Pushing a man back, Oliver lifted a shield to block a mace and heard the wood snap under the weight. Kissing his teeth, he pushed the attacker back and stabbed his sword deep into the man's gut before stepping back and cutting the straps of his shield, letting it fall. The defenders didn't break, even as the walls were littered with Valley soldiers and the gate threatened to blow. Rather, they became more intense, throwing their lives with greater fervour to slow the assault down.
Those uninjured formed a tight formation, buying time for the wounded to fall back off the wall. Those wounded and unable to retreat would madly swing. If they didn't have the strength to do that, they would charge at a man and use their body to try to throw them off the wall before being cut down. Some men tripped over the bodies that lay across the wall, becoming easy targets for anyone who saw.
