Stradia: The Fourth War - Chapter 1 "The North Falls"

[Loki, The Fallen]

"My friend...I have a favor to ask of you, and you will not like it. I ask that you ride with this company into battle. You should not face the enemy on the front line, but there will be many wounded. I believe you could save many so that they may live to see another sunrise. I leave the final decision to you, but if you'll excuse me I have pressing matters to attend to."

As you wish, Sir. May The Light guide us in our time of need.

Vincent didn’t grasp the enormity of his decision until Gorn had left. It is done, he sighed, may The Light guide and protect me…

Vince grabbed one of the acolytes from the temple. Aryne, I need you to ride to the McGuiness farm and return his horse. Inform him that he should either get inside the city or escape south, it is important that he act quickly. Inform all who have not heard of the situation. I don't want people to die needlessly. Go quickly and return, others will surely be entering the city looking for shelter. We must help them in this time of need! May Avelia light your path!

He then ran to the temple for his day pack, and a sack with some medicinal herbs and other materials. I pray I will need little of this. With those gathered, he ran out the door, he met the stableman who heard of his need.

Father, this is the best mount I could acquire for you. I’m afraid he is not as strong as the others, but he is familiar with battle!

Vince flinched at the mention of the word. He set his hand on the young man’s shoulder. You have been most helpful sir. Thank you for your assistance. May The Light be with us this day.

And with you Father.

Vince mounted the horse and rode quickly to catch up to the rest of the company. I pray my presence will be unnecessary.

[Azisien]

Five and a half miles northeast of Gole

One of the scouting rangers, a female human, returned to the top of the incline. The plains of northern Kenshura dipped and rolled endlessly. The country would seem monotonous if not for the encroachment of the nearly equally gigantic Border Forest. Arne Altreas had stopped atop one of the higher points in the plains; the Venurian force and their destruction were in sight further ahead.

The human ranger rode up beside Gorn's nephew and reported. "That is the entire raiding party. Benck and Torm are circling around the area to make sure none of them are hiding."

Arne gazed northeast. Differentiating any detail was impossible, but the Venurian company was currently marching away, further northeast. In their wake were the tellatale signs of a bloody battle. No, a slaughter. Dead horses were strewn across one patch of land amidst other, smaller figures; humans or elves most likely. The terrain was also heavily trampled. Finally, the elf acknowledged his companion's presence. "What's the count? We should know if any are hiding if we know the number of the main group."

"They march close together, it was a difficult count without getting spotted. Torm got two hundred thirty, Benck two hundred twelve and I one hundred eighty-three." The woman replied. "The fallen were an easier count. Fifty..."

Arne grimaced. "That's several scouting parties, what were they thinking, engaging the enemy without support?" The elf didn't like this, nor the information they had gathered. His companions had come up with widely differing numbers. Differences that were large enough to sway his decision one way or the other. Looking at the Venurian company in the distance, however, he could understand how a count would be different. Their marching order was disorganized and they were clumped together. Such a formation on their part could be advantageous if he gave the go ahead to attack. "What about the land nearby? Any features we should know about? And why don't they have horses?"

The woman ranger shrugged. "Some of them have mounts, but those gargoyles are...nothing short of monstrous. No horse could carry them. As for the layout, it's featureless for a few miles in every direction. The outskirts of Gole Forest are at least five miles west of here. Any farmland has been evacuated already..."

"Hmm..."

******

Several minutes earlier

"Ariosto and Zoreg can play dead with their contingent while we march away from them and any Kenshurians. It will look to them like we've killed their scouts and we're on our way out." Mithik explained quickly to all of the lieutenants. "Should they choose to attack us, they will find themselves flanked by Ariosto and Zoreg. Our hunters will move quickly to box them in more. It will only be rough because they will likely have horses. The east and west sides of the battlefield will seem like an escape from the flank maneuver, so we'll have the hunters widdle them down with lances and javelins. The forty archers can launch volleys into the center of their group."

Oyo nodded. "I'll command the archers. I need at least a dozen infantry to protect them, just in case."

Mithik. "Easily done. Any other suggestions? Ariosto, are your golems ready to fight in a real battle?"

***

Present time, one mile northeast of Gole

The response to the Venurian threat rode across the plains in loose column formations. Initially disorganized back in Gole, the militia sergeants tooted enough horns and screamed enough obsenities to get them into positions that at least resembled order.

Horns sounded at the vanguard as six figures on horses, the advance scouting party, were spotted in the distance. Arne and his rangers galloped full tilt towards the Kenshurian company and the two groups met after only a few moments. Gorn's man at arms, dressed in half plate and chainmail leggings with a large battleaxe, was the first to meet with the young elven ranger. The other knights and rangers in the company were close by, including Graeme, Penn and his newfound dwarven companion. "What's the word, Arne?"

"We think the first scout may have underestimated their numbers, but at least two hundred strong. We searched high and low while keeping our distance to ensure they hadn't split their raiding party up, but found nothing. When we left they were marching northeast, away from the men they slaughtered..." There was a brief pause in the otherwise hurried speech. "Sir, they do not have mounts. If we can gain the upper hand in a battle, we could eradicate all of them."

"And eradicate them we shall. They've terrorized our countryside for long enough, and though this may only be a small fraction of the whole Venurian force, I will see to it their soldiers are only remembered as numbers of dead in a forgotten history book."

"How should we approach, sir?" Arne asked Gorn's man, though the question seemed open for interjection.

*******

OOC: Probably the last round of pre-battle. Leeeeet's get ready to rummbleeee! (And I'll post the stats of everyone when it actually starts, don't worry, don't worry)

[Mintaro]

Penn rode up to meet the Rangers and listen in on the plans. Penn saluted quickly and spoke."If I may, it seems to me we should make an attempt to flank them. On this flat land they will be able to see it coming, but it will still force them to spread there defenses. A couple well timed calvary charges, should be enough to scatter them. Once that is done we have more than enough swordsman and archers to finish them off." A thought rode up in Penn's mind. "What of the scouting parties you saw slaughtered. The scout that rode into town could not have possibly been from that same group. They would have moved out long ago if that were the case. Mayhaps refugees from Socre?"

[TheBlindMime]

Loki had sat in stunned silence behind Penn for the entirety of the ride, being mistaken for a short human was not something he was accustomed to. The more time that passed the less it seemed like Loki could correct Penn without making it awkward, Loki did his best to put it behind him. When they reached the advanced party his mind was immediately turned to far darker matters.

"By Bahamut's breath..." Loki muttered, while not a religious man Loki knew who to call upon in times of duress. "Should we not at least stop to check for survivors? It is the least we could do for their families." As soon as the words fell from his mouth Loki began to question why he'd been so quick to don his armor.

He had never seen a true battle, let alone a war.

[Loki, The Fallen]

Vincent had only been involved in minor confrontations before today, granted his life was on the line in those situations, it was nowhere near an actual battle with real armies. As he rode, Vincent prayed. His outward calm hid his racing heart and turbulent emotions. But as he prayed, these were suppressed.

He rode to the rest of the company, joining the Rangers and other leaders just as planning began. When he sensed an opening, he steadied himself and asked

Sirs, where can I be of most use?

[Akamaz]

Hearing what the priest had just said to the man who was most likely in charge, Ishvah followed up with "And I was wondering where One would fit in as well Sir. One has some combat experiance as a caravan Guard," she said with a gesture to indicate herself. "But.. nothing like actual soldiering experiance. To be sure One is not sure where One can fit in on the line of battle." Ishva stated in a self depreciating tone "One is also not sure how well it would be for One to try and fit into your formations myself, One would be pleased to hear if if you had another suggestion?"

[Barahad]

Having been brought into the planning for the coming battle, Graeme decided he should query the returning rangers. “Tell me sirs, what was the formation of the enemy as they moved away? Did they present a strong rear-guard? Did you notice any outriders, any scouts on their flanks set to watch for the approach of a force like ours?”

“They’re arrayed in a loose square, as far as we could tell,” Arne replied. “Their rear-guard was not far behind the main body of their force, and though we did not discover outriders or scouts, it seems likely that they have set such a watch. They have no mounts to bear them, so they are confined to moving on foot.”

“Were you seen?” Graeme asked.

“There were no indications we were spotted,” Arne replied. “This is as true a count as we can provide.”

“Hasten your thinking, knight,” one of the other rangers urged. “Every moment they draw further away.”

Graeme nodded, slightly stung by the rebuke. “We should assemble in three companies of 100 men. Those who can move lightly and swift we shall set in one company, and the heavily armoured we shall set in two companies. The light horse we will divide into four squadrons of 25, two for each flank: they shall range along in front and beside, that they might respond to any dangers which appear from the flanks. You rangers are likely well suited to that company.” He paused as Arne nodded thoughtfully, then continued laying out his strategy.

“The heavy companies shall move in line, one behind the other: the first shall be shaped like a spear’s blade, so that when we drive into the Venurians, we might drive several ranks deep and throw their formation into confusion. Having succeeded, the first company should pull back from the fight, drawing the Venurians after them: as the Venurians move to fill the hole in their battalion, the second company shall charge through the first, to exploit the confusion of their reorganization. At that point, the first company will rejoin the attack, and press the advantage until the Venurians are driven into flight. At that point, we will allow the light company to press the pursuit, and kill as many as they can before withdrawing and rejoining our company.”

He turned to address the small man sitting behind one of the rangers, who had asked about the bodies of the massacred Kenshurans. “As to your concern for the dead and dying, I agree that we should check for survivors: it is possible both Kenshurans and Venurians lie there. The Venurians are likely intelligent enough to realize that a bold strike from an unexpected location with a small number could serve to demoralize and confuse any pursuit long enough for them to escape or gain ground more suitable to them.”

"You truly think they would station their own men amongst the dead? For the sake of surprising us?" it was one of the other rangers asking the question.

"Yes," Graeme answered grimly. "Because that is precisely what I would do."

He turned briefly then to address the healer and unmounted warrior. "I do not know where either of you would be best placed in the coming battle, but I suggest it might be prudent if you, warrior, offer your defence to the healer. I know many in the holy orders have chosen to forswear violent resistance: having another to defend you might be prudent while you tend to the wounded and dying this day."

Graeme paused a moment before continuing with a general address. “We have already given them the advantage of choosing the field, but we cannot allow them to escape un-blooded. I must urge you, sirs, to adopt the strategy I suggest. We will first offer what comfort we can to the injured and dying, and then pursue the Venurians and make them pay in blood and pain for all they have wrought so far in this war.”

[Akamaz]

That is acceptable to me, if the Father has no objections." Ishvah said in a highly relieved tone. Guarding a person should not be too different from guarding a wagon. "From hearing your thoughts of the possibility of survivors, it may be best to include us in the group that is going to investigate the bodies." To conserve energy in the event of the need to guard her charge, Ishvah cancelled the augmentation to her system. (((((Cancelling increased running speed))))

[Aieris]

With no other way to tell what any overarching plan of the excursion was, Aieris’ first action once the disorganized column of militia began moving had been to find that one boy that had run her over and insulted her.

Although it had taken time, there had been nothing to do during the march but move through the ranks searching. Eventually she spotted the youngster, looking more unkempt than the horse he rode on, and she began to follow him. Of course she was not so much following him as she was following the column, but when he received orders, she would listen in, or ride up and force them out of him if she were unable

[Azisien]

Heads turned back and forth as the people at the head of the company quickly discussed strategy. Finally, Gorn's man nodded to Penn and Graeme. "We seem to all have the same idea. Very well, we will split into the three attack groups as you," he nodded towards Graeme, "have suggested. Our elite units will take up the initial charge; we will be the most effective in generating chaos and disorganization among their ranks. Unfortunately we do not have such a distinction of light and heavy troops, knight. The majority of this company is straight out of the militia, and they are mostly dressed in whatever leather they could find. We will make do."

The man at arms turned his head to look at Vincent and Ishvah. "With all due respect, I do not believe we should sacrifice many troops to check for any survivors among our dead. If what Arne says is true, we outnumber them, and we should take any advantage we can get." He looked to Arne. "Did you see any dead Venurians among ours?"

Arne shook his head. "I only saw the battle from a great distance. I could see horse carcasses and indistinguishable, smaller figures, which I assumed were human. Trolls and gargoyles would have been larger, I do not believe any were present. However, it is possible there are human Venurians among our dead."

The man at arms nodded understanding and looked back to Vincent. "We should commit a small squad to checking for survivors. I want as many as possible participating in the counteroffensive. "You, knight," he pointed Graeme. "You will lead the second charge, behind mine."

Arne jumped in. "What of us, Nord?"

The company leader managed to crack a small smile. "I'm sure you're eager for battle, but your horses are not. Go back to Gole and see your uncle."

"Sir."

Nord looked again and spoke, this time to Vincent, Ishvah, Penn, and Loki. "If you have no objections, I would like you all to accompany our Father to the original battlefield to check for survivors or...Avelia forbid, Venurian treachery. Take a squad of 20 militia with you."

"As for the rest of us, we will meet the Venurians and rid them from our lands!" Nord held up his long sword and several cheers rang out. A cool breeze blew across the plains and Avelia's Beacon was making its downward journey into evening. "Sergeant Ereagus, you will take command of the third contingent. Move out!"

And like clockwork, everyone moved to perform their specific duties. The three hundred of the Kenshurian company prepared for attack.

******

Seven miles northeast of Gole

Mithik watched the skyline to the southeast intently. One of his sergeants, a fellow gargoyle, moved up behind him and bowed. "Will the Kenshurians come?

The lieutenant didn't move a muscle, but the reply was swift. "That's what I'm wondering myself. Personally, I hope so, or we've wasted several hours that could have been spent pillaging."

In the distance, a lone arrow shot up into the air, visible in the waning light due to the head set alight. The timing was quite good. Mithik smiled. "There's Oyo's signal."

He turned to his sergeant and looked him straight in the eye this time. "They come. Prepare the men."