EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 8: A Murder of Crows
Winter 249 BC Sidon

The Door was pushed open and nine men entered. They were dressed in the signature black cloaks and plumed helmets of the Black Guard which, from a distance, gave them the appearance of crows. Their leader was man of rather average height and he introduced himself as Hector.

"Forgive me, Lord Hector, but I must ask you to leave your weapons outside. There are no weapons allowed in the hall." spoke Ennychos. He would have asked them to take off their armour as well but that would make them suspicious. The palace guards came and took their weapons before leaving the room.

"Now, what is your business in Sidon?" asked Ennychos.
"We have a message from Lord Commander Alexandros for Lord Vanara." replied Hector,"Where is he?"
"I regret to inform you that Lord Vanara is feeling unwell. I will receive your message in his stead."
"Very well, here is the message," said Hector, unfolding the scroll, "This is a decree validated by the King's seal. He has issued a royal pardon for Lord Archimenes of Green-shade Hall. He instructs Lord Vanara's forces to stand down and wishes him to stop his chase."
"Ahh, just as I thought." replied Ennychos.
"You were expecting this?" asked Hector.
"Yes, my master has anticipated something like this. He also said that if this was the case, then I should inform you that we find these orders unacceptable." said Ennychos, a wicked grin slowly spreading across his features. He gave the signal and 50 Jewish mercenaries sprang from their hiding places, surrounding Hector's men. They reached for their swords only to realise that they had been taken outside. The Jews cut down two of the Black Guards before they started fighting back. Even without weapons they were formidable and jumped at their attackers, weaving their way between spear thrusts and swords until they were close enough to break their opponent's necks. Ennychos watched in growing horror as they picked up their fallen enemy's weapons and began cutting their way through the mercenaries.

"Archers!!" screamed Ennychos, seeing that his men were losing the fight against these elite soldiers. Archers poured into the room and began firing into the melee, killing both the Black Guards and the Mercenaries.

Hector cut down the last mercenary just as the last of his men fell to the archers. He turned around as an arrow entered his chest. Dropping to one knee in shock, he looked up at the triumphant Ennychos.

"You..will..never..get away with this." gasped Hector.
"Oh but we will. We will dump your bodies on the side of the road. We will say you never arrived at Sidon. Goodbye Lord Hector, it has been a pleasure."

The archers drew their bows and fired. Hector fell to the floor, dead...

Ennychos waited until nightfall before ordering his men to dump the bodies of both the companions and the mercenaries a few leagues outside the city. They even killed a few horses and left them at the site. To whoever would discover the scene, it would look like the an ambush by Jewish rebels. That night, Ennychos slept like a baby...

[seleucid empire]

got exams coming up dont know when my next update will be

[seleucid empire]

OK everyone I had to start a new seleucid campaign and played up to VC again this time on VH/M

I will continue this AAR but I will change some of the dates and stuff so re-read the chapters and setting

In this second campaign I didnt go north of the black sea but I will pretend I did for the sake of this AAR

Begins in 250 Now with dates all changed. All the characters are younger aswell and the black guards have were formed 21 years ago instead of 25. So far the story has only encompassed Winter 250-Winter 249

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 9: The Hounds of Elissa
Winter 249 BC Sidon

"Well?" demanded Lord Vanara as Ennychos slinked into the room.
"It is done my lord," replied Ennychos,"We made it look a rebel attack."
"Yet neither the King nor his cousin are fools"
"No, they are not...What is your next move, my lord?"

Lord Vanara began pacing the room, backwards and forwards contemplating as he often did when difficult decisions were made. When he finally stopped, he turned to Ennychos and said, "I will send the Elissian cavalry to hunt him. They are a thousand strong, and this time, I will personally lead the chase."
"You will send the hounds?" exclaimed Ennychos in surprise.

The Elissian cavalry were named after the legendary queen Elissa of Tyre, founder of Carthage. They were a group of cavalry that Vanara had formed some 5 years ago. Each had sworn a vow to Lord Vanara and were fanatically loyal to him, which earned them their nickname of 'The Hounds of Tyre'.

"Yes, every day that passes, the prospect of capturing Archimenes decreases. I need my best men to catch him" Lord Vanara had spat out the name of his son's murderer.
"But my Lord, surely, with all of the wealth of Phoenicia you can raise a suitable force for pursuit. If it is speed you need, the cavalry of the Arabian mercenaries are nearly as fast. It need not be the Elissian cavalry! They were sworn to guard Tyre and it would be seem strange to the people if they left."
"They know I lost my Son to that bastard!"
"Yes but even so, to call the Elissian cavalry out of Tyre would imply you were desperate or running short of time. The other Lords will begin to wonder if something is amiss"
"I need my best men to catch him." Vanara repeated.

Ennychos could see that it was no use arguing further.

"Ennychos, you will ride out to Tyre tomorrow and give my orders to captain Abibaal."
"My Lord..Captain Abibaal is not fond of me or my presence."
"On the contrary I have heard that he is very fond of you my faithful Eunuch. It is said he prefers creatures who have lost their manhood over women." snickered Vanara

Ennychos sighed. So his Lord had heard the rumours. The Last time Ennychos had delivered a message to Abibaal, he had left the troop camp the next day with the sorest arse. So sore, he couldn't even sit on his saddle properly, falling off after his horse had taken a few steps and was greeted with the roaring laughter of every soldier in the camp. He couldn't even fight back the night Abibaal had come onto him. He had been humiliated and ridden on like a horse. Yet he had no choice now but to ride back into the hands of his tormentor, whom he was sure, would use him as his woman again.

"Very well my Lord," said Ennychos, sinking into despair..

[seleucid empire]

sorry that update was so short. I still have exams and dont have much time for writing long chapters atm

[Jive]

Chapter 9: The Hounds of Elissa
Winter 249 BC Sidon

"Ennychos, you will ride out to Tyre tomorrow and give my orders to captain Abibaal."
"My Lord..Captain Abibaal is not fond of me or my presence."
"On the contrary I have heard that he is very fond of you my faithful Eunuch. It is said he prefers creatures who have lost their manhood over women." snickered Vanara

Ennychos sighed. So his Lord had heard the rumours. The Last time Ennychos had delivered a message to Abibaal, he had left the troop camp the next day with the sorest arse. So sore, he couldn't even sit on his saddle properly, falling off after his horse had taken a few steps and was greeted with the roaring laughter of every soldier in the camp. He couldn't even fight back the night Abibaal had come onto him. He had been humiliated and ridden on like a horse. Yet he had no choice now but to ride back into the hands of his tormentor, whom he was sure, would use him as his woman again.

"Very well my Lord," said Ennychos, sinking into despair..

This is a scream, seleucid empire, a real scream!

[seleucid empire]

This is a scream, seleucid empire, a real scream!

Im not familiar with that phrase. did you like it or hate it lol?

[Jive]

Loved it ! Keep up the good work.