The Siege: Section 2 (East)/ Within the City

Arceon thanked Fitzmerwill and picked a squad of rangers out and told them to follow him to the northern wall

"Cmon boys lets go kill whats left of those Red Dawn bastards." Arceon commanded as he set off to the northern wall.

On arrival to the northern wall Arceon and the squires stood in a shield wall while the rangers shot through the gaps in the shields as the enemy stood under cover on the other end of the wall

"Okay squires start to advance towards the enemy, once we get within 15 feet of the enemy break the shieldwall and we'll rush the enemy. Stop firing when that happens rangers we would not want you to hit us." Arceon commanded with a grim laugh.

ARANOR

Sir Aranor thought quickly, he glanced at the wide streets, and formulated a plan. He turned to his commanders

"This road can perhaps keep about 50 of us abreast, Let's head west, we keep 40 men abreast for the column. We leave enough space at the sides to pull a maneuver. We march down the street until we meet their column. Most likely, when they see that we have a square formation, they will form a wedge in an attempt to split us.

When the wedge comes, the first ranks shall split into two groups, using the additional space left over on the sides of the streets as room. The men behind the first ranks shall spur their horses as soon as we give the signal. The Red Dawn will probably be disoriented as they see themselves get enveloped, and will not be prepared to hit our brick wall. The ranks of men that split shall pierce them at their sides, while the very front wheels around to hit them in the back."

Aranor holds out his voice-amplification device

"This is what we'll use. I'll yell out 'A new Dawn rises', be sure to inform your banners."

"But what about the ones coming from the West?" Varis asked

"Take 100 Squires. Go near the road that they are coming from, and form 2 Ranks. One rank of squires shall hold their lances kneeling down pointing up, and the second rank shall stand tall and hold their lances above their shoulders."

"But sir, will they be able to withstand a direct charge?"

"Even our horses will not charge willingly into a wall of spears Varis. Our horses are disciplined yes, but they are not suicidal. They will most likely either jump over the formation or rear. The second rank of lances will be able stab the ones going over their heads. And the front row can walk forward to stab the horses that are rearing."

BLAZE

Blaze stationed his forces in the plaza. He let them tend to their wounded and rest for a bit. They had all been through a lot, especially the Wyverns. They were safe in the virtual fortress the barricades made for them.

Blaze climbed up into the gatehouse to where Captain Fitzmerwill was.

"Captain, thank you for the assist. Without that ranged support down there, we would have lost a lot more good men."

he did a salute and slightly bowed his head.

"But, I must ask you one thing, how good are your men at traveling from rooftop to rooftop? We might need some squads deeper inside the city, and the streets can get a little hairy for you rangers."

Aranor and his men had reached another plaza north-west of the one near the eastern gate. Two main streets went on from here, one further west, towards the great market square, and one to the north, around the eastern shore of the lake to the northern gate.
However, they had no time to spent any further thoughts on the streets, since a mass of red riders emerged from the western road, charging at them with banners blazing.
The red knights did not form a wedge, but seeing they were outnumbered, spread out along the whole width of the plaza to get as many lances in front as possible. Having no other choice Aranor's men counter-charged and the two lines of riders clashed with a deafening uproar of armour clanging, horses whinnying, men shouting and lances breaking. Heavy fighting ensued, where for the time being and on the limited ground that prevented the loyal and new Dawn from using the full might of their numbers, the red knights held their ground.
Suddenly another trumpet sounded and a second force of Red knights charged onto the plaza from the northern street.

Varis's squires moved out to block the nearby side roads in the back of Aranor's force towards the eastern plaza, and not too early. They had just set up their walls of lances when the side alleys started to crawl with red knights and squires, looking for a way to get to the main street.

We can try, Fitzmerwill said to Blaze. We are able to climb most of the irregularly built houses and jump over smaller alleys, but the main streets are far to broad, so we will be somewhat confined or need protection when changing from one side to the other, unless... his voice trailed off, then reemerged suddenly with a command for his Sarleonese sergeant.

Hugh, your squad shall get two of the ladders used to climb the walls. We will carry them to the next house and climb the roof, then you pull the ladders up and take them along. We will use them as a makeshift bridge over the broader streets. Hurry, we have no time to loose.

The rangers rushed to comply and within short the whole force had climbed the nearest roof.

Where do you want us?, Fitzmerwill asked Blaze before he joined his men.

Casualties: 10 knights (2 wounded), 23 squires (4 wounded)

BLAZE

"Go follow Sir Aranor, he should have gone west. If you see him, support him with your bows. If you can't see him, head towards the lake, to the west. From there you should be able to either threaten the chapterhouse or the keep. I will assign 5 Wyverns to go with you to serve as shields."

He looks at the remaining wyverns

"The ones that still have shields of course. I shall stay here to guard the main entrance and guard the wounded here."

ARANOR

Aranor acted quickly, he rode to Rodrick

"Gather as many retainers and knights that aren't engaged in combat as you can and respond! Have the knights charge straight in, and the squires circle around!"

He then pulled out his bow and started firing into the Red Dawn

Near the front lines, the destriers start to fight alongside their riders, with tooth and hoove

Together with the five Wyverns and the equipped with the ladders the rangers hurry over the roofs to the west, towards the sounds of fighting.

In the plaza the battle was raging heavily. The Red Dawn force that had charged into Aranor's flank from the north had driven the flank back so much that they were able to unite with the main force of the red knights. Those knights that had been hindered to attack from the south by the Varis and his squires seemed to have joined the main force from the west now, bolstering up their ranks and replacing fallen brethren.

Both sides fought relentlessly however and the front ranks of the loyal Dawn were so covered in blood that they started to show less and less difference to their foes in appearance.

Arceon and his men, approaching from the north, soon saw the battle from afar and informed Wolfarmin of it. The horse marshall gave a furious warcry and spurred his horse into a charge, leading his men right into the back of the northern flank of the Red Dawn. Having scouted most adjacent alleys as commanded, it was now for Arceon to decide what to do with his men.

On the plaza Wolfarmin's charge shattered the Red Dawn's flank just as their charge had done to Aranor's before. In addition silvery figures appeared on the roofs and arrows started whizzing through the air at the red knights. The Red Dawn fought on as fanatical as ever at first, but then a shout in the language of Barclay grew loud in their ranks, starting from the back then spreading through their whole force.

Replegaos! Replegaos al puerto!

Within seconds the red knights turned their destriers and sped off to the west, while only a small last stand remained in the plaza to hold back the loyal Dawn and cover the other knights' retreat.

Casualties: 33 knights (17 wounded), 76 squires (31 wounded).

[OOC: I took the freedom to control Wolfarmin for once to speed things up. I think charging straight at the enemy is the thing he would have done. The high casualties result from me summing up the battle on the plaza in this post, i.e. it covers a longer period of time than previous posts describing fighting.]

Arceon saw that the Red Dawn were retreating and he needed to make a snap decision.

"Okay men here's the plan. Lets hit the flank of the remaining Red Dawn, so they will be caught between Aranor, Wolfarmin, and Us. The rangers on the rooftop will keep firing into the masses, which will let us wipe them out with minimal casualties. After that we will join up with Aranor and see if he has any missions for us. Okay lets move men!"

ARANOR

Sir Aranor saw the Red Dawn leaving

"We got them running men!"

Sir Aranor then looked at the small force that they left behind. He saw their leader, as he could discern him as the one giving the orders, plus he wore a different helmet then the others, a plumed Barclay helm instead of the normal crusader ones.

He notched an arrow, and aimed for his thigh. He hoped that the shot could disable him. Astraea knows they'll need a prisoner, even if they are a traitor.

He let loose.

VARIS

"Quick men! Your jobs are done! Get back on your horses and let's rejoin the main group!"

Varis barked orders at the squires as they scrambled to get on their horses. He looked up and saw the Silvermist on the rooftops above.

"Thank Astraea we brought them along" he thought

Aranor drew and loosed the arrow. It whizzed inches past the commander's legs. Aranor quickly notched another arrow

The man turned his helmed head at Aranor and the grandmaster could only guess at the face behind the eyeslids.

Replagaos, he bellowed now to his men, encended los fuegos!

The second arrow lost the bowstring and this time it hit. As the commander fell off his horse, injured but not dead, his force broke into all directions. But what looked like a rout at first turned out to be an ordered spreading: The red knights that remained ahorse produced torches from their belts and darted off to the west, north and south, vanishing into side alleys. From the alleys to the right, though came sudden sounds of battle, and then only one of the several knights that had fled that way sped out of the alley, back on the plaza, where a bodkin arrow caught him in the chest, throwing him off his horse. After him came chasing Sir Arceon and his squires, their swords bloody from the blood of the knights they had chanced upon.

Arceon and his squires were marching in full column back to the main force, when they heard the Red Dawn commander shout what sounded like an order. Then the voice was suddenly cut off and a group of surprised looking Red Knights came stumbling down the alley.
He and his men had slaughtered them with the element of surprise, he rest of and left one to tell his force that they were trapped this way.

Then Arceon and the squires charged after the main force of Red Dawn to hit them in the flank.

Arceon and the squires came to a halt as they saw the way ahead was covered with rubble.

"Men we will have to find a way around. I want 2 of you to act as rear scouts, stay about 15 feet behind and make sure we are not ambushed." Arceon commanded to the group.

Several knights surrounded the wounded man, keeping him captive.

"Keep him watched until I come around, he is not to be harmed!"

Aranor picked up the voice amplification device and pointed it at the Silvermist on the roof

"Fitzmerwill! Have your men chase the knights that went North and south! I'll send some knights to help you! They are going to try and start fires!"

Sir Aranor saw Sir Arceon leaving. He looked to Wolfarmin

"Take your 2 banners and dragons and go follow Arceon in hunting those Knights. They went North and south."

Wolfarmin charged off with his knights

Sir Aranor wheeled around.

"Sir Rodrick! You take 20 Squires and take care of the wounded and dead."

Sir Aranor then races off with the column to chase the knights that went west

Arceon saw Wolfarmin and 2 banners of knights race around the rubble to where he was.

"Hello Wolf, what brings you here?" Arceon asked.

"We need to go to go hunt down the knights that are fleeing to the north and south." Wolfarmin told Arceon.

With that Arceon took a banner of knights and the half of the squires,and headed towards the north, while Wolfarmin took the other half of the forces, and headed towards the south.

"Ok men, lets split into 4 groups, squads if you will." Arceon started "I will lead one of the squads, but I will need 3 other commanders to command the other squads, which ones of you have the most combat experience?

Three knights raised their hands and Arceon selected them.


"Ok good. We will split up and I will lead the frontal assault. 2 groups will outflanks the Reds to the side, and the last squad will stay towards the back and be prepared to catch any enemies who try to escape." Arceon said.

Arceon and his men moved off to the north to attack the Red Knights.

Arceon's and Wolfarmin's forces lost no time in chasing after the riders, but found their way again and again blocked by barricades made of wooden junk and rubble. Having to circumvent these obstacles and with their bigger groups slower than the single riders anyway, they soon lost track of them. However, it was not long before the riders gave them a hint to their whereabouts - the stench of smoke started to drift through the alleys from the north and south and distant cries became loud.

The Silvermist rangers did their best to comply with the orders, but having to cross several broader streets slowed them down considerably. Fitzmerwill and his men returned to Aranor soon after they had left him.

Smoke is already rising in the north and south, Fitzmerwill called. If we stay up here we will likely get roasted ourselves, when the fires spread.

Arceon yelled a curse in frustration as he saw another group of Red Dawn knights ride away. They just couldn't keep up with them. He was about to give up the chase when he saw smoke rising in the distance.

"They must have started a fire, Damn! At least we have an idea of where they are now though. C'mon men head to the smoke, maybe we will meet up with Wolfarmin along the way.

The 4 squads conformed into one again, but were still ready to act separately. They then started to head to the smoke at full gallop on the fastest possible route.

Varis spotted the smoke coming from the south-west. If memory served him correctly...
Sacrilegious bastards, he cursed, the temple.
However the momentum must not be broken, he had two choices: double back and take the road west directly or move forward deeper into the market before moving into the temple district.
Quickly mustering the squires to finish mounting, he issued a command to one next to him,
Inform the Grandmaster we will press into the market square and give chase as far as that district. We will then move south into the temple district to deal with any bastards there and make safe the church if we can.
Varis grabbed the squires chestplate and pulled him in closer until the young lad was squarely face to face with the Vindicator.
We need knights to support our position if the heretics decide to stop running, make sure you have the Grandmaster send me some knights. You understand?
The squire didn't reply, but simply nodded hastily. Varis let him go, off with you!
He looked to the Silvermists on the roof-top and barked, we will press on, we appreciate any cover from there if you can follow us as far as you can!
He couldn't make out if they acknowledged or not, damm eyes, Varis muttered.
He yelled out to the Rangers about moving forward, then gave up and had another squire relay his message to them directly if possible.

Orders settled, he moved the column forward. Alright boys, advance! And watch your flanks, or you might find a heretic pike in your guzzle.

//ACTION: Proceeding from sec. 3 to sec. 1. Mounted column. Requests for support from Aranor column pending. Silvermist Ranger support pending.

Sir Aranor waved away the messenger

"Take 10 Knights with you"

Sir Aranor looked to Fitzmerwill,

"Go along the wall!"

Varis moved his column slowly down the road to the marketplace. He looked for any signs of ambush; a glimmer of plate armor, any hint of crimson, any pool of silence amongst the background noise of the distant dead or dying. There were the occasional narrow alleyways to the sides, should be enough to hide a few surprises, not wide enough to hold mounted troops or a band of over a dozen. Still the tightness of urban combat warranted precaution for one more comfortable fighting on the field.
My lord, a voice addressed from behind. The squire, Varis recognized. Better be good news. He briefly paused the march.
My lord, Master Aranor has sent ten knights to assist us they'll be here...
Varis quickly interrupted him, Thank you Squire, make haste and have our brothers stay behind us. We'll use their swords only when we have need of them.
The young soldier acknowledged and carried out the old knight's command.
At least I'll have something up my sleeve, Varis thought to himself.

No word from the Silvermists, who were hopefully following best they could on the rooftops. Either really sneaky for the column's benefit or...
Whatever the case with some knights at the rear things could turn out for the better.
Without a word he and the column continued forward, their pace quicker this time.

//ACTION: Continuing at an increased pace. Support from Aranor confirmed. Silvermist coverage pending. Awaiting NPC response.

Varis's force moved onto the marketsquare only to find it all but deserted. Some empty and deserted stalls made for a sad kind of decoration. Further to the west they found the main roads blocked by wooden barricades and the alleys by junk and rubble. The castle's drawbridge was up and on the battlements high above they could only see some distant figures looking down at them. As they charged south the stench of smoke became stronger and the cries louder. They neared the temple only to see a figure in armour over flowing red robes riding away from the temple into western direction escorted by perhaps a dozen red riders.

In that very moment a cry caught their ears.

Help! Help! My house, my workshop! Help!

Turning their heads they saw a man leaning out of the window of the upper storey of a nearby house, wringing his hands as a group of battered looking mercenaries set to plundering and looting his shop, while one of them was about to throw a torch into a nearby house the look of which indicated that it had already been plundered.

Meanwhile Sir Rodrick's squires were moving the injured to the easternmost plaza where Blaze and the infantry were holding their position, made wary by the distant smoke and noises.

Fitzmerwill's rangers quickly climbed off the roof and hurried back to the walls where they made their way north, as did Arceon and Wolfarmin with their men.

[OOC: Aranor did not issue particular orders for the remainder of his force on the plaza east of the marketsquare. Arceon continues in the north section.]

BLAZE

Blaze saluted to his superior Sir Rodrick as he rode in.

Suddenly, he saw the smoke, rising over the slums to the south.

One of the Wyverns gave out a cry

"They're burning the city! Those fires are in the slums! My brothers!"

Blaze felt the fury build up in his blood

"MEN! LET'S GO KILL THEM" He roared.

The remaining Wyverns cheered, and they all ran out of the plaze, leaving the militia and Sir Rodrick with the wounded.

ARANOR

Aranor's horse reared.

his group was abuzz with questions, all wondering on where to go and what to do.

Aranor faced them, and took out his horn once again. He made sure that he was especially loud, to make sure that everyone could hear him, even if they were behind a stone wall.

"KNIGHTS! The Cowardly Red Dawn run from us like Shadows before the Dawn. Their time will come my brothers, but they were not our goal my brothers! We came to save the people! Let us save them! The Rats shall face their fires, but first, we ride to Join our brother Sir Varis near the church to extinguish the flames!"

The Knights cheered and flocked together as one column, and sped off in the direction of the temple, to join up with Varis.

Iskar wrote:

Varis's force moved onto the marketsquare only to find it all but deserted. Some empty and deserted stalls made for a sad kind of decoration. Further to the west they found the main roads blocked by wooden barricades and the alleys by junk and rubble. The castle's drawbridge was up and on the battlements high above they could only see some distant figures looking down at them. As they charged south the stench of smoke became stronger and the cries louder. They neared the temple only to see a figure in armour over flowing red robes riding away from the temple into western direction escorted by perhaps a dozen red riders.

In that very moment a cry caught their ears.

Help! Help! My house, my workshop! Help!

Turning their heads they saw a man leaning out of the window of the upper storey of a nearby house, wringing his hands as a group of battered looking mercenaries set to plundering and looting his shop, while one of them was about to throw a torch into a nearby house the look of which indicated that it had already been plundered.

Varis reigned in his horse sharply. Thoughts raced: temple, red robes, escort.
Hernlin, he growled.
Nay, perhaps the Knight Tenorio!
He reared his horse and galloped back to the rear best he could,
Make way lads, he yelled, bullying his through the confused lot of squires. Knights to me!
He reached the back column all the while trying to keep a path open.
Knights, the Crimson Bishop or the fallen Tenorio flees! Take two or three, no this whole column, and we shall ride them down before they depart the city!
One of the knights interjected, But m'lord what of the people whose city burns while we give chase?
Back from whence Varis came continued cries for help persisted. Flames glowed unto the silhouette of grey smoke, the fires spread or were made new by villainous folk while he delayed.
Six knights and I, two squires a man shall give chase, four shall stay with the rest to make safe these folk until the main army comes. Protect the lives of the innocent first, leave aside their worldly dwellings that will be rebuilt, the Judicator commanded.
He rallied two squires to his side and proceeded to give chase to the Red Dawn that fled, six knights and their esquires in tow.
Glory for the first man into the dark, fulfill your duties all! Varis yelled as he galloped through his column.
Knights of the Dawn they all were, mostly boys he saw in those he was leaving behind. Young squires with barely a handful of knights to lead them.
Goddess watch over us all, he prayed as his band chased the heels of their foes.

//ACTION: Varis+6Knights+14Squires chase fleeing RedDawn westward. Remaining 4Knights command 80+ Squires to secure Temple and surrounding district until mainforce arrives.

Varis and his small force sped off in pursuit of the red knights. Driven by their thirst for vengeance they drew nearer and nearer. The chase went on through the streets and alleys of Javiksholm and finally they were about to close in with the fugitive as the red knights' party passed a crossing of two streets. But suddenly one the knights abruptly held and gave a whistle upon which soldiers with spears and swords rushed in from the sides, barring the passage. As Varis gave them a closer look he was shocked. The 'soldiers' could not have been much older than ten or twelve. The Red Dawn had armed their pages and used them as a last stand. Already the fleeing knights were gaining ground. A quick look to the side revealed some alleys circumventing the crossroads, but it would cost them time. He had to make a decision.

At the temple the mercenaries first looked as if they meant to fight the knights and squires, but perceiving their numbers the courage dwindled quickly and those that did not scatter into the sidealleys were run down by horses and lances. When Aranor and his men arrived the squires had secured the plaza under the command of the remaining knights. Then another squire came rushing down the column to Aranor.

I come from the rearguard, he said panting. Just as we left the market square southward the castle gates opened and a column of riders crossed the market square. They hurried north, is all we were able to see.

Young squires. No pages, not even men in the making, Varis thought as he scanned the lot in front of him.
Time was of the essence, and the seeds of dissent would not be allowed to spread.
Knights to my flanks we will shatter their ranks, Varis ordered as he set his shield and drew out his sword Eos.
We shall charges through them: keep to me and your charges, cut down all before you. We will break through them and give chase to the bastards, ride hard, stop for nothing, he commanded.
He kissed his blade Eos as the knights took their place at his side, ready to shatter the line in a vee-formation strike as the Dawn were most fond of. He made a quick silent prayer.
"Eos et jutjaré" Eos will judge.
May Asterea judge me kindly.

The Judicator yelled in fury in the old language as he has done so many bloody deeds before: per Asterea, ataca!!
He hammered his helm closed, and brought his horse Céfiro to charge, shield braced and Eos at the ready to cut a swathe through the enemy ranks.

//ACTION: Tight wedge-form cav charge, knights+Varis at the spear tip, squires compose body. Objective to hammer through enemy through overwhelming force or rout, and continue pursuit.

Aranor had a flash of bewilderment on his face, then he settled down.

"We have forces in those areas"

he looked to the flaming district

"It does not make sense to chase one man, and sacrifice hundreds. We didn't come for vengeance, we came to save those people."

He looked around to his men

"Go into the marketplace, grab hooks, buckets, anything that we can use to fight these fires!"

As his riders sped off, he brought up his voice amplifier and practically yelled

"People of Javiksholm! We are here to help you! Do not fear us! We are trying to stop these fires, but you must help us! Those of you with buckets of water, please give them to my knights! Men! Bring your women and children! My riders can protect them!"