Antioch 1114:
"Alright, I can creatively use the law too." Makedonios said this to no one in particular while holding a meeting with his regimental captains. He had just been told that the Caesar had still refused to bring the boat back to Nicosia. This meant that his reinforcements were stranded on an island.
"Tell Armatos to turn out from the city. Bring the whole garrison. Since it is doubtful that we will get reinforcements from the Megas anytime soon, we need to meet the enemy with overwhelming force so we take few losses."
War had been declared on Egypt when the Caesar took a ship and blockaded the port of Jerusalem with it.
a week later.
Marshall Armatos brought Nathanail and 4 militia regiments from the city. This bolstered Mak's army to 5 spear units, 2 archer units, 1 horse archer unit, and 3 generals. Everyone met in Mak's command tent.
"All right, listen up people. I want the spears in a line with the archers behind them. We'll be on a hill so just dig in and let the Fatimids come to us. I'll take the near left flank, Armatos goes far left, horse archers near right, with Nathanail far right. Far flankers engage their horse archers. I'll shadow the enemy general and our horse archers provide missle support. God be with you. Dismissed!"
The army formed up opposite the enemy. The Fatimid raiding party had 3 horse archer units, 2 spear units, 1 javelin unit, and an Egyptian family member leading. Overconfident, the Fatimid attacked. Enemy horse archers moved in. Makedonios had his signalman raise the flag to send Armatos after one and Nathanail after another. The enemy general took the bait and rushed Armatos.
"Charge!"
Placed in a perfect position, Makedonios charged into the enemy general's men while Armatos's men hacked away at the horse archers and bodyguards. The horse archer's faded away but the enemy brought their infantry in.
"Pull back!"
Both Makedonios and Armatos pulled their groups back. The army was faring well. Archers were peppering everything in range. Nathanail had destroyed a horse archer unit. The enemy moved it's men towards the army. Makedonios and Armatos circled around, and when the enemy general was alone, they caught him in a pincer. But the enemy kept sending spearmen to save their general. So Makedonios kept ordering his men and Armatos out.
This pattern kept up for a couple minutes. Nathanail went after the third and final horse archer group. The enemy charged a spear unit at the army. And Armatos and Makedonios charged into the general for what they hoped was the last time. Through the fighting, Makedonios saw the enemy infantry running yet again towards their general. He pushed his men onwards into the fray.
"Get to the general men!"
It was wild and chaotic. Byzantine bodyguards grappled upon horseback with Egyptian bodyguards. Nick rode up next to Mak and lifted his shield to cover his lord as a Fatimid sabre clanged on it.
*Cough* *Cough*
Makedonios was struck by a coughing fit. The enemy general saw this and sent his last bodyguards to distract Nick while he rode in on Makedonios. One of Makedonios's men intercepted the enemy general, was knocked off his horse, but lived and crawled away from the stomping hooves. The man had bought Mak the time he needed. The delay allowed Armatos to see what was happening and gallop over to the fight. A few seconds later and Armatos pulled his bloody sword from the enemy general's body and the man slid off of his horse.
After that it was just clean up. The generals split off and ran men off the field. Those who surrendered were immediately let go. Those who ran, were allowed to run. Makedonios looked for the man who saved him. He got off of his horse to talk.
*Cough* "Thank you for saving my life. This cursed sickness has me again." The grizzled veteran was a longtime member of Makedonios's bodyguard but had never done anything distinctive until now.
"It was an honor my lord. We need to get you back to your tent. Here, let me help you back onto your horse."
Caught in another coughing fit, it took the veteran and Nick both to shove Makedonios back up to his horse.
"What's your name?"
The veteran was putting Makedonios feet in stirrups when he replied. "I am Ioannis m'lord."
Shaking his head at the number of Ioannis's in the Empire Mak asked him, "How would you like to be part of my retinue with Nick?"
The veteran warrior smiled. "It would be an honor. Come, lets get you back to the tent."
As Ioannis got on a horse who's rider was down, him and Nick sided up to Makedonios and helped their lord back to the tent.
"Send for Armatos. I want to have a meeting."
*Cough*
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