Evening comes to the Connach Highlands, painting the ancient hillsides crimson. The clang of steel on steel resounds across hill and dell as a small band of Templars and Confessors attack Fort Viatrus. The Frontier Militia fight as fiercely as they may, but cannot match the power of the assault. Duke Lorn and Erest Nemain find themselves holding the fort's stairway, trying to keep the firebrands from Duchess Alumetta. Lorn turns to ask a question of his steward, but at the look in the veteran's eyes the querry dies unasked. "We prolong the inevitable," the Duke said, the words hanging in the air. Just then the fort doors shatter, and a phalanx of Templars rush in, gleaming red and gold.