The battle of Drakwasser
Stibor drove his blade into the man attacking him, the metal puncturing the worn leather and going deep into his chest. With a quick yank he pulled it back out and the man collapsed onto the floor at his horses hooves. The men he was fighting finally broke from his own guards. He pulled the reigns up to stop the horse from giving chase and surveyed the field. The battle was in the balance but his men seemed to be holding. Just. Bringing his arm around he wiped his sword on the cloth he kept attached to his saddle cleaning the blood off the steel. He took a few deep breaths to clear his mind.
"Lord von Orseln." the man speaking was Kreuzer, the captain of his guard and his chief commander. "We must return to the line. Whilst we have broken these fellows the Lord von Hornhausens men are far from defeated." the Frieharr spoke with a tone of duty.
"Very well." replied Stibor turning his horse. He spoke in grim tones. " It appears that Reuss has brought much of the might of Alenhof against me." Kreuzer remained silent as a yell was heard and a rider was seen hurtling towards them. The man was driving his horse far too hard for good news. He wore the livery of one of the men commanded by Gankom.
"My Lord!" he shouted and Kreuzers men parted to allow him access, though they drew their weapons to be safe. "We are attacked!"
"I had noticed." Stibor replied dryly as the man tried to catch his breath.
"No my Lord, von Sangerhausen men are marching towards Wahnsinningen! They are descending the mountain."
"How many?" replied Kreuzers before Stibor had a chance to react.
"Thousands."
"My Lord, we must retreat." his general stated.
"Yes. Send word to Buam-Ruess and get a rear guard organised now. We must retreat in an orderly manner. Do not tell the men of our plight yet. Albrecht, we must not cause a rout." he said seriously. Kreuzer nodded in agreement. "He turned towards one of his guards, a young man of the Hirsh family. "Ride to the rear. Command them to get the baggage moving, though be prepared to abandon what we must. Send some men to Wahnsinningen and command Gankom to defend the mountain passes till we can return with our men." he looked both in the eye briefly. "See it done." he commanded with a nod.
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Reuss sat on his horse at the rear of his forces watching the battle unfold. A constant stream of messengers rode to and from his hilltop to give him updates on the progress and to receive orders on how they should proceed. Whilst von Orselns men were putting up a fight for several hours they had been slowly withdrawing and he suspected they were retreating from the battle altogether. It was hardly surprising, he had brought more men after all and Stibor appeared to have largely brought a rabble to the fight if their equipment was anything to go by. Still they had put up a decent fight and both sides had taken more than a few casualties.
"Lord von Hornhausen." stated one of his guards indicating another messenger had arrived for orders. From the mans sigils it appeared it was one of von Spurs men. The man handed a note to the guard and waited patiently. Taking the note he opened it and read it quickly. It was brief and simply stated - 'Orseln in full retreat on right flank. Bulk of army withdrawing, do we engage rear guard.'
"Tell the general to keep pressure the rear guard and force them back. Krudenwald is the prize and I would not waste men. Ensure that they do not have chance to enter the town. I do not intend for a siege." commanded Reuss. The guard nodded and moved to relay his orders. A slight curl of the lips was the closest he came to a smile. The field belonged to his forces.
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