366 AD, Winter
Southwest of Aquintum
When Oza's men informed King Visimar that a small Roman relief force was making its way to pin him against Aquintum, he immediately took all of his riders and moved to intercept them. In a snowy field some distance away from Aquintum, Visimar finally spotted the forces of Captain Glycerius and engaged them.
King Visimar led his men personally. After the troubling events of the past year, he was eager to join battle. It was something he had not done for some time.
Visimar arrayed his horsemen in a loose, waiting to see what posture Glycerius' force would take.
Glycerius positioned his frontline troops in a line with his best troops, the Comitatenses, holding the middle, while Foederati Infantry with their spears took the flanks. Behind, a loose formation of peasants followed the Comitatenses, surely pressed into service out of service. At the rearmost was Glycerius himself with two units of Foederati Cavalry.
Visimar set his horse archers to attack what he perceived as the greatest threat, the two units of spearmen, while he personally rode out, accompanied by the lancers, to intercept a unit of Foederati Cavalry.
Visimar spotted the band of peasant, running alone in the field. While he was busy fighting the unit of Foederati Cavalry, he sent his lancers upon them. In a matter of moments, most of them laid dead in the snow, as the thunderous charge of the Vandal cavalry crashed into them.
The Roman infantry scattered, pursuing the Vandal cavalry left and right, but with the unit of Foederati Cavalry routed, Visimar pulled back, confident he could engage them at his leisure.
Visimar soon realized, to his dismay, that he had made a mistake. During the heat of his battle, he had lost track of the other unit of Foederati Cavalry led personally by Captain Glycerius. Frantically, he searched the field for his opponent, until he found him far to the rear of his forces. Glycerius had boldly made his way through the Vandal forces and had taken chase to a unit of horse archers. By the time Visimar and his lancers caught up, the unit of Horse Archers had been destroyed. In fury, Visimar charged Glycerius' unit of Foederati Cavalry with the aid of his lancers and soon the Roman Captain was fleeing for his life.
Meanwhile, two units of Comitatenses had followed Visimar at a run, hoping to catch up to him before their leader was beaten. They faced only death as Visimar charged the first unit, while his lancers wheeled around to attack their rear.
The second unit of Comitatenses fared no better, and soon the whole Roman force was routed, with the Foederati Infantry whittled down to a few man under the hail of arrows from the horse archers.
The first battle of the Vandals against the Roman thus ended with a clear victory for King Visimar.
In which he had proved himself a capable commander once more, despite his mistake.
A few hours after the battle, Visimar was leading his horsemen back to Aquintum, when his scouts brought before him a battered man. The Vandal king immediately recognized Glycerius, who he had fought personally in the previous battle.
"You speak our tongue?" Visimar asked the Roman.
"I do."
"What is your name?"
"I am called Glycerius." The Roman had a moment of pride as he told his name, before becoming crestfallen again.
"I am Visimar, King to these people." The Vandal king simply replied. "What will happen if you return to your people?"
"They will kill me for cowardice." Glycerius stated morosely.
"I know you are not a coward Roman, you showed cunning and fought well. Despite my overwhelming victory, of all your troops only you cost me a serious loss."
"So you will kill me to avenge them?" The dejected Roman barely seemed interested in his fate.
"That would serve no purpose. No, but I could use a man of your experience. This will not be my last battles against your people after all."
"I suppose so." Glycerius seemed to regain some vigor. "Your offer is better then death."
"It is." The Vandal king said firmy.
Glycerius nodded his consent.
"Get this man a horse, he rides with me." Visimar ordered and the scout obeyed.
At the end of the day, when the band of horsemen settled in camp, some distance away from Aquintum, Visimar had gained a new follower.
Re: Stories thread
Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro
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