Battle of Dimale

The Battle of Dimale was the last major battle fought in the Asger War and the one of the first recorded instances of the Ilakan King commanding the troops directly. Despite their command, King Argiris would fall.

## Background

In **512PR** the Nirvan Republic declared war on Ilaka over a minor political issue, beginning the Asger War. The Nirvans sent two armies to fight the Ilakans.

In **514PR** the Ilakans, led by Alkis Vatio defeated one of the Nirvan armies commanded by Quintus in the Battle of Kardir, now outnumbering the remaining army led by Vibius Calenus. Before this, Vibius had beaten Alkis twice in the Battle of Sora and the Battle of Coraeus.

Vibius would go on to defeat Vaso, who split his forces from Alkis to fight the Nirvans in the Battle of Hocos in **515PR**.

Alkis was happy to play defensive but mounting political and social pressure from back in Kras forced him to meet Vibius in the Battle of Posonan.

Now that their commander was dead, Vibius began a tirade of insults against King Argiris, eventually lulling the monarch to raise an army commanded by himself. When the army was completed, Argiris marched out and met Vibius on the field.

## Battleground

While Vibius kept up a cocky facade, he realised this battle could lead to the end of the war. So, he made sure this time to decide on a proper battleground, finding a hill near the village of Dimale. Near the back of the hill he made sure to leave a small garrison of troops to protect their supply line.

## Troop Deployment

The Nirvans kept a very similar deployment to the Battle of Posonan, instead hiding the Lorenzen Cavalry on the left side and putting the Thurim soldiers on the front. Due to experience and training, Aulus’s legion had also become equivalent of a triarii legion in skill.

Up behind the second line, the Nirvans made sure to have a line of slingers, able to see over their allies thanks to the height of the hill.

The Ilakans adopted a similar approach the Nirvan maniple system, putting their least experienced and equipped troops on the front lines, while the Atkan acted as their third. Arigiris led from the cavalry on the right wing, leaving Loukas to do everything else.

## Battle

Still furious about Vibius’s comments, Argiris ordered his soldiers to advance immediately, despite not having enough information about the enemy position. Though Loukas advised he remain stationary, he was overruled and ultimately called his lines to advance as well, marching with them.

As the Ilakans reached the hill they were hit with all manner of projectiles. First it was the lead bullets from slingers followed by two sets of javelins from the Nirvan infantry. Thanks to the hill, both lines of legionnaires were able to throw their javelins, wounding or killing most of the Ilakan front line before they even reached melee.

On the right, Silas was able to identify King Argiris, prompting Vibius to enter the field and leave the command of the army to Decimus. While the left became a bait for the Ilakan Companions, who charged into the Thurim heavy armour, only to be flanked by the hidden Lorenzen Cavalry. The moment Vibius reached the right, Silas and his troops charged into Argiris and his men, the King situated near the back.

### The Ilakans Lose Ground

Due to the effectiveness of the ranged attacks from the Nirvans, it didn’t take long for the centre to lose ground, forcing Loukas to send in his Atkan soldiers earlier than he’d like. Despite their early use, they were effective, stopping the Nirvan momentum in its tracks. At the same time Eigil managed to trap Tanan, cutting off any communication between the Ilakan officer and the rest of the force.

### Argiris and Vibius Meet

During the melee on the right, Argiris finally caught a glimpse of Vibius, who was making short work of the Companion cavalry. Boiling with rage, the King charged, attempting to spear the Nirvan General but missing instead. Now that Vibius was aware and face to face, he smiled, taunting the young King some more. Soon, room was made for their duel, Argiris thrusting his spear in quick succession but each attack missed their target, dodged by his much faster opponent.

Now that they had room, Vibius rode ahead, ducking under a spear and cutting the hands of the monarch, still insulting his image. To the outside, it was very apparent of the skill difference between the two, Vibius having fought and dueled his entire life and was Awakened while Argiris had only trained under the Royal weapons teacher and a regular human. Enraged, the King dropped his spear and pulled out his sword, rushing Vibius who continued to gloat. But again, he missed his target, only drawing a small amount of blood from the cheek of the Nirvan. Disgusted, Vibius decided to wound the King again, stabbing him in the knee and severely reducing his mobility with a horse.

Outraged, Argiris charged again, getting another minor scrape on Vibius but getting slashed across the back. Ignoring the ringing pain, Argiris continued to charge, scoring only minor cuts and scrapes while getting heavily damaged himself. At one point Vibius is said to have shouted “I might make this the show of my Triumph, assuming that he doesn’t fall over dead”, though it’s unsure.

Exhausted but angry beyond belief, Argiris made another charge with his sword. This time, instead of using his sword, Vibius hit the King off his horse with his bare hand. As he hit the ground, Vibius sighed, trying to leave him where he was.

Instead, a second wind hit the King. Getting up from the ground, Argiris yelled for Vibius to fight again. Turning around, Vibius hopped off his horse, making sure his bodyguard protected him during the duel.

Again, the two fought, Argiris using everything he had but now not even getting close to hitting Vibius. Feeling pity, the Nirvan General decided to end the bout, side-stepping an attack and thrusting his sword through the King’s chest with such force that he was lifted from the ground, blood splattering everywhere. As the King lay dying, Vibius got back on his horse and continued to fight the Companions, who he and the Lorenzen Knights made easy work of.

### The Rest of the Battle

Unaware that their King had died, the Ilakans continued to put on a fight with the Nirvans, the Atkan eventually reaching the front and pushing the Nirvans back at some points. Shortly after, the Lorenzen Knights led by Eigil would finish off Tanan, letting them come round the flank and hit the Atkan from the side.

In the next few minutes, news would reach Loukas that the King was dead and moments after, reach the line. Hearing that their King was dead spread through the lines like a disease, causing many of the troops to drop their weapons and run. Originally, the Atkan tried to stop the rout, even killing their own troops who retreated at one stage but eventually they fell too.

## Aftermath

Now that the Ilakans ran, Vibius ordered for the slingers to open up again, along with the Nirvans to throw their javelins. This time, he wanted the war to be over, killing as many of the enemy as he could here.

King Argiris’s body would be later collected and kept by Vibius until he entered Kras.