Chapter 5: The Siege of Rindyar Castle
As dawn arose Movan and his men were already on the march toward Rindyar their spirits high with anticipation of what was to come. Movan rode at the head of his army his companions at his side, after the battle with Imirza Noyan they had ten men with minor wounds that did not inhibit their ability to fight. That afternoon they stopped outside of Dhirim to rest and water their horses to keep them fresh for the still long ride ahead. They moved out again in late afternoon and by early night they were in sight of Rindyar high up on the cliffs. As they came closer they could see two banners flying from the highest tower of the keep of Rindyar. Once was the yellow and black bear banner of Count Clais Lord of Dhirim, the other was green and white checkered banner of Count Rafarch lord of Rindyar Castle. When they reached the eastern gate the guards posted opened it quickly to let them through.
"Come on men double time!." Movan yelled spurring his horse forward.
Movans men rode and ran quickly to the gate when they were all through the guards closed it quickly.
"Klethi take our banner and raise it high with the others." Movan ordered.
"Yes captain." Klethi said as she dismounted and took the banner of the Red Rose from one of the banner carriers and ran to the keep.
Coming down the stairs of the keep a man in wearing a yellow tunic with chainmail under it came toward movan and his men.
"Movan Beltasus it is good to see you." The man said as he approached.
"You as well Count Clais." Movan said as he dismounted his horse.
"It has been long since we saw each other at the Siege of Yalen." Count Clais said extending his hand.
"Yes it has and if I remember I saved your life when I took that crossbow bolt in my arm." Movan said as they griped each other's forearms.
"Yes, and now it appears you come to save me once more." Count Clais said smiling widely.
"And I bring more good tidings, from the King, he is sending an army once he is certain the Rhodoks will not attack while the army is away.
"Then let us be sure we are waiting for him when he arrives." Count Clais said grimly. "How many men do you have with you?"
"In total ninety eight."
"With the combined force of myself and Rafarch we will have over four hundred men against the horde of at least seven hundred Khanate."
"How long have you held?"
"There has been no battle yet they are trying to wait us out but come the dawn.." Count Clais said with a grim look on his face. "We have held for nearly a month."
"We only heard about the siege a week ago and you have held for that long how is the food supply.?"
"We had enough to last about a month it would have run out two days from now but now we shall have enough now that you have come."
"Let us rest for now and when dawn arises we shall push them back."
As dawn arose Movan, Count Clais, and Cout Rafarch, and their men were standing on the walls of Rindyar Castle surrounded by their men their ranged units took up positions on the two towers facing the one way to get up the mountain. Below them the horde of the Khanate who were pounding on war drums and shouting as they advanced carrying a single ladder that would serve them as a way onto the wall. As their enemy got closer the Khanate and the Swadians traded volleys of arrows all the way to where they had the ladder propped against the wall like a ramp and began to advance up it some who had shields raised them as the bolts found their mark digging deep into flesh or shield. When the first wave reached the walls they were quickly dispatched by sword, and bolt. Same with the other waves. For almost a week the Khanate charged their men again and again killing few Swadians finally during the last day they Khanate pushed forward with heavy troops almost breaking through the defenses and as dusk came that day the sounds of warhorns echoed of the mountain. From the walls as they fought Movan could see the banner of King Harlaus, and the other counts below slamming into the Khanate lines, and Swadian infantry fighting their way up the ladder. Movan jumped onto the ladder and began to hack and slash his way through the Khanate men. Many jumped from the ladder to keep from being killed, but died anyway as they were hit by a crossbow bolt or died on impact from falling so high
Eventually the battle was over and the Khanate horde retreated with its tail between its legs back to the lands of the Khanate. After the battle Movan and his band left to aid in the chase of the Retreating Khanate in the end they captured three and were holding them for ransom. The King's army pulled back to Dhirim while movan and his men pushed into Khanate territory.