The first days of the month are marked by warm weather, moderate but growing humidity, and gentle or no wind.
01.09, Godsday
The Baronet, his lieutenant, his cousin Ariste Jr. and the entire company goes to mass at the Minerva Temple. Each man burns four sticks of incense, and a bull is sacrificed to the gods. Terminus, Jupiter and Minerva are invoked in particular.
02.09, Airday
03.09, Earthday
04.09, Fireday
The van of the enemy is sighted by scouts. It is estimated that they will be at the gates within tomorrow's nightfall.
05.09, Waterday
Captain-Baronet Francois and Lieutenant Patric put their troops at maximum readiness as the enemy begins their final march towards Vàdère. The air is too miasmic for them to be seen from the towers, moist air wafts in from the west in a slight wind.
As the two Kingslayers are inspecting their company, Baronet Ariste Jr. approaches, followed by a courier. Baronet Ariste Jr. asks them to step away from the men and hear the tidings.
The courier brings messages from the Baron and Baroness of Valsangé: The wayward Sieur Jacques-Alphonse has reappeared in Valsangé. Baroness Belisa admonishes Baronet Francois not to think too harshly of his cousin and companion's defection, for he died less than three days ago, fighting "Mankind oldest enemy".
Lieutenant-Colonel Namus Patric reveals a daring plan. Each man is to choose some good riders whom can be trusted to keep their heads, the assembled men will make a sally, harry the enemy's vanguard, and then retreat, hoping to draw pursuing cavalry close enough to the city wall to obliterate them with gunfire.
Captain-Baronet Francois chooses Sieur Patric and Baronet Ariste Jr. to ride with him. The assembled men, 70 in number, leave by the eastward gate, coming into the enemy's field of vision as a massive company at a full canter, and attacking the advancing companies and baggage with fair success, throwing them into some disarray and felling a few men, horse and foot.
Having galled the enemy's vanguard, the skirmisher company retreats towards the safety of Vàdère's walls and artillery, drawing a sizable contingent of cavalry behind them, quickly approaching the defenders' cannons' range of fire.
Suddenly, the Black Knight and a company of horse descends on the retreating force, threatening to cut off their retreat. Most of the knights hold to the original plan, but Sieur Patric sees the Black Knight as a threat to his liege, as well as a glorious target. He decides to counter-charge, and other knights follow him against the enemy.
Sieur Patric and the Black Knight thunder towards each other, lances yearning for blood. Sieur Patric puts his lance a hair's breadth further than his opponent, but it is deflected by the Black Knight's shield. The Black Knight's lance seeks Patric's bascinet. Sieur Patric blocks with his shield, but the lance hits it squarely, thrusting through the shield, and glances off the visor.
The Rosean army reaches Vàdère.
Prince Farnol is left with but two alternatives, to yield up all of the northern Gronne valley up to the river Alsante, and admit weakness to his timorous allies, or to meet the invaders in the field. Chosing the latter, he entrenches in the fields west of Romre.
06.09, Aetherday
The day is hot and moderately humid, with winds shifting gradually from north to southwest. The morning is clear, with clouds drifting in from midday and onwards.
The Rosean invaders offer Vàdère conditions of surrender. The Baron refuses. The main and rear batallions of the Rosean army continue their march along the Gronne.
Meanwhile, Prince Farnol's army and the citizens of Romre dig trenches, hammer down and sharpen stakes for herses, and prepare tree trunks as abatises.
07.09, Moonday
Southwestern light breeze, comparatively cool, clouds continue to gather.
Prince Farnol's army work hastily on their fortifications.
The first sally from Vàdere
In the afternnon, Condottiere Theodoric comes within sight of Prince Farnol's camp at Romre.
08. 09, Godsday
The first day of battle at Romre.
As the armies draw close, the men of Molagne turn on their "allies". The Molagne betrayal is a surprise, but not a major one. The Prince has carefully placed them in the centre of his batallions, and rather than forming a decisive wedge, they are pinned and forced to retreat into the Condottiere's ranks.
As evening comes, and the winds turn to the northwest clouds grow massive and through the night intermittent heavy rainshowers fall.
09.09, Airday.
A clear, moderately warm day.
Second sally from Vàdère.
The plan made by Francois and blessed by the gods is taken to the field. The infantry advances followed by the shot, and the cavaly keeping tail. The Black Knight is enticed into attacking the vulnerable flank of the sallying force, and their cavalry charges, eager to hammer him and his knights against the anvil of the heavy infantry flank. Just as the trap is closing, Namus Patric is slain by the Black Knight, who puts a lance through his visor. At this, the sallying cavalry and infantry lose heart, and a retreat ensues, almost turning into a rout.
This days also sees heavy bloodshed at Romre. However, today it is the defenders who fall on the second day of battle. Condottiere Amary throws wave after wave of infantry against Prince Farnol's positions, using his superior numbers to bring in fresh troops as the defenders tire.
10.09, Earthday
The northwestern breeze brings light drizzle throughout the morning.
The third day of battle at Romre.
Intermittent light drizzle during the night, brought by a light breeze from the northwest.
11.09, Fireday
12.09, Waterday
13.09, Aetherday
14.09, Moonday - Loafmass
15.09, Godsday - Loafmass
17.09, Earthday
18.09, Fireday
19.09, Waterday
20.09, Aetherday
21.09, Moonday
22.09, Godsday
23.09, Airday
24.09, Earthday
25.09, Fireday
26.09, Waterday
27.09, Aetherday
28.09, Moonday
The weather is cloudy, with a gentle breeze from the south.