The Campaign Against The Archduchy Part.i

[Sultan 3953]

War of the Emperor and the Archduke

I begin this chronicle of the war in the year of our lord 1476. I, Bishop John of Darfey, have been charged by his most illustrious Imperial Majesty Godfrey, Emperor of Oren, King of Renatus and Seventis, Duke of Ardania Crown Lands, Marna, Balamena, Count of Saltridge, Alnfayat, Alzlam Alardy, Hrq Rmal, Garath, and Gwent, and Most Holy Emperor of the Land, with chronicling the War between the Empire and the Archduchy of Meric. Happily do I embrace this task given by his most glorious highness, but before I begin the chronicle in earnest, I shall endeavor to layout the state of our most magnificent Empire as it stands today, so that all our posterity shall know of its glory.

Our Empire stands at the top of its power, it is said that the Emperor looked at a cloud once and spoke these words ‘’ Let thy rain fall where it wish, thy tribute shall cometh to me’’ This quote gives us an idea of how big the Empire is.

I

The Archduchy of Meric is a medium sized Country towards our most eastern west borders Emperor Godfrey never conquered the Lands of Meric it was far the waste put in such a war would far outweigh the benefit and the ArchDuchy did not have anything the Empire wanted, so the Emperor left the Archduchy alone demanding a tribute to be payed to him yearly.

The Duchess Irene saw that the ArchDuchy would certainly be taken by Oren if she refuses. She therefore sent ambassadors to Emperor Godfrey to arrange terms.

“Tell the Archduchess,” he said, “that I will spare Meric if she will pay me twenty thousand pieces of Horens as a yearly tribute. If the tribute is regularly paid Meric shall not be harmed by any Oren force.”

The tribute of gold that the Archduchess Irene agreed to pay Emperor Godfrey was sent regularly for many years. It was always received at Arethor with great ceremony. The day on which it arrived was made a holiday. The Meric soldiers who came with it entered the gates in procession. Oren troops also took part in the parade.

When the gold had been delivered at the palace, the Meric soldiers were hospitably entertained, and were escorted to the main gate of the city when they set out on their journey back to Meric.

II

In 1452 Niceph usurped the throne of the Archduchy Of Merc. He sent ambassadors with a letter to Emperor Godfrey to tell him that the tribute would no longer be paid. The letter contained these words:

“The weak and faint-hearted Irene submitted to pay you tribute. She ought to have made you pay tribute to her. Return to me all that she paid you; else the matter must be settled by the sword.”

As soon as Emperor had read these words the ambassadors threw a bundle of swords at his feet. The Emperor smiled, and drawing his own sword, he cut the Meric swords in two with one stroke without injuring the bald, or even turning the edge of his weapon.

Then he dictated a letter to Niceph to be written on the back of the same scroll that Niceph sent to him, in which he said:

“From the Servant of the Creator Godfrey Horen, Emperor of the Faithful Regent Eternal of Haven to Niceph, the Meric dog: I have read thy letter thou son of an Infidel. Thou shalt not hear, thou shalt SEE my reply.”

The Emperor was as good as his word. He started that day with a large army to punish the ArchDuke. As soon as he reached Meric territory he ravaged the country and took possession of everything valuable that he found. He laid siege to Aclea , a city on the shores of the Lurican Sea, and in a week forced it to surrender. Then he sacked the place

Niceph was now forced to agree to pay the tribute. Scarcely, however, had the Emperor reached his palace in Arethor when the ArchDuke again refused to pay. The Emperor consequently, marched an army into Meric territory to punish the ArchDuke once more, this is where we start our story.

_______________________________

The Imperial Army neared the city of Acela still a burning heap from its sacking the troops moved away from the city to the reported grounds where the army of the Archduke were encamped and waiting for the Oren army to attack. Emperor Godfrey had brought his best battle commanders and advisers to war with him these commanders being The Grand Marshal Mirtok DeNurem, The Lord High Sheriff Kais Ishikawa and finally the Grand Knight Ser Uthor Silverblade. With Mirtok in the vanguard, Kais in the left flank and Uthor in the right Godfrey was certain his choices were perfect for the battles to come and commanded the centre himself while being guarded by Ser Darius Lion and Ser Mustafa.

Finally Godfrey see’s the encampment of the army lead by Count Marquis Depius one of the Archdukes finest commanders, the army of the Count stand on top the hill standing holding their banners of House Depius http://www.tienda-medieval.com/2410-4887-large_default/Cruz-Castillo-Medieval-Banner.jpg

, they rush forward holding in a shield wall formation finely disciplined most of them being nobles but even from a distance Godfrey senses a rivalry between all the soldiers in the army above. Godfrey looks to the sky seeing it is near darkfall, his troops are too tired for the fight in the night so he calls forth a parley with the Count to discuss battle terms, the Emperor and his advisers with a retinue of knightly bodyguards ride towards the centre as they ride the Count also rides towards the centre, Godfrey holds up his fist to signal both parties to stop moving even his enemies stop for the powerful aura he emits .

“I see you have come to parley Emperor Godfrey, what have you come to speak of?” Says The Count

“We are here to discuss the terms of battle with thou Count?” Godfrey says

“I am Count Marquis Depius and yes I am willing to discuss the terms of your surrender” The Count says

“We said terms of battle, not surrender we shall begin the battle tomorrow morning that term is non negotiable we have no further terms to ask of thy.” Says Godfrey.

“Very well Emperor Godfrey, I have honor enough that I will allow you this one night of rest before battle.” Says the Count

“May the Creator have mercy on your soul, for I foresee thy death” Godfrey says as he turns his horse around and rides back towards the Oren encampment

Godfreys party of Commanders and Bodyguards ride back towards his army, they dismount their horses as they enter Godfreys tent to begin the plans for the battle in the morning, Godfrey walks into his tent closely followed by Lion and Mustafa keeping their vigilant and making sure the Count does not send assassins after their Emperor.

Ser Uthor stand at attention wearing his usual Knightly armor.

Standing on the other side of the war room The Lord High Sheriff Kais Ishikawa stands in his newly repaired armor, his new armor seems to attract peoples attention quite a bit. His brother stands close to him acting as his second.

Near Kais stands the mighty Hochmeister and Grand Marshall Mirtok DeNurem in his armor with the sigil of the Teutonic Order.

They all gather around the table but as they do they hear the sound of two horses riding close to the tent they see the horses and their riders, the see Horen IV and his Imperial Squire Kais Ishikawa II dismount their horses and join them in the war tent. Horen wearing his black armor looking almost demonic.

And Kais wearing the armor Horen had tailored made for him

As they walk in Horen nods to Godfrey

“Emperor, My lords.” Horen says

Kais Ishikawa II looks to his uncle and father and nods to them and gives them a bow.

“Uncle, Father good to see you.” Kais II says

As the many Lords, Princes and their squires gather around the table to look at the map of the terrain Lord Kais Ishikawa looks to the Emperor who then nods to him to begin the meeting.

“Your Majesty, My Lords the army we face in the morning have the advantage of higher terrain against us, we will need to carefully plan how we are to defeat this army, if we charge straight up the hill their shield wall will stand strong and we’ll be forced into retreat. But we cannot go around due to the damned forests and bogs that surround that hill, does anyone have any suggestions on how we might beat our enemy?” Kais says

Mirtok thumps his hand on the map and begins to speak

“These men we fight are unlike anything most of you are accustomed to. Far from those of actual worth, those who have lived a life that prompts actions or reason for their cause. These men are arrogant glory hounds, disgruntled nobles and vain souls that ought not be so privileged, and yet they are. If it be not the promise of land that drives them, the golden sheen of their masters coin does, and that is what we must play off of.”

Mirtok looks around the room at the many faces standing amongst him. He waits in silence for several long seconds before continuing.

“The glory kill will be their downfall on this day. I shall ride out with my brothers- loyal and strong- and we shall meet them where they have dug themselves into a sturdy shield wall atop a hill. It is expected that my presence will spark some foolish men among them to be overtaken by their own pride and even break rank in hopes of bloodying their blades with the great Hochmeister life. Once one goes, they will all follow in their greed, destroying their one advantage and leaving them vulnerable to a cavalry flank. I want Uthor and Kais to lead the equine advancement and peg the poor bastards the moment they come running for the cross. Their momentum will carry them mid way down the hill, seeing my boys ready to greet them will only spur them to come out farther. Strike down as many of them as your blades can reach then tear out from their left flank and meet my Sariants back around. Archers will be at the ready- bow strung and arrow notched- to rain their deadly missiles over the enemy’s heads, pelting the deserters into the soil and forcing the rest to run dazed into the sharp maw of the combined forces of the Oren Vanguard and Uthor’s horsemen.”

The rest of the commanders and advisers look at each other around the table and nod in agreement, they look to Godfrey who rubs his chin thinking about the strategy he then nods in agreement finding no other viable strategy to put to the table.

“So be it. I advise you all get your rest tomorrow we will be fighting for our lives, the enemy is quite happy to let us sit down here and starve to death so we’ll force them to come down.” Godfrey says with power

_______________________________

Godfrey then walks out of the tent followed closely by his two loyal bodyguards Mustafa and Lion, the commanders walk outside the tent to their own personal tents, Lord Kais spends his night meditating in his tent on how he will act in the upcoming battle. he senses it will be a hard fight winning only if the strategy goes to plan if the strategy doesn’t go to plan it will be a good death. Not too far away Lion sits with Mustafa in Godfrey’s tent playing cards and drinking while The Emperor sleeps. Lion steps out to smoke a cigarette and looks over the sea of tents, the wonderful colors of the canvas stand out in the moonless night. There was a strange calming air about that night, the war party was unusually quiet as if they all sensed the impending feat of tomorrow's battle.

The sun could barely be seen in the morning, throughout the night a dark wave of clouds painted the sky. The mood now changed from its calm quiet nature to that of shouting and the sound of many feet thundering the earth. In the Emperor’s tent Godfrey stood being suited into his extravagant yet durable armor by his squire as Hochmeister Mirtok followed by Grand Ser Uthor steps in, removing their helmets. “Our men are ready, just say the word.” The Great and Powerful Emperor of Oren turns to the men slowly as he is handed his morning star, he begins walking forward as he puts on his helmet, “To war.” he says to the pair, they nod and walk out behind him placing their helmets on. Mustafa and Lion sit on their horses waiting for the Emperor to mount his own. Mustafa rides a beautiful dun colored shire horse adorned in magnificent gilded armor, Lion rides a black clydesdale that wears black armor and a bull horned helmet, its blood hot and ready for war sends violent impulses through it, taking bites and sending kicks towards passing infantry. Godfrey mounts his albino destrier, it’s white steel armor shines in even in the overcast environment, the dark purple of the cloth hanging off the saddle completes the horse. Utop his horse the Emperor looks like a god amongst men as he trots to meet his war band, he nods to Kais as he passes and they exchange a silent message to each other. He gallops ahead of his men to lead the march, inspiring those he passes, the very sight of Godfrey is a morale boost.

Godfrey trots back and forth in front of his army, he shouts as if he is challenging the creator,

Gentlemen, illustrious Generals of the army, and our most Faithful comrades in arms: we now see the hour of battle approaching. I have therefore elected to assemble you here to make it clear that you must stand together with firmer resolution than ever. You have always fought with glory against the enemies of the Creator. Now the insult upon your fatherland and of the lands known the world over, which the infidel spat on is committed to your lofty spirits.

Be not afraid because thy enemy is on higher ground and you are lower. For your strength lies in the protection of God and you must show it with your arms quivering and your swords brandished against the enemy. I know that this undisciplined mob will, as is their custom, rush upon you with loud cries and ceaseless volleys of arrows. These will do you no bodily harm, for I see that you are well covered in armor. They will strike our breastplates and our shields. So do not imitate the Sheffield's who, when the Orcs went into battle against them, allowed their cavalry to be terrified by the fearsome sight and sound of Boars.

In this battle you must stand firm and have no fear, no thought of flight, but be inspired to resist with ever more Horenien strength. Animals may run away from animals. But you are men, men of stout heart, and you will hold at bay these dumb brutes, thrusting your spears and swords into them, so that they will know that they are fighting not against their own kind but against the masters of animals.

You are aware that the impious and infidel enemy has disturbed the peace unjustly. He has violated the oath and treaty that he made with us; he has slaughtered our farmers at harvest time; he has erected a fortress on the border as it were to devour the Faithful.

Now he threatens to capture the land's of, your fatherland, the place of ready refuge for all Faithful. Oh my lords, my brothers, my sons, the everlasting honor of Faithful is in your hands.

You men of Renatus, men of courage and famous for your infinite victories, you who have always protected these lands, show now your prowess and your aggressive spirit toward them with manly vigor.

You men of Hanseti, most valiant heroes, whose swords have many a time made Infidel blood to flow and who in our time have sent so many armies, so many infidel souls to the depths of the nether under the command of Mirtok, the most excellent captain of our generals, you who have adorned this land as if it were your own with fine, outstanding men, lift high your spirits now for battle.

You, my comrades in arms, obey the commands of your leaders in the knowledge that this is the day of your glory -- a day on which, if you shed but a drop of blood, you will win for yourselves crowns of martyrdom and eternal fame!

Uthor, shouts as Godfrey finishes his speech unsheathing his sword. ‘’For God, Emperor and Empire!’’ the men start bashing their shields as they cheer.

‘’To Battle Formations men!’’ Godfrey

shouts as he rides back into the centre of the army.

The Army forms up cheering on all flanks with the Teutonic Order in the Vanguard, Lord Kais finally rides to the flank seeing his Brother not in his horse eyeing a shield and holding it not knowing what it is Kais says to him

“Put that down it is a sign of weakness you ride into battle with a sword not a shield.”

Tokugawa Ishikawa puts the shield down and mounts his horse riding next to Kais, they take their positions looking at one another both in their exoctic armor exclusive to the Ishikawa family as well as their most exotic swords. Kais has his Nodachi slung on his back while he keeps his Katana and Wakizashi in his sheath. He then straps on his mask of his armor to cover his face. He looks to the distance to see the counts Shield wall a monstrous site of cowardice in the eyes of Kais. Having over six thousand men in his flank he inspects the men he has in his command, they were a composition of dismounted Knights dressed in plate mail, carrying a sword and shield, he then looks to the archers in the second rank he see’s the longbowmen standing strong and tall, Kais respects them knowing how much effort it takes to fire a longbow. Then he looks to his rank of cavalry seeing his Knights on the ready, all willing to die for the Emperor.

Uthor reaches his position in the right flank with Ser Mizu acting as his second they form up in their cavalry positions and place their helmets on. They look towards their target and their fearless Knights and draw their swords, Uthors Flank composition was made up of Sergeant at arms and Long bowmen on the second rank, and behind that Uthor and his Knights.

Horen IV and his Imperial Squire Kais Ishikawa II stand in the centre looking towards the shield wall, Horen knows this is the first time Kais II has even gotten close to a battle he senses his fear, Kais II holds his helmet in his hands looking towards the enemy shield wall his hand is slightly shaking, Horen looks towards Kais and says

Doth thy Fright Kais?, thy show no fear Kais the men you are about to face wish to wipe out all that you love and care for. Anger is a powerful wave. It roars over us and carries us away, first forward and then backward.

In its surge we lose our balance and flounder. Anger is a storm, whipping through the air, raising dust, and pounding us with rain, bending that which is in its path to its will. Anger is red; it is blood. Sometimes it is red and black mixed together. Anger distracts; it is a diversion from reality, an escape from what must be done.

A fantasy that saps our energy and shames us, even to ourselves. Sometimes, anger brings clarity and sight, and sometimes it blinds us. In anger we see the truth, and we lose sight of the truth.

Anger energizes us. It gets our blood going. It gives us the force to fight evil. Anger gives us the intensity with which to create; it draws us out from the depths. Anger slides easily into rage, into fury. Rage and fury are magnified anger. They are more powerful waves, more intense energy, more vivid fantasy.

They are more effective action, more violent storm. Rage and fury are white, hot, searing. Anger and rage are inseparably a part of us. One who has experienced no anger, no rage, is not human. Such a person has no deep investment in life, no love to protect, no vulnerability. Anger and rage are integral to human being.

He stops speaking, and moves his hand and gently smacks Kais on his shoulder pad and says ‘’Use it’’

Kais, nods to Horen as they mount their Horse, giving Kais a better look at the Center of the Army lead by the Emperor it was mostly made up of Heavy Billmen, Halberdiers and Footmen. Horen gives Kais II one more glance and says ‘’Make me proud’’ befor putting on his Black Helm. Kais then puts his helmet on and pulls his visor down as he looks toward the battlefield. Kais then looks to Horen seeing his tall muscular structure, being a monster of a man, Horen wearing his black armor looking almost demonic carrying his flail, on his back his long black fur coat trails along giving him the look of a northerner rather than a Emperor in the south. Horen looks on standing out from all the other soldiers like his father he wears a very unique set of armor many of the soldiers stand far away from him feeling an intimidating aura all soldiers except his Squire Kais II who seems to be fearless concerning Horen but obviously nervous about the battle. As the two forces formed up they face each other with the Counts forces taunting ontop their hill. Godfrey looks at them from his position in the center and raises his arm to signal the first uphill charge, Mirtok and his brothers began to run up the hill in a full zealous sprint knowing that most of them may not return, the men wielding Halberds maintain their formation in the center, Godfrey then signals Kais and Uthor to move their cavalry into position, they both circle around the part of the hill the Count cannot see due to a forest covering the area, the horsemen move into position both Uthor and Kais keep their men quiet. The vanguard continues their charge uphill screaming war cries of old and new, the Count’s forces take a moment and move back a little further uphill obviously intimidated by the Sariants and their Hymns of war. Then they hit the murder zone. Arrows started falling around them as shouts of "Shields up Sariants!" started raising through the ranks.

Mirtok POV:

Mirtok called for his men to form up as they neared the enemy and then came the surge, heavy infantry charging the wall with Swordsmen fanning out behind and starting to move to encircle the Meric forces. His shoulder hits a shield as his body was propelled forward by two of his Sariants into the Merician forces. The enemy soldier never stood a chance as Mirtok’s mighty warhammer came crashing down over his head, the spear the Meric had been holding did not have room to move in the close quarter combat the Sariants had instigated. Another fell and another and another. Mirtok’s awareness closed in until the only thing he was aware of was the current opponent of which had many replacements in ample supply, all too eager to face the famed general and be bludgeoned into oblivion.

The head of his hammer hit the ground as he looked at Merican shield wall holding, he thought to himself whether or not this was the time. Mirtok Shouted “Fall back retreat men!’’ The Saraints stopped the fighting and rushed down hill. The Merican seeing the Saraints in full retreat started to give chase. Mirtok hung back a bit, taunting his foes with a recovered Teutonic banner and waving it high above the ranks. He could hear the men shouting for his head, claiming his limbs for when they descended upon him. Mirtok spiked the banner into the loose dirt and followed behind his retreating Sariants, hammer in tow behind him.

Kais’s POV:

Kais begins to see the Sariants running down the hill in retreat just as Mirtok stated it in the initial battle plan, he waits for the signal to charge the signal being a flaming arrow being fired into the air by one of Godfreys retainers being an expert with a longbow, he see’s the first of the Merican forces begin to charge down the hill he waits keeping his hand in the air to signal his knights when and when not to charge, he finally see’s the arrow fired into the air and brings his hand down to signal to begin charging he draws from his back his long Nodachi made from the rare blue steel and he begins the charge being the only two men in his cavalry division not holding a lance.

He charges at full pace into the flank of the troops who broke the shield wall as he charges Uthor follows suit from the other side of the hill, Kais reaches the flanks of the troops as his knights hit the sound of metal clashing and bones crunching runs through his head as his cavalry has flattened the men they first hit, as the charge is brought to a stop he begins killing his enemy from side to side sinking his sword into the weak points of the armour of the nobles who call themselves warriors in the Merican army.

The Merican Army starts to rush downhill, being attacked from the back and flanks by Kais and Uthor.

POV: Godfrey

Godfrey seeing the plan taking place he moves his hand upwards with a open palm, pulling it down ordering the center of the army to move forward, as he does so Mirtok and the Vanguard stop there feigned retreat and start to march to the Meric Army that had rushed downwards running away from Kais and Uthor.

As the center infantry joined by the Saraints start cutting down the men that ran down the hill. Godfrey motions of the Archers to open fire at the Count and the remainder of the Army stationed above the hill that are being attacked by Uthor and Kais. The Longbow men form up into two lines as they start to fire a hail of hellstrom upon the enemy that are no longer protected by the shield wall.

The Central army smash their way through the Merican men that were rushing downward, the Count seeing the situation fruitless he calls all his men to charge down hill at the Center of the army in disparition.

Kais II POV:

Kais and Horen in the centre began rushing up towards the main fighting in the battle, Kais II and Horen begin riding up to the front cutting down any Merican troop in their way, they reach the front. Kais glances towards Horen he sees his hand arch in the air, the flail chains and balls rearing back as if it was a moving being, his hand moves downwards the flail as if it is roaring heavys downward the balls hitting a soldier's head smashing his helm and cracking his skull gore and blood fly from the man's broken head as he is thrown backwards his brain leaking onto the grass. As he looks forward once more Kais II finally see’s the Count committing his entire force to the charge, as his men reach him, a spear is thrown into Kais’s horse he falls off hitting the ground, he rises to his feet holding his Falchion he moves around the battlefield, he encounters a soldier who quickly tries to attack him the soldier thinking Kais is weak because of his thinner smaller structure, as the soldier charges at him Kais ducks from the swing of the soldier's sword allowing the soldiers sword to go past his head he then stabs behind him penetrating the soldiers back hitting his kidneys, the soldier lets out a loud cry as blood begins draining from his body, Kais takes his sword out from his back and turns around to face his first kill, the soldier continues to try and fight on defiantly he swings his sword weakly at Kais who takes the sword with his armoured glove and holds it before he boots him to the floor, Kais moves to the wounded soldier and pulls his helmet visor up to look into his eyes the soldier looks at him and says “Kill me, please do it quickly”. Kais looks away for a moment before sticking his blade into the neck of his foe allowing him a quicker death. Kais turns around to see behind him The Count Depius stands holding his sword and shield, Kais II takes a moment to look at him before charging at him with his sword, the Count raises his shield deflecting the blow then kicking Kais, Kais rolls over and falls back on his knees getting up striking another blow towards the Count who counters immediately with a shield bash knocking the helmet off Kais the Count now seeing his face.

The Count smirks seeing Kais’s face “What are you doing on the battlefield boy? You made a mistake war isn’t for pretty boys like you” he says in his Merican accent, Kais responds with letting out a battle cry and charging at the Count again, the Count raises his shield and then takes ahold of Kais’s sword with his armoured glove and takes it off him throwing it away. The Count grabs Kais by the arm and back hands his face letting him bleed, the Count continues backhanding him until Kais falls to his knees in front of him. The Count smirks “When I beat the Orenian forces today I think I’ll be taking you as a personal-’’ The Count is cut short as Kais hears a thud, and sees the Count falling over, and hitting the ground with a bang.

Kais glances up seeing Horen, The Count slowly gets up to his feet being only hit with the handle of Horens flail, Horen eye seemed to be filled with anger and hate, Horens breathing seems to heavy and hard, as a booming raspy voice comes out of the helmet ‘’I shall giveth unto thee a taste of hell on this plain, and after I have had my share of you I shall send you to the depth of the nether swine.’’ The Count takes up his sword as Horen starts to circle the flail above his head, and then letting it losses on the Counts sword, the Chain traps the sword as Horen pulls his flail backwards the sword goes flying, a look of terror seems to be on the Count face.. ‘’No...take me... they will pay a good bounty for me!’’ Horen without a response raises his flail one more and brings it to the Counts side, gashing his armor and breaking a few ribs, as the Count falls to the side. Horen drops his flail to the ground, as he places his hand to his belt pulling out his dagger, he leans downward, as he places the dagger to a ***** at the front of the Counts armor, and plunges and starts to tug at his dagger inside the Count cutting to the side into the Count’s belly disemboweling him he retracts his dagger, and plunged his armored hand under the Counts chest armor, putting it into the cut and inside the Count, he pulls his hand roughly backwards as the Count chokes and screams in pain, he pulls the counts intestines out and brings them to the Counts head, as he forces it down the Counts throat, the Count starts to choke eating his own insides as he dies a slow painful death. Horen stands picking up his Flail grabbing Kais from one shoulder pad pulling him up to his feet. “Horen, you saved me...you’ll be thanked later for that” Kais smiles, he whispers knowing no one would hear him in the heat of battle.

The Count’s men start to falter, Mirtok’s hammer seems to be unstoppable as he flings men from his path left and right, causing some to become airborne and land heavily in the loose soil. Godfrey seeing the right time to strike he raises his Morning star and charges with his bodyguard.

The Counts men seeing all hope is lost drop their weapons and start to flee, Godfrey Morning star smashes into a mans face as he shouts ‘’Kais, Uthor chase them down and cut them down!’’

The battle is over, the dead lay on the field soldiers, husbands, brothers and sons.

The, Oreniens return to their camp victorious after they bury the dead. The men huddle around different camp fires drinking and telling stories.

[Watyll 1104]

Tokugawa Ishikawa rides back to camp from the battlefield beside his brother, his katana and wakizashi swords fresh cleaned. He laughs with his brother about their exploits, each one claiming to have killed more men.

"Brother, I'm going to see how your son is doing. I'm sure the emporer would want to speak to his top general."

Tokugawa chuckles at the word top general, and Kais squints, a slight smile playing at his lips.

Tokugawa dismounts his horse and seeks out his nephew, his purple, tiered armor an unmistakable sight.

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

Tokugawa Ishikawa rides back to camp from the battlefield beside his brother, his katana and wakizashi swords fresh cleaned. He laughs with his brother about their exploits, each one claiming to have killed more men.

"Brother, I'm going to see how your son is doing. I'm sure the emporer would want to speak to his top general."

Tokugawa chuckles at the word top general, and Kais squints, a slight smile playing at his lips.

Tokugawa dismounts his horse and seeks out his nephew, his purple, tiered armor an unmistakable sight.

* Shas'O Kais Ishikawa takes his helm off and smiles at his brother, his armour covered in the blood of his foes but not in the slightest dented

"Well once you found my son bring him over to the Imperial Tent, His Imperial Majesty is going to run short of wine soon, also try not to seduce to many of the local peasant girls last thing I need is all the women in Meric chasing back after you to Oren."

* Kais then heads off to the Imperial Tent to join the Emperor in his celebrations, he spots Uthor and pats him on the back

"The Creator has a sense of humor your still alive"

* Kais chuckles as he says those words waiting for Uthors response

* Kais Ishikawa the second stands near the Ishikawa men, offer him ale he drinks he laughs with the other men, his armour is bloodied and dented, his face carries marks of dirt and blood and a mark shows up from where the Count backhanded him but it will fade in time, he see's his Uncle Tokugawa Ishikawa approch and shouts

"Uncle good to see your as good as father says you are!"

(( OOC note, this piece is a combination of myself, Mogroka, Mirtok and Lion just in case you were wondering. ))

[Old Man Boiendl 1454]

High Pontiff Adeodatus the First sits rather boredly at his desk in the Church of Saint Everard. He grumbles to himself and flips a book shut then looks at his old armor. He mumbles to himself. "No one takes me anywhere anymore."

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Patrick Horen, limps to the camps, his helmet was split in two, and he had a nasty cut on his face, but still he fought on, after taking a blow to the thigh.

He passed by the tent of his family, and the officers, sighing as he was not included in the matters, instead he lead his own men in the battle, looking after them and wading in the blood dirt and mud with them, sweating and submitting the horrors of battle and war

As he retired to his ordinary tent, one he shared with his men, he smiled, his hair soaked with sweat, and his face grimy and weary, he gave a faint smile to his men

"Rejoice men, thy blades have cut down the goes of Oren, and your shield, with thine shields he held back the vile blades of this force, so rejoice, this victory is yours"

The men give a small roar of approval, slapping each other on the back, praising each other and thanking the Maker they lived

Patrick sat on his bed, laying his sheathed sword on the ground, his shield leaning on the bedpost

"Maker, thank you for this victory you have granted us..."

Patrick whispers this and stands, smiling at his men, he limps over and huddles with them, laughing, eating and drinking

[TornadoWatch 364]

Sariant Jonathan Black's point of view.

He had been called; each and every one of them had been called to this battle. He stood proudly by his Brothers as the Emperor gave his speech; his heartbeat rose every escond, his heart pounding in his chest in anticipation.

"You, my comrades in arms, obey the commands of your leaders in the knowledge that this is the day of your glory -- a day on which, if you shed but a drop of blood, you will win for yourselves crowns of martyrdom and eternal fame!" the Emperor finally finishes his speech; Jonathan nods as he closes the visor of his helmet shut with a quiet clang. Every muscle in his body readies itself as the zealotry for his Emperor, for his Hochmeister, and the adrenaline from the oncoming battle combines. His hand grips the hilt of his blade eagerly.

He moves into position with the other Sariants. As one, the sound of their blades being drawn is clearly heard almost across the entire battlefield. As one, they all charge forward; he watches as Mirtok is flung into the fray first. Unsurprisingly, the Hochmeister decimates all around him like they were nothing but mere ants facing a behemoth. Jonathan begins surrounding the Meric forces along with the other Sariants. He glares at the men behind the shield wall; occasionally, an attempt at a stab is made by one individual or another, but no progress is made for a while.

One man, a prideful-looking younger man, stabs his spear forward a bit too far; an overextension. A mistake, a vulnerability. His spear connects with Jonathan's shield harmlessly, and he himself stumbles to get back into position. Jonathan thrusts his longsword forward in response, taking advantage of his mistake. There's a wet sound as the blade pierces the unprepared man's gut, followed by a gasp as the blade is brought back out.

"Fall back! Retreat men!" Mirtok yells, his voice somehow penetrating the chaos of the battle around him.

The Sariants again mobilize, retreating back the way they came. Mirtok follows behind after throwing a banner into the ground, taunting the Meric forces greatly. Time seems to slow as the Meric forces give chase fruitlessly down the hill; it is only too late as they realize the trap they're in. The Knights of Oren suddenly assault the hostile force from both sides. As soon as this is done, the Center army and the Sariants charge as well. Jonathan is one of the first in the battle. He almost jumps into the fray, stabbing his sword forward. It is blocked by a shield, and he is rewarded with a barely hit slash from a blade; he feels only a dull tinge of pain and fights on until the battle is over.

________________________________________________________________

Jonathan joins the other Sariants at a campfire after having his wounds attended to slightly; multiple bandages cover him. They seem like mostly minor wounds and bruises, but there's certainly a great number of them. His armor is unequipped and is back at his tent; instead, he is wearing some traveling leather, along with a Teutonic Order tabard. He smiles a bit at the other Sariants as he eats some warm stew.

"That -was- a battle. There's nothing like being in the front of it all."

[Redbaron™ 690]

*Sits in his palace with his wife, grumbling about how he wasn't invited to the war. He leans his chair back, resting his fancy boots on the table and pictures what he'd look like in his golden Lion armor during the battle, day dreaming in his mind a perfect picture*

[SkyyoBee 249]

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