บท 12: Chapter 12: Civil War (1)
Spring has come to the Alleinstein Kingdom, however, instead of feeling happy, people all over the country have become anxious about the events happening across the kingdom. Lord William IX Fortuna, who was known to kill the former king has been executed by the king. This makes his son, Ivar angry. He refuses to be driven to the capital, kills all the royal knights sent to Neverwinter and his army is marching.
Near the Quintus River, which separates Iceland and Meath, we can see a camp with blue tents and blue banners everywhere. In the middle, there is a huge camp which looks more luxurious than others. The war council of house Fortuna is stationed inside and making plans.
Inside the tent, a boy who looks like 10 years old is sitting in the highest position with two men standing by his side. Aside from them, about 10 men wearing noble clothes and armour are sitting on two sides of the table. On the table, we see a map of the Alleinstein Kingdom drawn skillfully. One of the nobles is making a speech.
********(Change POV)
I look at the noble in front of me and carefully analyze what he has gathered:
- Milord, our spies from Metus Gladius have informed me that aside from house Pyrell and house Aetherwolf, no house has decided to aid house Mathel to fight us. Lord Rosewood and Lord Crayton have come back to their territories with the excuse of letting their troops rest. Even so, there are still 23000 men in total who fight under the flag of house Mathel, Milord. So I suggest we attacking Meath immediately before the Royal Army arrives #, sacking their land to gain golds and supplies and lower the war support of the enemies.
23000 is not a small number, and they will not be as stupid as the Beastmen who only want to charge. I only have 9000 men on my side, so obviously it is very hard to win this war. Attacking Meath immediately seems a good idea since the Royal Army has just come back from the war with the Heathen Kingdom, but I don't like the idea of sacking Meath. I respond Sir Manuel, my Spymaster:
- Sir Manuel, I agree with you that we should attack the region of Meath, house Pyrell has brought trouble to us many times. However, I start this war not to harm innocents, but to avenge my father's death. Anyone else has other ideas?
A young noble stands up and requests to speak. He is Impetus Greyrat, one of my Bannermen, I nod my head.
- Milord, there is a big difference between the number of us and our enemies, so I suggest we send letters to house Rosewood and house Crayton. House Rosewood is your mother's house so persuade them to join us will not be a problem. Lord Crayton is your father's best friend too, and rumor says that he is a man of honor. They should have known about the dirty trick of house Pyrell. Only with their support, we can win this war.
- You have a good point. Sir Manuel, please send ravens to these houses with the promise that we'll give them the land of house Aetherwolf if we win. And about attacking Meath, I'll lead the army to Kursk myself, that fucking Pyrell is there; Meanwhile, another will lead a part of the army to Ostrovic and take that city. Who volunteers?
Charles, Kruger and the man earlier, Impetus stand out and say they'll be glad to accept this honor.
- Impetus, I'll give you 2000 men to attack Ostrovic. As the scouts say, in Ostrovic there'll be only around 1000 garrison. I'll give you 600 cavalries, Kruger. You'll be in charge of taking small towns, villages, and settlements all over Meath. Kursk is the nearest city to the king's land, so after the two of you finish your mission, go to Kursk to assemble. Anything else?
No one reply. Seeing that there are nothing more to discuss, I stand up:
- If there is nothing more, you're dismissed. All armies will start to move now, the rally destination is Kursk 10 days from now. We'll match as fast as possible, if the Royal Army arrives before us, we'll be at disadvantage. Nothing breaks us...
- EVEN THE WINTER.
The generals and nobles leave the tent and order their soldiers to be ready. With Charles accompany me to get on the chariot. I hear Charles speaks:
- The following days will not be easy, Milord?
The sound of drums has appeared, soldiers get in formation and start to match forward. Seeing the discipline of my troops, I smile back to Charles:
- Yes, but for them, not us.
*********
The city of Ostrovic, a medium city with a population of about 20000. The garrison commander of this city is Sir Grandal, a man knighted by Duke Pyrell not for his skills, but his cruelty in treating other people, he is liked by neither the citizens nor the soldiers of the city. Citizens of the city are running toward the inner gate. Outside the city, an army of 2000 men in blue cloaks is getting in battle formation. Leading the army is a young nobleman with an average height, riding a white horse and wearing light armor. He is Impetus of house Greyrat, behind him is a Fortunian knight, Sir George, they are chatting with each other:
- Sir George, I can't believe that Lord Ivar gives me the control of 2000 men and go on a campaign alone. I don't know if I could burden this responsibility.
- Lord Greyrat, don't be so humble, although he is still a child, Lord Ivar is the smartest person I have ever met. He must have a reason to trust you. And with the new weapon invented by him, I guess this siege'll be relatively easy. The hard part is stabilizing the city and its' citizens.
- You are right, Sir George, let begin the battle.
After that, he orders the soldiers:
- ARCHERS AHEAD, USING FIRE ARROWS!CATAPULTS IN POSITION, READY TO FIRE.
From the formation of the army, 500 moves ahead and loads their arrows. Behind the army, 6 catapults are loaded with stones. After a while, they all fire. 6 giant stones and 500 fire arrows light up the sky. Pyrellian Soldiers fire back but do not have any effect, since the difference in range between Japanese longbow, Catapults, and Pyrellian Sodiers's now is too far. Walls are broken parts, arrows pierce soldiers' bodies, many cries of pain and fear are heard from Pyrellian Soldiers.
The second volley appears, and this time, fearing to lose their life, soldiers put down their weapons and run. However, Grandal doesn't want this and he cut the head of whoever tries to run. Seeing that they can not win this war by skirmishing, he makes a decision that only madmen could think of. He roar:
- GET MOUNTED, WE'LL OPEN THE GATE AND CHARGE THEM.
Many soldiers are surprised by his orders, but they fear him, so about 700 men, who are alive from the initial 1000, get mounted and follow him to charge outside.
Impetus Greyrat, a general of the house Fortuna, notices that the enemies have acknowledged their difference in power. He guesses the white flag will be raised not for long. The gate of the city is slowly open, and not as he expects, what comes out is not a messenger with a white flag, but hundreds of salaries charging forward. He sign:
- So they'll fight to the death, huh. ARCHERS! GET BACK. SPEARMEN, FORWARD, PHALANX.
Hearing his commands, archers move back and 1500 spearmen start to create phalanx formation and slowly move forward. Two armies engage and not unexpected, cavalries can not defeat the phalanx and be killed brutally by spears. The commander of the Pyrellian army, Grandal is knocked from his horse and falls to the ground. He stands up and roars:
- WHOEVER YOU ARE! STEP OUT AND FIGHT ONE BY ONE WITH ME, GRANDAL OF OSTROVIC, YOU COWARD.
Hearing his words, Impetus take out his sword and charge against Grandal while shouting:
-I'M IMPETUS OF NEVERWINTER, PREPARE TO DIE! GRANDAL.
Seeing Impetus charging toward him, Grandal takes out a dagger and throws it. Impetus's horse is pierced by the dagger and sends the rider to the ground. Not wasting this chance, Grandel thrust his sword, being trained from he was small, Impetus manages to dodge the thrust and deal a blow to Grandal. Skillfully, Grandal blocks the sword and counterattacks, the fight continues for about 15 minutes with both armies watching. Utilizing a missed attack from Grandal, Impetus quickly gets closer and wields his sword, Grandal's head is sent flying to the sky.
And with the death of their commander, the garrison of Ostrovic put down their weapons and surrender.
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