Cheval de frise, also known as anti-cavalry spikes, are artificial terrain obstacles designed to delay enemy attacks and create hindrances. Their construction is relatively simple. First, logs of suitable length are sharpened at both ends. Then, three logs are assembled together and bound tightly with hemp rope. The intent is not to create an impassable barrier but to slow down and inconvenience the enemy during their assault. With the aid of 100 temporary laborers from Windermere City, the production of the cheval de frise was highly efficient. In just a few days, they managed to create several hundred of these barriers, which they arranged in a circle around the castle. They also left an opening near the drawbridge for entry and exit.
...
With five days remaining until the crisis, Gwyneth orders the workers to dig. The castle lacks a moat and only has a shallow defensive ditch, less than a meter deep. He directs the temporary workers to deepen the ditch as much as possible within the limited time. Due to time constraints, they focus only on the front side facing the great mountain, which includes the castle gate and drawbridge. The back side facing the Bering River remains unchanged. Watching the workers energetically shovel in the ditch, Gwyneth regrets not starting the digging earlier. He realizes that his lack of experience led to incomplete planning. He muses that, had he known earlier about the possibility of borrowing manpower, he could have started sooner and borrowed more workers. However, he concludes that the current number of 100 workers is the maximum he could have borrowed.
...
Two days before the crisis, the workers progress rapidly, deepening the existing ditch from one meter to two meters, but only on the front half. Gwyneth then instructs them to sharpen logs and place them in the ditch, points facing upward, to create additional trouble for any invaders.
...
One day remains before the crisis. Gwyneth halts all work. He orders all soldiers and archers to relax and ensures everyone is well-fed. However, the regular workers and peasants continue their usual tasks, though they are alerted about the possibility of an imminent invasion and advised to be prepared. Gwyneth, having an early warning system, reassures them that the attack won't be sudden and there is no need for excessive alarm.
...
On the day of the crisis, Gwyneth looks at the system panel, puzzled. The countdown has reached zero, but nothing has happened. He spends the whole day waiting for something to occur, but the day passes uneventfully. Rechecking the panel, he finds that the countdown and warning function have disappeared. Confused, he looks out of his study window. Suddenly, he notices thick black smoke rising from the Northern Arctic mountain range, signaling the approach of the crisis he has been anticipating.
Suddenly, Gwyneth felt the hair on his back stand and goosebumps rise. He abruptly turned and looked out of his study window to see a plume of thick black smoke rising from the Northern Arctic mountain range. This was the signal he had agreed upon with the scouts — the burning of damp wood sending dense smoke skyward. Shortly after, three more similar columns of smoke rose, their stark contrast against the snowy mountains particularly striking.
Gwyneth closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The inevitable had arrived. He opened his eyes abruptly, kicked the chair in front of him aside, and rushed out of the study. Striding swiftly through the castle corridors, he donned his armor while shouting orders: "Guards! Sound the alarm bell! Blow the horn! Everyone, prepare for battle! The war has begun!"
As Gwyneth roared, the entire castle sprang into action. In each of the four towers on the castle walls, guards vigorously rang the alarm bells. "Dang... Dang... Dang..." The sound of the bells caused the maids and servants to scurry around in panic.
"All hands to your stations!" Gwyneth descended to the ground floor, issuing commands in the courtyard. "Baldwin! Take men to the village, gather everyone in the castle!" "Check the armory, bring out all the weapons!" "Inspect the food storage! I need to know how much we have left!" "Check the wells, ensure the water is clean and safe!"
He grabbed a scurrying maid: "You! Take some women and count every arrow in the armory, report the numbers to me!" The initially panicked maid regained some composure upon receiving clear and authoritative orders. She nodded continuously and led a group to the armory.
Reaching the stable, Gwyneth was fully armored. He holstered his Wintertaling sword at his waist, ready to mount his horse. Rosalind rushed out, grabbing the horse's reins, asking anxiously, "Gwyneth! What's happening? Where are you going?"
Gwyneth, sparing no time for long explanations, commanded her to stay inside the castle and wait for his return. "There will be work for you later," he said, restraining his impatience.
"Bring me my battle flag!" Gwyneth yelled to his aides.
...
As the first horn sounded from the castle, Gwyneth was already galloping down the hillside, followed closely by ten well-trained cavalrymen. Leading the way, the cavalrymen formed two rows behind him. The Wintertaling family's red lion flag and the Targas's yellow and white chequered banner fluttered proudly in the sky, resonating with the sound of galloping hooves.
They rode against the tide of people fleeing to the castle for refuge. Unlike the panicked screams of the peasants, Gwyneth's eyes were filled with determination and pride. Facing the unknown crisis ahead, he felt no fear or burden. Perhaps due to his fearless nature or his inexperience with the harshness of death, he only felt adrenaline pumping through his veins, powering every corner of his body.
The cavalrymen behind him might fear the unknown enemy and worry about their families and the future of their lands, but they were equally loyal and brave. The legacy of loyalty and honor handed down through generations told them never to flee from their lord. If the lord charges, they would follow to death.
"This time, don't fall off the horse, Bevil," Gwyneth said, looking back and speaking to one of the men.
Bevil took a deep breath and bowed slightly to Gwyneth from atop his horse.
"Let's go!" Gwyneth shouted and galloped toward the distant mountain range.