Virtuous Worms: Difference between revisions

The occupation of the fortress of Khartok created such panic at the Chen court that the military response to Tengu Peg Leg's rising was accelerated, with Da Beipan's army being ordered west to confront the usurper. Having made themselves at home in Zhongzi, the Worms were sent into a frenzy of anxiety at the news of the rapidly approaching imperial army. Gathering their new wives and all the loot they could carry, the company decided to retreat back to Khartok in all haste. They set Zhongzi on fire before leaving to slow down Da Beipan and cover their retreat. Arriving at Khartok, the company negotiated for entrance with the castellan, an official named Eir. Knowing that if they did not get into the fortress they could be caught and  slaughtered outside, Eir haggled harshly for their service and also demanded that the men of the company be dispersed widely through the garrison (to make plotting treachery a harder task). Xol and his men had no choice but to accept the conditions and officially entered the service of the [[United Cities]]. The imperial army eventually arrived at the fortress and laid siege to it for three months during which the mercenaries fought tenaciously, knowing only traitor's nooses awaited them if the castle fell.