Battle of Fort Sierck

Bargainheim attacked from the north, under the cover of the blizzard.

Jerome was sent out leading 100 cavalry to intercept the enemy. His mission was to find out the number of enemy forces and form a battle front if possible. If the enemy force was too large, he was to withdraw with the safety of their forces as the priority. Evrard, was to make preparations as the 2nd wave, and standby with 200 cavalry.

Sierck fort was constructed on the grounds slopping towards the north. A large group of soldiers were gathered in the parade square, waiting for the signal to deploy. Setting the forces on defense duties aside, the stand by units numbered 2000.

300 cavalries were sent out to face 600 savages. The situation had evolved from the initial clash to glaring at each other from a distance. If they engaged in melee combat, they will fight until one side retreated. But with proper command and control, it was possible to pull some distance away for a chance to rest before unnecessary casualty were caused by fatigue. Jerome and Evrard's cavalries adopted a formation defending the fort. The barbarians set their eyes on their prey, waiting for a chance from afar like beasts.

On the snowy white plains ravaged by footsteps, several people laid down with no signs of movement. Although the savages had greater losses, the regiment also suffered casualties.

The Barbarians were glancing to their back every now and then. If the rear guards were doing that, they might just be worried about their retreat route being cut off. But the ones in front were doing the same, so it was clear they were waiting for reinforcement. The plan was probably for the 600 vanguard to infiltrate the fortress under the cover of the blizzard and open the gates for reinforcement.

The stalemate didn't last long. The barbarians charged with a roar. The battle started anew.

Bracing their lances, the cavalry prepared to engage. This should be their victory in normal cases. It was not surprising for 300 cavalries to rout 600 savages with ease. But there were many strong warriors amongst the barbarians, making them a match for the cavalries. Leading all the barbarians was Diethart.

Jerome and Evrard split to either side and the main gate was left open. They were to intimidate them with the possibility of attack from 3 sides. The savages charged into the parade square in front of the central tower. They were engaging the empire troops who had mustered for reinforcement.

Regis explained the situation from the barbarians point of view, if the defending troops suddenly retreats, and the main gate were wide open, they would see this as either a great chance or a trap.

If they knew this was happening, it might have been possible to maintain command. But the barbarians didn’t have a clear chain of command. Because the empire's cavalry were watching from the sides. They have to follow if their comrades charge, they would be attacked on both sides by the cavalry if they stayed. So they had no choice but to go along. But the riders would be faster in climbing up the snowy slope, so Jerome and Evrard's riders would return to the main gate faster than them.

Only 200 of the 600 savages made it into the fort. The slow advance of the enemy was cut off by the cavalry from the side. The horsemen turned into a double wall in front of the main gate.

Splitting them was just a means, a way to surround the strongest chess piece of the enemy, Diethart. In addition, considering the blizzard, it would be hard to chase them down if they were to scatter.

When someone leaped up, they would notice one section of the encirclement was weaker than the rest. And Diethart charged there naturally. He had to go. He was forced into such a situation. If he didn’t break out of the siege, the members of his tribe stuck inside the fort would be decimated.

Diethart was eventually captured by a bolas. His life was spared when Altina gave the order, wanting to speak to him.

She gave the order for both sides to cease the battle immediately. The soldiers thought of it as a declaration of victory. It was an announcement of the barbarian king's capture. The soldiers began to shout vigorously in victory. With the battle decided conclusively, the cheers completely demoralized the savages. After climbing up the steep slope in a blizzard, battling the tough cavalries and besieged after charging into the fort, the accumulated fatigue was a major contributing factor. Most of the barbarians let go of their weapon and knelt.

The savages were gathered in a corner of the fort with their backs to the wall, guarded by soldiers with pikes and bows at least 10 paces away.

Outside the fort nearly 400 savages didn't surrender and they congregated in a bunch a short distance away from the fortress. It was easy for the cavalry to press the attack, but that was prohibited. Instead, they were tasked with informing the savages about the dialogue between Diethart and Altina. If the savages didn't surrender, the empire's army that had them surrounded and kill them off. Regis wanted to avoid that for both strategical and emotional reasons. It was great that losses on both sides were kept to a minimum.

The reinforcement of the barbarians appeared shortly after. They joined the group outside the fort, considering their options as they looked over. But they remained in place without attacking or retreating. They were waiting for the dialogue to end.

Altina, Regis, and Diethart were able to understand each other and end the battle. This resulted in a secret treaty, an alliance between Altina and Bargainheim. As compensation, food and shelter to tide over the winter were provided to Bargainheim. In addition, when the Altina ascended the throne as empress, the sovereignty of Bargainheim would be recognized and a non aggression agreement between both nations would take effect.

Year of the empire 850, the last battle of Sierck fortress came to an end in a tense atmosphere.