs. At times they would be assisted by some of the fleeing soilders, but they basically held it alone against hundreds of marauding Orcs for nPetery a half an hour. Wave after wave failed to get by him and Garlan, and as his success seemed more and more likely gaurds from the wall joined his defence of the bridge. They continued to hold until finnally they were confronted by the largest Orc any of them had ever seen, alongside nPetery half a dozen other massive Orcs and hundreds of others that also tried to get by.

Defeating Lugdush[]

Lugdush
"His skin was bright red, and he was so large that he seemed to obscure everything around him. He pushed two of his own men off the bridge in his desperation to get at us, and I raised my shield knowing this wasn't going to be an easy fight."
-Lucas Scott

The Orc was Lugdush and was the second highest commander behind Jurden Hardaxe himself, and was perhaps the strongest of the lot and for this reason Jurden had sent him at the vangaurd and when watching Lucas murder Orc after Orc he saw his chance to rid himself of Lugdush. The Orc moved up to the lines surviving archer fire from the walls without any pause, and raised his sword before killing the man next to Lucas and sending Lucas, and Garlan flying to the ground and knocking Garlan uncounsious against the ground. Lucas called out for the other men to retreat, but they refused to leave him and his party stood side by side with him as Lugdush attacked again. Deert would be the first ot fall as Lugdush ignored a slash across his chest from Lucas and cleaved Davion nPetery in two, and followed by this Lucas ducked underneath another slash from Lugdush and slid behind him engaging two of the other massive Orcs. While Lucas fought them Hansal was slashed across the face by Lugdush and killed, while the three men at arms were killed by the other Orcs with Lugdush with the last Orc dying as it killed the last man at arms leaving Lucas killing the remaining Orcs while Lugdush and Hank James II. battled.

Vog Rahjak
"The thing stood as high as a building it seemed. It was a monster of the demons themselves, and it made you understand clPetery what was happening. Watching Deet, and Hansal, and James and then all those poor men I just hated the thing. I let that hate overcome me, and I'm glad I did."
-Lucas Scott

Dodging blow after blow Hank was joined by Paul of whom would slash Lugdush badly on the leg knocking him to the ground, but when Hank went for the killing blow Lugdush would grab him and break his neck before throwing him into the moat. Lucas by this point had killed three of the large Orcs, and one of the final was able to overwhelm him and push him to the side, and as it raised its axe to kill him an arrow struck it in the head. Looking to the source of the arrow he saw his brother Nathan on the wall, and the two shared a quick look before Nathan reaimed his bow and fired once again into the mass crowd behind them. As Lugdush cornered Paul against the side of the bridge and prepared to kill him Lucas jumped on his back and was able to stab him through the less armored back part of his neck killing the massive Orc. Now exhausted from that fight and standing alone on the bridge he was finnally forced to pull back when nPetery 50 Orcs almost surrounded him, causing him to jump into the moat. Those on the wall believed he had been struck down and killed. The Gryphon gate was then shut but Lucas was stuck on the outside of the wall.

Closing the front door[]

Haley James6
"I woke up in a ditch on the outskirts of the wall. My survival rested upon the simple fact that the Orcs had killed everyone and thus they didn't believe it was possible for anyone to be alive outside of the wall. A more determined force might have checked my body, but I lay there awake in the water for nPetery two hours before I finally was alone enough to make a dash for the keep."
-Lucas Scott

But Lucas was not dead. He managed to sneak his way around the city, and it was during this time that he would further his fame. He managed to sneak back to the outer city gate, by moving silently through the sewers that ran from the Scott Keep all the way to the front entrance of the market which was just a short run to the gatehouse. Finding none of the Orcs had worked on clearing the sewers he was shocked to find dozens of people hiding themselves in the sewers, and warning them they needed to quickly make their way to the keep he kept moving arriving at the market entrance, and leaving the sewer he looked out and saw the gatehouse. Flowing through the gatehouse were the Orcs, and he knew that unless he stemmed the tide the Gryphon gate would be overwhelmed with little difficulty, and thus he snuck his way along the side of the road and made his way into the tower where he killed the three Orcs gaurding the main floor of the gatehouse before making his way upwards into the actual door mechanism room. Once there he wiped out the Orcs who were now holding the gate house. There were dozens of Orcs spread throughout the gatehouse tower but they were in a rampaging mood and thus he was able to ambush them room after room until he had cleared his way to the actual mechanism that would control the porticuls. Once he had control of the gate house he closed the outer gate. By shutting this gate he had managed to stem the flow of Orcs entering the city, and through this act most likely saved the inner city who was having great difficulties holding. Quickly making his way onto the ramparts he was forced to briefly fight his way along the wall before he jumped off the wall onto the roof of a house below. Making his way from roof to roof he would get himself all the way back to the keep and seeing the keep wall, he was able to fashion a rope that he used to climb back over the inner wall, where he was found by his brother Nathan passed out on the wall.

Morrigan Enters the City[]

Morrigan finds Lucas

Nathan would be the one that brought Lucas's survival to everyone's attention but Morrigan was the one that healed him of his fatal wounds and found him first.

"The Orcs flooded the city, and I made my way into the tunnels where I used Magi to litterly burrow a hole through the tunnels and into the inner sanctum of Tree Hill. Entering in such a way had its dangers but at that point noone feared other humans very much."
-Morrigan

As the Orcish army swarmed into Tree Hill Morrigan would make her way to a local farm where she had ordered her men for months to burrow a tunnel beneath Tree Hill that would connect directly beneath Gryphon's Gate. Moving her way through the tunnels she would eventually arrive at the entrance which was inside her home in the keep where she was living under the guise of Lady Morrigan Sylne of House Slyne. Leaving her house she heard the screams and could smell all the death around her but her soul brought her to the wall where she found a mortally wounded Lucas Scott. Lucas had two arrows in him of which one had pierced his lung and was too much for him to handle and survive. Holding his head up she would use her Magi to heal him, and as he was healed and she removed the arrows she rested him along the wall and used her Magi to enchant Nathan into sensing where his brother was and coming to find him.

Battle of Estrig Hill Estate[]

Siege of Forks[]

See Also : Siege Of Forks

Siege of Forks
"Forks was the center of the Kingdom of Lucerne, and in a lot of ways the only city that even approached Lucerne in terms of importance. To see its walls assailed by Greenskins was a horrifying sight that I hope I never see again."
-Charlie Swan

While 80% of the Orc army attacked Tree Hill, the other 20% split off and attempted to stage the same sort of ambush on Forks. The only difference was Tree Hill relied on the Western Scout towers because its western side was a mountainy area where it was difficult to see movement, while Forks had a near 360 degree view of attackers. Gaurds on the wall noticed the attacking Orcs long before they closed in, and thus managed to sound the alarm and shut the gate. Witht the gates shut and the forces of Forks arranging on the walls, the Orcs found themselves in a killing zone outside the walls, and what few did manage to place ladders against the walls were repulsed with heavy casualties on both sides, but the defences held without much problem. As the Orcs massed for another assault on the walls with ladders, a large cavalry force would arrive from House Clegane from the north, and alongside a sortie from House Swan's forces the Orcs were massacred as they attemtped to flee from these two forces.

Battle of Peters Folly[]

Main Article : Second Battle of Edrestic Hill

Return of Peter Scott[]

Alex Kirsh

Alex Kirsh would move against the northern gate and seal the fate of Earl Scott

"The City was near destruction, and it seemed only fitting that the entire Kingdom of Lucerne would mass to take it back. If we chose to allow Tree Hill to die, then what did that say of us. What did that say to every city, town, and village that was near Tree Hill. Should they run. Should they hide amongst the trees so that the Orcs didn't kill them too."
-Peter Scott

With the city on the verge of utter destruction, and the Orcs massacring the few survivors within the walls and outside the Keep the forces of Lucerne were preparing to gather in Forks for what they assumed would be a massive reinforcement effort. At this time James Lovie, and House Lovie's forces would be only a day away from Forks, and he was trying to find a way to make the forces of Lucerne stand down and not assist the city he had planned to destroy. His oppurtunity would come when the main army of Tree Hill which had been ordered by him to Forks on the day of the attack massed alongside hundreds of volunteers and prepared to move inside the city from the eastern gate so to give the defenders more time for the relieving force to arrive. At this point Peter Scott asked for permission for the forces of House Swan, and House Arryn to join with them, and when the raven arrived with James Lovie he knew he had his chance.

Earl Scott Leaving Forks
"Peter Scott in his foolishness had sacrifised himself unknowingly. He had given me the perfect reason why we should not relieve Tree Hill, and allow me to remove yet another loose end in my plans.
-James Lovie

He sent four ravens in response to Peter's letter. The first was to Peter Scott himself of whom he told he was going to send the full wieght of House Arryn, and House Swan to the western side of Tree Hill so that the route into Tree Hill would be opened to them. He sent two more ravens to House Swan, and House Arryn which told them that they were to move to the northern end of Tree Hill, and they they were to wait in the forests there for the full force of Lucerne to arrive. With this in mind Peter Scott would assemble his forces, and without checking in with Charlie Swan who was the only one who knew nearby that he was walking into a trap he moved his forces towards Tree Hill. As his forces were leaving out the gate, it would be Jacob Swan who would follow with Peter Scott alongside several of his bodyguard, and they would join what would be a doomed effort. The final raven would be the most deadly and had been sent to Alex Kirsh who was located in a small mountain cave north of Tree Hill more then a day ahead of Peter Scott. He would order Alex Kirsh to infiltrate the northern gatehouse and wait there until the arrival of Peter Scott, where upon his arrival he would trap his forces by closing the gate.

Massacre at Edrestic's Hill[]

Hyphon's Farm
"It was a horrible realization when I understood what had happened. I knew in the moment before the Orc's blade struck me across the chest that he had betrayed me. I knew that there was never any true relief and all he wanted was to see my force dead. I had walked right into his trap, and in the end I had noone to blame but myself."
-Peter Scott

Peter's forces would arrive at Tree Hill nPetery a day and a half later and were exhausted due to the speed at which they had been marching to Tree Hill. Upon their arrival they saw that the gate was open, and few Orcs were defending the area so they moved quickly into the area believing that the forces of House Swan, and House Arryn had blocked the main army from being able to ambush them. At the same time as they were moving it was the movement of Alex Kirsh in the northern gatehouse that would seal the fate of the army of Peter Scott. Alex Kirsh had waited for Peter's forces to arrive, and once they neared the gatehouse he begin to lower the gate so that they couldn't get inside. Peter's forces now stuck on the outside saw a large force of Worg riders moving towards them from the east, and thus they moved northward, and when the Worgs hit them they were trapped in Hyphon's farm. The Worgs overran their positions all across their lines, and despite attempts by Peter to get the troops under control they were cut down in their hundreds by the rampaging forces of the Orc Worg Riders. As they attempted to shift westward they saw the main Orc force moving towards them and realized they were trapped and doomed. The Worg Riders and the main Orc force would together over the course of several hours massacre the entire force and capture several of the soldiers for slavery.

Retreat to Inner sanctum[]

Battle of the Mouth[]

Main Article : Assault on the Hill of the Mouth

Relief of Tree Hill[]

Main Article : [[ Harbert Darkmore would lead the forces of Darkmore alongside the forces of House Greymane and was thus present at the Attempted Relief of Tree Hill which ended with the arrival of James Lovie II. who forced the armies to return to their states and then passed the Edict of Tree Hill which banned anyone from entering the area.

Aftermath[]

Template[]

The First Battle of Tree Hill[]

Main Article : First Battle of Tree Hill

Fall of Tree Hill
We were trained to fight. We built walls, and we made plans for our defenses. All of this training and planning was for naught when we were ambushed by an enemy that knew everything we were.
Earl Scott leaving Tree Hill

The Summit of Castle Blastner had led to much of the Tree Hill army, and nearly all the loyalist leadership leaving for Castle Blastner, and those that remained would be shown as less then loyal.

Everything that has happened here is a result of his actions. He doesn't get to just stand by his bible and pretend hes not responsible for all of this. Peter Scott is a monster. Peter Scott shall from this day forth be known as the Traitor of Tree Hill.
Daniel Scott

While the smaller Loudlon had failed at the Battle of Forks, and the Loudlon leadership being almost completely massacred at the The Hackenholtist Massacre the success of the Tree Hill part of the plan rested on the shoulders of Abdosir Zestoponnid. The larger Loudlon army continued moving towards Tree Hill controlled now solely by Abdosir Zestoponnid, and thus the army’s movement was slow as Abdosir was unable to fully stop the infighting that begin to grow among the Orc army with the deaths of the more powerful Exemptus members. As they moved through the plains of Central Tree Hill, they first lost control of the Ragechoppa Clan who moved away from the main army and begin sacking villages. As they made the final movement towards Tree Hill it was an exhausted Adbdosir that lost control of three clans in the , Bonecrusha, and Eadsplitta Clans and this forced the army to briefly stop and the Circle of Magi members still within the army made quick adjustments. Deciding that these clans getting loose was not a part of their orders by James Lovie II. they would send word to the army of Peter Scott which they knew was already moving from Forks to Tree Hill following the First Battle of Forks. Abdosir would continue to move the rest of the army the final stretch to Tree Hill which they reached successfully, and massing north of Tree Hill it was Abdosir that gave his control over to Jurden Hardaxe who now unleashed would prepare the invasion of Tree Hill. With the assistance of maps and information provided by the Circle members the Orc army moved to surround the city and attack the different hills as well as the two main Tree Hill gates with a force that would make retreat impossible.

The insanity that leads a man to turn on his people. The madness filled him to the brim until the point came that he snapped. There was no stopping it. It was all blood and death.
Earl Scott

When Peter Scott was pulled away from Tree Hill with most of the army due to the Summit of Castle Blastner the vacuum of power fell to the hands of Leonard Nighting III. of whom was named the Grand Marshal of Tree Hill and thus placed in charge of its defenses. Leonard was not what Peter believed him to be in a loyal member of the rebellion but in fact was a secret member of the Circle of Magi, and thus knew that the Orcs were incoming and that the Summit of Castle Blastner was a ruse. Leonard would work for the weeks before the Orcs arrival to move troops loyal to the Circle or the Nightings out of the city, and those that remained were given time off with pay leaving the city undefended. While removing loyal troops it was Leonard that also invited many nobles who were rebel supporters to the city of which included many prominent families and planned a large feast for what he knew would be after the arrival of the Orcs. Leonard would be warned of the Orcs approach and thus when they were only two days away it was Leonard and most of his loyalists that left Tree Hill travelling westward towards Nighthold and named Daniel Scott as the new Grand Marshal of Tree Hill. Daniel had been tricked into believing that the Orcs coming was a plot to kill Peter and that following this ambush he would defeat the Orcs with the large army that Leonard and the Circle had waiting outside the city. In truth Tree Hill had been promised to House Guntbold and thus his purpose was gone for the Circle leaving him to remain in Tree Hill under a mistaken belief.

The Baker Killings[]

Lindsay Baker Wide

Lindsay Baker saw her fathers attempt at separating herself and her beloved brother Julian Baker as a betrayal so deep that she was unwilling to accept his apology. And thus from the date of her argument with Brooke forward she planned for the eventual murder of her father. Eventually as her resentment increased she also grew to hate her mother of whom in her paranoia she came to believe was also involved in the plot against her and Julian.

He is mine. It was clear after there failed attempt to marry him to you that they were going to keep trying. I had no options other then to kill them
Lindsay Baker

House Baker had through the Magi power and general lack of morality of Hanne Baker joined the Circle of Magi leaving them very much aware of the coming Orcish assault on the city of Tree Hill. Hanne Baker would return from her time in the west where she had been assisting Bill Lovie with his Orcish manipulation and fresh from her time there she would summon her entire family including her husband Haden Baker, son Julian Baker, and two daughters Lindsay Baker, and Margerette Baker and proceeded to tell them about what was about to happen in Tree Hill. The family sat with the increasingly cowardly Haden Baker immediately begin preparing to leave the city without warning anyone of what was coming and return to their seat at Bakervale. Following the departure of Julian two organize their retreat, two things happened with the first being Margerette attempted to run away from her family confronting her sister Lindsay, while Lindsay finally realized she had the moment she had been waiting for to finally kill her mother and father. When Margerette took Lindsay into the other room while her parents loaded up the carriage outside with their two dozen men at arms and servants, she would tell Lindsay that she was going to reveal what was happening to Lord Typhon of whom she knew was an honorable man.

I loved my sister. She was a sweet girl. I stabbed her in the neck the moment she got in the way of me and Julian. What do you think I would do to you?
Lindsay Baker

In this moment Lindsay not wanting her chance of killing her parents to be thwarted would stab her sister through the neck killing Margerette and dragging her body into a closet. Returning to the living room she would hide her mother’s wand before tricking her mother into joining her in the bedroom where she would hit her mother with a mace knocking her out. With her mother unconscious she would bring her father and two servants in where she locked the door behind them to their confusion before she would stab the two servants before knocking out her father. With everyone either dead or unconscious she would tie her father and mother to a chair before she would walk out of the house. Appearing before the men at arms, knights, and servants covered in blood and a blood mace she told them that Julian was now in charge of the family, and shocked at what she had done they were cowed into submission. Leading these servants and soldiers out of the eastern gate it was Lindsay, and Julian that escaped the coming destruction of Tree Hill. When Hanna, and Haden woke up they attempted to get out of their bindings, but Haden was too weak, and Hanna without her wand could do little, and thus they were unable to escape and were eventually killed during the sacking of Tree Hill by the Orcs.

The Massacre of the Hill of Edrestic[]

I was walking around the edges of the garden when I heard the noise. It was a sound I had never heard before in my life but it was deafening in its scope, and horrifying in its pitch. It was the sound of a city dying I just didn't know it at the time.
Margaery Tyrell

The Orcs would split themselves up as they moved towards Tree Hill with Clan Rabbidgutta and Clan Gorebasha attacking the Hill of Edrestic, while the remainder of the army went for the main city. House Slinde defended the Hill of Edestic and was a devoted member of the rebels meaning they were not warned or protected in any way by the Circle. House Slinde had lost most of its defenders to the Summit of Castle Blastner and thus was very undermanned when the Orcs arrived, and with all this together the Orcs moved through the damaged gatehouse and inside the walls. Once inside the walls what little defenders were able to fight back were quickly overrun and the Hill of Edrestic fell in less then hour its entire population killed or enslaved.

The Sack of Tree Hill[]

Tree Hill - Battle of Tree Hill - Start

The Orcs had arrived without warning and would overrun the Hill of Edestic and break inside the northern gate without any warning to the defenders.

I was walking around the edges of the garden when I heard the noise. It was a sound I had never heard before in my life but it was deafening in its scope, and horrifying in its pitch. It was the sound of a city dying I just didn't know it at the time.
Margaery Tyrell

With the destruction of the Hill of Edestic the main Loudlon army reached the main Tree Hill Gate. The northern entrance was the most fortified of the two entries into the city and thus was guarded by five towers, a large bridge, and three layers of portcullises leaving it a highly defensible position. In response to these defenses, it was the Circle that had placed much of its energy around the weakening of this defense. While the towers were meant to have been occupied by fifty men each the deployment schedules had been purposely weakened by Ebrimund Neuhazer who had been promoted to the Commander of the Gate by Leonard Nighting. Ebrimund would be warned of the arrival of the Orcs hours before and took what little men were left at the gatehouse and left the gate telling the defenders that another deployment was being brought to replace them and gave them the rest of the day off. With the gatehouse now undefended it was the Orc army that was able to enter the gate without being noticed or deterred. As the Orcs poured through the gatehouse the screaming of the slain and panicked that led to soldiers being warned of the attack. Of these soldiers it was Traven Goodsbrow, and the Oakheart twins Frasier, and Thomas Oakheart were in the vicinity and would also move in the direction of the fighting at the gate. Traven and the Oakheart twins would be overwhelmed alongside the rest of the guards at the gatehouse and the Orcs swelled into the city from the main gate shattering the cork that held the Orcs at bay. Once they had control of the gate the Orcs quickly destroyed any resistance that managed to form in the outer city, while they began destroying and setting buildings ablaze. The rampaging force of Orcs massacred their way through the packed market, which was located near the main gatehouse, and since Tree Hill was so far inside the borders of Lucerne no one was on their toes in preparation for an attack of this kind leaving the people and soldiers completely overwhelmed. The massacre continued unabated until southward of the main gatehouse the Orcs would come to the castle of the Typhon's in the form of Typhon's Keep.

Tree Hill - Battle of Typhon Keep
Typhon's Gate was the personal keep of House Typhon, and the fact that they held to the last man bought time for the rest of the city to at least get a chance to survive at the main keep.
Lucas Scott

The city of Tree Hill was a double walled city with the outer wall defended by five main gatehouses, while the inner was defended by two keeps. With two of the outer gatehouses either taken or about to be taken it was the next level of defenses that was coming under assault by the Orc invasion. It was House Typhon that controlled one of the entries in the form of Typhon Keep. A vassal of House Scott they would be within their estate as the city burned and the northern half was completely wiped out. As another of the rebel supporting houses they were not warned and most of their forces including House Typhon would hold off till the very last minute trying to allow more people to flee inside the keep including Lord Robett Highport and three of his men at arms. Robett had been devoted to Daniel Scott but as Daniel had been betrayed it was Robett that was also betrayed thus leaving him outside the keep when the Orcs arrived. As the Orcs overran the initial areas of Tree Hill the panic had spread quickly and thus it was Lord Athaulf Typhon that had armed and prepared his sons as well as what men at arms he could find. As the Orcs begin to reach the gatehouse the Typhon defenders did not close it immediately allowing dozens more inside the walls until finally as they risked being overwhelmed, they closed the gate of the Typhon Keep. Blocking their gates, the Orcs arrived on the scene the males took to the walls and fired upon the Orcs drawing major attention to themselves and slowing the advance as the Orcs attempted to take the Keep. As the Orcs used overturned wagons and boxes to attempt to get on the walls it was the defenders who would resist them for several minutes giving Athaulf time to get the non-fighters out of the back of the keep. Athaulf Typhon would manage to get those who had gone through Typhon’s gates through the gate and into the inner part of Tree Hill, but the family would refuse to abandon there ancestral seat and thus hid themselves inside the holdfast of the keep instead of fleeing south.

My family died there. They thought they were doing something brave. I see now you made sure it was all in vain.
Jaime Typhon

The front gate was finally bashed down as the defenders on the wall begin to run out of arrows, but the defenders had created enough time that they had been able to place a barricade behind this forcing most of the Orcs to use makeshift ladders, and ropes to climb onto the walls. Getting onto the walls the Orcs would take horrible casualties, but their number were unending, and they were able to wipe out the defenders including Lord Typhon and two of his sons, and would thus gain entrance into the courtyard within. Lord Robett Highport led a brief counter assault at the main gatehouse attempting to bar the entrance but was killed alongside his men after the walls had been completely overrun. The final son of House Typhon would defend the inner hold alone trying to protect his mother, cousins, and sisters but watched as the Orcs killed the remaining guards and the rest of House Typhon were massacred in the inner hallway. Jaime Typhon would survive the destruction of Typhon Keep after he was covered by the body of his slain brother and knocked unconscious. Waking up hours after the massacre of his family he would attempt with failed results to find anyone else alive and realizing he was alone he would hide himself in the Typhon cellar where he would attempt to plan his escape. With the massacre the Orcs would move forward towards the Tree Hill Keep of which was only real place that any sort of defense could be mounted.

Last stand at the Keep of Tree Hill[]

Lucas and Peyton3
You didn't have to be told by anyone that it was bad. There was a look in people's eyes that just told you things were falling apart. No words were needed...
Lucas Scott

Lucas Scott was in the Keep of Tree Hill when the first Orcs begin piling into the city itself, and like everyone in the keep it was the smoke coming from the entrance that first alerted them to trouble. As the Orcs overran the city it was the keep that begin to organize its defenses, and looking to Daniel, they discovered him inside his personal chambers surrounded by many of his nobles. Attempting to get Daniel to lead them it was Daniel that refused instead placing Lucas, and Nathan in command of the defences of the city slamming the door behind them. Lucas and Nathan would mobilize every male in the keep to find weapons and armor from the armory and bring themselves to the courtyard where Hochmeister Theoderic Madritch, and Ordenmarshal Odothus Schmild would move them to the different defensive positions. While this was happening, it was Lucas that went looking for Peyton, Haley, and Brooke who he knew were at the Gardens outside the keep. Going to the armory he put on his armor alongside his friends Visimar Heffelinger, and Cunimund Brodgert and begin leaving the keep heading towards the gardens.  Speaking with Theoderic that he was going to the garden to find his sister and friends Theoderic lent him three men at arms to help bring back as many people as possible and then his group ran for the bridge of Saint Reginald which was clearest move to the Gardens. Reaching the bridge there were people streaming across and as he moved in the other direction, he saw Peyton screaming his name. Peyton had been able to return to the keep before the massacre and now she was crying so much that Lucas had to hold her up, and he would learn from Peyton that Haley, and Brooke had gone to the apartment of their friend Ottilia Goedde. Rushing to the apartment it was just outside the keep and they discovered the area was already the sight of some conflict as they saw there first Orcs. Brooke, Haley, and Ottilia led her younger siblings from the apartment and into the arms of Lucas and the others but this reunion was cut short by the arrival of the Orcs. These first Orcs were rampaging through the street and Lucas, Visimar, and Cunimund fought them without much thought killing the first two, but the third killed Cunimund before they were able to slay the Orc, and seeing more coming they were forced to leave his body on the street and lead the group back to the bridge of Saint Reginald.

Success at Schild Keep[]
Holding the Bridges[]
We will hold open the bridge of Saint Reginald as long as we can. Once its going to be overrun I will shut the gate. The problem is Naelys bridge. Someone or something damaged the mechanism. The Kellermaster Devon is working to fix it. You have to buy him time.
Theoderic Madritch

Massacring the population of the city the Orcs swarmed towards the next and last point of resistance in the form of the three main defenses of the Keep of Tree Hill in the two bridges and the twin gates. As Lucas and Visimar reached the Bridge of Saint Reginald with there group there was little time to say goodbye as Brooke, Haley and the others were rushed deeper into the Keep while Lucas met with Theoderic to discuss the situation. By this point the defenses of the Keep had been stiffened by the hundreds of incoming survivors who were being quickly equipped and placed into defensive positions. Alongside this the successful defense of the Schild Keep the twin gates were now heavily fortified thus leaving the two bridges as the main point of weakness for the defenders. The defenders were weakened by the fact that the drawbridge for the Bridge of Saint Reginald remained in working order but the Bridge of Naelys Targaryan had been sabotaged leaving it unable to be closed. Lucas, Visimar, and two dozen men at arms would rush to the Bridge of Naelys finding the Kellermaster Devon Davion leading the defense there but was struggling to fix the bridge mechanism and needed more time. The arrival of Hank James II. telling them of his fathers retreat led to Lucas seeing the oppurtunity to both buy time for the defenders as well as help Hank James. Now looking to buy this time for the defenders it was Lucas that led the two dozen men alongside Vismar, and several knights including Perwyn Guntbold, and Kurt Isidor, and Isidor Elric, Deert Dravion, Hank James II., and Hansal Oakheart. This group would be joined at the last minute by Deert Davion the son of Devon, and another nine men at arms and traveled across the bridge where they planned to meet with Hank James and hold the entry to the bridge for enough time to have Devon and his men repair the gate mechanism.

I was moving with such purpose. I knew in that moment that I had to be the courage for everyone around me. It didn't matter that I was in complete terror. I couldn't show that to anyone.
Lucas Scott

By this point the other houses of the southwest Keep were finding themselves becoming under attack as the Orcs were spreading throughout the city, and although the Orcs were finding increasing resistance as they moved closer towards the Keep of Tree Hill they were still moving in a near unstopped pace. At the Apartment of House James, it was Hank James that was with his sons Hanzal James, and Hank James II. when Mary James arrived in a panic telling them that Orcs had killed Gloria at the market and were not far behind her. Mary was taken away by Hank the younger to the Tree Hill keep escaping in safety, but Hanzal and Hank the elder gathered their men at arms from the area and organized several retreating men and fought a slow retreat to the Tree Hill Keep killing several charging Orcs as they pulled back. While doing this it was Hanzal that was struck down and killed fighting leaving a distraught Hank to continue retreating tears covering his face as he left his heir dead in the street. Hank James would be rejoined by Hank the younger who had returned after safely getting Mary inside the keep and standing at the side of the Chapel of Saint Markus the group decided this was the place to make their last stand. While Hank James was preparing this, they were joined by the force of Lucas Scott who was attempting to buy the bridge more time and the Chapel of Saint Markus enjoyed good vantage points for his archers and blocked the main roadway to the bridge making it a good spot to hold.

Last Stand at the Chapel of Saint Markus[]
Lucas Scott
Was jumping onto that bridge a smart move? Hard to argue it was. What other choice did I have though? Did I hide on the wall and watch as thousands died? Did I try to swim across the lake into safety? None of that would have let me live with myself. I did what I had to. I would do it again if given the option.
Lucas Scott

The force now at the Chapel of Saint Markus consisted of the 27 men at arms of Lucas Scott as well as the knights Perwyn Guntbold, Kurt Isidor, Isidor Elric, Deert Dravion, and Hansal Oakheart who joined the force of nine men at arms of House James and the knight Hank James. Also included in this defense would be another five men at arms who joined them during the retreat from several different houses. Placing men in the chapel spires to fire arrows at the Orcs once they came it was the rest of them that formed a defensive line across the road allowing the streaming refugees past them. The group held for a time as Lucas shouted for people to hurry up and get inside, but after fifteen minutes they started to see the first trickle of Orcs moving forward and it was in this moment that he held the road for a time stopping Orcs with carefully aimed bow shots. Perwyn Guntbold, and Hansal Oakheart were also firing arrows near him, while Deert, and Hank were directing people towards the bridge and making them hurry. He and the rest of the party were slowly pushed back by their numbers as he did not want to be cornered in the street, so he pushed himself to the first tier of the chapel steps and thus allowed the people to continue getting inside the Keep. While they were fighting this initial attack, they had lost seven of the other men at arms to the Orcs, and Deert took a horrifying blow to his arm of which when Lucas moved to him, they were both very aware that the wound might be fatal, but he refused to retreat and they covered it as best they could. His desperate fight continued as the Orcs begin swarming at him in increasing numbers, and as things became more desperate it was the arrival of an Orc ten feet tall that finally broke the defenses of the chapel.

Defeating Lugdush[]
Lugdush - Action
His skin was bright red, and he was so large that he obscured everything around him. He pushed two of his own men off the bridge in his desperation to get at us, and I raised my shield knowing this was not going to be an easy fight.
Lucas Scott

As the defenders were slowly retreating the Orcs stopped their attacks and made several steps back smashing there axes together. As the defenders watched this it was Lucas’s group that reached the edge of the bridge having been pushed all the way back to the bridge. As the orcs continued there chanting it was a giant that knocked several away allowing him through. The giant orc was Lugdush Grimbones the clan leader of the Grimbones Clan. His skin was a dull orange, and his size was such that he obscured everything around him. In terms of the Orc hierarchy, he was one of the largest orcs in the Loudlon army and was a trusted Grand Chief of Jurden Hardaxe the overall High Chief. Without warning Lugdush raised his giant axe and with that a group of white painted Orcs charge forward at the defenders who were now supported by archers on the walls of the bridge. While many of the Orcs were felled by the arrow fire many got through and reached the line of defenders. Fighting against this group Lucas showed himself the exceptional swordsmen cutting down two of the three Orcs that reached him while the third was killed by Perwyn. Lugdush let out a giant laugh, and the other orcs (hundreds strong now) returned to smashing their axes against each other. Finishing laughing Lugdush begin walking towards the defenders and as he moved forward arrows struck him, but he continued walking forward ignoring them like they were nothing. Moving through the arrows Lugdush reached the defenders in front of the bridge and smashing his sword down he sent Lucas, and Perwyn flying to the ground and knocking Perwyn unconscious against the ground. Lucas called out for the other men to retreat, but they refused to leave him, and his party stood side by side with him as Lugdush attacked again. Deert would be the first to fall as Lugdush ignored a slash across his chest from Lucas and cleaved Deert Davion in two and followed by this Lucas ducked underneath another slash from Lugdush and slid over the side of the bridge and into the moat but just managed to grab ahold of the side. While Lucas fought to pull himself up Hansal was slashed across the face by Lugdush and killed, while Lugdush struck down the three remaining men at arms one after another leaving just Kurt Isidor, and Isidor Elric standing between Lugdush and the bridge as Lucas finally pulled himself up.

The thing stood as high as a building it seemed. It was a monster of the demons themselves, and it made you understand clearly what was happening. Watching Deet, and Hansal, and James and then all those poor men I just hated the thing. I let that hate overcome me, and I'm glad it did.
Lucas Scott

Dodging blow after blow Kurt Isidor was joined by Oliver Slinde of whom ran across the bridge attempting to support the defense. The bridge mechanism was fixed at this point, and they were preparing to close it but were waiting for Lucas, and his men to get inside. Kurt, Oliver, and Lucas attacked Lugdush together, and Kurt was able to slash him across the leg dropping him to his knees. As Kirt went for a killing blow it was Lugdush that grabbed him by the beck as he had gotten too close and broke his neck before throwing him into the moat. As Lugdush got up he pushed Lucas to the ground and then as Oliver stabbed him through the back his sword became stuck inside the Orc. Lugdush now gravely wounded turned around and grabbed Oliver throwing him down the bridge. As Lugdush cornered Oliver against the side of the bridge and prepared to kill him Lucas jumped on his back and was able to stab him through the less armored back part of his neck killing the massive Orc. Now exhausted from that fight Lucas attempted to crawl across the bridge but was struck by an arrow from the Orcs that were now charging at him. Standing up with what little strength he had left he took another arrow and realizing that the time it would take him to cross the bridge would allow the Orcs to enter the keep, and thus decided to save his family and threw himself into the moat. Oliver was able to get inside the gate but those on the wall had watched Lucas plunge into the moat and as he had full plate armor on, he would have drowned, and thus they closed the bridge just as the Orcs reached it.

Morrigan Enters the City[]

Morrigan finds Lucas

Nathan would be the one that brought Lucas's survival to everyone's attention but Morrigan was the one that healed him of his fatal wounds and found him first.

"The Orcs flooded the city, and I made my way into the tunnels where I used Magi to literately burrow a hole through the tunnels and into the inner sanctum of Tree Hill. Entering in such a way had its dangers but at that point no one feared other humans very much."
Morrigan

As the Orcish army swarmed into Tree Hill Morrigan would leave her Circle post at the Hill of Edestic and make her way to a local farm where she had ordered her men for months to burrow a tunnel beneath Tree Hill that would connect into the Keep of Tree Hill. Morrigan for her part had played the role of a loyal member of the Circle but her affection for Lucas Scott led her to turn against them and making the decision to save Lucas despite the personal cost to herself she would use the tunnel to enter the Keep of Tree Hill. Moving her way through the tunnels she would eventually arrive at the entrance which was inside her home in the keep where she was living under the guise of Lady Morrigan Sylne of House Slyne. Leaving her house she heard the screams and could smell all the death around her but she was looking for Lucas Scott and using her Magi she passed through the wall and into the Saint Markus Pond. Finding Lucas he had managed to take off his chest armor thus saving him from drowning, but the two arrows in him were going to be fatal injuries. Holding his head up she would use her Magi to heal him, and as he was healed and she removed the arrows leaving him unconscious but no longer fatally wounded.

I woke up in a ditch on the outskirts of the wall. My survival rested upon the simple fact that the Orcs had killed everyone and thus they didn't believe it was possible for anyone to be alive outside of the wall. A more determined force might have checked my body, but I lay there awake in the water for nearly two hours before I finally was alone enough to make a dash for the keep.
Lucas Scott
Back in the City[]
Peyton Sawyer Small3

Lucas's return was a great moment for Peyton.

In truth I'm not the hero everyone makes me out as. I didn't think I'd ever make it back from that. I thought my body would lie broken on the bridge or in the moat. I thought that my death would somehow save the city, but when I survived I realized I had accomplished nothing. I was supposed to have saved their lives, but all I ended up doing was leaving them in a state of terror for eight years. And the entire time I returned I felt an overwhelming feeling of loss. Was this the life I wanted to be remembered for saving? Was this chaos and darkness worth living amongst? What was the point of being alive if your entire world was dead.
Lucas Scott

The moment Lucas was pulled back into the keep was the moment that most point to as the moment that the Battle ended for the city itself, and following this the situation was one of a siege except for the incoming relief force. Nathan called out for men to come help him carry Lucas inside, and they carried him into the locked tower overlooking the city, and then called for a doctor. Miraculously Lucas was unhurt, and only had cuts, and bruises to show for the act that saved the city from immediate death. It was in this moment that the first stems of jealously begin from Lucas's brother Nathan. While Nathan had led the defenders in their retreat back to the keep and had maintained order during the battle, all of this was forgotten as the people lot their minds over the return of a living god to them in Lucas Scott.

Nathan Scott Small1

Nathan and Lucas were never close but that lack of relationship quickly spiraled into hatred.

He wasn't supposed to survive out there. I heard him say it with my own ears. He was supposed to die and then I would be the heir of House Scott. His return brought back nothing but ruin.
Nathan Scott

Nathan Scott would storm out of the room as in his eyes everyone was ignoring him, and as he did he silently walked over to the wall and watched the people stem from the keep, and make their way to see Lucas Scott. As he watched this he saw for the first time that day Haley, and she was running around with a desperate look in her eyes. When he saw this he thought for a moment that she was coming for him and he felt hope, but as he walked towards her, she saw him and for the briefest moment she looked as if she would go to him, but instead she kept moving and pushed her way through the crowds and into the tower where Lucas was.

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