The Northern Road [POST HERE FIRST]

There was little different upon their arrival, as they didn't look like soldiers or crusaders. Rather, they were deemed travelers and traders from the outer villages more inland - which brought in certain attention. The rougher, gruffer, meaner men around town and in the streets were watching and glaring, bowing up and brandishing steel in an obvious display of who to avoid for they were meaner. Occasionally there was the odd calling lady or two, looking to see what she could get or who she might convince to stay a while.

Then, of course, there was the chance pickpocket trying to see what he could find in the pockets of the footmen when no one was watching or to peek into bags or wagons for goods.

Marschall Henke


Seeing a force like this in the distance was... unnerving. Unexpected. And threatening. What in the world was marching for this lawless town? Those not wishing for something more vicious than a bar brawl shut their windows and barred their doors, locking themselves away.

However those that were already outside, many drunk and many mischievous and several aggressive, were watching down the road that led outside the town to the masses that were headed their way. The only thing that was coming to a head in their addled brains was a single thought : Someone was coming for a fight. A battle. A war.

A handful of vagabonds strolled cautiously outside the gates and along the road, hands on weapons and hips to concealed daggers in anticipation. They grunted and grumbled at each other. When the small party scouting before the armada was near, one of them would finally speak up - growling in aggression with his words to try and seem more imposing.

"Th' hell ya doin'? Wha's all this?"

... these guys were kidding, right? The few nearby looked amongst each other again, and it was clear that there was mixed feelings on the matter. Some where apprehensive, some doubtful, and a couple were aggravated at the threat.

"Ah, t' hell with yeh!"

One in the back, farthest from Marschall Henke and his company, raised an axe and swing it forward - releasing it to send it twirling through the air directly for the Marschall.

At the shout of Marschall Henke , Gareth and Gerulf charged ahead, swords drawn as the battle for the city began. He hoped that God would forgive these men they were fighting, but he didn't know if he would be so merciful.

The artillery barrage served a multitude of purposes. For starters, it would soften up the defenders, force them out to fight, deplete their moral, sow panic and confusion, and more. It mattered not if the entire town was razed - the Brotherhood could always rebuild. As long as Alnwick’s inhabitants were gone, dead, or enslaved - that’s all that mattered.

Henke and Gareth, along with their retinue, had handled the parley sent out by the town and regrouped with their army. The Marschall turned to garethaelfric and spoke begin giving orders. “The main army will meet their charge here. You will take a detachment of cavalry and ride around to the Eastern Gate. Your job is to cut down anyone who flees. Show no mercy.”

Gareth would have access to a number of Halbruders - or Half Brothers - light or medium armored men aspiring to the join the Brotherhood. They could ride down the inhabitants attempting to flee out of the city.

Marschall and his Knight-Brothers were mounted behind the main line of their force, consisting of disciplined Sergeants and a line of Vessian Crossbowmen. The Crossbowmen would let loose as many bolts as they could before retreating back behind the Spearmen. The Spearmen were armed with gambesons, kettle helmets, large shields, spears, and short swords. They would form up a strong, defensive line and brace for the impact of the Alnwick vagrants.

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Meanwhile, at the harbor, a minor fleet of small fire ships approached.  They had no warriors on board, but the mercenaries on board were not interested in fighting hand-to-hand.  These light, agile ships moved at considerable speed, attempting to close in on the ships leaving the harbor and release an inferno of flames upon them.