(1876-02-01) The Battle For Rykers, Part 4
The Battle For Rykers, Part 4
Summary: The Legio XIII begins the true battle for Rykers, and meet something they did not expect.
Date: 2020-02-01
Related: All the Battle for Rykers logs.
NPCs: Tavat, Powerful Man, Teleko (cameos), An Armored Knight.
Players:
Alia  Darius  Ludovic  Ramius  

The battlegrounds before Rykers.
Snow, snow, and more snow. Also mud and blood.
1876-02-01

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It had come to this. The forces of the Imperial Colonies of the West had conducted strikes where the Praetor had directed. Forcing flanking forces back, and spreading the enemy thin and thus making them easier to take down. The whole plan centered around a blizzard. They happen here in the northern regions near the mountains and they can last for weeks. As such, Darius Firebrand of the Legio XIII had waited until such a time as he suspected that the current Blizzard would be a large one.

He hadn't known it would be as bad as it was, but he wasn't going to waste it.

This time leaving the Paras Legion behind, which he had primarily used in the earlier attacks, he marched the Legio XIII to the front and launched this, the final attack against Rykers. However whomever was in command of the Quatunax hadn't been idle. They marched a tremendously large force out to face the Legion. Thousands of slaves and a large number of warriors formed up supported by the Quatunax's own Cavalry forces on each flank. The Legion finds itself easily outnumbered considerably, but far more armored.

Except for the Warriors, the Legion is also far more trained. Though if you were to ask Darius, he'd say the Legion is better trained than even he Quatunax's warriors.

In the distance, the walls of Rykers stand, still somehow whole and intimidating. A man stands on the walls an smiles. He's hated in the West. Blamed, and rightly so for the West War and the Church's current chaos. To be fair, he isn't even a man. He hasn't been for thousands of years. Next to him is a man in Red. "The plan hinges on mauling them at the least. Don't forget whom you serve Vampire."

The ancient creature turns and reaches out to rip the Man in Red's throat but he merely chuckles holding up a black prism. With his other hand he offers a far more colorful Prism. "Use my Knight. See he returns whole." He speaks over his shoulder. "Betrayer. You now serve my Lieutenant. Let's see how the Legion fares against you."

A man in head to toe armor, all of it Dark Grey kneels and closes his visor. "I will get free Michael. When that day comes I will kill you."

The man in red laughs. "Maybe! But it won't be today. See them defeated or mauled. I don't care which. If you are threatened YOU are to fall back and give command to Tavat. I need you …. Elsewhere. Soon."

The man makes a fist, the leather creaking. "As you command. My Master."

The Vampire sneers as he takes the prism. "Go Betrayer. Let's see if you can give my forces another Mathis, or perhaps a battle of the Salt."

The man in the Armor stands and then walks to the army giving commands as he goes. A slave translates quickly, and the Army adopts ….

To Ramius, a man of Strategy and tactics, it's a Galenthian Formation. The lines neat and ready with forces held in reserve or in depth. The Cavalry forms up in loose wedges and instead of the usual assortment of weapons, which they still have, every one of them has long spears and even shields. The slaves, though still in loose groups are actually placed …. more dense, and i their own columns to support a charge or to be charged through for effect.

Darius narrows his eyes over the swirling snow. "This is …. New." He says. But he shakes his head. "No matter." He raises Judgement. "THE LEGION WILL ADVANCE AT A WALK! SHIELDS AT THE READY! CROSSBOWS FIRE AT WILL!"

-

Alia sat upon River, a hand settled in the horse's mane, looking out across what she could see of the battlefield, which was little and less in the blizzard. She would need to rely on the horns and shouted positions to know where to strike. She watched the advancing Qatunax forces, a frown of concentration on her face as she glanced back to her sorcerers. "We eliminate the ranged formations first. They do not take one more of our men. Not one."

-

Ludovic peers out across at the opposing forces with a similar sense of unease but in his case its the loose feeling that something has changed with the added feeling that its somehow familiar. Somehow. Ah well. Not his problem. There are better generals than him on this field but nobody else who can lead a heavy cavalry wedge quite as well as he can. His form is clad in the full plate of the west, his helmet topped with a pair of vicious backswept horns, his horse clad in chain and bright cloth and his kite shield all freshly painted. If anyone has a grudge against him here today he's not exactly going to be hard to find. Assuming visibility allows in this blizzard. Rarely, given the fact its a full battle, he's actually brought his armored elementi with him and right now in these moments leading up to action where Ludovic's making crude jokes and making nearly impossible boasts the dog just sits by the great sand coloured horse and waits.

-

"Now."

This is the word that begins the battle in full. Suddenly arrows fly, and where the strike flowers of fire ignite in a rippling wave on the lines of the Imperials. Snow is thrown in every direction from the minute explosions and shields either hold, or are fragmented adding their own hell to the damage sent spiraling into the chaos. But worse yet, after that volley, comes another. This from far in the back field as catapults begin to rain on the front lines of the Imperial Legion. They boom on impact and splinter into a thousand pieces. Carrobalistas, not something normally used by the Quatuna … ever …. Explode into the ranges, ripping through me and then busting with their own Parthian created fire.

At the same time, through the snows come the Slaves. Thousands of them scream as they close the distance and then leap the recently struck lines. The enemy Cavalry holds somewhere in that blizzard.

For Alia she can sense it. The probing forces searching for her and her Sorcerer's. Before suddenly Sorcery erupts around her. The Pink energies of non elemental magics erupting in bursts of power. The ground shakes, thee snow flashes harder.

Darius blinks. "The fuck … ?" Then shakes his head. "LEGION! COUNTER CHARGE! DRIVE THE FUCKERS BACK!" He hefts his shield. "FOR THE EMPIRE! FOR THE ONE!" Then he and his personal guard surge forward with the press of his Cohorts, and those of the Right Flank.

-

For reasons related to diplomacy (a term that Ramius might be getting somewhat mixed up with 'mercenary services'), the Zmeyarch of Gendiel has yet again decided to make an appearance. This time, however, he seems to have found himself in charge of a pair of centuries right from the start. Something about being a regionally famous commander in arms seems to have rubbed the firebrand the right way. Ramius spends a few minutes scanning the battlefield, sizing up his opponents, only to find…

Something… familiar about the way that they're arrayed.

"Those formations… are Galenthian? Did they decide to adopt a different strategy now of all times? He taps his chin thoughtfully before sending a message along toward his lieutenants. The order might seem unusual, to maintain the current formations until, at Ramius' word, they would smash right into the very tips of those wedges like the unexpected barbarian warband that they technically are.

And then all hell breaks loose.

"Alright, something is /very/ definitely not right here," Ramius murmurs as a blast of chaotic energies erupts uncomfortably close-by. And yet the Zmeyarch's expression remains calm, unusually measured, and perhaps most worryingly, curious.

"Advance the columns," Ramius orders. "Break through their ranks and take out that artillery. The sooner we can shatter their support, the sooner we can relieve our fellows in the field."

-

Alia shivered. She could feel that awareness of magic, that feeling of the incoming onslaught of chaos. All of her sorcerers could, and she called out, "Protect yourselves, feel where it intends to land." It was not a thing to be seen, but a thing to be sensed in that place that was not the soul, not really, but very close. And as the chaos rained down, the sorcerers summoned their own chaos, sending a wave back towards those that would attack them.

-

Ludovic watches the slaves swarm forward for just long enough to make sure that they are going to break on the wall of infantry before gesturing for the cavalry to move out with him. They ride at an easy lope, taking care to preserve the horses endurance, around the flanks of the slaves, trying to avoid getting tangled up in that fight, whilst Ludovic looks for the right place to send in the hammer. "Can you see the enemy cavalry?" he murmurs to one of his knights as he tries to squint through the snow.

-

Something about the situation is just… Not sitting well. The enemy formations are familiar. Too familiar. It's almost as if… As if…

Ramius' eyes widen suddenly. Realization burns in the pit of his gut. "No," he breathes. "Damnit, get me a runner! The FASTEST runner! Send Ludovic a message. This formation is identical to the one Gauvain used to tear apart al'Callenta. The enemy commander has a massive cavalry force in reserve, and we've just about meandered right into their damn trap. Ludovic's forces are to sally to cover our rear and brace for a cavalry charge. Second fastest runner, inform the Firebrand of the situation. His rear echelons must prepare in case Ludovic's defense falters. The rest of you, we need to have broken through this formation /yesterday!/ We cannot afford to be hammered against this anvil!"

Ramius curses under his breath as he surges forward to lend his own might to the front. He only hopes he's not too late…!

-

The lines clash. Crossbows return fire as they two sides slam into each other, and Infantry commits to killing the teaming tide of slaves. The man leading the Quatunax per his master's orders frowns. It's just like it was all those years ago. "Aequorans never learn eh Viscount d'Korbina? You may be Imperial now, but you are Aequoran by blood and fucking easy to trick." He says spying the man despite the blizzard. He nods to a messenger who fires an arrow that explodes green in the sky. What it means beyond pretty colors is anybody's guess.

The Runner rushes with Ramius' message, a swift riding horse surging through the battlefield, he thunders up IN FRONT of Ludovic and waves his hands. "SENATOR! Stop! Message from his Majesty Ramius al'Arran!" He spits the information out quickly. Then rears hsi mount, to run to inform Darius.

Darius kills a man in front of him. It's brutal, and quick with the Sidhe Steel. "Hold the line! We need to push these damn Slaves back and then hit their Warriors!" He nods once and levels Judgement. "FOR THE EMPIRE!"

The men each scream their own battle cries and press the attack forward.

-

"You heard him." Ludovic spits out even as he turns his warhorse and starts back for the rear lines. "Prepare to meet a cavalry charge." he declares to the nearest knights, trusting them to pass it along, "We're to protect the rear."

-

Alia called to her sorcerers, the cadre stepping up to the line, more mentally than physically, as they cast into the void, drawing on the power of chaos, which they sent out against their enemies. It was a clash of wills and raw power, and a few of the sorcerers staggered back, gasping for air as the force of the blow hit them with the force of a hammer. But they were not down yet.

-

The Cavalry that Ramius suspected proves true just as Ludovic comes around the fighting to the back lines an large light Cavalry unit is thundering for the Artillery, who is …. Blind to the oncoming Threat. The Cavalry commander knows his role though and bellows an order and thanks to Ramius's warning, Ludovic's unit slams into them. The two forces quickly beginning to mix it up.

The man in the armor frowns. "Huh. I guess pompous asses can learn new tricks." He raises a hand. "Send in the main Cavalry units. Smash them. He smiles. Warriors. Engage the center line. That's where the Princeps is I bet." He hates what he's doing. But he can't help the excitement as the smile shows. Because he is a son of War, and despite being forced on the wrong side for the second time in his life, he can't help but enjoy the thrill.

Darius nods once as the slaves break and run. "FORWARD!" He cries. Then he's informed of the Cavalry surprise by the Messenger. He curses softly. "Hold position then. Let them come to us or we'll be surrounded."

Pink energy washes over the Sorcerers as the two sides duel each other with magics fitted for the weather. Chaos swarms and clashes ans this time, lashes at Alia and her auxillia. Bursting the ground in blasts of pink energy that melt or dissolve anything they touch. Bleaching bones and stripping armor in an instant.

-

It may be a blessing in disguise that Ramius had not been able to bring a detachment of his own troops to the Qatunaxi front. The enemy is concentrating the majority of its forces in the center of the battlefield, apparently unaware of the threat lurking in the wings.

"Forward!" Ramius roars, seeming every bit like some kind of berserker from far beyond the northern border in every way that matters except the distinct conservation of mental faculties and a notable lack of warp-spasmed physique. "We have no time for this dross! Slay them! All of them! When they turn and run, plough through! Momentum is our one and only advantage, we must press it as best we can, for as long as we can!"

The left-hand flank leaves behind a bloody swath of slain slaves in its wake, the carefully crafted wedge-formations shattered beneath a tide of centurions led by a king of dragons. If he can stir chaos in the enemy commander's well-laid strategy… Then perhaps they would have a chance…!

-

Ludovic drives his warhorse into a charge when the incoming cavalry appears out of the snow. There's a great chaos of men and horses through which Ludovic powers with his glass-like warhammer in one hand and shield in the other. His massive horse physically shoulders one animal out of the way whilst Faith tries to protect his masters side with limited effectiveness. Right now a big dog just isn't that useful and one of the charging animals clips him with a hoof as it plows into the ranks.

-

Alia was pushing herself. She knew she was, but she had not survived this long by playing to her weakness, or even admitting to it. Even if she did end up needing to carried from nearly every battle. And so, she ignored the shards of pain that exploded within her, that threatened to still her hands and break her control of her chaos. And as chaos began o rain down, she growled, a single word, "No." And she pushed, reaching out with everything she had to cast aside the pink energy that was trying to bombard the line of sorcerers, the force with which she dismissed it sizzling on the air and charging the snow with the glimmers of light like fireflies.

-

As a Cavalry battle rages in the Support line, the enemy Cavalry pushes forward along with the Warriors. Ramius finds his cohorts charged by an equal number of Quatunax Cavalry. Driving into them with a yell and whoops. Darius on the other hand finds a well organized battle line slamming into his own. The warriors fighting as they usually do but in formations instead of the hordes that they normally prefer. Darius grits his teeth. "The bastards are learning." He says. "Hold the lines!!"

While the other cohorts on the right flank are pinned down, the enemy Cavalry on the RIGHT thunders past. Some giving rude gestures as they go. They also end up in the support line and while they haven't yet, it is clear they are preparing to charge the Legion's Sorcerer's and Artillery…..

A man. Well. Not even a mortal. Stands on a hill watching the fight. He looks to Rykers where he knows an ancient creature sits. He sighs dramatically. "I did say we'd help. I don't know if it will help them at all." He shrugs. "Oh well. It'll give that girl a bit more to work with." He gestures with a hand and the Blizzard ….

Around Alia and the Sorcerers who are beginning to panic, indeed all around the battlefield the snow just stops. The blizzard just abruptly ends as if a God simply turned off a switch. Though snow is still on the ground, the Fire Sorcerers on the field can feel a warmth spread through them as the sun rips through the clouds and sends golden light onto the battlefield.

-

The thunder of hoofbeats roll into the larboard flank. The Qatunax may have been expecting a weathered, injured force. What they find, however, is the angry roar of a man who has seen and killed too damn many horses in the course of his relatively short life. "They call THIS a cavalry charge!?" Ramius bellows at the stormcloud of snow rumbling in his direction. "I killed the Son of Horse! The tribe of the horse was broken before me! This is no CAVALRY CHARGE! Let us show them what proper form looks like! Front line, with me! Rear guard, try to keep up! Pikes at the ready!"

Ramius rushes forward into the first crush of horsemen. His black blade scythes forward, cleaving the legs off a trio of Qatunax steeds. "CHAAAAAARGE!"

The Qatunax cavalry expected to charge.

The blood coating the sunkissed snow indicates that they were clearly not expecting to BE charged.

-

Ludovic continues to force his way through the lighter cavalry, looking for an officer or anyone who might be able to put up a proper fight. He finds someone in the end; a Qatunax armed with dual weapons, and roaring a challenge rides to meet him. Its a rough engagement, where Ludovic's armor takes a nasty strike from one blade whilst his horse takes another. Blood blooms on the warhorses shoulder and the animal rears, needing soothing back into its role, before the battle can continue. Faith meanwhile tries to get in close and strike at the warrior but ends up taking a pair of savage blows that leave him whining and slinking belly low to the snow nearby. Ludovic looks over with a scowl, lifting his shield to block another weapon strike and demanding "Faith. Find Alia."

-

Alia did not even bother to stifle the sob that was half relief, half amazement, as she felt the storm simply…stop, and the sun break over her skin. She did not even mind the feeling of the snow that had gathered on her armor melting under the sudden heat as she let go that thread of chaos and summoned the power that had laid dormant within her, the sudden charge of heat in the still cool air rumbling like thunder as the skies opened and fire rained down on the enemy sorcerers exploding in balls of flame and wicked heat.

-

The Cohorts on the right press forward but the enemy slaves are still not broken. They cling on despite tremendous losses and the heavily armored legion holding the line. The flanking cavalry suddenly puts boots to flanks and Alia's Sorcerers stare in horror as the enemy charges them on Horseback, intent on riding them down. Alia can feel the ground shakes as the horses pound into the ice and snow and close the distance, the sun making it …. A little clearer to see the death fast approaching.

Darius looks up as the sun clears and curses. That isn't good. But nor is the enemy unit slamming into his. For the first time today the Imperial troops are forced to take steps back as the warriors leap and slash and slam and hammer into the Imperial lines. Darius rushes forward and puts his shield with the others. "NO ONE LEAVES THIS LINE UNLESS THEY ARE ON THEIR DAMN SHIELD! FIGHT! BACK!" Men roar their defiance in answer.

The man in the dark grey armor strides forward. A sidhe steel longsword in his hand as he surveys the battle. He's loosing at points. But winning at others. The battle is too early to call. He smiles as the Imperial troops before him are smashed by the weight of his own. "Give the order. No prisoners. Only bodies. As … Our … Master orders." He closes his eyes and whispers, "One forgive me."

Indeed where Ramius counter charged and smashed into the charging Cavalry, there are only bodies. Men screaming and horses without riders. The Imperial troops press the attack, but the enemy Cavalry doesn't surrender, wheeling and slashing at the Imperials once again. Trying to drive them into the snow, or at least away.

Where Ludovic fights the Champion on horseback snarls at the man. No words as spoken other than grunts as he slashes with twin war clubs. Trying his best to batter the man off his horse. He connects, but they don't break armor or the man beneath, but a swing slams into the Elementi knocking the beast side. He circles Ludovice, mounted and then comes in again, weapons swinging hard.

-

Ludovic doesn't have time to do more for Faith than try and get him out of the chaos of wheeling horses. This is why he doesn't take Faith into battle with him and probably never will again. Another glance to check the hound isn't being trampled to death and then he puts his attention back into the fight. He wheels his horse, using the animals greater mass to gain him position and the threat of a nasty bite to gain him opportunities. Then its all about the interplay of shield and enchanted warhammer against paired clubs. The combat goes on for what feels like forever. Animals circling. Weapons and armor clanging. Ludovic swearing and half regretting the suffocation of his helm whenever its not saving him from losing his brains. Slowly the d'Korbina seems to be wearing down the opposing champion. But its a slow and hard won thing. The elementi isn't fighting anymore. Smart enough to know when to follow orders.

-

Alia, already struggling to contain the chaos that rained within her, pushed too far, drew too much, as she caught sight of the cavalry that was trying to charge down on her position. And just like that, her control broke, flames exploding around her body as she tumbled from River's back, the horse bucking and screaming as it sought to free itself from its rider, dancing off and away as Alia tumbled to the ground, unconscious, but blasting fire in waves that roiled and billowed around her.

-

There is nothing on the larboard side of the battlefield but a maelstrom of blood and violence. Ramius roars as he dives through the chaos of the broken cavalry charge, his black blade painted red in the fluids and viscera of man and beast alike. "Keep pushing," Ramius yells at the soldiers at his side, "We've nearly broken them! Tarris' trickery might be enough to stifle an al'Callenta, but I am not an al'Callenta!"

"A horse is nothing but a platform with legs," Ramius declares as he cleaves a man off his steed. "The man atop is as mortal as any other!"

-

The man leading the fight frowns. Battles are so fickle. If he had his house troops, with his training and no translator he's positive this would have gone differently. As it was, his first loss. He smirks. "At least it was while serving that fucker." He says. He nods once. "This is over. Signal the retreat."

A warrior stalks to him. "Retreat? Coward! I am Tavat. I will defend the God … "

The man snarls and grabs Tavat. "Defend you shitty god from the Walls. That's where they go next. Then the Keep. Want Taleko to stay alive? Fight there. We blooded then, which was all I was ordered by MY Master to do. You want your god to survive the Imperials then fall back you Godless Savage."

Tavat snarls but steps back. He nods. "Signal the retreat."

Horns sound and the Cavalry wheels and rushes back for Rykers, while the infantry begins to fall back. Darius pants, covered in blood, thankfully not his, and nods once. "HOLD! The Legion will HOLD!" He grabs a soldier. "Get me details on the other Cohorts. Now." He then turns and walks. Carefully walks. Because he can't be seen running as much as he wants to.

He walks to Alia. He could feel her magical release. And finding her isn't hard. He kneels in the slush close to the heat. He can control some of it. He reaches out a hand and begins to siphon some of the heat into the sky. To try and cool her faster. Just so he can check her. He speaks while he does this. "Have Senator d'Korbina and the Gendial Zymarch brought to me please." He says to the nearest Sorcerer. "And get the mEdicos. You got hit hard."

-

Alia, alas, did not see the retreat, nor feel Darius' approach. She remained on the ground, the fire only slowly leaving her. Her armor was smoked and charred, for she had not saved any of the fireproofing lacquer nor even its lesser cousin for herself. But, if it were any consolation, perhaps she would awake to see she had not burned off her eyebrows.

-

Ludovic gives a salute of sorts to his opponent as the qatunax warrior chooses to retreat with his men and takes a rare moment to work out what is actually going on, if they are in danger, if they are going to pursue, and finally how much of his anger actually belongs to him. That bit of processing done he jumps down from his horse and goes to get his dog. He's there, crouched in the muck, talking to the animal as he pulls bandages about his worse wounds when the latest orders from the princeps come in. A tired nod and he heads back to his saddle to obey.
He dismounts at the edge of the sorcerers unit and its accompanying carnage, leaving his horse in the care of a random auxillia and moves to Darius' position. His gaze goes to Alia. "That felt close."

-

The wholesale slaughter of horsemen and their steeds comes an abrupt and premature end as the retreat horns blow across the battlefield. "What?" Ramius asks the sky as he puts his sword through another horse. "Retreat? Damnit, we were so close to routing them…!"

But it is what it is. Ramius sighs and orders one last volley of missiles to slaughter what chaff remained before making his way toward where the Praetor waits.

"More than close," Ramius spits. "Those tactics were Tarris'. I don't know where they found a general who could replicate them so closely, but it was like fighting a damn textbook. We're lucky that the losses were in our favor this time, but you'll need to break their fortifications next."

"For the record," the Zmeyarch shrugs, "Casualties on the left flank were relatively minimal. We almost tore their cavalry to shreds, but the survivors managed to turn and run at the last. Otherwise, it went better than our foe expected."

-

Opening his eye, Darius stands and nods to Ludovic. "It was. Far closer than I would expect given the circumstances. The Thirteenth knows how to fight them - " Which is when Ramius speaks. Darius rubs the back of his neck. "Tarris? As in House Tarris? Why would they use a Galenthian Battle Strategy? How would they KNOW a Galenthian Battle Strategy?" He shakes his head.

He takes a deep breath and gestures to Ramius. "It looks like we owe our victory to you then your Majesty. If you hadn't seen that trap I think we'd be in a much worse way." He nods once. "You have the Empire's thanks, and mine." He looks to Alia. Still … Glowing. "See to your men. Both of you. We're in a siege now, but I intend as His Majesty suggests to break their fortifications after we rest for a day. Perhaps two."

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