Chapter XV: The Beginning of the End

May of 1106 to February of 1107 VTE

Both sides were exhausted from the fight. The Ryuguards at this point had used up any offensive strength they had left and were now helpless against the coming doom. Opimius had fallen into a deep depression privately but continue his optimism in public despite it falling on largely deaf ears. He knew it was over at this point, but he also knew that he wanted to make sure Pomerlane pay for every inch he took and if he wanted Atalanta, he would have to bleed more for it.

In the meantime, Dam #1 was completed in August of 1106 without many interrupts. Slowly, the course of the river would change just as Majorianius planned, and the next phase of the plan was soon to be executed. Pomerlane and Cato believed that a fort would need to be constructed in the middle of the swampy land between Atalanta and the Southern bank because it would be impossible for artillery to be brought in position in this area without it. Furthermore, a strongpoint for an assault was ideal too. Thus construction of Fort Victoria began. Opimius did try to stop the construction or slow it down with raids and cannon fire but with a Blockade now imposed, he couldn't spare shot to really stop the construction of the Fort at this point.

It would be completed in December and many guns and men were moved to Fort Victoria. Pomerlane held off on an assault for the time being, as he wanted to ensure that everything went according to plan and that the defenders would be as weak as possible thanks to starvation. The date for the bombardment and assault were set for March 20th and 21st, of 1107 VTE.

Fort Victoria