Episode 126
“Man, this is so boring.”
“Seriously, these damn Muslims. They’re making such a fuss over a war.”
The guards at the Edessa fortress lived in a state of complacency. Although Antioch, expected to be the main battleground, wasn’t far, no one seemed worried. Even though they were close to the front lines, the actual fighting was predictable. No matter how foolish the Muslims might be, they wouldn’t attack a place that offered no real advantage.
Thus, the fortress was manned by a small number of soldiers, who considered themselves lucky. The war was bound to end in victory, and they’d return home to admiration and envy, without the risk of life-threatening battles. It was the perfect assignment, a cushy job with no real danger.
As usual, they were lazily keeping watch, planning to pass the time with a bit of gambling.
Suddenly, a loud horn blared.
“Huh, what’s that?”
“An attack?”
“An attack? Who’d be crazy enough to attack here? Probably some drunk idiot blowing the horn.”
“Wait, isn’t that… the Muslims?”
The guards’ casual chatter was cut short as they saw a cloud of dust rising in the distance, revealing the approaching Muslim forces. Their minds went blank.
“Enemy! Enemy attack!”
“You idiots! How could you not notice until now?”
“Well, were you paying attention?”
The enemy numbers were clearly overwhelming. But soldiers in a war with a clear cause and faith don’t panic easily.
“Get it together! Form defensive lines! Send a messenger for reinforcements immediately!”
“Even if there are many of them, only a few can attack at once! Hold out for a few days, and reinforcements will come!”
“Even if we die here, we’ll have a place in heaven. Don’t kneel to the Muslims!”
The defenders quickly rallied, resisting the Muslim assault. Fortunately, they had enough supplies, and without proper siege weapons, the Muslims couldn’t breach the defenses easily. But they couldn’t hold out forever against such overwhelming numbers.
In just two days, the defenders were pushed back to the inner fortress, having abandoned the city. They had fought bravely, but if reinforcements didn’t arrive in another two days, surrender would be inevitable. If surrender wasn’t an option, they’d prepare for a final stand.
Perhaps their desperate resolve was seen by the divine. Just as they reached their limit, they saw a cloud of dust in the distance, signaling the approach of their allies.
“Reinforcements! Reinforcements are here!”
“Where? Where?”
“There! Isn’t that our cavalry coming?”
“I can’t see… wait, yes, I see them.”
The soldiers blinked and rubbed their eyes, trying to believe the sight of their saviors coming from afar.
“How many are there?”
“Seems… a bit few, doesn’t it?”
The dust cloud was rising, but the force seemed pitifully small, barely 200 to 300 at most.
“Is it a scouting party?”
“Must be. Our messenger would have told them the enemy’s size. They wouldn’t send just a few.”
“Anyway, just hold on a bit longer! The main force will come!”
They had to believe there was a plan, gripping their weapons tighter.
The rhythmic pounding could be the sound of hooves or my own heartbeat, excited for the first real battle in a long time. Charging 500 against 20,000 still seemed insane, but Richard’s strategy made sense.
“Don’t worry, Apostle. If things go wrong, we’ll get you out.”
“I’m supposed to stay in the rear, so you don’t need to worry. You didn’t have to come.”
“What are you saying? We can’t let you go to battle without us.”
Fatima, riding beside me in disguise, shook her head firmly. She had opposed my going to the front, but after hearing Richard’s plan, she relented. If things went wrong, it would be Richard’s fault, not ours.
Still, she didn’t seem entirely convinced. Richard’s unit charged ahead, kicking up dust, while Fatima watched with skepticism.
“Does he really think this strategy will work?”
“Why else would I follow without complaint?”
“That’s what I don’t get. You seem to believe he can do it…”
Richard’s plan was simple at first glance. With just 500 men, he had a way to push back the enemy. But to outsiders like Fatima, the premise seemed absurd.
“We’ll see. I’m curious myself if the records are true.”
“What records?”
“Just some.”
Richard’s bold claims had overshadowed the fact that the Lionheart King’s exploits were legendary. Though documented, many found them unbelievable. But cross-referencing with Islamic records confirmed their truth.
Compared to Richard’s historical feats, this reckless charge seemed almost sane. So, let’s see if the legend of the Lionheart King was possible in reality.
“But logically, no matter how brave, charging a small force against tens of thousands is suicide…”
Fatima was about to voice her doubts when Richard and his men roared, crashing into the Muslim rear.
The Muslims were slow to react, understandably. Who would expect a few hundred to attack an army of over 20,000 besieging a fortress? The Muslim commanders might have mistaken Richard for a diplomatic envoy.
What seemed like madness had a method. Richard had observed that the main Muslim force wasn’t much larger than their scouts reported. The attackers weren’t the elite, leaving the main force vulnerable.
Richard’s insight was spot on. If the main forces were engaged, the elite would be absent, leaving the rest unable to perform even as bait.
“Our well-equipped cavalry will break through their ranks. If we take out their commander, chaos will ensue.”
Richard brought 500 cavalry and 500 extra horses, considering the long journey’s toll. Half charged, while the rest waited, ready to create a dust cloud to appear larger.
A classic strategy, but effective in confusion. The plan seemed sound, but it hinged on Richard’s ability to penetrate deep and cause chaos.
Fatima doubted, and I was skeptical, but the scene before me spoke volumes.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Hahaha! Is this really all the mighty Sultan’s army can muster?”
“Aaah! They’re demons! The army of Shaytan!”
Richard didn’t bother with the elegance of a spear or sword.
Instead, he swung his Dane axe with the fervor of a man possessed, decapitating the Islamic soldiers in his path.
No one dared to halt his charge as he made a beeline for the fortress gates.
Anyone who dared to block his way found their head bidding farewell to their body, floating momentarily in the air.
A clear path opened wherever Richard ran.
It was a sight to behold, like Moses parting the Red Sea, as the soldiers of the Islamic army split to either side.
Some brave commanders stepped forward, unwilling to let Richard’s rampage continue unchecked…
“Stop! I am the sword of the great Sultan, Al—”
Slash!
“Incredible bravery! But I won’t let you pass any further. I am Al—”
Thwack!
“I’m in a hurry. Your names are just footnotes.”
Commanders and soldiers alike lost their heads without even a chance to introduce themselves.
No one could stop him, let alone interrupt his words.
A mere 250 men were decimating the rear of an army over 20,000 strong, collapsing their formation.
Fatima, watching in disbelief, murmured something that could have been directed at me or just to herself.
“Is that… really happening?”
I chuckled, nodding in agreement.
“Indeed. It really is.”