Battle of Cardend II

The Battle of Cardend II was the final battle between the Mages and Templars in the second war. While further skirmishing happened, nothing signficant happened. It was this battle that marked the end of Hosmer and more prestige to the Solomon name.

## Prelude

In **567PR**, Hosmer and his forces successfully captured the port town of Cardend. Killing most of the inhabitants. The Templars under Solomon rode out to defeat them, but were misinformed about the reinforcements the mages had, leading to their defeat. This event was known as the first Battle of Cardend.

After securing their supplies, Hosmer and the mages marched on Gartaca in **569PR**. The Battle of Gartaca ended horribly for them, losing a capable commander in Lindblad, and being forced to retreat.

With the Templars now on the Offensive, Hansson tried to avoid direct combat, while he waited for the promised reinforcements from Hosmer. When he found out it was a lie, he turned and fought at the Battle of Larton, which ended in a tactical retreat.

Having little left, Hansson and his troops returned to the fortified town of Cardend, where they would make their final stand.

## Battle

Both commanders had set up their structure in similar ways to what they usually did. Though Hosmer's position in the HQ was only symbolic, as none of the officers there were listening to the orders the mage said.

What was placed different was the Mages, rather than having the wings in order to capture the Templars, they did what seemed like a normal line. Though, Hansson secretly placed a weak centre, using the blocked sight to set a trap.

Once the formations were set, Solomon ordered his Templars to push forward as a turtle.

The reason for the turtle tactic was to block the many projectiles that came to meet them again, not losing as heavy casualties to them as he had in previous battles.

After the lines met, there was simple fighting. Not as brutal as before, with both sides being relatively exhausted of all the fighting.
The fighting remained tame for some time, neither side gaining an advantage. Oliver made sure not to charge his cavalry either, not sure if there would be traps from the fortified position (which there were).

### Hansson's Trap

Finally, Solomon began to rally his troops and push forward, believing that the enemy had nothing planned for them. Firstly, he tested the lines of all the enemy, seeing where was weak and what line could be broken. Then he found the middle, which was thin with no close reserves. Siezing the opportunity, Solomon rallied his troop and lead the charge through the unsuspecting spearman, killing many in the process.

But, when he broke through the first line he was not expecting what was left for him. Now through the enemy, he was hit with aimed arrows (rather than upwards volleys). Solomon was struck in the leg before he could even get his shield up, now being caved in on my the heavy and experienced infantry of the Mages.

Trapping Solomon, Hansson pushed ahead to cut him off from the rest of his line.

Nordlund and Trevarthen, acting fast, decided to open the right flanks lines, where they knew the enemy was weaker from the spearman. Alerting Oliver to their position.

Seeing an opening, Dene pushed forward with his spearman, hoping to do the same thing Solomon had done to them and break through the first line. But instead, he was met with a Heavy Cavalry charge that caught them completely out of position. Killing him.

With the cavalry smashing through, the Templars were able to push ahead and give Solomon a direct line to his troops another way.

### Capture

Hansson cursed now that Solomon had escaped, but instead kept with his movement. Now that the threat of the cavalry was gone from his right side, he could begin enveloping the enemies wing.

Rallying his troops, he pushed ahead, cutting through whatever enemy stood in his way.

The fighting went on for this for a time, with each side pushing their respective flanks, aiming to end the battle. Solomon, still wounded, gathered Nordlund and decided to stop the enemy commander, placing Oliver in command of the right side.

With the two commanders and their respective bodyguard, they met Hnasson and acted as a wall against him and his soldiers, blocking them from going any further. Though not without cost, as most of their most experienced troop died or were heavily wounded in the process.

Finally stopped, Hansson was eventually overwhelmed by the rest of the Templars and Nordlund, leading to his capture.

With the battle now pretty much over, only waiting for the news to spread through the troops, Solomon and Nordlund took the opportunity to go after Hosmer. Gathering some horses, they and what was left of their bodyguard charged at the enemy HQ, finding the unsuspecting mage still resting in his tent.

To ensure this time he could not return, Hosmer was killed with a weapon given to Solomon by the council, trapping his soul in it.

Thus, the battle was ended.

## Aftermath

This battle was the final major conflict in the war, with only minor skirmishes occuring throughout the town. It also marked the true death of Hosmer, the powerful mage who had now caused two wars for the nation.

Nordlund was given full honours for his service on the battlefield, as it was his efforts that saved Solomon and likely the battle.

Hansson was pardoned by Solomon, using his powers as Templar Commander to instead recruit him to their side, to make up for the merciless killing that he allowed happen.

The Solomon and Trevarthen name continued to gain prestige in Uhekian history, even internationally, as great commanders on the field. The Solomon name going down as the greatest mage-killers in the world.

Oliver and Rikhill were also awarded for their efforts.