View Full Version : [en] The Tavern at the Inn
Goddbye Richard :cheers:
Alas, we have lost another brave warrior/bard. :sad:
the knightly sword
08-01-2006, 23:11
Eric a beer over here in the corner.
(Hello guys Im back , university studies have eaten all my time giving me much less free time, i just wanna stop by and say hello im back.)
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
08-01-2006, 23:56
Eric a beer over here in the corner.
(Hello guys Im back , university studies have eaten all my time giving me much less free time, i just wanna stop by and say hello im back.)
Welcome back! Your beer is served! Enjoy! :cheers:
hawk_knight
09-01-2006, 16:14
welcome back,
knightly :cheers:
bartender round of XXL beer for everyone :cheers: :cheers:
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
09-01-2006, 22:57
bartender round of XXL beer for everyone :cheers: :cheers:
The beer is served! Enjoy! :cheers:
Traveller
10-01-2006, 10:37
Ok, guys, I'll try to write something before I forget!
And thanks for the beer, although it's a little too cold now. :cheers: Eric, do you happen to know how to make "greyana rakia"? It's really good in such weather! If not, then maybe just some red wine?
Edit:
Traveller's Log - The month of Chrven (July), day 5th
What the hell?!
It's already two days since I left my friends and commanders back in the camp. They should probably be on the move by now... There is no time to lose! And they better hurry, because the enemy is at the gates!
We were riding whole day on 3rd with almost no stops. As always... I think there haven't been any other forces, which have moved so fast and without rest, as we and the Mercians have in the last few months! So... We were riding fast, so that we can reach Adrianople city (or as Richard calls it with his funny language - Andrinople) as soon as possible and prepare a good plan for the battle with the enemy. But one thing surprised me: during the way we met just a few local peasants. I expected life to be "boiling" here in preparation for the big battles - these lands were free now and the people were so enthusiastic before! There were so many volunteers for the army and there was no free time for the blacksmiths, busy with making swords and shields, so that more of those volunteers could sign up! And farmers would have to work hard, because the food supplies were depleting quite seriously because of the big army and the winter would still come, despite of the plans and deeds of "the puny mortals"! But there were no people at the fields here. And the few people we did notice ran away immediately when they saw us. This repeated over and over during the whole day (the 3rd of Chrven).
Fortunately, during one short stop for feeding the horses early morning yesterday (btw it was my birthday then, so we would have a little longer rest), one of our scouts brought one man, who he had found sleeping exhausted and well-concealed in the nearby bushes. He looked very scared in the beginning, but after we told him who we are and that we mean no harm for him, he relaxed. Apparently he was a local peasant and just as all the others we saw the previous day, he was hiding from a group of horsemen, which they believed to be a Roman punishing squad, penetrating deeply in our territory. And although rumours were that the Romans are tens of thousands (more likely around 1000-2000 actually) of light cavalrymen, while we are only 300 and are heavily-armoured, people thought of us as enemies. So that explains all this "emptiness" and running away - the people were afraid of the enemy's wrath! But what has happened? How could've these Romans passed through? It's true that we concentrated our armies too much - in Adrianople, in Solun, in Plovdiv, in Varna and in Ohrid (except for the troops, conquering Southern Greece). But there were defensive garrisons all along the border! And even more scouts, roaming the buffer war zone! How has the enemy passed through? Have the troops from Constantinople rallied forth and assailed over the Bulgarian territory? Have they crushed mercilessly and suddenly our defensive posts? Is Adrian's city besieged? Is its garrison holding? Are Kuno and Angryminer alive? What should we do? Will the Allied army reach the battlefield in time? And will it be able to defeat the enemy? So many questions were in my mind, but there were no answers! The poor peasant was so tired - he wasn't able to reach his home and he was extremely worried for his wife, children and his old mother, left defenseless at home. He had his own questions too! Is his dear family alive? Have the horsemen passed through his village? Have his dears managed to hide? Oh, why did he have to go to the city to sell some of his stock exactly this day?! So many people, so many worries! And now the fate of all of us, all Bulgarians, all Serbians and all those Allied soldiers, was put at the test! the test of will, the test of courage, even the test of luck... The man could not tell us more, so we let him go. Unfortunately, we couldn't accompany him to his village, as we had to ride even faster. But before this I sent two of my men with the mission to reach the Allied army and if possibly - to report to the tsar of the situation. The army would need to haste more! Once again victory was in the hands of speed and warrior's will...
And we ourselves had to hurry! We continued our way with even greater speed, as much as this was possible with this heavy armour on our horses and ourselves. I thought if we should take it off, so that we could ride faster. But if there really were enemy troops here, this wouldn't be such a good idea. And it proved right! Because of the increased speed, our horses got tired quicker and we had to stop for short rests more often. And exactly during one such rest, our armour proved useful. Ever since I heard of the Roman cavalrymen, I ordered that more men should scout around the core army - somewhere around 48 men (two I had sent back to the tsar) with 250 of my men together as the core. And again the scouts did their job! We had just stopped, as I already said, for another rest, when suddenly we heard some crazy shouting in the distance.
- My God! It can't be! - I whispered, - It isn't possible! No, it can't be them! It can't be true!
I was quite familiar with many different foreign tribes, which actually earned me my nickname the Traveller (although I've never been outside the Peninsula)! And during my service to the late Lord Nike, who had indeed travelled a lot, I had learned even more. But now I couldn't believe my ears! Lord Nike had imitated to me many battle-cries of close and distant foreign tribes and I knew whose exactly are these ones, but I couldn't really believe it. Varangians?! Those horrifiyng Vikings from the Russian principalities? No! Although... Yes, I had heard that Emperor Basil II has been very intrigued by those men and was planning to make a special formation with them! But I didn't know he already has. Or maybe he hasn't yet, but those are "delegates" or maybe just "samples" to show him what they really can? I certainly hope so! Because if such a formation is already formed and they're armed well enough...
Anyway, I ordered my men to get on the horses immediately and prepare to face the enemy. If it was a small army - we would crush it! If it was a big one - we would fight and die in a glorious death, like all our forefathers did! Of course, if we're outnumbered, messengers would be dispatched before the battle starts. But soon the scouts came and reported they have sneaked close to these barbarians and have counted not more than a few hundred, 300 at most. And they have also seen the Mercian banner on top of one hill! What the hell?! But if the enemy are only 300 (just as us), on foot and without good armour (or so did the scouts say) and there are fellow Mercians in need of help... We gathered all the men and galloped forward. Soon we came out on a glade, strewn with around a hundred of dead bodies, mostly Varangian ones. I ordered the banner of the Bulgarian Lion to be raised and charged forth. Fortunately, the scouts were right and the enemy was quickly scattered, especially since nearly half of them were killed in our first shock attack. The rest ran away discouraged, but few of them survived and managed to save their lives. My men hadn't taste enemy blood since a long time and were now unleashing their just wrath upon the now defenseless Varangians. I managed to stop and save the life of only one, since I needed a prisoner to interrogate and learn as much as possible. And then another strange thing happened - I went to the hill to check what's the Mercian banner doing there and I saw... Before I couldn't believe my ears, now I couldn't believe my eyes! Kuno?! Yes, it was Kuno and around 15 of his men! But what was he doing here? The last time I saw him, he was still sick and in unconsciousness in Adrianople. And now he was here and there was an arrow stuck in his left shoulder. He's obviously had a very bad night! And it seems he was quite surprised to see me too:
- How?.. - he asked and fell exhausted on his knees.
- It doesn't matter now, I'll tell you later! We must first fix your shoulder there! It doesn't look so...
But before I could finish my sentence he collapsed and lost consciousness. Again... Oh, Kuno, you lazy ... ! This man seems to spend more time in unconsciousness rather than in consciousness! Anyway, we took the arrow out and dressed his wound, as well as we took care of his men's wounds too. Then we put all of them on the horses, but because of this, now we're moving much slower - not only because the weight is now really big (armour and two men at one horse), but also because we shouldn't shake the wounded too much. So we rode with this temp until it got dark and we couldn't see where we're going through anymore, so we had to stop and make a camp.
And now, in the light of the early morning sun, I'm writing these lines before I forget something from all these worries... Besides, I'll go and speak with the Varangian prisoner and try to get something out of him! Hopefully, the next time I write something here, I'll have a lot of information to record...
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
10-01-2006, 22:59
And thanks for the beer, although it's a little too cold now. :cheers: Eric, do you happen to know how to make "greyana rakia"? It's really good in such weather! If not, then maybe just some red wine?
No, I don't know how to make greyana rakia. Have some red wine. Enjoy! :cheers:
I feel like having something from south of the border, how about a margarita?
Traveller
11-01-2006, 08:17
No, I don't know how to make greyana rakia. Have some red wine. Enjoy! :cheers:
Ok, thanks! :cheers:
Btw I'll teach you, it's quite simple! You just take a normal rakia, you warm it (not too much, but also not too less) and then you put some honey or sugar in it. After this it's best if the container is covered with something, so that it doesn't lose its taste so quickly. Actually, it's pretty much like making tea, but without putting tea in it. Now go on - try it! :go: :cheers:
Edit: Btw, for the story later on, here are some schemes of Constantinople:
Scheme-1 (http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/Komnenos/2005-10-23_042614_Byzantium.jpg)
Scheme-2 (http://www.allempires.com/forum/uploads/Komnenos/2005-10-23_042650_constantinople1.gif)
Scheme-3 (http://www.throneworld.com/oathofempire/geographica/constantinople.jpg)
Pic of the walls (http://www.math.ucsb.edu/~garcias/travel/images/Turkey/Walls/1280-WallsHorn.jpg)
Nice Traveller. Both the well written story and for suppling us with pics. :go:
Btw, I noticed something on the scheme 3. What or who is (the) Avar? ("Avar attack in boats")
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
11-01-2006, 22:37
I feel like having something from south of the border, how about a margarita?
Here is your margarita! Enjoy! :cheers:
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
12-01-2006, 06:00
Ok, thanks! :cheers:
Btw I'll teach you, it's quite simple! You just take a normal rakia, you warm it (not too much, but also not too less) and then you put some honey or sugar in it. After this it's best if the container is covered with something, so that it doesn't lose its taste so quickly. Actually, it's pretty much like making tea, but without putting tea in it. Now go on - try it! :go: :cheers:
I had to look up Rakia (http://en.freepedia.org/Rakia.html). It seems it is a drink that is popular only in the Balkan regions, or am I mistaken?
Traveller
12-01-2006, 08:48
Btw, I noticed something on the scheme 3. What or who is (the) Avar? ("Avar attack in boats")
This particular scheme 3, as you can see, is for the year 622 and I guess it's during an Avar siege of Constantinople from that time. Or you ask of who are the Avars?
I had to look up Rakia (http://en.freepedia.org/Rakia.html). It seems it is a drink that is popular only in the Balkan regions, or am I mistaken?
Yeah, it's mostly Balkan drink. And a very strong one too! Btw exactly because of this it's being drunk in small "cups", called "naprastnici" because of their size as the top of your finger. And only the really brave or crazy would drink it on ex, so I guess I'll just sit here for some time... :wink:
Edit: Btw here's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walls_of_Constantinople) some more info on Constantinople's walls from the Wikipedia. Although I don't know if we'll even reach and fight there - Richard already made a grand-battle at Adrianople. Or maye they'll draw back..? Anyway, these schemes and such are just in case we do attack the Second Rome...
Or you ask of who are the Avars?
Yes I wanna know who the Avars are. I think I have heard the name before somewhere but i'm not certain right now :scratch:
Care to lend some time for a curious swede :smile:
Traveller
14-01-2006, 16:48
Yes I wanna know who the Avars are. I think I have heard the name before somewhere but i'm not certain right now :scratch:
Care to lend some time for a curious swede :smile:
Well, the Avars are one of the big "steppe tribes" from the early middle ages, which settled for longer time in Europe. Something like the Bulgars or the Magyars/Hungarians. They created the Avar khaganate and the Avars themselves were mainly the ruling elite there, although it was quite a mix (somewhat like here). They were quite a strong "kingdom" until they were finally destroyed by Charlemagne and Khan Krum around 805. Here's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Avars) something from the Wikipedia about them. :go:
Kuno of Gersenau
14-01-2006, 17:04
Nice story Traveller, I especially like
Oh, Kuno, you lazy ... ! This man seems to spend more time in unconsciousness rather than in consciousness! :biggrin:
Navatar's Travel log
Our suspect were....not right.
We wasn't amubushed, in fact, we haven't seen any welish soldiers for many days now. Only some bandits and other scums who have been using the war as a coverup for smuggling, thieving and such similar thing.
Both Edward and I have decided that we shall have the army march slowly and send some swift soldiers ahead to scout the surronding forests and fields for suspicious things. I have a bad feeling about this.
While we have been marching, I have talked much to Edward and watched his mighty warriors in combat and frankly, i'm really impressed. They have an amasing endurance and strenght. I only wished that I had some squadrons of highlanders when the siege occured at Mercia.
I haven't talked to Edward if I could hire some of his warriors yet, as I don't wanna push him.
He did save my life and Mercia:s continued existence.
*Later that day*
"Are you sure?"
"It's true. We saw it with our own eyes, my king!"
Edward scratchs his beard.
Two of the youngest and fastest warriors in Edwards army had been sent to scout ahead, and at nightfall they had returned, breathing heavily.
They had come realtive close to the castle and noticed smoke, fire and sound of battle. They said that the castle were surrounded by an unknown army, which they had never seen before and they were beseigeing the welish castle.
"What do you think we shall do, Edward?" asked Navatar, which was growing impatient.
Edward grumbles a bit till he raises his head.
"We must march quickly to the castle to find out what this unknown army you're takling about really is....."
"And" Edward continues with a wicked smile "Why shall they have all the fun! Prepare the army. We march at dawn!"
The two young warriors run out of the tent to inform the captains and sergeants and Edward looks at Navatar with a smile
"It seems that you're not the only one with a grudge on the Welsh, eh"
"Indeed" replys Navatar with an even greater smile.
__________________________________________________ __________________
How about a round of some cold mead Eric :cheers:
Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan
19-01-2006, 23:47
How about a round of some cold mead Eric :cheers:
Mead? That is an unusual request! Here is a round of mead! Enjoy! :cheers:
As noone is here besides me and Prince Eric I will drink all mead by myself :cheers:
(Eric shouldn't drink on duty :wink: )
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