Second Battle of Derwon
he Burbric King Auder XI hired a band of mercenaries with the last of the Burbric treasury to make a final desperate attempt to take the castle town of Derwon. The Rasfadal army, which had a garrison of 7,000 men, was weakened after the Feylin archers left, reducing their numbers to 4,000.
The engagement lasted 3 days. The Burbric army launched an assault with around 14,000 men on the first day and succeeded in breaching the wallsHowever, the Rasfadal army managed to hold the breaches and by the end of the day the Burbric forces treated. The next day Burbry was able to push through the breaches and the Fendalian forces were forces to retreat to the keep. On the third day the Burbric forces stormed the keep, but their numbers dwindled, and King Auder XI ordered that any who retreated be executed. Eventually, the Burbric army was repelled, and the Rasfadal army pursued the retreating army. The battle resulted in a victory for Rasfadal, but both armies suffered heavy casualties.
As a result of the Second Battle of Derwon, the Burbric and Rasfadal kings met in Derwon and signed the Treaty of Derwon, bringing an end to the decade-long War of the Vale.
The Conflict
Prelude
As the winter of 1252-1253 passed, tensions between Burbry and Rasfadal were still high. Both sides were regrouping and preparing for the next confrontation, which they knew would be inevitable. The First Battle of Derwon had left both sides weakened, but still determined to achieve victory. In the months leading up to the Second Battle of Derwon, Burbry had acquired a new mercenary band from Olorlay, while Rasfadal had strengthened their forces with soldiers from neighboring kingdoms. Both sides were confident that this battle would be the decisive one that would bring an end to the War of the Vale.
Deployment
The Burbric army set up camp outside the walls of the castle town, while the Rasfadal army made their final preparations inside the walls. King Auder XI and Archduke Bartrent IV surveyed the castle defenses and discussed their strategy for the siege. Meanwhile, the Rasfadal army fortified their positions and prepared for the upcoming assault. The infantry and archers were stationed on the walls and towers, while the cavalry was kept in reserve. Grand Marshal Anwil oversaw the preparation of the defenses, ensuring that the troops were well-equipped and supplied with arrows and other necessary provisions. Despite the depleted numbers of the Rasfadal army, they were determined to hold the castle town at all costs.
Verily, the Burbric host did pitch their camp outside the walls of the castle town, whilst our men of Rasfadal made ready within. King Auder XI and Archduke Bartrent IV did survey the castle's defenses and discuss their strategy for the siege, whilst our own army fortified our positions and made ready for the imminent assault. Our infantry and archers were stationed upon the walls and towers, whilst our cavalry did wait in reserve. Grand Marshal Anwil, a seasoned warrior, oversaw the preparation of the defenses and ensured that our men were well-equipped and supplied with arrows and other necessary provisions. Though our numbers were depleted, we were steadfast in our determination to defend the castle town at all costs. The tension between the two armies was palpable as the days of the siege wore on. We knew that our enemies, determined to claim victory, would stop at nothing to breach our defenses. Yet we were resolute, knowing that our cause was just and that the safety of our people rested upon our shoulders. For many long days, we held fast against their relentless attacks, our men fighting valiantly and with great skill. But the fate of the castle town hung in the balance, and none knew how the siege would ultimately end.
The Engagement
The Second Battle of Derwon began with the Burbric army advancing towards the castle walls, with their archers firing arrows at the defenders on the walls. The Rasfadal archers on the walls responded by returning fire, trying to pick off as many of the Burbric archers as possible. Meanwhile, the Burbric infantry and cavalry tried to get as close to the walls as possible while avoiding being hit by arrows.
As the Burbric army approached the gates, the Rasfadal defenders poured boiling water and rocks down on them, causing many casualties. However, the Burbric army managed to get a battering ram to the gate and started pounding away at it. At the same time, Burbric catapults launched boulders and flaming projectiles at the walls, causing breaches in several places.
The Rasfadal infantry and cavalry scrambled to defend the gates and breaches, while the archers on the walls continued to fight off the Burbric archers. The fighting was fierce and chaotic, with soldiers on both sides dying in large numbers.
The Burbric army managed to breach the walls in several places and the fighting became intense. Both sides suffered heavy casualties as the Burbric infantry charged into the town through the breaches, while the Rasfadal archers and cavalry tried to hold them back. The Burbric cavalry tried to exploit gaps in the Rasfadal defenses, but were met with fierce resistance from the Rasfadal cavalry.
The fighting was brutal and chaotic, with hand-to-hand combat taking place on the narrow streets and alleys of the town. The Burbric army initially made some progress, gaining ground and pushing the Rasfadal back. However, the Rasfadal soldiers fought with determination and tenacity, refusing to give up any more ground. As the day drew to a close, both sides were exhausted and had suffered heavy losses, but the battle was far from over.
As the first day of the battle came to an end, the Rasfadal army was left in a precarious situation. The Burbric army had breached the walls and gates, and the defenders knew that they would face another assault in the morning. The night was long and grueling as both armies were on high alert. The Burbric army launched flaming projectiles into the town to keep the defenders on edge and to try and disrupt their preparations. Meanwhile, the Rasfadal forces worked tirelessly to fortify their positions, repair any breaches in the walls, and tend to their wounded soldiers. The night was filled with the groans of pain from the wounded. Despite the difficult conditions, the Rasfadal soldiers remained resolute, determined to defend their town at all costs.
On the first day of the Second Battle of Derwon, the Burbric army breached the walls and gates of our town, resulting in fierce fighting in the narrow streets. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but we held our ground with determination. The night was spent fortifying our positions and tending to the wounded.On the second day of the battle, the Burbric army launched another ferocious assault on the walls and gate. The Rasfadal army fought with great courage and determination, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, but they were vastly outnumbered and outmatched. Despite their valiant efforts, the defenders could not hold back the relentless onslaught of the Burbric army. As the day wore on, the Burbric forces managed to breach the walls and gate, and poured into the town. During the engagement that followed, King Staar II suffered a terrible wound, forcing him to withdraw from the frontlines. The Rasfadal soldiers, realizing that they were outnumbered and outflanked, were forced to retreat to the keep for a last stand. The Burbric army had gained a significant foothold in the town, and victory seemed within their grasp.
Then, I saw King Staar II fall, wounded badly and pulled from the fight. My heart sank, for he was our leader, our hope, and he was struck down before our very eyes. We knew we could not hold them off any longer, and we retreated to the keep for a last stand.The second night was a desperate time for the Rasfadal army. They were holed up in the keep with limited supplies, while the Burbric army had taken the town and the castle walls. The soldiers were tired, wounded, and demoralized after the brutal fighting of the day. They knew that the Burbric army would continue their assault in the morning and they needed to be ready to defend themselves. The commanders of the Rasfadal army gathered together to discuss their options. They knew that they could not hold out for much longer, but they did not want to surrender. Staar II's wound seemed worse than first anticipated and many were concerned for the king's survival. Meanwhile, the soldiers in the keep worked tirelessly to fortify their defenses and prepare for the next assault. They knew that it would be coming soon, and they needed to be ready. The second night was a time of fear, desperation, and determination for the Rasfadal soldiers. On the third day of the battle, the Burbric army launched a final assault on the keep, determined to take it and claim victory. The Rasfadal army was prepared, with infantry and archers waiting for the Burbric forces to enter the keep. The fighting was brutal and bloody, with many soldiers from both sides falling in battle. The Burbric forces managed to push through the defenders in some areas of the keep, but were met with fierce resistance from the remaining defenders. As the day wore on, the Burbric forces found themselves facing a dwindling number of soldiers while the Rasfadal army continued to hold strong. Despite the overwhelming odds against them, the Rasfadal army continued to fight with all their might. Eventually, the Burbric forces were forced to retreat, with Bartrent IV urging his men to withdraw while King Auder XI demanded that anyone who retreated be executed. As the Burbric forces began to withdraw, the Rasfadal army pursued them, resulting in a Rasfadal victory. However, the victory came at a heavy cost for both armies, as they were almost entirely wiped out by the end of the battle.
As the day wore on, the Burbric forces found themselves facing fewer and fewer soldiers, while we continued to fight with all our might. Eventually, they were forced to retreat, but not before their own leader demanded that anyone who retreated be executed. We pursued them and emerged victorious, but the cost was great.After the battle, the Rasfadal army assessed the damage done to their town and castle, as well as the casualties they had suffered. They found that they had lost almost all of their men in the battle, and that the town and castle had been severely damaged. They immediately set to work repairing the walls and buildings, and tending to the wounded. The few surviving Burbric soldiers were taken as prisoners and treated for their injuries. The Rasfadal army mourned their losses and prepared for any possible future attacks.
Aftermath
As a father who lost both of his sons in this senseless war, I cannot help but feel bitter about the Treaty of Derwon. My sons died for what? For a stalemate? For a peace that is not even a true peace? King Auder XI of Burbry may have spent the last of his treasury on mercenaries and suffered heavy losses, but we have suffered just as much. And for what? A peace that feels like a betrayal of the sacrifice of our fallen brothers.
The Second Battle of Derwon resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Derwon, a forced, fragile peace between Burbry and Rasfadal. While the war had officially ended, both sides were left feeling robbed of an honorable outcome. King Auder XI of Burbry, having spent the last of his treasury on mercenaries and suffered heavy losses, was unable to conquer Derwon and gain the upper hand in the war. On the other hand, King Staar II of Rasfadal, having lost many of his soldiers in the battle, was forced to accept a peace treaty that left the political situation unchanged. The result was a stalemate, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.
The Treaty of Derwon did not address the underlying issues that had led to the war in the first place, and the peace was fragile. Tensions remained high between the two kingdoms, and small skirmishes continued to break out along the border. The forced peace only served to delay the inevitable resumption of hostilities between Burbry and Rasfadal.
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
Siege
Start Date
27 February, 1253
Ending Date
29 February, 1253
Location
Belligerents
Strength
4.000 men (2.000 infantry, 1.200 archers and 800 cavalry). 3.000 Feylin archers deserted the night before the first assault.
14.000 men (2.000 cavalry, 1.500 infantry, 500 archers and 10.000 Olorlay mercenaries)
Casualties
3.500 men
11.000 men
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