March - 1187 AD
Somewhere South-East of Erak
Guy and his army had been tailing the Saracen force for nearly two weeks now. The Saracen Noble leading the army, Mundhir, seemed to be in a hurry, and it was obvious why. The much larger Crusader force had been steadily falling behind in the heat, and the Saracens were eager to reach Erak and prepare for their coming.
This evening, the men dropped exhausted to the ground as usual. Guy looked about, gauging the atmosphere. It was not good. The steady pace of the Saracens had worn out the heavily armoured knights, and morale was low. What they needed was a good skirmish. Suddenly an idea came to Guy. He immediately gave the order for his men to rise. The chorus of angry shouts rose against him, but he silenced them. They were all going to get a morale boost…
***
The Latin crossbowmen stealthily surrounded the Saracen camp. The sentries had been neutralized thanks to Jean, Guy’s personal spy. Now as the Crusaders prepared to spring their trap, Guy gave the order, and the thrum of released crossbow skeins reverberated through the air.
Immediately havoc reigned in the Islamist camp. Guy’s knights rode in, sweeping with their long cavalry swords. The Christians began to laugh at the antics put on by their Arab adversaries. Guy smiled. Perfect. Now it was on to Erak.
***
March 9 - 1187 AD
Outskirts of Tartus, South-West of Erak
Philippe II of France and his companion Conrad had separated from Guy’s army at Tripoli, and now marched onwards toward Tartus, a small village on the coast.
“My dear Conrad, how do you propose we take this pathetic town?”
“Well, I imagine we should rush the walls and take it.”
Philippe’s ears turned red. Conrad was getting increasingly annoying. Just because he was his senior, Conrad had to put him down at every moment. Oh, it was always well hidden, but he knew it was there. Philippe was sick of it. He was the King of France for God’s sake! When they had taken Tartus, Philippe planned to do away with him, but for now he could only nod his agreement, and bide his time.
And so the French army marched on, to Tartus.
***
As they arrived, their best engineers immediately began construction of two giant towers with which to “storm the walls”, as Conrad had put it. Philippe, being French was still smarting about it.
He walked into the command tent, where his captains were being briefed on the capture plan of the town.
Among them were Captain Francois of the French Men-at-arms, and the famed captain Ennguerand of the Teutonic order. His men had seen much fighting here, and were regarded as the ‘veterans’ of the army.
At the podium stood Conrad, giving the brief.
“… from there we shall storm the walls (at the back, Philippe was fuming), and capture the city. Any questions? No? Good, you have your orders”
“Leave it to us, Sire.”
Captains Ennguerand and Francois stood and left.
Conrad looked to him with a smug smile, “Well, are you ready Philippe?”
“Oh yes Conrad, I am ready.”
He turned and left. “Oh yes, I am ready….”
The Town of Tartus is Assaulted
Surprisingly, there was no resistance on the walls, so both captains flanked each side of the gatehouse, running to capture it to let the main army in.
Ennguerands' Teutons rush to capture the gatehouse
With that task complete, they descended to the streets, where the fighting was already taking place between the desperate Saracens and invading Crusaders.
Captain Ennguerand and his men leat into action, heartening their comrades with acts of bravery and skill. The fighting steadily became more intense as Saracen reinforcements bulked up the force at the gates.
Captain Ennguerands' men giving the Saracens hell
From the southern end of the gate, Conrad and his knights had cornered the Saracen general, along with the remnants of his guard, the famed Sibyan al-Rikab. With almost gentle grace, the Saracens saw their generals standard fall, and as the screams of their dying general reached them, they halted, and started to flee back from whence they had come.
Another fallen foe
The French knights rode through the city, clearing away any sign of resistance. When the streets were clear, the knights slowed up, and began praising God for their victory.
The French praise the Lord in Victory
The Crusaders capture another Saracen city
***
March 24 - 1187 AD
Off the coast of Jerusalem
Gaston surveyed the shore from the rocking deck of the ship. They had been picked up by a passing merchant fleet, which had carried them this far. It was lucky they were container ships, and the merchants agreed to drop their load in exchange for the coins that Gaston offered them.
Now, as the Holy Land came into sight, zeal came into their heart. They were ready to risk their lives for the safety of the Holy City. Ready to die for their faith. Their God.
[BI Crusades AAR] Call to Arms: Conflict in the Holy Land
and therefore cannot play M2TW. The whole crusader idea is great as well.
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