TEATRC tribute & universe expansion

Shiri Malik Fields year 1490, a Lion Throne Army meets a Khergit Army

Daman has lost count of how many cavalry charges they received already. The Khergit lancers just keep on coming. As Brigadier Chaplain, it is Daman’s job to keep the faith and fervor of his brothers strong, within battle or not. He knows his litanies and prayers are barely audible amidst the noise of charging cavalry and death cries of his fellow brigadiers, but nevertheless he goes on, knowing that it still gives strength to those near to him, which for now consists of young and fresh brigadiers.
“Stand strong young ones! Filaharn is watching us. Show how worthy you are of being his soldiers on earth!” Daman’s litany continues.
Around the Chaplain stands a knot of brigadiers encircling him, forming a solid orb of steel. Those not quick enough to join them were slaughtered by Khergit lancers. A Khergit horse archer was unlucky enough to ride too close to the schiltron formation, two brigadiers latched on to the khergit, one brigadier was knocked aside by the horse, while the other managed to pull the rider down and stab him to death. Daman helped the other downed brigadier up. The brigadier looked up with gratification, when he saw the chaplain surprise showed in his eyes.
“Daman?” the brigadier quickly forgot his manners and lowered his head and corrected himself, “err Brother Chaplain..Thank you”
Daman was surprised also when he recognized the brigadier, although he could not acknowledge him because he was still reciting the 3rd Prayer of Protection. But he recognizes him, despite his face being covered by his helmet. There is no mistaking those eyes and that voice, he remembers him as Zalera, a young man he once trained with three years ago. There was no time for formalities though as another squadron of lancers charge for them.
Zalera returned his attention outwards, and was just in time to block an arrow. Around the small orb of brigadiers, are bodies littered of dead or wounded brigadiers, mounts and mostly dead khergits. While Brigadiers have enough discipline to stand strong against cavalry charges and form specialized formations to negate charging lances, it could only serve them for so long. Zalera longed for the support of at least some their new ellisian allies or the famed Numudian Spearmen, but the latter is leagues aways from them, while the former is preoccupied by their old enemies, the Long Guo on the right flank of the papal forces. Repeated Cavalry charges have reduced the solid brigadier maniples into disorganized groups. The Brigade tactics against this is to form orbs or schiltrons to hold the front line while half of the force fell back and reformed a second line. This second line would then counter charge cavalry forces that are preoccupied by the confusing schiltrons of the first line. Only the brigadiers have enough discipline to do such maneuvers even without much instruction by commanders. So far, Zalera had counted over three counter charges made by the brigadiers, but the numberless horde of Khergit cavalry just keep on coming reducing the brigadier lines to schiltrons once more.
“Long day isn’t it?” said the brigadier beside Zalera.
“Aye Athan, these heathens just keep on coming”
The battle has continued all morning, the dead littered the ground, which in a way helped the brigadiers since it disrupted the cavalry charges to some extent. But the sight of many dead brigadiers was appalling.

“We should have marched further forward and trap these cowards back to the mountains.” Suggested Zalera to no one in particular. He was getting restless of holding.
“Patience boy, we’ll get our turn.” Replied Athan, “besides, if we push forward we’ll get surrounded by the enemy. You can’t expect the Ellisians or the Gunther boys to catch up with us do you?”
“So? What’s wrong with being surrounded?” quipped Zalera.
Athan chuckled, as well as other nearby brigadiers who heard him.

Behind them, a war horn sounded, followed by the brigade’s war-cry. “Filaharn Vult!”
The second line has made their counter charge. The Khergits however, after repeated charges have learned, and by the time the reinforcements arrived, most of the khergit skirmishers have galloped back to their lines. In their place another horde of Heavy lancers are charging in. The brigadiers were still disorganized after being refused a chance of retribution when the khergit skirmishers fled.

Daman’s eyes grew in fear as he knew that the entire brigadier line was unprepared for the incoming charge this time. He quickly stopped his oration prayer and barked out an order: “Form impact array! Now! Now! NOW!”
Zalera could barely hear the chaplain’s words amidst the chinking of khergit lamellar armour and the thunder of their stedde’s hooves, but he managed to understand the order. He and the other brigadiers in the schiltron tried their best, but they were too slow.

The first of the Heavy Lancers connected with the disorganized ranks of brigadiers. The momentum of the charge giving the lances enough power to impale the mighty brigadier armor.. Zalera managed to parry an incoming lance with his shield, but the momentum of the rider knocked Zalera, hitting the ground with force.

Zalera was dazed, but was not out of action. He tried standing up, but before he could even move his arm, a horse trampled his back. Zalera screamed in pain as his body dug deeper to the ground. He looked up and immediately saw a dead brigadier staring right at his face. Zalera quickly tried to stand up, fueled by a need to exact retribution to the enemy. This time, no horse trampled him, and he succeded standing up. There were riders everywhere, and too few brigadiers for comfort. A lancer was heading straight for Zalera. He quickly responded by expertly cutting the front leg of the warhorse. Wielding his broadsword two handed, he managed to slice open a considerable gash in the mounts leg. Zalera reeled back from the impact of fighting an incoming momentum, but he has done his job. The wound on the leg was enough to cripple the warhorse, bringing the lancer down. Before the Khergit could stand up, Zalera was already behind him, revenge on his eyes.
“Die heathen!” shouted Zalera before bringing the killing stroke.

Further to his back, Zalera saw Chaplain Daman fighting with three Khergits, two dismounted, and one still mounted. Even when fighting outnumbered, the Chaplain was still shouting litanies.
“Without Filaharn, we are nothing” Daman blocked a sword with his shield.
“Without him, our blades be dull” A sword managed to penetrate Daman’s defense and connect with his armor, but before it could even penetrate, Daman managed to swing his body to make it a glancing blow.
“Without him, our armor be dust” Daman retaliated with his mace, with righteous fury and speed, cracking the helmet and cranium of one of his assailants.
“He is our shie…” before Daman could finish his phrase, the mounted Khergit swung at Daman’s helmet. The force of the swing removed Daman’s barbutte and peeled of some skin on his forehead.
“You talk too much.” retorted the mounted khergit.
The dismounted Khergit tried to strike at Daman, but Zalera came to the rescue, shield bashing the aggressor from behind. Daman on the other hand fumed with rage after being interrupted, took hold of the mounted khergit’s leg and pulled with all his might. Taken off guard, the Khergit fell from the saddle. Zalera and Daman finished off both their enemies with satisfaction. Zalera turned to the Chaplain. Daman’s forehead was a bloody mess, some skin still dangling on his scalp, while blood continuously streamed down on his face. What’s more morbid, is that all around the battlefield that surrounded them, was utter chaos, filled with dieing brigadiers. And for the first time since he first laid foot on a battlefield, Zalera felt grief, a lot of grief. He realized that no amount of infinite determination endemic to that of the brigadiers of the cross could win this battle.
“Chaplain, what are we to do?” asked Zalera with a weakened tone.
Despite maintaining his strong posture, it was clear from Daman’s face that he was weakening. Daman noticed the look in Zalera’s eyes, a look that he knew too well.
Without answering, the Chaplain straightened his stance and tried to stand tall amongst the battlefield. His guidance is needed now more than ever.

The Khergit Lancers have fallen back for now, leaving the battered brigade few moments to breath. The scene was horrible. Hundreds, thousands of brigadiers lay in the ground dead and dieing. It was clear that the Brigade was nearly depleted, as the second and first ranks merged. Zalera could not find anyone from his original unit, except Athan whom he found still breathing under a corpse of a warhorse. Zalera and two other brigadiers helped Athan out. Zalera helped Athan stand up, both were silent. Both fearing to break the grim silence and admit a horrible truth, and from the looks of other surrounding brigadiers, they were not alone with that thought. But what could they do? Thoughts of desertion were erased from a brigadier’s mind the day he gets inducted to his unit. Without the order to retreat, they will stand to the death if they have to. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that brigadiers are happy about it.

From the distance, the enemy seems to be reorganizing their lancers once more. The brigadier line, without even waiting for orders formed a line once more, was thinner than usual. Everything was quite in this area.. The continuous pounding of Gunther-Piedmont small arms and artillery fire could be heard from the left flank, while the continued battle cries of their ellisian allies could be heard from their right.. But in the center an eerie silence is discernible as the Brigadiers of the Radiant Cross prepared to steel themselves to what could be their final stand.

Daman was weakening now, Zalera noticed, his walk becoming more akin to a drunk attempting to walk straight. The Chaplain stood in front of the line. Daman looked at the thin line of steel. All he could give now was a reassuring glare to his brothers. Speechless or conserving his last ounces of strength, Zalera could never tell. But nevertheless, the tenacity of the chaplain was a little reassuring.. Face entirely covered in blood. His well polished brigadier armor stained with blood. His are eyes weak but at the same time strong. His rosary dangling on his neck, seemingly untarnished of any blood, seems to shine like a beacon whenever it touches sunlight. The scrolls of honor and history that dangled from his left shoulder pad and his belt flutter like banners, fluttering strongly.. in the wrong direction?

It was then that Zalera noticed that the wind has changed direction and was blowing to the east; along with it, the thick smoke from the relentless fire of the Gunther-Piedmonts to their west. In no time the center was covered in smoke. Zalera, heard Athan whisper something: “Epic, Filaharn wants to test us.”

Suddenly from behind them, arrived the commander of the army himself, King Priest Horso Kirpato along with him his body guard of Radiant Cross Cavalry, the relatively few heavy cavalry that they had numbered only seventy five men, which have been kept in reserve. Pointing his sword towards the direction of the enemy, hurriedly he barked out:
“Now! Charge! Filaharn intervenes, Attack.”

Without uttering any words, what’s left of the brigade dashed forward into the smoked filled land. At the front, Horso ordered his heavy cavalry forward, the brigadiers behind tried to keep up as best as the can in wedge formation. At the tip of the wedge lead Brigadier Chaplain Daman himself, bloodied, but steely eyed, he served as an inspiration to all. Behind him are Athan and Zalera. The wedge moved forward, but every brigadier was silent, the only thing that could be heard were the trodding of boots and the clanking of armor plates, as well as the galloping Cross Cavalry further up front. Armored swordsmen charging and too few will be decimated by a heavy lancer charge, but the brigadiers were not thinking of that now, strangely enough none came. None uttered a word, every one having a single desire, to exact vengeance for every son of Filaharn that has fallen today.

On the Khergits side, the Heavy Lancers were being reorganized. The commander, Sanjar Khan, was relieved that the recent fog arrived; under its cover he reorganized all of his heavy lancers into one huge body to finally break the depleted center of the Lion Throne army. Without their precious brigadiers and the center gone, the Gunther-Piedmonts to the west could easily be dispatched, and the Ellisians to the east, whom were proving too stubborn even for the Long Gao forces that he has assigned to engage them with, could be crushed from behind.
“This ends now.” he thought.
The Khergit Heavy Lancers were proud of themselves, leisurely reorganizing into a final squadron. They have inflicted massive brigadier casualties today, and with this final masterstroke, they would win the day single-handedly. Amidst the clanking of lamellar armor, and the stomping of impatient steeds, none were able to hear the galloping of cavalry to their front.

Suddenly, without warning, the Cavalry of the Radiant Cross materialized from the fog like a ghost army. Heavy lances pointed forward, warhorses at full speed, and with a single warcry “Filaharn Vult!” They have taken the Khergits by surprise; they weren’t ready to receive a charge yet, they could not even point their spears towards the enemy. The Brigadier Cavalry crashed into the disorganized horde of Khergits, it was bloody, it was massacre, it was glorious. Every single lance of the small force of cavalry striked through, killing as much khergits as there were lances. Those that received the impact were under the impression that their assailants were ghosts, and the fact that they came so silently, and inflicted massive casualties with such a small force only increased their fears. The khergits at the front attempted to flee, but the khergit lancers behind them were to tightly packed to give way. The Brigadier Cavalry slaughtered those that showed cowardice.

The khergit were shaken but not fully routed yet, Lancers from the rear began to encircle the flanks of the small force of Lion Throne Cavalry. And soon enough, the Brigader Cavalry found themselves surrounded, engulfed by the blob of Khergit Heavy Lancers. Space was limited as the horses were tightly packed, lances are useless. And the battle turned into a sword slugfest, as swords attempted to hack at the reinforced armor of the Brigadier and the tightened Khergit Lamellar armor. But it was clear that the Brigadier Cavalry would not last.

Out of the smoke the rest of the brigade finally came, running as such speed that anybody could mistake them as fleeing for their lives were it not that they were heading towards the enemy. Gaining visibility they could see that the Brigade Cavalry were surrounded.
“They must not die” thought Daman.
“They must not die” spoke Zalera and Athan at the same time.
“They’re thinking the same thoughts.” Daman told himself. “It’s beginning.”

Then when they were close, Chaplain Daman shouted with what energy he could give to his lungs, “Filaharn Vult!”
The entire brigade as one repeated in a thundering cry “Filaharn Vult!”
The wedge formation of brigadiers surged forward. And only then did the brigade become filled with life after running with such a quite demeanor. The Khergits closest to them were once again take by surprise, they saw another “ghost army” appear from the fog. They could not easily turn their horses as they were all tightly packed and were directed towards the surrounded Brigade Cavalry. Without anyone opposing them directly, the brigadier wedge cleaved through the Khergit blob like a knife through soft Gorvennian Cheese.
The Brigadiers fought with such ferocity that the khergits perceived them as madmen. Zalera was fighting like crazy, expertly stabbing through the spots between the Lamellar plates. And pulling Khergits down from their horses, leaving them on the ground confident that brigadiers behind him will finish them off. Soon enough they managed to relieve the surrounded Brigadier Cavalry. While the Khergits still outnumber them, they have the advantage of surprise while the khergits were in general chaos.

The Khergits on the left flank attempted to support the center by charging at the small number brigadiers, but before they could even get near, out from the smoke something monstrous came out. Zalera himself stopped and looked at the massive cross looming high above the battlefield. The cross was propped above a gigantic war cart, tall enough to resemble a stout siege tower, this was pulled by half a dozen mighty war elephants. It was the Lion Throne’s “Flying Fortress” bristling with short ranged artillery, and manned by Gunther-Piedmont Musketeers, and Khara-Khitan Archers. Behind it are Gunther-Piedmont Infantry, as well as two additional Lion Throne War Elephants flanking the Flying Fortress. The short ranged cannons mounted on the machine fired off explosive shrapnel shells on the khergit flanking force, decimating scores of khergits, as arrows and musket fire killed stragglers. Those who survived were literally bulldozed by the trained war elephants pulling the war machine. This was too much for the Khergits, and they attempted to flee. But the brigadiers were so deep inside the Khergit lancer blob that they managed to reach the rear and stop any khergits from escaping. It was a massacre.

Daman paused to take his breath after bashing through more enemies than he could count. He surveyed the battle. The khergits are being slaughtered, and the Flying Fortress has arrived, but what he was more interested in was his brother brigadiers. He looked at them, their eyes.. They were different now.. A mix of exhaustion, madness, rage, and… resolve. They have changed…

Zalera was one of the brigadiers stopping the khergits from escaping; moving around, he came across a fallen Khergit officer that was trapped under a fallen warhorse. With an evil smile, Zalera raised his sword for a killing blow.
“Die non-believer!”
But before he could even strike, a brigadier cavalryman stopped him.
“Stop!”
Zalera shot the brigadier cavalryman a murderous look.
Seeing Zalera’s features, the cavalryman gave a worried look and said: “Easy brother Propugnator.”
At the mention of those words Zalera was a bit shaken from his trance.
“But I’m no Propug..”
The Cavalryman cut him short “We need this one alive. He’s Sanjar Khan”
A large portion of brigadiers started dashing towards the left flank of the khergits where the Long Gao are fighting the Ellisians. Without speaking anything more, Zalera left the cavalryman and the fallen Khan alone and joined his brothers.

In quick time, the brigadiers reformed a battle line in preparation to charge the flanks of the Long Gao, at such a speed that would put to shame all the royal guards of other nations. They were exhausted, but the lust to satiate their vengeance was not gone yet.
Before they could charge though, a brigadier cavalryman stopped them.
“What is it with this Brigadier Cavalry.” thought Zalera, merely keeping his nerves in check.
The Cavalryman spoke out loud. “Hold brothers, King Priest Horso orders you to hold, he wishes to speak with them.”
At the mention of the command, the long inculcated discipline of the brigadiers took precedence, and at once they stood to attention. Stamping their feet to the ground and standing in perfect parade order. Were it not for the bloody and exhausted look they would have been mistaken for standing in a parade ground, such was their legendary discipline. But deep inside, every one of them was itching to tear apart what’s left of the enemy, but discipline was always dominant than wild abandon for them.

The Gunther-Piedmont started to surround the Long Gao, while the engaged Ellisians were ordered to step back. With reluctance, the Ellisians stepped back from their mortal enemies the Long Gao, whom they've been brutally fighting with for the entire day. Then King Priest Horso rode up to the front with a banner of parley beside him. He rode up to the leader of the Long Gao, to which he spoke with. Then Horso handed him a scroll. Zalera could not hear or discern what it is from his position he stood from. The Long Gao leader, ordered one of his men to get something. The man returned with what seems to be a scribing pen and began to furiously write something at the scroll. He returned the scroll to King Priest Horso. Horso looked at it in dismay and rode away silently. While doing so, he brought his hand up and brought it down in a chopping motion. With that signal, the gunners of the Gunther-Piedmont fired their muskets at what is left of the Long Gao.

The battle is over, the Lion Throne victorious, but at the cost of thousands of lives especially of the brigadiers and the Ellisians. The Lion Throne Brigade was reduced to 25 percent of its original number, while the Ellisian Legion was reduced to 13 percent. 

King Horso was riding around surveying the battlefield. He came across Daman, whom was sitting on the ground. He was his dire wounds.
“Chaplain, you need medical attention.”
Daman tried to stand, but Horso stopped him, Daman then spoke: “No, I am spent your excellency, I have done my duty in the battlefield, but I’m afraid I can’t join you now in the post battle mass.”
And with that Daman lied down, the tired eyes staring at the sky prominent despite his blood red face. Horso got off his horse and knelt beside his battle clergy.
“Chaplain?!”
Daman looked at the King Priest, and spoke “What’s left of the brigade sir, look at their eyes during the mass.” Daman’s eyes returned its stare to the sky. Horso removed his gauntlet and checked the Chaplain’s pulse, then he closed Daman’s eyes.
“I will brother, I’ll see you at the end time.”

King Priest Horso held the post battle mass near the field atop the Flying Fortress. Beside him, the three remaining brigadier chaplains and a dozen laymen. During the mass, Horso was constantly looking at his brigadiers. Daman was right, they entire brigade has changed. After the mass and when the auxiliaries went away to set up camp on another field nearby, King Priest Horso and the brigadiers only had another mass. It was usually held in small numbers, but for the first time probably in recorded history, a huge number of brigadiers underwent the process of vindication. Every single one of the brigadiers that very day was marked with blue die on the forehead in the shape of the radiant cross.

Zalera marched on, eyes fixed in a constant stare, an expressionless stare that unnerved the auxiliaries that marched along side them. Alongside him were his brother brigadiers whom reflect Zalera also. Their brigade was decimated to a fourth of its original strength, but the experience bought them closer to Filaharn more than ever, all of them are now Propugnators..

Ages
Civitases Age = CA
Imperium Age = IA
Common Era = CE

- 1 CA - Rise of Ellisian Civitases (City states) in southern calradia.
- 125 CA - Lacus and Lernis emerged as two superstates in Southern calradia.
- 240 CA - Great Phaulkon Wars begins. Lacus and Lernis engaged in the massive long war.
- 287 CA - 7th Great Phaulkon War, Lacus invade and annexed neutral civitas of Abdium (Abdera).
- 297 CA - 9th Great Phaulkon War, Lacusan Army decimated Lernian Army at the battle of plataeu.
- 298 CA - 9th Great Phaulkon War ended. Lernis had been annexed by Lacus. Lacusan archon Verasius had begin many reforms which led to the foundation of Ellisium Imperium.

- 1 IA - Ellisium Imperium was found. Archon Verasius was proclaimed and became Imperator Pionirus I. He changed the names of his cities. Lacus to Ellis, Lernis to Lerna and Abdium to Abdera.
- 14 IA - first Long Guo merchant caravans arrived at Ellis.
- 26 IA - Swadd barbarians invade Imperium from the north. Imperial palus Alixius Grunwalder led his Imperial Army to repel the horde and successfully repelled them  at the battle of Lower Cliffs but Palus Grunwalder has been killed in the battle.
- 29 IA - Imperator Pionirus I decide to build the fortress at the site of the Battle of Lower Cliffs to honor the sacrifice of Palus Grunwalder.
- 32 IA - the building of Grunwalder Castle completed. Swadd barbarians halted their futher incursions against Ellisium Imperium.
- 58 IA - Pionirus I died. Imperator Castrensis I was crowned.
- 60 IA - Ellisian Military Reformation begins. Lernian Phalanxes Formation was reintroduced to Ellisian.
- 64 IA - Castrensis I ordered 2nd and 4th Legions to move to Grunwalder Castle to prepare for the conquest of Swadia.
- 68 IA - Conquest of Swadia begins.
- 72 IA - 7th Legion had been sent down to the south alongwith Ellisian colonists to colonize the southern lands.
- 73 IA - the first Ellisian colony in the southern lands was found. Colonists named it "Galius".
- 77 IA - Swadia had been conquered. Province of Swadia was found.
- 89 IA - Northern Calradia and Eastern Calradia was conquered by Ellisian. Nibellium Province was found in the north while Vaegarus Province was found in the east.
- 96 IA - Castrensis I died. Pionirus II was crowned.
- 104 IA - Ellisian conquered Ormeli lands. Ormais Province has been established
- 117 IA - Filaharnic Religion was introduced to Ellisian Colonists in the south by natives.
- 210 IA - Rise of Imperator Marifarcus I. Ellisian Maritime Fleets was found at Nibellium Province.
- 225 IA - Ellisian Fleets set sail to Obello sea.
- 240 IA - Ellisian Primo Fleet came ashore at Bermia
- 245 IA - Bermia was colonized.
- 254 IA - Ellisian Secundus Fleet arrived at Lauria.
- 258 IA - Lauria was colonized.
- 268 IA - Ellisian Tertius Fleet reached Great Bloodfall and they were decimated by storms.
- 359 IA - Imperator Tiberius I was proclaimed "Emperor of all known world". All known world was unite under the Phoenix banner of Ellisium Imperium.
TO be continued.