Book I – Cyprus
Chapter III – Mercenary captain
Richard spent only one week in Colossi. Locals seemed to be calm - it was hard to hear people talking in the streets. The reason for this was clear - many women were still mourning the deaths of their husbands. Richard rarely entered the town as his army was encamped nearby, but every time he walked down the streets he could not see anyone brave enough to look into his eyes. It was clear that the locals have learnt the lesson.
In the early February Richard left Colossi. Behind he left only a small garrison of local militia to guard the town. The Lionheart was going to besiege Limasol. This offence should have convinced Isaac to confront him. Limasol was situated on a beautiful southern Cyprus coast. It was a wealthy trading town with a large port. The town had strong trading ties with most of the Levant and Nile delta cities. Limasol was one of the stops for Byzantine merchants traveling in eastern Mediterranean. The loss of such town would be a large blow to Isaac as it also was the second largest town on the island.
When Richard reached the town he sent heralds to speak with the town governor. The news about the execution of Colossians had already reached the town, so Richard promised to leave population unharmed if they surrender. The governor of the town, an old merchant, whose sons were serving under Isaac, rejected the offer hoping that Isaac’s army will come to free the town. The town had no wall at all and its main defense was 11000 Byzantine troops garrisoned there.
Richard could have assaulted the town immediately, but he too was hoping for Isaac to come. Limasol heavily relied on trade so when Richard’s troops blocked the town from its port, locals were forced to suffer from hunger. It lasted for two more weeks until the governor, pressed by the locals, decided to sally. The command of the troops was given to an English mercenary - Lancelot, who was a skilled fighter, but lacked skill in command. He was the usual type of a mercenary – living from war, at the times of peace heavily drunk or in a company of women. He wasn’t very happy to do this job, but he has done a lot of even more unpleasant jobs before.
Richard deployed his troops on a hill. Infantry in front, archers behind them and knights on the left.
Lancelot’s plan was simple – charge the front and hope to kill as many as possible. He knew that it’s impossible to win so he saw no need to bother. Furthermore he wasn’t even paid for this. He was a brave man and the death did not bother him much. Lancelot prepared his troops, and started marching towards the enemy. The hail of arrows welcomed his force. Many were injured, but he pressed his men forward. It was important to meat the lines as soon as possible. Richard ordered his infantry to charge. At the same time he sent half of his knights to take down the archers and the other half to flank the enemy infantry.
Lancelot was fighting bravely, but the charge of the English knights simply teared his force to pieces. Byzantines began routing and Lancelot was left with only two men. The triplet fought bravely, but got surrounded and captured. The remaining forces were mercilessly ridden down by knights.
Richard himself joined the pursuit and the knights soon defeated all remaining resistance in the town streets. It was midday when Richard rode to the central square of the town where the remnants of the Byzantines gathered and was begging to spare their lives.
The Lancelot’s triplet was also brought to the square. At that moment the captives were already lined in four lines and it was clear that there are no more than 500 men. Although some of them were kept aside from the main bulk. Lancelot was also taken to that band of captives. Richard ordered to find the governor of the town. Not long ago two soldiers brought him in front of the king. “Old fool how are you going to explain your actions to me?” asked Richard. The old man kept silent. “Don’t avert your face, old man, I’m talking to you”. Man raised his eyes, but could not watch to the eyes of king. “You made a stupid decision and now more than 10000 of your men are lying dead on the field and the rest are here as my prisoners. What were you thinking, when rejected my offer? That Isaac will come to relieve you? You must be a fool to trust that man. I would be pleased if I could simply punish only you, but I can’t. All of you seem to be too stubborn to realize how miserable your situation is. I will not be that harsh this time, but you will remember this lesson till the end of your life, which I promise, is soon to come.” “Lock this man where you found him, set a guard and take care that he gets no food or water” – Richard ordered. He dismounted his horse and walked to the front of the captured soldiers. “Maybe you fought against your will, maybe not. It’s not important to me at all. All of you are soldiers and what’s important to me is how you fought. I am glad to see that some of you fought like true men and resisted till the end, while I can’t stand those who ran from the battlefield like small girls and were begging for mercy. You are not worth it and do not hope to get any. Those of you who fought well are given freedom and my pardon. You can go wherever you like. The rest prepare to confess your sins for the last time”.
The captives were executed and only a band of 80 men were given freedom. The quarter of Limasol population were sold to slavery. This was one more lesson to the enemies of Richard. English losses were minimal as they lost less than 1200 men.
Richard stayed in Limasol for one more week. One day, when the news about one more English navy victory was brought, a lone man requested Richard’s audience. Richard let the man enter his hall. “God sees your greatness oh noble king! I’m Lancelot, the leader of troops who fought against you a week ago and one of the blessed ones who received your pardon. I once more beg you to forgive me my sins. I’m a simple man, earning his living working as a mercenary. It just happened that I was forced to lead those men to battle. Now when I’m a free man I decided to get there and ask you, noble sir, maybe there is some work for a seasoned soldier?” “I have heard of your bravery soldier. I’m always pleased to see men fighting like you. Such enemy always deserves praise, but it is a rare thing these days. I need such men like you. There is going to be much fighting in the future so every brave soldier will find what to do.” Happiness filled the face of Lancelot. “Thank you my lord, I will prove my worth”. “Soon you will have a chance to prove this – we are going to meet Isaac’s army on the field.”
[Crusades AAR] Richard the Lionheart
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Originally Posted by Jingle_Bombs
. Just wait till you see the units. One word - fabulous!
)
. The map pictures only the Near East, but its scale is huge.
This is good Reading.+Rep
My gaming rig nicknamed The Beast. OMEN by HP Obelisk 
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