by Gunther » Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:29 pm
The sun set on the Western horizon above the Gildenfjall mountain range. The last rays of sunlight splashed across the horizon and the shadow line slowly engulfed the landscape heading eastward. The air was warm on a cloudless September evening.
The town of Manjarland was nestled between two north-south mountain ranges. The Resenjall Mountains were to the east. The Nordic inhabitants of this region were hardy folk who farmed the land, hunted game in the mountains and surrounding forests and defended their land with ferocity. Wisps of smoke drifted steadily skyward above the many lodges of Manjarland; its citizens sitting down to enjoy home cooked meals.
The pleasant scene of this northern mountain town, was about to be disrupted. The clouds of war were forming. Arrestordrelande bordered Fliege to the north who wanted to control the Haderslev Fjord for economic reasons. This action would eventually starve out the people of Arrestorelande. The King of the Warrior people could not stand for this hostile act.
Gunther Von Bremen met with his Division Commanders in a council of war. The sturdy wood framed building was used as a dining hall, Council chambers, King’s throne room and festival hall. Tonight, the grand hall was a council of war.
The Fliegens were on the march moving to annex the Ringteigr province along the Haderslev Fjord. This waterway was critical to the people of Arrestordrelande as it provided a water route to the open sea. This access to the fjord and open sea will help to improve commerce and enable raiding parties to perform the king’s biddings. It needed to remain free and open.
“I want the 14th Falkenberg and 15th Syddjurs Light Cavalry Squadrons of the 2nd Division under the command of Viking Lieutenant Ansel to move as quickly as possible to the Fillstrup – Sillerup road. They will head east at daybreak When they are one day’s march from Fillerstup to the north, they will drag heavy branches behind them moving at a footman’s pace. Their intent is to create the appearance of a large army on the march.
“Their diversion will hopefully force the Fliegens to deploy the majority of their forces to the eastern areas of the Ringteigr province so that our main forces can attack their garrison at Fillerstup. The main body will depart for Fillerstup at daybreak when the cavalry diversion leaves. It is a four day march. Their speed should give them time to get ahead of us.
“Our order of march will be First Division, Second, fourth, Guards Division and third Division in trail. When we arrive at Fillerstup, I want the First, second and fourth divisions to assemble on line from left to right south of Fillerstup. The Guards Division will assemble in line about 200 meters behind the main body. The third Division will move to the Brednivatn Lake about seven miles east of Fillerstup.†King Bremen detailed to his division commanders how they would attack the Fliegens. He then turned to face Viking Lord Tostig Hobby, “Tostig, my old friend, I want you to delay the enemy if and when they realize the cavalry in the valley to the east is only a ruse. If the lake is not suitable for your defense, find ground that is.â€
“Aye, my liege.†Viking Lord Hobby, the third division commander responded to his king.
“Use your Rangers and Light Cavalry to determine their location without giving away your presence. If you can.†The king dictated to his division commander. And then turned back to the three division commanders attacking at Fillerstup.
“Gentlemen, we will assemble in our usual formations with the first division’s
two light cavalry squadrons performing screen operations on both our right and our left flanks. The heavy Cav from all three divisions will fall under the command of Viking Lord Olaf Sands and his Cavalry Brigade commanded by Viking Lieutenant Thoralf Bing.
“Once the enemy is formed for battle, we will open the attack with Archers positioned in the gaps between the swords and axmen; and spearmen in line along the front of the battle line. I want the ranged units to concentrate their fire on the center of the enemy line. Attempt to create as many gaps as possible. On my command, the archers and spearmen will ceasefire and retreat to the rear of the infantry formations. The heavy Cavalry positioned in column formation will immediately execute a column left and column right with the two columns meeting in the center. With one long extended line of 1200 heavy horse we will assault the enemy. I want two ranks of 600 horses about fifty meters between them. They will attack on my signal.
“Lords, it is imperative that your infantry keep pace with the cavalry. Concentrate on the center of the enemy. As you move close your ranks to fill the gaps. The Cavalry will attack in a wedge and hit the enemy in the center where he will be the weakest. The saturation of arrows and spears will leave many gaps. We must exploit that weakness. When the Cavalry passes through the enemy, Our Infantry must be right behind them to exploit this penetration and convince the enemy to leave.
“Viking Lord Hecker,†The king faced his Guards Division Commander. “Advance to 500 meters of the enemy after the main body has attacked. Place your cavalry in line to your front. If for some reason a problem should occur, I want you to be prepared to attack. If the enemy shows up on our right flank due to Lord Hobby being overwhelmed in the east, I want you to be prepared to turn to the right and face the enemy there.†The king paused, “understood?â€
“Yes, my liege.†Viking Lord Erik Hecker responded. “My liege, Should I place my division more to the east when we arrive?â€
“Yes, that would be a good idea. It would allow you to be able to shift to the right more rapidly if needed.†King Von Bremen replied. “Are there any other questions?†The room was silent. “Good, send your rangers out as soon as possible this evening. They get no sleep tonight. I want eyes on Fillerstup as soon as possible. Tell them to move as fast as they can and to avoid detection at all costs. Avoid combat when possible and acquire as much information about the enemy dispositions. They will need to send a runner back to me when they are in position and again when they have information on enemy movements especially if and when they send a detachment to the east three to four days from now. Good night gentlemen.â€
“Good night sir.†Came scattered responses from the assembled Viking Lords. The group started to break up. Viking commanders began conversing with their Viking Captains and Lieutenants outside the great hall. Orders were being passed. Within an hour six small bands of lightly equipped rangers began infiltrating north under the cover of darkness toward the enemy blocking Haderslev Fjord…
The rangers were clad in hides from the elk and caribou that roamed the countryside. They wore either a mid calf soft leather boot or one of sheep’s wool and leather tied around their feet with leather straps. They wore a conical steel helm with a nose strap. They all wore the black tabard of their nation. Depending on which division they were in either an Elk, Thor’s hammer, a pine tree, crossed swords, crossed battleaxes or a winged warrior in white emblazoned across the front.
The rangers carried a short sword, dagger, small battle axe and long bow. They wore a wide leather belt that kept their clothing and tabard cinched up. For rations, they carried either some corn meal or a piece of meat or whatever fruit they could find. The general practice of foraging went along with being a soldier in the Arrestordrelande army.
The rangers operated in companies of 50 men. There was a Viking chief in command of this company and typically they broke up into six smaller groups of eight to nine men. They moved quickly and silently. They used hand signs to communicate with one another when close to the enemy. Their mission was one of information collection. Although skilled at the warrior arts, it was preferred that they avoid conflict in order to get the information they acquired swiftly to their superiors.
Viking Chief Jeffri Andersen was a veteran of many raids and wars. At fifty five years old he was one of the elders. His hair had grayed over years before. His skin was spotted and rough stretched tightly over his sinewy arms, legs and torso. The lines spread from the corners of his eyes displayed the experience of the warrior within. His beard extended from his chin in two braided ropes about twelve inches in length. He gripped his axe; he aptly named “Lethedøkse†or Lightning Axe. Viking Chief Jeffri Andersen stood six feet four inches tall and weighed approximately 230 pounds. There was no fat on this seasoned warrior’s flesh.
“Run like the wind!†Jeffri Andersen yelled out to his rangers as they plunged into the darkened forest to the north. They ran head long into the forest in the middle of the night. The chief had briefed his men on their mission. They had worked together for many years and knew what they had to do. They also knew the land very well. Their current objective was to cover as much ground as they could in the least amount of time.
Gunther Von Bramen stood in the doorway of the great hall and watched the three hundred or so Rangers take off in six different directions as they each found their own trail to follow moving north toward the enemy. ‘May Thor bless you, boys’ the King whispered. Then he turned and walked back into the great hall.
GuntertE, Lv 1, NC on Waterson
GunthertE, Lv3, TR on Mattherson
Landain, Lv3, TR on Jaeger