Pacifist46
King
980AD
As dawn rose on the third day of the siege, the Khan again sat and observed the city.
For some subconscious reason, he didnt feel confident about the conflict which would inevitably take place today. On paper, the battle looked straightforward enough. The Indians numbered 5000 archers, axes and spears in total. He commanded twice that amount in elite cavalry alone, and perhaps another 15000 in infantry of all classes. They had the defensive advantage, but soon that would be minimal at best. Genghis looked across to where his catapults were whirring, their crews loading boulders and flinging them with the efficiency of an experienced unit.
Yep, the walls would be down soon enough, and there would then be little protection for the Indians. He would crush them.
And yet it didnt quite feel right, not like the previous battles. This was the Indians seat of power, their most ancient, populous and wealthy hub. Surely they had something planned? Genghis found it difficult to believe that the Indians would surrender their capital city so easily.
For the next three hours, Genghis made his tours of the camp, all the while scrutinising the city, trying to figure out what, if anything, he had overlooked. Nothing came to him. Eventually he decided that enough was enough. The assault could not be delayed any longer; it was time to stop being so damn superstitious.
What could go wrong?
GENGHIS: Ok! Units, form up!
The camp was suddenly filled with the flurry of activity, as the Mongol soldiers rushed to put on their full armour, checked their weapons, and then hurried over to where their comrades were already forming the Mongol lines. Genghis had decided to form three lines of infantry; the first was the elite swordsmen, who would go in first and attack the Indian lines, aiming to cause disorder and confusion. The second and largest line was the heavy armoured melee infantry, who would, after a short while, take over from the swords. They were trained in close combat, and would surely be able to outclass the Indians in the limited space. The third line was a small deployment of spears, ready to rush in if any cavalry appeared (Genghis didnt think the Indians had horses, but he was careful) or to deal with elephants, which the Indians might have harnessed by now, although he doubted this would have happened. And, of course, on the flanks were the Keshiks, resplendent in their gleaming bronze armour and lances, accompanied by the mighty War Elephants, ready to sweep into the side of the Indian units and massacre them.
GENGHIS: Units, advance!
The Mongol army advanced towards the ruined city walls, where the Indians stood waiting for them. As the army crossed the edge of archer range, showers of arrows began to rain down upon the Mongols. There were many screams as soldiers who had not raised their shields in time were struck. The Khan swore in irritation.
GENGHIS: Units, use some common bloody sense, and shield yourself from those arrows!
After this there were far fewer screams as the army as a whole realised the danger and locked their shields overhead. The army continued its steady advance, and soon reached the edge of the rubble.
GENGHIS: Swordsmen, break formation and attack!
There was a riotous cry and the front layer of infantry peeled off and poured across the rubble as fast as was permitted. They slammed into Indian lines, and the momentum sent the Indians reeling back a couple of paces, before they recovered their balance and engaged the swords.
GENGHIS: Cavalry, commence flanking manoeuvre!
The cavalry acknowledged the order and began to skirt the rubble, giving the fracas which had ensued in the centre a wide berth. Genghis wanted to hold them back this time, until it was time to make the final push. Meanwhile, in the centre the swords were starting to tire slightly. Time to bring them back - unlike the Indians, Genghis had that luxury.
GENGHIS: Swordsmen, fall back! Melee, time to engage! Spearmen, stand by and cover the retreat!
The swordsmen aimed final blows at their adversaries, and then turned and ran back across the rubble. Inevitably, some Indian warriors, lost in battle rage, tried to follow them. They soon came up against the line grim faced spearmen, and were impaled. Then the melee infantry surged past and crashed into the weary Indians. In the close-quarters combat, every blow of the mighty axe was felt by the Indians, who began to lose ground. Their strength and numbers depleted, the Indians struggled to hold together.
GENGHIS: Cavalry, CHARGE!
The Keshiks and War Elephants galloped forwards, smashing into the sides of the Indian lines. Immediately, the Indians morale was shattered and they broke and ran. The Keshiks surged after them, cutting them down as they routed. There was little more resistance and the Keshiks had soon rounded up and slaughtered the remnants of the Indian foe. Delhi had fallen, and the screams of the victorious Mongols were heard deep into the night, as they looted the city.
=====================================================================
KOLAI: Well, well. Another easy victory. Few losses again.
GENGHIS: Indeed. I dont know what I was concerned about before.
IALBUK: Maybe youre going soft sire.
GENGHIS: Get lost Ialbuk, Im not going soft.
KOLAI: The Khan isnt soft! Not by any measure!
GENGHIS: Besides, if Im soft, what does that make Griznakh? You could use his stomach as a trampoline.
GRIZNAKH: Well really Genghis, the course the fates have ordained that I follow is different from the course of a soldier.
GENGHIS: Your course is to have as many courses as possible.
GRIZNAKH: My course is a noble and enlightened one of culture and of the arts.
GENGHIS Of course it is. Well, I suppose we need someone to do that crap.
GRIZNAKH: Goodness knows what this empire would become, if not for me.
GENGHIS: Itd become abundant in food, and maybe thered be a couple less monuments around obstructing the view. But you can stay.
GRIZNAKH: My job is so satisfying.
With the fall of Delhi, the Indians were pushed back into a small peninsula to the south. Their backs against the wall, the Indians were sure to give everything they had. Genghis knew a beast was most dangerous when cornered. This, though, he dismissed by reasoning that India was not so much a beast as an old goat with a limp. Would there be any trouble? He doubted it.
To be continued
As dawn rose on the third day of the siege, the Khan again sat and observed the city.
For some subconscious reason, he didnt feel confident about the conflict which would inevitably take place today. On paper, the battle looked straightforward enough. The Indians numbered 5000 archers, axes and spears in total. He commanded twice that amount in elite cavalry alone, and perhaps another 15000 in infantry of all classes. They had the defensive advantage, but soon that would be minimal at best. Genghis looked across to where his catapults were whirring, their crews loading boulders and flinging them with the efficiency of an experienced unit.
Yep, the walls would be down soon enough, and there would then be little protection for the Indians. He would crush them.
And yet it didnt quite feel right, not like the previous battles. This was the Indians seat of power, their most ancient, populous and wealthy hub. Surely they had something planned? Genghis found it difficult to believe that the Indians would surrender their capital city so easily.
For the next three hours, Genghis made his tours of the camp, all the while scrutinising the city, trying to figure out what, if anything, he had overlooked. Nothing came to him. Eventually he decided that enough was enough. The assault could not be delayed any longer; it was time to stop being so damn superstitious.
What could go wrong?
GENGHIS: Ok! Units, form up!
The camp was suddenly filled with the flurry of activity, as the Mongol soldiers rushed to put on their full armour, checked their weapons, and then hurried over to where their comrades were already forming the Mongol lines. Genghis had decided to form three lines of infantry; the first was the elite swordsmen, who would go in first and attack the Indian lines, aiming to cause disorder and confusion. The second and largest line was the heavy armoured melee infantry, who would, after a short while, take over from the swords. They were trained in close combat, and would surely be able to outclass the Indians in the limited space. The third line was a small deployment of spears, ready to rush in if any cavalry appeared (Genghis didnt think the Indians had horses, but he was careful) or to deal with elephants, which the Indians might have harnessed by now, although he doubted this would have happened. And, of course, on the flanks were the Keshiks, resplendent in their gleaming bronze armour and lances, accompanied by the mighty War Elephants, ready to sweep into the side of the Indian units and massacre them.
GENGHIS: Units, advance!
The Mongol army advanced towards the ruined city walls, where the Indians stood waiting for them. As the army crossed the edge of archer range, showers of arrows began to rain down upon the Mongols. There were many screams as soldiers who had not raised their shields in time were struck. The Khan swore in irritation.
GENGHIS: Units, use some common bloody sense, and shield yourself from those arrows!
After this there were far fewer screams as the army as a whole realised the danger and locked their shields overhead. The army continued its steady advance, and soon reached the edge of the rubble.
GENGHIS: Swordsmen, break formation and attack!
There was a riotous cry and the front layer of infantry peeled off and poured across the rubble as fast as was permitted. They slammed into Indian lines, and the momentum sent the Indians reeling back a couple of paces, before they recovered their balance and engaged the swords.
GENGHIS: Cavalry, commence flanking manoeuvre!
The cavalry acknowledged the order and began to skirt the rubble, giving the fracas which had ensued in the centre a wide berth. Genghis wanted to hold them back this time, until it was time to make the final push. Meanwhile, in the centre the swords were starting to tire slightly. Time to bring them back - unlike the Indians, Genghis had that luxury.
GENGHIS: Swordsmen, fall back! Melee, time to engage! Spearmen, stand by and cover the retreat!
The swordsmen aimed final blows at their adversaries, and then turned and ran back across the rubble. Inevitably, some Indian warriors, lost in battle rage, tried to follow them. They soon came up against the line grim faced spearmen, and were impaled. Then the melee infantry surged past and crashed into the weary Indians. In the close-quarters combat, every blow of the mighty axe was felt by the Indians, who began to lose ground. Their strength and numbers depleted, the Indians struggled to hold together.
GENGHIS: Cavalry, CHARGE!
The Keshiks and War Elephants galloped forwards, smashing into the sides of the Indian lines. Immediately, the Indians morale was shattered and they broke and ran. The Keshiks surged after them, cutting them down as they routed. There was little more resistance and the Keshiks had soon rounded up and slaughtered the remnants of the Indian foe. Delhi had fallen, and the screams of the victorious Mongols were heard deep into the night, as they looted the city.
=====================================================================
KOLAI: Well, well. Another easy victory. Few losses again.
GENGHIS: Indeed. I dont know what I was concerned about before.
IALBUK: Maybe youre going soft sire.
GENGHIS: Get lost Ialbuk, Im not going soft.
KOLAI: The Khan isnt soft! Not by any measure!
GENGHIS: Besides, if Im soft, what does that make Griznakh? You could use his stomach as a trampoline.
GRIZNAKH: Well really Genghis, the course the fates have ordained that I follow is different from the course of a soldier.
GENGHIS: Your course is to have as many courses as possible.
GRIZNAKH: My course is a noble and enlightened one of culture and of the arts.
GENGHIS Of course it is. Well, I suppose we need someone to do that crap.
GRIZNAKH: Goodness knows what this empire would become, if not for me.
GENGHIS: Itd become abundant in food, and maybe thered be a couple less monuments around obstructing the view. But you can stay.
GRIZNAKH: My job is so satisfying.
With the fall of Delhi, the Indians were pushed back into a small peninsula to the south. Their backs against the wall, the Indians were sure to give everything they had. Genghis knew a beast was most dangerous when cornered. This, though, he dismissed by reasoning that India was not so much a beast as an old goat with a limp. Would there be any trouble? He doubted it.
To be continued
. 
