Lovewaterian Last Stand of 881

The Lovewaterian Last Stand of 881 marked the final engagement of the Stonespring Revolution, distinct from the Siege of Pedranier although occurring concurrently. Recognizing the need for a delaying action to facilitate the evacuation of redranier, Ayken Lovewater and the Fanahrian leadership made this strategic decision.

Prior to the last stand, the Siege of Pedranier had endured for approximately 8 months. Despite facing a formidable Imperial force of 60,000 soldiers, Ayken Lovewater displayed remarkable resilience in defending the city walls. However, his own forces gradually diminished. In a desperate attempt to break the siege, Lovewater personally led a sally charge but ultimately failed, sustaining injuries in the process.

News of Ayken Lovewater's alleged impending demise circulated, causing some Fanahrian soldiers to abandon their posts. This weakened the city's defenses, eventually enabling the Imperial forces to breach Pedranier's walls a week later.

### Battle

#### 13:00 pm to 16:00 pm

On July 13, 881 AD, the first Imperialist soldiers entered the city of Stonespring through the Northern Elysian Gate. Antonmer Corbat, assuming temporary command in Ayken's absence due to injury, mobilized his men to counter the assault. While Corbat successfully repelled the breach at the Northern Gate with experienced Stonespring troops, they suffered significant losses that could not be easily replaced.

Shortly thereafter, the weakened garrison defending the Eastern Gate of the Beacon was overwhelmed by enemy forces. Corbat made the strategic decision to withdraw from the Northern Gate and position his troops in the central square, capitalizing on chokepoints and utilizing archers positioned on nearby houses. By 16:00, all city gates had been breached, putting Stonespring in a precarious situation.

#### 16:20 pm to 17:00 pm

In the late afternoon, around 16:20pm, Ayken Lovewater received a briefing on the dire situation and became visibly overwhelmed. Witnesses recount that it was the first time they had seen him openly weep in public. Despite his lingering limp from a leg injury, Ayken insisted on getting out of bed and having his armor fitted.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Antonmer Corbat was tasked with dispatching messengers to all city streets, urging the populace to escape while a naval blockade run was organized to bypass the enemy blockade. Ayken Lovewater gathered his officers and implored them to hold the city for as long as possible, assuring them that he would soon join their ranks. When some officers urged him to leave the city for his own safety, Ayken adamantly refused, declaring, "Do you dare tell me to live while my country is stolen by foreigners?"

As a symbol of resistance and to uplift the morale of his men, Ayken ensured that the banners of Stonespring were still flown in areas where the city remained under Fanahrian control.

#### 18:30 to 20:00 pm

Ayken Lovewater joined his soldiers at 18:30, giving a speech that would inspire the 400 of them that were left. He gave a speech to his troops:

"My greatest of friends, my most loyal retainers, and the heroes of the Fanahrian people! You all know what I am currently asking of you. Look at those fires, hear those screams. Today, we will all die. Vidin takes no prisioners. Today, our great and beautiful city will fall. But do not let it go easily! When the time is right, I will step out in front. I will raise my arm at the correct moment, and when you see that happen, ensure your swords are sharp and your souls are made of steel, and then come out after me."

At 19:30pm, the Imperialist forces launched a renewed assault. Ayken Lovewater, recognizing the need for a strategic retreat, ordered his soldiers to slowly fall back towards the port area, where the narrow streets would provide a tactical advantage. Since he was already wounded, Ayken was unable to fight to the best of his strength and sustained a few minor slashes but managed to avoid any major injuries. His officers promptly escorted him to the rear ranks to recover while he continued to issue orders and maintain discipline among the troops.

Shortly before 8pm, as darkness fell, it was discovered that Antonmer Corbat was missing following the completion of the withdrawal. It was initially assumed that he had either been killed or captured. However, by 20:00pm, the Imperialists gruesomely displayed Antonmer's decapitated head to the defenders. The sight filled Ayken Lovewater with rage, and he was on the verge of ordering a charge. However, his officers intervened, persuading him to maintain the ranks and prioritize to the delaying strategy. Understanding the wisdom of their advice, Ayken set aside his personal desire for revenge and focused on prolonging the resistance against the Imperialists for as long as possible.

#### 20:00 to 22:00 pm

As the battle progressed, the Thorax Guard faltered upon learning of their commander's death. However, Ayken Lovewater maintained control and delivered inspiring speeches to keep the troops in order. The Imperialist army attempted to use long bows, but their effectiveness was limited against the heavily armored Lovewaterian soldiers who possessed larger shields than usual.

Recognizing the need for a decisive move, the Imperialists deployed their elite Central Cloaks, who were better equipped and trained. Despite their superior armor and skills, they were still unable to breach the Fanahrian defenses.

By 21:30pm, fatigue set in among the Fanahrian forces, and the constant rotation of exhausted soldiers became ineffective. Ayken Lovewater made the decision to safeguard the civilians in the mountains and ordered the remaining 190 Thorax Guard to cover the final retreat, with him leading from the front.

#### Final attack - 22:30pm

In the final moments of the battle, the Central Cloaks, led by the Imperial Guard and Prince Immanuel, launched a determined assault. They were determined to break the Fanahrian lines regardless of the cost. This time, the fight was heavily skewed against the exhausted and dehydrated Fanahrian soldiers who were also choking on smoke from the fires.

Ayken Lovewater, the leader of the Fanahrians, is believed to have died sometime between 22:00 to 22:30pm. The exact details of his demise remain unknown, although it is credited to Imperial Guard Deston Veyvance. The death of Ayken Lovewater had a profound impact on the remaining Fanahrian soldiers. According to the deeds of Vidin, a historical account written by a household member of Prince Immanuel, the soldiers paused and watched their dying Lord Paramount. Within a minute, the Fanahrian lines broke, and even the surviving Thorax Guard did not attempt to continue fighting, allowing themselves to be struck down without resistance.

### Aftermath

The Fanahrian army valiantly held off the Imperialist forces for approximately 9 and a half hours, allowing a significant number of civilians, estimated to be around 8,000, to escape. These civilians were transported to Trirannal, where they joined the existing inhabitants and sought refuge in the Kayranese mountains.

Over the following three decades, the Imperialists launched multiple campaigns into the mountains in an attempt to eliminate the remaining Fanahrians. However, these efforts proved unsuccessful and resulted in the deaths of thousands of Imperialist soldiers.

The Stonespring Revolution had far-reaching consequences, leading to the destruction of numerous ancient Imperial Houses. Additionally, the revolution had a significant impact on the male population of the Vidin Empire, with estimates suggesting a decline of up to 25%. These rapid changes within a span of four years marked the beginning of a new era characterized by power struggles, manpower shortages, and the gradual decline of the Vidin Empire.