Swadian-Khergit War 1237

[Lord Tim]

Luger had been walking for days, he had grouped up with a large group of fellow refugees.
Praven… Mark told him that they would meet again in Praven, but the longer he walked, the more he realized that Marks’ chances of surviving were poor.
Every day, more refugees joined them and village after village got raided.
Lugers’ wife and son, burnt before his very eyes. Locked in the village hall Lugers’ father had built with his own bare hands.
Lugers’ parents had passed away a long time ago. His mother died giving birth to Lugers’ sister, his sister died a few hours later.
His father died ten years later in another war. Luger himself never really knew what that war was about and who their enemies were, nor their allies.
All he knew was that he was alone, all his relatives were dead. The people of his village were either dead, seeking refuge, hiding or taken prisoner.
An elder man, with long, light red hair and a beard on his chin, rode his horse, a beautiful brown stallion with black moans, through the group.
Actually, the group walked around the rider. His horses’ pace was as slow as if it were a cows’ one.
Obviously, the man wasn’t in a hurry.
He reached out his hand to Luger, seeing that he was travelling all alone, with no one to accompany him. Luger grabbed it and jumped on the back of the horse, which could easily take the weight of both men.

“What’s your name boy?”

“Luger, sir.” His first name was Edmund really, but he preferred to use the name he shared with his father.

“And what’s your story? Everyone here has a story…”

“I have none, sir.” Luger did not like to speak about it, not ever.

The man looked at him now, noticing the shiny sword resting in the scabbard in Lugers’ belt.

“Nice sword you have there, you’re not one of those guys travelling towards Praven are you?”

Luker looked up, surprised that the man knew this.
“No, why would I?”

“They say the king is planning a big campaign against the Khergits, he believes that Heaven is on our side.”
Luger didn’t even have to think very long. As soon as he would get the opportunity, he’d join the army.
The man saw Luger dreaming away after he said those words. He realized that he had said something wrong.

“This is not a time for revenge Luger, this is a time for grief.”
But Luger did no longer hear the reason in one’s words. Revenge is all he desired, his hate for the Khergit savage blinded all his sense for reasoning.

 

[Gopats]

1, 2, 3. On three Boris Yakim and his 15 men sprang out from hiding behind rocks in the mountain pass firing on the unlucky Khergit raiding party. Within a 30 seconds all 20 of them are dead. Boris Yakim surveys the damage saying to his men, "Well done men. That's another 20 Khergit mothers who will weep tonight!" Boris Yakim hates Khergits. After 5 years of fighting them these raiding parties are getting more and more sparse because of him in the Veagir lands.

A few days later Boris and his men pull into Khudan in the local tavern. Well his men go to the tavern any ways Boris goes to fill up supplies of arrows and food trading in the furs they have hunted and armor they took from the dead. As Boris walks on he sees a town crier speaking to the people about something brewing in Swadia. For what ever reason Boris listens to him this time hearing the crier shout, "News on the hour King Harleus forms army at Praven readying to strike a devastating blow to the Khergits who have raided into his lands! He calls on all peoples to join this strike against the villains!" Cheers go up through the crowd as Boris starts to think, "If war breaks out these raiding parties will move to defend there lands against Swadia. So then there is only one choice on where to go. To Praven and the king of Swadia I must go."

 

[Captured Joe]

"I say, those Khergits are no men! They just shoot, and they are gone! They not dare fight real men! They not face us, they go ride away on their horseys!" From the corner in which he sat, Reynett looked at the speaker, a tall red-heared Swadian who was standing on his chair, and obviously drunk. Around him, a group of mercenaries shouted their approvals. An other group was speculating about Khergit cities loaded with silk and spice, and tents filled with beautifull women. Reynett turned his gaze back to the table, and prayed the rumours were true. That the King would call a crusade to drive off the savages in the south.

The wine was not bad. Not as good as Velucan wine of course, but still better than the liquid they called Ale here. A cup filled for half stood before him on his table in the crowded tavern in Dhirim. Reynett had moved here after the campaign army of Lord Montewar was disbanded after some battles in the east. Now, he was looking for a new opportunity to wield his sword for Swadia.

An armoured knight stepped into the tavern, and shouted: "Silence! A message from his majesty the King! Si-lence!" Gradually, the voices fell silent, and the knight began the proclamation: "To-day in the year of the Lord 1237, our royal majesty the King calls upon all his loyal subject and all faithfull to the true faith to hear his call and join his grand Crusade against the Khergits! For decades these savage heathens have been raiding through our lands! Now, the time of justice has come! The King is raising his armies for the grand campaign in the city of Praven. May all true men hear him and join his cause!" The messenger turned around and leaved the tavern, where the crowd burst into chaotic noise. Reynett quietly thanked the Creator for hearing his prayer, and stepped after the messenger into the streets. He didn't need to make a choice or even think: he would go to Praven and join the army.

 

[2ndGrds_Ghost]

    Arvit Talven and his Rhodok comrades were sitting in their camp outside the city sleeping, drinking or gambling when the Captain ran by yelling. Talven himself was reading when it happened and hastily threw on his helmet. The rest of the companies uniform could wait, but he did take the companies green sash and tied it around his waist like some of the other Seargents did. He ran over to his detachments tent.

"UP YOU GO LADS! FORM OUTSIDE IN THE PARADE GROUND! THE CAPTAINS GOT NEWS!" Talven yelled over the murmurs of complaints and groans.

Finally the company was formed onto the parade ground, most had the Rhodok style board shield and spears. Talven himself carried a shield over his back like the others did. It was heavy, by the heavens him and his fellows knew that, but was a life saver in battle. There was Sergeant Alikcs detachment of Crossbowman as well however, and they formed the rear of the procession, their crossbows swung over their shoulders. They finnaly reached the captain who was standing on foot dressed in the Heraldic mail with the companies emblem on it, a board shield with a crossbow and shield crossed on it.

"MEN, ON THIS DAY, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT KING HARLAUS OF SWADIA HAS DECLARED A HOLY CRUSADE ON THE HEATHEN KHERGITS TO THE EAST!"

There was cheering.

"MANY OF YOU MY FELLOW RHODOKS, HAVE SUFFERED IN SOME WAY DUE TO THEM AS WELL AS THE SWADIANS! IT IS FORTUNATE WE ARE ALREADY HIRED BY THE KING, SAVES US THE TROUBLE OF MARCHING HERE!"

Some laughs.

"I TELL YOU THIS! WE WILL NOT BACK OUT OF THIS WAR UNTIL THE BITTER END!"

The company burst into cheers, some pounding their spears onto the ground chanting.

 

[Draco Wrath]

The creak of the footsteps of the "Red Arrow" Mercenary Company echoed among the Ichamura Mountains on which they ran. They planned to ambush a group of Khergit Merchants heading towards the Vaegir lands to pick anything they would want, sadly for them, they wouldn't make it.

Laren motioned for half of the thirty man company to go ahead, while he took the veteran archers to gain a vantage point. The smoke from a fire raised out of the tree line. Only Khergits make fires for all to see. He pulled an arrow to his bow, the rest of the archers did so in unison, trying to find range on the smoke towering over their camp. Loose!

The groans of agony and screams of panic arose from the woods as the arrows fell upon the sleeping merchants, the rest of the caravan arose quickly, panicking to find their weapons and armor. However the mercenaries were already upon them, chopping wildly upon the half naked, half asleep Khergits. The chants of victory rose through the camp as they picked spoils from their defeated enemies, and the archers picked arrows from them as well.

Harl, a Vaegir-Nord approached Laren as he was sitting down next to a bucket of water, cleaning his hands. "This is a glorious day for the Vaegirs, for these men only planned to destroy us." Laren did not answer, it was not his place to reply to comment spoken like that. Laren approached the men, who were sharing the dreaded brew of Khergit make. "Good job boys, however we must make for Praven quickly, I am sure some-one will be coming to find these men soon."

The Company moved out as quickly as they had came, and made heading towards Praven, to find their reward.

 

[Diputs]

Istam had moved into a small room in the attic of an inn, and now sat there, alone in the dark on a sunny day. She had reduced her expenses to nearly zero, and that included the expense of having enough space her ‘bed’, really a collection of blankets, did not have to serve her also as her seat before her ‘table’, which was two chests shoved together. She had to bow her head, even sitting, to move.
She had more or less finished packing, and now simply had to get everything down and into the caravan of people heading to Praven. It seemed rather inefficient, forcing your new troops to march first in one direction and then back where they came from. Unless they were intending to use the time to train them to march in formation, it seemed like an easy way to dampen morale. Of course, they might be hoping it would be better for morale to have them set off with the grand army, but still, it was a bit of an irritant to Istam.
She started moving, the padded leather already on for the march, moving everything that had been packed down through the trapdoor and into the narrow hallway. She was travelling light, and had disassembled her crossbow and stowed it in the chest. Her bow was still out for the march, and as usual her dagger was kept on hand, if only because showing up for a fight without any weapons was sure to get one killed. She finally made it out into the air, and was assailed by the nonmuted noise of the city, which was crawling with refugees and volunteers. The chest would be hard to transport as it was, so her major order of business was to find someone with a wagon and pay for a place on it. After which, it was back to Praven.

 

[Gopats]

Spoiler

The creak of the footsteps of the "Red Arrow" Mercenary Company echoed among the Ichamura Mountains on which they ran. They planned to ambush a group of Khergit Merchants heading towards the Vaegir lands to pick anything they would want, sadly for them, they wouldn't make it.

Laren motioned for half of the thirty man company to go ahead, while he took the veteran archers to gain a vantage point. The smoke from a fire raised out of the tree line. Only Khergits make fires for all to see. He pulled an arrow to his bow, the rest of the archers did so in unison, trying to find range on the smoke towering over their camp. Loose!

The groans of agony and screams of panic arose from the woods as the arrows fell upon the sleeping merchants, the rest of the caravan arose quickly, panicking to find their weapons and armor. However the mercenaries were already upon them, chopping wildly upon the half naked, half asleep Khergits. The chants of victory rose through the camp as they picked spoils from their defeated enemies, and the archers picked arrows from them as well.

Harl, a Vaegir-Nord approached Laren as he was sitting down next to a bucket of water, cleaning his hands. "This is a glorious day for the Vaegirs, for these men only planned to destroy us." Laren did not answer, it was not his place to reply to comment spoken like that. Laren approached the men, who were sharing the dreaded brew of Khergit make. "Good job boys, however we must make for Praven quickly, I am sure some-one will be coming to find these men soon."

The Company moved out as quickly as they had came, and made heading towards Praven, to find their reward.

On the way to Praven Boris Yakim saw smoke in a tree line and then saw arrows fall and screams come from the forest. Screams in Khergit. "Men whoever these people are they are friendly now how about we go give them a warm welcome!" said Boris before running to the area where the fighting was. Finally he got with in shouting range of the group and shouted, "Hey were those Khergits you killed?"

 

[Draco Wrath]

"Hey were those Khergits you killed?" said a stranger in Vaegir attire, accompanied by several others.

Laren spat at the ground and stood up, "Maybe. It depends, whos asking?" The Company readied their weapons stealthily, just in-case, or just because they might want to.

 

[Gopats]

"Hey were those Khergits you killed?" said a stranger in Vaegir attire.

Laren spat at the ground and stood up, "Maybe. It depends, whos asking?" The Company readied their weapons stealthily, just in-case, or just because they might want to.

"A man who happens to have 20 Khergit heads in these here bags," replied a Boris noticing the pathetic stealthy attempts to hide weapons when the leader speaks that way.

 

[Draco Wrath]

"A man who happens to have 20 Khergit heads in these here bags,"

"We are the Red Arrow Mercenaries, we fight for the highest bidder only, but you have caught us in a good mood today, for we fight for Swadia, and presumably the Vaegirs." Harl approached the Vaegirs, handing them mead and Khergit bread. Several of the Red Arrows stood up in anger, but were quelled by Laren.

"Anyway, we must be off to Praven, for we have buisness with their King. It would do you well to ride for Praven, if you seek revenge." The Vaegirs spoke amongst themselves for several seconds until Laren spoke again.

"Now, if you would excuse us?" said Laren, while the Red Arrows mounted the Khergit horses, and gave several horses to the Vaegirs, under orders only, for they would rather sell them instead.

 

[2ndGrds_Ghost]

  This march is going to be the death of us...why Praven? Why not any of the other bloody Swadian cities closer to us?! Arvit thought to himself as he marched with the rest of the company in three colums, spears and shields out in the case of a Khergit ambush. Two men had already dropped down and died from exhaustion. Admittedly although they were a band of mercenaries hailing from a foreign land and had been used to marching, they had spent the past months in camp for the most part and the sudden switch was too much for some. But march they did. Whenever a man fell behind or started to lagging Arvit would give them a gentle shove or a light tap with the butt of his spear. If that proved to little he did it a little harder and that was usually enough.

 

[Grimmend]

Ralivana was leading a group of 15 fellow manhunters through the Tevarin Pass.  A band of looters was found lurking in the area, and they have been tracking the rouges for two days, and now they were just over the next hill.  Grimm saw the band of 12 marching through the steepes, and sent 10 of his to flank them.  To help make sure they stayed undetected, Grimm loosed an arrow, piercing one of the shirtless bandits in the leg, causing him to bellow into the mountain air, and alerting the rest.  At the range he was at, the looter stones foun no target among his men, and his arrows whittled each of them down to near exhaustion.

"Round 'em up boys!"  He yelled, charging the tired thieves, who held a weary line to defend themselves.  It was a sad attempt, but the flank came upon them, taking almost all of them captive for their meager bounties.  With the bandits subdued, they were off to Narra to claim payment from the Lord protector.

 

[Gopats]

Spoiler

"Anyway, we must be off to Praven, for we have buisness with their King. It would do you well to ride for Praven, if you seek revenge." The Vaegirs spoke amongst themselves for several seconds until Laren spoke again

"Meet you there. It's official by the way that full on war with the Khergits will start. I got the news in Khudan so we are already headed that way. Hey before you go  take these fish we got extras and it only seems fair after what we received from you," said Boris before taking off. First though he went to Dhirim for last minute gear fixes before traveling the rest of the way to Praven.

 

[RalliX]

Sunset, March 23, 1237.

A group of twenty men ride at a trot on their shaggy, light horses. The Skyfather's light is cresting down to the horizon of the western Great Steppe. At their head is a man in glimmering scale armour. He busies himself by inspecting his equipment, eating, sleeping, and even sometimes relieving himself from the saddle.
Some of the horsemen shared witty banter among themselves, others rode solemnly, as to their temperament.

Just a couple feet to his left was his friend, and often lieutenant, Oso.
Kertun Quriltai decided to start talking now that they were nearing their destination, as the sun set just to their left, glaring in their eyes, but making them squint a little less as it decreased.

"Say, Oso*, are you ready for a fight? Emer should be just another horizon away after this one, ready... or unready, I should say, to be raided once again." said he, sitting with his back straight, leaning back in the saddle.



((*Special Agent))

 

[Draco Wrath]

After the group said farewell to the Vaegir Archers, the Company made haste for Praven, in only rougly ten hours.

The sound of banter and arrows whistling could be heard all around the great city, sadly, it would be quite hard to found even a Lord in the mess of troops. A general sigh came across the faces of the mercenaries as they solemnly rode into the town, which was quite hard considering the amount of people moving around the streets. The sight of a recruitment officer gladdened the faces of the mercenaries. Laren motioned for the mercenaries, except Harl to take a break inside the local Inn named "The Yellow Swan".

"Hello, fair Lord of Swadia, we would be looking for your King?" The officer chuckled and looked up from his desk again. "Your serious? You are commoners, the King has no interest in yo-." A dagger was already at the officer's throat. Several Swadians stood up, readying their weapons, Harl growled at them "Sit down you pigs!"

The officer spoke in a desperate tone, "I can't make appoint you an audience with the King, he is very busy, however if you speak with Lord Rochabarth, he will see fit whatever you need." Laren let go of the man, he began to breath heavily as they left. A shout came from behind them, You'll pay for this!

 

[2ndGrds_Ghost]

Oh praise the heavens! We're finally here! There was some cheers from the men as they entered Praven. The Captain looked at the men. "Well, here we are boys! Praven! The city of the high and mighty Swadians!" There were some snickers and boo's. "Now! I want to make something clear! We are under these men's employment! I trust there will be NO trouble from anyone?!" He glanced and looked at Talven's detatchment. Talven sighed remembering the last R&R his men had gotten. "Well then. Thats all I have to say! COOOMPANY! DISMISSED!" The men fell out of their orderly column and for the most part stuck with their detatchment commanders. My detatchment went to a nearby Inn for some food and drink.

"Bloody hell Sarge! You'd think they'd have at least the guards would have said hello to us! Instead of stare at us like some inferior enemies!" One of the men exclaimed with a flare leaning accross the table. Boris, one of the others responded to the big man, "You know these Swadians Haldus! Alway's Stuck up!" He said that part a bit too loudly Talven thought with a wince.

 

[Gopats]

Spoiler

You know these Swadians Haldus! Alway's Stuck up!"

Once entering Praven one of the first things Boris Yakim hears is some one talking about Swadians being stuck up. "Sir who ever your captain is I hope he wasn't hoping to keep you alive today cause by the looks I see you getting it looks like those men on the walls have other plans for you."

 

[2ndGrds_Ghost]

Arvit looks around the inn and see's a group of Swadian soldiers stand up. "Ok lads, we've outstayed our welcome here. Lets go.." He whispers. "Oh bloody hell sarge! We can take 'em." "You heard the Captain! Now lets go!" The Rhodoks stand up and turn towards the entrance, stopping only to hand some Denars to the Inn keep. "Just keep walking, they wont percieve us as a threat.."

 

[Captured Joe]

The large caravan approached the city. Praven, the heart of Swadia. Reynett had been here before, but he again wondered about the masses of people being around here. Most  of them appeared to be mercenaries and levies, but some merchants could be seen too. For some days he had travelled along with a caravan, together with many other mercenaries heading for Praven. After saying farewell to his mother in Dhirim, he had taken some Denars and his personal belongings with him and joined the caravan. With some spare shoes, some meat, a bottle and his rosary in his knapsack he now entered Praven, dressed in his combat gear. He asked a Sergeant the way to a recruiting officer.

The recruiting officer was a big and wealthy dressed noble in half plate, who asked the names and years of experience of each mercenary. He looked upon the small Reynett with contempt, but nevertheless wrote down his name. A Sergeant directed him to a group of other mercenaries which was being formed on the street before a tavern. Most of them stood head and shoulders above him, and their shouts reached Reynett's ears: "Aren't you by chance in the wrong army?" "You forgot your horse, southman!" Reynett ignored the laughter and jokes. He had yet to earn their respect, and there would be ample opportunity for that in the coming campaign.

 

[2ndGrds_Ghost]

  Suddenly the group of Swadians in the tavern lunged for Haldus, grabbing one by the arm Haldus trew him through the open doorway and began laughing. "HAHA! Sarge you cant say you missed this. Talven grunts in reply as he is a bit busy grappling with another Swadian. The Swadian pushes him through the doorway but Talven keeps a firm hold and throws him down with him. He begins punching the man in his face while grappling still in the mud. The other men from the tavern came out after finishing off their opponents, keeping them alive of course and formed a circle. Talven heard them hooting and shouting encouragement when some other Rhodoks came over and joined it....soon only a bit less of a quarter of the company had surrounded the fight and cheered Talven on. Looking up he saw the circle had given way in one place to allow a group of Swadians to watch.