14.8.1038 anno domini

- Ready to move out? Good, we need all of the troops ready - said Ban in a hasty tone, the Hungarians were approaching quickly from Slavonija to free the Serbians in prison and Ban prepared a welcoming party just as planned.

The castle was well manned by soldiers of Italy, it stood more prouder and fiercer than when the Serbians held this fort. The next day the battle will insue, The tactic was simple, lure the Hungarians to the fort, then strike with a quick cavalry from behind and then attack them on two fronts, from this kind of attack only a few men will escape.

Croatian soldiers were practicing in the training grounds, while the militia of this castle was standing guard. Borna was up in the court of the fine fort discussing about further plans. Ban was among the men watching closely for....

Suddenly a Croatian rider appeared, the signal the enemy was coming.

- They must have moved quicker with less troops - Ban smiled - a mistake they won't ever forget. Militia to your posts, Croatians you know what to do.

As quickly as he yelled the orders then men sprung into action, archers on the high walls, cavalry into the forests and spears on the first wall. They were prepared for the worst...but got the weakest...

After hard battle against Byzantium armies and after fun in Serbia Commanders decided to go to take a rest in Bosnia. All soldiers were free as they wished. But Borna had no time for that. He needed a new horse. So Borna quickly went to Istra to get some better horse. Commanders were noted and Borna left.

He came to Istra in great haste, and spoke only with garrison commander, General Karlo. Borna told fresh news, and also to assemble as much man as he can and go to Bosnia. Then Borna went to stables. He quickly passed through it few times and decided. He choosed nice dun horse that is fit and strong enough to serve as light charger. He had strong muscles but wasn't very tall. He named him "Serbslayer".He paid for it, saddled it and rode back to Bosnia.

Borna came in Bosnia and saw armies assembling. He went to town hall in hope he will find commanders there. But he found only local merchant there who told him that armies are preparing to march on enemy armies that are invading Bosnia. Borna swiftly went back to his tent, took his axe and shield and rode after army. He catch them up fast. Borna then rode to forhead where he was sure to find King Rhodry and his Chancellor Kalisto,Duke Ban and General Kristian. While he was riding he was hailed by many soldiers which didn't know where he left and started to worry. Borna aproached to forhead and said:


"Did you really though I will miss the party?"

They were all surprised that he got back so fast. Borna handshaked with all of them and Ban said:

"Nice horse you got. First test for him is aproaching."
"He'll pass. I'm sure of it."


Then they continued to march on enemy army. They saw them soon after Borna joined the army. They were all surprised to meet them so near the town, and they swiftly deployed army best they could. It looked well in the end. Borna didn't participate in deploying and he simply joined cavalry on right flank.

Serbs charged army, but infantry easily handled them. Then desperate charge came which was intercepted by cavalry and battle was over. Serbs were running to Travunia.

Battle was won by few casualties. After some short talking they decided to follow Serbian army, but sent town garrison back to town.

On their way to Travunia Borna was trying Serbslayer, pushing his limits, trying to fell his every move.
Borna knew that Serbslayer will serve him well.

After they crossed border they marched deeper in Travunia. But again, Serbs were awaiting for them. They regrouped fast and got some reinforcements and also, town garrison joined them. But commanders just gave same orders like in Bosnia few days ago and army was ready for battle. Borna was to lead cavalry on left flank with Kristian, Kalisto and Rhodry took right flank cavalry, while Ban and Count Emerik were to lead archers and infantry.

Armies aproached and skirmishing started. Since enemy had few archers, allied archers did they job good.
But then enemy infantry charged again, like in Bosnia, but was stronger and more disciplined. Borna saw Ban firing his last arrow and charging with archers in hand to hand combat. He then looked toward Count Emerik and saw him fighting in first line. Then Borna heard horn and then saw Rhodry is leading his cavalry in combat. But Borna saw Kalisto is still waiting with small division. Rhodry did good job. Enemy left flank was broken and was running. But then Rhodry's cavalry got hit by enemy cavalry. They were in bad position. But that was signal for Kalisto. Kalisto charged the enemy cavalry, but enemy soldiers that were running came back and joined melee. Borna then saw that enemy cavalry is charging left flank of his army. Borna ordered charge on them. Then enemy cavalry changed direction and they both sides were charging head to head. Clash that was caused was big. Borna was striking all around. But then he saw that main line is cracking, and soon infantry started to retreat. They were in danger to be hit on their back, so Borna ordered his cavalry which was winning against enemy to regroup back on the center in front of infantry that was retreating. He saw that Rhodry and Kalisto are running with what left of their cavalry. Borna also saw that Ban and Emerik has rallied some soldiers and were protecting back of retreating infantry. Borna immediately charged on enemy to protect infantry. He then rode to Ban and told him:

"Go now. I will protect your back."
Ban simply yelled: "RETREAT"

Borna continued to fight, outnumbered and in danger to get encircled and captured. But in less then minute they couldn't endure it and retreated. But it was enough, all other retreated and regrouped about kilometer from battlefield. Borna rode with what left of his cavalry to join them. But there was no Italian banner or soldier. He knew that they retreated to Dalmatia. Then they continued their way back to Bosnia, where Burgundian armies were waiting, fresh and ready to fight.

They came to Bosnia and decided to stay there and protect it for small amount of time, wait for enemy to make mistake...

- Prepare the army for the battle - Answered Ban as his servant was waiting orders to send to the army commanders. - It will be a tough fight and only God will decide our fate. - the servant nodded and went outside.

Ban got up in a few seconds, grabbed his byzantine spear and his trusty shield, bow was strapped to his horse and he went outside to meet his troops. The wind was blowing it's cold breeze, the sun wasn't shining so much for it feared the mighty armies gathered in Dalmatia, every bird that was singing was gone, every child that played in the field is gone, now it's total war. Only armies horns and swords were the songs of these lands.

Dalmatia once proud territory of Croatia was now reduced to simple villages and a castle owned by the Serbians. Ban was determined to get this core territory back, because it bordered the nearby Croatian capital in Istria. The local villages were now mixed with Croatian and Serbian. Ban decided against Borna's orders...he'll take a platoon and burn down orthodox villages.

- They deserve no better, Serbian scum. They breed like rabbits and infest these lands like rodents, they'll all die by my spear. - Ban turned to his second in command - Prepare to charge on Borna's signal, have courage men God is on our side! We'll exterminate this rodents once and for all!

After some waiting in Bosnia, Borna's army decided to move to Dalmatia to help Papal State and Italy. Many battles happened while Borna's army was resting and now was time for Borna and his army to engage again. Borna was happy for that because he didn't like sitting in place while others were dying and fighting. Borna lead the army to Dalmatia and meet with Italians and Holy Soldiers of Papal State on the hill 3 kilometers from town which changed governor many times by now but belonged to Croatia actually. Serbs decided to stay in town because they were in great danger if they go outside walls and safety of towers that were build by Ban many years before.


Borna walked in the tent where Rhodry, Kalisto and Friedrich of Papal State were discussing tactic for assault. With Borna entered Duke Ban,General Kristian, General Karlo who joined army in Bosnia with man he gathered, and also Borna decided to take young Captain Tomislav who proved his value and worth in battles in Travunia and Bosnia to learn and one day maybe to become great general, maybe even like Kristian.

They decided that they will split their armies and attack eastern and northern wall. Borna also decided that he will abstain from any army leadership in this battle. Instead he decided to lead small elite unit made of his bodyguards, General Karlo and Captain Tomislav that will be second in command instead of Kristian who will lead part of army that Borna was to lead. They will fight dismounted to participate in taking over walls. Tomislav will be Borna's second in command instead of Kristian.


All armies deployed, trebuchets started their fire and archers fired their first volley... assault on Dalmatia started.

After defeat in Dalmatia, which Serbs won only with luck, armies retreated to Panonia. They were followed by Serbs.

But reinforcements arrived from Travunia. Burgundian armies came to aid and Burgundian banners weren't far. They already deployed and were waiting for Serbs.

Borna ordered hold and all armies turned to face Serbians. Burgundian armies simply marched and merged with rest of armies. Borna saw that Serbian armies stoped and started to prepare for battle. Burgundian cavalry alone took right flank while Italian and Croatian cavalry deployed left. All infantry was in center and archers behind under leadership of General Karlo and Captain Tomislav.

Serbian armies started march toward allied army. Ban ordered archers to fire and allied armies charged Serbs. Their charge was so strong that Serbian armies after first clash started to run. Serbian cavalry charged in
center in desperation but then allied cavalry from both flanks simply clashed on enemy flanks and over run what left of Serbian soldiers. Serbs then run away and retreated back to Dalmatia.

Allied armies simply regrouped and followed them there, but Papal State army stayed in Panonia in case any enemy retreat to Poland which proved as good thing. Borna saw far away masterpera is running with his "army" like being chased by pack of lions.


While main allied force was following Serbs, Travunia got attacked by rest of armies and so did Belgrade.

Then Serbs stoped in front of castle walls. They knew if they enter through town gates they will never get out. Town garrison marched out and joined them, and desperate charge begun to break through. Their attack was stronger now since they were in life danger. But it was simply not strong enough. Serbian cavalry charged flanks but on both sides got intercepted. In clash there was no winner and battle became total mess. Archers from both sides engaged in melee as they shot all arrows and it became cruel battle where issuing and following orders wasn't possible. Borna swung with his axe hitting some random Serbian soldier. Borna saw his face before he made his head mash. Soldier was simply petrified , like he knew what is coming. Then Borna spun stretched his hand with axe, hitting everyone arround. And then all of sudden Borna saw the man he was looking for months from now, Stefan Dusan Nemanjic who attacked him from behind like coward he is.

Borna stoped to care about anything, he was only thinking how to kill that son of a whore and charged on him. Stefan saw him and charged to. Stefan stroke first but Borna dodged the hit and hit Stefan in head. But then he was hit by someone from behind, again. Borna turned around and saw Derg wielding with his axe like savage he is. But then Borna saw another something is approaching to his body, dodged again and hitted somewhere. Surprisingly he heard scream but then felt strong pain in his left leg. That man he stroke hitted him in same time. But Borna could continue and he hitted man that was running toward him. Borna simply made one step left and swung with his axe, hitting that soldier straight to head and man just collapsed. Then Borna turned around again trying to find Stefan or that litle worm Derg but instead he got Vukodav that was running toward him and was only a meter away. Borna reacted in second and stroke him in torso, but Vukodav was still fit to fight and hitted Borna in leg he already got hitted and Borna lost consciousness.


Borna woke up and he was lying in bed. Picture he saw when he opened his eyes was familiar. It was same in Bosnia when he got hit from behind from Stefan.

Borna heard them talking and nobody yet realized that he woke up. He heard Kristian worried voice. He was talking about what happened and Borna saw that he was talking to Ban and King Rhodry. Borna heard that his voice is shaking and he said:

"God damn it. In 15 seconds 5 of them were on me. I did all I could but damn they were simply to many on me."

Then they all turned their eyes on him and Ban spoken:

"Yea we know Kristian told everything to us. You did well. They would kick my ass sooner then your."

"I know." ...said Borna and smiled... "Now get out of here, I need some sleep. We'll talk later."

They all mumbled something and started to leave his tent and Borna closed his eyes and asleep at same moment....

The sun was shining after a long winter, the cold breeze of the wind was felt. Ban took a deep breathe.

- Hmmmm, such clean and fresh air. - Then his face made an evil grin - time to kill some Serbian scum.

The men cheered and were overjoyed of seeing Orthodox churches burned to the ground, women and children taken as slaves to Istria, but unfortunately sold for quite low silver. Ban was just decapitating a head from a Serbian rat when his patrol brought him more men.

- Hah! Target fire, bind them to those trees there and take your bows men, we're going to have some targeting practice.

The Croatian men pulled the Serbians to the nearby trees and tied them up, The screams....the horrors...were music to Ban's ears. Soon rain started to fell, but Ban wasn't going to give up on hunting the Serbian folk. They went into another village and burnt it to the grown, the nearby river was used as a dumping ground for the bodies.

- Captain! - said Ban as he was just going to throw a Serbian head into the river.
- Yes m'lord? - quickly said the soldier next to him, doing the exact same thing.
- We should keep these heads and throw them at Serbians and their mercenary scum before a battle, you know to predict their fate when they battle us.
- haha, good thinking m'lord.

The Captain soon gathered all the heads, Ban then went into another village, this time murdering all the woman and children and taking their heads as well.

- Nice collection, let us show it to Borna and the next time to the Serbians.

At Borna's commanding tent, Ban was telling him this story about murdering Serbians. And brought a cart with heads. Borna's face showed a remarkable look...

Few Serbian knights and former large landowners left their land, left the defence of their country to their outnumbered brethren and went for Holy land. Infidels were sacking holy grounds, they could not let that go by...

Their biggest fear for themselves was - the holy places, that were theirs, to be burned, for Holy land, to once again be under heathen rule. Their biggest fear for their countrymen was death.

Death merely, a death in service of their country, their God, their faith. It was not such a bad death.

When the word of horrors committed to their countrymen, to children and women, to those who could not defend themselves reached the army of Serbian Crusaders, they split.

One group, under the banner of Serbian Prince Gruffudd went for Holy lands, to defend the Heaven's kingdom on earth.

The other group, of which this story tells, went back to Serbia. To see its aggressors, their enemies, the godless bunch under the checkered flag beaten to a pulp. To see their blood stream in little rivers and soak the graves of the Serbian dead, to give their bodies and minds eternal peace.

For our dead shall know that those who wronged them had their judgement day coming, and coming soon.


Stefan Dusan Nemanjic in his crusader colours, wearing a white cross over the crimson tunic that covered his steel plated armor that made him a monster of a man. A figure that Croats feared for decades.
Silver armor across his chest, with his royal twohander, he was best. Steel tipped boots, wore his noble Serbian roots. Helm that hid his eyes, icy blue that held no lies.

Choi on his heavy steed, he shall trample Croatian seed. Iron shield and a german sword he wield.

Lazar rode with boots of leather, his back covered with arrow feather. Bulgarian bow and claymore sword, he roared as they rode. Anger and fury, sadness and pain, Croats have nothing to gain.

They are coming,
they are riding,
doom is near,
our enemies fear.

With storm of blades,
we shall stop Croatian raids.
Death and horror await in future,
there is no hope to nurture.

Abandon all hope,
you will die by sword or rope,
abandon thy faith,
because we are like wraith,
eternal darkness, no light for you,
by hands of the Serbian few.

Doomsday is upon thee,
abandon thy hope.

After Dalmatia, troops took some rest. But then time has come to continue with war. Zahumlje has been attacked and over runed. After battle everyone got back to their tents and so did Borna.

But only minutes after Borna entered his tent Ban entered to. He said:

"Come out. There is something I want you to see."

Borna walked out of his tent and saw cart outside and 2 soldiers. He recognized them. They were both loyal soldiers and in long service.

"Look inside cart."

As Borna was approaching he felt awful smell. He looked inside and saw dozens of heads. He immediately understood what happened.

"Tell me dear friend, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHILE YOU WERE DOING THIS"?

"I was thinking about how good it is to see Serbs in panic, fleeing in every direction..." But he didn't finish that sentence.

Borna punched him straight to head and Ban fell. Then Borna grabbed him and pull him up. Then Borna punched him again and Ban fell again.

"Now first: You disobeyed direct order not to torture, kill rape or whatever you did to Serbian people unless in battle.
Second: Where were you thinking? It isn't those innocent people fault that they are cursed to be Serbs nor are they guilty for all the shit Serbian so called nobles did to us.
And third: I hope you will remember those hits you just received. Because next time I wont just punch you. I will kill you.
I consider you my best friend in this cruel world, but if you are Kings best friend doesn't mean you can kill innocent people. I hope you did understand my words and don't think that I wont do as I said if you repeat this. Be sure that I will.
And now, for second punishment, you and soldiers that helped you do this, go find bodies of all of this heads and bury them. Now be gone."

Then Borna entered his tent sit on chair and started to think, how and why did his friend started to act this way. He was worried about Ban and about their friendship, because their friendship just received serious impact...

Ban got up after those hits, bowed with mockery to the king and went outside with his right hand man Grof Ivan and his brother Barun Sinisa. Both men were loyal to the previous king known as Ban Moroplovac, they followed him through his journey after exile and his return to the throne. Both were unhappy with the current king just as was Ban.

- He has the nerve to punch me! ME! - Ban punched the nearby training dummy, much to everybody's surprise the dummy fell over and dummy was beheaded. - That little son of a bitch, the pretender to the throne can best a family member of the Moroplovac? Not while I'm around. - Ban turned around to his loyal men - Prepare for battle, we've now got Serbians wanting to reclaim their old but our lands again. After that we'll deal with the young and unroyal king that Borna is.

After the battle was won, Serbians high tailed out of Zahumlje, once proud part of the Croatian Kingdom before the rise of Duklja into Serbia, they were forced back with rains of arrows and the Coalition's bravery and strength. They stood no chance against the mighty charges of the Coalition's horsemen.

After the battle Ban was once again in company of Grof Ivan and his brother Barun Sinisa.

- This Serbian blood isn't even worth my spear - as he was cleaning his spear from some killed Serbian - But this spear will prove useful against Borna and his loyal men. The throne shall be mine again once more!

- But how? Borna has gotten the support of all of Croatia because of his courageous deeds and... - Ban replied quickly before Sinisa sounded like a complete idiot.

- Courageous deeds? Hah! Like those of being captured in Bavaria or like now not ordering the army where to retreat? I was the one who cleverly planned an escape route in Bavaria while the idiot was thinking only of victory. I was the one that charged the Serbians to prevent Alberg from falling and the peasants there to suffer. They hail me as King of Croatia not some young fool like Borna is. Now you were saying?

Sinisa gathered his thoughts but his brother Ivan responded quicker

- You're right. You should be the king on the throne, being exiled by a younger and non worthier noble is just absurd. Down with the King! Hail the new King!

- Keep your voice down Ivan - said Ban as he was looking if someone was watching outside the house. - It's night now, we should gather our loyal men and set out to burn Serbian villages and burn down their churches. That will cleanse this are of Serbs and make Croatia once again the power it was before. But first I'll write a letter

QUOTE:
To all who are concerned on this matter

I'm not pillaging Serbian villages or burning down orthodox churches. By my King's orders I have done no such thing. I'm an honorable man with honorable goals. We wish to take back our cores of Dalmatia, Slavonia and Buda. We're not killing men or selling Serbian women and children to slavery.

We're fighting this war with those goals. Beyond that border of those provinces I just mentioned we're caring for the Serbian folk with dignity.

Don't believe in Serbian lies that I'm pillaging these lands. The Serbians are pillaging their own lands by not singing the peace treaty the Coalition has offered.

Respectfully

Ban Moroplovac
Vojvoda of Croatia

- With much lies and love Ban Moroplovac, that's what I should have written in the ending.

the men laughed a bit then went outside with their men and started pillaging Serbian villages as before, this time they're not notifying anyone or leaving any witnesses alive.

"My lord." - Yelled Kristian.

"Yes?"

" I have some important news for you. May we speak in private?"

"Sure, let's go to my tent."

As they were entering in tent, Borna saw Kristian is nervous. They entered the tent and Kristian said:

"Sit down, this will probably shock you."

"I believe I can take it standing. With all this shit I passed I doubt that it will kill me."

"Ok then.
While I was heading to your tent since I heard that you had fight with Duke Ban I ran on them and heard them talking. They didn't notice me but I heard very interesting things.

Duke is planing to over throne you. I heard him talking to Grof Ivan and Barun Sinisa. And while I was walking away I heard Long live new King or something like that. I'm not sure who said it but it was Ivan or Sinisa. Then I rushed forward to tell you about all this."

Borna was expecting something like that. He was barely surprised. Then he said to Kristian in tone like he's talking about weather:

"We'll leave them to see what will they do. This conversation stay in this room and it never happened, and also you never heard what you just said. Do you understand?"

"But..." But Borna gave him the look and he simply answered: "Yes my lord."

"Good. Now go and order Captain Tomislav to spy on them. If he bring me something interesting he will be promoted to General. He is worthy man with only 20 years and he has proven his skills and values many times by now. Now let's see if he can deal with such mission. Tell him that mission is important and that he was given trust for it, and also that he must do it alone without any help. Oh and of course, he must say nothing to anyone about it."

"Yes sir, and should I tell him his reward if mission is completed successfully?"

"Hmm. No, let's see if we can trust him. Also I want you to follow him. In case he is on their side. Is that alright to you?"

"Of course my lord."

"Good. Now go and forward the orders to Tomislav, and obey your order."


Kristian saluted and walked out of tent. Then Borna went outside to find General Karlo. He had important mission for him...