Beltasus Saga
A Mount and Blade Warband story
By Erice Ravenwing
Chapter 1: The Battle
"Where the hell is Beltasus?" King Harlaus yells to Count Delinard as they fight in the river back to back surrounded by Rhodok soldiers on all sides fighting desperately for their lives.
All around them the battlefield was complete chaos crossbow bolts whized overhead hitting their marks or lodging into the ground. The sound of Steel against steel echoed across the battlefield along with the sound of steel hitting shield and flesh cries of pain as men were cut down curses and shouts were everywhere as Sergeant barked out orders for their men to keep formation and hold against their enemies. Horses without riders or dragging their riders dead or alive crossed the battle field, the riders still mounted fought desperately against the men below them trying to stay on their horses.
at the center King Harlaus and his knights fought in the river that ran through the middle of the battlefield on either side of them a great dense forest stood tall casting a shadow as the sun set over the scene. From the rear flank of the Rhodoks a great shout is heard then the sound of a war horn. some of the Rhodoks at the rear of the battle turn their heads to look behind them then a sound that sounded like thunder rolling could be heard the Swadians and the Rhodoks paused as the noise grew louder and louder until out of the brush burst several hundred horsemen in a giant wedge formation each one with their lances down at the head of the wedge a warrior with an open faced helmet and a tunic over chain mail armor the tunic had a red rose design on it as did the rest of the riders. the man signaled with his sword to the left and right and horse archers burst out from the rear of the wedge supported by heavy horsemen each group split off and began to pelt the Rhodoks lines with arrows.
The man made the signal again then the other horsemen following him split off into two other smaller wedges the man sheathed his sword and crouched his lance and raised his shield to protect his face the wedges slammed into t the Rhodok's lines cutting a path through to to the middle of the battle the horsemen dropped their lances and drew swords. short spears, axes, hammers and maces and began to fight the Rhodoks around them. As if on cue several infantrymen burst from the trees weapons drawn crashing into the enemy lines behind they're mounted companions. The Rhodok lines crumbled and those that could began to route and run away from the battle when the battle was over the bodies were piled high making it hard to walk without stepping on a body. The man who had come from the forest cleaned his blade while on his horse while his his men began searching the dead for any valuables.
King Harlaus and Count Delinard crossed the field until they stood in front of the mounted man.
"You're a little late Movan as usual." Count Delinard said unpleased. "Many of my men died waiting for you our army is in ruin and to weak with the injured to continue the campaign any further."
"My apologies your majesty it could not be helped my tracker Borcha scouted ahead and reported another army of fresh Rhodoks coming to assist Count Etrosq so we intercepted them and captured Count Fudreim and Count Matheas and many of their soldiers in the process" Movan said bowing his head to King Harlaus.
"You see Delinard there was a good reason for him being late to the battle he may have saved us from a devastating defeat at the hands of those Highland Barbarians. King Harlaus said as a servant wiped off the blade of his sword and he sheathed it.
Count Delinard fell silent as his king continued to speak.
"Now how to reward your you Movan you have served me well these past years."
Movan dismounted from his armored heavy horse and drew his sword and drove it into the ground in front of King Harlaus and fell to one knee and bowed his head.
"My king as you have said i have served you loyally and without question these past years, and my bravery and valor has always worked to your advantage I ask that you name me as one of your Vassals my king so that I may fight in your name and serve you better." Movan said with his head still bowed low.
"This is true every word you have said then i shall make you one of my vassals." King Harlaus drew his sword and placed it on Movan;s shoulder. "Arise Movan Beltasus Count of the realm of Swadia.
"This is most irregular my king surely…." Count Delinard began to protest, but was silenced by a glance from his king.
"Continue to serve me well Count Beltasus and you will go far." King Harlaus said as he turned and walked away from Delinard and Movan.
"Do not think this makes us equals Beltasus in any way we are not equals." Count Delinard said before he followed his king away from the battlefield.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Movan said with a smile as he watched his long time rival walk away from him. "Everyone knows I'm the better swordsman."
Movan sheathed his sword and took the reigns of his horse and began to lead it in the opposite direction of his new King. As he passed Borcha he smiled at his long time friend.
"That went well Captain now your ambitions can take flight and I will live to see you become king of this land." Borcha said smiling wolfishly.
"First I move to take Swadia, then the other Kingdoms, after that the world." Movan said smiling as he led his horse away from Borcha.