Battle Reports

**TinCow** · 05-30-2008, 13:44

Battles of the Byzantine Empire

This thread is for all Battle Reports. Any post in this thread which is not a Battle Report will be moved or deleted.

Note: Battle Reports can be extensive multi-part IC stories, but they can also just be OOC brief summaries of the action. The nature and length of the report is entirely up to you. It is encouraged that everyone post at least the final results of the battle, either typed out or by posting a screenshot of the results scroll that appears at the end of the battle.

**_Tristan_** · 06-11-2008, 15:29

Durazzo raid, 1083.

One small step for a man, one giant leap for the Empire -- Methodios the Chivalrous, 1083

**Ignoramus** · 06-12-2008, 07:37

*placeholder for assault on Canakkale(Dardenellia)*

**OverKnight** · 06-13-2008, 14:13

The Assault on Sofia, 1084

At first glance, the Bulgarian rebels in Sofia had advantages in numbers and from fighting behind walls.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

However, a Roman agent in the rebel castle had found some residents who wished for a return to Imperial rule. Basileus Aleksios took advantage of this by splitting his troops. He would lead his own bodyguard and a regiment of spearmen to the rear gate. Senator Ioannis Kantakouzinos would lead the main body of troops and occupy the attention of the rebels at the front gate.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

While Kantakouzinos sent the Trebizond archers forward to fire on the rebels at the front gate, the Basileus galloped around to the rear gate. Opened by the loyalists, he entered Sofia unopposed with a regiment of infantry doing its best to follow. Aleksios and his bodyguard fell upon a unit of archers who, surprised by this tactic, had moved off the walls to redeploy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Joined by the regiment of infantry, Aleksios continued to wreak havoc in the rear of the rebels. Though under horse archer fire, he managed to split the enemey forces and wrest their attention from the front gate.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Seeing this, Kantakouzinos advanced his troops through front gate. The rebels were now surrounded. Many of their horse archers, confined to fighting in the streets, had been brought down by Aleksios and his spearmen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Romans avoided the rebels rallying point and instead lured their leader out the main square by a false retreat. He paid for his folly.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The remaining rebels were soon dispersed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**deguerra** · 06-18-2008, 11:51

Report on Negotiations at Rodos

1083

Startor Nevelous and I have been sent to Rodos, former outpost of the Empire, to investigate recent reports of Governor Leon misappropriating taxes and inciting anti-Imperial riots in town. While I expect no strong resistance, I am anxious that between us, Nevoulos and and I have only a few dozen men.

1084

Have arrived at Rodos and been greeted respectfully by Governor Leon. He seems happy to have two such highly honoured guests on his island, but has remained elusive on the matter of outstanding payments to Konstantinopolis. I hope future talks will go well.

1085

We have spent an entire year on this island and now this! First having made himself scarce for the past few months, when Nevoulos and I pressed Leon about the taxes at our last meeting he exploded. Shouting threats to ourselves and the Empire he drove us out of his castle. I have taken charge of the port, and will block Leon's men from leaving the island, but I must write back for more men, if we are to take down this lout by force.

1086

At Nevoulos' pressing, we have fashioned a sort of siege of the castle. While Leon has more men than us, they dare not exit the place for fear of being charged by one of our Kataphraktoi. Unfortunately, this means that rather than taking lodgings at the port, we must now remain encamped around the castle. This is turning more and more into a siege, and I despise sieges.

1088

Comes Kosmas has told me he has sent men from Athens, but they have yet to arrive. Cursed troop transports take forever to get moving, and even once they do one sometimes gets the feeling it would be fast to have the men swim! Meanwhile the siege lingers on. I have developed a terrible cold and pain in my chest. Nevoulos doesn't seem to be sleeping well himself. And on top of everything, my funds are running out and we have had to start foraging for food. I told the men not to steal from the farmers, so our dietary options are rapidly becoming limited.

1089

The men are here! At long last, we can do something! A final message for surrender to Governor Leon has remained unanswered. I am sick and tired of this damn siege and we attack tonight!

Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς

Report on Fighting at Castle of Rodos

Having finally received reinforcements, I decided to attack as soon as feasible. I had the men fashion a battering ram and some ladders. I do hope this will not be bloody. I hate assaults.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I divided the men into two groups. One, under my own command, would take the battering ram to the main gate of the castle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The other, under Nevoulos, would advance with the ladders, and try to open a side gate for his Kataphraktoi.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Unfortunately, my double attack was foiled when our battering ram caught fire after a particularly lucky shot from the defenders. I ordered my men back, and decided to ride over to Nevoulos to see if he was faring better.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Needless to say, he was doing a much better job of things, and his men took to the walls unopposed, and hastened to open the castle gates.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

That done, Nevoulos and I charged the Kataphraktoi through.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

After that, everything went fairly quickly. A few defenders tried to fight, but most threw down their arms and ran. Governor Leon was among those cut down, a fitting end for a traitor to the Empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I occupied the castle without further bloodshed. I am happy to report the island is now under full control of the Empire again.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Long live the Emperor!
Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς

**Andres** · 06-19-2008, 20:26

My Kingdom for a goblet of wine! Arta - 1089.

"Rebel scum", Savvas thought, "Shouldn't be much of a problem."

A few moments later, his stomach, unhappy about those 25 goblets of wine the previous night, started to protest. Savvas crawled from his horse, fell on his knees, got up and stumbled towards a tree.

After having emptied his stomach, making disgusting sounds during the process, he slowly walked back.

His lord, Aleksios, stared at him, seemingly a bit worried.

"Don't worry, my lord" Savvas, looking as pale as a corpse, said. He continued, with a voice sounding like an unsharp razor blade: "We'll..." Savvas coughed, "We'll take this settlement..." Savvas coughed again. "We'll..." He spit out a few remnants of his last meal. "Ehm, whatever..."

Some of the soldiers started to laugh. Somehow, a commander suffering from a huge hangover, seemed amusing to them. The burst of laughter woke up Savvas who apparently had fallen asleep on his horse. He shook a few times with his head, slapped himself in the face and poured some water over his head.

"Ok men, let's hope those rebel scum have better wine then the crap we have been drinking for the last few months. Follow my lead men! For the glory of the Empire and for more and better wine!"

The soldiers sheered.

Savvas divided the forces in two groups. One group would attack the main gate at the south, while a smaller force, commanded by Savvas, would go for the east gate.

The enemy was surprised by this tactic and only one unit of spearmen guarded the east gate.

Seeing that only a part of the army was attacking the south gate, the rebels tried to sally and take the group of Aleksios by surprise.

An heroic charge of Aleksios forced the rebels back into the settlement. The rest of the army followed and the Byzantines were inside!

At the same moment, the battering ram on the east gate got through the gate.

All rebel troops focused on Aleksios and the main force of the army, leaving their flank open to Savvas and a unit of spearmen.

Savvas charged into them and killed Petros, the rebel captain.

Without their captain, the rebels soon surrendered.

"Like I said, not much of a problem."

One of the soldiers came out of a building.

"Savvas! We found wine!"

"Hurray!" Savvas cheerd, "No better solution for a hangover then a few goblets of wine!"

Savvas celebrated the victory with his men. The prospect of several subsequent nights drenched in alcohol made them euphoric.

**_Tristan_** · 06-22-2008, 18:14

The liberation of Zagreb
Croatia, January 10th 1090

"O Lord, deliver us from the fury of the bodyguards"-- Croatian Axeman, 1090

The horse plodded on through the fields. A brisk wind made clouds scuttle across the sky, their shadows running on the ground. The weak sun of January was not enough to warm M ethodios.

Blowing on his hands to warm them, the reins hanging loose on the charger’s collar, Methodios thought about the last months.

He and his men had been escorting the merchant train of Milos Kovacs, the Croatian trader from the mountains in Northern Epirus towards his home city. All the way, they drew the curious stares of the countryfolk… Riders in heavy armour escorting two paltry wagons… What they could not know was that the wagons contained a hoard of riches such as they would never contemplate in their lives.

Though bandits were a widespread nuisance in these parts, the presence of the kataphraktoi kept them at bay… This left to the guards and to the riders the drudgery of the convoy work : tending to the beasts, foraging for food. The convoy made slow progress. The wagons were almost overloaded, exerting an heavy stain on the axles that often broke, needing to unload the wagons to perform the necessary reparations, then loading them back again, a back-breaking work…

In the evenings, Methodios insisted on drilling his men, however tiring their day had been. Though their skills honed day by day, Methodios was not deaf to their grumblings.

Now they were only a few leagues from Zagreb. The plan they had devised with Kovacs’ help would soon be put into action. And not too late… Outriders had spotted a Hungarian army north of Zagreb.

“They might be our allies but that would not stop them from snatching that town from under our noses”, Methodios reflected, watching in the distance the dust cloud formed by the stamping feet of the advancing Hungarians.

Already the wagons had sped away towards Zagreb following the first part of the plan. Kovacs was to pretend to have been waylaid by a company of highwaymen, telling him that the men had succeeded in laying their hands on part of his cargo and that they were hard on his tail, intent on taking the rest. Kovacs was to promise Gulya that any recovered gold would be his, with a bonus for protecting him.

**Ferret** · 06-22-2008, 22:44

The battle for Smyrna was a simple affair. Hypatios allowed the rebels to venture some way from the walls, under arrow fire from the Trebizond archers, before ordering forward the spearmen. At the same time the heavy knights of the two nobles' guards charged in on the sides causing a mass rout. It did not take long for the knights to capture or kill any remaining enemy.

**_Tristan_** · 06-24-2008, 09:21

Wrong thread

**Ituralde** · 06-25-2008, 12:54

Capture of Sinop 1093:

Day before the battle:

Christos Nikopoulos felt uneasy. As son of the wife of the nephew of the brother of Pavlos Chrysovergos this connection had been enough for his parents to get him this position in the army and on the other hand enough for the older man to take an interest in him. Joining the personal retinue of an Imperial general who had campaigned across Anatolia several times had been an honour and from what he had learned so far it was infinitely better than having to serve as a foot soldier. But he felt singled out by his great-uncle. He surely had more experienced men in his retinue but he had somehow taken a liking to the young man and decided to make him is personal teaching object. So while most of the other members of the retinue were following their tasks, Christos found himself in the command tent right beside Pavlos Chrysovergos. On the table in front of him lay a sprawled mess of maps and various Scout reports. Pavlos attention was fixed on a single piece of parchment he was holding in his hands.

"Bloody Sultanate of bloody Paphlagonia! What do those fools think they're doing. I told you those Turk riders would mean nothing but bloody trouble. If they even remotely consider this possibility we could find our camp surrounded not only by those sallying idiots but also bloody Horse Archers! I don't need to remind you what they will do to us on open ground!? Our heavy Kataphraktio will tire out before we even reach them while they can pick off our infantry at their leisure!"

Another messenger enters the tent as this moment, a bit hesitant he salutes in front of the general.

"Strategos! The Council of Sinop has refused our offer. They won't let us enter the city and.. and they're complaining that we stopped all food coming..."

He is interrupted by Pavlos.

"Well what do they bloody think! This is a siege for heaven's sake! Bloody Sultanate of bloody Paphlagonia! I'll show them! A shame we can't attack today, but first thing in the morning we'll enter that city! Let those Horse Archers come then!"

"But we could attack, couldn't we? You made me do the rounds and the men are ready, the first ram is finished and there's plenty of light left."

Pavlos turns to Christos, who already regretted his decision to speak.

"Ah, can't do that lad, I'm afraid. See, I didn't shave this morning and already Alexander the Great told his men that it's important to shave before a battle. So your enemy can't grab you by your beard you see! Well you will see tomorrow either way!"

Wondering why Pavlos couldn't just shave right now, Christos decides to keep silent this time.

Day of the battle:

Christos was sitting his horse a little bit uneasy. So this was battle then. The spears were deployed in front of them, one regiment manning the ram, while their archers stood in loose formation to their left. Flame arrows were being lit, to lower the enemies moral, so his great-uncle had said. Slowly the ram was moving towards the single gate. Apparently there was nothing to do but wait now. Seeming to have guessed his thoughts Pavlos speaks up.

"This is where we pray my boy! Pray that those arrows don't light up our ram. Otherwise this will have been the shortest assault in history."

Sure enough the first volley of flame arrows from the defenders was going down on the ram, some of them extinquished on impact or bounced uselessly off the layer of wet leather. Others struck true though and burned brightly on top of the ram, he did not even want to think about those that missed the ram but hit the soldiers, some of them bursting to flame and running around like a living torch before dying. With the second volley sweat was trickling down Christos spine. So this was battle then.

Hours seem to have passed or had it only been minutes. Sweat was running down his face in waves now and Christos tried to put the recent events in order in his head. The ram had not burst in flame and battered down the gates. Once open Pavlos had called a charge from the cavalry. The defenders had positioned their Trebizond Archers right behind the gate without any protection from their spears. The charge had been short and bloody and the enemy archers soon fled. While their own Spearmen were still entering the city the defending Spear Militia had decided to charge, at least part of them. It had been a bloody mess as Spear Militia fought against Byzantine Spear, before Pavlos had taken his men around the side of the troops, attacking some more Archers that had formed up behind their spears before turning on the now surrounded infantry. Their general had been with them and had already fallen. The last remaining Spear Militia had occupied the city square and the Byzantine Archers had opened. Drawn by this the Spear Militia had charged and was now entangled with their own Spear in the street in front of them. With a numb feeling Christos watched the slaughter taking place in front of him, when suddenly his great-uncles voice could be heard.

"Come with me! Follow me! We'll get them from behind!"

With that he whirled his horse around to leave the immediate scene of battle. After the harsh sounds of battle the empty streets of Sinop were a little too quiet and Christos heard nothing beside his own breath and the clapping of horseshoes on cobbles. After an eternity they reached the town square from another side and could see the Spear Militia in front of them. Shouting out their furious rage the Kataphraktoi charged into the back of their enemy!

The following events were a blur to Christos. Pavlos screaming rage beside him. Pavlos' horse faltering, going down throwing his rider in a large bow towards his enemies. Pavlos slamming into the Spear Militia. Pavlos getting to his feet while men with spears were closing in on him. Pavlos drawing his sword, realizing too late that the fall had broken it in half. Another man, himself actually, storming forward with his horse to save his great-uncle.

Day after the battle:

"You did well my son! See a good general always needs someone at their back. Someone they can trust and rely on, someone that will help him break the enemy, even when his own sword has broken first. I will make you my Sword Bearer Christos Nikopoulos, you have done well!"

Christos smiled proudly, he hardly felt uneasy anymore.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Privateerkev** · 07-04-2008, 00:30

Antioch 1096

Makedonios stood on top of the wall. 1500 men were arrayed in front of him. Mainly light infantry, archers, and light cavalry. But there were a lot of them. Even though he had the biggest army in the Empire, he was still outnumbered 2 to 1. Below him, gathering at the gates, was his army. 4 spear regiments, 2 archer regiments, and 2 peasant regiments from Nicosia. Also, a noble had walked up and asked to join in return for sanctuary for refugees he was escorting. Makedonios was happy to have him for, they needed all the help they could get. Outside, Armatos and 3 Sergeants waited way off to flank the enemy.

"Alright, let's get this started."

Out his men went out the gate. They formed a line outside the walls. The enemy ran up the hill overlooking the city.

"I see they won't make this easy for us. Advance! And signal Armatos to form on their right flank!"

Up went the flags. Armatos, Nathanail, Iakovos, and Bart ran their horses along the line of the hill and parked on the enemy's flank. The army formed up in a line. Deeply outnumbered, they started marching up the hill. Makedonios and the new guy formed on the enemy's left.

The enemy had more missile troops than Makedonios had soldiers. He knew he had to close the distance fast. He ran the spearmen straight up the middle. And he ordered all Order members to charge the enemy's flanks, which were light arab cavalry.

Then disaster struck. The army had been feeling slighted since their officers were locked away. They still had not been supplied, and they were led by a man sick with pneumonia. They did not appreciate being run up a hill towards an enemy twice their size while taking missile fire.

Makedonios's entire army routed. Every single foot soldier decided to run back to the city. The only ones who stayed to fight were the Order members. Makedonios, coughing all the way, charged his unit into a unit of archers. He paused from swinging his sword to yell at his flag man to give the signal.

While the enemy was busy chasing Makedonios's fleeing army, his Order members had circled behind them after dispatching all the enemy cavalry. Basically, the enemy, while huge in number, was drawn into a sack. 6 units of bodyguards charged up and down the enemy line.

Seeing the nobles get into the thick of it, and hearing Makedonios's call to rally, many of the army units reformed and ran back into the fight.

It was brutal. The enemy, still around a 1000 strong, was slowly coming apart under repeated charges from the Order members.

Seeing Iakovos outnumbered and in trouble, Makedonios charged right into 2 regiments of the enemy. Bart came in from the other side. In the melee, Makedonios was swarmed by the enemy who tried to drag his horse down. One bodyguard charged into the group and freed his lord from certain doom. More of the enemy regiments collapsed on Makedonios, Iakovos, and Bart, but Armatos charged in from behind with Nathanail. Off in the distance, the new guy was seen chasing fleeing enemy to make sure they kept running.

"Well, he is getting off to a good start," Makedonios said aloud as he caught his breath. The enemy was in full retreat now. He looked over at the bodyguard who saved his life.

"What's your name soldier. You did well."

The large man simply said, "I am Nick. I simply did my duty my Lord."

Makedonios laughed. "Well, you did it well. How would you like the job full time? I tend to get into the thick of things so I can use a man to hold my shield."

Nick simply nodded. "It would be an honor Grandmaster."

Armatos and the Sergeants gathered and they all followed the army back into the city. Finally, they had earned their right to be here...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**OverKnight** · 07-04-2008, 03:36

The Assault on Bucharest, 1092

At Bucharest, the Imperial agent could not find sympathetic citizens to open the gates, as the city was further from Roman influence. The city would have to be taken in a siege assault.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Having built three rams, the Basileus ordered them to be concentrated against the southern wall away from the gate, instead of the gates themselves. "Wood is wood," he was heard to comment. Aleksios did not wish to force a breach against the enemies strength, but rather bring his entire force into the city at the weakest point of the defense.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

While two units of rebel infantry had moved to defend the wall, they fell back when multiple holes were opened at the same time. Aleksios pursued, perhaps rashly, and was able to run some of them down with his bodyguard.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Much of the rebel garrison, which had fallen back to the square, leapt at the chance to engage the Basileus. He was in danger.

However, two regiments of Roman spearmen had split off upon entering the city. With all eyes on Aleksios, they were able to enter the square unopposed. . .

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

. . .and take the enemy in the rear.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Cut off from their rally point and surrounded, the rebels were soon crushed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**OverKnight** · 07-04-2008, 04:16

The Defense of Bucharest, Part I, 1095

As if out of nowhere, a horde of Catholic rebels, aided perhaps by their co-religonists further west, had sprung up near Bucharest. It was a massive army that dwarfed the Basileus's force, if not in quality, than in quantity. Facing a decision of whether to defend his new conquest or fall back, Aleksios chose to preemptively attack the rebels and blunt their drive on Bucharest.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Attacking at dawn to surprise the rebels, the Basileus deployed all his horsemen, including his bodyguard, forward of the infantry and archers. In this battle, at least, the infantry would serve as bait, drawing the rebels forward. The cavalry would flank and harry the rebels as they advanced.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Aleksios did not expect to win the field, but he had several goals in mind.

First, elimination or reduction of the rebels' missile troops, caught in the open in front of their main line.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Second, whittling down the numbers of the rebels through charges of oppurtunity and horse archer fire into their flanks.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Third, seperating the rebels only unit of cavalry, their commander's, from the main body of infantry. The rebel cavalry pursued Aleksios's bodyguard after the Basileus had wiped out some spearmen. Feigning retreat, a Turkish tactic passed onto him by Apionnas Vringas, the Basileus drew the commander away from his men.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Fourth, preservation of Aleksios's own infantry. Though the Roman archers got a few volleys in, the footmen were forced to flee the field.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Unfortunately, the archers held their place a moment too long and some were killed before they could retreat.

The fifth goal was the elimination of the rebel leader and his cavalry. Having drawn him out, Aleksios pivoted his bodyguard and charged them back into his pursuers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

A unit of Skythikon assisted, firing arrows into the backs of the rebels as the two leaders fought. Soon enough, only the rebel commander was left, running for his life.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

He was run down by the faster Skythikon and killed.

The sixth goal was for Aleksios and his army to escape the field intact and retreat back to Bucharest. Though his cavalry was very tired, they managed to evade the rebel infantry and head back east.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The battle would go down as a defeat, but the rebel leadership had been destroyed and their army, despite a few remaining archers, made one dimensional. The Basileus had no doubt he could exploit this once they arrived at Bucharest.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**OverKnight** · 07-04-2008, 04:40

The Defense of Bucharest, Part II, 1096

The large but undisciplined rebel force of Catholics, despite the loss of their leader and many of their archers, was now besieging Bucharest. The Basileus let them build their rams and then sallied at night when their guard was down.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The infantry and archers were gathered at the gate facing the beseigers. They would be held there for now while the Skythikons and Aleksios's bodyguard sallied from the gates to either side.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

As the Roman cavalry approached the flanks of the rebels and the infantry sallied underneath the protection of the walls, the remaining rebel archers advanced to shoot.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

That was a mistake.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Skythikons fired into the flanks and rear of the rebels while Aleksios charged into straggling units. The rebels made half-hearted attempts to catch the cavalry, but without horsemen of their own it was mostly futile.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

This cycle continued for a time, wearing down the morale and numerical superiority of the rebels. Aleksios and his bodyguard had slashed in behind the rebel lines to kill their rebel commander and his contingent of militia. However, the Skythikons were now running out of arrows. The infantry and foot archers were summoned forward to help with the coup de grace.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Without the direct leadership of Aleksios, however, the footmen advanced a bit to closely to the rebels and were charged. No doubt the Catholics were happy to have someone to fight on their own terms.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

But incessant missile fire and charges had taken their toll on their morale. Aleksios and the Skythikons rammed into the rebel rear as the infantry lines met. Despite some Roman losses, the rebels broke.

They were run down alomst to the man. Bucharest would remain in the Empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**_Tristan_** · 07-05-2008, 21:01

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Near Belgrade, 1098

The plume of dust some distance away was the first sign that Methodios had of the presence of riders ahead of them on the road. Ordering his men to spur their horses forward, they galloped towards over the hill that cut them off from seeing who was raising that dust.

Reaching the top, they saw that the dust had come from a score of riders. The men had stopped, having surely noticed the cloud of dust lifted by the galloping horses of Methodios’ troop.

“They are Romans” Bjarki said, next to Methodios.

“Yes…” Methodios answered, a troubled look upon his face, brought by the coat of arms adorning the shield of the riders downhill.

Sensing that something was amiss, Bjarki questioned his commander. “What’s wrong ?”

“This is Anastasios Neokaisareitis… The Butcher of Belgrade… I didn’t expect him to be here… Last I heard, there was an army marching on his castle…”

While they were talking, the riders had turned their horses around and they were heading uphill towards Methodios and his men.

They stopped a short distance away, in a billowing cloud of dust, their leader marching his horse forward until he stood a few meters away from Methodios.

His helmet was hung to the pommel of his saddle and Methodios could see the shock of recognition on the other man’s face, certainly mirroring his own.

“Hail, Strator…” the last word said with a sneer “Funny meeting you here… How is the weather in Zagreb this time of the year ? Last I heard, it was raining arrows…”

Raucous laughter erupted among the men behind him, the insult obvious.

Keeping a cool countenance, hiding his disgust for the man, Methodios answered : “And are you running away or just taking a stroll in the countryside, Comes ?”

“Bah… Belgrade is all but lost… Why would I remain behind these walls ? To get myself killed… Nah… And what would that accomplish ? Keeping some sheep-shaggers from claiming this stinking hellhole from some other sheep-shaggers… Not worth it, in my opinion…”

“But these are the men you were sworn to protect, they are your responsibility”, Methodios interjected.

“Don’t start lecturing me, Tagaris… Though you may have delayed the fall of Zagreb by pawning it to the Hungarians, it will fall nonetheless and what of your beloved “responsibilities” then ? I prefer my course of action… I’m not running away… I am going for help… That is the only sensible course of action.”

“But don’t you see that before you’ll be back, the enemy will already be over the walls…”

“So what ? That will only mean we’ll have to take it back from him… I’ve done it once already… I can do it again…”

“Do you at least know how many men are marching on your castle ?” Methodios asked.

“Of course… My scouts reported no less than twenty companies… Five units of cavalry, though only one is heavily armoured, the rest are footmen with spearmen and archers in equal parts and the remainder being some rabble… Sheep-shaggers, I tell you… Though they are in numbers, I have to admit…”

A cry rang out from behind Anastasios. “Riders !!”

The two generals turned to look to the west where the man who had cried out pointed.
A group of riders had just reached the top of the next hill and were heading their way.

When the men had approached, it was clear they were Byzantine soldiers. The newly-arrived skythikons stopped a few paces away and their leader rode towards the two generals, giving a sharp salute.

“Captain Manuel Konstanpoulos, reporting.” Not knowing who had the command among the men facing him, the captain looked somewhat bewildered.

“What are your orders, captain ?” Methodios and Anastasios asked in unison. Dark stares were exchanged.

“I was ordered to ride to Belgrade and help in the relief of the siege that was to take place there. I am only part of the advance guard. More men are coming this way.”

“See, Tagaris… I was right… Why should I have remained in Belgrade and be killed ? Who would have taken command of these men then ?”

“Perhaps… But I will not wait and see the people of Belgrade suffer a second time… Captain, I have new orders for you. Follow me…” Methodios said, turning his horse northward, “ To Belgrade !!”

Sparing a single glance back to see if the horse archers followed, Methodios saw that Neokaisareitis was also flogging his horse, ordering his men forward, chasing after Methodios.

******

Gilbert de Nangis had left his French holding in Burgundy, the call to defend Christianity from the encroaching Byzantines not appealing to him so much as the chances of getting some pillaging done.

Now, he found himself besieging Belgrade at the head of the largest force he had ever commanded in his life. True, most of it was only some rabble gathered along the road but still there were a few professional soldiers with them, enough so that he felt confident the siege would be over soon.

His scouts had informed him that the governor of the castle had fled some time earlier, leaving the defence to what seemed a small garrison of untrained men.

To him, Belgrade was just a step away from Constantinople… He would be richer than the Pope, once the city fell… Or at least that was what the man standing next to him had promised… Thick set, with a heavy dark beard, the man had been appointed as his second in command by Lydham himself. He claimed to have been Byzantine but seeing how he seemed to despise them, Gilbert had doubts. However, the man knew the country and had led them unerringly towards Belgrade, bypassing Byzantine outposts and patrols, taking them utterly by surprise.

“So, Joseph… When shall we launch our assault ?” asked Gilbert, a smug smile born of his certain victory spread across his face.

“Let’s starve them some more… They’ll surrender… No need to lose some of our men… We’ll need them for Constantinople”, the thick set man answered, seeing once again the greed spread across the French captain’ s face.

A soldier saluted next to Gilbert.

“Speak, soldier…”

“Sir, our scouts report a Byzantine cavalry force heading our way.”

“Riders ? Here ?” Gilbert was taken aback.

“How many ?” Joseph asked.

“About 100, half of them kataphraktoi…” the soldier reported.

“That’s surely all they have been able to muster… They must want to relieve the town… But their scouts have underestimated our numbers… I say we ride and face them some distance from the city, wouldn’t do to give a false hope to those poor sods behind the walls, now would it ?” said Gilbert, with an eager smile.

“I don’t know… There is something wrong, I can feel it…”, Joseph answered, idly scratching at a large scar that crossed his left forearm.

“Bah, what could go wrong ? We outnumber them 15 to 1… Sheer numbers will win the day”

Gilbert began issuing orders, walking his horse among his officers, rousing the men, leaving Joseph to himself.

******

Sitting on his horse on a hill out of the way, Joseph wiped the blood that went on running from the gash on his forehead. By his side stood Gilbert de Nangis, his helm off, a distant look upon his face.

“I just can’t believe it…” Gilbert muttered “Par la barbe de Charlemagne… The town was hours only a few hours ago… And now, my army is obliterated and we are on the run…”

“Now you see what you’re up against…” Joseph answered “Never underestimate the Byzantines…”

Down below, he could see the kataphraktoi chasing and rounding up the last of the routers.

“At one time, I thought you had seen a ghost, Joseph…” Gilbert said.

“Yes… A ghost… Always there to haunt me at the worst of times…”

“Look !! They’ve spotted us !!” Gilbert cried suddenly.

“Come on… Ride as hard as you can… We must not let them catch us… We have to get back to Lydham.” Joseph answered calmly before spurring his horse.

Soon the riders were chasing them. Their pursuers’ horses were almost exhausted, while their own had had time to recover and finally outdistanced them.

******

Methodios watched angrily as Tarchaneiotes and his companion receded in the distance. His horse refused to go any further, making pursuit all but impossible.

Soon he was joined by Anastasios and his retinue.

“There is one thing to say for you, Tagaris… You know how to fight… A bit too soft in my opinion but still good to be around you in this situation… I just can’t believe you lead me into this…” Anastasios said, extending his hand, a smile beaming from a face that was covered in blood and gore.

“Comes…” answered Methodios, clasping the proferred hand “You have earned my respect… You are truly a great fighter… A bit too bloodthirsty perhaps but in this kind of situation, I’ll admit there is some point to it…”

“Will you join me and rest in Belgrade ? There is largely enough room to accommodate you and your men… Though I maintain it is a stinking hellhole only fit for sheep-shaggers…”

“I’ll take you up on your offer… We’ll need some well-deserved rest.” Methodios answered, his gaze lingering to the west where Tarchaneiotes had fled, towards Zagreb.

******

**Ignoramus** · 07-12-2008, 12:08

*placeholder for the sally at Sinop*

**Ituralde** · 07-14-2008, 10:18

1107 Assault of Trebizond:

Pavlos stared glumly into the shaving mirror propped on a chair in front of him. Slowly, deliberately he pulled the razor over his cheek. They were gaunt, the lack of food had taken its toll on him and also on his army. Without looking up he adresses the young man that had just entered the tent.

"Did the men shave?"

"Yes, uncle!"

Pavlos nodded gravely. "Tell me, Christos. At the last full moon, did it have a reddish cast and did an owl pass by it three times from the East?"

"Well, I couldn't say about the colour, uncle, but there was definitively no owl."

Pavlos sighed heavily. "'Tis bad luck, you know that. Attacking an enemy without observing the proper signs is more than dangerous. It's bloody foolish!"

"So you keep saying, uncle!" There was a short moment of silence, punctured by the returned scratching of the razor. Slowly the young man continues. "The foraging parties have returned, uncle. Seems that between the Rebels, the Turks and us we have stripped this land to the core. There's no more food to be found."

Pavlos sighed again. "This leaves us no choice then! We attack today! But mark my words, bad will come of this!"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The saddle squeaked as Pavlos readjusted himself on the horse, trying to observe the advance of his soldiers. It seemed like the enemy had decided to huddle in the square in front of the castle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

This left the walls undefended. With only one Ram needed for the gates, the Royal Army advanced. Spearmen ready to enter the Castle and Archers ready to rain fiery death upon the enemies!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

"You know Christos, the beauty of our situation is the following. Normally we would be at a disadvantage, facing Horse Archers without any significant cavalry of our own. They would whittle us down from afar without us having any chance to reach them. In this case however, our enemy has decided not to make any use of its superior mobility. Instead they stay put and wait for us to get them. Sometimes a battle is tricky, sometimes it is easy. And on rare occassions the enemy general will hand you victory on a silver plate, because he ist just too bloody stupid!"

And that's exactly how it happened. The assembled Turkish Horse Archers were slowly whittled down by Byzantine arrows.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Already half their number lay dead by the time the gate was breached by the ram.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

With Pavlos Chrysovergos bodyguards leading the way the Royal Army stormed the Castle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

While the Roman soldiers were still positioning themselves for the final attack a flame arrow caught the enemy commander.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The remaining, demoralized Horse Archers were crushed in one final attack.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Royal Army was victorious!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Trebizond was occupied peacefully!

**Privateerkev** · 07-23-2008, 06:57

Battles for Adana 1 & 2: 1110

Makedonios strode into his command tent as soon as he arrived back in the province from the Senate session. Glad to be back out in the field, he checked with his regimental captains. At his command were 3 regiments of spears, 2 full regiments of archers and one at quarter strength, as well as one unit of Turcopoles. While away at the Senate session, his men had built a ram and 5 sets of ladders. He also had Iakovos with him. Bart had left for the Crusade only days before so now it was just down to the two generals. Makedonios laid out his plan to the regimental captains and Iakovos.

"Alright men, listen up. We have 1 Turkish general in the castle. And a small army just pulled back from the frontline to attempt to relieve him. The army is made up of 4 spear units and 3 horse archers. We could fight them in the field but I have a better idea. We're going to rush the castle, take the walls, and wait for the enemy to come to us."

It proceeded as planned. A spear regiment ran the ram up to the gates while archers ran ladders to the walls. A regiment of spears ran ladders off to two far sides of the castle. The horse archers formed a wall protecting the ram from behind while Mak and Iakovos each rode off into the field in opposite directions. The enemy army appeared directly behind the army. As the ram was battering at the gates, the 3 enemy units of horse archers charged in. Makedonios, Iakovos, and the Turcopoles easily beat off their attack. They ran to the gate, were blocked by the ram, and were captured.

Then the 4 enemy spear regiments walked up. By this time, the archers were up on the castle walls and started peppering the enemy. The 2 flanking spearmen Makedonios had sent to opposite side walls had gained the walls and were climbing down into the castle. A couple of charges from the cavalry and the enemy spears were running. Again they were stopped by the ram and captured.

Now with the enemy army out of the way, it was time for the general. Makedonios ordered his spears to set up at the two roads into the center, with a general opposite the spears to flank. And his archers moved in to pepper the Turk. But, enticed by the walking spear unit, the Turkish general charged. Makedonios ordered the men out of the way but it was too late. 50 spearmen died at that spot. Makedonios charged the general from behind while Iakovos ran through the square, down the road, and hit the general in the flanks. The other spear units caught up and it was just a matter of grinding the general's unit down. Him and his men refused to surrender.

After the battle, Makedonios was attending to the wounded. Nick walked up to him with a piece of parchment. "M'lord, I found this on the Turkish general. His name was Evrenos Urgencli. He must have been part of the royal court. He had this." He handed Makedonios the parchment. Mak looked at it for a moment. "Now we know why the army came back to try to save him. This is the Turkish Sultanate's Privy Seal."

Makedonios stood up. "Situation report?"

Nick took out a list. "The castle was occupied upon your orders. It went well with no problems. We've rested our men. Their spirits are high after the battle. The prisoners were released but we have a problem. They immediately reformed outside the walls."

Makedonios thought for a moment. "We'll never be able to leave this area with that army still there. Looks like we'll have to go back out and fight them again.

The army formed up. 3 spear units were in a line with the 3 archers behind them. Makedonios rode on their left flank while the Turcopoles were on their right. Iakovos rode way out on the far right to flank. The enemy marched up with the remnants of the last army. What was once roughly 500 men was now around 200 facing Makedonios's 550.

It was over fast. While the middle held, the cavalry charged on the flanks and captured the army again. This time, Makedonios went up to the captain. He had learned some of their language during his time here.

"We have defeated you for the second time. You really should go home."

The Turkish captain looks at him worried. He has been told that horrible things will happen to him if he is captured. He pushed his luck the first time and he was not sure if he would be released a second time. "We were under orders to protect the settlement and aid the noble that was there. We heard what happened at Smyrna and Antioch."

Makedonios pulled the Privy Seal out of his tunic. "Well, those things won't happen here. Now, you and your men need to leave this area. Take your kingdom's Privy Seal and hand it to the Sultan. Tell him Adana is no longer his. Tell him all of Anatolia will be administered by the Empire. Feel free to take some provisions for the journey. If you have any wounded, we'll provide carts and bandages."

The captain nodded. "I will tell him. And thank you for sparing an old soldier and his men. Allah will not forget this."

Makedonios shrugged. "It's just what one soldier does for another. I have no quarrel with you. It's your Sultan I have a problem with. Once you put your weapons down, I will treat you as any other."

As the prisoners walked off, Makedonios went back to Adana to tell Iakovos the good news about his promotion. Then it would be time to leave again and head back to Antioch before the Egyptians got there.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Ferret** · 07-23-2008, 20:53

Siege of Iconium

Ioannis commanded the main assault of the city, along with Zigavinos, meaning Hypatios knew little of what happened there, other than it ended in a long slog in the city plaza. Hypatios himself took a few units of horse archers and hoped to lure some of the enemy out of the walls on the other side of the city. In this he was very successful as the Sultan himself came forth, bringing his royal guard. Hypatios was in no mood to be beaten though and the Sultan's men were killed along with himself. As the last of his guard retreated back to the city they also provided Hypatios and his men with a way in. After entering the city he joined the main assault and gradually killed the rest of the Turkish army.

Ioannis had been wounded in the battle, though not badly, and so the fate of the settlement was left in Hypatios' hands. His second in command and newly appointed sword bearer notified him that the men were under control and an occupation could be achieved.

"And why should we spare these heathens?" Hyptios asked scornfully, "let the men take what they want and kill anyone bearing a muslim icon."

His swordbearer was shocked, "But my Lord, Senator Ameplas personally requested you garrison the settlement peacefully!"

"And why should I take any note of what he says? I follow Ioannis' orders, not his."

"Then what of the Edict? It is forbidden for anyone to slaughter the populace!"

Hypatios stared coldly at him, "Some laws have to be broken, for the good of the Empire," He began the killing himself and over 6000 muslims living there were eventually put to the sword.

**Kagemusha** · 07-29-2008, 12:44

Battle of Transylvanian hills

http://img169.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_657lo.jpg

After returning from the Capital to meet his men on the foothills of Transylvania, Ioannis was in Morbid state of mind. All he had got from the capital was insults and blessings from his peers to return to the North and if plausible stay there, as they deemed him as madman, because he supported ruthless actions towards the enemies of the Empire. Ioannis didnt understand the hypocricy of the other nobles as he saw it. Thinking what would it differ to murder,loot, rape and pillage enemy cities in form of sacking them, while exterminating was such a horrible deed, in his mind mercy for the enemy was nothing but a sign of weakness.

After arriving to the Transylvanian basin, Ioannis met his men near the ruins of a small village, which lie in ruins, small batches of smoke still rising to the sky while heavy rain pounded the countryside.

"Men, did you raze this village?"

Ioannis asked, but before anyone could answer the old man who had been following Ioannis like a shadow for years now answered his question.

"No. This is work of a rebel army led by Hungarian Magyars. That army has been moving across these hills killing ,burning and sacking everything which has crossed their path."

After hearing the words of Petrus, the expression on the face of Kantakouzinos became more bright and he said.

"And where is this army? By the looks of it, it cant be far away, if there is still smoke rising from the ruins."

Hector, his second in command replied.

"They are not far. There is a fresh trail of tracks moving North from here. I dont think we are more then three hours behind them, while what i can tell from the tracks, majority of that army is marching on foot."

The eyes of Kantakouzinos lighted up as he said.

"Men we will hunt down and kill these rebels."

Hector watched his master with disbelief in his eyes and replied.

"But Sir, from the looks of it, they have something like 20 times more men then we have."

Ioannis watched his loyal servant to the eyes and sayed in a loud voice that everyone could hear.

"Isnt this as good day to die as any? If someone is afraid of death then stay behind. I have no desire to live as coward."

After saying those words, Ioannis started galloping in the direction of the tracks immediately, leaving his shocked men behind. After a second of stupor, Hector rode after him and after him the rest of the men followed.

The weather was getting worse and worse. The sky was full of bolt of lightnings and the rain poured heavily upon the landscape. After two hours of riding, the small force of Ioannis catch the rebel army as it was climbing one of the countless hills of Transylvania. From the opposite hill Ioannis flew an arrow from his war bow, which struck one of the men of the rebel rearguard.After a short confusion, the rebels saw that the arrow had came from the direction of the small group of Ioannis. The rebel army quickly turned around and started marching back towards the hill the Bysantine force was situated.

http://img173.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_909lo.jpg

As Ioannis saw that they had gotten the attention of the enemy, he pulled back behind a glump of trees and started quickly riding along the side of the hill so he could see the whole rebel army from its right flank.

The rebels saw the Bysantine banners moving to the right up in the hill and started turning towasrds the flags, while marching forward. Ioannis saw that the rebel commander with his Magyar cavalry was now in the rear right of the army and with quick move moved into that flank and ordered a swift charge against the horse archers, who were mignled together with the rest of the army as it was trying to turn towards the faster moving enemy.

http://img25.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._122_893lo.jpg

After the first charge Ioannis howled from the bottom of his lungs for his men to withdraw quickly before they would have to fight the whole army. The Magyars took the bait and rode after him as they thought the small force was fleeing, what little did they know. As Ioannis saw that the enemy cavalry started making distance from the infantry. He ordered a halt and crashed to his enemies with a thunderous charge. One of the first to fall before the Bysantine steel was the enemy commander.

http://img174.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_894lo.jpg

After short but fioerce fighting the enemy cavalry broke down and fled. At this point enemy spearmen were running with all haste to get in time to support their cavalry, but it was too late. Kantakouzinos regrouped his men and charged straight to the running spearmen with devastating effect.The unorganized spearmen melted away like butter before the Cataphracts.

http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_838lo.jpg

After the remaining spearmen routed. Ioannis watched forward as the rest of the rebel army came towards him running. Two units of hallbeard wielding levies, supported by some Bulgarian brignads with their deadly bows. After a short break, The cataphracts of Ioannis rode first towards the halbearders, but just before a clash, they turned right passing the infantry and struck to the bowmen behind routing them.

http://img245.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_183lo.jpg

At this point the two halbeardiers units lost some heart and moved to high ground, while Ioannis men were mopping up the last of the Bulgarians. Once he saw the enemy marching uphil. Ioannis ordered with calm voice.

"Men, rest now for a bit. Those men climbing that hill are good as dead already. there is no place they can out run us, so lets gather some strength."

So for a bit, the remainder of enemy army deployed on a hill overlooking the valley, while the Bysantine cataphracts rested in the valley drinking beer and wine to kill their thirst, while their armour were covered in their own and the blood of their enemies.

http://img193.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_372lo.jpg

http://img14.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._122_740lo.jpg

After a suitable rest. Ioannis watched carefully the enemy position. They were situated on a hill with their left flank facing a small forest. He ordered his men to ride on the side of the hill straight towrads the enemy ans as he had expected the enemy started turning towards him, so the center of the hill remained unmanned. Once close enough, the cataphracts made one final leap riding as hard near the tree line and made it to the left flank to the enemy.

http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php...122_1084lo.jpg

With one final charge the enemy was brushed off the hill and general rout ensued.

http://img148.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_754lo.jpg

After about an hour of mopping up the prisoners, the remainder of enemy were tied up and unarmed before the Strator Kantakouzinos, 194 prisoners all together.

Hector asked his master what to do with the prisoners. The answer was short and simple.

"I see many good trees with strong branches on that hill we fought last in this battle. Hang them high, each one of them, i will help you as there are so few of us for the work.

And so by the nightfall the trees of the said hill were heavy with men hanged with the shortest rope, so everyone would get their own piece of rope, their tongues hanging from their mouth, eyes nearly bursting from their sockets, the light dimmed from those eyes forever. Still today the hill is called as the hill of the hanged men in the local dialect.

Butchers Bill:

http://img13.imagevenue.com/img.php?...122_1066lo.jpg

http://img186.imagevenue.com/img.php...5_122_17lo.jpg

**Privateerkev** · 07-31-2008, 23:11

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*

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**flyd** · 08-03-2008, 05:07

Gather 'round, little children now
Hear the songs of Christendom's defenders!
Hear the song of mighty Markianos!
And his father was a man named Pavlos,
Who fell at the bloody Manzikert,
And grandfather was a man named Thomas,
Who fell in a war against the Arabs,
And the son did fall at Caesarea.
And when Markos had been a small boy
Then the Turk had come in to his home
And he had to flee to Macedonia.
And he loved to drink the good red wine,
Drink it from the early morning sunrise,
Drink it 'till the sun was gone again,
And he loved a woman from the north.
But above all he had been a servant
To his people and to his good King,
And to Christ who was above them all.
So when it came time to fight with the Turk,
He was first to saddle up his horse,
And these are the words he told his love:
"Oh, my love, my darling from the north,
There is no one in this world I love,
There is no one that I love like you.
And my mother has died long ago
And my sister when she was a child
And my father fell at Manzikert.
Not one friend did I have in this world,
Not one friend 'till I had found you.
And you are the one for whom I fight,
'Cause the Turk will never rest his head
'Till he has destroyed all we have,
And so I must go and give him battle
For you and for all of our dear children.
Our son who has grown so very fast,
And our daughter who can now talk,
And the one who's still within your womb
And whom I will never get to meet
If I fall in battle with the Turk.
But please now dry away your tears,
For whatever happens to me now,
I will find you in this very city,
Or I'll find you in Jerusalem."
And he left her never to return.

And he marched his army very far,
He marched over mighty mountains,
And he marched through Anatolia.
And the first of the Turks that he saw
They were led by Davud Oguzhan,
And he killed them down to a man.
Then he came to mighty Caesarea,
And here was the Sultan of the Turks,
And his name was Sultan Mustafa,
And his army was not very big.
But there was another from the north,
A big army coming in to help,
Which was led by Saim Sabanoglu,
Biggest cur there was among the Turks.
And he left his Sultan to be sieged
And he marched his army to the south.
So the time had come for an attack
And the armies were put in the field.
One one side was the brave Markianos,
On the other was the Turkish Sultan.
And then Markos came in front of his line,
And these are the words he told his foe:
"Oh, come now Sultan and be brave,
Do not hide yourself behind the walls,
Do not hide yourself behind your men,
But come here and face me as a man.
And let him who ever takes this fight,
Let him also take this field of battle."
And the Sultan was not with no honor,
So he came to meet the challenge given.
And brave Markos did take up his lance,
And the Sultan did take up his lance,
And brave Markos did charge at the Sultan,
And the Sultan did charge at brave Markos!
So who was it that was hit among them?
Was it Markos who fell off his mount?
Or was it the Sultan falling down?
And it had been Markos who was hit,
But the Sultan had been hit as well!
As the mounts ran off from the battle,
Swords were drawn and battle was on foot.
And it had been in the early morning
That the battle had only begun,
And it went on 'till the noon of day.
And brave Markos still attacked with fury
But the Sultan had grown somewhat weary,
Though he had been of a younger age,
And no longer could he hold his feet,
But he fell and this is what he said:
"Oh brave Markos, bravest of the Romans,
Allah praise you, do not kill me now!
You have won the battle we have fought.
You have won it and can have the city."
And brave Markos was a man of honor,
So he let the Sultan to the city,
And the Sultan was to keep his word,
But his captains who were great big fools
Thought that they could yet defend the city.
When the Sultan ordered them to leave,
They did kill him and then locked the gates.
But brave Markos then did storm the city,
And no Turkish soldier did escape.

And then Markos sat in Caeasrea,
And he drank the wine from dawn to dusk,
And his thoughts were on her whom he loved.
But then came back Saim Sabanoglu,
And a mighty army did he have,
Three times bigger than what Markos had.
And this was no weakly peasant rabble,
Like that which had been the foe at Belgrade,
They had good militia with good training,
Equals of the Romans that were there,
Though they did have five-fold more in number,
And they had some other troops on foot,
And they had so many horsemen too.
Mighty Markos challenged Saim too,
But this coward did refuse to face him,
And this is what Markos told his men:
"In the field, their army we'd defeat,
Though it is big, it's led by a fool.
But there is no need to go to battle
For they'll never storm this city's walls,
And near by is army of Ioannis
And together if we make attack
Then will we lose even fewer men."
But his knights were eager for a fight,
So they said that he was only brave
With his numbers greater than his foe's.
And this had been untruth that was spoken
And brave Markos wouldn't have it said,
So he put his army into battle,
And the Turk had done the very same.

"Forward, Forward," Markos said,
"Forward 'till you've found them."
But the Turkish horses came
On the left and on the right,
And the arrows came from left
And the arrows came from right,
And they fell on horse and men
And men and horse both then fell,
But the army pressed on forward.
And they hit the Turkish line
And they hit it on the left
While Markos took the horsemen,
Took them flanking on the left,
And when they went up a hill
That is when they made their dive
Made it on the Turkish line!
And the ground wept its tears
As the hooves upon it beat,
And the Turkish line did buckle
And the Turkish line did break
On the left in any case.
That is when they took the center
Took to fighting in the center,
And again the same was tried.
"Charge them, charge them," Markos said,
"Charge them, charge them yet again!"
And more Turkmen took their feet
Beat a very quick retreat,
And it had been half their army
That lay slaughtered on the ground
That lay bleeding on the ground.
But it had been a black day
When the Roman courage faltered!
And it had been the damned Bulgars
Who were first to run away,
And militia followed them
And the horsemen after them,
And it was the Trebizines
Who were last to run away.
Only Markos and his knights
And the brave Armenians
Had been left there in the fight.
And they all fell one by one,
'Till it had been only Markos
That was left there in the fight.

And it was that Markos lost his mount,
Mount died and Markos fell to ground,
And it was a great sin then committed
That a hero's head was cut away
And his body lay among his men.
And this was the song of Markianos!

**Ignoramus** · 08-05-2008, 23:36

*placeholder*

**Cecil XIX** · 08-05-2008, 23:53

*placeholder*

**Kagemusha** · 08-06-2008, 15:47

Battle on road to Nicae

http://img241.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_407lo.jpg

Young peasant called Nicophoros was anxious. The affairs in Nicae had been bad for the peasants for a while, because of hard taxes and young men being taken away to fight for the Empire.

He was on his way to join the rebellion, when South from the spot, which was agreed as the gathering point of recruits, Nicophoros met his neighbour Savvas. Without a weapon, clothes on blood and expression of fear on his face, Savvas yelled to the other man, noce he regogniced his neighbour:

"Throw that spear away and go home boy!"

Once Savvas came close, Nicophoros asked what had changed the mind of his neighbour to fight the Empire and Savvas told him what had happened.

" Our scouts saw the group of Cataphracts coming from Nicae, from far away and we were prepared with good defensive position on the base of a mountain.

The Cataphracts came closer and stopped. The leader yelled us:

- Go home! Throw your weapons down and go home! I am the hangman of Carpaths, Ioannis Kantakouzinos! Go home or i will drive you there!

We laughed at that man from our position and yelled back.

- Come and get us! Or cant your horse carry all that armor up here?!

The rider said nothing after that and formed his men. After a minute of silence, the Cataphracts charged on our spearwall and after the first charge, again and again and again. We killed atleast 7 of those men, but they would not just stop. After each charge there was less and less of us standing, while the crazy Cataphracts kept coming like our spears did not exist. When it seemed that their horses were getting tired. The leader of the Cataphracts halted his men and rested, while we could not go anywhere.
Then they came at us again and once our leader Georgios was butchered by one of those bastards, the men could not take it any more and we run. Little good that did to us boy, little good. The horse men came after us spearing, slashing and trambling men under their hooves.
In the end there was 22 of us left alive captured by the Imperials.

The leader, that son of a female Dog walked to us, took of his blood stained helmet and said.

- Didnt i tell you to go home?

Well..No one dared to say anything to him, so he continued.

- Now. I just impale your dirty excuses of rebels on stakes here on this bloody mountain, but it must be your lucky day. Im letting you scum go. With one condition. If i ever see another uprising in this province. I will kill you, your families, your dogs, livestock. I even kill the mice from your shacks. Now run, befiore i change my mind and never show your ugly faces to me again, Run!

And so we run, each to our own direction and that brings me here. So now lad, lets go back to our homes and forget the whole rebellion business, or that madman will surely keep his word.

http://img173.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_729lo.jpg

http://img162.imagevenue.com/img.php...122_1019lo.jpg

**Privateerkev** · 08-09-2008, 07:05

Antioch 1122:

One thing about fighting out in the Levant was the dust and sand. It was every where. It floated in the air. It sat on your horse. It got in between the fittings of your armor. It was omnipresent.

Makedonios looked down a hill and saw a vast sea of sand. And down there was the enemy. The last Fatimid Jihad army in the area was waiting. Two had originally come to Antioch to get to Anatolia. One led by the Caliph himself. And one led by a general. Makedonios had killed the general in the first battle. That army, leaderless, had fled and ran to the boats. It sat out in the sea now, having dropped out of the Jihad.

That just left the Caliph and his army. Mak saw him down there with his army. The Caliph had a ballista, over 40 of his bodyguards, 2 groups of cavalry, and a lot of infantry. Behind and to the right, Mak had set up the army. Four battered infantry regiments protecting four battered archer regiments. With two half-strength regiments of horse archers to support. Makedonios, Armatos, Nathanail, and Iakovos were far off to the left. When the enemy walked towards the far off army, they would present their flank to the Order members.

The Grandmaster looked around with pride. He was honored to yet again lead such men into battle. To his left was Armatos, his second in command. To his right was Iakovos, newly arrived from Adana and fresh for this fight. Farther to the left was Nathanail. Between the four of them, there were around 60 bodyguards. The army walked by, leaving the Caliph and the ballista behind.

"Charge!"

The four members and their men ran down the hill. Armatos charged into the ballista crew. Makedonios and his 18 men charged the Caliph and his 43 men. Horses and men crashed into each other. While the Caliph was kept busy, Iakovos crashed into his flank. Nathanail took on a small group of Arab Cavalry that tried to aid the Caliph. With the artillery crew run off, Armatos crashed into the back of the Caliph's bodyguards. It took multiple charges from the men, but eventually the Caliph's bodyguards fell one by one. Makedonios saw a couple of bodyguards surround the Sultan and kill him.

Meanwhile, his army had been fighting off by itself. Battered and without replacements, the army was not doing well. But with the Sultan, artillery, and cavalry all gone, the Order members could simply charge into the enemy infantry from behind. One by one, the enemy units ran. Makedonios ordered his men to let them run. They would be no further threat. Antioch was once again secured.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Andres** · 08-09-2008, 18:01

The Battle at Corinth - 1122

Early in the morning.

Savvas was in his tent, enjoying his first goblet of cooled wine of the day, when a messenger arrived.

"Mylord, Crown Prince Abu Bakr has lifted the siege and is currently terrorising the peasants of the Pelopponesos."

Savvas empties his goblet.

"So, the coward is running away? Assemble the men! I want Fatimid blood on my armor by tonight!"

"Yes sir!"

The messenger, encouraged by the selfconfidence of his general, ran out the commanders' tent and spreaded the word.

In the meanwhile, Savvas took another goblet of wine.

"I hope this won't be the last one I drink. I heard rumours that this Crown Prince is an experienced general. Oh well, guess I was a bit naive thinking that my military career would be limited to butchering stupid rebel peasants."

Later that morning, near noon.

" General! We have spotted the enemy! They are lined up and waiting for us."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Savvas divided his infantry in two seperate groups and ordered his two regiments of horse archers to position themselves on the left flank.

Before the battle the slightly drunk Savvas walked a bit further. Staring in the distance, he spotted Crown Prince Abu Bakr.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

" Look at him! Just look at him! Have you ever, ever seen an uglier nobleman than that Crown Prince Abu Bakr? To think that I have emptied five goblets of wine before this battle and he's still ugly as hell! I mean, after 5 goblets of wine, even our smelly friend Nikiphoros here..." Savvas grabs one of the spearman and looks at him "... even our smelly friend Nikiphoros looks like an irresistable lady of questionable morality of one of the finest brothels in Constantinople!"

The men bursted out in laughter and Savvas continued...

"Hey Crown Prince! I said you are ugly! Heck, I would rather spend an erotic night with Grandmaster Makedonios and share his pneumonia than having to smell that ugly, stinking swine of a Fatimid Crown Prince! Men! Take your spears, swords, bows or whatever tool you are using. It's time to put those ugly Fatimids out of their misery. Let us show mercy and kill them all!"

The men sheered.

Savvas yelled : "Forward!"

He commanded the Horse Archers to attack the right flank of the enemy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

"No fire at will men. Concentrate your arrows on their desert cavalry. A goblet of wine if you manage to shoot at least 10 of them in their [inappropriate word for a certain private part].

The Horse Archers attacked and took out the desert cavalry on the right flank.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Allthough one of the regiments routed, the Horse Archers managed to also take out most of the desert cavalry positioned at the left flank of the enemy army.

While Savvas and the infantry were still marching, he spotted a well known flag.

"Ha! Good ol' Aleksios didn't want to miss the party, I see. Over here mylord!"

Aleksios joined Savvas' troops and they pursued the remaining desert cavalry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

After having driven away most of the enemy cavalry, both noblemen and their bodyguards moved fast near the left flank of the enemy army.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

When the Byzantine infantry got into melee with the Fatimid infantry, the voice of the Byzantine general could be heard all over the battlefield.

"Here, you ugly bastard! I, Savvas ek Militou, am coming for you and I'm going to put you out of your misery, you infidel ugly swine! Come over here, you stinking pig!"

Savvas and Aleksios charged into the well trained bodyguards of the Crown Prince.

The outraged Crown Prince managed to severely injure the bold Savvas, but he didn't see the sword of Kristophoros, Savvas' loyal bodyguard.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

After the Crown Prince died, the spirit of the Fatimid army was broken and the battle was over soon. Savvas routed the enemy of the battlefield, cursing them.

"Get over here, swines! Don't run away, I will end your misery! The nerve of that Crown Prince! Injuring me! How dares he, that ugly bastard. After this is over, I'm going to stab my sword into his ugly corpse again and again and again and I will burn it and..."

Savvas fell of his horse. Was it because of the wine or because of his wounds, nobody could tell...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

175 prisoners were ransommed back for 768 florins. A note accompanied the prisoners:

"I'm not going to do your work, put them out of their misery yourselves!"

**_Tristan_** · 08-23-2008, 09:47

Blood Raven
Alexandria, 1125

Muhammad sat behind his stall in the main market of Alexandria. His stock was almost empty. The siege of the Crusaders had taken its toll. He had been able to resupply when the first wave had been defeated but had barely had time to gather enough supplies to last a few days before a second wave, more numerous had appeared, coming from the cost.
Though his stall was almost empty, Muhammad was happy. The scarcity of food allowed him to reap large benefits. Benefits he already envisioned invested into a caravan of camels to trade the riches of the confines of Egypt.
Muhammad displayed proudly the green armband of the Defenders on his arm, granted to him by the city council for his participation in throwing off the Crusader’s assault. Many in the city had taken up this sign of recognition, as a show of pride and faith.
A clamor was suddenly raised at the other side of the market where the palace was found. Looking in that direction, all that Muhammad could see was a flurry of activity. Emerging from one of the alleys, Muhammad spotted Rasheed, his associate, running like a madman, the man also sporting a green armband.

“Muhammad…” Rasheed called, out of breath “They are taking the captured crusaders out…”

“What ?” Muhammad was non-plussed “But why ? They’re not freeing them…”

“No… Don’t worry… The guards are going to send them to their God… And we’re allowed to take part… I’m going… And you ?”

Muhammad didn’t think long before following in Rasheed’s wake, running in pursuit of the crowds that followed the guards. In the middle of a group of guards, Muhammad managed to see an ox-driven cart on which a metal cage contained a score of men, some standing, targets of small stones thrown by children, some sitting dejectedly. Muhammad could see that all wore black and gold tabards with some sun design on it.

Finally they went through the south gate, the gate which led to the main camp of the Crusaders.

In front of the gates, a line of guards kept the crowds at bay from great crosses planted in the ground. The cart crossed the line and the escort guards opened it and began flogging the men out of the cage. They drove them to the crosses and began tying them up.

From his vantage point in the crowds, Muhammad could see that the men were badly bruised. Most were hanging limply from the ropes that tied them to the crosses. Only one seemed to have gathered enough strength to raise his head and stare defiantly at the crowd, his gaze then going to the distance where his countrymen were encamped, a quarter of a mile away.

Absorbed in the contemplation of this man’s bravery, Muhammad didn’t hear a word of what the guard captain said. Only the last words caught his ears.

“… leave the punishment of the Infidels to you, people of Alexandria… Defenders, walk forward.”

A great many men, with ages ranging from youth to elders, stepped forward, crossing the line of guards, Muhammad and Rasheed among them.

Muhammad could now see that small piles of stones had been gathered everywhere in front of the crosses. So that was to be the fate of these men… Anger welled up in Muhammad when he thought of the unwarranted aggression of the so-called Crusaders, the cause of the death of so many good Muslims and a continued threat to all Egypt. Stooping down, he grabbed a large stone and with a cry of “Allahu Akbar”, threw it at the man nearest to him, the one that had stared so defiantly at the crowds. The stone took him on the side of the head, drawing blood and stunning him. That first stone was all that the crowd had waited for and a hail of stone pelted the tied-up men.

Sometime later, the piles of rocks had been depleted. The men on the crosses all hung limply, their bodies turning black from the many bruises, blood streaming from cuts.

Muhammad’s fury slowly abated and he contemplated the work done. Seemingly, all the men were dead.

“That will teach them” said Rasheed by his side. “Let’s go… It’s over…”

“Go… I’ll stay a while” Muhammad answered.

The crowd slowly began going back through the gates, its anger and frustration spent.

Only a small number of guards kept a picket around the crosses.

Muhammad remained a moment looking at the bodies of the men sprawled on the crosses.

“Teach them… I fear they would need much more to learn their lesson” Muhammad mused.

Finally turning around to go back to his home, Muhammad spared a look towards the Crusader camp. On a small hillock, an arrow throw away, a small group of men dressed in the Byzantine fashion were sitting on their horses. One walked his horse a few paces forward.

Sensing the man’s gaze hovering on him, a ripple of fear wracked Muhammad’s body.

******

The same day, at evening.

After witnessing the lapidation of the Crusaders, Methodios had walked back to camp and gathered his captains, Solomon among them.

He had wanted to wait some more before launching the assault. They were not enough siege weapons to lead a decisive assault but what had happened today had strengthened his resolve. Some of the tortured men may still be alive and he had to rescue them.

Orders were dealt out : the latinkons would drive the ram to the east gate under the cover of night, while Solomon’s sergeants and his Byzantine guards would launch an assault on the west wall, with the archers’ support.

The cavalry would remain facing the south gate, to lure the garrison to that same wall.

Night had fallen and with it a light wind had blown rain-ladden clouds from the sea. Rain began pouring down, when Methodios ordered the advance.

The attack took the Egyptians by surprise. The events of the day had made them confident that the Crusaders would think twice before attacking.

All their forces had been gathered in their quarters near the central plaza.

The latinkons managed to drive the ram to the eastern gates undetected. On the other side, ladders went up and men began pouring on the walls just as the spearmen of the militia themselves reached their stations.

A fierce fight started on the western wall while on both sides archers shot arrows upon arrows at the milling mass of men.

Sending Solomon and the skythikons to the East gate, Methodios took the lancers with him and headed west.

Seeing his arrival, the Byzantine guards broke from their fight with the militiamen and managed to seize control of the western gate, opening it.

That was all Methodios had waited for and both his retinue and the lancers launched themselves through the gates. Making for the main square of the city, they were met by the Egyptian cavalry.

Methodios ordered his lancers forward to the square while he dealt with the engaged cavalry.
Cutting a swath through the Egyptian riders was easier said than done and many of the lancers fell from the javelins of the mounted shooters. They finally broke through and entered the plaza, threatening to capture the city.

At the same time, the ram finally broke the eastern gate and the Latinkons poured through into the streets of Alexandria, unopposed. The Egyptian dismounted lancers sent to defend the said gates had turned around back to the plaza, intent on reclaiming it from the Byzantines.

The battle was uncertain. On the western wall, the Byzantine sergeants broke and ran down the ladders to the safety of the plain.

Then, all of the sudden, the tide of the battle turned. Methodios managed to kill the captain of the garrison and finish the last of the cavalry while on the western wall the two units of militiamen broke and ran for the central square. Byzantine guards gave chase and led them directly into Methodios’ waiting men.

At the eastern gate, Solomon saw that the Latinkons had secured the access to the city and rode forward with his men.

Now, what remained of the defenders had taken place on the plaza, intent of going for a last stand.

(OOC : I encountered a bug at this time. A unit of desert archers was split in two with 4 men remaining on the walls while the rest occupied the plaza. This prevented me from charging or attacking them with cavalry, but I could still target them with arrows, hence a shooting duel…)

Methodios and Solomon were only too happy to oblige and led charges after charges into the massed ranks of spearmen, under a barrage of fiery arrows.

Desert archers had taken up position on the roofs of city buildings, putting them out of reach of the Byzantine crusaders, except for their archers.

(OOC : I encountered a bug at this time. A unit of desert archers was split in two with 4 men remaining on the walls while the rest occupied the plaza. This prevented me from charging or attacking them with cavalry, but I could still target them with arrows, hence a shooting duel…)

Byzantine guards went sent to root them out and succeeded when they killed some of the men that had taken up position on the high western wall. The rest of the archers then got down the roofs and ran to the plaza, where they were cut down by the cavalry like the rest of the garrison.

******

Bjarki found Methodios sitting on the marches to the governor’s place, nursing a nasty cut on his left cheek.

Lifting his head to his veteran companion, Methodios asked. “How many men have we lost ?”

“One hundred twenty-one… Most of the losses were suffered by Solomon’s men… Though we have lost around twenty riders and around thirty footmen…”

“Go and tell him he’s done some good work here”

“I will… What do we do of our prisoners ? I asked the city council to pay for their freedom but they refused…”

“Kill them… Kill them all…”

A dark expression settled upon Methodios’ face, while he thought about the events of the day.

“Round up all the men of the city and gather up all those wearing those green armbands…”

“What shall I do with them ?” inquired Bjarki.

“Make them Blood Ravens…” Methodios said, in a coarse voice. “And seize their properties. The Empire will need every penny we can extract from this place if we are to secure our hold of these lands…”

Bjarki was taken aback by Methodios’ orders.

“But Methodios, sacking of a Crusade target is forbidden by law…”

“I know… Just as exterminating cities was some years ago and still… I will face whatever consequences… These people deserve every evil we can act upon them for what they did today… You have your orders…” Methodios said, grim-faced.

******

Muhammad was roused up from his sleep by the noise of battle reverberating through the city. Quickly getting into his clothes, he ran outside to witness the assault of the Crusaders.

Panic caught up with him and he ran back inside to lead his wife and kids deep into his cellar under his house. Then, fetching his old scimitar from the wall, he ran into the streets intent on fighting and killing the Infidels.

He hadn’t gone two streets from his home when a group of riders appeared in front of him. Before he had time to hide, the horses were upon him and a he was struck a blow on the head.

Pain erupted in his skull and he dropped to the ground. Blood thumped in his head, his vision blurred then darkness fell.

Howls awoke Muhammed. His head hurt like hell and he noticed he was tied up and lying on his side on the ground. Opening his eyes he saw many others of the city inhabitants, tied like him. Looking around him, he could see a ring of Byzantine soldiers keeping guard upon the group of men. All of the prisoners around him wore the green armband of the Defenders. A quick count enabled Muhammad to estimate their numbers at two thousand. Whimpers could be heard all around and a smell of slaughterhouse permeated the air.

Another howl sounded in the distance. Muhammad wriggled on the ground to see what was happening.

On a raised platform on the other side of the plaza, two Byzantine soldiers were holding a man kneeled while a third man covered in blood and armed with a large knife made large cuts into his back. Then sheathing his knife, he reached bare-handed into the man’s back and tore out his lungs which he unfolded on his back.

Horror at the sight made Muhammad faint, his last thought being that the kneeling man looked so much like some Christian angel…

(OOC : though chivalrous by nature, Methodios also has the “Fine with blood” trait which explains such actions…)

**Ramses II CP** · 08-25-2008, 04:23

East of Cairo, 1125.

The onrushing years had not been kind to Vissarionas ek Lesvou. The scar across the top of his head had thickened with age, causing him constant discomfort and spreading hair loss down the sides of his scalp. His closest friend and servant Rafi had grown into a man in his own right, but there was a wedge of distance between the two of them that the passage of time was worsening. Vissa often wondered now if Rafi would remain by his side after the Crusade.

Ahh, and there was the matter of that Crusade. Back in Constantinople, with fire and fury in his guts, Vissa had imagined a single clean stroke to wipe away the sins of the infidel, protect the holy places of Orthodoxy, and, in his heart of hearts, reclaim Aliya's favor for himself.

It had not been so simple. First he had spent a fortune from the funds secured in Cairo to hire Genoese craftsmen and sailors to crew his vessel. They had claimed to be in Constantinople waiting for the German crusade to pass so they could hire on. In fact, as Vissa discovered only after weeks aboard the ship, they were rebels against the Milanese who currently governed Genoa and had been existing as little more than pirates. They swore their changes to his ship would help it outpace his comrades in arms, but how was carving a lewd statue of a half fish woman on the prow supposed to help? Vissa had grown up in a little island fishing village and so had no fear of the water, but neither was he a sailor with any knowledge of the open sea. Once they lost sight of the coast the lives of the Crusaders were completely in the hands of these Genoese 'rebels' and their odd notions of safe sailing.

For one thing they insisted that the soldiers drink an astonishingly vile tea, vowing that it would keep them hale during the long voyage. Vissa had refused, though even Rafi eventually developed a taste for the stuff. Halfway through the trip Vissa had then developed an affliction of sores and weakened teeth. Three of his had fallen out. The rest of the men remained healthy, but Vissa could not shake his illness and spent long days alone in his cabin. The sailors called it scurvy, but privately Vissa thought it might be a curse from God for the increasingly crude dreams he had of his time with Aliya.

Then Vissa had discovered that among the sailors it was common to... lie... with one another after a certain amount of time at sea. The men swore up and down that it was lucky, that it was necessary, that it prevented trouble on the ship, but Vissa, sick of the sea, sick of the scurvy, and sick of the disgusting habits of the men of Genoa absolutely forbade it. Five sailors had to be hung at sea, and eight more took lashes, some more than once, before the practice came to an end.

Then there was the whale, or perhaps The Whale. The less said of it the better.

At last, at long, long last, Vissa and his men had reached the coast. Not first, not fastest, but perhaps the better for it. The death of Kosmas Mavrozomis gave caution to all the remaining crusaders, though it was a steep price for the warning. During the march south he had joined forces with his Order mates, Stavros ek Amarinthou and Varthomlomaios Ksiros. At last they were within sight of the walls of Cairo. At last the end was nigh!

Aliya's perfume seemed to drift in the very wind. Vissa walked about in a state of heighted excitement. The other men took it for religious fervor, or for the end of his scurvy affliction, but in truth his every waking thought was driven by the desire to again hear her voice, again feel her skin against his own. He gave no sign of it, none, and so men mistook the reddening of his cheeks for a passion for God, and called him 'little father' and Priest Vissa, half seriously.

The Egyptians in the area had all stood aside from the Crusaders, not challenging their ride across the countryside to the bridge. Vissa had wondered at this, seeing that Cairo was their capital and nearly in reach. Once they had finally encamped at the bridge, however, their plans became clear. Forces on both sides of the river abruptly moved to make an assault on the Crusader's camp on the eastern bank of the river.

Stavros, the most experienced commander and by mutual agreement in overall control of the army, had a good cover of scouts out on both sides of the river. His men reported that the force on the western bank was comprised of only a few companies of light infantry and archers, while the army advancing on the west bank was far larger and led by a Saracen noble. Stavros' snap decision was to abandon the camp and force the bridge against the weak blocking force immediately. With a bright sun lighting the morning sky to the east Stavros and his company of Lancers thundered onto the bridge, fully expecting the enemy to lash out with a storm of arrows.

The Egyptians, however, obviously had strict orders to hold the bridge at all costs. All four companies of men rushed onto the bridge and engaged Stavros' heavily armored men at close quarters. The slaugher rapidly became immense as horses shoved screaming Fatamids into the river and General Amarinthou's guardsmen butchered the lightly armored infantry.

Vissa and Varthomlomaios had, meanwhile, ridden away up the east bank of the river to delay the arrival of the second Saracen army. With a vengeful roar the two men led a galloping charge into the advance guard of light infantry and Turkomen, scattering and killing dozens before pulling back with the enemy general and his cavalry in close pursuit.

At the bridge the first company of Egyptian archers broke, throwing down their weapons and attempting to surrender. When their captain turned away from the battle for a moment to attempt to rally them Stavros personally leaned far out of his saddle to nearly behead the man, shattering the will of the remainder to fight.

All that remained was to chase down the fleeing remnant and hold them at the point of a sword.

Behind Stavros the remainder of the army crossed the bridge, the Great Cross company trailing behind, and set themselves to receive the assault of the second Saracen army. The spearmen pushing the cross left it at the mouth of the bridge as a symbol of defiance in the face of the infidel. Stavros knew well that if the worst should occur, if the army should be pushed back from the bridge, the men would fight to the death to reclaim that cross. Soon Varthomlomaios rejoined the main body of the army, the Saracen attackers having slowed behind him to await their infantry. Of Vissa there was no sight, the two groups of guardsmen having split at the far end of the bridge.

North of the bridge, alone on the east side, Vissarionas and his guards rested atop a small hill and watched the Fatamid general ready his assault. A small, near broken company of Turkomen were harassing Vissa's men with light arrows, but otherwise he stood unopposed. Gathering his Bedouin light cavalry the enemy commander decided to try to force the crossing himself, perhaps because he could see that Stavros' banner was far to the rear of the army capturing the last of the blocking force.

It was a horrific error. The timbers of the bridge were drenched in the blood of Saracen light infantry, making footing uncertain for the horses and giving Stavros' archers ample time to thin the numbers of the light cavalry now crossing. The Great Cross prevented a true charge from forming, though the horses made their way around it easily enough, and so the enemy staggered slowly into battle against well prepared spearmen and religious fanatics. Worst of all for them Varthomolaios had momentarily struck his banner to bait them, and he now raised it once more and charged into the battle. The Bedouin, accustomed more to raids than heavy fighting, lost their will to continue the struggle almost immediately.

With only his own scattered guardsmen Surahbil al-Fihri must have known he could not force the bridgehead. He looked about in horror at his fleeing allies, and raised his horn to blow, perhaps trying to summon his infantry to aid him.

Then, steeling himself for the embrace of death, he commanded his men to fight to the last.

Across the river the Saracen heavy infantry were preparing to charge to aid their master when a pair of fleeing Turkomen rode by screaming a warning which whipped away, unheard, in the wind. Moments later, while the Fatamids hesitated and their Lord died, Vissarionas ek Lesvou and his guardsmen broke over the hill and swept down on the enemy's light infantry with a crushing charge.

A roaring cheer announced the fall of the banner of Surabhil on the far bank, and Vissa's guardsmen, their work of pinning down the enemy infantry now done, fell back still under the plinking fire of the few remaining Turkomen. As Vissa and his guardsmen worked their way around to pin the horse archers against the bridge the Saracen's remaining captains paused for a moment to consider their position. If they attempted to flee those heavy horsemen were cruising around behind them like sharks, waiting to pick them off, and their Sultan in Cairo would not look favorably on the failure to relive them. On the other hand they still outnumbered the Byzantine infantry on the far bank, and it was even vaguely possible that they might yet rescue their commander and carry the day. Just as Vissa engaged the remaining half company of Turkomen the Fatamid heavy infantry bellowed out a command to their lighter fellows to charge, and several hundred of the enemy began to cross the bridge under a light hail of harassing fire.

Vissarionas saw their renewed determination, and immediately saw what must be done to break it. Commanding his men to ignore and ride through the Turkomen, breaking their ranks and their will to fight along the way, Vissa charged onto the bridge behind the Saracen heavy infantry. Charging into the backs of the well armored Saracens the lances of the Byzantine bodyguard made a terrific noise. Virtually the entire remaining Fatamid force turned to see a Greek banner at their backs, remorselessly churning a path into their heaviest remaining troops. It was too much. Hundreds of them threw down their swords by the Great Cross and surrendered while a very few trickled through or jumped into the river to attempt to escape.

None but a handful of mounted men would get away to carry the tale. Others would later account it a heroic victory for Stavros. For the Crusaders it was a weary mess of a victory, with their camp in ruins, supplies trampled and dmaged, dozens dead, and many more wounded needing care in enemy territory, yet ever after they would speak of that day as one of the greatest of their lives.

(I had no opportunity to ransom or release prisoners after this battle, so I have no idea what happened to them. If they all got added to the garrison of Cairo they may prove a formidable addition as almost all of the enemy heavy infantry 'survived' to be captured. Check out the modestly jedi kill factor for the BGs.)

**Rowan** · 08-27-2008, 15:25

Battle outside Cairo, 1126

The march to Cairo had been easy. After the battle at the bridge the Fatimid forces seemed to be in disarray and melted before the advancing crusaders. It was almost too easy. Outside Cairo the stake lines were put up and work on the siege engines was begun. The sultan was trapped in his city and the long and tiring crusade would soon be over. Just as the men were settling into the boring rhythm of the siege a column of dust was spotted on the horizon. Apparently all the troops that had been loose on the countryside had gathered together to break the siege. Scouts were sent to investigate and reported that the relieving force consisted of some two companies each of Nubian spearmen, militia spearmen, desert raiders and desert archers. The defenders of the city had also spotted the dust cloud and surmised that this was their chance to break out! In addition to the Sultans personal bodyguard the garrison held two full companies of desert raiders and militia spearmen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The crusading army withdrew down a previously scouted valley until it had the high ground and then deployed for battle. At the center-left was Stavros himself with the Great Cross to his right. In front of the Cross were the infantry companies and the first line consisted of the archers. Vissarionas took the Byzantine Cavalry to the right flank while Vartholomaios took the left. The lancers were kept as reserve on the near right.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Superior Byzantine archers began to rain death at the relieving force as soon as they were in range, concentrating their fire on the Nubian spearmen. Meanwhile the Byzantine Cavalry company hooked to the enemy rear, peppering them with arrows.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

As the Fatimid troops started their climb uphill Vartholomaios initated a charge to their right flank, shattering the first company of desert raiders. At the same time Vissarionas struck the enemys left flank, throwing another company into disarray. The Byzantine cavalry also noticed their chance and struck the desert archers that had stayed behind, killing them to a man.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Additional charges by Vissarionas and Vartholomaios then broke most of the relieving force. In the end Stavros was also forced to join the fray as the last troop of desert raiders was getting too close to the archer line.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The enemy captain and his troops were slain almost to a man...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

... which was very fine for the sultan was nearing the battlefield with the garrison.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The troops had already started regrouping and the archers aimed their fire at the sultans bodyguard. Vissarionas had been down at the valley mopping up the last of the relieving force and Sultan charged downhill to capture the isolated Crusader. At the same time the charges of Vartholomaios and Stavros ravaged his infantry. The byzantine spearmen re-deployed to the right flank to help Vissarionas as he sped towards the friendly troops.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

This proved to be unnecessary for the deadly byzantine archers had bled the sultans bodyguard hard and he proved no match for Vissarionas. Noticing that his whole army had been defeated the cowardly sultan turned tail and fled. He managed to escape the battlefield with a single bodyguard.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Later that night scouting parties found the bodies of sultan and his remaining bodyguard at a barn a few miles from the battlefield. The sultan had apparently died of his wounds and the bodyguard had then taken his own life.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The butchers and their bills

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The crusading army marched to the waiting city. The streets were deserted and the shutters tightly closed as the citizens feared what these invaders would do.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Thread: Battle Reports

Thread Tools

Display

Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Re: Battle Reports

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions