THE SECOND BATTLE OF LEUVEN

[Zhikarta 4064]

 

THE SECOND BATTLE OF LEUVEN

 

 

The Eighth of the Sun’s Smile 1718 was once again an auspicious day for the brave warriors of Imperium Renatum. From the most prestigious knight down to the common enlisted men-at-arms, all shared in the glory of yet another victory. Mustering the troops swiftly after hearing word from their gallant ally - Edvard II of Nordengrad, the military machine of Imperium Renatum quickly geared up for another conflict. No fatigue was felt by the soldiers, nor any lack of morale, for victory was sure to come. It was for those captured friends of the Imperium - Landry Caunter and Solaire Silversteed that Renatus came, its men loathe to allow the False Emperor’s brigand-led forces to abduct without penalty. And come they did, in their thousands - roughly 5,000 of the best Renatian men and their brothers and sisters from Curon, Hael’unor, Norland and the lands of Krug.

 

As the 4,400 infantrymen of the Imperium neared the vile fort of Leuven, flanked on the left by 600 elite cavalry troops, the scene before them was one with which they were more than familiar. 4,900 enemy footmen were strewn across the road between Leuven and the river to the south, ready to meet Renatus’ loyal armed forces with spear and sword. On the left flank, 100 Orenian archers, no doubt too craven to emerge from the fortress, stood ready to unleash volleys of missiles on command. Responding to this threat, the Imperium’s command deftly ordered the cavalry to move to the right flank and dismount - horsemen were of no use in such a hemmed in battlefield, and the tall wheat stalks would no doubt allow enemy troops to attack horses by surprise.

 

As the battle began, an arrow exchange began between the two sides. Initially, the Renatian archers were being outmatched by their enemy, primarily due to the fact Orenian forces sheltered behind fortifications had cover, while Renatian soldiers had none. It was no matter, mere archery and skirmishing would not win this day. It would be the thrusting of cold steel and the mud of melee which would assure victory.

 

“LOCK SHIELDS!” a shout went up from one of the Imperium’s generals, bursting out of the cacophony of battle. It echoed among Imperial ranks, the sergeants repeating it to their men, dashing around the field to maintain discipline. With a satisfying clanging of metal and wood, a wall of iron barriers protected the soldiers from missile attacks. It was a mark of true discipline which allowed the swiftly reacting Renatians to prepare. After massing the vast majority of its troops in the centre of the battlefield, Imperium Renatum let loose the dogs of war

 

“ADVANCE!”, the long-awaited call went out, adrenaline buoying the heart of every line soldier. Echos were not heard this time, but the terrifying din of a Renatian warcry coming from every man and woman in the ranks. With such capable warriors as Donald Dabber and Titus Horen leading the charge, and behind them a quickly advancing contingent of legionnaires and heavy knights, successful contact was made. Renatian blades, axes and spears quickly tore through the disorganised Orenian lines, whose undisciplined men were clearly not used to such vicious fighting. While the troops on the right swung in like a door on a hinge and finished off the Orenian centre, some men on the left wing stormed Leuven and slew the enemy soldiers who had fled there.

 

There were no fancy maneuvers, no cavalry flanking, no feigned retreats this day. It was a simple, brutal, grinding clash of man against man. In this type of battle, as in all others, it was clear the Imperium Renatum had the advantage. The Orenian host broke outside Leuven, some fleeing to the traitorous city of Reza and some to Ves. While the majority of Renatus’ army regrouped and advanced to display its colours outside the ‘Golden City’, specialised squads of elite hunter troops were sent into the woods, hunting down all those enemies which fled the field.

 

Only having lost several hundred troops at most in the battle, Renatus inflicted grievous losses reaching up to 4’800 of a total 5,000 soldiers. No doubt morale among the traitors was at an all time low. They could not stand such losses for much longer.

[TankM1A2 840]

“Great work, lads.” says Ser Carlovac.

[ferdaboy 3488]

Yeth....’’ says Titus as he walked back home with his role-model Donald F. Dabber.

[NotEvilAtAll 10906]

“Naybodeh cares” comments Pervinca Applebrook as she shears Brandybrook’s sheep.

[garentoft 9265]

Achilius smiles at the good news.

[Juststan147 277]

Ave Renatus! “Rickard would shout 

 

[osumanduas 1442]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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