Chapter 3: March Eastward
Three days passed since the Khanate had declared war upon the Kingdom of Swadia, and reports were flowing in of villages being plundered and burned and of the brutality in which the Khanate attacked. Movan and his men gathered their supplies, sharpened their blades, and made crossbow bolts, and said their goodbyes to their families if they had any. and prepared to march East toward the Khanate threat.
Including Movan and his companions, and the baggage train Movan had an army of ninety eight men ready to march on the Khanate horde their only mission to keep the Khanate busy long enough for the King and his army to come. As the Afternoon sun rose over Maras Castle they moved out they left a garrison of seventy eight men to assist Yalen and to defend Maras if the Rhodoks attacked while they were away at war.
Movan and his army marched east and followed the base of the snow caped mountains that bordered the lands of the Rhodoks and the Lands of Swadia's southernmost border. They then crossed the twin rivers that surrounded Uxhal and into the Valley pass that led to Dhirim and Rindyar Castle beyond. Awaiting them were the banners of an unknown army that stood between them and their advance east Movan dispatched Borcha to investigate and scout out their potential enemies numbers.
"Captain I estimate there to be at least one hundred to one hundred twenty, all mounted most of them are lightly armored and carry bows at their sides, to the rear they have heavy horsemen with lances, and behind them more light horsemen." Borcha Reported as he brought his horse to a stop in front of Movans horse.
"Thank you, now I want you to take a banner of truce to their general I wish to meet with their, general." Movan said quickly.
"Yes captain." Borcha said before riding away.
Borcha again went across the valley after he retrieved a plain white banner in his hands, Borcha came back later as the sun began to set.
"Their general agrees to meet with you in the middle of the Valley." Borcha said as he approached.
"Good." Movan said before turning to his companions. "Come my friends let us not keep their general waiting it would be rude.
Movan and his companions set off down the hill into the valley, from across the Valley they could all see a large group riding toward them quickly toward them.
"Must be trying to intimidate us." Klethi said with a wide smile on her face.
"Appears so I for one am not impressed nor intimidated by them." Movan said before spurring his horse to go faster.
As both parties came to the middle they halted quickly and stared at eachother for a moment, until one of the men rode forward a little until both his and Movans horses were almost touching the man was young, bald except for a beard, and ponytail at the back of his head.
"I am Imirza Noyan General of one of the Great Sanjar Khan mighty armies, and you must be Movan Beltasus, we have heard of you from many who visit the Khan's court even as far East we still hear stories of your Bravery, Prowess, and Prominence on the Battlefield, of how you best your enemies even when the odds are stacked against you you still triumph. And some say you are unkillable. Imirza chuckled as he said this before he grew stern. "You know what I see, I only see another man with an army to oppose the will of my Khan the will that will rule all under the Blue sky. I see future slaves as many have fallen to us as we conquer more lands for our Khan.
"Are you through talking?" Movan said as he glared at Imirza and looked him straight in the eyes. "All I have seen and Witnessed are words coming from your mouth, and no actions. Remember my face, as I will remember yours when we meet on the battlefield it will be the last thing you see on this continent."
"Insolent dog I am through with you." Imirza said before he turned his horse around and began riding back toward his own army.
Movan and his companions turned their horses around, and then rode back to their own position and took their positions in the line of Movans men. Movan began to pace his horse back and forth in front of his men.
"Our enemy thinks us weak and feeble, not worthy of facing him and his army on the field of battle. Their general Is however arrogant, and we will turn his arrogance to fear as we defeat him. He relies heavily on horsemen being the core of his army, we will use this to our advantage by holding this hill and then riding down on his head with our own mounted men. Infantry form a four rank shield wall, crossbows you take position behind that and fire into the enemy. Men let us show our enemy the might of the Band of the Red Rose and that he should fear it!" Movan yelled as he rode.
As the sun went down Movan's men got into their positions, quickly as they could, his cavalry formed a wedge with Movan at it's head. In the valley they could hear the thundering of horses hooves below them, in the moonlight they could see the figures riding toward them shouting battle cries. as they got closer the crossbows opened fire downing many of the figures. As the enemy reached the bottom of the hill they the enemy fired as they charged. The hill blunted their charge to where it was slower than what it was in the valley. Movan spurred his horse and drew his sword and charged with his heavily armored horsemen down onto the Khanate army. as they charged the Khanate's horse archers split off and began to pelt the wedge, but their arrows only bounced off their armor, or impacted into shield. The Wedge drove deep into the enemy lines and began to engage the enemy. Shields broke on impact of the lances, weapons clanged on weapon as the grand melee ensued. The light horsemen of the Khanate who were caught in the fray fell quickly and retreated, the heavy horsemen of the Khanate held for a little while but soon broke as some of Movan's men prepared to flank them, and soon the Khanate army was in full retreat with its tail between its legs back to the east. Movan's men cheered as they watched the Khanate retreating. When they formed back up they cheered Movan's name as he passed.
"We will make camp here then press onto Rindyar on the morrow and break the Khan's siege. Movan shouted to his men. "Extra rations tonight for your good work."
More cheers erupted from his men at hearing they would receive double rations.
That night Movan sat looking out over the camp and the moon under a tree that stood on top of the hill they had made their stand on and he fell asleep sword in hand in case a would be assassin would come and make an attempt on his life, But for now all that mattered was breaking the siege and pushing back the Khanate