[en] The Tavern at the Inn

[FrankishHero]

Everyone can have a drink on my tab, in celebration of Eric's birthday!

[Angryminer]

Happy birthday Mr Eric! :go:

Angryminer

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

Thank you! :smile:

[Dobber]

Someone should tend bar for Eric, so he can have his birthday off!
I would do it, but Eric might think I would drink more than I served!

[hawk_knight]

its a day late but better late the never


so happybirthday eric :cheers: :cheers:


grab yourself a XXLBeer :cheers:

[Angryminer]

By the way, is the story hanging anywhere? I think the main army is inbound for the battle at noon, hawk seems to want to make contact a little earlier. So is everything set up?
If no one disagrees I will start the assault tomorrow.

Angryminer

[hawk_knight]

@angry we could better have a battle with your attackers. we could do that the main army of the enemy is not at your castle gates but a smal portion that was sended to take the castle back. we could just fight that first and later we will have a large battle with the full army. We could do that.

[Traveller]

Ok, I'm ready for the battle. Hiding near the north of the city with around 200 heavily armed horsemen. Hurry up, cuz it's quite hard to hide 200 heavily armed horsemen in such a small forest like this!

[Richard]

Sorry I'm late but, happy bday Eric:cool: .
I will serve the beers if you like:holy::plot::naughty::slobber:

[Angryminer]

@angry we could better have a battle with your attackers. we could do that the main army of the enemy is not at your castle gates but a smal portion that was sended to take the castle back. we could just fight that first and later we will have a large battle with the full army. We could do that.I don't plan to change the story after it is written down. That would also take away the tension from the story. We're in a bleak looking situation, so enjoy the ride. :go:
I already have vague plans in mind (which I'll propably change anyway), so just wait until I open the battle and let it develop.

Angryminer

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

Thanks again for the birthday wishes. :cheers:

[Dobber]

Eric, I do not wish to pull business away from you, so I no longer serve beer and wine at the Colosseum Cafe. It is primarily a coffee house with a bit of light fare being offered breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

I was just kidding. :wink: I hope your cafe is a success! :smile:

[FrankishHero]

Can I have beer...to go, please? :biggrin:

[Kuno of Gersenau]

Kuno's log

It was darkest night, when we reached the town. All around were enemy tents, so the Byzantines were faster than expected and already encircled the town. I started to feal desperated, we were too late, now we would have to hide and wait untill the main army was here. And only god knows, when this will be.
I just wanted to order the men to search a position for camping, when I suddenly remembered the secret tunnel Angryminer and I were told about. The entry was somewhere South of the city, hidden by rocks and trees. I silently lead my men to the south and in the east already the first light appeared, when we found the entry. For a big army it wasn't of big use, but for us 25 it would be a perfect way into the city! I told the men to make sure that there was no enemy around, then we entered the tunnel.
After about half an hour walkin through the narrow and dusty tunnel we reached the end an were stopped by a loud shout: "Don't move or we will shoot you immediately! Who are you that you know this path?"
Then a man with a torch came out of the darkness, he looked like a Bulgarian captain.
"My name is Kuno of Gersenau, captain of the Mercian army under the command of Sire Dobber and Sire Angryminer. I'm here with some men to help you against the Byzantines!"

The sun had already isen in the east when I came to Angryminer, who was standing on the walls and watching the movement in the enemy camp. He was very surprised: "Kuno, where do you come from? And why are you here and not with the army?"
I answerd, "Did you really think that I will leave you alone with the fun to defend the city against 100'000 enemies?"
He looked at me with a strange view in his eyes, looking at the dents in my armour and the dried blood on my clothes. Then he smiled an claped me on my shoulder.
- "Outsch! please on the other shoulder, this one is still a bit hurt..."




So, now I'm ready as well. Hope I didn't disturbe your plans Angry...;)

[Ainvar]

Journal entry for July 10th


I have prepared myself for the ritual, I have parted my hair into 4 equal parts and tied each section, tightly(so no energy can leave my body through my hair), with a colored strip of cloth, brown for earth, yellow for sun, blue for water and red for blood.
It is early and my brethren and I have gone on ahead of the big army in search of a nice grove of trees near Adrianople. We have found just what we need and haave prepared the area for our ritual, we will do what is in our power to aid the weary forces that have marched with haste and much fatigue. We will perform our energy magic, to give the forces a much needed boost of energy as they do battle.



*I will add more once the battle has started, I will perform the ritual to bring energy and strength to your beleaguered forces, if that is of some assistance to you as you prepare your story of the battle.*

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

Can I have beer...to go, please? :biggrin:

Here is your beer! Enjoy! :cheers: Remember what they say: "Don't drink and drive; you might spill your drink!" :silly:

[Angryminer]

Looks like everything is ready...
"Rock and Roll!"

Angryminer's Tale

Continueing Kuno's part:
Angryminer smiled slightly at Kuno and turned back towards the army in front of the city. "I'm glad that you are here. The main army must also be close. But look there." He pointed towards several catapults outside the southern gate which were embraced by the colossal army of the byzantines. "They will be ready every moment. We have to leave the gate quickly."
With that Angryminer commanded the only other people left on the gate, two scouts, to go to the northern gate and he and Kuno left the wall.
Angryminer pointed him towards two horses and they began riding towards the citadell of the town, followed at a distance by Kuno's men.
"As much as I am glad that you are here, my friend, I also wished you wouldn't be here. The odds are against us. One defender fights against five byzantines." Kuno noticed the deep thoughts in Angryminer's face. He looked like a man who didn't fight to save his life, but fought for honour and pride.
As soon as Angryminer noticed the changed look on Kuno's face he began talking again. "I have arranged everything for the beginning assault. The byzantines are in a hurry. They want to sweep us away with everything they have to get us out of the way as quickly as possible so they can concentrate on the main army, which will be an easy prey when the byzantines are in full formation. Our goal on the other hand is to lead the byzantine astray and keep them at bay until the main army can attack." He made a short pause.
"Did you notice me sending the two scouts to the northern gate?" Kuno nodded. "That is where half my men are standing. You ask why? Because at the south gate they would be slaughtered."
At that moment the first boulder from the catapults slammed into the southern gate, tearing down an amount of stones with it. Just a second later another rock burst into a building shortly behind the wall and took down one side of it completely.
Angryminer continued after the sight has set: "The gate will be destroyed within a few hours. Follow the this street towards the northern gate. There is some equipment at the gate. Give yourself and your men a rest. We will need all our strenght later. I will check the positions of my men and will meet with you when the battle begins."
With that he lead his horse into a street to the left and disappeared quickly while Kuno commanded his men towards the northern gate.

Angryminer traveled through half the city. There were detachments of lightly armored men around the town. Each lead by an officer who was introduced well into the streets and the obstacles that were set up in the town. Angryminer talked to each of them to make his plans clear. All the while the southern gate was under attack. The byzantines had several catapults aimed at it and with every hour they tore away more and more of it.
It was shortly before noon when a trumpet was sounded. Seconds afterwards other horns were sounded. That was the sign that the enemy began the assault and men all over the town were beginning to get nervous. The southern gate must be close to being destroyed and the byzantine are marching forward. Angryminer roweled his horse and made haste towards the southern gate while at the northern gate a high officer in bulgarian armor began shouting commands to the men. Everyone gathered their equipment and took up positions near the gate.
Fewer than half an hour later Kuno noticed lightly armored men coming towards the northern gate. They looked like they are already involved in fights. Among them was Angryminer on his horse, in full armor.
"Open the gate! Quickly!" he shouted. He shortly talked with the bulgarian officer. When he noticed Kuno he told him to take his men outside and take command of the west flank once they are outside the walls. When Kuno spoke with Angryminer he noticed that, even though it looked like it, his army wasn't fleeing. Angryminer seemed confident.
After the short conversation Angryminer roweled his horse and set southwards again. The bulgarian officer began leading men through the gate while in the south the byzantines were already in the town and were fighting the few defenders.

While within the town the strategy seemed chaotic from outside it was clearly visible. While the byzantine army, their cavalry and armored fighters, were entering the town and fighting in a city full of blocked streets the defenders quickly left the town at the northern gate.
By now it was half an hour after noon and the byzantine forces were near the center of the city.
Angryminer was always near the fights in the streets because he needed to know where exactly the byzantine were. His presence also encouraged the men to keep the byzantine involved in fights to slow down their assault, even though they didn't stand a chance in close combat.
Now was the time when the battle was to be decided. The byzantine have surely noticed the forming army in the north of the town and even though most of the melee fighters and a large portion of the cavalry was bound in the assault there were still enough men to crush the remaining defenders easily. Either the defenders would recieve reinforcements or they would be destroyed. Several messengers were send towards the west and north of the town to search for allied forces. If they are found they will be issued to meet up with the defenders at the north of the town as soon as possible and inform them of the available troops.

[Edit]
Quite a long post, eh? I hope I didn't cross anyone's plans, but I wanted to take the story far enough to outline the planned strategy. Feel free to post you own perceptions of the time-frame above. Also note that I don't command the reinforcements to come later. Angryminer is still in the town so he might just be unaware of the reinforcements that arrived earlier.
Time for something to drink. :cheers:

Angryminer

[Traveller]

Oh, I'll have a beer, Eric! I need to go to sleep and I'll listen to the bards and update their story in the book tomorrow...

[Prince Eric of the Lorah Clan]

Have a drink, Angryminer! What will you have! :cheers:
--
Oh, I'll have a beer, Eric! I need to go to sleep and I'll listen to the bards and update their story in the book tomorrow...

Your beer is served! Enjoy! :cheers: