Shattered Bulwark

[grnappa 1230]

Operation: Shattered Bulwark

~Imperial Soldiers raising the Orenian Flag atop the Rustler Fort, circa 1826~

 

Hushed voices rang amongst the various First Regiment officers assembled in the war room. It had been some time since an officer meeting took place in this room. A room only used for war.

Thoughts rushed around in the soldiers' heads. Why were they assembled? Was it not peacetime?

After a moment, Lieutenant Erik Othaman and Lieutenant Olivier Renault made their way inside the war room. Olivier set a letter down in front of the officers. “Comrades, our friends in Vortice have once again been attacked by a group of brigands dubbing themselves ‘The Rustlers.’ On several occasions, these brigands have captured the Vortice citizenry.”

Erik spoke up not too long after. “It is imperative that we provide our full support to our Vortice comrades.” After a pause, he’d give a sly grin, “And we know just the way to annihilate these Rustlers.”

 

A long column of Imperial State Soldiers marched out from the Bastion, traversing rough terrain and camping in the field. Finally, after an arduous march, the army finally came to a halt at the front of the Rustler ‘fort.’ Olivier and Erik looked at each other as they started relaying their orders.

 

The battle had begun.

 

The First Brigade, under the watchful guidance of Captain Vladrick Ruthern, led his men to the side across the bridge to the Capital of Vortice. The Rustlers saw him attempt this blatant flank and shadowed the Captain across the wall, not letting him get a chance to breach the defenses.
 

All of them fell victim to Lieutenant Othaman’s trap.

The second force of soldiers led by Veteran Ziegfrid Mortimer jumped from the trees hanging above the fort at the signal. All landed safely atop the towers close to the treetops as they began to cut down the stunned Rustlers watching Captain Ruthern’s distraction. Terrified, their resolve broke after a short bit of fighting and retreated back into their fort.

The walls were successfully breached, and after a short moment, the inner keep was too. The Imperial Soldiers engaged in fierce close-quarters combat, and though the fighting was brutal, ultimately, the Rustlers fell one by one to superior Orenian swordsmen.

A small cavalry detachment from the Third Brigade led by Cyrus Mareno made their way to the rear of the keep and wreaked havoc on the terrified Rustlers trying to escape the slaughter they brought upon themselves. They were cut down before they even got a chance to fling themselves over their own walls.

Let it be known that the Bulwark of the Rustlers has been shattered. Routed from the field and their precious fort captured at the hands of the Imperial State Army and the Vortice Volunteers, they have been broken verily and sent packing. To those of you who think you can prey upon the innocent, the Empire and her soldiers shall rest at nothing to hunt you down.

Volens et Potens!

 

Sir Erik Othaman
Acting Commander of the 4th Brigade

 

His Excellency, Joseph d’Azor
Chief of the War Office.

 

[BenevolentManacles 2232]

The Duke of Crestfall enjoys a golden kebab from the Augustine, reveling in the soldier's tale of victory.

[Taketheshot 3834]

The Secretary of War Joseph d'Azor nods "Its been too long since we had a good combat engagement, these rustlers arent the best but. They keep the skills sharp!"

 

 

[Caelria 2619]

Joseph Brandt remembers the day fondly.

[Pyrite 192]

"Haha- Dumb rustlers!" A bitter  Calahan says through a chuckle after hearing of the news

[Asutto 2452]

Spoiler

 

Having decimated the bandit rally, a proud Lyanna Lucia stood outside of the Rustler Fort, happy she took down not one but two grown men double - almost triple her age.

[annabanana1014 2084]

Diana d’Azor would read the missive with a grin- rocking her baby carefully as she spoke to him.. “May the Holy Orenian Empire keep winning their battles with GOD on their side. Oren aut Mortem!” 

[Mattiii 1663]

r

[ncarr 2806]

"Excellent!" exclaims Mary, reading the missive with excitement.

[Autty 165]

Anne Adelheid is drinking her spiced rum from the Augustine, listening in attentively to her Fathers drunken story.  @MrChenn

[FredrickTeufel 356]

Leon d’Azor Stands on the wall of the Rustler fort, his face bloodied and bruised, but his sword smeared with the blood of the foe, upon his lips were the same words as always. “Oren Aut Mortem.” The Lieutenant would say to himself as the men gathered around the fort cheered.

 

As the battle drew to an end, the men all went back to Providence, knowing full well the battle wasn’t over.

[Marilyn Monroe 362]

“Thank GOD.” Louise Halcourt said in a cheery tone before strolling the gardens of the Augustine.

[SapphirePool 1360]

Amelia Leslie reads the news with pride on her face. "My comrades have obtained an excellent victory" she muses, watching the toddler that kept her away from the fight play just outside the Leslie household. She would be sure to congratulate her husband when he returned home soon.

[Aehkaj 1244]

Captain Vladrick var Ruthern would finish chugging a bottle of Iblees Demise, glad that the rustlers fell for the blatant trap.

[PaleOmnivore390 77]

Richard Harver would nod as he heard the report "in my absence it seems we are still a powerful light of streangth lead by the most trusted men i know."