Battle Of Castellazi
Introduction
The Battle of Castellazi marked the beginning of the Heir's War, the first clash between Emperor Alexios of House Orsinian and the Aversarian Autokrata. Below describes the course of the battle, which ended in a convincing victory for the Aversarian armies. The Emperor's silence in the wake of the loss describes the severity of the war within Reveian history.
Course of the Battle
Great horns signaled their arrival, the grand host of House Orsinian. Banners displaying the golden lion marched in tandem with the families of the Crownlands. Among them, the Captain Dannis Lanser of the House Lanser, and he led the levies from Brie. He was known and given captaincy of the rearguard for his sacrifice in retreating from the borderland to join with the rest of the army. Lord Armand Haillet of Coinautum rode alongside the Prince Bessarion, as did his Knight Captain Laurent Crevier. Armand was only eighteen taking the flank of the royal liege as his bodyguard. Within the command tent, several notable lords and knights made their mark. Lord Commander Caius Thul and Sir Raynar Visegrad stood beside his royal grace Emperor Alexios, as his personal swords.
Lord Morton Blount from Somerdell, not the Lord of the Hall but rather a noble courtier in the Crownlands rode among the cavalry. He who had once come to blows with the Lord Parren of a small fief near Somerdell, now rode alongside him as a friend. Both deadly warriors in their craft, their steel would be tested in time.
On the side of the Primeans marched the great legions of Keriokois and Helaclossan men. Great heroes of the skirmishes with Sadaf stood in their vanguard, a note spared to describe the names and their feats. Phylacus of the Ephetros, a bold and noble warrior known for his skill with spear and shield, took command of the right flank. Today, he carried a longer pike to lead the pikemen contingent. Lamachos of skilled shot rode alongside his brother Chalcon of Thenea, both well known in the Apella of Kelea. They would lead the initial assault, with both arrow and spear thrust from their appendages.
It came to pass that Areibacus the Giant marched among them, a hero in Typhos who is said to have taken the head of several Sadafi zealots during the Empire’s invasion. A great javelin sat in his grasp, and a great mace awaited its bloody fate in the distance on those Crownland fields.
The battle began with a most detestable move. Displaying their quarry, the army of House Kodaxes attempted to, but failed to bait the Princes into a foolish attack. However, the arrows were soon to fly afterward. Leading their number, Lamachos and his brother surged along the flanks and began to harry the Orsinian number with volleys of arrows. They struck shield, flesh, and plate as the first blood spilled on the fields of the Crownlands. Lamachos’ aim found the breastplate and armpit of many unfortunate infantrymen. Captain Catell, of merchant background, commanded the ranks of fusiliers, pressed and confident to display their prowess. The first smoke of gunpowder filled the air as musketball screamed across the empty air of Castellazi. Several men atop their horses were felled or wounded. Lamachos mourned as they returned to their lines the men who were lost, many of whom friends who he had known. Many a father’s son were lost that day, and more to come.
The cataphracts were the next to join the battle, as the Reveians marched under the support of cannonfire and artillery shot. Each side traded blow for blow as the cataphracts rounded the corner of the forest line. In the distance, Prince Bessarion and his bodyguard rode to meet them with the support of their knights. Leading the cataphracts, a veteran of the Ephetros and Ephors named Tebaeus of the Scythas lineage saw the prey that his liege desired, lacking good judgement and only a bloodlust characteristic of his background. He blew the horn and their grand flank was conducted. Much to the chagrin of the Emperor, the skill and tactics of the veteran Tebaeus prevailed. The horses clashed and fell upon one another with such intensity that they were felled merely from the collision. In the first bout, Tebaeus crossed blades with Laurent Crevier as another knight rushed from the flank to end the Primean captain’s triumph before it could begin. Alas, the veteran was no fool. A swift pivot and the knight was felled upon his spear, and he quickly escaped the wrath of Sir Laurent into the safety of his men.
Tebaeus’ attack prevailed and the Prince Bessarion was turned back to his lines, as the battle drew to full force and intensity. A contingent of a thousand Reveian infantrymen clashed against the line of Primean pikeman. Areibacus swung his mace into the lead Reveian soldier, crushing his skull against the dirt, while a victim of his deadly javelin lay lifeless just nearby. They were nameless peasants, hailing from Mallery. They too would grace the homes of their children no longer. The Emperor did not fear battle like his predecessor. His sword flashed with almost demonic speed, cutting down several Primeans in his path and clearing out a deadly pikeman’s trap for his men to traverse. Nicanonaeus rode into battle himself, his spear catching with misfortune laden in its metal the Lord Parren of Somerdell. In an instant the small and noble House of Parren lost its patriarch, and the family would go onto to fade away with the yet unknown death of his only heir at the hands of Phylacus. The heir, foolishly rushing as a mere squire to save his father, slowly faded from life’s grip as his blood seeped into the muddy ground from a grievous wound across his torso and deep in his liver. Lord Caius Thul raised a sword in Lord Parren’s defense, leaping from his horse and bringing sword to cause against the Ephetros’ finest. Phylacus thrust his secondary blade forward to catch that of Caius, who quickly parried with his well recognized twin blade wield. Another thrust, glancing off the Bloodsworn’s armor with a loud scrape, prompting Caius to lean forward and headbut his foe with the crown of his helm. Blood streamed from the nasal cavity as Phylacus fell into lustful rage, swinging wildly and meeting his opponent’s guard with each maneuver. Each time, expertly countering Caius’ counterattacks when they were levied. Let it not be said that the Lord Commander was not outmatched, and he found himself at death’s door that day with but a prayer to preserve him.
Elsewhere, arrows flew from either side to aid in the push of their infantry, as the dead were secreted in the mud of the floodplains. Dannis Lanser fought among his men, leading a competent contingent of infantry to break the lines of Primean legionaries attempting to reach the Emperor. In a striking lack of luck the Captain was dropped by arrow fire, as Lamachos rode by and let fly his shaft. He continued riding, unbeknownst of the sorrow his shot would wreak on the men and women of Brie who were endeared to him. His charge had failed and the Primean legionaries pounced on their opportunity.
Phylacus stood triumphant, as his sword found the shoulder of the Lord Commander Thul after several minutes of distracted fighting in the midst of their men. Caius was led back to camp to tend to his wounds, leaving the Emperor with only Raynar to guard him. A silent prayer was uttered from his squire, as the Lord Commander’s pained yell reinforced his fear of death.
Raynar drove forward to stave off Areibacus who had seen and desired to deal the killing blow upon the Emperor who fought but a few feet away. He almost broke under the weight of the giant’s first swing, as the mace broke through his guard. With a swift drive of his blade, he pivoted off from the swing and thrust his blade through the brave Primean’s thigh. In a desperate grasp for life and salvation the Giant of the Primeans grabbed Raynar and wrested his sword from his hands, tossing the man against the dirt. Areibacus roared as blood dripped from his grievous blow, before his head was suddenly taken from him. Alexios, covered in blood that obscured even the shimmer of the golden lion, stood and offered a hand to his bodyguard, and the two regrouped.
The battle subsided, and the Orsinian army retreated under the buckling of their morale. Prince Bessarion suffered a wound and was taken from the field, and the Lord Commander’s injuries dealt a blow to the men that could not be repaired. House Kodaxes claimed the day, and successfully marched to Vixtoi. The army of House Orsinian meanwhile retreated to Somerdell where they would regroup.