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Blorbis83
Legend
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It appears that the short, but savage fighting in the Midlands has finally come to an end, and with a rather unexpected twist. Many whom expected a clear winner were thoroughly mistaken as skirmishes and battles were won and lost in great numbers on each side. Neither the Asrakosian Dominion nor the Empire of Cor Votum seemed to be able to get the better of one another, and thusly an end to the fighting has been called by each kingdom's respective ruler.
One particular battle in the clearings south of Branko’s castle saw the legionaries of the Asrakosian Dominion surrounded by the larger infantry blocks of the Empire. While the legionary infantry held their ground and fought valiantly, they could not push back against the heavy tides of fanatical Skraagites that crashed into them. Doom and defeat seemed a certainty for the legionnaires until the kataphraktoi- Astrakhan’s superheavy cavalry- attacked the enemy from the rear and successfully broke the encirclement, giving the infantry time to reform.
Art from the Byzantine Tales Comic
The enemy soon brought out their Arachian elites to counter the kataphraktoi, armed with polearms of blackened steel and armored head-to-toe in the finest Arachian steel plate armor. However, as they brought themselves to bear upon the Asrakosians, the Legion launched its second trap; for out of both the enemy's wooded flanks came screaming ranks of Agrioi and Parohthi, commandos made up of citizenry from the hills and Sangrian river-dwellers.
The wild, zealous fighters crashed pell-mell into the Arachian phalanxes as axe and sword split shields and shields, gouged eyes, and crushed arms with wild abandon. For a time, the Arachians held them off but when it was clear that neither discipline nor fear of death would break the spirit of these red-eyed warriors, an orderly retreat was called by the Skraagite commander. As they fled, the main Asrakosian force began to regroup as skirmishers flung spears and missiles at the retreating foe as a final, parting shot.
This was indeed a victory for Astrakhan and the bodies of hundreds of Cor Votum's soldiers lay as bloody proof of their work of sword.
But the price was steep, as just as many bodies of the Asrakosian Legion mingled in mercenary and Skraagite blood.
Enraged by the news of this loss, the Imperator marched southward with his host at a breakneck pace. Taking advantage of the complacency of victory, Cor Votum would attack at dusk. First sending out a horde of prisoners turned feral vyres, maddened by a thirst for blood. The force would soon after charge with infantry, fighting legionaries in a vicious melee. The kataphraktoi repeatedly would charge in, attempting to recreate the last battle’s success. Yet a reserve force of pikemen supported by arrow fire would repeatedly sending the cavalry in a route.The fight would last an entire day, a storm cascading down overhead as mud drenched both sides, morale would shatter, with mercenaries on the Cor Votum force attempting to flee. Only Arachian soldiers and religious fanatics held the line. Few survived the aftermath, both forces having been obliterated, the crows and nearby undead feasting for weeks thereafter.
Meanwhile, the skirmishing was nearly constant as Astrakhan’s guerrilla fighters continued their hit-and-run tactics within the impenetrable forests of the Midlands. They slew many enemies, but could not replenish their own numbers and slowly the guerrillas’ reach was limited to the forests surrounding the city until Cor Votum’s supply lines were able to move about the roads and rivers unimpeded. As an act of revenge, mobs of undead and packs of mercenaries and irregulars roam the forests, harassing legionary patrols and their supply lines.
There were even a few “naval” engagements as pontoons loaded with forces from either side attempt to maintain control over the various branches of the Trifluvium. Reports say that these were among the more comical displays of rivalry as neither side seemed to be terribly skilled at riverine combat. At one point, however, both sides lost their ships due to a miscalculation of the speed of the current, killing all involved. With Astrakhan beginning to hemorrhage otherwise irreplaceable men and Cor Votum’s coffers running empty, the two sovereigns have decided on a truce.
Vibiana Herennia, youngest sister to Basileos Theodosius has been wed to Branko upon the agreement that there will be no further conflict between the two kingdoms. This arranged marriage- an idea rather foreign to the citizens of Astrakhan- has been reacted to with a mix of scorn, repulsion, as well as relief. Some among the Basileos’s subjects believe the fighting should have continued and that the “Servant-King” is merely attempting to save his pride, while others believed the fighting to be pointlessly bloody and that the loss of their sons and daughters only swelled Branko’s ranks. Fittingly, Vibiana was known by many locals as the "Lady of the Olive Branch" for her sharp wit and diplomatic abilities, along with her stunning beauty.
Meanwhile, among the citizenry of Cor Votum, the public would hold general disappointment and relief. Many upset over the seemingly lost momentum of conquest in the region, alongside religious disapproval of slowing the push to increase Skraag’s influence on the continent. Relief however would be found within those who participate in the markets of Skraag’s lands, happy to no longer worry about assets being seized and needing to pay higher tax on goods.
The war has ended and peace reigns, but at what cost?
Kostadim Solus xVigil Old-Seadog Sergeant Freedom
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