>>5736603


“Very well, we shall set out immediately, by the time you arrive we should have finished with our task.” The knight says grabbing his helmet before beginning to walk away.

Downing another cup of wine, you get up and move to leave the manor. Your men are going to be annoyed by the news, no rest, no drink, at best they will have to eat on horseback. I just can’t wait for that. You think with some annoyance.

-
(POV shift: You are Apollonius Palaminus, a humble levy raised to defend your homeland.)

“Bring up the logs, push those bastards back !” Your pentecontarch commands, the man had been put in charge of you and about another fifty men, all village men you are, farmers mostly, other than the small, but heavy, knife upon your belt, the shield, spear, helmet and cotton armour had all been issued to you when the invaders struck.

Forcing your tired body forwards, as you had been one of the few whom volunteered to cross the river in the first place to help and set up barge, you move without halt towards the breach of the unfinished palisade. Despite how quickly you cut down trees and how fast you dragged them, the walls were at best half-way finished when the Akeonians slammed into you with everything they had.

“Come on, with me, shields forward, forward I said you bastards !” Drusus, the richest man in your village, attested to by his chain armour and the fact that the rest of his kit is entirely owned by him screams out. Being wealthy as he is, he had naturally been made a decarch commanding you and nine others from the same village. “I shall fuck your mothers if I see any one of you run when I get back home !” God, you hate the man.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, you heft your spear, so that its butt is underneath your armpit as you put the shield forwards. The small haphazard line is silent as the wretched Akeonians, stinking to high heavens, unwashed and dirty, screaming like barbarians that they are, slam into your line. Spears meeting shields, you are moved back from the force of the attack.

“Hold you cunts ! Hold !” Once more Drusus, the violent drunk, shouts out. By the Shepherd, just because he knows the local tax collector, he feels like he’s the tyrant of your village.

Gritting your teeth, you dodge under a spear’s thrust, allowing your shield to knock it upwards. With a battlecry emanating from your lungs, you plunge forwards, your muscles demanding rest as the speartip plunges through the simple linen garbs of your foe, yet still you push, the strength in your limbs finally giving out as you crash upon your foe, whom now continues to wail in pain, your spear having punctured his guts.

>>5736605

“That’s what you get you-“ Your anger filled words are halted by a heavy knock to your head as you collapse onto the ground. Your vision swims as you blurredly try and reorient yourself upon the warm dry ground. The feeling of green grass in its prime underneath your hands, the smell of wildflowers blooming even in the midst of this battle. As you are slowly lulled to sleep, the warm ground seemingly so inviting. You hear the sharp cry of a crow. A carrion bird circling just above you, watching the slaughter beneath it with ravenous hunger. The smell of blood, gore, shit, and piss quickly returns as your mind once again processes what is happening to you.

“Get up ! Stand your ground !” The distant cries of the pentecontarch become ever increasingly clearer as you see him on the approach with perhaps another two dozen men.

I can’t die here, I don’t want to die here. You languidly think as strength returns to your limbs, the desire to survive spurning you onwards. With a wet welch you retrieve the spear buried deep in your dying foe whom once more cries out as you kick at him, rising to your feet.

Another five men had just finished raising another section of the palisade, despite being under attack as an endless wave surges forwards. Screaming in their foreign tongue, the Akeonians still press onwards, just as you push back.

“We shall win this day yet, onwards !” Again the the pentecontarch cries out.

“Shag ‘em !” Drusus quickly throws in.

With a tired shout of your own, wielding the spear in two hands you thrust it outwards towards another attacker. Only when the speartip is knocked aside by a swift and easy strike by a blade, do you comprehend a suit of armour before you, made in the Akeonian fashion, a tabard with a black dog upon a gold background clearly visible upon it.

Once again, the world is pain as a thick wooden shield, smaller than your own, smashes into your skull, the sheer intensity of the impact filling your mouth with the sickeningly iron taste of blood as yet again, you find yourself upon the inviting ground. The armoured man stands over you, his blade angled downwards. With a flash, it descends, and all you feel is a cold, painful cut upon your throat. A dismissive glance from underneath the helm of your killer is all you see, the cold, distant brown eyes, staring at you as if you were an insect, last for but a second as your foe moves out to search for his next adversary. As your eyes dart about, you can see two men, with rattling chainmail, maces in hands beat down upon Drusus, his loud bellowing long since ceased, his body unmoving and unreacting to the blows laid upon it.

And as you lay there, watching the circling crows, hearing their cawing as a newest meal is prepared, the last things you hear are the distant, oh so distant, sound of horses. So many…horses…

>>5736606

-
(POV shift: You are Armentarius Theocritus.)

With the Sun setting behind you, the horse underneath protesting being pushed so hard and with no rest. The distant sounds of a rushing water current, the screams of battle, the clashing of metal and the noise of raging flames fill your ears, as finally you see that the local themata troops had held, despite the odds they had held. Their half-built fort, blazing in places, where in others, the walls are still being built despite the danger posed to those erecting them. A force of perhaps two hundred or so themata had held against an army of mayhaps six hundred, most of whom you note, are sitting in the open around the fort itself. Before your eyes is the pontoon bridge, a barge that had been elongated to reach each shore of the river, with it still in place, you will be more than able to quickly cross it.

“Scholae (School) ! Show them war !” You cry out, grabbing the kontos (oar, barge-pole) and angling it downwards.

For a moment, the noise of hooves impacting earth disappears to be replaced with the noise of them meeting wood, and soon enough, you can no longer hear the noise of your horse moving as the kontos in your hands skewers your first foe, some Akeonian noble or another, his armour, no matter how well built, cracks from the sheer force of the impact, the black dog upon his chest is what you aimed for, the symbol of his house ruined and his life taken at the cost of your own kontos which breaks from the hit. No matter, the rest of your men follow quickly behind you, putting to rout the forces within the fort.

“Arcus (recursive bow) !” another order given as you leave the fort and watch the confused and quickly turning to panicked gazes of the besiegers. With your formation moving at an incredible pace, you loosen your volley, killing dozens in an instant as pained cries ring out. The force crumbles by the time you loose your second volley, they run by the time of the third one, the siege is broken and their formations utterly shattered by the time of the fourth one.

“Run these curs down ! In the name of God, in the name of the Empire, in the name of the Emperor !” You order now switching to your own sword chasing down your foe delivering blow after blow, until a trail of corpses can be seen from the fort to the nearby village where the Akeonians finally regain a semblance of organization and start to mount a defence, setting up in between the huts around them, raising their spears and shields, as your own exhausted mounts protest charging into what they believe to be immovable objects.

Perhaps now you could negotiate their surrender, you can see the fear in the eyes of these men, panicked and tired from the chase you had undertaken. Perhaps. Perhaps were you a whom would show pity to murderers, rapist, looters. Perhaps you would spare them. But you are no such man.

>>5736607

“Scholae ! Prepare to burn them.” You coldly order as a few of your men turn about to return to the still blazing fort to retrieve the flames so graciously provided to you by the Akeonians themselves. And in less than ten minutes, with the village surrounded, your men drive closer with their horses, hurling makeshift torches, igniting the huts and as the flames spread, those Akeonians too cowardly or wounded to move, perish in the flames, their skin blackens and pops, their clothing burns, the metal in their hands begins to liquify and melt. Those unwilling to meet a fiery doom try to breakout, but in their panic, they become excellent target practice for both you and your men.

Another arrow loosened into the back of the fleeing man, the twang of the string statisfying to your ear, the howling of the arrow itself an informant of the approaching doom. A gasp, a thud. And so, the last of your foes lays dead.

“Domestikos (domestic, commander).” One of your officers speaks up. “Shall we return, or should we push through.”

“For now, mount scouting parties. I want to know about these lands, make sure that all of the settlements nearby are explored. I do not wish to see any ambushes before me.”

“As you command, domestikos.” The man nod before turning his horse around.

You take the moment of freedom to catch your breath and most importantly rest your mount.

It will be a long night. You think watching as the Sun ever so slowly moves downwards to eventually, in time, hide underneath the horizon. Before turning your horse as slowly beginning to walk it towards the fort. You may need the soldiers there, to at the very least hold onto your gains if nothing else.

-
(POV shift: You are Sebastianus Bardas a wealthy land owner upon Dyrea.)

Your horse snorts as you ride forwards. It had been bred and used for hunting prior to the invasion, but you think it had performed well enough to the point where perhaps you shall allow you stable master to breed a new generation of this fine stallion’s foals shall run upon the battlefield like their father. Just like your father, though he had perished upon the endless seas rather than the lands he calls his home, lands that you now must defend through iron and blood.

The emperor’s men had all run down South with their steeds, so it is now up to you and your peers to act as the necessary hammer upon the plains whilst the commoners march forth the secure these lands from those filthy foreigners.

“Sebastianus.” One of your peers calls out.

“Marcian, what is it ?” You acknowledge him, though you little relations with the man, for he had held lands on the other side of the isle, or so he proclaims, though you do not recall ever seeing him in any of the gatherings of the families, now that you think about it.

>>5736608

“You come from this area, I am sure everyone here wishes to know what sort of terrain we shall be facing.” The others around you, roughly a hundred riders from families rich enough to afford horses and offer their service as cavalrymen rather than mere infantry.

“About as the same as the rest of the isle. A few rivers here and there, creaks really, the flatter it gets the closer to the shore you are, the closer to the isles centre you go the hillier it becomes.” You shrug. “I had turned most of the lands besides the main roads into farms worked by slaves, with the lack of people and all, though I have to admit, the slaves are much more profitable, if the upfront cost is much greater.”

“So, nothing in particular then ?” You can feel something in Marcian’s voice, alas, you are not your elder brother, after all, father had thought him everything, but you, you were just a spare, but who’s laughing now. You think with a bit of malice within you. “What if we face the Akeonian, what were they called again, ah, yes, those chevaliers.”

“So what about them ? Most of them were killed when domestikos landed upon the isle. We number a hundred strong; I think we can crush some backwards savages masquerading as proper kataphraktoi.” You dismissively reply. “The lands here are perfect for warfare such as ours.”

“That depends.” Now you feel annoyed as this Marcian continues to drool on. “If the lands had not been worked over after the harvest, we could find it especially dangerous for our steads, the lines of ploughed land could pose a threat after all, especially now that the land had hardened.”

“Yes, I am certain that some wheat shall surely halt our advance. I will ensure to consult with the domestikos about such, important matters later on after we had crushed the Akeonians and achieved victory.” Small inclinations upon land, pah. Clearly a man of a new family, I had ridden horses through the farmlands before. You derisively think as you look down upon your mighty steed, the brand new, heavy, shining armour upon being another sing of your prestige. It had taken a bit getting used to, but other than a slight drop in speed and manoeuvrability, you think you master riding like one of the scholae.

“Merely offering advice. I am certain everyone is at least somewhat nervous, so making conversation should help.” Marcian says, being met with some derision, with some appreciation, from you ? Mainly indifference by now. You only wish that he would shut up already, his talks, if anything, had made you slightly more nervous than you are willing to admit.

“Look ahead, Kerkassa !” One of your peers calls out.

>>5736609

“Excellent, have the infantry move forwards and set up camp. I need a bath.” You think as around another two hundred themata, men raised from lands you and your peers own march ahead. Within the walled village should be another three hundred men awaiting you there. A sizeable force to deliver a death blow. You muse as you slowly begin to ride ahead, watching the red gold banners of the empire fluttering in the wind as you approach the large overgrown farmlands. The wheat in the fields reaching as high as your midriff. So much chaff for so little produce, well, at least it’s something to feed my horses with.

“I do not know about you my fellows, but I am feeling parched, and it just so happens that I have some fine southern wine all the way from Lefkados, a batch before the conquest of the Akeonians. I say, shall we taste it and await a new batch from said lands once they had been freed and they had rejoined our fine empire.” Marcian says. To that, you snort, the little weasel is trying to get into good graces of everyone gathered. Not that you mind, it is a sign of a wise man, to know whom his betters are. And Lefkadonian wine is especially sweet, it had been long since you were able to last taste it.

“Very well then, I think we had all earned a light indulgence.” You say with humour in your voice as the wine flask is passed around between you all, everyone greedy to take more than a sip, but controlling themselves for the sake of civilized decency. Watching your men march onwards upon the grey, moss-covered cobblestone road, the golden fields of wheat making for a striking sight in between as the varying colours of men at war enter the mixture, with the tall, for a village at least, rising walls of similarly grey rock in the distance making for quite the sight. The closed dark brown wooden gates of the vill- Hmm ? You cannot help but do a double take. The gates are closed. Even though your approach had to been seen for a long while now by the defenders.

“Why are the gates closed ?” You voice your thoughts.

“Perhaps they fear trickery ?” One of your peers calls out.

“We do not have any time to waste.” Marcian says. “Perhaps we should ride ahead, perhaps the sentries are unwilling to believe that reinforcements would arrive so swiftly.”

“A good point.” You nod, after all, you had instated a forced march, reaching your goal in less than a single day. A fine speed thanks to the good conditions and your relatively small numbers.

Spurring your horse onwards, you and your peers begin making short work as the first of your forces reach the gates and halt before them, tired and confused why they are unable to get some rest already.

>>5736610

“Guards ! Guards ! Open the gates !” You begin to shout out as you come ever closer, your men beginning to disperse and sit down upon the ground, a few taking out some dried and salted pieces of meat, nuts and dried berries. Some begin drinking from their own flasks made out of leather.

“Guards !” You call out again, this time in annoyance greater than before. “Open these thrice damned gates or I will have you all flogged !”

Suddenly, you hunch your back as an ear shattering noise rings out behind you. At the very edge of your formation Marcian, alongside another ten horsemen with whom you hadn’t conversed with, stand. An arcus in his hands, as your eyes follow the source of the noise, you realize it is an arrow loosened into the air.

“What in the name of the Shepherd are you doing ?!” You call out, but quickly realize that you are too far away from Marcian for him to make out your words and vice versa.

“Berger et Dieu !” An unfamiliar tongue rings out from all around you.

Suddenly, from the top of the walls, men emerge, wielding bows unfamiliar to you as they let loose a devastating volley upon you and the remainder of the men. In a panic you raise your shield as it is riddled with arrows, your horse spurs and goes off as more and more arrows land upon it, some striking true and through the beast’s armour only spooking it further.

As you struggle to hold onto the reins, you watch as perhaps two hundred men rush out of the wheat fields, slamming into your unprepared men.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa !” You try to control your mount as it continuous kicks and spurs. When you hear the noise of the main gates opening, slowly groaning as the heavy woods moves from the steel hinges. Before you is a sight you never thought could be so terrifying, perhaps fifty or so chevaliers ride out in their resplendent armour, their lances lowered. A decisive strike straight upon your horsemen, whom already disoriented, fall. The footmen fare no better as the chaos and confusion throws them into a blind panic. A foe of equal, if not lesser size had put them to rout.

Dammnit to all ! You think as you spur your horse onwards through the wheat fields, the sheer height of them should provide you with cover enough to move through with ease. You can now only hope that the rest will be able to disperse as you had an-

Your horse neighs as you can feel yourself propelled onwards as it crashes into the ground, a pained cry is the last thing you hear as the earth approaches your eyes, closer, closer, and closer, until-

>>5736611

-
(POV shift: You are Vitalius Palaminus an owner of a humble farm.)

Life hadn’t been easy these last few years. Your sons marched off to war and had died there, now your last remaining youngest is serving his emperor. Last you heard of him, he had marched southwards, towards Pisactus. Last you heard the men loyal to the wolf banner there had managed to gain a foothold upon the otherside. That had caused you sleepless nights, you had hoped that due to the natural border there, your son would be safe from most dangers faced by the men whom been sent northwards or to those bandit infested woods.

Your knees ache as you sit down upon the chair, watching people tending to your lands as you hide underneath a shade, away from the oppressive Sun. You are old, perhaps too old to tend to these lands left to you by your father, whom inherited these lands from his father, whom had gotten them from his as he purchased them from the war booty he had earned. So many generations, and now, exhausted and old as you are, you can only pray for your son’s safe return so to as ensure that at least another generation of your family shall own and tend to these lands.

“Are you alright, father ?” A man addresses you. A young man, he had lost his family and lands. Many of these such runaways you had given food and shelter in exchange for labour, it does bring a slight smile to your face as the man, and all others, refer to you respectfully in such a manner.

“Old bones.” You reply with a chuckle. “A heavy heart. The same torments and pressures that all old men must face in times of war.”

“I am certain that your issues shall be resolved father. The charity you had given no doubt had brought forth the Shepherd’s gaze upon you.”

“I can only hope so that He shall bestow upon me his most sacred blessing.” You wearily reply as the heat is starting to get to you, making it hard to stay awake, especially now that the Sun is beginning to set.

“What is that ?” The man next to you questions.

Directing your gaze towards where he is looking, you see what appears to be “Smoke ?” You question. “No, it is not dark enough, too spread out. A dust trail, yes. I remember seeing those in my time. It is moving too fast to be an army…ah, it must be the tagmata.” You finally say, stroking your white beard. “Mayhaps they had taken my advice. I am quite the seasoned warrior you see.” You say with another chuckle.

“They must be moving at quite the pace, last I heard they had moved southwards.” The man responds.

“Maybe something brought them back here ?” You cannot help but feel concern and a great degree of fear for your son at those thoughts.

“Perhaps they are returning with good news.” The young man smiles.

>>5736612

You return the gesture and watch as over the horizon the very first of the riders become clear. “They do not seem to be armoured heavily enough to be the tagmata.” You say, confusion apparent in your voice.

“The local themata then ? There are families rich enough to raise horsemen for battle in these lands.”

“It appears that they area coming towards us.” You say with some concern rising from your chair. “Tell the men to grab their tools and head inside.”

“Father ?”

“Do it !” You harshly respond, watching as a force of a few hundred lightly armed horsemen rush forwards without halt at a breakneck speed.

As you begin to hobble forwards, your fears are confirmed as screams echo out from the people working in the fields, javelins are thrown with wild abandon.

“Father !” The young man grabs you as you painfully fall to the ground, you watch as a javelin sticks out from the chest of the young man whom had been so lovingly calling you father.

“No, no, please, God, no, please.” You begin to cry out, tears beginning to fall down your cheeks. You had lost so many of your true sons, and now this. Trying to move, you can feel immediate pain coursing through your body. The fall must have broken something. Despite so, you still try to crawl forwards and you look around the pointless slaughter all around you. Torches are put before the wheat fields, spreading all engulfing flames, thatched roofs are equally set alight.

You watch and you cry, as all before you are slain, as all the multiple generations of your family had built is destroyed. And yet, one thing you cannot understand, no matter how you try, is the speed that these men move at, they do not loot, they do not pillage. They simply kill and burn, burn and kill. They take nought, but destroy all.

You hear a horse slowly walk besides you, and as you direct your gaze upwards, you see a face of a man, one of the many killers. He gazes down upon you, before looking around. Quickly dismounting, he grabs the corpse of the young man either he, or others had killed and drags him a top of you. You try to resist, but he gestures for a shush. A voice calls out next to him in a foreign tongue, the man shifts so that you cannot see with whom he is talking, but you can see his eyes. Such kind eyes. Eyes that remind you of your sons. Pleading eyes as he gently pushes you downwards, still arguing with someone. Eventually he rises, you try to not move, not to even change your facial expression. And so, you lay there, upon the warm ground, the wet, hot blood of the man you had sheltered staining your clothes. Alive, due to a whimsical mercy of an enemy. I am old, so, so old. You think as you close your eyes.

>>5736613

-
(End of POV shift.)

“The undesirables, they are Thephian, used to following the law. Yes, yes. Will annoy the senate.” You pause. “What doesn’t annoy the senate ?” You ask rhetorically looking up from your paperwork.

“Power, wealth, and honour directed towards them.” Irene says languidly as she’s working at her own table.

“Yes, I suppose so.” You tiredly respond. “Next.” You sigh. “Those from E’fostye…acceptable. Though conversion and cultural integration needed. The same with the Jaykins. The Erugians and Escuratans.”

“Vicious snakes those two.”

“Useful as well.” Yet again you sigh. “I have a bit of doubt, but hopefully through the plans we are drawing up, they shall pose no threat. Using the old tactics, we shall take hostages into Myralos itself, teach them our ways, and eventually turn their people into us.”

“You are far more optimistic than I had originally thought, your majesty.”

“Perhaps that is why God had chosen me to lead our people.”

“It is closer to a happenstance and fate, your majesty. God’s will is in the world beyond. You should remember so, lest unfortunate things happen from your beliefs.” Ever the blunt pragmatist, Irene douses what optimistic flames you have.

You sigh yet again as you lean back in your chair.

“So, when are we holding the ceremony ?”

There she goes again. “After the war is won.” You reply.

“The timeline is already strict, if we fail to meet it, who knows when we shall be able to do so. If nothing else, it may get rid of the more senile commanders.” She replies, and yet again, you are wholly uncertain if that was a joke or if she had been entirely serious.

“Your majesty, an important message.” Your musings upon the near fatal expressions of the senators when Irene’s presence was revealed is quickly shattered by the servant’s voice.

“Enter.” You simply state.

Shuffling inside and kowtowing before you, the servant begins. “Your majesty, strategos (General) Isaac desires your presence as the enemy had been finally found.”

Without any hesitation, you quickly rise from your work and march out of your tent, not even waiting for the servant to finish his own kowtowing. Opening up the flap of the tent, you start walking towards the main command tent, your bodyguards falling in line as you do so. All around you, a control pandemonium is being carried out, men are rushing up and about the camp, officers are screaming out orders, formations are beginning to form outside of the encampment, lines of hundreds of men, rigidly disciplined by experienced veterans, even as you can see nervousness and discontent from the forces gathered, an air of dread and excitement permeates the air.

>>5736614

One of your bodyguards opens up the main command tent, and within it you can already hear loud discussions, arguments, jockeying for positions of honour, or in rare occasions, safety, though worded differently than that. And with your own entrance, the chaos all around you ceases.

“Your majesty.” One of the gathered officers says, breaking open the dam and everyone else begins to follow suit, greeting you and bowing before you. And in the middle of all of this, Isaac remains silent, looking at a crudely drawn map.

“We had heard that the foe had been found.” You begin.

“They had.” Isaac calmly remarks. “About ten minutes ago, a scout had returned informing me that a massive barbaroi (barbarians) force is heading straight for us. It seems that the various tribes had felt the pressure from our advance and are marching to meet us.”

“Do we know how many ?”

“A bit, based on the size of the host, it is assumed that a force of around twenty-five thousand warriors marches against us, your majesty. Primarily composed of tribesmen, poorly equipped and untrained, but, most likely desperate, if the Thuregs are anything to go by. Still, they are marching to us, tired, hungry, wet, cold.”

“And our total numbers ?”

“About seventeen thousand, more than half of that however is cavalry, mainly equipped with heavy armour. Whilst we are outnumbered, we are far more disciplined, better equipped, and rested.”

“So, you are then certain of our victory ?” You ask, this being the first time you would be in actual battle, well, without it sneaking up onto you. Now, unlike before, you have time to ponder, time to worry.

“Of course not. Nothing is set in this life or another. But I shall do my best, our great armies had crushed foes far more numerous, a shame that said armies do not break even ten thousand, however, they shall crash upon our shields where we shall hold them. Their flanks shall collapse from our cavalry. And eventually we shall slaughter them.” Isaac says with some finality in his words. “As for now, I would recommend your majesty to prepare yourself for war and to meet me at the fields before our encampment.”

“Then we shall. Lead us to victory, strategos.” Getting the message that you should vacate the command tent so that actually planning could be continued, you affirm.

“By your will, your majesty.” Isaac says as you depart.
.
.
.
You had never thought your heart could beat so fast, to the point where you think its rhythm is impacting the fine steel in which you are clad, for a moment you nervously observe your surroundings, wondering if others can hear your heart continuously smashing against the armour, the loud noise echoing in your ears as your helmet muffles most noise around.

Suddenly, you flinch as you are startled by an impact upon your back and grab upon your spathion’s hilt, prepared to draw it out of its scabbard.

>>5736615

An amused laugh escapes the lips of the man next to you whom had closed the distance. “Are you nervous, your majesty ?” Isaac asks.

“Slightly.” You own muffled voice comes through.

“I’d suggest your majesty to take of your helmet. We are far from the front and being able to fully observe a battlefield is a necessity for any general.”

A moment of hesitation later, you undo your own helmet, the diadem worked into it once again unleashing the endless clacking of pearls upon steel, perhaps those were the heartbeats you were so nervous about. The steel you are clad within is of a high quality, your proper war armour, now truly ready for a fight.

Right next to you, upon horseback sits Isaac. Relaxed and seemingly unafraid, his helm held atop of the saddle as he squints to get a better look at the battlefield.

“The Sun shines upon us.” He remarks with annoyance trying to prevent the sting upon his eyes caused by said sunshine and the endless sea of reflection cast by the various pieces of metal now in the open all around you.

You look around as well, with none of your vision blocked out. You are currently at a slight elevation upon the ground, men with various brightly coloured flags laid before them await orders, so do various trumpeters ready to deliver signals through noise, next to them on horseback stand the banner bearers flying your purple flags inform all where you are, where the Basileús (Sovereign) of the mighty Thephian people is. Whilst a massive beacon drawing anyone’s attention whom has even a modicum of decent sight puts you to a slight unease, the fact that just below you stand the entirety of your Scholae (School). The nine hundred riders divided into groups of one hundred, as per request of Isaac, await for an opportunity to exploit or a weakness to cover. In front of that stands the entirety of Optimatoi tagmata (The best, regiment/battalion), similarly like the Scholae held in reserve where needed. Further onwards from that stretching as far as the eye can see is a massive line of mercenaries and Thureg warriors in an alternating fashion. With heavy troops right behind the lighter ones. And upon the flanks, split in half stand the senatorial cavalry, roughly three thousand riders upon each flank.

>>5736616

Whilst such a force is impressive, even further beyond that, still in the process of forming up at a distance is a mass of 25,000 foreign savages, eager and ready for blood. Even from here you notice the lightly armoured cavalry quickly rushing forwards and to the flanks of the tribals, and much to your surprise, as you squint and look onwards you notice that they do not even possess proper saddles, rather clinging onto the manes of their horses, tightly gripping their sides as javelins glint from even here. Then, at the centre, in contrast to the confusion and attempts at organization, small warbands march in perfect square formations, their leaders visible by the great brilliantly coloured plumes of green, black, yellow, red. It seems that these smaller groups, yet again to your shock, quickly form a stable centre, an even line stretching from one side to the next, brilliantly coloured shields shakes and battle roars are unleashed by these surprisingly disciplined men. Upon their flanks however, the situation isn’t as good, as no doubt the various leaders of numerous smaller tribes fight and bicker for position trying to enforce their authority upon unwieldy primitives unconcerned with such things as discipline, chain of command or any such things they no doubt consider nonsense.

“I heard your majesty made some promises to the mercenaries under us ?” Isaac says out of the blue.

“How-“

“Mercenaries have loose tongues, your majesty.” With a barely concealed smile Isaac says.

You sigh in response.

“It is a good idea, if nothing else. To fight for simple gold and silver is good, but to fight for an ideal of a home to call your own. That is when men fight the hardest.”

“Is that why you had spread the line so thin ?” You question, you had only quickly skimmed through historical records and some other military related books, but even you can see that a line only four men deep is prone to breaking if impacted too heavily, especially when you can barely make you what you think are at the least lines of six or even nine men deep from your enemy.

“A reason amongst many. The enemy outnumbers us, if we were to go for depth, their infantry could easily envelop us and that’d be the end of that, your majesty. Our greatest strength comes from the rather unassuming terrain around us. As I had said before, our horsemen are far more superior compared to our foes. The even plains before us will allow for excellent manoeuvres, and that is why your majesty’s tagmata (regiment/battalion) and my own are here with us. Should the line crack and break anywhere, a charge from kataphraktoi shall quickly put to rest any ideals of breaking us. This battle shall be one of resources, your majesty. Does our morale break first, before their exhaustion gets to them. This will determine the victor on this day.”

>>5736618

“And my role here ?” You question it as you think back to Myslik and his zealots standing at the from, even Leontius and Auxentius are leading each of the flanks of the senatorial cavalry. Naturally, the Thureg leader is also at the front line, in fact, you can actually see him with a bow in his hands and a shield before him on the ground.

“Your majesty’s role is to sit here upon the saddle and stay put.” Isaac spits out. “You are unprepared for warfare such as this, and yet your majesty’s very presence drives the men to fight harder and longer. As such, should your majesty perish or be captured, it would be a blow to morale that even I could not control. So, allow me to reiterate again right here and right now, your majesty. Even if I have to enter the fray, and if I do, it is because that is the most location upon the battlefield, do not, by any means, join the battle. Stand here, look inspiring, keep the men’s spirits up and allow me to win the war for you, your majesty.” With his usual brashness Isaac unleashes a lecture like that of a father would upon their child.

For once, you feel rage boil in within you. You had trained so long and hard, so that when danger had come upon you, you would not only not run, but you would face it down with your own strength.

“We shall not be ordered around as a meek slave, strategos, if we deem it as a necessity, we shall ride forth to fight for our subjects and for our empire. We shall not be a coward hiding behind our armies.” Rage barely contained; you keep your voice steady.

Isaac simply stares at you for a moment before snorting. “As your majesty wishes. Though do not come crying to me if things do not go as your majesty expects.” Turning his gaze Isaac watches as the battle begins, you as well look upon it.

The battle is begun as the entire enemy force advances forwards, but be it due to miscoordination, excitement, or simple a non-existent command structure, the enemy’s infantry upon the flanks moves ahead of the main group, outrunning even their cavalry, moving in a haphazard manner not bothering to make any sort of a proper formation.

You can see a predatory grin upon Isaac’s face as he lifts his hand. “Have the skirmishers loose !”

A blow of trumpets echoes next to you, some of the brightly coloured banners are raised and moved about next to you.

Suddenly, a rain of arrows falls from your lines upon the grounds between the two armies. Rapidly, the ferocious advance is blunted as your foes fall before you, screaming in pain as their bodies are riddled with arrows, those too blind and over eager, cut down even before the battle had truly started mark the beginning of the fight.

Perhaps learning from their mistakes, the charge more or less halts as the tribals begin to rally and form groups of men raising their shields in an attempt to block the ever-continuous rain of arrows. Dozens more die before they are able to do so, but eventually:

>>5736619

“Stop attacking !” Isaac shouts out and yet again, orders are quickly relayed via sound and sight.

Spurred onwards, the enemy cavalry launches themselves against your own, and you quickly note that Isaac is giving no order.

“Why-“

“They are skirmishers, they want for our cavalry to chase them. A few will die due to the javelins, but that is the cost of war.” He coldly responds, eyes still upon the battle.

And as he had said, javelins begin to fall, some of your senators no doubt perishing, but at the same time, the enemy cavalry wheels to the side, not actually engaging your force and instead running off, until finally, they realize that they are not being chased as your cavalry reforms their ranks and tries to interpose their shields the best they can when the enemy riders return and do the same yet again.

“If you just leave them, then our cavalry shall perish.”

“Eventually, your majesty, the foe will grow overconfident. Then all you need is a single moment to put them to true rout.”

Once again going silent, you observe the battle as it rages on. Now you do feel some pressure as the actually disciplined line of barbaroi (barbarians) comes into range of your skirmishers with Isaac ordering for more arrows and javelins to be brought down upon them, but unlike before, the results aren’t as great due to the fact that the enemy moves in a rigid formation, guarding their weakpoints with tough shields and tougher hands that keep them from flinching or moving. In fact, the few deaths you do see only raises your discomfort, the gaps opened by the death of their compatriots are quickly patched up as another man takes a step forwards and eventually the formation marches onwards, their dead left behind, their trampled corpses easily visible to you.

“Prepare to take a charge !” Isaac orders.

You grasp your reigns with incredible force as the shields over the heads of what you assume to be the Aleringians are lowered as and one their charge straight into your own lines, rapidly closing the short distance.

Your line buckles and bends from the sheer force of the impact. But, you think it hol-

“Send command, I want all of the kataphraktoi to move to our left, now !” Isaac shouts out and rapidly his tagmata begins to move. And it is only then do you realize how truly experienced is the man. Your left breaks, the line collapsing from the charge as gaps are formed and the enemy begins to cut off the line into smaller parts, isolating your soldiers there.

>>5736621

Luckily, the kataphraktoi arrive just in time. Their kontos begin to pick off those whom had broken through the furthest, the galloping of the horsemen, driving fear into the foe as their counter charge slams into the Aleringians line, though such a difference in numbers means that some of the kataphraktoi lose their momentum, only to be surrounded, dragged from their steads and beaten to death upon the ground. However, their sacrifice allows for line officers to exert their control and the fighting quickly stabilizes. But that had costed you greatly, as you can already see hundreds of dead in mere moments of battle littering the ground.

Next, the tribal lighter infantry slams into your troops, emboldened by the movement of their Aleringian masters.

The attack quickly devolved into a quagmire, as the infantry slams the extremity of your line raising a serious risk of encirclement, but your own line shifts, stretching itself even further, but holding despite the foe’s numbers.

“Your majesty, I shall have to request six hundred of your Scholae (School).”

“You have them, strategos.” You respond, feeling excitement mixed with fear coursing through your body.

“Signal groups one through three to move to our extreme left, signal groups four through six to move to our extreme right !” Again, despite the chaos around, Isaac with a calm and clear, but quite loud voice as you had come to notice, commands.

With the sound of trumpets still blowing, your own tagmata, at least in part, moves, their warhorses standing taller than most men must make a frightening sight as they easily move around your own line and slam straight into the exposed backs of the attackers. Once again, screams, blood, curses, shouts, encompass all. Moments of heroism become apparent, as one of your riders easily beheads a foe that would have stricken down one of the Thuregs. A masterful parry by another rider protects him from a spear hurled at him by another tribal, whom in turn, now that he had lost his main weapon is quickly cut down by a mercenary, the mercenary himself is quickly gutted as he had struck out too far from the safety of his comrades in his pursuit of a kill.

“Now !” You hear Isaac, a hint of excitement in his voice startles you. “Signal the cavalry at our flanks, the enemy riders plan to strike them, drive them back !” He orders and you quickly direct your gaze to the right and then to the left and watch as the four groups clash against each other.

>>5736622

The impact of a horseman against another horseman is quite a morbid sight to behold. Men a literally knocked into the air, as strong impact from long spears impact them and knock them off their horses, bones are easily crushed by the easiest of blows as the two opponents hurl against each other. The first pass is finishes, hundreds of corpses lay upon the ground, mutilated and torn apart by the raging beast uncaringly tearing them apart as they make their way forwards. The other dead still move upon their horsebacks, their saddles and stirrups keeping them in place as their bodies move in an unnatural fashion, bent and broken in a way that a man never should be.

As the two sides clear each other, they wheel about, and yet again charge forth, now knowing full well what sort of deaths await them, yet uncaring about how many perish in each pass.

“Psiloi ! Move to the centre !” Isaac orders his light skirmishers, fine enough in melee, if what you had read is to be believed, but that order does draw you attention to the happenings there and the main assault of the Aleringians.

The centre is cracking. Men are dying and formations had utterly collapsed and devolved into a melee. But that had happened because of a brave charge by the Thuregs. The unbreakable discipline of Aleringians had failed as you watch Gratian screaming at the top of his lungs, holding aloft a head with a golden circlet upon it. You do not know whom that is, but that person’s death had allowed your centre to surge forwards, and now with the quick moving skirmishers present, the death toll continues to increase as they masterfully begin to dart in and out of combat, striking decisively and without any remorse or hesitation, they begin to cut down the foe, and the moment the foreigners put some distance between them, accurately aimed bows and javelins greet them.

“Skoutatos ! Group one and two to the left ! Group three and four with me to the right !” Finally, the heavy infantry begins to move and Isaac himself runs off, spurring his stead onwards without even explaining anything to you.

And you quickly realize why, the right had fallen, and the mixture of mercenaries and Thuregs there had begun to rout, their line, as thin as it was, had finally been pushed past the breaking point, whilst you are winning the centre, if the Aleringians rally right now, with the right gone, they could still win this. As for the left, much to your pain, another one of your riders is dragged from his stead and beaten to death by the overwhelming force as they try to disengage and get some distance before they can attempt to charge forwards once more, yet is appears that they had been entirely encircled, if nothing else that had relieved some pressure from the line, but that had come at the cost of your greatest elite.

>>5736623

Meanwhile, your flanks are still engaged in a bitter fight as thousands of horses charge each other, turning the ground underneath them red as crippled horses cry out in pain with only dead men to keep them company.

And you stand there, quickly realizing, as you look around. Three hundred of your Scholae Tagmata (School regiment/battalion) are still with you, no doubt left behind to ensure your safety. As your heartbeat accelerates, you gaze upon the unmoving faces of the soldiers and…

>…turn back, watching the fight unfold. Despite how much you may dislike it, you have to stand here and be a symbol.

>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to save your brothers !”

>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”

>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to save the right !”

>(Write in)

-
(POV shift: You are Armentarius Theocritus.)

You had advanced another two hours and secured a total of five more villages, just as your scouts had informed you, other than the occasional token garrison, easily brushed aside even by the smallest of your formations, not much is there to oppose you. But now, you are in the vicinity of walled settlements, ones that you doubt would be so weakly guarded as the hamlets before. All you have to do now, is simply wait for your scouts to return.

You, and most of your men, are currently busy wolfing down rather simple porridge flavoured with herbs familiar to the locals. Said locals are currently the ones making this, for exhausted men and horses, great feast. If nothing else, the fact that they had dragged the two Akeonian guards bound and tied before you and your men had been an amusing and heartening sight, and now they are offering what food they had managed to hide away to you.

Taking another plentiful bite, you watch the horizon just outside the village awaiting your scouts, when suddenly, a screech from the air draws your attention, and you notice something you had not expected to see in some time. A holy knight. You have a bad sinking feeling in your stomach as you rise from the ground.

You close your eyes, before opening them a moment later as the holy knight lands, and with some annoyance look at your wooden bowl now filled with dust.

“Domestikos (domestic, commander), terrible news !” The man instantly screams out.

Of course. You think as you stare at him. “What is it holy father ?”

“The Akeonians had broken through the north. They have a small force of about three hundred men, but more had begun to march out their settlements, by what my brothers said, perhaps about another thousand Akeonians are marching down. It seems that they had decided to try for a decisive battle.”

“What of our defences there ?”

>>5736624

“Spread thin. That’s due to another piece of bad news. Akeonian light cavalry had emerged from the woods. They are burning and killing everything they come across, though they seem to avoid any place strongly garrisoned or walled.”

“A distraction.” You simply say. “Means to move more of our forces away and spread them out. Has anything else emerged from the woods ?”

“No, not domestikos.”

“And I assume my presence is requested ?”

“The local kephale (head) call for your aid.”

“What of Mundus ?”

“The Megas doux (Megaduke) has been informed of the situation by another brother of mine, what he shall do I yet do not know.”

You nod at that, putting the wooden bowl of porridge down upon the ground next to a hut, when suddenly, you hear the noise of horses moving up from the South, your scouts.

“Domestikos ! We have returned.” The man says now eyeing the holy knight.

“Report.”

“Yes, domestikos. We had come across the nearest walled settlements, from the conversations we’d had with the locals, it seems that the entire area has barebones garrisons all the way down to Kyrea, and even then, the garrison there is only a hundred strong. It seems that the main force to keep us back was stationed at the river, a force we had crushed beforehand, domestikos.”

“Are the locals willing to help ?”

“Whatever they can, most fighting men are gone, but those that do remain are willing to fight alongside us domestikos, and those that cannot are willing to provide us with food and information.”

Once again you sigh. You wish you were still in mood to eat that porridge. Turning to the holy knight you say:

>”Tell the locals to deal with it themselves. We are continuing our push.”

>”We are moving northwards. Those raiders are distraction, but a distraction that only we can deal with.”

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>”If the cavalry got through the forest, more Akeonians may sneak through, we are going there.”

>(Write in)

Twitter for update announcements: https://twitter.com/NewbQm

Archive links: https://pastebin.com/YKkQ2YWT

Dramatis personae: https://pastebin.com/9vw43LdL

Took a bit longer than expected due to a surprise coming tomorrow. I hope you anons enjoy, since I did like writing the random person POVs

>>5736624
>…raise your blade high in the air. Tagmata The hundred leftmost men ride to save your brothers! The hundred rightmost men ride to save the right! the hundred centremost men charge with me down the centre We will crush them there!
now is the time to commit reserves.
>”If the cavalry got through the forest, more Akeonians may sneak through, we are going there.”
they will be in the forest for sure.

>>5736626
>>5736634
Ffs meant to post here

>>5736626
>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”
I know Isaac's advice, but I'd rather break the center infantry and hollow out the enemy formation. Elite cavalry v infantry is relatively safe as compared to cav-on-cav engagements

>>5736626
>”If the cavalry got through the forest, more Akeonians may sneak through, we are going there.”

>>5736624
>…turn back, watching the fight unfold. Despite how much you may dislike it, you have to stand here and be a symbol.
>”If the cavalry got through the forest, more Akeonians may sneak through, we are going there.”

>>5736626
>>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to save your brothers !”
>>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

Some light cav already slipped through, thats done, no need to go chasing what ifs and small raiding parties. The Akeonians have begun to concentrate their forces, with initiative we can choose the field of battle and destroy a good portion of them. The scattered Akeonian garrisons will stay scattered

Yet another based chunky update.

>>5736624
>…turn back, watching the fight unfold. Despite how much you may dislike it, you have to stand here and be a symbol.
Isaac's advice is sound. We are a psychological geass for our men to keep fighting, they will refuse allowing the enemy to reach us.

>>5736626
>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>>5736626
>…raise your blade high in the air. Tagmata The hundred leftmost men ride to save your brothers! The hundred rightmost men ride to save the right! the hundred centremost men charge with me down the centre! We will crush them there!
We have three hundred of the best soldiers in the empire and we don't need to be fighting. Let us inspire the men and turn the tide.

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”
I hope that Marcian made it out of there with some of the cavalry. That idiot Sebastianus threw away the lives of his men with his hubris.

>>5736626
>(Write in) send 250 of your men to reinforce the right, stay back with 50.

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>>5736624
>>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”

Splitting our men up will lessen their effectiveness, likely to the point of being ineffective. We must concentrate them, a solid blow in the center to the already breaking forces there will hopefully be enough to start a rout.

>>5736626
>>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

I say the locals should send what fighting men they have to reinforce the river crossing at least.

And for fucks sake we need to crucify some damn Akeonians.

>>5736624
>(Write in)
Send 250 men to save the encircled tagmata, have them circle around to crush the center with those who remain.

This way we can be a symbol AND send appropriate support.

>>5736626
>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>>5736624

>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to save your brothers !”

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>>5736628
Question, since we didn't spend that point back in the hunt decision we still have it for use it now in the battle that is being done with Manuel yes ? If we can use it now we could turn the battle around further in our favour.
Secondly, there is no sign of the cauldrons or pile of armors and weapons of the barbarians gods ?

>>5737652

>Question, since we didn't spend that point back in the hunt decision we still have it for use it now in the battle that is being done with Manuel yes ? If we can use it now we could turn the battle around further in our favour.

Yes you can.

>Secondly, there is no sign of the cauldrons or pile of armors and weapons of the barbarians gods ?

It is a battle involving tens of thousands of men and your terrain is barely elevated from the ground, as such from where he is Manuel cannot see the enemy's rear, presumedly they had set camp before marching to meet you, but he does not know anything for certain.

>>5737652
Probably fair use of it, I'll support that

>>5737669
Thanks for answers
Excellent i wanted that point ready for this exact battle.
We need to find a way to get to them. The enemy morale would very much fall if we destroy them
The update was great.

>>5736626
>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”
Like another anon said splitting our men will be less effective. In addition, sitting it out means Manuel can't influence the battle. Beside being an unmoving distant symbol.
Left and right are problematic, but the enemy center is collapsing, our attack there will be very helpful and can change the battle completely.
Spend our point in this attack by Manuel, carve through the center and slaughter the barbarians.

We can talk with Isaac if this was foolish or not, later when the battle is won and the barbarians are captured and fleeing. I don't mind doing military lessons if needed. Even if we are short on time.

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”
Go Arm ! Go !

>>5737669
I

>>5736701
>>5736704

Support using the point if we concentrate our forces.

>>5736701
>>5736935
>>5737711
How about doing as >>5736947 suggested? Send 250 to save the encircled men and go to the center ourselves with the remaining 50 to rally the troops? That way we can save the lives of the tagmata and rally the infantry. Those tagmata are valuable troops so I really don't want to lose them.

>>5738022
Sentiments will not win us the battle, we must apply what limited force we have to the enemies most vulnerable point, the center is comprised of his most disciplined forces which are currently in disarray. Crack that and the rest will follow. Should they reform, saving our tagmata will have been a waste, as they will be ground down anyways.

We go for the coup de grace or we risk allowing the enemy to take the center, with the right currently imperiled, this could lead to a rout on our end.

For a last point, if the Imperial standard is in the center both flanks will be able to clearly see it, and know that their Emperor has joined the battle line, steeling their resolve.

>>5738042
What do you mean by sentiment? Though that part about the center is very convincing, it reminded me that most of the important leadership of the tribal coalition is there. Gratian even decapitaded one of them. Perhaps you are right that breaking the center will cause a rout that would also save the tagmata, It is the preservation of the soldiers that we cannot afford to lose when our army and manpower is stretched so thin that I have at the forefront of mind.

>>5738049
>It is the preservation of the soldiers that we cannot afford to lose when our army and manpower is stretched so thin that I have at the forefront of mind.

Perhaps it is forward of me, but they are *our* men, it is only natural to want to save them, true enough that they are a valuable asset as well. It was my first impulse to strike there as well.

But should we save them and then lose the center? What good will it do to save them and lose the battle? Perhaps they might strike down more barbaroi, but so few would not be able to stem the tide should the line fail.

No anon, we are the Emperor, it is our duty to make sacrifices for the betterment of all Thephians. Our Tagmata are well aware of their duty, we must accept ours as well.

Heavy lies the crown, if you will.

>>5738069
>Heavy lies the crown, if you will.
This is doubly ironic since we're ignoring the wisdom or our strategist and personally going into the fray, putting us at risk.
It doesn't matter if our soldiers win or not, if we fall of our horse or are otherwise incapacitated the battle is lost, simple as.

>>5738073
You are not wrong that we risk everything, I will say that Isaac has ceded his position to us by entering the fray himself, only we can see when and where it may be necessary to commit the last of our reserves.

In my humble opinion, the potential reward of utterly breaking the enemies center is worth that risk.

>>5736624
>…turn back, watching the fight unfold. Despite how much you may dislike it, you have to stand here and be a symbol.
>Send 200 of our men to reinforce the centre

We lack an heir - if we die here, the Empire collapses into civil war.

Charging into the fray personally is fundamentally selfish.

>”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.”

>>5738022
I want us to destroy the enemy center, 50 is too small for matter. 300 is not, it can change things and if we spend the point it will definetly break their center.
And i also don't want Manuel to sit it out. I dislike the idea of him simply watching the battle, he partecipated before in combat.

If the center is broken the enemy left and right will definetly feel that too in terms of morale, so our left and right can resist and reorganize. And the enemy center is already breaking.
Manuel will probably not die here, he can win and return back behind the infantry if needed. If we spend the point is guaranteed our success increases. Confirmed by Newb during the manticore hunt btw.

>>5738073
>>5738338
Part of why I support personally charging Manuel is for political purposes. Emperor or not, Manuel's grip on power is weak. If nothing else a wound would be created on his image among the soldiery and battle-hungry nobility and Irene by sitting out the fighting while other notables like Isaac, Leontius, and the barbarian Gratian engage in it. It would be much better to ride back to Myralos the victorious conquerer with blood on his hands.

>>5738666
This is sound reasoning as well

>>5738666
The risks are too high and the rewards are too low. We can gain support through other more tangible means, since just because a ruler is a good fighter and goes in the fray doesn't secure the support. Julius Caesar was killed despite having military glory and political clout, wasn't he?
Besides, any prestige we get won't be enough to make the most stubborn fall in line, meanwhile if we lose the battle because of glory hounding our reputation will plummet.

>>5739777
You can't buy the respect of the commoners and lower nobility anon. Demonstrated personal bravery absolutely matters, We have an auto-success, and this is the pivotal moment of the most important battle of Manuel's reign. Soft power matters and we have an excellent opportunity to get a ton of it here and now without risk.

>if we lose the battle because of glory hounding our reputation will plummet
If we break the center now, as a critical charge will likely allow, no such thing will occur.

>>5739795
>You can't buy the respect of the commoners and lower nobility anon.
Tell that to modern politicians lmao. Bread and circuses, all of that.
I'm still more inclined to listen to the advise of our strategist, and am mostly worried the barbarians have some sort of plan and want to bait us out into the battle.

But other than that I certainly hope you're right, because if we lose this battle we lose much. And if we are captured we'll lose nearly everything.

>>5739804
>Tell that to modern politicians lmao

No one respects those clowns, both sides are stuck in an eternal struggle of "he's not as bad as the other guy".

We do in fact have an auto success to use, and there is no denying that this battle is extremely crucial, if we lose here we are fucked.

If we walk away with a fine reputation to boot, we are golden. Young emperor not only returns the east to the fold but personally leads a charge that breaks the great barbarian army at a critical juncture? You can't buy that kind of press.

Undoubtedly there are risks to entering the fray, even with an auto success, I'll not contest that. However, we also risk losing the battle by inaction; we cannot know how the battle will proceed if we do not interfere. Though we are the only man that can see where the last of our reserves might be committed to affect the outcome, therefore we are the only ones that can make that determination. The advice of Strategos Issac was predicated on what he could see while he had eyes on the whole, this is no longer relevant. We must make our own path, as it would appear is necessary.

Okay, when it comes to Armentarius, his decision is pretty clear as he is riding northwards to crush the Akeonian advance of over a thousand.

When it comes to the battle, oh boy, are there plenty differing opinions:

Split 12(3)(4)
(Remain) 12
Centre 123(4)
(If point used) 1
Remain 12(3)
(Split) 1
Left encirclement 12

It seems that variations of splitting the force is barely winning, but said option has many variations to the point where it is quite divided. I suppose I shall give it an extra day before I start writing for the battle proper. Since there is much discussion about using the free pass I had given on Christmas I will have to ask you anons to direct whether or not you assent for its usage here.

>>5736985
Lurc here I'll support this >>5737711
anon for my vote

>>5740013

QM would using this feature mean an automatic win? And how would the losses of our army be if we choose this option?

What if we decide not to use it now but to save it to try to resolve the religious crisis? Would it be possible to use this "Pass" there?

>>5740168

>QM would using this feature mean an automatic win? And how would the losses of our army be if we choose this option?

It would be best possible result given any situation. So, charging the centre and using the point would mean its total collapse. Your casualties are already there before the battle start, the casualties for the charge would be best possible result, so either nothing or very low.

>What if we decide not to use it now but to save it to try to resolve the religious crisis? Would it be possible to use this "Pass" there?

Yes. Say you seek to utterly condemn one side, you could use the point there for the best result possible, meaning the church as a whole would turn against the one faction and would begin to utterly destroy it, many of its members would forsake their position and return into the fold, etc.

>>5740171

Thanks for the info. I recently watched a series about the Thirty Years' War, and honestly I fear a religious civil war more than a single lost battle.

>>5736626

I want to change my battle option from:
>>5736985

To:
>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”

>>5740013
I'm in on using it if Center wins, otherwise no

>>5740171
>use the point

>>5740013
>Since there is much discussion about using the free pass I had given on Christmas I will have to ask you anons to direct whether or not you assent for its usage here.
I will vote against using it, since the other anon raises a good point that we should save it for when the religious schism happens.

>>5740013
Changing from >>5736752 to
>…raise your blade high in the air. “Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !”
and to not use the point.

File: 5295502827.jpg (25 KB, 739x415)

25 KB JPG

>>5740391
LMAO, how did you fuck this up so bad?

>>5740391
Kek
>Captcha: VGSR4

>>5740393
>>5740403
For posterity: retard made an OP post meant for /vg/ about some erotic game. I can't even fathom how he mistakenly posted here, on qst, in a thread that already started.

>>5740442
It's a bot. There are other posts in a few other qst threads that are the same as this one.

”We are moving northwards. Their northern push needs to be stopped, whilst the terrain still favours us.” You say with a sigh before turning around. “Tagmata (regiment/battalion) ! Mount up ! We are leaving !”

Groans and complaints, especially from the scouts whom had just returned and still hadn’t the time to eat or rest.

“Is that complaints I hear ? What are you, children whom need their bed time ? Had you all not learnt how to sleep a saddle, to eat and drink as you march by their majesty’s side ?”

“No, domestikos (domestic, commander) !” The men respond, half-hearted, but they respond, and that’s good enough.

You mount your steed yet again. He too, just like your soldiers, protests your actions. But such is the fate of a warhorse.
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The Sun rises yet again as you push your horses onwards. A screech high above you informs that the holy knight you had sent forth is in the place you wanted him to be at. A small village, two thirds of the way northwards.

“Domestikos ! Good to see you, your horses are ready and prepared !” A local themata officer calls out.

“Good, are the rations ready ?”

“Yes, domestikos.”

You nod. “Tagmata ! Remount !” You scream out to your men as your foot hits the ground. “The Akeonians, how far are they ?” You turn to the holy knight that just landed. The horses are scared and the locals doubly so, a sight that you find vaguely amusing as you watch your soldiers simply going around their business no longer disturbed.

“About two hours travel from here, it appears that they are marching straight to Borakos. Perhaps around one, two thousand men, only a few men in great armour, most seem to be wearing simple clothing they have no greater formation other than marching in a simple line.”

“Children playing at war.” You mumble. Another distraction maybe ? You cannot help but ponder. Still, it is a sizeable part of the force that the Akeonians brought for this war. If you can crush it here, that is something that would make the war far easier in the future.

“Keep us informed holy knight.” You nod at him bringing about your new horse, whom unlike your previous one of more than eager to stretch his legs. “Tagmata ! With me !” You shout out, spurring your horse onwards in a full gallop.
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Breathing heavily, the horse continues to spurt onwards even after you bring it to a halt. Your men halting directly behind you.

“By the Shepherd, that’s a long formation.” One of your men says. And he is not wrong.

Perhaps due to ease of movement, lack of officers necessary for more complex formations, it does not matter, what matters is the length of the extended line and its depth, or more precisely, the lack there of.

>>5744076

“Spread out, form a line two deep, form a line !” You begin commanding and the horsemen obey. “Kontos (oar, barge-pole) !” The lances are prepared and raised high. “Gallop forwards !” The horsemen begin thundering forwards. “Lower kontos !” As one, disciplined and well-drilled, the warriors ride as one.

Before you, the Akeonians, or at least a part of the massively engorged column, sees your approach and, thanks to their rather thin line, begin to shift around, raising their shields, lowering their spears, the clearly terrified Akoenians try to hold as their officers’ scream orders to keep the line in check, the formation is disturbed by men marching into it from a great distance that had yet to spot you, whilst the beginning of the line continues to march on.

The thunder of hooves becomes ever and ever more apparent, the noise of officers giving commands is quickly drowned out by two and a half hundred horsemen. Before you even make contact – the line breaks, the Akeonian nerves having failed, the already thin formation more or less vaporises as rising steam.

And then you impact. The sounds of armour breaking, bones cracking, blood gushing, screams, curses, cries and panic. Seeing just how easily you had broken through, those Akeonians able to witness you also start into a general rout.

“Split ! Bring these dogs to the gates of hell !” You command as your formation begins to run up and down the formation, slaughtering dozens, hundreds of men. Sometimes, a braver man would stand tall, occasionally, one of your riders would fall to a well thrown spear or a javelin, but that does not matter as the brave man would be trampled underneath, deterring the others from trying the same.
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The horse collapses from underneath you, the exhausted creature breathes deep and ragged breaths as you remove your feet from the stirrups and take off your spangenhelm. Blood drenches most of the beast underneath and almost the entirety of your front and sides as you yourself find it difficult to stay up, as you hadn’t slept in quite a few hours as of now.

Tiredly getting off the horse, you sit upon the blood-stained dirt road and watch your own men do the same as you, some of them even pass out right there and then from exhaustion, trying to catch at least a few minutes of rest before you will no doubt issue the order to march, as the South still lays exposed.

Looking around however, you do find something odd. Why’s there no reinforcements ?

The holy knight should have returned by now, if not him, then certainly one of his brothers in faith should’ve, they’ve proven invaluable when it had come to rapidly delivering news and messages to you.

“Topotērētēs (place-warden, lieutenant).” You call out.

“Yes, domestikos ?”

“You’ve seen anyone coming ?” You say beginning to search your sacs upon the horse.

“None. No more Akeonians, no more locals.”

>>5744077

“The holy knights ?” You manage to find what you’ve been looking for, a heft chuck of smoked meat, given to you by one of the villagers.

“Last I’ve seen him, he had turned about, probably to rest his griffon, the thing must have been pushed harder than our horses, since they don’t have any spares.” The man sits down next to your horse as you cut off a piece of the meat and give some to him before taking a bite yourself.

“We’re going to need start moving soon. We’ve got no fortifications for a safe rest. If the men complain, remind them that there are a few hundred horsemen out there burning and destroying everything they see, which will include us, as tired we are.”

“Understood.” With a grunt the man unsteadily gets up, it had been damned few battles you had thrown your men through in such a short time. Still, the silence is unsettling you. Other than the distant sound of waves, the howling of wind, the rustling of grass underneath you, and the crows, the crows had not ceased their infernal noise since the battle had ended, the scavengers eagerly digging into the dead you’ve left behind.

Speaking of the dead, with some pain you see a few heavily armoured men being dragged forth, they are either missing their helms, have clear spears or javelins jutting out of them, trails of blood falling forming from underneath their legs as no doubt someone, somehow had manage to cut open the thighs, and the bleeding there is deadly, bountiful, and endless.

Cawing, cawing, cawing, chewing, drinking, rustling, galloping…galloping ?

“On your feat ! Riders approach !” You quickly hop up, grabbing your kontos. Your horse is too tired for the moment to be so easily roused, but as long as your weapon is, it is perfect to be used against lightly armoured horsemen that you fear are on approach. Watching about, you notice some of your men stumbling as they are roughly awoken, but their training and discipline kicks in quickly enough and they begin to form a square around your makeshift camp, presenting their weapons against any would be attacker.

“Hail brave soldiers ! We mean no harm !” You see a group of perhaps forty or so horsemen, disparate in their equipment, but bearing the red-gold of the empire.

“Who are you ?” You direct the question to the leading horseman.

“I am called Marcian, a patrician of this fine isle. The west if you are curious, about ten or so kilometres from Bylleira to the South-East.” He responds with a smile. “We saw the bodies laid down here and came to investigate. It is good to see that our foes had been halted so thoroughly !” He says now dismounting and raising his arms as to show he means to harm. “Perhaps you brave soldiers are hungry, thirsty, tired ?” You see the energy draining from your men as he mentions that. “We know a place nearby, safe, warm, full of food and wine.”

>>5744079

“I will have to decline that offer, patrician. I and my men still have a duty to carry out.”

“In that case perhaps we can join you ?”

“Perhaps. What are you doing here ?”

“Ah, yes. That, slightly embarrassing, we were part of the original force sent here to exploit the breakthrough.”

“As far as I know the entire force was crushed, bar few survivors.”

With and awkward laugh, Marcian begins. “Yes, uhhh, we are said survivors. With horses we were able to get out of the ambush.”

“Ambush ?”

“Yes, the Akeonians had set a cunning, but most dishonourable scheme. They had taken the village before we had even arrived and hid in the wheat fields around it. Luckily, their encirclement was not completed in time.”

“So, you are cowards then.” You plainly state.

“My good sir, I would say that to be cowardice, to throw away one’s life pointlessly is the height of foolishness, I and my peers here are more than willing to ride forth and fight for a battle worth fighting, with a leader, worth fighting for.”

“Oh ?”

“Yes, our leader, one named Sebastianus Bardas had led us. Poor man, he had been at the front of the formation all by himself, perhaps in a vain attempt to win some glory, he had placed us all in the rear of the formation, though I suppose that’s the reason why we’re alive to talk here.”

“And where is he ?”

“Dead. Or at least I think so. Last I saw him he had charged into a wheatfield and his hunting horse, unused to heavy armour stumbled and fell, I doubt anyone out there would survive such a fall, and even if they do, they’d no doubt be crippled for life.”

“I see.”

“Domestikos, the men are tired and we don’t know what else we’ll be fighting, if nothing else, cowards have good eyes.” Your topotērētēs whispers to you.

“As long as they deem to warn us.” You whisper back.

“An issue with many a coward.”

You grunt. “Fine, but keep an eye on them.” You turn back to Marcian. “We were about to start fires, you may join us and help to set a perimeter, but we won’t be leaving a place where we can move freely. Something that you should be intimately familiar with.”

“Ah, yes, of course.” With the usual smile Marcian says. “We will not disappoint you domestikos !”

Domestikos ? You never remember giving your title, though you suppose there aren’t many whom could be similar to you in look, the Scholae (School) are empire known after all.

>>5744080

Quickly starting the fires, your men rapidly busy themselves with preparing some warm meals, Marcian and his group stick out as sore thumbs in the organized chaos everyone is used to. Eventually, as minutes turn into dozens, and eventually into an hour, all of your men are filling their stomachs as you had also grabbed some grains, nuts and the smoked meat and turned into porridge. Marcian and his folk had also dispersed into smaller groups, huddling around the fires as they grab their own meals, you do note rather quickly, that they lack the boisterousness of soldiery you are used to, sitting in silence, the only noise made being the occasional sniffle or a cough as they eat their rations.

“Domestikos !” Marcian calls out walking over with a few of his peers, carrying a bowl of food and a waterskin. “Do you mind if I join in ?” You exchange a glance with your officers next to you, to which they shrug.

“You can.” You respond taking another spoonful of the porridge.

“Thank you kindly.” Marcian sits down close to you in an open spot and the rest quickly find gaps where they can seat themselves as well. “Would any of you like some wine, a fine vintage I have with me ?”

“No. Everyone here needs a clear mind, if you are to ride with us, throw that out.” You respond with some prickliness in your voice.

“Ah, please excuse me, you are the greatest warriors after all, naturally you must conform to some more stringent rules.”

“Exceptionally.” The topotērētēs says with some humour.

“If I may be so bold as to ask, what are you plans now, domestikos ? We cannot ride with no knowledge about whom and where we will fight.”

“You can.” You finish chewing a bite. “If you ride with us, then you shall trust the guard of our Basileús (Sovereign) explicitly, you shall not question my orders or directions, and you shall fight when I tell you to fight, and you shall only leave when I tell you to leave.”

“I understand.” With a more serious expression for once, Marcian says.

You give him a side glance, as you gaze over him and the other men that had gathered together. Oddly enough, you clearly start to notice a lack of blood, of injuries, if the story is true, that shouldn’t be so surprising, but, none of them appear as your men when it comes to the general weariness of the road, even if they had found safe spot, a few dozen horsemen, from a shattered formation, well, they look a lot better than one would expect, and a lot cleaner.

That’s when you spot it, one of the men sitting in front of you, he had two golden rings, each with a different seal upon it.

“You.” The man does not respond. “I said you !” He finally looks at you. “Why do you have dual seals ?”

“Ah, that’s because-“ Marcian begins.

>>5744081

“Am I asking you ?” You cut him off. “Explain yourself. A patricians seal is only one of kind thing, why do you have two ? If you had stolen it from a field of battle, I shall personally cut off your hand.”

The man’s eyes dart back and forth as he slowly leans back, your men had also stopped eating and are slowly lowering their bowls.

“What, cat got your tongue ?” Topotērētēs asks.

Your attention is grabbed as Marcian lets out a loud whistle and hurls himself towards you. Throwing away your bowl, you lean back as his knife, pulled out of nowhere, cuts deep into your throat, with only the chain there to guard you from the deadly blow, luckily, it does its job just fine. Grabbing the outstretched arm with a hand, you pull him forwards and bash into his face with an elbow with your other free arm.

One the patricians slams his dagger straight into the head of one of your officers as topotērētēs starts to wrestle with the man you had just tried to question. Pandemonium erupts everywhere as you watch your makeshift camp fall into chaos, one of the tagmata spits blood as he drops a waterskin and struggles to breathe as he crawls upon the ground, reaching in desperation for his comrades. Another of your men hold onto his throat as blood is gushing out, trying to say words that are never going to come through. In exchange, your men do not let down, all your foe has is the element of surprise, once you men had grabbed their weapons, one of the assailants is driven through with a kontos, slamming straight through the exposed gut. Another is cut down as his arm is crushed by a mace and a metal boot slams into the back of his head and he finally stops moving.

But that is all you can see as another swipe sails towards you as yet another dagger had been revealed. Imposing your own hand in between the blow, you start to struggle to keep the damned thing away from you and trying your damndest, you finally manage to slightly shift it, having found your opportunity, you headbutt the man proclaiming to be Marcian, his already broken nose is cracked yet again as you can feel pain course through your own body due to your decision. Kicking forwards, you manage to make him stumble backwards, by the time you managed to grab a hold of your spathion, Marcian is up again, this time he had disregarded his own daggers in favour of blade.

>>5744083

You take a step forth, striking ahead, trying to bait him into attacking you, but having realized, or simply knowing of whom you are, he does not bite, instead he takes a step back and makes sure to have a stable stance. You strike, having realized your mistake and the fact that you are not dealing with some welp wet behind his ears. The attack is parried and he quickly moves in for the kill, you use the fact that you are far more heavily armoured to simply absorb the hit, allowing your armour to easily deflect the mighty blow from the blade. This will hurt tomorrow. You grit your teeth as the blow rolls down your chest, having done so, you push in, delivering a quicky punch straight to the head that Marcian dodges, but because of that the upwards swing you make with your blade catches him out and you dig into his leg before he can pull it back.

“Come coward, show me your skills !” You taunt him having broken off after the first exchange.

“Berger et Dieu !” He screams out in a foreign tongue and charges ahead, planning a downwards swing with a lot of force.

You are no fool however, gazing upon his footwork, you are able to tell that it is a faint, watching the shifting of the wrist, you see that instead of straight downwards swing it will be a sideways cut. Lowering your stance, you allow for the strike to land straight upon your armoured arm, the metal yet again absorbing the impact as you lunge forwards driving your blade straight into the chest.

Marcian gasps, you drive the blade upwards, and again, and again. Dropping his blade Marcian grasps you. “The rotten empire, will fall.” He says through great effort.

Snorting, you smash at his with your free hand, causing Marcian to stumble and fall backwards, bloodstained, trembling hands trying to keep his guts in place. You do not even ordain to answer foolish delusion as you stand above him and drive your blade straight into his neck and quickly rip it out. Soon enough, the pained gurgles cease and you can look around.

“Topotērētēs !” You shout out.

“Domestikos ?”

“Get a headcount. I want to know how many died. Tell the men that we are moving immediately. I doubt these assassins showed up here by a fluke of chance.”

“Right away !”

You grasp your head, the splitting pain is still there, but you can see a moment later that the ambushers had all been killed.

Turning about, you grab a piece of cloth to wipe clean your spathion before you start encouraging your horse to move, you have no time to lose anymore.
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Riding without stop, you had once again returned to the village where you had previously left your old tired horses, where to your surprise, you finally see something you had wished to see a long time ago – a holy knight.

“Gree-“

“Domestikos ! I bring grim tidings !” He cuts you off.

“What is it ?” You are already preparing yourself.

>>5744084

“Three of my brothers and their griffins had been poisoned.” You hear incredible spite in the man’s voice. “Both Kasmareikia and Borakos, are currently in flames, the refugees hed proven themselves as spies, half of the damned garrisons flipped out of nowhere.” Barely controlled rage.

“Have the towns fallen ?”

“Thank God no, but the fighting had been tough, with the infiltrators knowing whom their allies are and us not having such luxuries, but their attempts had been snuffed out.”

“I assume this is not the last piece of bad news ?”

“No, out of the forest an army emerged.”

“Of course it did.” You mutter.

“What ?”

“Nothing, continue.” You nod at the man.

“An estimate of around fifteen hundred men, all seemingly well equipped. When it comes to cavalry they seemingly either have none, or what they do possess is small and limited. Ah, there are also banners depicting a silver dragon on black are flying over that army.”

“Are you sure ?”

“I had seen it myself.”

“Spies, assassins, infiltrations and an army. Sounds like an all-out push to me.” The topotērētēs says out loud what you were thinking.

“What else ?”

“The riders that had been burning everything, they had entirely stopped moving in proper formations, I had witnessed groups of ten, perhaps twenty at most, watching the various roads exits and entrances like a bunch of hawks. That is why I cannot stay here for long Megas doux (Megaduke) had ordered me and my last two brothers to assist the various settlements and officers in their communications, since doing so by land at the moment is an impossibility.”

“The army. Where is it heading ?”

“Here.” Wondrous. “They carry siege ladders and they have covered up carts dragged by horses within their formation. From what I can tell, it seems that the Akeonians are intending to take whatever stands before them by storm.”

“A lot of them will die.” The topotērētēs says again.

“If they take everything, I doubt they much care. Our fleet will have to break off, they will be able to get more and more supplies and men in if they secure the whole isle.” You pause. “Gentlemen, I do believe that our foes had decided to throw everything they have at this final attempt. We break their backs here, we win ! We push these rats off our shores and we show them the might of our arms and empire !” You shout out as encouragement for your tired men, fire burns bright in their eyes, all battle-hardened veterans, each and every single one of them can feel the changing winds. They won’t be able to rest yet.

“All of the men are with you, Domestikos !” Your topotērētēs informs. “What are your orders ?”

“That depends, do we know the strength of the garrison in Borakos ?”

>>5744085

“Around seven hundred or so initially. How many now, I do not know, I am uncertain if even they know, they had just finished beating back the infiltrators.” The holy knight says.

“I see.” You take on a ponderous expression, close your eyes and enjoy the breeze.

>”An open field suits us best, and that is where we shall fight. All we have to do is break their backs until they can no longer take any settlements.”

>”A rolling skirmish. We shall pelt them with arrows every step along the way until they drop dead from exhaustion.”

>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them on the field and end them once and for all. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them behind the walls of Borakos, we will break their will against its walls. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

>(Write in)

-
(End of POV shift.)

Isaac is gone, for now. It is just you, you and three hundred of your finest against an army of tens of thousands.

You breathe heavily as your heart beats even faster.

To the right ! No ! Left ! I must save the tagmata there ! But the right might collapse ! The centre of the enemy is breaking, maybe there ? Maybe I’d be better to stay here ? Isaac knows what he is talking about…but I can’t just sit here and do nothing, wait, maybe I can split my forces, no, no, I cannot do that, that is foolish, it would dilute their strength too much…but what if…AHHHH FUCK IT !

“Tagmata, we ride to crush the centre !” You scream out at the top of your lungs, drawing your blade upwards and forwards pointing to your foes. Hitting the sides of your mare, you encourage her to move in a full gallop.

“Imperator ! (General) Imperator ! Imperator !” Shouting themselves, your tagmata roars as their warhorses follow rapidly after you, their faster and stronger mounts over taking you and forming a shield as you ride. The purple-gold banner, the symbol of the empire and its ruler flies high into the air besides you as your banner bearer makes sure that everyone knows exactly where you are.

And the side of your eyes you notice the trumpeters panic, an amusing sight when you think back to the stoicism they had usually showcased. They unleash a new signal, three trumpets blaring with no end and as long as they can, and at the end they deliver five short signals. And much to your surprise, you see as all of the tagmata begin to fight like beasts possessed, pushing ahead against odds that really should not be possible as they showcase strength and toughness that men usually never exhibit.

“Imperator !” The same chanting you heard before erupts across the battlefield wherever your banner flies.

>>5744086

The excitement boiling away at your blood is doused by cold as you see that you had already reached the front, you swear it was further away than now, yet here it is. Steadying your breath, you grasp your shield and blade as tightly as you possibly can.

The sound of your charge meeting the enemy becomes clear as the formation clears into the enemy line. Your tagamata begins to heave and cleave, the initial charge kills God knows how many men, but you punch straight into the crumbling line and…

It does not break. Your horsemen discard their kontos, leaving them behind, or thrusting them forwards and simple not bothering to retrieve any as they draw their own one-handed weapons and raise their shields. It will be a melee.

Pushing ahead, your own infantry surge forth to support the stalling charge as you watch the first of the tagmata stumble and fall, another is grabbed and dragged down even as he bashes in the skull of one of his assailants. The horses around you begin to kick about, discouraging any brave men whom would try to approach, but still some take the risks, the wet snap informs you that they attempts end poorly, to the point where you wonder if some of these people had even been around a horse.

“Your majesty, be prepared !” The man nearest to you calls out as the savages return their spirits, rushing almost blindly towards the middle of the formation. It seems that you had made you yourself quite the target.

“Arönu ta !” A savage screams out, having bleed his way next to you.

In return, you raise your blade high up in the air and strike it down, leaving a horrific slash across the man’s face, to the point where you even see his nose fly off his face. Yet another somehow tumbles besides you, taking your foot out of one of the stirrups, you kick him hard in the head and the job is finished as a nearby warhorse tramples the horrid man to death.

“Push forwards ! Kill them all !” You try to be inspirational, but you fear that your voice might crack, you feel jittering all across your body, not fear, at least you do not think so, nervousness perhaps, excitement even. You are not fighting for greed, for mere conquest, no, you are fighting for your empire and the people within.

With another scream you slash off about half of another man’s face. Suddenly, you feel pain upon your leg, some bastard had snuck up and bashed it in with an axe. With a curse forgotten the moment it had been spewed, you cut the man’s throat open as everyone around continues their struggle.

“Your majesty !” Your eyes are filled with wood splinters as you struggle to keep them open, the sheer force of the throw having penetrated the shield imposed before your face by one of the tagmata. Luckily, the blow had not penetrated the shield where the arm was located, so whilst an annoyance to now employ, the horseman’s arm is still functional.

>>5744087

With a roar you continue to encourage your men as you yourself heave and cut and slash and thrust and…you’ve broken through…you’ve broken through !

The battle still rages but the centre line now has a massive hole in it, the entirety of the tribal army is now cut in half and Gratian and his men surge forth and begin to hit the enemy with full strength and force at their sides. As you gaze about, you spot it, something that would make any man tremble should it be lost. The favour of one’s God. Just behind the massive outstretched line you can see weapons planted in the ground, large pots placed to the side, and also women. Women clad in furs and skins of various animals, their faces painted in pagan symbols as they continue on their chanting, seemingly possessed by devils the dance as men die and as battle is waged in a mockery of faith in an attempt to please devils no doubt snatching away souls of the dead and preventing those truly worthy and righteous from being judged and guided by the Shepherd.

“Tagmata ! Forwards ! Break their wills !” You shout once more encouraging your mare whom you only now notice is far more tired than the much larger warhorses around her, but still she obeys and runs forth ahead. The chanting of the madwomen continues onwards and even intensifies as your formation smashes right into them, pained shrieks and screams echo out as they are butchered and cut down, weapons are kicked to the sides, the pots broken and the gathered blood spilled, and much to your disgust, some of the dead around the pots are men, women, even children. Whatever thoughts you may have had about mercy are thrown away and you begin to strike down.

The loud noises made by the killing of these priestesses must have spread out far and wide as you quickly notice some of the tribals at the rear of their formations seem to have notice your, in their eyes, sacrilege. In particular, you lock eyes with one of the tribals, a young man, perhaps around your own age, robust as well built, afterwards, his eyes trace downwards to the trodden upon corpses, the broken weapons and shattered pots.

He watches. Turns. Runs. Another of his comrade’s gaze fall upon his, he hesitates, before running as well. Yet again, another watches as two had run, hesitating, before running himself. And so it starts, one man, two men, three, four, the trickle turns into a steady stream, the steady stream turns into an endless flowing river as the tribals break and begin to flee for their lives.

“Your majesty, should we give chase ?” Your banner bearer asks.

“What ? Ah, yes. Yes, we should. Forwards !” You once again scream out now riding towards a fleeing and collapsing line.
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>>5744088

You stumble of your horse. “Water.” You demand and the nearby slave quickly provides you with a cup that you gulp down greedily. Having sated your thirst, you look at the washing bowl placed in the middle of the battlefield. Putting your bloodstained gauntlets within, you pour water upon your face, feeling the refreshing coolness upon your skin, as your hands continue to shake. Watching the now reddening reflection, you see your dirt and blood covered armour, your hair’s a mess of sweat and dust. You regard your own well growing beard, and the blood staining it as there had been some close calls, even in the chase. One of the tribal horsemen rode at you with no fear with a stolen kontos, were it not for your bodyguard you would have most likely died there and then, had he not imposed his body before you.

“I clearly remember telling your majesty not to move.” You hear a slightly annoyed and pained voice behind you.

Grasping the washing bin to calm your nerves, you turn your head to see Isaac hobbling forwards, the armour on his left leg beaten and crushed with blood spilling out of it. His entire armour covered in mud and blood has numerous dents and cuts upon it, telling of a struggle perhaps worthy of an epic in the sheer amount of danger within.

“Strategos (General). You look worse than we do.”

“I apologise that I had not had a bodyguard of three hundred of empire’s elite to safeguard me. The budget wouldn’t be able to take it I fear.”

You sigh, as usual. “Will your leg be alright ?”

“This ? This is nothing, a few hits, the savages see a weakness and pounce upon it. When I was dehorsed that’s when things had gotten hairy, had I not saved my legs then, I doubt we would be conversing, your majesty.” He finally sits down upon a chair brought forth by his own slaves. “Your majesty’s mare is dead.”

“What ?” You say leaving the grasp of the washing bin and turning around. “She was perfectly healthy when we returned !”

“Training, your majesty, she’s a mare, not a proper warhorse. She would ride until you had ordered her to stop. I had seen it happen before, fine animals horses, obedient unto death. Quite a few would simply sit down and never stand up after a truly intensive battle.” You feel a pang of guilt thinking back to how hard you had pushed her. “Still, praise where praise’s due. Your majesty charging in like an idiot, oh, please excuse me, I meant a brave warrior willing to die by hurling himself towards a spearline, seems to have worked. Careful with that.” Isaac lets out a pained his as the armour upon his leg is being removed.

“We had seen the opportunity, and We took, and We won.”

>>5744090

“Your majesty took a needless risk. Had your majesty perished there and then, do you know what would have happened ? Does your majesty know how many of the three hundred had perished ? You may have charged a crumbling centre, but it had been numerous men deep of heavy infantry, disciplined, by foreigner standards, heavy infantry whom formed squares to beat down your charge. Were it not for the fact that Gratian had claimed the head of the Aleringian…herkun, I think, that charge would have been checked, stopped and destroyed, your majesty charged three hundred against twenty thousand.”

“Do you wish to test our patience strategos ? For we are growing wrathful after a day of slaughter and death.”

“No, your majesty, just pointing out the flaws in your plan. It worked. Today it worked, tomorrow it very much so may not. I think your majesty will know what I mean when the dead and wounded are accounted for.”

“Your majesty !” Leontius calls out, moving his horse at a light strut.

“The snake lives yet.” You hear Isaac groan in annoyance.

“A fine showing today !” Entirely ignoring the grumbling, he himself dismounts and you can already see a line of slaves moving from the encampment to cater to his needs.

Speaking of Leontius, the man appears just as dirty as everyone else in the gathering, the fighting on the flanks between the cavalry had been brutal. You in fact can see a puncture in his shoulder, luckily aiming upwards with the armour having absorbed most of the impact, had that not happened, you doubt Leontius would be living, or at the very least he may be missing a limb.

“A fine showing indeed. We had seen the brutality of battle you had undertaken.”

“That was a horrid business, we could kill ten to one, yet these savages kept on fighting no matter how many we killed, we kept making pass after pass at each other, but they had broken eventually.”

“Speaking of, were you able to chase them down ?” You ask.

“Partly. Most seemingly returned to their unfortified camp, we fell upon them just as they were dragging away their wives, children and riches. Others yet…”

“Will turn to banditry and plague these lands for years to come.” Isaac dourly says.

“…most likely.”

“Is there any way we can solve this ?”

“Besides fortifying the settlements and increasing patrols ? Not really.” Isaac begins. “Horsemen such as they are the most difficult to pin down especially in such terrain. I would personally raise light cavalry of my own from the local patrician families and squeeze a noose around the bandits, but…”

“Most of said families had already been decimated so that is not an option.”

“…correct.” Visibly hateful of the fact that he has to admit Leontius correct, Isaac spits out.

“Ah, can we not then request that your peers in the senate dedicate some of their men for this operation ?” You question.

>>5744091

“Yes, well, maintaining men at battle readiness is expensive, more so when they are far away from the lands owned by said families. Not to mention that they are unfamiliar with the terrain, the people, the weather. It is simply not economical, your majesty.”

“It seems so.” You flatly respond throwing away a once white towel given to you by one of your servants.

“Indeed, unfortunate. Though perhaps, the tax breaks we had discussed before, your majesty, granting them…” Isaac snorts. “…could help for the local families to restore their maximum legal fighting strength sooner to deal with the bandit problem.”

“We shall see, it is too early to make decisions yet.”

“Quite so, your majesty.”

“Then, the rest of our foes ?”

“Most ended up surrendering once the cavalry disengaged and we were able to bare down upon them. I’d say we now have acquired tens of thousands of slaves, naturally, by legal right, a fifth of all slaves shall be your majesty’s property. It should very much so cheapen and accelerate your majesty’s infrastructure projects. Perhaps some can also be sold away, if I do recall correctly, your majesty is now the legal owner of all lands held by the Angelus family, they could certainly increase production.” Having finally reached him, Leontius’ slaves put down a washing bowl and a lounging chair for him.

“How about resettling them ?” You question.

“Excuse me ?”

“Resettling. We had crushed them; it was a process undertaken by the empire before.”

“Well, your majesty, we’ve had that conversation before.”

“We had, but this time, as we had promised, there will be numerous foreigners settling these lands, to divide them will be easy.”

Leontius halts. “I’d recommend against it, your majesty.” He starts washing up.

You sigh, taking a seat yourself as you await for the battlefield to be cleaned, final orders to be given out, slaves to be imprisoned.

“Your majesty !” One of your tagmata rides over before dismounting and bowing before you.

“Speak.”

“I had been ordered to inform your majesty of the passing of protasekretis (first secretary) Auxentius Melodus. He had fallen in battle against the foe.”

Everyone pauses at that.

“Lead us to him.” You command once again rising from your seat.
.
.
.
The walk takes a good few minutes, as you move through puddles of blood, corpses litering the horizon as far as you can see, wounded men crying out as they are dragged away by their comrades, hoping against hope that they could be nursed back to health, the tribals are offered a different kind of mercy, as swift killings are undertaken, bodies are also being looted and pilfered of anything of value, in fact, you see a brawl underway by some of the hired on mercenaries, both sides shouting at each other in their own tongue as they draw weapons.

“What’s that about ?”

>>5744092

“It seems one of them tried to loot the corpse of the other group’s fallen comrade.” One of your bodyguards responds.

“Tell them to stop, enough killing has happened today.”

“By your will, your majesty.” Some of your escort breaks off to deal with the issue.

Walking around a horse’s carcass, you finally spot a small gathering of men, about a dozen or so stand at a respectful distance away from a body laying upon the ground, and another three men are kneeling before the corpse in utter silence. Stoicism is the expected form in any and all funerals, but the silence still unnerves you, only being broken by the endless cawing of crows whom amongst their human scavengers are stealing their fill.

Noticing your approach, most of the gathered clear they way for you to gaze at the body.

He looks old. You quickly realize as you look at the pale face of Auxentius before you. His armour, the upper chest in particular, has a child’s fist sized hole in it, the remains of a broken spear still visible and jutting out of the body, even as his arms had been placed carefully and respectfully upon his stomach.

“How did he die ?”

“We were breaking due to the ferocity and numbers of our foes. But rather than retreat my father decided to lead the charge personally, to keep the flank from collapsing.” One of the three kneeling men informs you.

“We are sorry for your loss.”

“I thank you, your majesty. But this was perhaps the best death, befitting all Thephians that could have befallen my father. He died in glory and…honour.” You hear as the man struggles to contain his tears, just based on his looks, you’d think him, and in the same fashion, everyone else kneeling your elders. Auxentius must’ve been a good father to solicit such mourning.

“We shall leave you to your preparations then. Your father had served us well, if there is anything needed for his funeral, inform us of it.”

“Thank you, your majesty.” The three say one of another.

With that you turn about and begin to depart. There is still so much work to be done.
.
.
.
“These are all of the numbers ?” You ask.

“All that were given to me.” Irene says.

Both of you had returned to the camp proper and spent the last three days just going over paperwork, something that had come as a bit of surprise to, but pay must be issued out to the mercenaries based on their forces and losses, widow payment must be given to the families of the fallen tagmata soldiers. The slaves need to be accounted for, whom gets what share, the same going for the war booty, as the barbaroi camp had been sacked and looted of anything worth of value.

Still, the matters of most import are those directly concerning you:

As it stands, your household has become 7,600 slaves richer than before. A literal army of slaves had just fallen into your lap.

>>5744094

Whilst you are uncertain about the booty, since it has to be sold off, you can expect a few hundred thousand worth of silver basilikas, with the best and most expensive of the loot being yours to claim.

The not-so-great news however concern both of the tagmata, whilst the senatorial losses are no doubt great, you do not know their exact losses, the same with the mercenaries other than the agreed upon sums paid out at proportional losses.

As it stands, you had begun this war with 900 Scholae Tagmata (School regiment/battalion), and now the soldier rolls showcase that only 630 still remain, others are dead or wounded to the point where they can no longer carry out their duties. Out of the 270 that had to be crossed out of the list, a whopping hundred came from your back breaking charge.

The Optimatoi tagmata (The best, regiment/battalion) had started the war numbering 1462 strong, now only 915 remain upon the rolls. Your tagmata had performed admirably, but their small numbers had been even further reduced in the conflict.

“Are you alright, your majesty ?” Irene asks.

“I- We mean, yes, we are fine. It’s just, there had been so much loss.”

“The losses would have been greater had you not crushed them here and today. One decisive battle rather than the land, the people and your men suffer from disease, starvation, foul weather. This is a one and done with battle.”

“We suppose you are right.”

“A celebration will be held there and then, if you wish to distract people our engagement can be done then, I am certain that the senators will be far too busy to scheming against and for each other after the ceremony to mourn for long, the mercenaries and the soldiery will be far too drunk to care there and then as well.”

You cannot help but slightly smile, she always tries to get her way. But the idea is not bad, you could roll in the land grants alongside the celebrations as well to stem the endless torrent of complaints. Yes, that’d be nice to actually relax for once.

Now that the war here is over, you will also be able to concentrate more attention upon the Akeonians. You wonder how the battle there fares, seeing as you had won your own.

But for now, something fun, or not so much, if you think about it deeper.

The matter concerning the mercenaries and the Thuregs, they are currently weak, exposed. If need be, you could easily overwhelm them.

>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.

>Butcher them all.

>Some need to be taken care of, silently if possible. (Who ?)

>>5744095

Then there’s the matter of your numerous slaves, the manpower provided by them could be quite useful in numerous ways.

>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.

>Send them to your private lands, it should help to build quite a bit of personal wealth, that you could perhaps direct somewhere else as you need it.

>Free them and divide them, resettling them alongside the others, more bodies to guard the border, surely they will appreciate your generosity ?

“Your majesty ?” A voice comes from outside.

“Enter.” You state as usual.

“A message had come from Uvergians.”

Uvergians ? “Give it.” You state and a letter is placed neatly before you.

Greetings to the great and mighty ruler of Thephians,

I, Gaisarīx am now the undisputed ruler of the lands of Wodger and I write this message in good faith and belief that our peoples would be able to coexist in peace. All that I request is that your people and mine would be free to move and work in our realms, that trade may freely flow between our two realms with the minimal of tariffs. I too know the importance of the Shepherd of your lands, whilst my people know little of him and his ways, should our realms be in peace, I would be willing to allow the priests of the Shepherd protection and free movement within my lands.

A short letter, lacking the usual niceties, titles and over all long windedness that you had come to await from most writers of letters to you, especially those from the ruler of the Akeonians. Any deals made would surely enrage your brand-new slaves, through their freewill is already forfeit. The Thuregs however and Gratian, they could cause an issue. There’s also the thing whether or not this, so called undisputed ruler could be trusted.

>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.

>Agree to the terms.

>Offer terms of your own. (Write in)

Another chunky update, nice.
Also good to know that it was the right call to break the center, although there was a risk involved.

>>5744085
>No, out of the forest an army emerged
The other anon was right. We should've focused on the forest instead.

>>5744086
>”An open field suits us best, and that is where we shall fight. All we have to do is break their backs until they can no longer take any settlements.”

>>5744095
>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.
What was their demand for loyalty again?

>>5744096
>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.
I doubt they will appreciate any mercy given to them.

>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.
After that stunt that they pulled I don't trust them.

>>5744096
>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.
Money would be nice, but expedited projects are even better. Besides, we'll have a decent short-run cash inflow from the Purple-Silk Islands deal once this damned war is over.

>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.
Free trade deals with the subhuman pagans.
No thanks. I like the Thuregs better.

>>5744095
>Some need to be taken care of, silently if possible. (The Escuratans)
The Thephian mercs are fine. The Akeonians are also fine, being likely opposed to the La Mares and men of honor besides. The Jaykins, Erugians, and Escuratans are the ones that give me pause.

The Jaykins have that external political connection, potentially providing a casus belli for an invasion of the notVikings. They also don't speak Thephian even at the top. The Erugians are barbarians from not so far away (I think) and are poor besides, therefore presenting the greatest likelihood of joining up with the bandits. The Escuratans have a strong connection to their homeland and might bring a bunch of notItalian colonists who'll try to steal our land.

Given the distance from their homeland and the unlikeliness of their confederating with native barbaroi, I'll pass the Jaykins. The Erugians also don't seem to present too much of a long-term security threat, so they're fine. I say we massacre those damned Escuratans before they stab us in the back. It's not like an Italian promise means anything.

>>5744086
>”A rolling skirmish. We shall pelt them with arrows every step along the way until they drop dead from exhaustion.”
Our numbers are depleted and horsearchery is the greatest tool of the pre-industrial age.

Also, that charge was glorious. Is this how Alexander felt at Issus? Incredible.

>>5744083
>you lean back as his knife, pulled out of nowhere, cuts deep into your throat

That was intense

>>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them on the field and end them once and for all. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

We have too few men for remaining independent, especially considering all of their light horsemen and whatever chevaliers yet remain, and sitting behind walls gives them the initiative. This is our best option realistically.

>>5744095
>>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.

>>5744096
>>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.

>>Send them to your private lands, it should help to build quite a bit of personal wealth, that you could perhaps direct somewhere

If possible can we do a 50/50 split? Granted it would diminish the potential gains in both instances but it can't hurt to hedge our bets, especially in the case of personal funds and building up the lands that we personally control.

>>5744096
>>Offer terms of your own.

Offer that they cast aside their pagan religion in favor of the Shepherd, and submit to us as a tributary.

Honestly, your writing is top notch, if you ever write any books you better let us know.

I loved that charge! Also: https://youtube.com/watch?v=67bZGL3hMnI

Hail Manuel Angelus! Victor Imperator!

>>5744086
>”A rolling skirmish. We shall pelt them with arrows every step along the way until they drop dead from exhaustion.”
I love horse archers. I bet they're trying to storm a settlement because they've run out of food to steal.

>>5744095
>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.
Though we should find some informants to keep an ear to the ground for us. It is too soon for them to start doing bullshit so we have some time.

>>5744096
>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.
I'd like to do repair work on all the run down buildings we have.

>>5744096
Oh and
>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.
pound sand heathen.

>>5744096
Upon reflection, I would like to change >>5744186

To
>50/50 slave split between personal estates and Imperial service
>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.
>Some need to be taken care of, silently if possible. (The Escuratans)
>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them on the field and end them once and for all. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

>>5744086
>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them on the field and end them once and for all. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”
The akeonians needs to be crushed from this island, i want this silver dragon commander down. He must be the ace of the De La Mare.

>>5744095
>>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it
A word given is important. Keep an eye on them though, if they do something worse we can punish them.

>>5744096
>Dispatch them to be used by your administration, it should make future building efforts much easier and better.
The infrastructure needs time, but this slaves will cut on it.
Some barbarians will need to be killed here and now, execution, especially the ones too violent. Others will need to be selled.

>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire
Not sure, there is no way we can just trade. At the same time, we don't want another conflict too soon (it will arrive is just a question of when)
Rip Auxentius. He was a good guy
We need another secretary, goodness.
What a great battle, maybe a small monument could be made here in time. A swordcross of the Sherpard perhaps or an eagle. Food for thought.
Still, we need to remain here in this province for a while, i ll say 1 month mostly for pacify but also for try and clean up the barbarians groups that escaped. Less bandits we have the better. Then we go back west, and go to Armentarius or Myralos if he can win against the Akeonians.
Now our triumph/feast/marriage is close, we just have to put down Teddy.
1 Usurper defeated by us in Myralos, 1 Usurper defeated by a Storm sent by the Sherpard no doubt, 1 barbarian invasion defeated by us on the frontier and lastly 1 "civilized" invasion defeated by the head of our guards and our admiral (alongside the heroic contribution of the holy knights). A lot of things to celebrate for if we manage.

>>5744186
They don't look much like the Tarrizans and Paterans, they seem different. It sounds like they are in a civil war from previous thread. They probably are.

>>5744096
>”A rolling skirmish. We shall pelt them with arrows every step along the way until they drop dead from exhaustion.”
+
>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them behind the walls of Borakos, we will break their will against its walls. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

This lets us play to our strengths, while also preparing for the decisive battle.

>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.

>50/50 imperial service and our own provinces

>Crumple up the letter and throw it into the fire.

Side note, have we slept with our wife-to-be yet?

>>5744592
To that last sentence, no it would be against tradition and our beliefs.

>>5744592
No not yet.
We have told her, we want to win the wars and then return to Myralos for do it all.
The promised feast for the nobles, celebration for victory for the people, triumph for the military and our marriage.
Mostly political waiting, personal it looks different.
Irene wants to get there and Manuel seems a bit impatience to get to the last part too, and to be fair some in the Sherpard church seems to be okay with doing the deed if the woman will be your future wife. I am not sure if they are all completely fine with it. Like Myslik. And Irene dad, Delmatius Ingerinus might prefer that the marriage is done first.
I would like for us to announce the marriage, but the Akeonians really need to be defeated so we can't do that. When its over we do it.

We need to talk with Patriarch Anatolius when we get back, beside for organize the marriage and make some funerals, we have seen first hand the religious issue and we have seen first hand actual bloodthirsty pagans that are too eager to invade.
The characters sheet might need to be updated, lots of new people.

>>5744086

>”A rolling skirmish. We shall pelt them with arrows every step along the way until they drop dead from exhaustion.”

>”Send a rallying cry and gather as many as you can, we shall face them behind the walls of Borakos, we will break their will against its walls. Even if some settlements will have to burn.”

My two fears are that our troops will get too tired during skirmishes, or that infiltrators will take the opportunity to enter the fortress with reinforcements. But still these are the best options in this bad situation.

>No, you are a man of your word, and you will keep it.

> 20% For our personal properties. 40% To be used by your administration. 40% To guard the border.

The number of slaves is so large that something like this would be possible. Not to mention that we have a huge debt to pay, and if we depend on the corrupt tax collection system that we have, we will never pay it off.

In addition, resentment will always exist among the defeated to divide them into areas where they will not be able to organize themselves in numbers, is something prudent to do.

>>5744096
I'll change from >>5744232 and >>5744233 to backing this anon: >>5744592

Harassing the Akeonian army and depriving them of any relief while preparing our defenses is just what I had in mind. 3.800 slaves each is also enough for both of our endeavours.

I can't wait to be able to administer the empire without fucking wars eating up time and resources

>>5744592
I like this, so +1

As much as both of them would seem to like to, we have not - the church and various people would likely take a dim view of that, and the possibility of unintentionally impregnating Irene would be.....hazardous.

>>5745363
Well its going to be a long road to get there, we have a lot of the empire left to reclaim.

>>5745651
>Implying
We have to fix the demography of the Thephians before even considering further expansion

>>5745745
Should our campaign against the Akeonians go well going forwards we would be fools to not take advantage of it and launch a counter invasion, I should imagine there will be plenty of widows and daughters for the taking.

>>5745959
The Akeonians have a massive population in comparison to us- only the facts that they had to invade navally and their King only meant it as a convenient politically twofer limited their efforts. We have to reconsolidate the east and build functional armies/navies not composed of mercs/foreigners first.

>>5745959
>>5745972
In my view, the ideal peace deal is is getting all over seas territories of theirs (Channel Islands equivalent?) and a mind boggling sum of money. Trying to take the mainland is more trouble than it's worth in my opinion.

>>5745972
>>5745977
There are too many factors to consider before deciding anything. We must first try to find out how much of their army/navy remains and if it's well supplied, how much resistance there would be if we invaded the mainland (the last thing anyone wants is a Vietnam), while also considering if it'll cause too much of a collapse in the Thephian peoples to go for an extended campaign. And that's not even considering the state of the Empire itself.
If we make the right moves we can easily consolidate and/or centralize power.

>>5745977
No counter invanding Akeonia it self is a lot of trouble and a whole new can of worms to sort out. We didn't plan for it at all too, and this is very important.

One might think we could deal a blow against them, but the Akeonians have many men and bringing a large force by boat is not always easy.
This is also true for us. Meaning there are no small amount of men on Akeonia and we have to get our men there.
Our navy is currently patrolling this waters for counter Akeonians attacks, supplying our forces and intercepting Akeonians ships.
We are managing this but losses keep raising.
The only good thing in the case of a counterattack, is the fact Akeonia it self has actually a population of Thepians. It was afterall previously an imperial province.
Much like the province the Lucenians occupy, even if Thepians are fewer there.


Best case scenario is getting a victorious peace soon with a lot of money, and maybe get them to deliver us some of their ships, some of the equipment from their armories and gaining some of their horses. All things that are costly and need time to be replaced.
Plus a treaty that lasts many years.

I'll beg ignorance- in this age, how could we even enforce a war indemnity?

>>5746011
Victory and holding multiple important hostages, that a ruler would care for. The stronger the victory and the larger the amount of hostages, the more one defeated ruler needs to care about it.

In the case of Tedwyn he is a cruel ruler, but there is only so much replacement that can be done for him. You cant just throw everything away always dor achieve victory, your men might bite back in the ass.
Lastly not following treaties (you were defeated and must pay for it, and must also not declare war for x amount of years), has great importance. Has a ruler your word, what you agree upon reflects on your dynasty and kingdom.
And other rulers see this. They see you don't agree to rules of war, that you don't
bother about the peace conditions you agreed, that you always throw away your men and don't care of paying for getting them back.
It all negatives that adds up.

>>5746018
I see, thanks anon

>>5745972
>>5746010

It can be accurately assumed that both the creme of the crop of their fighting men as well as the most ardent supporters of their king have embarked on this invasion against us, and we know that his position with his own nobility is not absolute.

I'm not saying that it would be a cakewalk, but I am saying that we will likely never see such an opportunity again within our current emperors lifetime. I firmly believe that we could exploit the dissatisfaction of some of the minor nobility of that land once we defeat the invasion.

Even if we only managed to secure a foothold on the island it would be worth the attempt.

>>5746010
I don't get it. Are you agreeing with me? Like I said, I think invading Akeonia itself is a bad idea but why would invading the overseas territories be a bad idea too?

We have sacrificed a lot to have this naval supremacy so why not make the most of it?

>>5746078
Nah, invading the mainland will just unite them against us. Why would they risk trusting a foreign heretic like us? We are exhausted as is, best to raid and pillage the coastline after capturing their islands.

>>5746078
>It can be accurately assumed

Count Dufour, thread two-
>"The success of the last war attracted many knights, many a petty lord and noble that had even brought their own men-at-arms with them. They all want land, they all agitate for war. So, if the King wins, he will gain that land, and loyal nobles to govern them. Should he lose, then the trouble makers will forever remain underneath the waves."
This is literally excess manpower drawn from the belligerent faction of the Akeonian nobility. As I said, even if we win we will have only done away with an adventurous fraction of their forces. Unless we get updated spy reports confirming a significant depopulation or weakening of their kingdom, I'll not support an offensive action. Further, that's saying nothing of the incredible weakness of our native-born armies and navy. Even trying to sieze Island territories of their by force of arms seems unwise to me at present.

>>5746078
It would be difficult and i don't think we can continue this war for long. It has been devastating for our lands and forces so far.

>>5746087
I mostly agree with you, but I don't want to invade his minor islands. I think it might repeat what happened here. So a lot of battles and more death.
Raids and pillaging perhaps, we need any wealth.

>>5746103
Ah yeah that. Too bad our father purged the imperial assassins and spies.

So, how do we revitalize trade after the war? Would it be worth it to build an imperial merchant fleet or subsidize new merchant houses?

>>5748836
1. Tax breaks > subsidies for economic growth
2. Use our growing fleet to crack down on piracy

That's it really, though I would like to fine tune any potential tax breaks in accordance with our future debt situation.

>>5748850
My problem with tax breaks is that if the new revenues just go towards the existing merchant houses, we won't get serious improvements in trade efficiency. A new, more innovative merchant class that can compete with the Tarrizians et alii is necessary. Perhaps some kind of hybrid policy would be appropriate.

>>5748855
No it wouldn't? Unless the current families have some special priviliges that grant them a cartel over trade, new enterprising freemen can always make their own way in the business. Subsidies are only better at giving more power and control which have their own uses but we're talking economically here.

>>5748861
You need ships to engage in overseas trade. You need even more ships when the industry is already dominated by massive noble merchant houses. Ships are expensive. In absence of a banking system capable of supplying ready funds to groups of enterprising merchantmen, the state must do it. Furthermore, the hereditary merchant houses undoubtedly have their own means of suppressing competition which we would do well to investigate.

>>5748861
>new enterprising freemen
Speaking of things we need, the Empire needs more of those. The senate will oppose any measure expanding the rights and privileges of the lesser Thephians though. Isaac is right about those fuckers.

>>5748874
> You need ships to engage in overseas trade. You need even more ships when the industry is already dominated by massive noble merchant houses.
Never said it would be easy or immediate, it never is. Lots of entrepreneurs fail but those that succeed do so in spite of their small and slow starts. There are also more options to the resourceful and ambitious than you might think, especially if they team up with others like themselves but Im getting off topic.

> Furthermore, the hereditary merchant houses undoubtedly have their own means of suppressing competition which we would do well to investigate.
In this we do agree.

>>5748881
The aristocracy loves to bitch and moan about any plebs that threaten to enter their exclusive club. They've been whining about the exams since their inception, now they're whinging about the new settlers. There's always someone to complain about.

If I'm not mistaken, our big time merchants are not noble, and we've pushed them pretty far already.

Everyone wants to gripe and moan about the aristocracy, but we are in fact the top of the pyramid, we are THE noble. Everyone needs to dispose of the notion that it's us vs them on account of we are them. We need them as an intermediary to manage the lower classes, there's no two ways about it. Fighting them is fighting ourselves, I don't understand why all of you fail to see it.

>>5748934
Nobody is failing to see anything anon, you're the one who's mistaken. The sovereign shouldn't be the aristocracy and the aristocracy shouldn't be the sovereign, mix those up and you get our modern governments. Full of corrupt mockeries of statesmen. Nobody here is saying that we need to fight the aristocracy, we're saying they need to be reined in. With few exceptions, they've shown themselves to be interested in benefitting themselves at the expense of the Empire's interests. That is an attitude that we should be unwilling to enable.

>>5748934
The wealth of the Empire predominantly goes to the coffers of the aristocratic houses. What does the Empire get out of it? The infrastructure of the heartland is in shambles, our armies are underequipped and undersupplied, we didn't have a navy to speak of at the start of the quest, the Empire as a whole is facing a demographic crisis, we lack scholars and manufacturers to produce the finest in military and commercial technogies, and those of them across the mountains were just in rebellion against proper imperial rule and cavorting with barbarians. Not to mention that the greatest among the "loyalists" likely covet the very throne on which Manuel sits. Changes to the current order must be made if the proud Thephian people are to again be ascendant. So far the nobility have not been obliging to those reforms. We cannot push them too far, but push them we must.

>>5748855
I agree

Maybe we could offer low-cost loans to smaller merchant enterprises / families, with a long payment horizon

This provides them with capital to expand operations and should help increase competition

However, if we do it for too many it will push up the demand for ships / labour, and will just become inflationary

>>5749095
I think I'd rather we start a new hustle ourselves. We're good with numbers, Irene's good at being a taskmaster, Helena is personable and well-connected. If we get her in on this not as a representative of her family it'd be real swell.

I think we could make something out of it with this team. Start with a little something, see how it goes first then go from there.

>>5749166
>not as a representative of her family
Unless you intend to get her disowned I would bet a month's pay that it cannot be done. Although given that the Kurkuas family owns the purple silk isles are noted for their interests in matters of trade, I don't think it would be a bad idea to bring them in as partners in whatever pro-trade shenanigans we get up to. It would foster better relations with one of the two great houses we aren't married to. And I'm inclined to purge the Bardanes in order to split up their lands and sell them off to freedmen/smallholders anyhow.

>>5749199
> Unless you intend to get her disowned I would bet a month's pay that it cannot be done.
Of course, never said it to be the plausible outcome but the better one. We are also in agreement on the Bardanes question, unless they do something to overcome the terrible impressions they've left on me.

>>5749203
>We are also in agreement on the Bardanes question
Based. I believe that this is the first step to solving the demographic problem. Poor farmers with small plots have few ways of maximizing their crop yields other than just having more kids so as to produce more labor.

>>5749199
>>5749203

Retards

>>5744096

Hey NewbQM, sorry to barge in on your thread. I’m the current QM of the other classics-inspired quest on the board Trojan War Quest (although your command of such material is much greater than mine).

Would you consider a combined ad campaign on /lit/ and /his/ for our quests, to bring in new players? I figured a combined approach might be more successful than just one or the other.

If so, post in /qtg/ so we can coordinate! If not, no worries and please forgive this interruption.

>>5749502
>/his/
Unironically you're better off advertising to /k/.

>>5750283

Hmm thanks for the tip

Battle

Open field 1

Gather+field 3

Skirmish+gather+walls 4

Promises

Keep word 6

Kill Escuratans 1

Slaves

Infrastructure 2

Split 5

Spliter 1

Letter

Crumple 6

Convert 1

Total 8

Alrighty. Armentarius will order Borakos reinforced as he will keep up the pressure and keep harassing the foe. Meanwhile, Manuel will send half of the slaves to his privates estates and half to the infrastructure effort. And he will simply ignore the new self-proclaimed ruler of the forest.

I will have time on the weekend to sit down and put out a chonky. So expect an update either on Monday or Tuesday.

I do have one more question for you anons. With these two wars I wanted to show two alternatives. A more hands on, thoroughly described and explored war with actual characters that die and fight in it. And the war for the East where it was TL;DRed, the only reason why there were some decisions there to begin with was due to Manuel being there and seeing things himself.

So the question is, which one do you prefer more anons ?

>>5750411
On balance I prefer have some choices and engagement rather than nothing. At the same time, taking the role of a battlefield commander (outside of the exceptional circumstance of Manuel taking the field) gets away from what I like the most about the quest. Maybe a balance can be struck where Manuel gives orders/objectives to commanders, who we don't play as but see from the perspective of? Like telling Mundus "choke their supply lines" or "decisive fleet engagement NOW", etc. I like your tactical command writing, but I'm not here to play as Armentarius or Vincenso.

>>5750411
I prefer the Armentarius POV and the nitty gritty slice of battle stuff personally, though the contrast of Manuels POV is pretty nice too.

>>5750411
I liked Manuel side more, but they were both interesting for me.

>>5750411
Honestly I've enjoyed both sides so far

>>5750443
This is pretty much on point for what I like too.

>>5750443

>On balance I prefer have some choices and engagement rather than nothing. At the same time, taking the role of a battlefield commander (outside of the exceptional circumstance of Manuel taking the field) gets away from what I like the most about the quest. Maybe a balance can be struck where Manuel gives orders/objectives to commanders, who we don't play as but see from the perspective of? Like telling Mundus "choke their supply lines" or "decisive fleet engagement NOW", etc. I like your tactical command writing, but I'm not here to play as Armentarius or Vincenso.

That would be the TL;DR version. You send a general with an objective such as, take this isle, or conquer this bit of land. The general goes there and eventually reports his progress or one of his subordinates does or one of your agents assign to the task does. There you can try to send orders for the general to act faster, or slower, or give him new generalized orders. Of course, everyone should keep in mind that the loyalty of men in charge of armies of thousands can be...fickle, especially if they are far from home, so the best man for the job may not always be, well, the best man for the job.

>>5750411
I personally love the described and detailed campaign. Reminds me of my favorite historical fiction writers. Although I also recognize that route might potentially grind the pace down.

>>5751774
Perhaps the best course would be a middle ground. I also like Newb's more detailed writing and getting into the thick of it, but there is an argument for making things go quicker with tldrs.

>>5752046
Thinking about it some more I actually do like the Manuel pov and dealing with things personally as well as the more detailed chunkier updates.

>>5752046
>but there is an argument for making things go quicker with tldrs.

Feel free to make it.

>>5752165
If we get an update a week, and each of those updates only covers a single battle/siege/naval action/major troop movement, it will take an irl year to get through another major war.

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>>5752187
>first thread was more than a year ago.

the posts have been godly tier with their content, so it would be a shame to cut it down but I understand that it takes a longer time to make them, so do what your comfortable with qm.

>>5752187
Quality is quality, I'm perfectly fine with waiting. Besides the battles/campaigning are preferable to the autistic screeching that Manuel POVs bring.

You stare at the letter for a good few minutes, before the noise of parchment being crumpled attracts the attention of Pistis whom regards you with curiosity as you throw the letter away into the still hot brazier set in the middle of your room.

“Bad news ?” Irene asks putting down her own quill to now fully regard you.

“I don’t know yet.” You say with a ponderous expression. “The woods are now united, and I do not trust our new neighbours.” Rising from your chair, you start moving towards the brazier watching as the parchment is consumed by the flames. “As it stands, they are not trustworthy, judging by the tales I heard from Gratian. And with so much land under them, I can only assume that they wish to build up, consolidate the vast lands with the small population in comparison.”

“They fear foreign intervention ?” Irene’s usually cold expression takes upon a more ponderous look. “No, the woods would halt any proper invading force, or at least slow them down long enough to allow the defenders to rally a force large enough to fight back.”

“Any new realm, especially one consolidated under one ruler needs administrators trained to rule that are loyal and not too powerful.”

“Scribes to make and send out laws.”

“Artisans to craft goods of war and anything else needed for governorship.”

“Such as goldsmiths and the like.”

“Crafts that require generations of tradition and learning to perfect.”

“Craftsmen that your majesty’s glorious empire possesses in abundance, at least in comparison to these Uvergians.”

“Indeed. So any trade, any movement of people, would favour them the most.”

“That is why you rejected the letter ?”

You shrug. “That and other reasons.”

“Does your majesty realize that they may launch attacks against you ?”

You sigh. “Perhaps. Though at worst I’d only fear raids. Raids that are already depressingly common in these lands.”

“Until the Uvergians are able to forge a realm instead of a confederation of tribes.”

“Presuming they do not collapse from internal strife.” You say with a small smile. “Besides, the empire has endured worse, I am confident that I will be able to set things in motion for the empire’s restoration to the point where these peoples like always will only envy and fear us.”

“Proud words.”

“I learnt that one has to portray himself as such.”

“I do hope those words will stay true with your majesty. As for the slaves, I had already begun drawing up plans to deal with them with the most efficiency.” She herself rises from her desk and hands you over some paper.

You take it and start looking it over. “The number of slaves should be reduced.”

“How so ?”

“I had decided to send half to my own estates, to farm and grow more profitable crops. The empire is in a desperate need of funds.”

“How generous of you, your majesty, to dedicated your own funds in such a way.”

>>5754439

“I am already giving away half of the slaves, aren’t I ?” You say with a chuckle.

“You are.” She nods. “The plans will have to be readjusted. Unfortunately, about a fifth of the slaves will have to be…expended, but this should bring the speed of progress to an unprecedented degree. I shall also assign some of my own slavedrivers for the task. They shall expend only the weakest of slaves, best put them to full and good use before they are lost to such things as disease or old age. The rations will also have to be changed to something more filling for the moment, perhaps even some meat in the barley porridge.” You watch as Irene’s mind races when she ponders over the logistical task as if it were her second nature. A woman after your own heart.

“Now then.” She turns to regard you, even locking her eyes with your own. “The matters of marriage.”

You clear your throat and feel slight embarrassment. “What about it ?”

“As parts of the celebrations of your glorious reconquest. I had already instructed my servants to begin the preparations for our engagement ceremony.” That takes you aback a bit. “My dress should be delivered soon enough, and so shall your majesty’s garments.”

“Now wait a sec-”

“The rings are already in my possession, courtesy of my father.”

“I don-“

“As for the guest invitations, golden necklaces decorated with diamonds shall be issued to every senator, and silver necklaces with rubies shall be given to the local patrician families. A tasteful, but rich gift, ah, again no need to concern yourself about the costs.”

“I mean, that is-“

“As for the ceremony itself, I had already prepared it to be a humble and quick affair, with a high-ranking priest already on the way from Myralos itself, courtesy of Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs (ecumenical patriarch) Anatolius himself.”

“Well I-“

“The ceremony will be short and quick, the banquet itself, due to its need to be a celebratory festivity shall have to be far more tasteful, luckily many of the victorious patricians and senators will bear a part of the costs, though unfortunately the imperial household will have to bear the biggest part of the cost, with your majesty earning the most of the booty.” She continues her monologue handing you and ever-increasing amount of paperwork, each showcasing her plans for the banquet, the guestlist, the costs, even the God forsaken menu list.

You stand there, utterly baffled and shocked by the sheer number of details that she went into, to the point of guest placement, though you quickly note that the guest had been seated based on their regional holdings, rather than potential political affiliations. Granted, you yourself lack the in-depth diplomatic knowledge for such arrangements, so this is probably as far as you can get yourself as well. Without of course asking for help from thirds parties that may or may not have your best interests in mind.

>>5754440

“Well ?” She says looking at you, snapping your attention back to her a few moments later as you had been overly disctracted.

You clear your throat. “Well, ummm, well indeed. I, do not really have any complains.”

“Good. I shall put these plans into action fully.”

“Alright.” You simply nod.
.
.
.
For once, the weather is sunny, though you suppose you are reaching the end of Spring, barely fitting into the schedule you had planned. Luckily, that means that Irene’s…five…contingency plans were unneeded. The large courtyard had been filled to the brim with an army of servants rushing back and forth between a collection of hundreds of tables. The courtyard itself is surrounded by an army of tents, outside of that stand numerous fields where the high classes can entertain themselves with sparring, archery, duelling, riding and many more martial pursuits. An oddity for an engagement ceremony, but you suppose most of your reign so far had been strange in comparison to most.

As for the dressings, an annoyance no doubt as everyone had to wear pure white whilst attending the feast part of the banquet, whilst everything else requires more martial dressing, meaning that your guest, especially the more active ones, will have to change out of their clothing more than once throughout the entire ordeal.

And as it stands, the vast majority of the senate is in attendance and what patrician families in the area remain, alongside of course everyone’s families that could arrive in time, alongside that is Gratian and the Thureg nobility, situated separately compared to the rest of the guests. They stand out like sore thumbs, placed at the halfway point, but at the side, a diplomatic placement, as best as one can get that is. Besides that, are Myslik and his followers, situated next to the proper church representatives, you can only imagine the storm that will kick up once wine starts flowing. Then at the end, since none, so far at least, are of great import, are the mercenaries, the smallest bunch as only their leaders were allowed to attend the celebrations proper, still seated at one table the future settlers of these lands all await for the celebrations too commence just as any proper patrician is. In the end, there are nearly one thousand gathered guests, with perhaps five times that number of servants, helpers, slaves and the rest.

All in all, you cannot help but feel nervous as your slaves continue to dress you. It’s not even your day of marriage, just an official affirmation of your engagement. Nothing more than that really, but for some reason you cannot help but feel nervous.

>>5754441

With careful hands, your white cotton pants tightly fit you alongside the large and wide white shirt. You lack any of the usual jewellery you are usually adorned by. This time however, your clothing is done with beautiful and fine laces. Each expertly and wonderfully made to showcase the signs of the Shepherd’s cross as well as a detailed depiction of a wolf’s head in an endless repeating pattern. It’s to the point where you are afraid to ruin the shirt by moving too roughly.

“Your majesty looks pure and prim.” Isaac remarks dryly.

“Exceptionally so, your majesty, this wondrous celebration shall be remember, until of course the wedding to come.“ Leontius interjects with his usual praises.

“So wonderous in fact that kyvernítis (governor) Delmatius rushed here red-faced.” Isaac chuckles, the usual amusement he gets from the unfortune of others.

“The preparations were already in place, so there was not much left to change.” You say trying to keep your voice neutrals as the servants continue their work.

“And that is fine, your majesty. A glorious, uniting celebration it shall be. One where everyone shall be in a good mood, no doubt, able to see truly how things should be.”

You inwardly groan. Not this thing about taxes again. Though it cannot be denied, that once the ceremony is over and done with, you will have to implement policies for the region. A poor, backwards, now utterly manpower drained, region, right at the borders of one aggressive neighbour, and one potentially aggressive neighbour. So much work to be done.

“Your majesty. The ceremony is ready to begin.” A quiet voice calls out as a man dressed in the simple robes of a low-ranking priest steps in.

“Well then, your majesty. Don’t let your wife to be snip your balls.” Throwing out a final obscenity, Isaac departs.

“The nerve.” Leontius growls. “Ahem, please excuse me your majesty. Allow me to be the first to wish you a happy engagement and a bountiful marriage shortly thereafter.” He finishes saying with a deep bow.

“I thank you, prōtoproedros (senior president).” You respond with a nod, as final finishing touches are added, and two or so minutes later, you step out into the sun.

>>5754442

Your eyes are stung for a moment from the brightness now around you, before you see in the middle of the courtyard stands a large Altar, supremely decorated in gold and jewels. The altar itself Has fine oak working upon it, with gold lines forming an endless crisscrossing shape throughout, in the middle of this mixture stand a collection of jewels forming the Shepherd’s cross. The blade is made out of clear diamonds, the hilt of sapphires, the handle pearls and the pommel being a single large ruby. Behind the altar and the small raised wooden platform, is the Shepherd’s sword, made purely this time out of gold again, with silver going around the edges of the blade and ivory forming the hilt and handle with the pommel itself being of clear shining steel.

Taking a deep breath, and ignoring the thousand pair of eyes, you begin to slowly walk ahead. A clear red carpet laid down before you so that your white hoes, decorated with pearls, would not be stained by the muck as you approach. Everyone stands as you move and deeply bows before you whenever you pass by. Overall, silence reigns as you keep moving even as you spot a rather large band of men with lyres, harps, zithers, tambourines, flutes, and other instruments you do not recognize stand at attention to begin entertaining everyone around them.

Finally, reaching the altar, you climb the few wooden steps and stand before the bishop before you as he gives you a polite nod of the head.

Afterwards, you await in silence until you start hearing the rustling behind you, as you turn around you watch Irene in her own white dress, filled with laces as her cold eyes regard everyone gathered here, you can already imagine her mind thinking about something with that gaze of hers. The laces upon her flowing white dress showcase the same symbol of the Shepherd and the expression of a large charging ram. An endless assortment fluttering in the wind makes it seem like the ram is in motion and the blade is continuously swinging in the breeze.

Besides Irene escorting her is her father Delmatius. The proud man stands tall in his equally white clothing, just not as decorated as yours or your soon to be fiancée’s. His large beard stands out the more as he continuously looks around, delivering proud expression towards everyone gathered here, especially towards the senators known to him no doubt. You can almost feel smugness emanating from the man.

Eventually, approaching the altar, somewhat reluctantly Delmatius lets go of Irene and she proceeds to steadily climb upwards before reaching the same height as you.

>>5754444

“To all whom have gathered here today !” The priest loudly exclaims and his voice carries throughout most of the courtyard, lesser priests intermixed with the crowd shouting out his words so that everyone could hear them. “We witness a sacred promise made between these two people. Our majesty Manuel Angelus and the most esteemed daughter of House Ingerinus, Irene both this day promise to have no eyes for anyone but each other, to showcase devotion and to make a promise of eternal love and devotion. This day, of great days, it is my honour, as the speaker of Shepherd’s will, to proclaim the official engagement of these two peoples, may whatever tests God deems worthy be passed with ease by these two, and may they engage in holy matrimony in due time. So the Shepherd says !” He finally proclaims.

“So the Shepherd says.” Both you and Irene alongside the gathered crowd say.

A young child carries forth a small pillow upon which two silver rings are placed. Both studded with jewels. The ring you take and put on Irene’s finger is studded with emeralds and diamonds. The one she places upon your finger is studded with rubies and amethysts.

“The promise is made, may God watch over your souls and may you never stray from the righteous path !” Once again the priest proclaims and the crowd erupts into cheer. From your engagement of course, and from the fact that the servants are now bringing forth food for everyone to enjoy and the musicians had started to play their various tunes.

You raise your hand grasping Irene’s, the two silver rings alongside the jewels sparkle in the sunshine.

This is perhaps the happiest day you’ve ever had so far, and one where you can, for but a moment but your troubles away. Though you quickly notice that Irene is not smiling, and to be fair, neither are you. You have to look solemn and august no matter what, even now. But perhaps when you are married ?

Ah well, time to enjoy yourself in merriment for once !

-
(POV shift: You are Armentarius Theocritus.)

Your shield is rattled by a barrage of arrows, the screams of wounded horses and dying men ring around you.

“LOOSE !” You scream out moving the shield to the side, you had attached it to your own arm to allow you to use your arcus (recursive bow). As you loose arrows, screams come from the pushing Akeonians. You had started harassing the beginning of the Akeonian column, trying to disrupt it best you can to slow down the approaching force, buying as much time as you can whilst more and more of the local defenders rally towards Borakos. Though your pace of doing so is limited due to the fact that you can only really communicate through the holy knights, whose numbers currently stand at most three strong. With one with Mundus keeping an eye on the Akeonian fleet and their movement.

>>5754445

Still, you had bought a few hours, forcing the Akeonians to form up in order to repel you, they cannot spread out, lest you strike an isolated group. The only thing of concern threatening you would be around four dozen or so chevaliers, still upon their mighty warsteeds, but they had learnt of your tricks now and are not blindly charging forwards anymore to be pelted by arrows.

“Keep up the pressure ! Second group, move in !” You command as you and half of the tagmata withdraw, the horses struggle to move onwards being pushed so hard, but you have nothing to change them with as you approach a large pack of horses all of whom you had carry nought but arrows, arrows, and even more arrows.

Stopping for a moment, you simply throw away your empty quiver, you hand actually shakes, the muscles there strained to the point where you can feel pain every time you draw your arcus. But still, grabbing the new quivers as swiftly as you can, you give a few minutes of rest for your horses and men whilst the other half of your men continues to harass them.

As you breathe raggedly, you hear the scream of an eagle above you and watch as a griffin lands before you.

“Domestikos (domestic, commander).” An equally tired voice says.

“Knight.” You respond grabbing a flask and downing the remains of your water.

“I had done as ordered. Five villages are already burning, but Borakos’ garrison had swelled to numbers exceeding a thousand, perhaps approaching two, if you can hold the Akeonians longer, more can arrive.”

“I’m afraid that will have to do.” You respond watching the second group returning, men swaying from their horses due to the fact that they had been fighting non stop for more than a day. Night is already deep and the moon had long since risen to dominate the sky. Yet the Akeonians are pushing onwards, the endless beating of drums, the sound of horns and burning fires keeping the march organized and moving ahead despite the conditions. The damned Akeonians had learnt much from you when it comes to actually organizing an army.

“Topotērētēs (place-warden, lieutenant) !” You call out to the lead man. “How far till Borakos ?”

“At their pace, an hour perhaps.” The man tiredly responds.

“There you have it father, tell the garrison to be ready for the gates of hell will open soon. The final battle is before us. We win here, or we break. Tell them that.”

“I shall.” The man simply nods before taking off into the skies.

You stretch and grunt as you struggle to keep awake. “Tagmata (regiment/battalion) ! We ride again, to victory !” You spur the horse onwards, as you absentmindedly break the arrow shafts still stuck in your shield. This will take more time.

>>5754448

.
.
.
You ride alongside the Akeonians stubbornly fighting against you, struggling to throw up fortifications, as barebones as they are, against you and anyone else. Nothing more than sharpened spikes and ditches meant to keep your horses away.

Loosing arrows as you ride past, you do not give them an easy time. Enemy archers had formed large formations loosing volleys whenever you come close, meaning you have to ride hard and fast, only able to make swift and deadly, but short attacks. You had to split up your own attacking forces into much smaller groupings, but whenever you try to split up more, the damned chevaliers, as small as they are, ride out to meet your own kataphraktoi.

“Domestikos ! The Akeonians are throwing down dismantling their carts, it looks like they brough siege weapons !” One of your men exclaims watching as torches dance around the Akeonian camp.

“Not good. Send a signal to the defenders, tell them that they must sally and burn those weapons down before they are ready. We will try to coordinate a push from our own side.” You begin to quickly relay your orders as you yourself begin preparing for the upcoming struggle illuminated only by the stars and the moon.

You quickly begin gathering your men into a large wedge, as quickly as you can changing out the tired horses with other, slightly less tired ones. Soon enough, your men are as ready as they can be to fight in darkness. You do not know if you should feel blessed or cursed by the full moon allowing you to witness everything with as great detail as you can in these conditions.

Letting out a controlled breath. You watch as the large Akeonian force scrambles about, trying to ensure that none of their flanks are exposed and that no one will be able to rush in with ease and roll them over. Blocking troops are placed in a large circular formation. It will be a fight, quite a fight indeed.

With a loud crescendo of trumpets, the three gates of Borakos open up and a large force of the defenders rush out, threatening the Akeonians as best they can, rushing ahead towards the still being built camp aiming towards the siege weapons.

In coordination, you take out a small horn attached to your horse and loudly blow it, kicking your horse into full gallop. The rest of the over two hundred strong tagmata rush behind you in a single great formation.

“Prepare for arrows !” You shout out raising your shield, this time held in your hand. Soon enough your arm is rattled by a dozen arrows, splinters scatter about, bits and pieces entering your eyes as they tear up and you start to rapidly blink. Simple harassing, a literal trail of dead, had not dented the Akeonians overly much, but they are still rattled by the noise of your horses’ hooves as you begin to thunder down. Your kontos (oar, barge-pole) at the ready, you lower it, aiming straight for the centre of the unfinished camp and the scattered formations.

>>5754451

But suddenly, you hear the rattling of chains, something heavy swooshing in the air. You only have but a moment to react as you duck and hug your horse, the kontos shifts to the side painfully as it goes over your thighs. Soon enough, you hear screams of pain, confusion, and suffering behind you. As you look ahead, you watch the ballista that had launched the chain weapon being slowly, painfully reloaded. If nothing else, the damn thing takes a while to prepare. Unfortunately, as you turn back you watch as a large gap had formed in your formation. Dozens of dead as the chains ripped them off their horses, crushing their bones, breaking their chests, bending their armour, those whom didn’t die from that are knocked of their horses, the riders behind them crushing them underneath the hooves of their horses. The dead and the ball and chain behind them disrupts your formations and either sees other riders fall as their horses stumble or the formation breaks up as a whole.

“Reform ! Reform ! Keep going !” You shout at the top of your lungs, once again rising to your height, this time banking rightwards, abandoning your charge and instead taking your arcus and with great fury you unleash an arrow.

The arrow sails forth, cutting through the air as you had aimed it towards the man clearly coordinating the efforts of getting the ballista prepared yet again. Much to your annoyance, the person falls onto the ground behind the ballista, your arrow impacting it. With a curse, you nook another arrow and unleash it again. Unleashing the arrow yet again, you watch as it sails forth. Right into the throat of one of the men getting the ball and chain prepared, with their munition dropped, you had bought some more time.

As your riders scatter, beginning to unleash volley after volley you hear a thundering noise coming from the defenders, the noise of a retreat signal is sounded throughout, and worse of all, the noise of an attack echoes as well. Watching the main gate, you see as the defenders had been drawn out, and now their flank had been smashed into by the cavaliers, utterly breaking it as the Akeonian heavy infantry rushes forwards with the defenders running back behind the city walls in a desperate attempt to save their lives. Disturbingly of all, you can see an entire Akeonian formation had managed to break into the town proper, luckily, despite the panic, the defenders managed to close the gates. You can now only pray that the defenders will be able to destroy that formation that managed to get inside.

“Pull back !” You give the order as the other two assaults falter and are forced back. The Akeonians have the night. You and your men are far too tired. Now all you can do is watch what unfolds inside with bated breath.

>>5754454


The Akeonians continue with their preparations as you keep launching small raids, trying to draw as much attention as you can, and just as the sun shyly showcases itself over the horizon, your stomach sinks.

Brilliant scarlet and gold falls from the guardhouse, the silver dragon on black begins to flutter as the noises of battle had not died out throughout the entire night, the defenders having fought tooth and nail, yet still it had proven not enough as the gates are opened and the Akeonians surge ahead.

“Shit !” You cannot help but swear under these conditions. The garrison there will still buy time, perhaps even stop the Akeonians, but it will be bloody, and it will be costly.

“Domestikos.” One of your men calls out. “Enemy messengers.”

Turning your attention, you watch as upon a white horse sits a man in black armour and the winged helm with dragon wings coloured blue, alongside him stand two horsemen, bearing his black and silver banners.

“Well. That’s surprising. With me.” You order the nearest men to follow you as you ride ahead to meet the horsemen now abandoning their camp.

“Greetings, domestikos Armentarius.” From underneath the helm comes a rough voice. Reaching for the helmet and undoing the clasps, the man reveals his face. A strong looking jaw, short-cut red hair and emerald eyes greet you alongside an exceptionally pale complexion.

“Who are you ?”

A laugh rings out from the man. “Ah yes, I keep forgetting. I am Guillaume de La Mare, brother of the current king, though not legally I suppose, the only way I do not pose a threat to him you see.”

“I see.” You reply dryly.

“Now that we are good and familiar with each other. Let’s cut the crap. I am currently burning your town, so I am feeling generous.”

“And what do I have to thank this generosity for ?” You ask buying more time as you can, keeping the enemy leader away.

“The fact that this war’s fucked. On both ends. My fleets are gone, can’t deny that.”

“We had crushed you, yes.”

“HA ! You had crushed them by selling your souls to the merchants. Once they bite you in the ass, that will be an amusing sight.”

“Perhaps, but right now, you are trapped here.”

“I am. That’s why I want to make a deal.”

“I am not au-“

“Oh shut the fuck up.” He says gritting his teeth. “You are the only person fighting me with a modicum of competence, that is why I am giving this offer. Now listen well, and listen carefully. I cannot get off this isle, and I have a massive army on this isle, an army locked down governing the various lands around as for some reason, your people seem to hate me ! Funny isn’t it ?”

“Hilarious.”

>>5754457

“Indeed. Right, back to it. That’s why I cannot get my whole army here, now, if I am pushed into a corner, I might want to get that army, an army of ten thousand men, to bare down here.” A lie. You think back to the reports you had received, there is no way he would have so many men and not be able to crush you.

“You intend to burn these lands ?”

“That I do. Maybe I cannot win, but I can make damn sure that you don’t win.” A predatory grin spreads across the man’s face. “An isle worth nothing to all sides.”

“And why should I fall for your threats, I had already killed a thousand of your so great ten thousand just a day ago.”

“Oh, that.” A chuckle. “I have to thank you for dealing with the rabble. It spared me the effort of doing so.” You cannot read the expression on the man’s face besides vague amusement.

“What are you offering ?”

“Ah, finally, some sense. Now then, you will fuck off and let me leave the isle. As a show of good faith, I will abandon the assault here. You will not block any ships coming or going as we depart.”

“And how do I know you will not betray the deal ?”

“Because unlike most of you Thephians, I have honour. Honour that you had once denied that could have ended the war far, far sooner.” You grip your reigns more tightly at that remark.

“And what of your king ?”

“Oh, yes, him. Ah, well. He got what he wanted anyways. If you want more, storm his castle and hang his body from the battlements. I leave, you keep your precious isles, our monarchs bicker, the usual.”

>”Plough you and your monarch. The war goes on.”

>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”

>”Alright. You have my word, and I shall trust yours.”

>(Write in)

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>>5754460
Wait, he claims to just want to leave? Not claim the isle for Tedwin? Damn, that's a hard choice. We certainly don't have the ground forces left to kill them in good time, even if he doesn't have an army of ten thousand waiting in the wings. Yet this fellow is too clever a commander for me to happily let go. At the same time if there are no territorial concessions it's not so bad. If we're at all lucky he will use his war rep and the grievances of the losing faction to cause trouble for his brother.

Newb, would you mind updating these maps to show the distribution of Akeonian/Thephian/Contested holdings?

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>>5754485
The other

>>5754460
This is a tougher choice than before, Im leaning towards continuing the fight but Im willing to hear arguments against that choice. Letting them go without getting anything is the biggest problem. What are the strength of our forces and theirs? I think the fact that they're putting such an overly strong face belies a weakness, a desperate supply situation I believe.

>>5754460
Godly post again newbqm, never change

>>5754602
>Letting them go without getting anything is the biggest problem.
IF TRUE Which I doubt because this underhanded faggot has used every dishonorable tactic in the book what we would get is the island back in our hands while we still have naval supremacy.

>>5754627
I meant besides that. Though that makes me think, on what ships will they leave the isle on? Perhaps we could set a trap?

>>5754460
>Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way

Perhaps I misunderstand, but he's simply offering a truce in order for him and his forces to withdraw from this island right? Not an end to the war?

Let them withdraw I say, we still hold the waves regardless.

>>5754637
>he's simply offering a truce in order for him and his forces to withdraw from this island right? Not an end to the war?

That’s what I need clarification about too

If this offers an end to the war, with no territory leaving our hands, it’s a good deal.

A white peace for us here is a win. They’ve lost more men, wealth and ships than we have.

Plus, their knights will return home as despised losers - creating domestic tension.

>>5754460
>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”
This feels like a good deal. Too good of a deal even.

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>>5754637

>Perhaps I misunderstand, but he's simply offering a truce in order for him and his forces to withdraw from this island right? Not an end to the war?

He is negotiating on behalf of himself and his men. Should the deal be made, from what he claims, he will simply withdraw with what he has. No official peace treaty will be made, since neither party has the authority to do so.

>>5754485

Pic related. Mundus and the Tarrizan halberdiers have been working hard securing minor isles.

>>5754487

This one more or less remains unchanged, the bigger changes are on the smaller map. Which I will post in a min.

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>>5754943

in that case, since he is basically saying, hey let me and my men off this isle, and I wont burn it down to the ground. Which means we would need to allow dozens of enemy ships come to the islands to eneter and leave unmolested, carrying away thousands of enemy combats to just renew the war for another few months.

Alright, in that case here is my response bastard: >”Plough you and your monarch. The war goes on.”

>>5754961
Whoops, the greentext didnt show, my bad.

>”Plough you and your monarch. The war goes on.”

>>5754943
>>5754945
Based QM. God, that glow up on the archipelago situation is so pleasing. We're fucking back Thephianbros. The foreshadowing about the Tarrizians and Paterans does have me sweating though.

>>5754460
>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”
Personally I would like to confirm his boarding of a ship before then sending his whole convoy to the bottom of the sea. But a truce where they fuck off and let us reoccupy Borakos and maybe get some reinforcements from the mainland would be incredibly valuable.

So, how can they fuck us over if we agree to this? What comes to mind on my part is them concentrating their forces near a port, receiving pre-planned reinforcements from Akeonia (without interdiction because of the truce), and then relaunching the invasion.

>>5754961

Considering how cowardly this general was, why not give him one last gift? Let's agree to let them off the island and when half their forces are in the water and half on land the fleet will attack.

Hopefully we'll decapitate the army's leadership, enslaving the survivors who wouldn't be half the trouble without the general, plus more slaves for us.

And if the enemy general escapes he will have to burn the island with half an army. Will it be bloody to fight him like that? Yes. But will it guarantee more advantages when it comes to negotiating peace? Also yes.

>>5754460
Either
>”Plough you and your monarch. The war goes on.”
or
>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”(Set a trap with Mundus)

This is not a good deal. We have these soldiers trapped, letting them go for nothing besides control of the island is not worth it. I've yet to hear why so many anons think this is a good offer.

>>5755353
>I've yet to hear why so many anons think this is a good offer.

On this island we are on the ropes, it would appear. I highly doubt he has the amount of men that he claims to have, but we are running on empty.

>>5755353
We don't have the forces to kill them outright. We have maybe ~160 tagmata, 3 holy knights, just lost another 1000 or so themata troops, and have been bleeding manpower on Dyrea horrendously since Bylleira. They're spread out cross multiple cities/villages and just took another one in Borakos. We have no forthcoming reinforcements, as Manuel and the senatorial army are in the far east of the Empire.

The way I see it, this is undoubtedly a ploy because this commander has done every dishonorable thing possible to kill us. We can either carry on the war, which really just means holding out in Bylleira and Kasmareikia until the Akeonians (maybe) attrition themselves into nothing, or take the deal and try to set up a plan to beat whatever they're planning.

>>5754460
Difficult choice, the silver dragon is a dangerous foe and could use this opportunity for attack us.
On the other hand no more silver dragon.... for who knows how much time.

>>5755457
>>5755460
Yes, we don't have the forces. How does that justify letting them leave? If anything it gives credence to the naval trap idea.

Like I said, either attrition them on this god forsaken island or try to destroy them at sea.

>>5754968
The fuck us part, is him returning with resupplied, equipped and new troops. Reorganized too and with enough ships supporting him so that his army can land.

I am considering to ask him to leave here all their gains from raiding and pillage. They will need space for their men, and he gets what he asked : to leave.

>>5755575
I'll admit ignorance concerning how well an attempt at waiting for them to starve/catch diseases will go. Catching them at sea will depend on how quickly we can get in contact with Mundus.

>>5755575
>Yes, we don't have the forces. How does that justify letting them leave?

I do not believe that with our recent losses that we are combat capable any longer.

>>5754943

QM just out of curiosity, if ambushing this general at sea using our fleet was an option.

How long would it take for us to contact our ships? And does the island we're on have environment suitable for such a mission?

A place where our fleet could hide and stay at the minimum distance to ambush the enemy before they can react?

>>5756360
Personally I'm against the ambush idea, sure we should be poised to strike in case of treachery, but it just feels wrong to be betray our word if we give it. I expect it would affect diplomacy in the future at that.

>>5756360

>How long would it take for us to contact our ships? And does the island we're on have environment suitable for such a mission?

Very little time, a couple of hours at best due to the fact that you have the holy knights to swiftly relay messages and track the Akeonian fleet.

As for the terrain itself, once the Akeonians begin moving it will be open seas, though they will have to pass by a few smaller isles on their way back home.

Those would probably be your best bet, but the numbers of effective ambushers would be small and if they fail to hold the Akeonians initially for the rest of the fleet to show up, it is unlikely that they will fall for any further ambushes.

>>5756395

Got it, thanks for the info!

>>5754460

Considering the risk involved in the ambush I'd say it's best to stop with the meat grinder, for now.

>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”

>>5754965
I support this

>>5755648
>>5756396
Again, how does that justify letting them leave? That doesn't make sense.

>>5756555
It would not appear that we are going to be able to contest their presence with so many men lost, at this juncture we are poised to lose what gains we have made and what few men we have left.

If we had reinforcements inbound that would be one thing, but it doesn't appear to be the case.

Let them leave and we get the island back mostly intact while they are forced to operate from the sea, where we have supremacy.

>>5756614
Then we destroy them at sea. My problem is with letting them escape scot-free, we will have to deal with them one way or another. Better to do it now than when they come back.

>>5754460
>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”
>(Write in)
"Best you travel light then, leave behind your loot."

>>5756618
Ultimately, this war is over these islands, correct? Should we devastate this very large island and render it useless for decades to come will it have been worth attempting to ground down these stranded Akeonians? An attempt that may very well end in us actually losing what precious few professional forces we have left.

Were we allow them to fuck off, what threat are they then? We hold the upper hand on the seas, all these footmen and chevaliers have little bearing on future naval combat, so long as they are off the islands we hold the upper hand.

Perhaps terms might be discussed about leaving any loot, arms, or cashiering them to return home and not return to the war, but by all means let us get them off of this island and allow it to recuperate.

As to ambushing them, I feel that doing so would put us at a disadvantage diplomatically, even if it is not the Emperor himself agreeing to the terms.

Essentially, Armentarius and ourselves have every reason to feel personally affronted by this perfidious Akeonian, and they deserve no less than to be gutted like animals. Sadly, we must look at the bigger picture, we must do what is best for most.

>>5757831
All valid points except for:
>As to ambushing them, I feel that doing so would put us at a disadvantage diplomatically, even if it is not the Emperor himself agreeing to the terms.
Bullshit it would, they've shown themselves to be extremely deceitful in this war. Why would us doing the same to them result in any significant harm to us diplomatically? Lie by omission to get them off the island then destroy them at sea, they can still cause significant casualties in the future in an Akeonian naval counter attack so it is wiser to destroy them while they are still isolated.

>>5757849
Not necessarily specific to the Akeonians, but say the merchant republics for instance. A reputation earned is yours like it or not, true or not.

I'm not arguing that they deserve any less than wholesale slaughter, but the potential ramifications outweigh the benefits, to me.

Perhaps I am over thinking it, reading too far into possibilities.

Perhaps a compromise could be reached? Nevermind the loot, the army leaves their arms in the port that they depart, and perhaps a handful of highborns that can be ransomed remain in our custody to ensure that the Akeonians don't pull any tricks of their own. If they refuse to agree to such conditions, perhaps they are not asking in good faith.

>>5757860
Like the merchants are gonna care that we deceived the akeonians, remember the halberdiers? They're too focused on their feud and ventures to care so much about such a little thing.

Having them give up their arms, armour and loot sounds nice. I doubt they'll agree to any such deal however, they are perfidious akeonians like you said. I hope I don't get to say I told you so to all these anons voting to sincerely accept the deal when they pull something... again.

>>5757871
>Like the merchants are gonna care that we deceived the akeonians

Whether or not that they care doesn't matter, if they or another state or individual can use such a reputation as an excuse, or actually believe us to be not worthy of of word, that very well could be far more damning for us.

I am obviously not speaking of certainties, merely possibilities. I just don't think the juice is worth getting squirted in the eye in this instance.

>>5757873
Point is, I think you have tunnel vision. That risk is so incredibly minute in comparison to the risk posed by the army you want to let go.

>>5757849
I'm down for ambushing them at sea if we get the option to do it.

>>5757871
What exactly would be a vote to not trust them fully? I was under the impression it was the >”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.” option that implied we'd keep watch over them and make sure they don't try anything.

>>5757877
> I'm down for ambushing them at sea if we get the option to do it.
I hope we get a vote for it in POV switch to Mundus then. Nobody is supporting a naval ambush write-in

I also said accept the deal with sincerity not "trust them fully". Yeah you may be voting to watch over them but you're still letting them go.

>>5757876
>the risk posed by the army you want to let go.

I would still like to emphasize the lack of an ability to actually do anything about them. As best I can tell we don't actually have an army with which to combat them, we've gathered what fighting men we could to combat the the forces that have engaged us, and those forces appear to be in dire straights besides our ever diminishing Tagmata. If Guillaume even posses a quarter of the reserves he claims to have I don't think we can stop them burning down the island and then besieging whatever we have left.

What are we to do if it takes a year or more to get enough reinforcements to uproot them?

>>5757943
Desu if we can pull off a little trolling the watery depths can do what Armentarius could not

>>5757948
Perhaps so, I still think a negotiated withdrawal would be preferable.

>>5754460
>”Fine, but you will be watched every step of the way.”

>>5755353
>>5755575
>>5756395
May I present an alternate possibility?

This man is the bastard brother of the king and he suggested that he doesn't care if we kill the king. If we let him go... then say, the king dies with either no clear successor or a very young successor. Won't we potentially have a akeonian civil war if the bastard makes a play for the throne?
The akeonian army/fleet is fucked and he has a intact force of veteran survivors to fight whatever is left back home. This could benefit us.

>>5767096
Fun as this would be, we do not have trained spies/assassins in our service. Remember when we tried burning the akeonian fleet with some of our scholae?
This was one of the projects we discussed at large but decided to prioritize civil works and navy so we could have the budget later on.
Maybe Irene can take a look into it after we are married.
Really hoping we can get to that soon desu, an heir could be like an extra life for us, speaking in game terms about our lineage.

>>5767096
Don't take his words for granted, he has lied before and he is not having a good time here.
The army here is a surplus of noble newcomers in Akeonia that joined after arriving from the west for gain lands for themselves. Tedwyn is a calculative and cruel ruler, he might have already thought about a possible defeat. He already dealt with his nobles before. He could do that again. He has also no small number of spies, informants and assassins.
His survival will never benefit us, neither will be the survival of this men. The fact they are alive is a big military detriment. Their experience can be all passed on, and they didn't lose their lands. Unfortunately is very difficult to finish them for Armentarius in his current status, and we lack in noble hostages for make any kind of peace in our favor.
Minimum we should ask is for them to give up their loot.

>>5767127
I am fine with assistance but not do our job in ruling, we will look at it when there is available cash. Deciding our spymaster, how to shape and train his recruits and deciding how many are we going to take is an important decision.

Hey anons. Got 2k words already as I am slowly chipping away at the update due to being tired and sleepy all the time. Will aim for around 10k words and will probably make a new thread when I can.

>>5767356
Wonderful, thanks for the update newb

>>5767356
Good work newb, been really enjoying lurking in this quest. Too quality stuff

>>5767356
Excellent work has always Newb, thanks for the effort

>>5767356
HE LIVES

>>5767356
You never disappoint newbqm.

>>5767356
Thank you newb, you the best.

Also somebody should probably archive the thread.

Uhmm yeah
Fucking akeonians