Southern Deutschland
20 km outside Ravensburg
June 2, 10:39 am
It has been over a week since General Windstar moved his army west in pursuit of the invading force, trying to lure them into a trap. It has been nearly a month since his heroic victory at Penzburg. His men are feeling the effects of this campaign. Everyone is still hoping to end the war, at the most by the end of the year. The short rest and resupply at Walchensee Lake was but a short glimmer of hope. Since setting forth westward, there has been constant turbulence. A couple of days after setting out, heavy rains slowed and eventually stopped the defending dragoons, as they were forced to take shelter until the rain stopped. The rain resulted in the cannons and wagons being stuck in the mud.
As luck would have it, after three days of constant rain, Celestia’s sun shines high in the sky; drying any roads. After packing up camp, the army continues its journey west. Following along Lake Constance, they make their way towards the city of Ravensburg. The men swear that they can hear the enemy moving on the other side of the lake. Looking across the lake with his spyglass, Windstar can just make out the saddler camp. Further down the lake, he spots the Saddle Arabian city of Agrathar. An elegant palace rises from the center of the city, overlooking the lake. The palace, named the Golden Sun palace, is most known for its iconic gold dome roof.
On The Deutsche side of the lake, the city of Ravensburg rests. Another ornate castle towers over the buildings. Several brick spires guard the grand palace, named Schloss am Seeufer or Lakeshore Castle. A large round stained glass window adors the front of the keep.
While the two countries had their past feuds, the two waterfront cities did not take notice. When settlers from both sides arrived at the lake, they agreed to share the lake provided that steady and fair trade was established. Eventually the noble families of both cities became close friends through this, cancelling out any negativity towards one another.
Windstar moves his men down the road along the coast. To their right, farms and fields stretch on towards the horizon. One thing that the men take notice of is the large population of ponies in the area.
“Sure are a lot of ponies in these parts.” Captain Becker comments, as they pass by another field. A couple ponies lead a team of horses down the rows, pulling a planter behind them.
“There were a lot of ponies that moved here during that uprising in Equestria a couple hundred years ago.” The general answers. “My ancestors among them.”
As the two brigades of cavalry continue down the road, farms are soon replaced by houses. Many of the townsfolk line the streets, to watch the soldiers ride by. Children stopped playing to watch the soldiers ride by. Their eyes fill with wonder and excitement as they watch.
“It’s like they don’t realize that the Saddler army is right across the water.” Windstar comments, as he continues into the city. “There’s a fort about five kilometers northwest of this city. That’ll most likely be their target. We’ll need to rally the local militia if we are going to defend it.”
Captain Becker turns to look at his general, wiping some sweat off his forehead. “I’ve heard some talk back in Walchensee, Sir. Apparently, several fortresses along the border were attacked. If I remember correctly, only a few were lost; those were the first ones hit though.”
The two brigades continue through the city, before stopping at the Schloss am Seeufer to meet with the governor of the area. General Windstar and several other officers dismount and head inside, where they are met with Governor Steeleburg. He is a fairly short man with a distinct limp on his right leg, from a childhood injury. A thick dark brown beard embellishes his chin, with a pipe clenched between his teeth. Stepping inside, they are met with a refreshing rush of cool air.
“Greetings General, what brings you and your men to my peaceful city.”
“Governor, I ask for you to mobilize the local militia and deploy them to Fort Makkaw.” The governor stands still in confusion.” Are you aware that the enemy army has positioned itself just across the lake from your city. “ He turns to face the window overlooking the water.” The only thing stopping them from attacking now is because of the good standing these two cities have.”
Windstar takes notice of the number of cargo ships moving across the water. Three ships are anchored towards the center. A fairly large ship moves into the harbor to be unloaded.
“ You most likely have two days before they’re at your doorstep.”
“I don’t understand? For five hundred years, we have kept a close friendship between us and our hooved friends. Why would they attack us now?” Suddenly a massive fireball erupts from the harbor. The cargo ship has exploded. The three anchored ships begin firing cannons towards the city. A minute later, the coastal Deutsche battery returns fire with their 24lb cannons. Seeing this, Governor Steelburg calls for the militia.
Before leaving, Steeleburg turns to address the riders." Take your men to Fort Makkah. Help reinforce it. The 82nd infantry is already stationed there. My militia will repel any amphibious landing. Once we stop them here, we will meet you at the fort. Though I do have a question. Where is your infantry support at?"
Windstar lets out a sigh. " They are currently two or three days behind us. Colonel Wallenhorn's 3rd cavalry may be the closest. Even then, he's still half a day's march east of here." He pauses." I shall send out a rider to Wallenhorn's position, and have them reinforce us. Until then, we're at the mercy of about 10,000 enemy soldiers. "
Ravensburg, Deutschland
June 2nd, 12:13 pm
The streets of Ravensburg are in a frenzy as families rush to evacuate the city. The local militia makes their way towards the harbor, some helping citizens with their evacuation, others saying goodbye to loved ones. Windstar decided to leave one of his brigades to help defend, while his other brigade moved on to Fort Makkah to prepare for the oncoming attack. He hopes they can defend long enough for the Saddlers to decide to flank around to the fort instead. A group of militiamen make their way towards the coast. Leading them is a unicorn sergeant named Crimson Charge. Behind his militia is about twenty of the General Windstar’s men.
The distant sounds of the cannons grow louder as they approach. A shell strikes the second floor of a building next to them and explodes. Glass and rubble rain down on them. A wind rushes just over their heads as another shell lands next to the dragoons, killing and wounding several of them. Another few minutes of running pass as they soon arrive at the front lines. A collection of overturned wagons, grain bags, and fencing make up the Deutsche defences. General Windstar’s artillery commander Captain Calef positioned his cannons along the defences to return fire.
Reaching his post, Sergeant Crimson looks out over the lake to see three frigates sending fire into the city. Two more ships, sloops of war, move into position. Behind them are several dozen rafts and longboats full of saddler troops. The sight shakes him to his core, for he had never seen combat before today. He breathes a slight sigh of relief as they are still out of range of his musket. An order is given that all militia are to fix bayonets and hold position. Reaching to his side, he grips his bayonet before attaching it to the end of his musket. Looking down the line, the red maned sergeant takes notice that his men stand ready to defend their Homeland.
The guns from the battery continue to try and sink the approaching longboats before they land. "Damn!" Someone shouts as a twenty pound shell splinters a longboat. A couple of Saddle Arabian soldiers are flung away from the wreck. As both sides’ cannons continue to rock each other’s lines, the Saddle Arabian infantry, of about two brigades, makes its way across the lake soon entering musket range. Captain Calef orders his men to load canister shot in the guns along the defensive line. The first cannon lines up with an oncoming raft before firing. The gun rocks back with a deafening blast, as it delivers its deadly payload.
The raft becomes hidden from sight as water splashes around. When the water settles, the boat remains nothing more than a pile of splinters in the water. Its passengers reside around it, dismembered and unrecognizable. One of the frigates begins to smoke as it continues to be targeted by the Deutsche cannons. With that, the militia and dragoons open fire. Crimson fires his musket then reloads. Cocking the hammer back, he lines up his barrel towards an oncoming boat. After choosing his target he pulls the trigger. The sharp crack of the musket sends the mini ball towards a rower, who proceeds to topple overboard. Several others around Crimson also target the boat, taking out many more. Two more canister shots from Calef’s cannons decimate two more boats and cripple several others around them. Suddenly a cannonball slams into part of the wall near Crimson. Blood and debris shower the militiamen.
Up in the steeple of the city hall, General Windstar watches the battle rage on. He watches as Calef’s cannons continue to splinter the enemy longboats. From his position, he can oversee the battle at the coast, and also see the fort jutting out just above the treeline
“They're sending two brigades at us.” He comments, taking note of the number of infantry trying to cross the lake. Looking across to Agrathar he notices a large number of soldiers moving north to circle around the lake, most likely heading to Fort Makkah. “Looks like they're moving another two brigades north towards the fort.” He returns his gaze back to the battle in front of him. He watches as a clock tower explodes from a Saddler cannonball. Two percussion shots from the battery slam into the smoking frigate before exploding. The ship begins to drastically lisp, taking on water. Windstar watches as the crew begins jumping overboard to avoid going down with the now sinking ship.
Shifting his view down towards the coastline, he watches as the battle rages on. Windstar is pleased so far with how well his men and the militia are holding out against their invaders. Another volley from musket fire tears through the advancing longboats. While the men are proving to be able to repel the enemy force, the gunships on the lake are proving to be quite troublesome. He watches as another group of men are taken out by another shell, from one of the sloops. Calling up one of his officers, he orders them to deliver a message to the coastal battery.
“Find the battery commander. Tell him, I want those guns to target the enemy sloops. Once those are down, they are to resume fire on those two frigates.” He orders. The sergeant salutes and runs off. Resuming his watch over his men, he notices something to the left of his vision that catches his eye. Several longboats are making an attempt to flank the defensive line. “Damn!” He mutters.
“What is it, sir?” One of his other officers asks.
“They're trying to flank us. Left of the line, about hundred’n fifty yards out. Dozens of them.” He turns towards them. “Captain Mooreswin, I want at least two companies to move in and hold our flank. I don't care if it's my men or militia, just get someone to be there.”
“Consider it done, Sir.” He says with a salute.
Captain Mooreswin races down the avenue towards the left flank, while cannonballs explode around him. Looking to his right, down a side street, he notices several local women dragging wounded soldiers indoors, to shelter them from the battle. The screams of pain are almost drowned out by the sound of battle.
As he continues down the road, he is suddenly thrown from his horse as a cannonball explodes in front of him. Shrapnel riddles the poor animal as Mooreswin slowly stands up. Checking himself over, he notices that his arms are bleeding. A large piece of shrapnel is embedded in his upper right arm. Trying to ignore the pain, he continues on foot. After about ten minutes of painfully running, Captain Mooreswin finally reaches his target. After finding the company commanders, he delivers the message.
“Orders from General Windstar, you are about to be flanked. You are to pull back and move in to secure the flank over there!” Mooreswin orders, as he points to where Windstar wants them to move to.
“Very well! Thank you for the heads up!” The company commanders turn and yell out to their men. “Let's go men! F Company, U company, form up on the left flank! Move it!”
Both companies comply instantly and move to the desired position. As fate would have it, Sergeant Crimson Charge is among the men to hold the flank. As he stands to move, a piece of flying rock finds it home inbedded in his shoulder. Wincing from pain, he presses on to his position.
Reaching the three roads, the two companies spread out to evenly cover each road. Crimson stares down the line to see the first rank kneeling, muskets drawn. The second line remains standing. He shifts his gaze down the middle road where the Saddler infantry is unloading and forming their own firing lines. A minute later, the Saddlers begin advancing. Sweat rolls down his face as he takes a deep breath in anticipation of the upcoming fight.