After two grueling days of forced march, the exhaustion from travel settled heavily on our bones. Sultan Unquid had driven us hard, understanding the necessity of stopping the Valandian preparations before they solidified their siege. Yet, despite the weariness, there was a tangible sense of purpose among us. This was no ordinary skirmish—it was to be a decisive encounter, one that would turn the tides for the Aserai, and perhaps the Valandia.
As we approached, we expected to see the Valandians hidden behind their fortifications, content to make us bleed for every inch we’d gain. However, to our surprise, they were not hiding in their fortified camp but instead were preparing for an open field battle. I looked around, taking in the positioning of both armies and the heavy presence of Sultan Unquid’s troops, and realized that despite our weariness, we held a significant advantage in numbers and formation.
The Valandian forces, based on scout reports, numbered around 1,300, with some of the most fearsome troops I had ever seen. At the heart of their defense, they had brought 200 sharpshooters equipped with pavise shield and heavy crossbows—large shields designed to provide cover while reloading. These sharpshooters were backed by the infamous Golden Boar mercenaries, a group of 200 hardened fighters, each as fearsome as any elite soldier. They were well-disciplined, experienced, and merciless, and their placement in the center of the Valandian line made clear that they intended to hold this position until the last man.
Their infantry consisted of a formidable array of pikemen, billmen, and the deadly Voulgiers, all totaling around 600 men. The pikemen and billmen stood at the forefront, forming a wall of spikes and blades to deter any attempt to close the gap. Behind them were the Voulgiers, wielding long, hook-shaped polearms designed to pierce through armor and cut down mounted soldiers. The sheer number of long weapons gave their line a savage, bristling appearance, an almost impenetrable wall of steel that would be challenging for any cavalry to break through.
On their flanks, Valandia had split its cavalry. On the left flank, they positioned 100 cavalry, while their right flank held a force of 200 cavalry. Among them were the feared Valandian champions, vanguards, and the famous Bannerknights, the elite of Valandian knighthood. These knights, clad in heavy armor, carried the colors and crests of Valandian nobility and bore lances capable of devastating charges. Their cavalry’s positioning and distribution were calculated, aiming to leverage their right flank’s strength while maintaining support from the left, creating a formidable threat to our own forces.
The Valandians knew well that their forces were outnumbered. Instead of a straight battle line, their formation curved outward, like an archer’s bow, designed to discourage us from attempting an encirclement. The outward curve allowed them to spread their limited numbers more effectively, keeping their sides guarded while forcing our larger force to funnel into their killing zones.
Against this, Unquid’s Aserai forces were an impressive display of military might and strategic diversity. Our numbers swelled to around 3,100 strong, and our deployment reflected our advantage in both cavalry and infantry. The Jawwal, the fearless camel-riding warriors of the desert, were at the heart of our formation. Numbering 800 riders, they were split across the field in four parts: two divisions held the center line, while the remaining two flanked on either side. These Jawwal riders, each armed with javelins, were renowned for their skill in mounted warfare and their ability to harass enemy lines with their swift attacks and tactical retreats.
On the left flank, Sultan Unquid’s son Dhiyul commanded the troops. Having joined us at the last moment in Quyaz, Dhiyul held the strength of the Sultan’s personal retinue, adding an elite element to our left flank. Here, alongside 200 Jawwal riders, were 100 of Unquid’s most trusted soldiers: Mamluke Palace Guards, Veteran Farris, and Vanguard Farris. This force alone could break through any ordinary line, as the Palace Guards and Farris were trained in close-quarter combat and knew how to handle themselves against even the most heavily armored foes. Dhiyul’s command and the presence of these elite soldiers provided a critical anchor to our left side.
In the center, our forces were a blend of cultures and mercenary units, a testament to the broad reach of Aserai influence. Leading the center were the Imperial mercenaries and Valandian mercenaries, 800 and 300 strong respectively, who formed the main force. These seasoned fighters would be the ones to push against the Valandian pikemen and billmen, bearing the brunt of the fight in open battle. To add agility to our central force, two groups of Jawwal riders were strategically interspersed, ready to break formation, flank, or rain down javelins if the opportunity presented itself.
Our right flank boasted the sharp-eyed Khuzait mercenaries, numbering 100. These men were expert archers and skilled horsemen, accustomed to the plains and steppes, where they trained to strike from a distance and outmaneuver opponents. The right flank also had its own contingent of Jawwal riders, whose mobility and desert-bred stamina would allow them to circle, flank, and retreat as needed.
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Behind our main line was a reserve force consisting of Aserai mercenaries—1,000 strong. Unquid knew well that battles could shift unexpectedly, and the Aserai reserves, combined with the Jawwal riders, were kept close enough to support any weakened part of our line. The reserves stood ready to reinforce any breaches in our formation or to press forward if the Valandians showed any signs of collapse.
The placement of each unit was meticulously planned, balancing both strength and versatility. It was a line designed to envelop the Valandians, with the left and right flanks ready to collapse upon them if they showed any signs of weakening. Dhiyul’s elite forces on the left and the Khuzait archers on the right were positioned to ensure that no Valandian cavalry or infantry would find an easy escape or breakthrough.
Sultan Unquid had given careful thought to each piece of his army, recognizing the Valandian forces’ unique advantages while planning to overwhelm them through strategic deployment. It was clear that he respected his enemy’s strength and knew their weaknesses well. His goal was not merely to defeat them but to crush them entirely, sending a message that would echo across the empire and beyond.
As I looked over the field, studying the positions and strengths of each force, a chill of anticipation ran through me. It was no longer a matter of mere survival or personal gain; this was a clash that would shape the region’s destiny. I saw the determination in the eyes of the Jawwal riders, the hardened resolve of the Imperial mercenaries, and the quiet confidence of Dhiyul’s elite troops.
The sun crept higher, casting a harsh light over the armies, and the air grew thick with the scent of sweat, sand, and iron. I tightened my grip on my sword, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me. There was no turning back now—this was the field upon which fate had brought us all, and only one side would leave it victorious.
Troop Name
Troop count
Position
Jawwal
800
4 units each of 200 troops, 2 in center 1 in each flank
Imperial Mercenaries
800
Center
Valandian Mercenaries
300
Center
Khujait Mercenaries
100
Aserai Right flank
Aserai Mercenaries
1000
Center
Personal Retinue - Mamluke Palace Guard, Veteran Farris, Vanguard Farris
100
Aserai Left flank
Sharpshooters
200
Center
Bilman, Pikemen
400
Center
Voulgier
200
Center
Champion, Vanguard, BannerKnight
300
2 units- 100, 200 troops 100 troops placed on Valandian left, 200 placed on Valandian Right
Note: Aserai left = Valandian Right, Vlandiam left = Aserai Right. As they are facing each other.