EB2 Playtest: Arverni

[Kull]

For three long seasons now, the Arverni King had been unable to pay those who served in his armies. Nor had there been raiding, pillaging, or sacking of cities to serve as a substitute. The bonds of personal service are strong among the Celts, but less so at the very bottom of the social pyramid. And so, hungry, freezing, fearing for the safety of distant farms and family, the men who comprised the 5 slinger units - almost 40% of the Arverni Army - had simply melted away with the first coming of the snows.

Which meant the narrow advantage held by the besiegers at Uiennos had been lost - flipping from 9 on 7 to 6 on 7. Once word reached the defenders, surely they would sally, and then all would be lost. To give up? To walk away? To lose all when victory was within reach? This was a bitter cup from which Aneirin could not, would not drink. He stood, and the old battle fires gleamed once again in his eyes. Reaching for his sword and summoning his faithful Gargokladioi, the High King cried out, "To me! We march to join our brothers outside the walls of Uiennos! And tonight we shall drink to our Victory in the Halls within!"