[en] The Tavern at the Inn

[hawk_knight]

hawk_knight's log the 3th of may

the battle was a hard battle to fight we both lost many men my army had a totally los of 5000 men and sir Richard had lost 1000 men. The enemy had lost over more then 10 thousand men the those that where still alive we had taken them as prisoners of war we had won this battle but not yet the war. The novgordians, Normans and the Byzantine are just rebuilding there forces deep in the novgorods lands. They will come back with another army. But tomorrow we will march back to our castle and rebuild our forces.

4th of may
earliey in the morning i sounded the mrach back to my castle in mithdrill.
The march was quickly done the march had onlt taken about 4 hours. When we came to my castle. I had given orders to make up camp and rest. i had sended scouts out to my border and in to the Novgorods land.
I had called all the lords together to say that we must seperate our forces in to two parts the main part with heavy infrantry and the other part with heavy horsemen and dragons. I said also that i will take command over the horsemen and dragons and that sir Richard will take command over the infrantrie. so in a battle our army wil be seperated but it will be more of a threat to the enemy because ouwer army's can back each other up in battle.
when we disguissed our strategy's one of my scouts returned that the enemy is rebuilding his forces nearby ouwer northen border. He also said that the enemy's army will be ready in two weeks and have a totally of 35 thousand men. I said to the lords that we must now quickly must recruit more men.
Tomorrow we will start with recruiting more men and get ouwer reinforcements from the south and east from my land.
But for now we will rest.

[Dobber]

I must eat crow, for I thought Hawk_Knight and Richard were in Bulgaria and it appears they are not! Sorry TKS!

[Richard]

Knight Richard's adventure. Chap. 4 Preparing for invasion.

May 4th, 1005
Well, after the great battle we returned to hawk knight's castle at midthril to prepare our forces again. Hawk knight gave me the comand of the main army,
infantry and archery, while he is in command of cavarly and dragons.This is great as both armys will support each other in battle. Also, a scout reported that our enemy was rebuilding an army of more than 30,000 men in the Novgorods lands. We are devicing a strategy on how to overcome this force, maybe we should strike deep in our enemy land before they asemble that army. Maybe is time for counter attack and bring this war into the heart of the Novgorods lands. Who knows, maybe it might inspire a rebelion withing their lands, since I have heard alot of the novgorods people don't like their king. I will talk about this with hawk knight and decide on what to do, but for now we rest. I only hope hawk knight sees the advantage of invasion.

[Largefry07]

Have you returned to tell a story along with us or just to drink and listen?

I'm here to rink and listen for now. I may think up a story or two after a while.

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

bartender a XXL beer for me and a XXL beer for everyone :cheers:

Here comes the beer!:cheers:

[the knightly sword]

tks journal,may 4th 1005

finally ive reached the lands of dragons, mithdril, i now have to seek the capital to reinforce my friends who had a harsh battle with the byzintines yesterday.


later on that day,,,,


finally ive reached the capital to reinforce my allies .ive came with my army of 20000 men. to join them against novgorodian enemies.i sent a messenger telling them that friendly forces are here to join them under the command of earl knightly of york.

[Nike]

Nike's Diary - 4th of May

I've managed to sneak through the Byzantine lines and am now in Thrace. My men and I are disguised as simple merchants, returning from the Romean camps, where we brought some food and drinks. Atleast, that's what we say to the small groups of Byzantine guards we meet. As I suspected, the local population isn't happy with the presence of foreign troops at all and wishes to restore the power of the Bulgarian tzardom here, as it was before. But many of these peasants are too old or too young to fight, and not everyone is willing to join our army. I can't blame them - the war is a very heavy burden, especially for the peasant. If they all leave their homes, there'll be too few people to care for their crops, as the women and the children can't handle the heavy life of the farmer. And as a result hunger will come to this land. Something I can't let happen. Damage here is already big enough, as when the Byzantine army stormed surprisingly these lands only the militia could fight back, and as a result many families were slaughtered or divided. That's why I set my men in different groups to travel the land and recruit only the bravest and most eager to fight, those who have some battle experience, be it theoretical or practical, and those who have nothing left to care or live for. In my rough calculations, after about 10 days I'll be able to gather up to 3000-3500 men from both Thrace and Macedonia. In the begining we'll use the "guerilla" tactics - small groups of my men will ambush other small groups of unsuspecting enemies, capturing all they carry. Thus we'll disrupt the supplies of the besieging forces and when we meet them in battle, their morale would be poorer. And when I receive news of Xuca's landing, all of our groups would join in one bigger group and then we'll meet Xuca's army. Btw he had a very good idea, which might easen us a little bit more. We can use the captured Byzantine armour and thus disguised like Romean reinforcements we could reach the army near the Balkan passes. And when we're close enough and attack, we'd put our mantles, showing on whose side we're fighting, so that the defenders of the Passes don't mix us up. Then the defenders, themselves, would also launch a counter-attack and in this way we'll be able to put those Greeks between the hammer and the anvil. I hope this will be enough to overcome the larger and better trained and equiped Byzantine army. I hope...


-----------------------------
Btw just so that you don't get confused: Byzantines=Romeans=Greeks. Those are just different ways on how we called them (except for Byzantines, as the term Byzantine came much, much later).

[Angryminer]

Angryminer's Tale
Chapter 7

Oh what a disaster!
Under the cloak of the early morning 3 quick french privateer-ships intercepted our fleet of mainly heavy trade-ships. We were in no way prepared for a sea battle and the privateers managed to set the sails of one ship on fire with flaming arrows. Within minutes the ship was unmaneuverable and fell behind our formation.
Our other ships were completely unable to intercept the small privateer-ships and we couldn't protect the unmaneuverable ship from the arrow-volleys of the privateers.
At last we had to withdraw our remaining maneuverable ships before even more ships are set on fire! May god bless those unfortunate on the lost ship.
Unfortunately the lost ship hold the main part of our horse-armor, the repaired siegecrafts and twohundred lightly armored men.
What an unfortunate disaster! How shall we now overcome the heavily armored byzantine troops with no heavy cavalry? We will surely need help.
Tomorrow we will gladfully leave this warzone and enter the mediterranean sea.
May god be with us.

Angryminer

[Xuca]

Adventures of Xuca

5th may

After a quick journey we landed behind Byzantin backs. We brought quallity weapons and armor with us, to supply the rebels. l sent a scout to look for Nike and tell him we arrived. We are now camping on the shore, waiting for him. Of course, l put many guards around the camp, if some Byzantins come close. The scout must be fast, the more we stay here, the more we risk being detected.

Later same day

The scout retourned and reported that Nike will need around 8-9 days to gather the rebels. He also arranged the meeting place. BUT WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR 9 DAYS? Well, l put Byzantin banners instead ours, and hid all things that could show our identity. l also ordered our soldiers who speak greek to teach others if we get in a situation to speak to some of them. But Nike better hurry, we are lousy Byzantins, and somebody will figure out that, sooner or later!

[Dobber]

April 30 -- Dobber's log


The fortunes and misfortunes of war are a thing we must accept. Today we lost a ship to an attack by the French. Damn, I had forgotten they were at odds with Normandy, I shouldn't have had the ships flying the Norman flags until we were in the Mediterranean. Captain Angryminer has reported that it was the ship with the seige craft and the bulk of the horse armor, neither such a big loss. But the loss of 200 men is a concern. I tried to get the captain to leave the horse armor behind, because my plan was for the men to be outfitted with horses by the Byzantines themselves. And the seige weapons are not necessary if my plan works, for we will be inside the city anyhow. Just a couple more weeks and we will be near the Moorish lands I am seeking.

[Nike]

Nike's Diary - 5th of May

Today a messenger from Xuca arrived. He reported that Xuca's army has already landed in the occupied lands and has set up a camp, pretending to be Byzantines. I didn't expect him to come so fast! I've sent some messengers to find the leaders of the small rebel groups and tell them where we will meet. Xuca was worried his soldiers don't know Greek very good and some Byzantine scouts might find out of this. That's why I will ride to meet them. I have some knowledge in Greek language and manners thanks to the time I've spent in Constantinopol's Magnaur University as young. If the enemy reaches us, I'll pretend we're an army sent to deal with the rebels and after that to reinforce the Romean forces at the Balkan. We'll stay there for nearly a week "collecting information for the rebels" and after that we'll set off to meet my friends and their groups. It's very risky, as many things can go wrong! F.e. how could I explain all this armour and weapons? I hope the Byzantines would be too busy thinking about the war and not see all the flaws in our plan!

[Nike]

Nike's Diary - 13th of May

After 5 days of camping, we left to meet and unite with the rebel groups. After three more days we reached the meeting place. Most of my men had already arrived. There were some signs of a recent battle, so I spoke with the commanders and asked them what has happened. They told me that a convoy travelling to resupply the Byzantine forces had recently passed by. The escort noticed some of the peasant-rebels and attacked. But although they were better trained and equiped, our superiority of numbers, the skills of my second-in-command and the ambush we had made have granted us victory. The insurgents have captured some nice supplies of food, wine, beer, armour and weapons. But the most of all - they've captured prepared for battle horses. Nearly a 130 of them. This could be very useful! Since times long forgotten my ancestors were famous as great horsemen, especially as horse archers. I couldn't use cavalry till now, because there was no way to transfer the horses through the Balkan siege and there was not enough room on the ships for both horses and men. But now I can form a small squadron of horsemen - horse archers, light or heavy cavalry. In the ancient times we were said to live on the horseback, so I'm sure I'll be able to find enough men skilled with the art of riding and fighting on horse.
I'm surprised to see so many people! The volunteers are coming like a big river, although on small groups, and my commanders say they'll probably be nearly 7000 men. Till the end of this night they all should gather. We'll rest here until then and tomorrow we'll arm the men and march north. I hope Nike* will be with us!


*Nike - Greek (Hellenic) goddess of Victory



P.S. Why is only the Balkan front writing? Come on, bards, tell us the stories of the Mithdrill wars and the North African campaign! Here, I'll buy you a beer if your throats are dry! :cheers:

[Xuca]

Adventures of Xuca

15th may

The rebels were still comming yesterday, and we had to delay our attack for today. We have a mighty army, around 7000 men! But there was not enough weapons for all of them, so some are armed with pithforks, but they are brave and villing to fight, l see a mighty victory ahead. Also Nike selected best riders to mount the horses, and we now have 50 light cavlary men, 20 heavy cavlary and around 60 horse archers.
My messenger retourned bringing the news that there are no available reinforcements, because the tensions between Serbia and Croatia and Hungary grown. l am worried about that, but the reinforcements are no longer so badly needed. The rebel numbers are big, and their morale is also very high.
The scouts l sent are back and they report that there is another army on the south. Maybe we can attack them after, but then we mustn't let any Byzantin escape, so we can surprise them too. l will send a spy to their camp to see what is their assignment, it is always good to know what is your enemy up to!

[hawk_knight]

Hawk_knight’s log May 5th

Sir richard had talkt to me about a counter attack against ouwer enemy’s and fight them on there land. I said yes we shall attack the novgorods. I said to sir richard we will invade Novgorod in three days then we have enough time to gather our troops. I had got a message that the Knightly sword is in front of my gates with an army of 20000 men under his command i said to the soldier tell them to open the gates and let them in. Give them food, water and shelter. Whenthe knighthly sword came in the chamber i had told him the plan of sir richard to invade the novgorods lands and that we will invade in three days. Then we will enough men at our disposal the Knightly sword will have 20000 men at his disposal, sir Richard will have command of the infrantry and archers totally of 30000 men I will have command of 15000 heavy dragons and 15000 heavy horsemen. So that we will over run the enemy compleetly. I had callt the commanders and lords together to make a strategy for the invasion. We had have agreed with the strategy to invade from three directions in the center sir Richard shall attack and The knightly sword will attack from the left an i will attack from the right. This will be the battle plan for the invasion. I had got a message that the reinforcments from the south of my land willjoin us in 2 days. After the discussion about the invasion strategy i was going to take the army of heavy dragons up to the mountains for some training for a two day’s. I gave the command of the army to sir Richard until i return from my training if there is a urgent message or a problem you can send me a message by dragonscout to me. I will now prepare to go.

In the evening later that day
I was ready to go and the dragon army to so we took off to go to the mountains. The flight was quick. When we came there i gave the command to make camp and send scouts out to search for anything suspicious. The scouts reported that they have seen of heeard nothing. I said make some more camp fires to warm up your self and the dragons after that rest because you will need your strenght for the training tomorrow . I had first taken care of my dragon scarlet and then i had to go to sleep to. I had put some extra gaurds on to kep an eye if something was coming to ouwer camp.



I had a busy week. I had much homework from school. But i had writen another story now :cheers:

:cheers: :cheers: Bartender A XXL BEER FOR EVERYONE :cheers: :cheers:

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

:cheers: :cheers: Bartender A XXL BEER FOR EVERYONE :cheers: :cheers:

This round is on hawk_knight!:cheers:

[Richard]

Knight Richard's adventure
Chap. 5 Walking in the enemy's backyard.

9th of may, 1005
So we marched into the enemy lands. Me with 30000 hevay infantry/archery, hawk knight with 30000 horsmen/dragons and knightly sword with 20000 men.
Certanly a massive invasion, and as i spected the people see us as liverators and don't put a fight. Many joined our ranks and now we are marching right into the heart of the novgorods lands to finally put a stop to them. It was a sorry sene see the poor conditions this people live in. Heavy taxed they have bearly enought to eat and survive, but is a bad life. Some of my scouts told me that a group of revel peasants are organising themselve to attak their cruel ruler. This is a oportunity we most not let go, so i asked hawk knight to equip this men with good weapons and armor, and he accepted. We sended the equipment to them andt they told my scout they would attack when we gave the order. So now they march with us and is only a mattar of days before we laid siege to the capital city of the novgorods. It will be a massive battle and might take many weeks, but with the help of the revels and our convine forces we will put at end to this cruel ruler.


HMM thx for the beer, Super Huge beers for everyone on me :cheers: :cheers: Just don't get drunk :wink:

[FrankishKnight]

I verily enjoy listening to these bards...I will have a drink please Eric. Give me...a shrubbery...no, I'll have a pint.

[Nike]

Nike's Diary - 17th of May

Two days after all the men gathered (nearly 7000 rebels and 10000 regular army, around 17000 men alltogether), we saw the Balkan mountain in the distance. We could reach the enemy army till the end of the day. I've sent a messenger to carry a letter to the Romean general in which I inform him we're reinforcements from Constantinopol, carrying supplies, and that we'll reach his camp not earlier than tomorrow noon, because of the carts. The messenger should then slip out unnoticed and make contact with the Defenders of the Passes and inform them of our plan. In the meantime we stopped to make the final arrangements and discuss the plan once again with Xuca. After that I made sure everybody's well equiped and left to the left wing, where I would command the cavalry squadron. Xuca would take the center and the right wing. A great man crossed the Rubicon river once and said something that would be remembered for centuries. Alea Iacta Est! The Die Is Cast!



Nike's Diary - 18th of May

We reached the enemy at night. Their guards weren't very cautious, because they didn't expect an attack from the south. And although the night was lighted by the clear Moon and stars, we eliminated them easily without any noise. Then we quietly positioned our troops - Xuca in the center and the right wing and me on the left wing. All our archers were in front, prepared to shoot anybody close enough. We were prepared even to light the arrows. And so I did. I fired two fire arrows in the night sky, which was our signal for the Mountain Defenders to attack, and I shouted with all my voice "Fire!" Immediately all the archers fired their deadly delivery. Flaming arrows whistled all around me. The Byzantines were shocked and it took much time before they could realise what is going on. But it was too late for them! Their whole camp was burning, as if Hell itself had came on Earth. So many bodies already lied on the ground! Most of them didn't even had the chance to put their armour. Then I heard Xuca's loud voice shouting "For Honour and Glory! Attaaaaaaaaack!" and the infantry charged forward. The noise was unbearable! I had never heard such a terrible thing! Thousands of men shouting their battlecries, like a thunderstorm, and even more men crying in mortal agony, like little kids... What things does war do with these human beings! This bloody thing should end as soon as possible! I can't stand it anymore! I charged with my horsemen at the flank of the enemy's encampment. Blood and gore everywhere! We didn't even need to waste our arrows. The enemy was crushed and fleeing. Or so I thought. But then I saw a squadron of nearly 300 heavy horsemen charging at our right flank. Our archers "welcomed" them with a volley of arrows and some of the riders felled down. But the majority of them smashed down into our lines. Seeing this, many of the running Byzantines started to reorganise. And they still had a numerical superiority. I shuddered at the thought of what might happen. The battle was turning against us! Then I saw two horsemen, standing against eachother. Xuca and the Roman general Nikifor Uran. "Surrender or die!", with all his anger the general cried. "For Honour!" Xuca replied, he pulled the rein of his horse and charged forward. The Greek general raced towards him, too. They smashed at eachother, like two Titans! But then then I fealt something hit me, all the world spinned around me and blackness came...

I woke up the next day in my tent. My loyal squire was beside me. My head was swathed in bandages and I fealt some strange pain in my body. It hurted really bad! I asked my friend what happened and he told me everything he knew. Obviously, the reorganised Byzantines launched a counter-attack and one of their arrows hit me. I have then fallen from my horse and hit my head on some rock, where I had lost consciousness. I saw through the entrance of my tent the field outside. The whole place was covered with dead bodies. Bulgarian, Serbian, Greek and even some Norman. Death showed mercy to noone! I saw also many wounded men, most of which were doubtedly to be able to fight again. Even their survival wasn't sure! Those, who got away with only light injuries, were taking the dead bodies, preparing them for their funerals. I don't know how would they burry so much men! In rough calculations, nearly 40000 men had died this night - around 10000 from our side and 30000 from the enemy's. The beauty of Byzantium died in just one night... once again. This land has seen so many glorious battles, and now another one can be added to the list! Many men have been taken prisoners or have fled. "But how did this all hapen, when we were loosing the battle?", I asked to my fellow companion. He told me that soon after I passed out, the Defenders came. They broke the siege and their cavalry smashed at the enemy, totally crushing their morale. And now all the horsemen were pursuing the fleeing Byzantines. There was a small group of reinforcements coming from Constantinopol, but they wouldn't be a problem. Especialy if what I heard is right! And I heard that in the lead of the striking force of the Defenders was my King Samuel himself, together with his Royal Guards... We had won! Bulgaria and Serbia are saved! The road to Constantinopol is free! But, no, our forces are too weak to deal with this giant. We will need time to recover, to construct siege weapons and ships, in order to have some chance of succesfully besieging the unconquerable city. But we must do all we can to help Sire Dobber! And we must send forces north to help Serbia defend it's northern border! We should send help also to Mithdrill and Lord Hawk Knight! But who am I to give orders? It is the Kings job to decide... Oh, it hurts! I need a rest...

Last entry of Nike's Diary - 19th of May
Written by Lord Nike's faithful and loyal squire
Today, after a whole night in fever, my Lord passed away! Doctors said the arrow that hit him was coated in poison. This was probably done in purpose! He shall find his revenge! I guarantee it!
His last wish was to send help to his friends and to finish his diary. His funeral will take place tomorrow at noon and his body shall be burried here, in this field of a glorious battle. May he rest in peace!




Goodbye!

[Dobber]

May 12 - Dobber's log

We have reached the African shores. I set out in a launch to the shore and am searching for my friend Sakim, in hopes of talking him into joining us in an attack on Constantinople. I must not venture to far from shore, I know no one except Sakim in these parts. I would hate to be taken prisoner.

[Xuca]

Adventures of Xuca

21st may

l write these lines with great pain and sorrow. Today was the funural of a great hero, Lord Nike. Every last man was filled with sadness. Farewell, Nike... my friend...
l will now march to the north to Serbia. Maybe the war with Hungarians isn't inevitable. The Bulgarians do not need my help anymore, the Byzantins are defeted and they will attack the Constantinople as soon as Sire Dobber comes. Maybe i'll meet him again some day, who knows...