Counterattack, Chapter 4

Western Anuire, Erntenir 1585 H.C (Haelyn's Count), Reign of Emperor Kendar Kalien the I

Characters involved:

Imperials:

1. Lord Mourde Daelor, Commander of the 1st Avanese Horse Company, Marshal of the Offensive , ofτen reffered to as General of the armies.
2. Lord Agelmore Taliern, Lord of Glocaester, Captain of the Imperial Heavy Cavalry.
3. Jarod Thalles, the Pirate, Commander of the Mieran Mercenaries.
4. Slevan Klingea, former Captain of the Five Star mercenary company. Captain of the Mieran Cavalry.

Boeruineans:

1. Commander William Noeld, Captain of the Archducal Guard, Right Hand of the Archduke Boeruine.
2. Alexander Katleaf, Seargent of the Archducal Guard
3. Lord Endre Reanlien, Lord of Caelwyn

City of Coere

Fires raged across the town center as hundreds of the Imperial troops burned everything in their path. Marching towards the city hall, the soldiers of Lord Mourde Daelor had only one thing in their minds.

Kill all who oppose us.

A patrol passed an empty house by the frontal gates, with the sergeant peering in to confirm its vacancy. As one, his group of 4 men lighted up their torches and threw them onto the supports which held the house and Its neighboring ones. 

Suddenly, a volley of crossbow bolts slammed into the five men, mortally wounding them. Out of an alley opposite the patrol, a force of a dozen crossbowmen sneaked out of their hiding places ...

"Resistance at the front, take them down!"

The Imperial Captain yelled as his fifty spearmen rushed towards the blockade. Twenty local militia who had undergone training for a short time stood firm at the main road in between an entire army, and the last bastion of the City of Coere.

Long spears hoisted and ready, the pikemen braced themselves as they marked the onrushing onslaught with determination ...... Only to see them crumble from a sudden charge of several armored soldiers. Identified to be members of the Archducal guard, the guard was the last hope of the city, dispatched by their Lord Commander, Sir William Noeld.. Clearing the last of the rebel soldiers, a figure could be marked from the others by his helmet, which was of a different make from the others.

Forming the line, Alexander Katleaf reformed his line, as he led the guards along the street, towards the gates where the main bulk of Imperial spearmen awaited...

Plains west of Coere.

"This is It, that's all that remains of us."

A sergeant told Lord Endre as he entered the encampment that 600 light Infantry and 300 heavy Infantry made up the bulk of the force, with a supporting contingent of 200 spearmen and 100 heavy cavalry.

On their way here from their defeated units, men loyal to their old commander Lord Endre Realnien have gathered before marching on towards Coere. However, enemy forces were on the lookout for such a movement, and had cut down almost two hundred men of the original force supposed to rendezvous with Lord Endre.

"Well, I guess that we will have to make do with it ... how is the men-"

"Imperial forces are gathering towards the east captain!" A scout screamed from the front.

Immediately, the Boeruinean forces took up their arms and armour, and prepared their weary bodies for a tough fight ahead of them.

Imperial Front

"Prepare to engage them as soon as they break cover, we must not let them reinforce the city!"

Lord Mourde signaled to call out to his men. His force of over 5.000 soldiers are arrayed in full battle formation, most of it comprised of experienced infantry men, and heavy mounted cavalry, comprised mainly from bannerette knights. Throwing his spearmen into the city would allow a heavy push, Mourde explained to his men. Knowing that his 1000 heavy cavalry would easily overwhelm any cavalry force. Mourde had arrayed his heavy infantry in a standard battle line.

"Fire crossbows!"

A swarm of bolts filled the sky as the veteran crossbowmen of the Imperial army fired at their prepared ranges. Ballista bolts soared towards the city, causing more fear and confusion than actual kills.

Mourde smiled. He knew that the enemy is trapped, and soon, Lord Agelmore Taliern, the leader of the assaulting forces, will overrun central and southern Coere leaving the city wounded and unable to recover.

Plains West of Coere

"Fall back to the trees!

Lord Endre yelled over the cries of dying men. Seeing the standoff, it would be almost impossible to cross the plains with Mourde’s heavy cavalry poised to strike.

Lord Endre dismounted from his horse, swore and clenched his fists as he and his men lay trapped under the cover of their shields.

Coere
|

"Western gate secured! Furious fighting at the east and west side of the city, but we can take them down!" Sergeant Alexander Katleaf informed Commander Noeld,with the mobilization of the local militia and the assistance of the Ducal Guard, Noeld managed to hold a cohesive defense in the city. Soon, the spearmen sent by Mourde will be overwhelmed by the defenders of the city. "Our reinforcements are trapped by Mourde and we lack the power to tackle the army in these open plains”

"No matter, grab your weapons and follow me, we will break through the southern gate and hold a vice on Mourde, Men of Boeruine, follow me!" A great cheer erupted from the few hundred men in the vicinity as they surged as a wave towards the last gate. Crossbow bolts fired from both sides inflicted heavy casualties on both sides and the Imperial forces were steadily being pushed back. Swinging his greatsword easily in both hands, William quickly cleared a path and kicked open the door towards the interior of the eastern guard tower. The shocked expression of rebel troops failed to distract him as his guards went through their business In short order. Blocking a strike, William’s brutal counter simply cut the man Into half, as the lower and upper levels are quickly cleared by the Ducal guard and determined militia of Coere.

"Alexander ... " William whispered as he looked towards the plains. Mourdes' infantry has begun to march towards the western plains to engage our outnumbered men ...

Plains west of Coere.

Finding a hidden path, Endre has managed to engage his men with Mourdes’ infantry with an early advantage. However, as the fighting continued, the action spilled out in the open fields, where the vulnerable infantry would be open to cavalry charges.

"Regroup, take them head on!" Endre yelled as he lowered his knightly lance, and led a force of fifty heavy knights into a formation of Imperial swordsmen, knowing he would not be able to bring them down easily. Hacking and slashing with his sword as his lance shattered, Endre scored a dozen kills before the enemy formation broke. However they seemed to clear the way for a greater threat, a long line of Imperial knights.

As the enemy charged, Endre ordered a fast retreat. His cavalry could easily outpace the enemy, but his infantry would be caught out in the open. Trying to cover the retreat as much as possible, Endre fought a rearguard action, swinging his sword to and fro, while some brave spearmen supported the cavalrt by fending off the enemy's horses.

"Losses are too heavy, my Lord. The enemy's heavy infantry has engaged our lines, the pressure is too great." A sergeant hastily informed Endre.

Riding to a safe spot, Endre blew his horn, signaling a full retreat into the west to avoid action against the deadly cavalry, while the infantry would fight on to secure the retreat for them.

Imperial front

"Just like you said sir, the enemy is being overwhelmed by our forces."

Nodding, Lord Agelmore Taliern ordered a slow advance into the western plains, while his cavalry and a battalion of heavy infantry would cripple the supporting Boeruinean forces.

Lord Agelmore  left the western front and with his bodyguards rode fast like hell towards the city of Coere, eager to report his victory to his Lord and Commander of the attacking forces. As he reached the field commanding post  , Agelmore came up front the commander  who looked over a map which covered the entire battlefield.

"General, the Boeruineans have been held up by more Imperial troops near Coere, it seems that they responded faster than we expected. I did held them back though. "Very well." Mourde replied. "Send in the Mieran Mercenaries. Let them take the brunt of the Boeruinean strikes before moving our knights in."

The Left Flank of Mourde’s Army

"First Company, move out!"

The Mieran commander ordered.

Apart from the main force of Imperials, Mourde has hired an auxiliary force of 800 Mieran Infantry and archers.

"Captain Thalles, our Infantry are marching towards the western plains." A runner informed the Commander of the Fifth battalion of the Mieran Companies.

Jarod Thalles looked towards the plains, wondering If It's safe to continue with the current course of action .

"Order our men to hang back a hundred paces behind the leading Imperials. Once combat is joined, we will rush the Boeruineans before they can recover from the initials.

Thalles ordered.

"Yes sir!"

"Wait! All shields to be up, upon reaching the front line, form the square-phalanx."

As the runner rode off, Thalles led his bodyguard behind his infantry. As they advanced cautiously behind the impetuous Imperials, Thalles' worried expression went unnoticed by his men

men.

Slevan Klingea, where are you?

Plains west of Coere

"Captain, Imperial and Mercenary forces advancing onto our lines!"

Thinking fast and hard, Endre yelled an order to his men.

"Crossbows at the ready! Form frontal spear wall two-ranks deep! Missiles mount up!"

An improvised formation, the Boeruinean spears formed a tight line along the plains. On their third line, cross bowmen and archer readied their weapons poised and ready to fire. Climbing up a tree, Endre saw the heavy formations of Mieran mercenaries behind the Imperials by some distance, and decided not to waste any more time.

"Ranged units, flre on enemy lines now!" "Captain, there are two blocks! Which one do we fire on?"

"Forus your flre on the advancing spears! The mercenaries behind sure do know how to protect themselves from archer flre ... " Endre replied.

As his men launched their missiles at the advancingng Imperials, they began to pick up their pace, rushing the spear wall several hundred meters away.

"Damn ... they sure are hasty." Endre commented as he slid down the tree.

Outnumbering their opponents by a ratio of five to one, the Imperial Infantry slammed onto the Boeruinean soldiers at full run with their shield up. The flrst group of Endre’s men were thrown back onto the second, causing total mayhem along the line. As the fighting erupted, Endre led his bodyguard onto the flank, supporting the men who rallied to his call. Holding his large shield In front of him In a defensive posture, Endre took short thrusting attacks meant to disable his opponents, rather than wild swings in such tight quarters. Taking a direct hit on his shield, the captain hardly found the will to push his attacker off balance and finishing him off with a fatal thrust. Suddenly, before he fully regained his balance, Endre was shield rushed by an enemy swordsman. Trying to get away, Endres' men knocked his attack back frantic rush to protect their commander. Pulled to the rear, Endre stood up, regained his bearings and tried to rush back into the fight, but a sudden blow from the back laid him low. Rolling away, Endre saw an Imperial soldier miss him by a few Inches with his mace. A nearby bowman shot the soldier before he could cause anymore trouble. Looking at his lines, the Boeruinean noble knew that the battle was lost. Although he used the best tactics at hand, he still couldn't stop the overwhelming force of the Imperials. Cursing, Endre discarded his shield while preparing to charge. However, he was stopped again. Not by a weapon, but a strong grip and a voice with mixed accent.

"Are you the commander of the Boeruinean forces?"

Turning, Endre saw a Boeruinean face, but his outfit doesn't bear any resemblance to the Boeruinean forces. Behind the stranger, a group of around 80 men wielding custom weapons but wearing almost similar armor stood ready.

"Who on earth are you people?" Endre asked, wary of the strength they portrayed.

"Mieran mercenaries, Northern division, the man replied. "Left Wing of the Fifth Battalion.”

"What's that for, your men are on the other side, effectively we are enemies”? Shaking his head, the Mieran replied. "My orders are to fight the Imperial. Our contract states “Imperials”, yes?"

The Mieran showed the Boeruinean his orders. "In the eyes of everyone ignorant of the true Empire, including those guys out there, YOU people are not the Imperial. However, those guys started this mess. Since they are here to fight rebels under the name of the Empire, we mercenaries will follow the orders to the letter."

Endre stared at the mercenary. His brain sorting out what he just heard. Nodding as the realization dawned upon him; he stood upright, and pointed to his lines who were dangerously thin.

"Okay, the enemy is there. Mainly infantry, can you take them?"

"Sure, let me deploy my men. I need to send orders to these sergeants first.”

"Walt….there are ... sergeants?"

"Yeah, leaders of a hundred and twenty men. You don't think we fight battles with eighty men? I am not Michael or so…

As the Mieran turned, Endre called out.

"Okay. By the way, what's your name?"

Finishing his short briefing, the Mieran drew his two swords as he replied.

"Klingea, Slevan Klingea of the Mieran Riders.