Reign of Abeakos
Fall of Uspe
Winter of 272 BC
Rastbarag examined the wooden wall and then walked towards the gate. Slaves bearing gold and copper from local mines and merchants from further south filtered into Armavir at a steady pace. Armenian spearmen patrolled the streets keeping order in the Hayasdan capital. The garrison was nothing compared to the gathering Sauromatae horde. He was delighted to see that this was the only city of the Armenians; perhaps his High King would be able to crush them after all…
Sauromatae Fat Aexsdzhytae and Ragon Sauromatae Uaezdaettae join the horde… Uspe is growing more prosperous with the development of Hauuon Huym (farms) but there is no mnai in Abeakos’ coffers… he is in debt and thus he is seized by an increasing sense of urgency to conquer… to sate his men’s thirst for women and wealth…
Summer of 271 BC
The horde is united and the seasoned Fat Aexsdzhytae of the last battle were garrisoned in Uspe to take the place of the Sauromatae riders who would be needed in the fight against the Hayasdan. But on the horizon is an army of Gargars! The archers from Gava-Roxsalanni frantically rush to Uspe upon hearing the news… a messenger approaches the High King with the news but Abeakos does not tell his men….
If the Sauromatae are to see glory and greatness, they cannot stay on the steppe and fight petty wars and execute small raids forever. If Uspe falls, so be it… the High King presses on, moving his horde south as if nothing is wrong….
Narek of the Gargars was no fool, he had been watching Uspe for some time, and knew the King was well on his way south… Uspe was defended by a small group of archers, his men could tear them up, but to be safe, he rushed upon the straggling archers outside of town, defeating them and chasing them towards Uspe… while driving all herders and farmers into the terrified community… The Gargar army then sweeps down upon the frightened village and takes it with little difficulty.
Captain Saupharnes of the Roxsalanni Fat Aexsdzhytae and Captain Pharnurgos of Uspe fought to the end but despaired as their men were cut down by fierce cavalry…
Abeakos is now at the foot of the steppe’s-end-mountains… he dismounts and looks about, his scouts tell him the pass is safe from bandits and Armavir is just to the southeast, beyond this great wall of stone, ice, and crumbling earth…. Rastbarag sends word to his King that the garrison in the enemy capital is being expanded…
”Those bastards!”
“Indeed, but I am not done… and neither was Abeakos”
"Does he conquer Armavir?!"
"DO NOT... I mean, please do not interrupt me..."
"Yes yes, go on elder..."
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