Battle For The Lakian Strait

Introduction

As the Battle of Castellazi raged in the north, the House of d'Orsini began the war with an attack on Valedorion, attempting to seize the Strait and land a decisive blow early on. While the attack failed to take the city itself, significant damage prevented the Valedorion garrison from celebrating, as the Kodaxes Navy suffered casualties in their attempt to counter.

Course of the Battle

A great fleet bearing the dual sigils of d’Orsini and Orsinian sailed into the Lakian Strait, beating the drums of the former’s desire to take control of a key economic center and earn the first victory of the war. The Kodaxes fleet prepared to face them, only to find that the attackers had other goals. They desired not to do battle with the fleet if they did not need to, instead firing their fiery volleys on the city itself and its docks.

Mercedes stood on the deck of the ship responsible for the initial volley, guarded by Sir Roland of the Bloodsworn. Within their contingent fought several mercenary captains on hire from the nearby territories. Soldiers of the Cheradon Phalanx and the Swordbrothers prepared to land and match their steel against the Valedorion defenders. Notably, Jose Santolaria the Duelist commanded the Swordbrothers, and Antenion the Elder commanded the Phalanx.

At night the light of the hwachas announced the opening of the siege. Fiery rockets fell in clusters on the wooden dockyards, burning civilian and garrison defenders alike. Man o’ wars from the Orsinian Fleet fired volley after volley from their cannons, striking the walls and gates with respectable fervor. Jose Santolaria and the Swordbrothers were the first to attempt their landing. Sailing into the port proper, arrows welcomed them into the great Primean City. Many of Jose’s comrades fell before they disembarked, until finally the boats ran up against the sand and rubble of the damaged dock. Waiting for them was a strong garrison, battle hardened Primeans and citizens alike who knew very well the value of their city.

The first engagement fared poorly, only saved in large part by the hwachas. Their devastation caused many to flee the field, either by sheer fear of the sound or the subsequent fires they wrought. Fortunately, the uncontested firepower of the Orsini Fleet led to the destruction of the portside gate. Even though the Swordbrothers were crippled by the garrison’s valiant efforts, a breach had been made in Valedorion’s defenses.

Mercedes was not yet satisfied. The drums beat once more as the cannons continued, only now contested by a ballista that had been prepared for other plans. One of the Orsini ships suffered heavy damage, and eventually sank. A caravel manned by the brave sailors of House d’Orsini, now would give company to the sea creatures of the Lakian Strait.

The second attempt arrived with the landing of the Phalanx. Antenion remained with Mercedes, sending his son Antenion the Younger to accompany the band. They faced similar problems. With the Swordbrothers already present, the two groups synchronized their tactics well. The legionaries protected the flanks of the scolepti, who fired rounds at the pikemen defending the breach. Within minutes, the pikemen were dispatched and scoured by the offensive firepower brought to the table by the Royal Coalition. Sir Roland was the next to disembark, leading a contingent of Orsinian marines and successfully routing a group of citizen militia organized to fill the breach. Losses were heavy, and the strategists called the first phase a loss even though they had established a beachhead.

That was not the end of the battle. Finally, the fleet of House Kodaxes arrived to defend the city, after the planned trap failed to materialize. Cannons from the Orsinian ships announced the beginning of the skirmish, striking water and hull alike. As the Primean vessels drew nearer, the frigates of d’Orsini unleashed a fiery cone of oathfire upon the water’s surface. Immediately, one of the caravels saw its mast turned to ash, and its hull burning rapidly. Another, attempting to change course quickly, barely escaped but lost many sailors who screamed aloud in agony from the fire. One of the d’Orsini captains, a man named Gilberto Montani who would go on to draw great infamy among the Primeans for his performance in the battle, pressed the immediate advantage with support from Mercedes. With his sabre draw, he routed another caravel and boarded it, locking it in place and butchering the sailors aboard.

Unfortunately for House d’Orsini, the arrival of the Kodaxes fleet injured their ability to maintain the blockade. They were forced to retreat under heavy fire from the city itself, fortunate to escape with its soldiers largely intact. The day went in favor of House Kodaxes, though not without heavy losses both in their fleet and the garrison of Valedorion which suffered heavily from the attack.