Recently played the new chapter (A7C6); here's how the story unfolded for me.
After withstanding the assault of the attacking forces, Gardon had instructed a few peasants to construct a few guard towers and cannon towers. The purpose of the towers is to delay the Golden Battalion, the Red Guard, and the Armies of the Queen in their assault of (formerly) Salana's base camp.
Soon after the next attack wave was eliminated. Lord Brian had suggested to Gardon to attack the Elven Encampment at the west of the base camp. Seeing the strategic value of the base camp, Gardon rallied his troops onward, ready to decimate the Elven Encampment.
After taking the western encampment, Gardon regrouped with his forces in tow. They waited for the right moment to strike.
Behold! A portion of the Red Guard defected from the elven queen, led by Mina Trueshot. It didn't take long before the Ironfist Trio made their move and struck down the Golden Guard officials, seizing their resources for their own.
"At last! The attack has begun. To arms, my soldiers. The queen shall fall this day"
Then, the next day came 10 minutes later...
Upon assaulting the base camps of the Golden Battalion and Red Guard, Gardon and his allies have found themselves in a tight position. The enemy is heavily armed. Gardon's attacking force will soon be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the enemy. They must whittle down their numbers first before beginning the final assault.
In the midst of all this, Lady Cora suggested a tactical retreat to the base of the Ironfist Trio. Gardon, who had already considered the plan in the heat of battle, gave the order to retreat. Then, he sanctioned the use of the absorbed magic that Cora had acquired. It would be a dark day for the loyalists to the queen, seeing their fellow elves and allies burned to a crisp, dreading at the thought of the creature who could do such a thing.
After fortifying the defenses of the base of the Ironfist trio, Gardon thought of two possible ways to capture the palace of the queen. The more direct way would be to take care of the Golden Battalion first, which would incur heavy losses on top of assaulting the base guarding the queen. Another way would be to rush towards the defenses of the queen, through the renegade Red Guard's encampment. Gardon would coordinate his attack with the renegade's forces.
In what seemed like an instant, Gardon was stuck. Both ways were viable to him; after all, he would do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. In that same moment, Larine's eyes met Gardon's. Gardon, understanding Larine's thoughts at that moment, took the second option. Only ... the renegade Red Guard's base camp has been razed. His chances of success would be slim should he continue his approach.
Reconsidering his approach, Gardon rallied his forces to destroy the Golden Battalion. While doing so, the Agents of the Queen would silently strike down some of Gardon's forces. While they could not strike him down themselves, their interference has caused Gardon to halt his attack and focus on the agents. Thanks to the deal with the "master" of the undead, the Agents of the Queen were dealt with handily, covered in unyielding ice. Seriously, wouldn't Gardon have questioned why the Frost Wyrms sent to him would require food?
It would take a while before the bases of the Golden Battalion and the Red Guard would fall to Gardon and his allies, as they were innumerable, disciplined, and formidable. The Banisher's mastery of the healing arts made the already formidable Ironfist nearly unkillable.
Battle after battle, the dreaded moment for the queen draws ever closer. As bodies of Elves, Golden Guard, and Ironfist dropped, the queen could do nothing but await the inevitable. What could she have thought of while her kingdom was besieged? Was it her previous actions that led to her kingdom falling apart? Did she make the right choice to flee the continent, to be subservient to her husband? Why would her most trusted diplomat, Salana, suddenly side with this exiled filth? As yet another body fell, the magic barrier guarding the palace and the queen came undone. Lady Riana, the Mad Witch has fallen and she can't get up.
The end is near for the queen; she knows her time is spent. The babies, they would be safe with Rahandir. Knowing that this would be her final moment, Queen Renova would take a stand and confront the traitors, the exile, and Gardon. Gardon. The name that gave her pause. The name of the one whose grave her husband would spit on.
The queen finally confronts Larine, asking if it is her doing that Salana has disappeared. Larine, taken aback, claimed that she has done no such thing. Salana was last spotted speaking with the scouts about a sighting of the Demon Slaves. Could Larine have been in on it, or did she believe what she said to be true?
Saphira, who has waited for this moment for all her undeath, would call out the name of the one who had betrayed her life for a measly treasure. Queen Renova insisted that she would've not wanted what happened to Saphira to happen, but there is pain in longing for changing the past. Saphira, unable to listen, filled with deep hatred towards this pampered harlot, draws her bow towards her betrayer. Loosing the arrow, she pierces her betrayer's heart... The elven tramp has fallen.
After the coronation of Larine as the new queen of the elves, Larine has moved to invalidate all contracts with the Empire. A new age would begin for the elves.
King Gardon, satisfied with the demonstration of black druid magic from the Ironfist trio, has sanctioned further study on such magics. He also acknowledged the exceedingly barbaric way that Salana was disposed of, and would keep a closer eye on the offender, Ferdal.
Meanwhile, a dejected Mina Trueshot has politely declined the offer of the Queen to become a reprensentative of the new elven kingdom. The Queen, seeing a valuable diplomat in Mina, was understanding to her disposition and dismissed her from the court.
In a nearby forest, Lord Brian conjures the shadow of the fallen queen in hopes to learn about the emperor...
