[Finished][MTW2] To Conquer the World For Islam: A Moor AAR (Updated January 4)

[Scottish King]

Thanks for catching those for me. I need to proofread a little better I'm working on the next update will either post today or tomorrow.

I also would like to thank all who have been reading so far. Your support is my motivation.

[TheBard]

Good update. + rep

I'm curious; does Portugal now own Valencia and Oporto? Or Valencia and some other western city? Are they on both sides of you? Any chance of a world map pic to see? Sorry for all the questions!

[Scottish King]

Good update. + rep

I'm curious; does Portugal now own Valencia and Oporto? Or Valencia and some other western city? Are they on both sides of you? Any chance of a world map pic to see? Sorry for all the questions!

Portugal is now in possession of Lisbon, Pamplona, and Valencia. I'm playing vanilla so I don't get all those extra cities. Now for the world map. I played ahead quite a bit and since I didn't take any screenshots with the fog of war off I can only show the world as I knew it at that time. When I catch up I'll post a shot of the world as it is.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

World as we know it.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Moorish Provinces

Next update should be up in a couple of hours

[Scottish King]

Ready to March and the Imam's Hope

This post is all text but and serves as an intro into what coming ahead soon for the Moors-battles!!!

Algiers 1089 Qasim’s Journal

The most amazing thing has happened today. I was overlooking the final preparations for the march on Cordoba, when I was informed that a messenger had arrived by boat from the north. This was not surprising since the Sicilians had unexpectedly broken off their blockade and had sailed back into the Mediterranean. I had the messenger brought to me expecting to hear from Faraj asking advice on how to govern since he had just become governor there. It would be easy for me to take the capital with such a young and inexperienced boy as its leader. However, upon opening the letter, I saw that it was from the Sultan! Had he discovered our plans! I had taken every precaution, even not telling my men our objective so how could he have found out? My thoughts turned to the council and I swore I would kill them all if they had betrayed me. So with trembling hand I read the message:

Qasim, Crown Prince of the Moors, and Governor of the Southern Provinces,

I am sure you have heard about my debacle at Valencia and the shame at which I was forced to suffer there. I will admit that I have not been a strong ruler of our people and undeserving of my father’s title. I can only ask for Allah’s forgiveness for my weakness in leading his people. But he has given me a chance to redeem myself.

Fahkir, the imam who served my father and of who you know well, has returned with a mission from Allah himself. I am to lead a Jihad on Leon, capital of the Spanish. I plan to take Toledo first and establish it as a base from which I will attack the infidels. Tell no one and burn this letter, as we must catch the Spanish by surprise if this is be successful.

Also I give you permission to wage war against the devious Sicilians. A series of misfortunes kept your dispatches from reaching me but now that I am aware of the situation, I see the need for direct action. Hit them and hit the dogs hard. If they want to settle for peace afterwards then give it to them as I do not want to fight on two fronts and the Jihad take preference. If they stubbornly resist, then destroy then utterly. I will hold off on my march on Toledo until word has come of your victory or defeat. If victory, I will march on. If defeat, I will send some of my soldiers to strengthen your army and then proceed forward as the treasury is low and extra expenses will be a burden.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for your loyalty. In these times, it is more valuable than gold. You have stood by my side even as I made questionable decisions. This nation will one day be yours to rule and I could not think of a better person to lead it. May Allah be with you and see you safely through.

Your Humble Sultan,
Miswar

After reading the letter, I sat long in thought. Here I was about to invade my own capital and set off a civil war with a man who believed I was loyal. What a disgrace I was! I wasn’t loyal but a traitor. Should I continue with my plans or forget them and follow my Sultan. Finally, after praying to Allah for guidance, I took his letter and watched it burn in the fire. I had made my decision. I could not go against him who Allah had chosen. If the Sultan was worthy enough to lead a Jihad he was worthy enough to lead our nation. I gathered the council and told them my decision to attack the Sicilians at their recently acquired province of Tunis, instead of attempting the planned coup and promptly threw them out before they could raise a protest. They are a bunch of conniving and plotting pests. To think that just this morning I was one of them. I can only pray that Allah will forgive me of my many sins. Now all is set and with last-minute preparations now finished we will strike out at early light for Tunis and for me redemption.

Granada-Toledo Province Border 1089 Fahkir’s Journal

He will not talk with me. In fact, he has never spoken to me in my entire life. To write this down is dangerous for if anyone was to find out that Allah has not given me the messages I claim to have I could be killed. The Moors are where they are today because of me. My claim to have a message from Allah convinced the first Sultan, Miswar’s father, Tahar, to unify the Moors. As an imam I used his religious zeal and his thirst for power to my advantage. I needed him to unify our people because separate we would have fallen apart. Five years of war and bloodshed, in now what is called by many the Unification War of the Moors, has brought about this great nation. Allah still has not spoken to me, even after the war. I have always wanted to hear his voice and was sure that I had achieved something worthy of recognition by Allah but it was not so.

These last five years I have sent in exile in Spanish territory. I lived in poverty with only the basic needs hoping that by separating myself I would be able to hear what my God had to say but no amount of prayer and privation would coaxed him into speaking. Oh how I long for it! It would validate all that I have done in his name. Perhaps he wants to accomplish some other great thing. This Jihad should surely appease him as it will spell doom for the Spaniards and maybe even the Portuguese. Miswar is like putty in my hands. He needed something to unite his men under his control and now he has it. He will do whatever I say. Allah will be proud of what I have done for his people. He will one day exalt me before all people.

[Scottish King]

Conflict and War

Tunis 1089 Qasim’s Journal

I will immediately set about telling the events of the last few months. After informing the council of my change of plans I outfitted a fast ship to act as our transport to Tunis. It would be a lot faster than overland travel, however, risky because the Sicilian fleet that had been blockading our ports and sinking our ship was still out there. I decided to take the risk and ask the captain to hug the coast. That way if we were spotted by the Sicilians we could quickly get to shore. It would ruin our element of surprise but it would be a chance I would have to take.

We set off and had a peaceful voyage though some of the men became sick from the constant rise and fall of the boat. However, after three weeks we disembarked just outside of Tunis and immediately set up a siege. Time was not on our side. We couldn’t blockade the port with only one ship so I told the captain to dock in a sheltered cove as we burned as many ships as we could. We couldn’t get all of them and I was sure it would not be long before they told the Sicilians what we had done.

However, the Sicilians were already in the area and set about attacking our ship and its captain Salhelddine.



My men report that Salheddine had immediately set anchor and tried to outrun them. Soon the ships were too far away to discern the details from the battle but we can only assume that he lost as we have not heard from him since.

I already knew his fate and ordered the men to build the siege equipment. Within record time we had our rams built and set about attacking the castle to avenge Salheddine and his men’s death.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This would be my first siege battle. During the Unification War, I had fought open field battles while Sultan Tahar had battled in the streets of cities. It was his specialty. However, he was not here and I was in command. I would have to manage.



I came to battle with two companies of Berber spearmen, Desert cavalry and archers and one company of Sudanese and militia javelin men. I had two rams, which were manned by my archers built just in case one was set on fire so we would be able to get through the city gates. A company of Sicilian mounted seargeants waited to meet us behind their gates and as soon as the gates were demolished, meet them we did.



We eventually pushed them back and the few that survived the initial charge fled to the city square.



My men were eager for battle against the enemies that had been harassing our ships for months and rushed after them to fight them in the square.



I gathered the cavalry and rushed in to join the fray and were greeted by a company of heavy cavalry in beautiful armor. I knew immediately that a man of high standing in the Sicilians court must be present. I urged the men on as the Sicilian bodyguard braced for an attack. I bloodied my sword, cutting left and right destroying all Sicilians who stood in my way.



Soon there was only one left and by his armor we could tell he was the noble. We surrounded him and with the thrust of our spears ended the battle.

As the men cleaned up the square, I had some of the citizens questioned and brought to me for questioning. I soon learned that the noble was a man by the name Alberto. He had recently attacked Tunis and taken it for the infidel Sicilians. I also inquired as to why only a small force was left to guard such a valuable castle. No one really knew but all of the citizens gave the same reason



The pope had called a crusade on the city of Antioch. Thankfully, the Sultan has kept the Jihad secret for if he had not then the crusade would have probably been called on Cordoba. I immediately sent out two diplomats: one to Egypt to see if we can provide assistance and become allies and one to Palermo to ask for a ceasefire as according to the Sultan’s command. I have sent news of our victory back to Sultan and eagerly await news from Palermo whether it is for war or peace.



Toledo Province Fahkir’s Journal 1090

This will be short as I have to prepare to lead the men in prayer. Once word of Qasim’s victory reached us the camp was eager to go to battle with the Spaniards. However, Miswar, even after my pleas, would not budge until he heard whether or not the Sicilians agreed to stop what many are calling the Moor-Sicilian Conflict. Finally, after a month awaiting word arrived.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Sicilians after one defeat are beaten into submission! With us now no longer fighting on the African front, Miswar moved the troops toward Toledo. All went well, except for a few men who began to speak against. They questioned my motives, as Miswar had made me one of his closest advisors. They claimed that I am only manipulating Miswar for my own ends and for the most part they are correct. I am manipulating Miswar, but not for myself. Instead it is for the glory of Allah and the protection of this great nation. I could not tolerate such words to be spoken that could eventually poison the mind of Miswar. So I convinced Miswar to execute them for spreading heresy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

All it took was a threat that Allah would not help us win the upcoming battle. Now we are here before the walls of Toledo about to strike the first blow to the Spaniards and my position is stronger than ever. Now I must go, for the battle is about to begin and I must ask Allah to protect and guide us for today, we enter into a new age.



Toledo 1090 Miswar’s Journal

I must recount the battle that took place not more than a few hours ago.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After having praying to Allah for victory and guidance, I set about starting to attack the castle of Toledo. We had to win this battle for I had emptied the treasury to prepare for this battle and we even owed some money.

I had brought along one company of militia javelin, Arab cavalry and crossbowmen, two companies of Spanish mercenary spearmen and desert cavalry, three units of militia spearmen, and four units of desert archers and the bodyguards of myself and Hamdin.




There were some javelin men on the walls and I sent my desert cavalry to deal with them.



The javelin men, however, had a height advantage and my men started to take casualties. I immediately pulled them back and sent my desert archers forward to deal with them.



My men took the walls while the ram broke through and I rushed in with the rest of my army. The javelin men, or what was left of them, rushed into the streets and took off for the middle of the city. People were still trying to get out of the streets and I expected to soon see men marching forward to face me. However, soon the streets were empty except the bodies of some of the Spanish soldiers.



I urged my men forward to take care of the last of the javelin men and set out for the city square. As we came to the square, I saw not only the last of the javelin men but also a company of heavy cavalry. We attacked and wiped out the javelin men as I lead the charge.



Now all that was left was the heavy cavalry which I assumed were the bodyguard of some noble which had been stupid enough to have only one unit of militia to protect his castle.



If all Spaniards were that stupid then this Jihad would be easy. The heavy cavalry turned to face me and I saw one with a crown on his head. Could it be the King of Spain! The man shouted a war cry and his men began to charge. I did likewise and king fought against king.



I fought like a wildcat against the king whose named I had heard was Alfonso. Our bodyguards fought around us as the rest of my men watched the spectacle taking place before them. Alfonso swung at me and I at him. At that moment, it seemed as if we were the only ones fighting in the square. Suddenly, one of his own men’s horses bumped into his knocking him off balance opening him up for the finishing blow.



With their king dead, the rest of the Spanish were quickly dispatched and we had won a clear victory.

I immediately ran into the main building of the castle and had my troops make sure no one escaped. We sacked the city, putting to death those who opposed us and the wealthy to add their money to our depleted treasury. I also questioned the people within the castle to find out what the king was doing here. We were lucky to find a diplomat who faced with the prospect of torture told us he had came to Toledo under extreme secrecy to meet with diplomats of Portugal and Sicily. In fact, just a day before we began our siege, they had concluded talks that had resulted in a secret triple alliance between Spain, Portugal and Sicily.

What treachery the Portuguese have committed! I have done nothing but help them and yet they betray us! After we finish with the Spanish, we will wipe them off the face of the earth. As for the Sicilians, I am going to send word to Qasim to continue where he left off in his offensive. We will teach these dogs to try to undermine us. But now I must seek out Fahkir and together lead the men in singing praises to Allah for the bounty he has given us here, may our Jihad continue as planned and bless our new additions to our empire.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Radzeer]

Your story is shaping up nicely.
If I may have one tiny suggestion:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Do not use spoilers for every single picture, rather one spoiler for one event (like a battle). Too much clicking could be detracting. Just my two cents.

[Maltacus]

I concur with Radzeer on both points, this is getting better and better.

HOWEVER, WHAT am I reading?! PEACE with Sicily? I don't believe my eyes! The Sicilians must be crushed and their island taken at once!

[dezikeizer]

Great update as always, and nice progress, though I hope the Spanish put up a better fight the next time. This new alliance is also troubling. Just a few typos:

instead attempting the plan coup

I think you meant: instead of attempting the planned coup.

We set off and had a peacefully voyage

I think you meant: We set off and had a peaceful voyage.

There were some javelin men in the on the walls

I think you meant: There were some javelin men on the walls.

[Scottish King]

Thank you all for the feedback and corrections( Ill make them as soon as I get to a computer, using phone now). My next update will be fomatted with less spoilers to be more reader friendly.
Also updates may be a bit sporadic with prom and graduation coming up but I'll try to do them as often as possible for u the reader and myself (I enjoy doing this )

Next update: Qasim takes the fight to the Sicilians and Miswar heads for Leon.

[Scottish King]

Toledo and Palermo

1091 Toledo Miswar’s Journal

I have stayed the year at Toledo consolidating my rule on the province and preparing for the coming battle with the Spanish. I need to make sure that everything is right down to the last detail, for it we fail here; we may never have another chance like this again. The destruction of the Iberian Army will open us to attacks from both the Portuguese and the Spanish. They both know that a Jihad has been called on Leon but what they don’t know is that I know about their secret alliance. For now the Portuguese have not taken arms against us but their diplomats have made it clear that they are not pleased with our offensive against their allies. No matter. We are not obligated to keep peace with them now that they have broken our alliance and I see a war with them in the future. If I had only kept Valencia under our control! Now more blood must be shed in order to survive and that is what this is a fight for survival. The Catholic infidels have arrayed themselves against us, but they will not beat us not with Allah on our side.

Speaking of which, the conversion of the people to the true faith goes slowly. Here in Toledo, the control of the heretical religion has embedded itself deeply into the people, though it is not as bad as what we encountered in the Valencia Province. It will take a lot of work by Fakhir and his imams to supplant it with our faith. This action has also put us at odds with “His Holiness.”

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I am not worried as relations with the Papal States have been non-existent. However, we must be prepared for any calls of crusades on us in the future. The pope has all of Europe under his control. If they were united against we would soon be driven off the face of the earth.

However, in the meantime, the Spanish want to have a peace treaty between us.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

They should have already known the answer to their request. There will be no peace until I have broken their kingdom into pieces and they become a footnote of world history!


1092 The Island of Sicily Qasim Journal

It was with great pleasure that I received the Sultan’s command to attack the Sicilians. I followed the Sultan’s orders on the ceasefire but I knew that he would not let them go so easily. I decided to attack them at their heart, Palermo, their capital on the island of Sicily. I quickly outfitted a fast merchant ship and got my men ready for the voyage. I left one of my trusted captains in charge of Tunis with orders to continue to train men in order to hold off any attack while I was away. It was risky moving the army in hostile waters but I had no other alternative. Also before I left I sent a diplomat to the Egyptians, fellow believers in the true religion, to join in an alliance with us. We could use their powerful navy to help against the Sicilians.

Soon I was off, on the open waters toward the island of Sicily. The island, if we could conquer and hold it, could be used as a launching base for any future invasions on mainland Europe. I was proud of my progress thus far. Allah has blessed me with a good army and has answered my prayers for a chance at redemption.

After weeks of being at the mercy of the swell of the endless sea, we disembarked on the southern part of the island. I told the captain of our boat to sail away so he wouldn’t caught in any battles. This would save his life but also trap us on the island. It did not matter however. We were here to conquer or die and the former appealed to me more than the later, so without delay we set out. About twelve miles inland, we came upon a troop of Sicilian soldiers. We could not let them escape.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I had brought along in my invasion force, three companies of desert cavalry, two companies of Berber spearmen, Arab cavalry, and desert archers, and one company of Sudanese and militia javelin men.



The enemy was one unit of Dismounted Norman Knights.



I decided to use only part of my army, and ordered the desert archers to fire away, as my desert cavalry got into position.







My missile companies began to fire into the heart of the heavy cavalry, but the enemy was determined and kept marching forward.



That is when I decided to charge the Norman Knights to give them a taste of Norman steel and killed their captain as soon as we crash into their lines.







Seeing their captain dead made them lose heart and they fled the battlefield or would have if we had not ran them down.






The battle was a resounding success.

With no casualties to any other unit except my bodyguard, the army was ready to go when we besieged Palermo.






I had the siege machines promptly built as at Tunis but this time instead of two rams, I built only one with a siege tower and ladders. I planned to attack the fortress at front three different sides to make our job easier. Finally, the construction was complete and we set about attacking Palermo.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It was a dreary day, with clouds blocking out the light of the sun. No one had come to the walls to challenge us or meet our force and no one was at the gate. Believing them to be further inside the city, I send my men to walls with the ladders and siege towers.







I looked on as our men seemingly met no resistance inside at the walls. I thought it strange. Why would the Sicilians leave their capital so undefended? This was still in my mind as my men opened the gates from inside and we marched in without a bit of resistance.











I saw that there was another set of walls protecting the inside of the city but there were no archers raining down death upon us, so I sent for the ram to break down its walls.






As soon as the gate broke I immediately rushed to the city square with my bodyguards only to see another such company headed towards me and soon we were fighting.



I could see this was no ordinary company. They were decorated just like the company at Tunis was except they were more elegant. This meant I was fighting another noble of the Sicilian household. I was spurred on by the thought that I would have the honor of ridding the earth of another family member of the royal house making this invasion an even sharper thrust at the enemies’ morale and confidence.

Finally, only one was left. I engaged him and I still remember the curses he said as we clashed sword with sword and the cries of agony as I struck him down ending the battle.

My men immediately set to sacking and many of the many and councilmen were put to the sword. I later found out the man I had struck down, was none other than the King of Sicily himself. This invasion has gone better than planned. I have not only robbed the Sicilians of a major province, the island they call home, but also have slain their king, added money to our treasury and found a map of all Europe with the map information of all our foes. I only pray that Allah will continue to bless us so in the future.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[El Cid99]

a crusade?? on the spanish?? as the moors?? WTF?!?!?!

lolz i think u meant jihad

[Maltacus]

Excellent, down with Sicily!

[Scottish King]

@El Cid99
A jihad is exactly wat I meant, I have to change that

@ Maltacus
Everything is going well with the Sicilian front for Qasim lets see if the war with the Spanish goes well also.

With prom out the way, I can work on an update. Should be ready this weekend.

[Scottish King]

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

1093 Leon Province Miswar’s Journal
I am finally outside the walls of Leon. It has been a hard journey but one that will soon see the capture of the Spanish capital. Before I left Toledo, I learned that my brother, Hamdin, had died from a strange sickness that could not be cured. I was very upset at this. I had named my three sons after my three brothers, Hamdin, Ayyub and Faraj. Now they were all dead, with Ayyub having died from a riding accident soon after his marriage, and Faraj having died only a week before Hamdin during a storm at sea. I only hope my sons, their namesakes, can live up to the legacy I will leave them. I left Toledo with quite an army and my son Hamdin replacing my brother at my side. As I crossed into the Leon province, I suddenly found myself surrounded by the Spanish.



It seems that the armies were on their way to Zaragoza but one turned around to attack me from behind while the others blocked my path from the front and side. I decided to attack the army at our rear flank first and take on the other armies as they came to the battle. I breathed a sigh of relief when I only saw that only two of them would engage us.


Battle of the Duero River/Second Battle of the Jihad/Iberian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hamdin and I marched into battle with the Iberian Army which was composed of one unit of javelin men militia, Arab cavalry, and crossbow militia, two units mercenary spearmen and desert cavalry, three units spear militia, and four desert archers.



The enemy was composed of archers, town militia, and ballista units.



I sent my Desert cavalry to harass them and then charged into fray with my son close behind.




Soon we had broken through the front lines of the first army and sent them off, running for their lives.




By this time the second army had marched within distance of our rear flank to sent arrows into my ranks. The Iberian Army turned to face them and I soon broke of chasing the first army to reinforce them.




The battlefield was filled with dying on both sides. The mercenaries I had hired fought well against their brothers and I am glad I had the foresight to bring them along to bolster our army.



The men did their jobs as well and soon the enemy fled.




It was a clear victory, although the captains of the Spanish army managed to get away.

We took many prisoners and demanded that the Spaniards pay a ransom for the safe return of their men. However, the Spanish refused and the prisoners were executed.



I was proud of Hamdin. My son had followed me stride for stride and had proven himself to me in battle. He will one day be a great general; I only hope I live to see it. After taking a day’s rest, we confronted the other Spanish army which decided not to attack. It was a small army so it was not much of a challenge.


Battle of the Plateau/The Third Battle of the Jihad /Iberian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I commanded the same army as before and had merged certain units to form larger ones but for this battle I planned only to use a small percentage of my army as the defenders were of a small number. I approached with two units of archers and my bodyguard.



I saw that the Spanish only comprised of a small force: one unit of militia spearmen and ballista. I spurred my horse forward and my bodyguard and I smashed into the ballista removing them from the battle.



The spearmen, who at this point were being showered by arrows from my archers, decided to charge them while I was seemingly occupied. It was a desperate move and a stupid one as I charged into their flank as they were showered with arrows from the front.





Soon their captain laid slain, trampled under our horses.




His whole army began to rout. I called in my Arab cavalry to help run down the stragglers.




It was a clear victory.

We should not have lost any men, but I soon learned that those who had died had their horses buckle underneath them causing them to have a fatal fall. It meant we needed fresh horses but I could not wait for new ones. I quickly marched toward the Leon, where I now am camped maintaining a siege. I would have attacked sooner but the winter wind is bitter and many of my men, including myself, have never experienced snow. While attacking the city now would be recommended, my men would not do so well in battle and thereby jeopardized the jihad itself. I will wait till spring and then the Spaniards will know the true might of the Moors when our steel is at their throats!




1094 Toledo Province Ayyub’s Journal
Much has happened that I must relate in this journal. I finally got my first taste of combat. As son of the Sultan, I was left in charge of Toledo. This was a great honor and my uncle for who I am named would have been proud of me. While I was out building a watchtower, I noticed a small Spanish army coming into our territory with great speed. I rushed back to Toledo and gathered two units of Arab cavalry, as infantry would only slow me down. There was no doubt in my mind that this army was heading for Leon to reinforce the garrison there. I knew my father was besieging the city and an attack from behind could be devastating.

I, with all haste, rode to meet the enemy and intercepted them not far from the plains near the Duero River.


Battle of the Plains of Duero/Fourth Battle of the Jihad/Iberian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It was a beautiful day, just right for killing Spaniards.




We marched forward and we saw that they had positioned themselves in front of a cliff face.




When we came close I ordered my men to stop and rode a little ahead until I was close to their ranks. Their army was composed of all spearmen militia. Their captain was behind their front lines and like a coward would not come out to face me, even when I began to taunt them and curse their god.



Seeing that they were either afraid or very stupid I order my men to charge. While my Arab counterparts did little damage, my bodyguard and I destroyed one whole unit before I ordered a withdrawal.




I repositioned my men and then had them charge each unit form the side while I charged at the opening I had made earlier.





I was amazed at how stupid the captain was. It took time to position my troops in order to charge and yet did not make any orders to attack. His men soon paid for it as we surrounded them and destroyed them. What a glorious victory.

The captain was not found so he must have fled the field of battle with a few of his men. However, there were so few I doubt he would ever return to face his commander.



I was proud of myself. Now my father could attack Leon without problems. But what happened next caught everyone completely by surprise.

I was camped not far from where I had won my first battle awaiting word from my father his victory at Leon, when riders were spotted in the distance. I immediately had my men prepare for battle, but as the army drew closer, I could discern the royal banner of my father. I knew at once something must have gone wrong and with my bodyguard rode to meet the Iberian Army.

As I approached I could see that the men were marching with their heads down and could hear the moans of the wounded as the struggled to march further. And then I saw my father. He was no longer the proud Sultan who had set out from Toledo over a year ago to capture Leon. I saw in his eyes defeat and despair. I brought my horse along his and asked him what had happened but it was if he hadn’t heard me. One of his captains finally spoke and gave me the grim details of what had occurred.

My father had waited till spring to attack the Spanish at Leon, but as he was about to attack, another Spaniard army appeared led by the Prince Fernan. Combined with the garrison in Leon, the Spaniards clearly outnumbered our forces and my father withdrew.



However, the relief army led by Fernan was not satisfied with simply lifting the siege and he pursued my father until he caught him at place which the captain called the Forest of Fog.


Battle of the Forest of Fog/Fifth Battle of the Jihad/Iberian War

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Our army was tired from the all the marching they had just done and the heavy fog did not help. My father sent one of his units of desert cavalry to scout ahead and to report what they found. They never returned.



Suddenly, the Spanish army appeared with Prince Fernan leading them on.



My father and my brother, Hamdin charged into the fray along with the rest of the Iberian Army.




The captain paused for a moment struggling to hold back tears. He then told me that Fernan charged into my brother’s bodyguard with his own and with one slash of his sword, killed him instantly.




The men hearing that my brother was dead lost their resolve and my father ordered an immediate retreat. There wasn’t even time to recover my brother’s body.

I was completely dumbfounded. My brother was gone and the Iberian Army had experienced a major setback in accomplishing the jihad. Soon after the captain finished his story, my father spoke for the first time saying he was retreating to Toledo to regroup and that I should join him. I told him I would immediately do so. The army continued to march on as I rode back to camp and soon we were ready to leave as well. Then over the hill came another rider. I drew my sword and waited for him to approach.

He rode up to us and threw an object to us which I could not clearly discern in the dimming light.

“A message from the north,” the rider said and quickly galloped away the same way he came. I walked up to the wrapped bundle and carefully opened it. I gasped and dropped it to the ground. It was the head of my brother! How dare Fernan insult us so! I was in a fierce rage and soon was on a horse racing after the messenger with my men right behind me. We rode hard after the infidel and he almost got away but while he was passing through the woods he rode into an unseen branch and fell from his horse. I have him in my camp now and can hear his agonizing cries as my men show him our response to his master’s message.

This will not be forgotten. When my father returns north again, I will ride with him and it will be the king of Spain who will mourn the loss of a son!!!

[Radzeer]

Good updates! Too bad about the last battle, but revenge is going to come it seems.
And if I may have another nitpicking formatting suggestion:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Put a line between the pictures if several pics come one after another. This is particularly useful if you have different size pics.

[Scottish King]

Please Radzeer continue to make suggestions I'm fairly new to the aar scene so any good advice on how to format my story is good for me and the reader

[TheBard]

Nice AAR. I love to see the defeats, because they are so rare in most AARs. I may steal Radzeer's idea of putting all pictures from a particular battle into one spoiler. + rep to both of you

Edit: Radzeer got rep, but I need to spread some around before giving to you, Scottish King. I'll do it as soon as I can. Nice job.

[Radzeer]

Nice AAR. I love to see the defeats, because they are so rare in most AARs. I may steal Radzeer's idea of putting all pictures from a particular battle into one spoiler. + rep to both of you

Edit: Radzeer got rep, but I need to spread some around before giving to you, Scottish King. I'll do it as soon as I can. Nice job.

Thank you, but to be honest it is not my idea, quite a few writers do this. And the irony is that I do not use spoilers at all. But of one does, this seems to be the best setup (one spoiler per battle, just make sure that there is enough campaign stuff to fill the space between the battle spoilers).

Anyhow, sorry for hijacking the thread. The bottom line is that I agree with TheBard: nice job, Scottish King!

[Scottish King]

Nice AAR. I love to see the defeats, because they are so rare in most AARs. I may steal Radzeer's idea of putting all pictures from a particular battle into one spoiler. + rep to both of you

Edit: Radzeer got rep, but I need to spread some around before giving to you, Scottish King. I'll do it as soon as I can. Nice job.

Thanks for the support! I was really disappointed when I lost that battle. The second Spanish reinforcement army came out of nowhere! Oh, well...guess revenge is best served cold!

Thank you, but to be honest it is not my idea, quite a few writers do this. And the irony is that I do not use spoilers at all. But of one does, this seems to be the best setup (one spoiler per battle, just make sure that there is enough campaign stuff to fill the space between the battle spoilers).

Anyhow, sorry for hijacking the thread. The bottom line is that I agree with TheBard: nice job, Scottish King!

Thank you also, Radzeer! My next update should have more story to it than the last few updates...or at least I think it will. When I write it in Microsoft Word, it seems to be so much, but when I post it, it doesn't seem as long

Well, my next update should come within the next two days, if not then the weekend.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

DEATH TO THE SPANIARDS!!!

[m_1512]

Well, an excellent AAR....
I would enjoy seeing the moors take on the rest of Africa and the Holy Land....
Perhaps after the spaniards