Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:46 pm
Article Competition Submission
It was cold that morning in Haypi Kingdom. I can still remember the muffled sounds of the smiths hammers in the barracks. The mill workers sluggishly dragged timber into the shop. All was serene with a cool breeze blowing past the marketplace where the caravans were being prepared for trade with the neighboring kingdoms. It seemed just like any other day, but then came the alarm.
The first alarm was heard from the western tower, and moments later, the eastern and southern alarms were sounding their warnings. It was not going to be a peaceful day. There would be war.
Infantry and archers came pouring out the barracks and in the stables, the cavalry could be heard making their preparations. Thankfully a new set of catapults had just been completed the previous night. Whomever decided to attack this township would not go away with out heavy losses.
Scouts reported that our western fields had been set on fire and that our forest and iron quarry had also been attacked. Thankfully there were few workers guarding these oasis of resources that morning, but those who lost their lives defending our supplies would soon be avenged.
As I reviewed our troops, I remember being impressed with our defenses. Sure we had a few traps set out to capture any enemy troops hoping to gather intelligence on our defenses, but the numerous turrets would hopefully turn the tide of this battle. They had been upgraded with the most powerful crossbows we could afford and their range could nearly match our catapults. We would soon see if the investment would payoff.
The sound of the invading army's cavalry snapped my attention back to the battle. "Cavalry, hold!" I shouted. "Infantry and Archers, hold! Catapults advance and attack!" Creaking like a thousand rusty door hinges, the catapults advanced and let loose their stones. The enemy's horses appeared to explode on the impact from our first salvo. The surviving cavalry pressed on heroically, only to be brought down by our turrets and another salvo from the catapults. Not a single horse was left standing on the field by the time the last arrow fell.
Cheers and hollers were heard up and down the line. I remember thinking we just might make it through the day. That was until I heard again from the scouts about the size of the infantry, archers, and catapults advancing down the field. Initial estimates were 20,000 infantry, 30,000 archers, and 10,000 catapults. It seemed that the neighboring Marquis had decided to unleash his entire army on us. This would be a battle to remember if any of us survived. (to be continued)
The first alarm was heard from the western tower, and moments later, the eastern and southern alarms were sounding their warnings. It was not going to be a peaceful day. There would be war.
Infantry and archers came pouring out the barracks and in the stables, the cavalry could be heard making their preparations. Thankfully a new set of catapults had just been completed the previous night. Whomever decided to attack this township would not go away with out heavy losses.
Scouts reported that our western fields had been set on fire and that our forest and iron quarry had also been attacked. Thankfully there were few workers guarding these oasis of resources that morning, but those who lost their lives defending our supplies would soon be avenged.
As I reviewed our troops, I remember being impressed with our defenses. Sure we had a few traps set out to capture any enemy troops hoping to gather intelligence on our defenses, but the numerous turrets would hopefully turn the tide of this battle. They had been upgraded with the most powerful crossbows we could afford and their range could nearly match our catapults. We would soon see if the investment would payoff.
The sound of the invading army's cavalry snapped my attention back to the battle. "Cavalry, hold!" I shouted. "Infantry and Archers, hold! Catapults advance and attack!" Creaking like a thousand rusty door hinges, the catapults advanced and let loose their stones. The enemy's horses appeared to explode on the impact from our first salvo. The surviving cavalry pressed on heroically, only to be brought down by our turrets and another salvo from the catapults. Not a single horse was left standing on the field by the time the last arrow fell.
Cheers and hollers were heard up and down the line. I remember thinking we just might make it through the day. That was until I heard again from the scouts about the size of the infantry, archers, and catapults advancing down the field. Initial estimates were 20,000 infantry, 30,000 archers, and 10,000 catapults. It seemed that the neighboring Marquis had decided to unleash his entire army on us. This would be a battle to remember if any of us survived. (to be continued)
