(military) siege (military blockade of settlement)

siege

to besiege / to attack a city

(archaic) a structure surrounded by a moat or walls: a fortress, castle

knead (to work and press into a mass) / elaborate, work out (an idea etc.) / polish (refine; improve imperfections from) / soften, gloss (silk)

triumphant, proud / skilled

strong point / triumph / regular customer

strategy

attack

he / distal demonstrative, something far off removed from both speaker and listener: that / boyfriend