Battle of Lincoln
William Marshal's forces are making a desperate stand within Lincoln Castle's outer bailey, repelling waves of rebel barons and French troops led by Prince Louis. The defenders are outnumbered but hol
Setting
Lincoln Castle's outer bailey and surrounding battlements, with the city of Lincoln visible in the distance. The cobbled courtyard is littered with debris from the ongoing battle, and the castle's thick stone walls bear the marks of siege engines.
Characters
William Marshal
primary
A towering figure in his early 70s, with a broad, muscular frame that still commands respect despite his age. His face is weathered and lined from decades of battle, with piercing blue eyes that miss nothing. His once-golden hair is now silver, cropped short in the Norman style, and he sports a thick, well-groomed mustache. A prominent scar runs from his left temple to his jawline, a testament to his warrior past.
Castle Captain
primary
A grizzled veteran in his late 40s, with a muscular build honed by decades of warfare. His face is weathered and scarred, with a thick, graying beard and piercing blue eyes that have seen countless battles. His nose is slightly crooked from an old break, and his hands are calloused from wielding weapons.
Archer
secondary
A lean young man in his early 20s with sun-browned skin and calloused hands from years of bow practice. His short brown hair is matted with sweat beneath a simple cloth coif. Sharp green eyes scan the battlefield with focused intensity.
Rebel Knight
secondary
A French-backed baron in his late 30s, with a muscular build honed by years of combat. His face is weathered and bears a deep scar running from his left temple to his jawline, a testament to previous battles. His dark hair is cropped short, and his piercing blue eyes are filled with determination.
Squire
background
A young male attendant in his late teens, with a lean but wiry build from years of training. His face is smudged with dirt and sweat, and his short brown hair is tousled from the chaos of battle. His hands are calloused but deft, showing experience in tending to wounds.
Dialog
William Marshal
By God's teeth, Captain! Hold that gate like it's the last wall of Jerusalem!
Castle Captain
Aye, my lord! They'll not pass while my lads still draw breath!
William Marshal
See how their left falters? When their charge breaks, sound the horn for our counter.
Castle Captain
God's wounds! They've brought up more ladders to the east wall!
William Marshal
Then let them climb - and greet them with steel at the top!
Castle Captain
Archers! Loose at will! Make every shaft count!
William Marshal
Today we write history, Captain. Let it be said we stood when others would have fled.