Counterattack, Chapter 5

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 , 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

Western plains of Coere

Thalles looked up. His men in square formation are holding tight outside the lines where the fighting has taken place. A runner came up to the captain and reported.  "Sir, Captain Klingea's cavalry has appeared."  "Okay, give the signal and launch the attack!" A trumpet sounded along the Mhieran lines as the mercenaries seemed to be well trained in the old Anuirean styles of combat, quickly they broke their defensive formation and rushed into the Imperial lines.

The other non-Mhieran took a while longer, but were soon joined the leading charge towards the Imperials.

An Imperial soldier looked back and saw their 'reinforcements' coming, and turned just In time to take an arrow Into his heart, killing him Instantly. The winning Imperials were suddenly charged from behind, and the fighting turned out to be a massacre. With the Boeruinean forces holding a line, and the Mhieran mercenaries slowly advancing through the masses, the Imperials have nowhere to go.

Somewhere near the Commanding center of the Imperial troops

"General, there appears to be confusion in the enemy line. The mercenaries have just begun their advance, and it seems that the Boeruineans are gaining the upper hand."

"What?" General Mourde Daelor rode to the front to get a better view.  "I don't get it. The mercenaries were supposed to go in first ... “He muttered. Suddenly, the sound of battle ceased.

The Imperials looked forward, battle lines formed and ready for whatever threat might emerge. Daelor ordered up his reserves of 1.000 auxiliary troops to bolster his flanks as he brought his famed heavy cavalry to the center. The two sides looked at each other.

The Boeruinean front

The Mhieran, maintaining a tight defensive formation while holding their ground, and the Boeruinean  forces, also holding a similar formation. The remaining Imperials have surrendered, and are quickly hoarded to the rear, where they were tied up In bunches, although there weren't many of them left. Between the two lines, Captain Slevan Klingeaaa of the Mhieran Cavalry stood with his sword pointed to the Heavens. Looking the other way, Lord Endre Realnien faced his men with his sword high as well. Both had sent orders along their lines. The Mhieran’s are not to engage fully, risking friendly casualties amongst the confusion of similar uniforms, while the Boeruineans are to engage any non-Boeruinean soldiers.

Looking at his counterpart, Endre reported. "My men are tired. I need you to take the center against the other Imperials."

Nodding his head, Slevan replied. "My men are mainly cavalry. These troops belong to Captain Thalles, who should be joining us soon." A break opened in the Mhieran line, as a man dressed in more conventional equipment approached Slevan.

"Commander JarodThalles, reporting. My men are lined up and ready to turn about and reform a battle line. “Commander, I will need your infantry on the center after we break out of this area. My cavalry will assist you from the right flank-" Slevan pointed to the side, "While the Boeruineans  will fill your left flank." "Good work Slevan, I am moving out now." "Well, that's that I guess." Slevan said as he turned back to Endre. "What's your name Sir?"

"Endre Realnien” “Good to know, now, you got the order of battle, did you not?"

"My men are mainly light Infantry and some cavalry. I also have a strong force of missile Infantry, and should be able to support your advance." Nodding, the Mhieran commander added, "Link up with my archers at the third line when they leave the infantry line, my troops consists of men from far Ruorven* and for the lands of the east, Khinasi most in numbers. We will need to play this off defensively, wear down those Imperials slowly. Soon, they will probably resort to desperate tactics. Lets' go." Looking at the departing Commander, Endre could not help but wonder how this new found ally knew so much about native Imperial warfare.

The Imperial Lines

"General, mercenary forces coming towards our lines!"

Nodding, Lord Mourde observed the infantry carefully. They marched out of the enemy lines not in any relaxed manner, but in full battle formation as they pivoted on one end to face his lines fully.

So ... he noted. He realized that the mercenaries have turned against him as they advanced as a solid line towards his forces. There are plenty of spaces in the area, the sides have a lot of room to maneuver.

Riding back to his lines, Lord Daelor summoned all his officers and laid out his plans to counter the Mhieran formation.

"Bring out all our men from the other sides, and when battle is engaged, launch the signal, and we will crush the enemy under our feet. “

The battle of the Coerian plains

The two sides faced each other.

General Lord Mourde Daelor, was forced to split the amount of his army in two, one battalion attacked the city of Coere and the other one moved towards the plains to intercept the incoming reinforcements. Those are almost 5.000 men, despite all the losses he suffered, and more reinforcements coming from other cities as well as the Avanese Army.

On the other side, Captain Slevan Klingeaa, with 700 cavalry men and Commander Jarod Thalles along with the numbers of the Boeruinean elements from Captains Endre Realnien numbered around 1.000 men.

Thalles steadied his horse as he readied his personal unit. Mostly Anuireans but as in most mercenary companies you could find amongst them several cultures from all over the known world whom had followed their captain thru several battles he fought from the Elinien front to Ruorven, to the plains of Binsada, and in all his battles as a mercenary many had died, but even more has joined his ranks as the hammer of his battle strategies, now, they take up the position of honor at the Right Flank.

The Imperials have an overwhelming force of 2.000 foot soldiers, mostly made up of spearmen, while 700 elite trained warriors who comprise their elite infantry made up the first line of battle. On the flanks are 600 of the famed Avanese Prime which Lord Mourde commanded himself, 600 Imperial Knights loyal to their Emperor till death and 600 light cavalry men used to chase off archers.. The cross bowmen of the Imperials took up positions and rested on their weapons as they awaited the approach of the Boeruinean force.

On the other side, Endres' men have taken up positions on the left flank, and mainly consist of dismounted knights and spearmen. His mounted force has joined Captain Klingeaa and the Mhieran lancers on the right. The fresh troops of Thalles have assumed a defensive posture, while the spearmen are brought up to the front, two ranks deep ahead of the heavy Infantry. Captain Bhaler was amongst them with an additional 200 infantry, mostly archers and the brigands which so often fought side by side with the Mhierans .

Behind the forces, in the city, Commander William Noeld and his force of 1.200 mostly comprised of militia men and remnants of infantry men and city conscripts, elite trained warriors of the Boeruinean Archducal guard stood along the walls, a handful of them, but enough to command the few defenders of Coere, now all stared in awe at the line up of the two forces.

Mourde made the first move.

Seeing that the Boeruinean infantry was packed tightly together, he ordered his light cavalry to chase off the Boeruinean cavalry on his left, while his knights challenge the heavier cavalry on the right.

As the Imperial cavalry rode off, his Infantry began a slow march towards their opponents. Deeper In unit depth, the Imperials could afford to lose their troops In wearing the Mhieran line, as the allied forces had fewer men to throw against them.

Thalles saw them coming. Blowing his horn, he signaled the unit of 100 riders who locked their lances in below their waists, and took up shortbows as they followed Slevan's lead towards the enemy light cavalry, the allied archers began firing their missiles at the Imperial heavy cavalry, and their specially crafted arrows did much more than just pierce through the enemy armour. Slevan's cavalry unleashed a storm of arrows at the charging Imperials while they are still a distance away. Letting lose three volleys of sheafed arrows, he signaled to his men to equip their lances while, joined by other men from the same division, formed a line.

The Imperial sergeants charged on, willing to drive this missile cavalry from the field. What they did not expect was the sudden transition to a style of western chargers as Slevan ordered the charge.

Long lances at the ready, the Mhieran cavalry smashed onto the light cavalry, long lances taking men off their horses before the light spears of the Imperials even got close. Retracting his lance, Slevan thrust It onto another opponent trying to charge onto a fellow. Letting It drop onto the side of his saddle, secured by the ingenious strap some Ghoerhian smith has created for his cavalry, Slevan's longswords flashed as he took out three Imperials in a straight pass. Crushing the light cavalry, Slevan's men hardly suffered any casualties, although some lost their lances. Looking at the battle, the Imperial infantry are charging the allied lines as a mass of infantry. On the other flank, Bhaler, Thalles and Endre are fighting  an even battle against a small contingent of knights while spearmen held off a large portion of Mourde’s deadly knights.  Looking ahead, a unit of several hundred of the Avanese Primes faced his cavalry. Summoning his sergeants, Slevan ordered an indirect engagement against the Imperials. As the infantry clashed, the Mhieran spearmen launched their heavy spears at the first wave of Imperials, and quickly retreated to the rear through the gaps made by the infantry. Blowing a whistle, a sergeant readied his men for the initial impact.

The Imperials came smashing onto the line of allied infantry. The Boeruineans held on, fast changing into a mass of confusion as the first three lines were engaged. The Mhierans held onto their heavy squares, the first line engaging with short thrusts just like the ancient legionaries of the Adurian Empire. Slowly counting, the sergeant blew his whistle again, which was echoed along the ranks of the Mhierans. As one, the first line of engaged troops side-stepped to their right and shifted between the columns to the rear. As they did this, the second line of Mhieran Infantry took up the vacated positions and continued the fight. This cycle enabled the infantry to rest before engaging the enemy, rather than fighting till the death as was being done by the Imperials. The missile units of both sides now took to engaging each other. The faster firing cycle of the allies took their toll on the slower Imperial cross bowmen, killing them faster than the casualties suffered.

Slevan's cavalry formed a long line as the Imperial knights rode towards them. Following a signal, both ends of the Mhieran line rode outwards, and the rest of the troops followed opening a gap for the Imperial knights to ride through. Taken by surprise, the Imperials had to continue forward, while Slevan's cavalry took them down with point blank shots from their deadly bows. Turning about after about two volleys the leading men of the circle took up their lances as they caught up the rear of the slowing Imperial knights, and charged them with lances pointed forward.

The impact resulted in chaos. The Imperials, aware that they could not turn in time in such a tight mass of large animals, simply rode forward, trying to gain some distance from the Mhierans which were chewing up their rear in rapid fashion.  "Forth!" Slevan yelled, and his unit lanced across an empty distance to engage the retreating knights. Swinging his sword, Slevan was stunned to feel it cut through the plate armor worn by the Imperial knights as his men's weapons favored precision strikes at seams in the armor.

Looking back at the enemy general fighting, Slevan saw that his left flank is compromised by a number of Imperial knights engaging his men. The infantry are holding well, inflicting more casualties on the weary Imperials, but are suffering from the onslaught as well. As his cavalry continued to slaughter the Imperial knights, the captain ordered five companies of twenty men each to his call. Marking the end of the Imperial infantry line, he led his cavalry into a wedge formation, firing arrows as they went, causing confusion among the attacking Imperials.

Seeing the battle unfold, Mourde ordered his personal unit of 100 bodyguard knights into action, aiming to clear the irritating Mhieran cavalry before more trouble was caused. He knew that it's hopeless.

Endre knocked off another Imperial with his sword as he came by a pass. Cutting another Imperial by his ribs, Endre rode around to rejoin a group of four cavaliers who have been covering one another with their swords and spears.  “How many? Twenty? Thirty?”  He thought as he brought another cavalier down. No matter how many he killed, they just keep coming, and his sword arm limped from exhaustion, blood ran from a dozen light wounds.

Thalles rallied a unit of Infantry around him. The Mhieran has dismounted and taken up a long spear to support his cavalry. Now on the left flank of his the captain held off a number of Imperial knights, knowing that if they broke towards his allies, the line would surely collapse. "Captain Thallesl I don't know how many there arel" A nearby sergeant called out to him as the man brought down an Imperial knight with his polearm. Nodding, the veteran Commander called a reserve of 80 spearmen to bolster the line while the current batch retreats. “We are fighting for too long. The men are losing hope. We have to regroup now ...”

On horseback, Bhaler the Roesonian rallied the men along the line. Changing horses to allow them rest, the captain called out to his line, and at times charging in to relieve a hard pressed group of infantry.

Slevan's cavalry charged in onto Mourdes' bodyguards at full pace. Lances shattered upon impact and cries of dying men filled his ears as the captain dropped his lance and drew his swords. Ambidextrous and trained in two-weapon fighting at a young age, the Mhieran had no problem utilizing both his weapons to full effect, even on horseback. Suddenly, a heavy sword came from nowhere, and Slevan barely had time to block it. Even so, the strike numbed his right arm and he quickly pulled away. Looking at the adversary, Slevan recognized the outfit worn by Mourde. Surprisingly, Mourde recognized Slevan.

"Captain Klingea I suppose, son of the disgraced captain of the former Imperial Legion?"

Looking closely at his opponent, Slevan realized who he was talking to, even after several years, he remembered the face of the man who ordered the imprisonment of his family.

"Mourde Daelor ... “

Staring hard, Slevan faced Mourde as the Imperial drew a spear and thrust It at him. Dodging It, Slevan took a javelin and thrust It back, taking care not to leave himself too exposed.

After several seconds of minor strikes, the two commanders drew back from one another.

Gesturing at the battle, the Imperial commented. "Look, even now your men are being slaughtered! If you had the knowledge you won't even betray your contract from the beginning. Now, you die."

Their spears met in the next pass, and Slevan's snapped at mid-shaft, while Mourde’s gashed the captain on his arm. Nearly fainting from exhaustion, Slevan barely managed about to face Mourdes.

"The Spear. Spears are my specialty ... Klingea. .. " Mourdes smirked.

Drawing out his sword, the captain managed to prepare for another pass, knowing that no matter what, It will be his last In this duel.

"Spears are longer and better in the pass, boy, or were you discharged too soon to learn about It?" The Imperial taunted.

Slevan stared straight at his opponent, willing his body for one final pass. Ordering his horse onto a gallop, he charged at the Imperial, who had begun to charge as well. Mourdes' spear pierced deep Into Slevan's shoulder, the force knocking the captain to the side. However, with one final burst of strength, Slevan thrust forward, and impaled the Imperial through his neck.

Both men fell. Mourdes, dead from the mortal strike, and Slevan, barely conscious from the pain and exhaustion. A Mhieran quickly dismounted and dislodged the spear from Slevan, as two others helped their captain on their horse. A fourth rider brought Slevan's horse determined not to lose the creature.

As they rode back to the rear, not a single Imperial cavalier was left alive at that scene.

"Bhaler! We're losing the line!"

Cursing, the captain killed yet another Imperial swordsman as he fought on foot.

The pressure has pushed the Allies back towards the plains, where even the archers have stopped firing  and were helping in hand-to-hand combat. The Imperial cavalry has routed the flank and Commander Thalles lay wounded on the ground, covered by four of his men and a physician patched him up.

Endre sat down behind the line, barely able to stand. He discarded his armour and fought in light clothing, relying on the agility he had gained from the training with his younger brother.

“Damn. Damn It, Is this the fall?”

Hearing horns, Endre took some time to register lt. However, when he figured the source of it, his mood brightened immediately.

Boeruinean horns filled the towers of Coere as Commander Noeld led his men out to attack the rear of the Imperial force. Running flat out, the militia of the Coere chased down fleeing missile infantry, who were scattering to escape the furious charge. However, he knew. Imperial knights are on the fields, and the cavalry is the master of warfare on the plains.

"Captain, Avanese forces have appeared. It seems that Toeran Avan is their commander. They have arrived with a mass of infantry and knights, sir, and a contingent of cavalry numbering by the hundreds."

"Prepare to fall back; we cannot engage their cavalry now."

"Endre!"

Turning to the source, the Boeruinean saw a limping Slevan being supported by his men.

"Mourde is dead, what's our situation?"

"Many dead and wounded, we are regrouping now."

"The situation ... " Slevan looked over, but he heard horns In the distance, and paused.

"Avanese. The Avanese are here, Mourdes' allies."

Shaking his head, Slevan suddenly brightened up.

"No ... these horns ... they belong to the Boeruineans! But I have not heard them in such a long time  ..."

Looking to the west, Slevan saw it. From a distance the banners of Archduke Edric Boeruine the I, who rode up front his ducal army.

A force of 500 heavy cavalry and 3.500 mixed footmen, the Archduke has brought up all the men he could muster for the defence of Coere.

As the cavalry galloped towards the battlefield, a man atop a warhorse observed the maneuvers.

"Captains!" he summoned.

"Yes sir!"

"Send your infantry into the flanks, fast march, we have to cover the distance as soon as possible. Our allies will need help so you are to position your forces between them and the enemy while they rest and fall back. Move now!"

"Yes General!"

As the captains scattered to gather their forces, General Roe Anders looked upon the field. Raising his sword, he led his cavalry of 150 Boeruinean heavily armored knights into a fast gallop...

The two sides had gathered, now Is the time to see who will prevail...