1444, Byzantium Resurrects

At Isaac's command, the Grand Duchy of Surt's entire war machine began to move.

Transport ships from the Montferrat Trade Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet shuttled back and forth between Moriah and Surt Port, ferrying the First Legion of the Imperial Guard and large quantities of grain to the battlefield.

Due to the influx of refugees in recent years, large areas of land had been reclaimed, causing grain prices in the Moriah region to plummet. Isaac seized this opportunity to purchase grain.

This would not only supply the military, but also generate some extra income by selling it to residents and tribal people.

Currently, the domain's income is far below its expenses and it was entirely reliant on Isaac's underhand tactics to make ends meet.

On 20 October 1446, the first heavy rain of the second half of the year fell in the Surt region.

This long-awaited rain greatly alleviated the drought in the fields and wells, heralding the arrival of the warm, humid Mediterranean winter.

The immigrants cultivated the newly cleared land and planted winter wheat. Although the first year's cultivation was rushed, it would be enough to ensure self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, Engineering Director Lancelot successfully dug several new wells at the foot of a small hill outside the city. These areas would later become new villages.

On the southern grasslands, sheep bleated with joy at the arrival of the rainy season as they grazed on the newly sprouted grass.

At the desert-grassland border, camels lowered their heads to drink the rainwater accumulated in the pits, preparing for emergencies.

On the same day, the First Legion of the Imperial Guard arrived at the port of Surt from Moria.

The First Legion comprised 1,000 men in total, including 100 cavalry, 600 infantry, 250 archers and 50 musketeers.

The attached engineers and auxiliary troops were not included in this number.

The cavalry directly under the First Legion were all low-grade, each equipped with one horse and one mule.

They rode mules in peacetime and horses in wartime.

Isaac's other armies probably had similar cavalry, except that mules were not as useful as camels in desert areas.

True cavalry require at least three horses: one for carrying supplies, one for regular use and one for combat.

Top-tier heavy cavalry sometimes requires four to five horses, along with two to three attendants.

This is why Iron Armored Knights are generally unaffordable for most players.

After the Eastern Roman Empire lost all its horse-breeding grounds, it became difficult to find suitable warhorses. Isaac's army currently uses whatever horses are available.

The Surt tribe has a number of desert horses which could be tried out in future.

"Mikhail, it's been a long time!"

Isaac gave Mikhail, who had just dismounted, a big hug.

Mikhail also looked at his student with satisfaction.

In the two years since they last met, he had grown taller, his originally pale complexion had become healthy and his body had grown much stronger.

"How is the empire doing now?"

When the subject turned to the Empire, Mikhail's face fell.

"Don't mention it. Moria is fine, with the occasional land dispute, but your father is highly regarded, so he can keep things under control."

"The capital is a complete mess."

"The priests are always arguing, and the nobles are fighting for power — even to the death over a position such as royal wardrobe keeper."

"Sfroncius was sent to Rome on a diplomatic mission, and now no one is in charge."

Isaac fell silent and sighed.

"Let's not talk about that. Did you receive the Imperial Guard's pay?"

"Yes. After you executed the corrupt officials last time, nobody dared to embezzle money for a while."

"How is the formation of the Second Legion going?"

"We are still short of officers. As per your instructions, we are prioritizing the combat effectiveness of the First Legion, so for now, we only have 200 men, who are currently undergoing training."

"Don't worry. Just wait a few more years. Once the first cohort of students graduate from the Royal Knight Academy, this problem will be solved."

Isaac instructed Mikhail on the key points to note during the march to North Africa, as well as the common diseases found there and how to deal with them.

"Go and rest first. We'll wait for the enemy to attack this time."

Mikhail took his leave.

On 1 November 1446, Isaac received an urgent letter from Ahmed Shah, a nomad from the south, summoning all military commanders.

"Everyone, take a look. The enemy is finally coming."

Isaac threw the letter onto the battle table.

Everyone read it and looked at Isaac worriedly.

"Any thoughts?"

No one answered.

"Does no one want to say anything? Then I'll speak."

"The enemy has really gone all out this time. According to the prisoners we captured, the enemy is being led by King Abdullah of the Tribal Kingdom himself.

The kingdom has 2,000 regular troops and has mobilized more than 6,000 tribal soldiers.

"The regular troops are definitely stronger than the tribal soldiers, but we don't know their exact numbers."

"The bad news is that the first battle will be decisive for us. If we are defeated, we won't have time to regroup and prepare for battle; we will be driven away immediately."

"The good news is that if we defeat this tribal alliance, their already low central authority will be further weakened and our subsequent actions will be very smooth."

"Mehmed, you speak first. What are your thoughts?"

Mehmed did not answer Isaac's question directly, but frowned and thought for a moment.

"Lord Isult, how much food and supplies are there in the city?"

He turned to Isult.

"Enough for the entire army to eat for four months."

"Lord Lancelot, are the city walls strong enough to withstand an attack by more than 8,000 people?"

Lancelot shook his head. Due to a shortage of labor, construction of the city walls was not progressing well.

"Then, Your Highness, I suggest that we mobilize the entire Purple Guard and Black Corps in the Morian region."

"That way, our food and supplies will last for two more months. As long as we can successfully defeat the invading enemy within that time, we will be victorious."

Isaac thought for a moment.

"Maruna, what do you think?"

"Your Highness, it is feasible. Water sources gradually decrease from north to south, so it is impossible for all 8,000 of them to stay in one place."

"We can gather our superior forces to crush the weaker tribes and gradually drive the tribesmen off the battlefield.

Their tribesmen are recruited in a manner like mercenaries. The monarch lures the sheikhs of various tribes with promises of property and wealth after the war in order to gather such a large army."

"But this makes them very utilitarian. When they win battles, it's not obvious, but once they lose and realize they won't get their share of the spoils, they'll immediately retreat."

"That's our opportunity."

"Excellent."

Isaac stood up.

"Tell Fidel to make another trip and bring over all the Purple Guard and Black Corps.

...

Defile Spring, southwest of Saint Joseph.

This was a seasonal water source. Every autumn and winter, the spring would fill with rainwater, and the surrounding tribes would gather here to trade with each other.

At that moment, however, the area was occupied by a group of uninvited guests.

Three Bedouin tribes from the southern desert had taken over.

They had driven out the Berber herders who had previously traded here, and were now using the area as a forward base for their attack on the Grand Duchy of Surt.

They also conscribed nearby nomads to provide them with supplies.

Unable to bear it any longer, the tribesmen approached Gaz, the magistrate of Saint Joseph, who reported to Isaac.

"Your Highness, ahead is the Defile Spring. The Bedouin tribe that occupied this place has been ousted by the Berber tribal alliance, and they have been sent out as scouts."

"They have a total of 1,000 tribesmen, who are slightly better quality than the Berbers, but definitely no match for us." Maruna and Isaac rode side by side, followed by all the cavalry troops:

Four hundred Purple Guard cavalry, two hundred Oak Battalion cavalry, one hundred Black Battalion cavalry and one hundred Imperial Guard cavalry.

Plus 400 cavalry provided by the Dobrocasel Column.

Isaac did not bring his tribal servants with him as they would be no use against such a formidable enemy.

The cavalry quietly crept forward on the salt-alkaline ground, climbed a small hill and looked down at the camp surrounding the spring below.

Isaac looked into the distance and saw that the tents were in disarray. There were no trenches or palisades, and camels and horses were tied up randomly beside the tents.

The Bedouins were cursing loudly while driving the local Berbers to set up tents for them. Meanwhile, they sat in small groups around the fire, roasting something.

Isaac drew his sword and raised it high above his head.

"Kill!"

The Sultan's cavalry on the hilltop raised their sabers and, guided by the eagle flags, quickly charged towards the enemy camp.

"Maruna! Those three largest tents! Don't let them escape!"

"As you say!"

Maruna whistled and charged down the hill.

"Seize the horses first! Don't bother with the camels — they're slow!"

Maruna shouted.

"Follow His Highness and you'll be paid for fighting. Where else can you find such a good deal?"

Tent after tent was trampled by horses, and one by one, the tribesmen gathered around the bonfires were killed by sabers.

Maruna cut off the head of a small chieftain who was trying to organize a counterattack.

Another tribesman trying to escape on horseback was struck on the shoulder. He fell from his horse, screaming, and was trampled to death by the horses behind him.

The white camp was right in front of him.

He squeezed his horse's flanks and it galloped forward.

Maruna broke through the camp and saw Count Knight striking the tribal sheikh, who was cursing incessantly, with the hilt of his sword.

Next to the sheikh was a trembling, naked woman kneeling on the ground and muttering something.

It seemed that the old man had been caught in the act by the Count.

"What are you looking at? Want to try the Bedouin's taste?"

The knight of Conte stepped on his captive and wiped his sword.

"You're lucky!"

Maruna gritted his teeth and rode away in search of the next camp.

But today, he was bound to be disappointed.

Of the remaining two sheikhs, one had fled and the other had been captured by the Purple Guard.

"Your Highness, this raid resulted in the deaths of 400 enemy soldiers, the capture of over 500 prisoners, and the seizure of 700 camels, 400 horses and 600 sheep, as well as some miscellaneous goods. Two sheikhs were captured on the spot and one escaped."

"Our casualties total 103."

Commander Maruna reported.

Isaac nodded.

Then, the soldiers beside him pushed the two sheikhs forward.

"Kill them."

Their heads fell to the ground.

Then, in front of everyone, Isaac had all the nobles of the various tribes beheaded.

They were from the south, so even if they surrendered, Isaac did not dare to trust them.

The nearby captives turned pale.

"Your sheikhs have been defeated by me. According to custom, I am now your new master."

Isaac shouted at them in Arabic.

"The families and treasures of those chieftains are given to you as rewards. From now on, you must graze your herds on my pastures and fight for me."

The soldiers displayed the captured women and some of the looted treasures to the prisoners.

Some of the women were the families of the chieftains, while others had been captured from nomads along the way.

Now, however, they were all Isaac's property.

Seeing this, the lowly nomads of the tribe all became jealous.

"There are a total of 53 women. First come, first served."

After he had finished speaking, Isaac ordered the soldiers to throw a dozen daggers and a sword into the crowd of captives.

Instantly, a brutal massacre unfolded before his eyes.

The remaining 300 or so prisoners who could still stand then stepped forward, led by the strongest among them, and knelt on one knee.

He raised the sword.

"Honored master, we swear allegiance to you. Please grant us horses, camels and pastures. We will herd for you and fight under your banner."

Isaac ordered his men to treat the warrior's wounds.

"What is your name?"

"I was once a slave with no name."

"From now on, you shall be called Eldosh."

In Greek, this means 'eagle'.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

After capturing Eldosh, Isaac divided the camels and horses into two groups. He gave one group to the Dobrogarians as a reward for their loyalty, and gave the other to Eldosh.

He planned to settle Eldosh in the south-west of Saint Joseph Land, where he could graze his herds at the Defile Spring in autumn and winter, before migrating north to find water in summer.

Eldosh had the right to subdue any nearby tribes that refused to obey without having to follow the orders of the Saint Joseph land magistrate.

Any nomads captured in the future could be handed over to Eldosh, following today's example.

The grasslands and deserts were so vast that they could not always rely on the Dobruja people and their trusted tribes; they had to cultivate their own loyal followers.

Over the next few days, Isaac discovered three enemy tribal gathering places and defeated them one by one using the same method.

A total of more than 1,000 enemy soldiers were killed. The Berbers were far inferior to the Bedouins and surrendered immediately when they realized they were outmatched.

Isaac incorporated the prisoners into his slave tribe and handed them over to Eldosh.

Subsequently, the Fezzan alliance, who were not the most intelligent, finally realized what was going on and gathered at the Jura Oasis. They continued to recruit nomads, which meant that Isaac did not have the opportunity to defeat them one by one.

Isaac gritted his teeth, gathered all his troops in Saint Joseph's Land and recruited tribes loyal to him.

On 2 November 1446, the Fezzan tribal alliance marched north with Saint Joseph's Land as their target.

They gathered the largest force they could muster: 2,000 regular army troops and 5,000 tribesmen.

In total, there were more than 7,000 troops.

Isaac also mobilized all his forces: 1,000 Purple Guards, 1,000 Black Legion, 1,000 First Legion of the Imperial Guard, 200 orc cavalry and over 500 cavalry from the Dobrogan tribe, as well as 1,400 troops from allied tribes and slave units.

Of course, there had been some losses earlier, so the actual numbers were lower.

In total, there were over 5,100 troops.

On 3 November 1446, the enemy vanguard appeared in the south of Saint Joseph Land and engaged Ahmed's forces. Both sides retreated immediately without engaging in prolonged combat.

Over the next few days, both sides sent out scouts to probe each other's positions, with small-scale skirmishes breaking out from time to time.

On 8 November 1446, King Abdullah issued a final ultimatum to Isaac.

The decisive battle erupted on 9 November 1446.

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