The Zonian god-king sat in his throne and fidgeted. His assembled generals and advisors felt highly at risk. The god-king demanded answers about the invasion of the east. No one had any answers, as they had no word about the invasion forces. A very old and powerful seer stood from his place, saying, "Your Majesty, I have attempted to 'see' the outcome of your invasion. I have seen nothing but defeat. Even now, I perceive that what remains of your armies faces annihilation on their last battlefield. I fear they will be destroyed without a single victory."
The god-king stood and slammed his young fist on the armrest of his throne. "This is unacceptable! We must build an army that can conquer all lands in the east! We sit in the capital of Zon, the city of Zanton, the greatest capital in the world! Build me a navy and an army that can bring me the riches of the east!!!! Find me a general that can accomplish this!" After the god-king left, the generals and advisors fled the room, fearing they might be blamed for the invasion's possible failure. Wagons rolled in every day from all across the west, carrying trees felled in camps by enslaved people and workers. Tens of thousands worked in the shipyards building a huge fleet. It would take years to accomplish the god-king's goals, but the entire capital swarmed with activity. Tens of thousands of troops trained toward that goal as well.
At the tree-kin fortress, because that is what it was now, everything stood waiting. The clearing out in front of the fortress was about a quarter of a mile to the trees. Those on the walls with spy eyes could see movement in those trees, as ladders and troops were moved into position. Unobtrusive stones had been placed in that clearing to mark the ranges of big guns and archers. These markers were clearly visible from the fortress, but not to the enemy that would pass them unawares. The gun corps were stationed under the wind trains on the top terrace. The logs that had been added to the outside of the train cars extended all the way to the ground, except for slots left in them to allow firing. Jack was no longer in charge of them because he had died, but a new captain had taken control of his now 40-strong corps. It wasn't very comfortable being under the cars, but they could sit up and were better protected than the group at Deepwood Motte had been. The captain drilled them to kill mages as soon as they became visible. Many were new recruits, and they all had butterflies before this battle. All the Westerosi troops knew hell would soon be unleashed on them; they were nervous but steadfastly determined to end the lives of this enemy force. The tree-kin along the walls were overjoyed by their new country's willingness to come and so remarkably defend their new home. The tree-kin mages and archers strode along their walls and stood atop their mountain perches with beaming pride.
A huge roar from the Zonian troops interrupted the noonday air. A crowd of several thousand Zonian troops charged from the trees carrying ladders. Another group of thousands came behind the first charge, archers who would get into range and fire upon the Westerosi walls. Yet another group of Zonian ancilaries wheeled out rough mantlets. Their archers would hide behind these small mobile walls to stay safe before stepping out to fire again. The first line of enemy ladder carriers crossed the big gun line, and the guns opened up. Bodies flew from the explosions of shells striking the ground. The handful of enemies who made it past the first volley of fire entered the archers' and gunners' range. They were cut down in droves. Then the Zonian archers made it to gun range. They didn't run in groups but scattered themselves widely. The big guns killed many but were less effective against scattered troops. When the enemy archers reached the arrow-and-gun corps' range, they began firing at the defense's front walls. The mantlets were put in place, but were quickly destroyed by the big guns.
The Zonians opened a new front by charging from the trees to the northwest. They were attempting to attack the side walls built to defend this side. From the cliffs, Calancy's archer corps rained death down on them. The archers and mages on the side wall attacked them ferociously, killing hundreds. This side attack was mostly carried out by Zonian sailors armed with short, curved swords. As very few reached the wall and hoisted ladders, a second wave of them appeared. A signal was given, and the gates opened on that side. 70 cavalry troops cut a swath through the second wave. The Zonians were larger and stronger, but they had no heavy armor to defend themselves against the Westerosi on horseback. The cavalry charge scattered the Zonian wave, and the enemy retreated into the trees. The signal was given again, and all 70 cavalry troops made it back inside the gates. The battle raged for many hours, and at last darkness began falling over the field. Several large catapults on the tree-kin walls began firing long burning torch bolts out into the field. If the Zonians launched a night attack, the Westerosi would see it coming. By estimation, 4500 Zonians lay dead on the field, and more were wounded. The Westerosi troops had lost a hundred or so, but there were many wounded as well.