Post by Ladorak on Nov 27, 2009 1:43:56 GMT -5
((Dang GOOD job everyone! Great way to end the year! Sort of a surprising win but a win all the same. )
Beaulieu's back was already to the Trouille River, and Beurnonville had the potential of crushing him against the river with nowhere to run. There was still the opening to Mons however, and the fox could take it if he so wished. Seizing the opportunity, as he knew if he stayed here he would be annihilated, his cavalry crashed into Beunonville's flank, putting his troops into confusion and sowing discord among their ranks. They began to break up a bit, become disorganized, and Beaulieu knew his chance when he saw it.
"Orderly Retreat to Mons!" were the vulpine's orders, and they began to back away, using the only opening available to them, firing as they went to cover the retreat. The cavalry brought up the rear, harassing Rosferian formations left and right in an attempt to keep them back while their main unit retreated. That was was it, the end of the battle. Beaulieu had given up the last of the Kostritz position, and the road to Bruxelles was cleared.
Augustine was right. It was vital that Rosferia had won here. This victory meant Albert would have to give up all of Eastern Mordenz. It would serve as a great morale boost not to just to the soldiers but to all of Rosferia as well. The country needed an offensive victory on foreign soil and it would force Kostritz to dispatch an army to deal with Mordenz rather than directly invade Rosferia. It would ensure most battles next year would take place either in Mordenz or just along Rosferia's border if Mordenz fell back into Kostritz possession. It would keep the fighting away from Rosferia regardless, and that was something desperately needed by the country right now.
As Albert rode with Darius away from the scene of his first battle and first major defeat the polecat Governor shook his head. "I'm surrendering the Governorship to you."
"What..but father!" Darius protested, not wanting this.
"I want to retire to Stratospheros with your mother....I have no reason to stay here any longer. Whoever Kostritz is sending to reclaim these lands well...do as they say and become Governor again when we drive these invaders out. You're old enough now to start acting on your own....please Darius."
Darius sniffed a bit, knowing what was coming next. He tried to speak.....he knew his father would be leaving him....leaving him on the front lines...which was what he wanted of course...but he had hoped his father would have been there as well. Darius knew the time to say goodbye had been coming....but now? After all this? He fought back his tears however. No...he wouldn't cry here. He had to be strong....if his father was giving him the Governorship then so be it. He would make both Albert and his biological brother Emperor Francis proud. He had to...he could not shirk this duty. It was his birthright.
Back over on the ridge, Farrand rode up to where Duross had gone. "Well, well sir. A bit of a clumsy victory that I must admit, but a victory all the same. I'd say Augustine more than proved his worth. Wasn't expecting a veteran like Clerfayt to have caved so easily, but we've done it! Eastern Mordenz is ours, and we can begin focusing on the Western province now as well. Though I feel like I've had enough excitement for one battle. Might head back to Valenciennes my old post for some much needed R&R. I will accompany you to Bruxelles though of course. I'm sure the capital will welcome you with open arms."
He gave the otter commander a slap on the back and a hearty laugh as well. Oh yes.....Jemappes may not have been the most graceful victory, but it ensure Rosferia was safe, Eastern Mordenz was liberated and they could begin to concentrate on Western Mordenz, admittedly a tougher nut to crack due to excellent fortified border defenses but at this point anything seemed possible. The troops were cheering up and down the line. Victory was theirs...their first victory on the offensive. Rosferia had gone from near total collapse to winning victories in the field. This proved the republic could survive into next year, and 1793 awaited the troops now as their future stretched off into the distance before them.....
ROSFERIA VICTORY
Aftermath Results: Rosferia gains control of Eastern Mordenz. Most of the fighting for next year will take place outside of Rosferia's borders.
Character Aftermath
Duross: Obtains Eastern Mordenz and retains his command of the Army of the North
Albert: Relinquishes the Governorship to his adopted son Archduke Darius and retires with his wife to Stratospheros.
Farrand: Retires to the Rosferian border fortress of Valenciennes and resumes command of the garrison there. Is succeeded by General Francisco Miranda, a talented Ferlusan mercenary fighting for Rosferia.
Augustine Phillip: Retains command of the Army of the North's Center.
Beurnonville: Is promoted to Minister of War for Rosferia. Is succeeded by General Valence.
Franz von Lilien: Decides he's had enough after almost being captured and retires from the military.
Sebastian Clerfayt: Assumes command of Albert's army after Albert retires.
Johann von Beaulieu: Retires for now but intends to rejoin the service after he takes a break. Expect to see him in the future.
Archduke Darius: Assumes the Governorship of Mordenz from Albert and leads von Lilien's wing after the wolf retires.
Beaulieu's back was already to the Trouille River, and Beurnonville had the potential of crushing him against the river with nowhere to run. There was still the opening to Mons however, and the fox could take it if he so wished. Seizing the opportunity, as he knew if he stayed here he would be annihilated, his cavalry crashed into Beunonville's flank, putting his troops into confusion and sowing discord among their ranks. They began to break up a bit, become disorganized, and Beaulieu knew his chance when he saw it.
"Orderly Retreat to Mons!" were the vulpine's orders, and they began to back away, using the only opening available to them, firing as they went to cover the retreat. The cavalry brought up the rear, harassing Rosferian formations left and right in an attempt to keep them back while their main unit retreated. That was was it, the end of the battle. Beaulieu had given up the last of the Kostritz position, and the road to Bruxelles was cleared.
Augustine was right. It was vital that Rosferia had won here. This victory meant Albert would have to give up all of Eastern Mordenz. It would serve as a great morale boost not to just to the soldiers but to all of Rosferia as well. The country needed an offensive victory on foreign soil and it would force Kostritz to dispatch an army to deal with Mordenz rather than directly invade Rosferia. It would ensure most battles next year would take place either in Mordenz or just along Rosferia's border if Mordenz fell back into Kostritz possession. It would keep the fighting away from Rosferia regardless, and that was something desperately needed by the country right now.
As Albert rode with Darius away from the scene of his first battle and first major defeat the polecat Governor shook his head. "I'm surrendering the Governorship to you."
"What..but father!" Darius protested, not wanting this.
"I want to retire to Stratospheros with your mother....I have no reason to stay here any longer. Whoever Kostritz is sending to reclaim these lands well...do as they say and become Governor again when we drive these invaders out. You're old enough now to start acting on your own....please Darius."
Darius sniffed a bit, knowing what was coming next. He tried to speak.....he knew his father would be leaving him....leaving him on the front lines...which was what he wanted of course...but he had hoped his father would have been there as well. Darius knew the time to say goodbye had been coming....but now? After all this? He fought back his tears however. No...he wouldn't cry here. He had to be strong....if his father was giving him the Governorship then so be it. He would make both Albert and his biological brother Emperor Francis proud. He had to...he could not shirk this duty. It was his birthright.
Back over on the ridge, Farrand rode up to where Duross had gone. "Well, well sir. A bit of a clumsy victory that I must admit, but a victory all the same. I'd say Augustine more than proved his worth. Wasn't expecting a veteran like Clerfayt to have caved so easily, but we've done it! Eastern Mordenz is ours, and we can begin focusing on the Western province now as well. Though I feel like I've had enough excitement for one battle. Might head back to Valenciennes my old post for some much needed R&R. I will accompany you to Bruxelles though of course. I'm sure the capital will welcome you with open arms."
He gave the otter commander a slap on the back and a hearty laugh as well. Oh yes.....Jemappes may not have been the most graceful victory, but it ensure Rosferia was safe, Eastern Mordenz was liberated and they could begin to concentrate on Western Mordenz, admittedly a tougher nut to crack due to excellent fortified border defenses but at this point anything seemed possible. The troops were cheering up and down the line. Victory was theirs...their first victory on the offensive. Rosferia had gone from near total collapse to winning victories in the field. This proved the republic could survive into next year, and 1793 awaited the troops now as their future stretched off into the distance before them.....
ROSFERIA VICTORY
Aftermath Results: Rosferia gains control of Eastern Mordenz. Most of the fighting for next year will take place outside of Rosferia's borders.
Character Aftermath
Duross: Obtains Eastern Mordenz and retains his command of the Army of the North
Albert: Relinquishes the Governorship to his adopted son Archduke Darius and retires with his wife to Stratospheros.
Farrand: Retires to the Rosferian border fortress of Valenciennes and resumes command of the garrison there. Is succeeded by General Francisco Miranda, a talented Ferlusan mercenary fighting for Rosferia.
Augustine Phillip: Retains command of the Army of the North's Center.
Beurnonville: Is promoted to Minister of War for Rosferia. Is succeeded by General Valence.
Franz von Lilien: Decides he's had enough after almost being captured and retires from the military.
Sebastian Clerfayt: Assumes command of Albert's army after Albert retires.
Johann von Beaulieu: Retires for now but intends to rejoin the service after he takes a break. Expect to see him in the future.
Archduke Darius: Assumes the Governorship of Mordenz from Albert and leads von Lilien's wing after the wolf retires.