As Nergal and Antiochus gathered around the camp site sharing stories a messenger arrived with word from Cleitos,
“My lord, I am pleased to report that the men and horse of solid metal are no more dangerous than any other foe. I fought Achaemenes, a member of the royal house hold. Though our forces out numbered his, his men were of a stock much greater than those we faced on the road to Susa. It is suspected this was the main Parthia army, which is grand news to our cause. His army was made up of large amounts of Cataphracts, very expensive units to be sure and the upper echelon of his forces.”
“Achaemenes himself is but a few months my elder and rumor has it he has doubtful loyalties. Perhaps if we had a diplomat bloodshed could have been avoided all together. However, I rather enjoyed how it ended.”
“I arranged my forces in three groups. The first was the bulk of my forces, including the totality of my hoplites and peltasts. They formed up around the town square. Here there was no where to run so their moral would not be questioned and with nearly eighteen hundred spears aimed towards the narrow road it was the best location to make our stand.”
“We stationed our skirmisher cavalry at the point of entrance to exhaust their weapons before grouping up with myself.”
“I and one unit of mercenaries chosen for their delight in slaughter were positioned at one of the other exits to the city.”
“It was a clear bright day as the pink and green of the enemy began to move forward.
“The skirmishers began to open fire upon the most densely packed group of enemy ensuring as heavy casualties as possible.”
“Once their ammunition had been used they pulled back as the walls came crumbling down Parthia charged.”
“On Parthia's left flank one unit of eastern spear men ran directly into the mercenaries and myself.”
“Meanwhile, inside a small group of slingers attempted to attack the skirmisher cavalry.”
“In the main road our men were prepared to meet the foes.”
“I am pleased to report the right flank had success allowing our cavalry to sweep around the enemy.”
“Parthia scarcely noticed the minor defeat and continued to move in on our forces in the center, raining arrows upon our brave defenders.”
“While under fire from arrows the poorly trained slaves of Parthia attacked and were easily driven back by our spear men.”
“The new levy troops encouraged the milita to stand tall and Parthia was forced to bring in more horses.”
“They too were defeated but created some gaps that the cataphrats could arrive. These powerful men killed many a son of Achilles and Hercules.”
“I, while this was happening positioned my cavalry and mercenaries to block any fleeing soldiers with great effect.”
“The enemy in desperation began to round the formation only to meet more spears.”
“But still they pressed on and for a moment it looked like they might win over sheer number of men.”
“Peltasts drove off the horse archers in the rear.”
“And the main attack seemed to taper off then fail.”
“Like an avalanche they came Grandfather but many had dropped their weapons and were running in pure terror and were struck down.”
“Even the enemy general, his courage finally tested charged our rear flank.”
“They gave an account for themselves before the few who remained ran, including the general himself.”
“I on the other hand was busy cleaning up the last of the ground troops. A local artist painted this picture I am sending along.”
“The enemy and his few survivors made for a breach in the wall only to have our forces ready for him.”
“He, however broke free and made into the open plains but our fast horses were much faster catching up and slaying him.”
“My lord and grandfather, this is a glorious, heroic victory and our eastern province is saved.”