A Magnificent Plague - Battle Thread

[Ayden (Retired)]

A Late Bloom[/u][/size]

"He...he didn't, did he?" The words trailed from the mouth of a shocked Xing Cai as she and her men emerged from the western border of Chang An. Her eyes, the young pupils laying their gaze upon the flames of a city. Was the city on fire? There was indeed smoke coming from the city, but perhaps the forces of Glory could merely be covering a inevitable retreat? Ma Chao would never ignite a city of seemingly innocent people, Xing Cai was sure of this. Either her eyes were deceiving her, or there was more to this.

The long journey from Han Zhong was over, as her driven men emerged from the tops of the hill. She could see the banners of Glory, speeding away from the city of Chang An. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of innocent peasants made their almost saddening flee from their homes. Were the peasants being slain? Xing Cai's eyes could not make out exactly what was happening. Sitting atop her unstable and anxious horse, she signaled the men forward with the raise of her right hand. The soldiers, some held back by the shame of following Xing Cai's disobedience, others simply stunned by the city and the sight of the innocent peoples woes, were reluctant to make a move. After a sudden gallop from Xing Cai's stallion, the men were startled into action.

"Follow me, I know you wish to help the peasants, but they are in Glory's hands. We must meet with Ma Chao." Turning her head back, the men were still sitting like cemented objects. Her anger started to rise, anger that was mixed with slight worry about the repercussions of her supposed love Menqi, her eyes glared into the stubborn men. "When I give an order, I expect you to obey it. I may be a woman, and I may be disobeying orders from Lord Liu Bei, I still am your superior and I will personally punish those that do not follow my commands." The irony in her speech was fairly obvious. She herself had disobeyed commands, and now she was demanding that her own men obey hers. Chaos has this effect on the times. Xing Cai longed to see Menqi, longed to tell him the choices she was prepared to make.

"If Ma Chao needs assistance, we will ride into battle alongside him. I promise you, if you all serve me faithfully, you will not inherit the punishment from Shu and Lord Liu Bei. It is my punishment, not yours. Please, follow me." Xing Cai pleaded with her men. Slowly, they began to move onwards, beginning to believe that maybe her cause was worth fighting for. Onward they went, towards Ma Chao's main unit.

Summary

[/u]

Xing Cai and her reinforcements have arrived to the south west of Chang An. Her small unit of men are reluctant to help the disobedient daughter of Shu, but after pleading words from her, they began to sway. They then made their way towards Ma Chao, to assist him in whatever way possible.

Troops

[/u]

100 Spear and Shield Elites
300 Horsebow Veterans
1 Unit of Medics

[Aja Jex]

Aja Jex was in the city when he heard of his force was retreating. The time had come to abandon Chang An and to get everyone out of here however the East Gate was the only way out. Aja Jex felt guilty for not doing anything in the battle but he had his chance now to do something.

The gates were beating beaten down, men were trying to protect the people from harm. Aja Jex troops hadn't been commanded to do something and needed orders. Jex had nothing in his mind but to rescue the defenseless and so Jex made up his mind:

"All troops, help these people to the East gate quickly. Once you got everyone, meet me and the calvary at the East Gate."


So Aja Jex and his 200 Elite Horse Spear and Shields raced down to the East Gate hoping to find Master Wei Yan. The city looked in terrible shape but Master Wei Yan had said, "Protect People At All Cost!". These words wouldn't get out of Jex's mind, it drived him crazy that he didn't do anything.

Aja's steed was going so fast that he accidentally crashed on some rubble, which injured Aja's left arm. It was cut but Aja could carry on since he was right handed.

Lu Jex turned his head around seeing his older brother hurt. He wanted to take care of him.

"Brother, you should let me take a look at that?"

Aja was annoyed of Lu Jex's attitude towards a little injury however Aja got back up. His steed was safe to ride however it wouldn't get up. He didn't want to be mean but he was his older brother and needed to teach his younger a lesson. With a deep annoyed voice he replied to Lu Jex:

"A little injury for a general like me doesn't matter. These people have no weapons to defend themselves and yet you still come to me. A man with the name of Jex is strong, help the people. GO!"

Lu Jex looked in shame and rode to the East Gate leaving his brother behind.

Aja's steed finally got up however Aja heard a little girl screaming for her parents. She was left in her house alone and this changed Aja's attention to her. She was in a house crying out for help, the door was jammed and she couldn't escape.

Aja quickly ran to the scream where he found the girls house. Aja blacked out for a minute having flashbacks of his childhood when his father used to beat him up. He was staring at the same spot until a man pushed him and ran past him. Aja woke up where yet he stood and the girl was behind the jammed door.

Finally woken up, he try-ed to open it but it wouldn't open. The last option to break the door by using his strong legs. One kick the door open and a little girl somewhere about the age of 10 was crying. He carried the girl in his hands and put her on his steed. He sat behind the girl who was sitting in the front.

In his mind, Aja said to himself:

"Ma Chao, you sick man. More like a animal to me than a warrior. The only person will respect you is your mum."

With that Aja and his troops stormed to the East Gate where Wei Yan was retreating to. The young girl found her parents but Aja couldn't find Master Wei Yan or an officer.

Aja kept and shouting:

"Master Wei Yan..Master Wei Yan"


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Summary
Aja Jex's troops are making there way to the East Gate
Aja is looking for Wei Yan at East Gate


Commanding Troops
100 Elites Spear and Shield
200 Veteran Crossbows
200 Elite Horse Spear and Shields

[Dark Narrator]

Update......

The Glory Kingdom has abandoned Chang An to save the people from harm. A truly virtuous thing to do by Wei Yan but it has come at a cost. Allied morale has plummeted and the Golden Horde now controls the old historical capital city.

*Note: Posts are still to be made here. Feel free to fight or story build until the next part opens up*

*************************

::Casualties::

Sun Liao
10 Swords
10 Bows

Wei Yan
60 Swords
20 Horsebow

Huang Zhong
20 Elites

Golden Horde
120 Militia Bows
30 Militia Spears
20 Militia Lancers
10 Militia Twin Axe
1 Siege Ram
1 Tower

[Sun Liao]

Your welcome, finally something good right?

Sun bolts through the city, cries of his enemies in the distance behind him, he had nearly escaped. Hopefully the fires will stall the enemy long enough to get the people to Qing Ni. This battle is only the beginning. And though it hurts to lose the city, the city is no use to them without people, and especially when the wall and gate are nearly destroyed, if it comes to it we could meet them right back there, and retake the city. But there is much ahead that must be done before that could happen. Sun turns around the last city corner before seeing the Eastern gates, a straight shot to it, but on the walls stand enemy soldiers. They signal for the gate to be closed.

"Damnit...."

Sun kicks his horse and it begins racing towards the now closing gate. If Sun gets stuck in then he is dead for sure. The horse picks up speed and the men jump down from the gate and charge Sun. Sun slashes at one bringing him down, the other throws a large stone which is dodged but the man then jumps up and knocks Sun off his horse. Sun quickly does a backwards somersault and charges at the man, the man blocks the first blow but quickly falls to the second fall, seeing that Sun cut his leg off.

"Damnit!"

Sun looks around, the gate is closed and he is stuck in the city, the yelling behind him grows louder, Sun looks up at the gate. It's not that high up is it? Sun mounts his horse once again and it rides up the stairs to the top of the wall. Just then the enemy men pursuing Sun Liao turn around the corner. Sun now kicks his horse (who by the way is getting tired of being kicked around) and it sprints southeast on the wall, men yelling begin to pursue. Sun can see the fleeing civilians more to the south, coming to the corner instead of calmly turning the corner in a non heroic fashion, Sun's horse jumps the whole corner and nearly tumbles down to the bottom with Sun on it, but barely gets its balance and continues running. At last Sun is perpendicular with his men and the fleeing Civilians. The problem is Sun can't get his horse to stop.

"He- help... guys"

The horse continues, nearly passing the caravan as they being to go southeast towards Qing Ni. Just then enemy men appear before Sun.

"Now we got you!"

"Shit!"

Sun's horse shocked turns around to find the other men approaching. Just then the men in the civilian caravan look to see what's happening on the wall and Sun looks up, looks like this is it.

"Well my good friends, I would like all of you Golden Horde fellows to know that we are ready to meet you in battle once again, your lives have been saved by the mere fact that we have to get the civilians out. But when we meet again there will be no civilians to save you."

"Ha! Yeah right, the Golden Horde is unrivaled, no kingdom can stand to us."

"Your right, no Kingdom can, but we have more then one kingdom, and a Carthaginian."

Allied soldiers begin to come to the wall to try and save Sun, knowing its impossible they just yell.

"Hold on! We'll find ladders or something!"

"No really guys its ok, I'll be fine."

Sun turns to his enemies and then his allies.

"If I am to die let me finish with one speech? Would you be so kind?"


Yeah, I put this here

"Fine, make it quick, I would like to deliver your head to Ma Chao and get me a promotion so I can finally get a piece of the pie."

Since I have the other two, might as well

"Yeah....sure, well here goes nothing. Men of T'se, warriors and people of Glory! Fear not, do not think things are lost, you ride to safety where our numbers will be bolstered and our spirits raised. You shall find the great coalition and if need be we will march right back here to reclaim your lost city! This is not a defeat, we will fight again, and win!"

"Hmm, probably shouldn't have let you say that last speech deal. Too late I guess."



The Golden Horde soldier approaches Sun to find his face kicked in by the horse. Sun then turns to the soldiers as they begin to close around him.

"Remember this day old chaps, this is the day you almost caught Sun Liao!" Sun then kicks his horse one last time and it reluctantly jumps off the side of the wall and miraculously lands alright, it has been rumored that Wei Yan had begun growing the softest grass in China, and this feat had proved it. Kudos to Wei Yan. Sun rides and meets up with his allies,

"Where have you been"

"Don't ask."

*Summary*

- Sun narrowly escapes the enemy and attempts a heartening speech.
- Sun is now out of the city! (Thank god)
- Wei Yan has the softest grass in China.

[Ma Chao]

The Battle Without Justice - Music

The sight at Chang An was truly something to behold. Brave warriors fighting to the death for their cause and kingdom, the flames of hell engulfing the city and siege weaponry, as well as civilians being evacuated to safety. Such deeds of both bravery and cruelty would be remembered long after the battle was over. However, the war had just begun.

Screams from dying archers along the walls, part of the tower groups, rang out across the plains and throughout the city. They were being burned alive by allied fire attacks of fish oil which although non-combustible it was very flammable. An entire tower was engulfed in flames, sending most of the occupants to a fiery grave and many others jumping to the ground to avoid death. The heat was so strong and the fire so bright it was as if the sun was present on the field of battle.

Unfortunately, the same was true for the Horde siege ram which was hit by oil from above and fire as well. It was as the operators feared and when the fire arrows were let go they started to panic. Flames were above them, slowly buring away the wood, but they had it in them for one final push; the push that would open the gate. The ram blasted through the once strong gate of Chang An, but on the other side was.......fire!

"Gwaaaa!"

The siege men were being cooked alive from above and in front of them. Any who were near the front of the ram had no chance and any near the rear ran for their lives. The entire northwest gate was engulfed in flames and impossible for anyone to enter.

Ma Chao gritted his teeth when seeing one of his siege towers screech, as the burning wood gave way, and collapse to the ground in an inferno. The ram as well was gone and the gatehouse ablaze.

It was at that point the young leader heard a massive battle cry. The beast seemed wounded but angered beyond all measure and called out for Ma Chao's blood. He just smirked, thinking of the inevitable collision between the two powerful warlords.

Soldiers on the eastern flank of the army and Yan Xing as well noticed the approach of a small group. When they got closer it was obvious that Xing Cai, of Shu, and some loyal soldiers had arrived on the field of battle. For what reason, Yan Xing was not sure. However, he would have no interference at such a crucial time. His lord could not be swayed if that was her intention.

"My lady, it is great to see you again. However, I must ask you to leave if you plan on trying to sway my lord from his actions" he said, holding out hand to halt the lady warrior and her men. If they did not obey, there could be trouble. Xing liked Cai a lot, but he was an officer of the Horde before a friend.

"Does Liu Bei send you as aid or have you come on your own accord?"

Yan Xing knew it was the latter as Liu Bei would look like a traitor to the other lords and the Han if he were to aid the Golden Horde. Also, it would ruin Xuande's reputation of being for the people and he could not help Ma Chao ravage Chang An, a most important city.

"I will accompany you, let us go now before he charges headlong into the enemy!" Xing stated, being dead serious. If Ma Chao got the urge, he would rush right into the fight without concern for his own safety. It made him a great leader of men in combat, but a foolish ruler for laying his kingdom on the line in such a way.

Xing ordered off 200 cavalry to ride with him and Xing Cai toward Ma Chao who was near the river. Cai's soldiers would remain with the Horde main army to be formed up or destroyed depending on Ma Chao's reaction to her arrival. The lord had sent her away for this very reason, here and now, so it was unknown what would happen. She was endangering herself, Ma Chao, and Liu Bei in one fell swoop.

As the group moved toward Mengqi the ground started to tremble. From the west, a huge dust cloud could be seen rising to the heavens. Was someone late to the party?

Cheers of victory were being heard from the front lines as Glory soldiers were ordered to pull back. Major damage had been done to the Horde army, but it was nothing that could not be mended with fresh units. The battle was still thick to the Horde west, allied east, along the river but it would subside soon enough.

Xing Cai approached her beloved Horse Lord with Yan Xing and she was awe struck with the sight of his magnificence. A call for victory was made and all the elite dragon riders raised their weapons to the sky, cheering on the call by their lord.

"None can withstand the might of the Golden Horde!"

The city had fallen and morale was skyrocketing for Ma Chao's force although they were hit hard in the opening skirmish. If a leader did not expect taking large casualties in a siege battle, they were a fool. Therefore, the minimal losses were considered a success. Currently, the main army was unaware of Lu Rai's death, but that too would be a great addition to the dominating start by the Horde.

"Mengqi, it seems the young lady, Xing Cai, has arrived to meet with you. I have informed her of the horrific timing, but i believe it could be important" Xing said, bowing low and then moving away with his riders to leave the two.

"I thought i told you to return to Shu and your lord. Clearly you have not listened and it angers me to see you here!"

The young leader looked upon the heavenly creature with the eyes of a ferocious animal. She had gone against his orders and now intruded in his glorious assault of Chang An. Was she here to persuade him not to continue? He hoped not.

"Though i am quite annoyed by your arrival, i must say it is good to see you again" he mumbled, turning his head slightly to look away toward some of his men. He had not been close to a woman for quite awhile and was away constantly in battle against the Qiang. Longed he had, for some company from a lady companion but there was a mission to complete and nothing would stand in his way.

"If you have come to stop me, i suggest turning to leave, but if you are here to aid then i will pretend i never saw you."

Ma Chao smiled a bit, which was bizarre, but quickly went back to his bad ass of all China look.

"It seems they have arrived" he said, looking over Xing Cai's shoulder to see a mass of brown banners approaching from the west.

***************************************

"Move forward and secure the city! I know nothing of any destruction or looting, now go!" the king barked, oblivious to Ma Chao's orders to not pillage Chang An. The Qiang lord was there to keep the peace between his kingdom and that of the Golden Horde, no other reason. Well, that and a good slaughter was always enjoyable. The soldiers of the Qiang were great warriors and lived for combat, it only helped the king more if he could please his men as well.

The army was huge and added to the already overwhelming numbers that Golden Horde had at their desposal. Still, they were not aware that the wily Cao Mengde had garnered support for Wei Yan and against Ma Chao at Qing Ni pass. It seemed the next stage of the epic war for Chang An would take place there.

**************************************

Wei Yan's men did all they could to keep the soldiers under Cheng Yi and Tiny at bay while the civilians escaped to the south. They would be remembered as heroes when all was said and done. Stories of their bravery would be told to the children of Chang An to give them hope.

Tiny was still in berserker mode and he snapped a neck of an enemy before picking up another. He body slammed the soldier right onto a spear that was protruding from another's back. That made two dead bodies skewered upon a single spear, but he was not done!

The big man picked up two more soldiers, before the skirmish on that side was ending, and impaled them as well upon the spear. Tiny had 3 arrows in him, one in the leg and two in his back, but he was just slightly winded. Cheng Yi had moved to his aid, after flanking the allies, and the two of them moved back away from the remaining combat.

"We need you to finish off those cowards, do not get yourself killed so soon!" Yi yelled, trying to get through to Tiny. He was huge and has an enormous head so it was hard for information to sink in some times.

"Rokay!"

*************************************

::The Golden Horde::

Ma Chao
Yan Xing
Han Sui
Cheng Yi
Tiny
400 Elite Horse Bows
400 Elite Horse Spear/Shield
480 Militia Cavalry Lancers
500 Militia Horse Bows
500 Militia Sword/Shield
232 Militia Spear/Shield
192 Militia Spearmen
444 Militia Twin Axes
334 Militia Bowmen
700 Ruffian Bowmen
880 Ruffian Swords
1000 Ruffian Horse Swords
3 Trebuchet
1 Siege Towers

::Unauthorized aid from Shu::

Xing Cai
100 Spear and Shield Elites
300 Horsebow Veterans
1 Unit of Medics

::Qiang reinforcements::

Qiang King
Qiang Champion
500 Veteran Raiders (Shortbow and Sword) *new
1000 Militia Mace/Axe Troops (Short mace and Axe) *new
500 Ruffian Skirmisher Cavalry (Javelin and Sword) *new
1000 Ruffian Twin Swords
3 Catapults

[Huang Zhong]

Judging from the situation in the city, the forces of Glory were abandoning the city and laying a fire trap to slow down Ma Chao's forces. The city had been evacuated, and the battle was turning into a route. The old veteran could here the screams of the peasants, their voices filled with fear. The grip on his bow tightened. Some of Ma Chao's forces would surely pursue. And yet, he could not leave his men here unattended. What was left must be saved.

"Men! The city is lost and Glory retreats! We must flee now!"

Their faces grim, what was left of his meager unit began to flee, heading for the pass that Huang Zhong had left in order to aid his allies of Glory in a losing fight. He did not know if any would make it alive, but he knew that his old bones could still be moved into action. As he retreated with his men, the aged archer suddenly stopped his horse, turned himself to face enemy, nocked an arrow. This would be his parting gift to Ma Chao's forces, and it could be either a challenge or a parting gift, a reason for Ma Chao to be angered. Taking careful aim, Huang fired an arrow straight at Tiny, aiming for the space in between his eyes. Sadly, the distance was too great, and the arrow fell short, hitting Tiny in the gut instead.


"This old bag of bones will challenge you in the future, should you survive, young brute! Remember the name Huang Zhong, for he shall be the one to slay you!"

With that last message, Huang made his way to his allies, concerned for their safety.

*Summary*

- Huang Zhong's forces have initiated a retreat to protect Chang An's fleeing civilians!
-Huang Zhong has fired a challenge at the enemy general, Tiny! Perhaps they will meet again?!

[Wei Yan]

Glory To The Brave

The horsebows had finally pulled back and were awaiting orders from Wei Yan. The swordsmen were standing at the ready. Even the warriors favored Shield and Spear elites were waiting his order, but he just stood silent watching Chang An for a long time. The citizens were a long time gone by now, nearly to Qi Ning Pass, and the soldiers were merely waiting for the order. It was then that the sound and sight of the Qiang barbarian's presented itself. An empowered sigh left the warriors lip for a moment as he shook his head.

"Is this all for not? Rai, what--" but Yan's voice ran cold as he caught himself. Lu Rai was dead, there was no changing that now. The warrior felt hollow, but his presence echoed something completely different. There was a hate that wrapped around him, an aura that screamed stay away. Even his awaiting soldiers stayed a few extra steps back from their leader.

"Then what if they collapse? What if the armies and walls of Chang An aren't enough, Yan?"

The warrior shook his head a bit, trying to drive the lingering voice of his friend from his thoughts. It was true, Lu Rai had seen this loss coming far before the banquet even... Why hadn't Yan picked up on it? Again his rage flared. It flared so vibrantly his soldiers took a few extra steps back in an awkard unison.

"To Qi Ning Pass. Ready the defense and prepare for a counter strike. We are not to have these deaths in vain." stated the warrior matter-of-factly.

"But, Lord Wei--" began a spearman, only to be cut off by the sharp tone of the warrior.

"No! Make ready! We will defend and then the whole of China will break upon that Horde! Now go!" commanded the warrior, and it was done. The soldiers nodded their approval and they were gone.

It here and now that the Lord of Chang An remembered it all. Every memory he held with his friend, Lu Rai, echoed across his thougths like a play. There time in the barracks together. The night of the fire, when Rai had saved him from unspeakable horror's. The conflict with Dong Zhuo. The rebellion in Chang An. Even starting the kingdom of Glory. Lu Rai had been there since Yan had started his path in life... and now, the warrior was alone...

He gripped his spear, tensing up his forearm till he thought the muscle would explode. His body shaked, the adrenaline was becoming far too much. Then a sigh escaped his lips and too his knees the warrior fell, his spear slamming against the ground. Tears fell from the warriors eyes, and curses spewed from his lips. He wasn't speaking a language, no, he was just groaning and roaring in pain and rage.

"All this hell over one child's anger..." whispered the warrior, his body trembling now from the sadness. "What am I to do now?"

For a long moment their he knelt, his teary eyes searching the sky. For a moment, Yan was child, a simple, naive child again. It wasn't much after that feeling that touched the warrior though. His eyes grew cold, his hand gripped his spear and to his feet he rose. With a scowl the warrior rose to his feet and turned to look out at Chang An one last time, but instead he saw a horsebowmen. He rode quickly, carrying far too much.

"My lord! I bring you..." panting came before words, and now it was evident there was a wound wrapping around the man's ribs. "I... I bring you Master Rai's shield.. shortsword.. and headband..."

With that the horsebowmen fell to his death. His wounds overcame him, and that was the end of his well used life. Wei Yan just looked at the battered shield and notched shortsword. With an odd smile he pulled the shield around his back and strapped the shortsword to his side. The head band he tied around his shield-arm's bicep. The word "Guardian" had been scribed across it to signify that Rai was the warrior's head Guardian.

Those few items, so simple and mundane, sealed the fate of Ma Chao's before the horse lord ever knew it. With a renewed hope for the battle the warrior nodded towards the destroyed Chang An and moved back to Qi Ning Pass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wei Yan's troops have fallen back with the citizens to Qi Ning Pass.
A random horsebowmen has given Wei Yan, some of Lu Rai's personal belongings.
Wei Yan fell back to Qi Ning Pass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Commanded Army:

400 Shield and Spear Elites
140 Shield and Sword Veterans
180 Horsebow Militia

[Ayden (Retired)]

The loyal servant, Yan Xing, was once again the first to greet her. She liked the man, he was loyal and honourable. He was the straight headed and logical companion of Ma Chao, ready to keep him from exploding into a bomb of emotion on the field. Now, she was used to the resemblance between him and Gao Jin. She bowed her head once in a nodding fashion, before ending their conversation quickly in a non rude way. "I will explain later, right now, I need to see him."

There, the king of all beasts himself, Ma Chao rode atop his stallion. Each and every time Xing Cai caught a glimpse of him in his armour, she literally shivered down her body. He was literally awesome. The fire in his eyes and multiplied since the feast, he was possessed by something beast like, the spirit of a lion. The anger that came from his mouth and eyes surprised Xing Cai, she hung her head slightly to the side, trying to avoid eye contact, lest she be overwhelmed by his mere stare.

"I did return to Shu, and then word of a alliance against you came to our lands. There is a massive force waiting for you at Qi Ning Pass. I know you can handle them, I am not trying to sway you. You are Ma Chao the Splendid, born and forged by a blade. Instead, I've come to make sure you don't die." Taking a breath, she prepared herself for what she was about to reveal...however, she stopped as Ma Chao seemed to smile at her. She was about to reveal that Cao Cao, Menqi's father's murderer was leading the alliance. "There will be something ahead that will set you ablaze with anger...I'm here to make sure that anger doesn't destroy you." Stopping, she raised her head proudly, daring to stare the man in the eyes, she felt like she was fighting him, just by keeping eye contact. "I'm here, and I'm not leaving until this battle is over. So, give me my orders." With a faint smile, she raised Furious Angel, the bladed fork and shield that lay within in soft hand.