Chapter 2: A Complex Alliance

It was not so much that Bretonnia and Estalia had any sort of bad blood between them, for the two nations arguably had a generally stable relationship overall throughout their shared histories, but that the timing of a call to arms by Estalia could not have been more poorly timed. In recent decades, the knightly orders of Bretonnia had ridden alongside similar orders and brotherhoods hailing from the Empire in the east during a crusade that sought to oust Sultan Jaffar and his Arabic armies from Estalia. Bretonnia and the Empire helped liberate Estalia from Jaffar's control, leading to the successful completion of the Reconquista and the beginnings of Estalian reunification under the Kingdom of Astarios. In short, the Estalians had much to be grateful for, and King Esteban worried that he was about to push his luck by seeking out his Bretonnian neighbors for a second time.

A Bretonnian army, charging into battle against their foes. Supported by Pegasus knights and armored riders, princely hosts like these are a sight to behold on any field.

Following the conclusion of the Reconquista, the Bretonnians were granted several privileges as a result of their aid during the crusades: the realms of Bretonnia, particularly the provinces of Carcassone, Quenelles, and Brionne, all enjoyed favorable trade with Estalia and some payment by way of goods and coin to the knightly orders -- these, of course, were marked as 'donations' by the Bretonnian orders. However, these treaties did not include clauses regarding defensive alliances, thus the Bretonnian lords and ladies were not compelled to aid Estalia a second time. Instead, it would be entirely up to King Esteban and his company of envoys to convince many of the same knightly orders to ride out again in defense of the south. Still, while calling on the Bretonnian orders was turning out to be a difficult endeavor, the alternatives seemed much worse in comparison. Estalia either ran itself further into debt with its primary rival in Tilea by hiring more expensive mercenary companies or the Crown risked angering the already upset nobles that governed the many provinces of the newfound kingdom. In short, calling on Bretonnia would be tricky, but it was the only real option available. With the greenskin hordes preparing to assault Vizcaya, time was of the essence too.

With the fall of Azuara in the north, the Bad Moonz horde advances further along the river Ranapierna and up to the coast. Estalian forces rush from Bilbali to aid in the defense of Vizcaya and the Feroz Hills. Tilean mercenaries are dispatched as well to reinforce the defense of the northern regions, with hopes of further support from the Bretonnian knightly orders in Brionne.

Messengers were dispatched just days after the fall of Azuara to the major keeps and cities in Bretonnia, principally Brionne for it was the closest to the front lines. Upon arrival, the Estalian envoys were met great revelry -- surely, many thought, Bretonnia's friends in the south were coming to negotiate new trade treaties or mercenary contracts. However, upon hearing of Estalia's newest plight and their request for aid, many lords and ladies in the court of Brionne immediately turned dour and angry. Again, they thought. Here they are again with the same troubles as only a few decades ago. Yet, as the Estalians grew saddened at the response, a few young knights and champions stepped forward, emboldened by the thought of adventure. "We shall bring salvation to the war-stricken peninsula," shouted one of them, sporting flowing auburn hair and piercing green eyes, "And with it, glory to our orders!" This knight, Sir Robert of House Cousland, declared that the Order of the White Pegasus, a local knightly chapter of Brionne, would sponsor a campaign to the southlands. Although still in his younger years, many knights and paladins saw Sir Robert as a man of great moral virtue and strength. Immediately, three other orders banded underneath him, increasing his host into the Hundreds. Furthermore, these knights could depend on the drafting of levies from their local lands. From hundreds came thousands.

Sir Robert's army mirrored the standard deployment of most Bretonnian hosts: a small core of well-trained heavy cavalry and a large contingent of levy infantry, mainly spearmen and archers, in support. War machines, like trebuchets, were only summoned during sieges or larger field battles.

Sir Robert wasted no time in supplying his army and marching them south with all due haste. He was not alone in this endeavor, as a local lady heard of his intent to march south and decided it prudent to serve as his patron. This lady, Sabina d'Roussel, sponsored Sir Robert's campaign, expecting great prestige and fortune should the young Bretonnian knight be successful in his quest. Meanwhile, the greenskin warbands also sharpened their axes and readied themselves for battle. The war-bosses had spent the week looting and pillaging the surrounding countryside, but the call to battle sounded out from the Irrana Mountains once more. The orcs, goblins, and beasts were all brought into line and rounded up for another major offensive, this time on the town of Vizcaya. It was here that the remaining Estalian and Tilean troops had fled to and, furthermore, where all the reinforcements from neighboring Bilbali and Brionne were assembling. Vizcaya was by no means a well-fortified town, featuring only a make-shift palisade and some freshly dug trenches. Still, the town was now the impromptu rallying point for the human armies. They would hold here or risk letting the greenskins run rampant throughout the northern counties.

Estalia, Tilea, and now Bretonnia all marshaled their forces in preparation of the confrontation. The greenskins wasted no time either, assembling on the rocky fields to the south of the fortified town. The objective was clear as the morning rose on that fateful midsummer's day. The town of Vizcaya would hold the key to victory for either side -- it was the line in the sand.

At the base of Irrana Mountains, the greenskin horde assembled their war camps. Orc, goblin, and beastman alike all assembled there in preparation for the campaign in northern Estalia. The fires of neighboring Estalian villages joined those of the scattered camps, lighting up the night sky. Those very same fires could be seen from Vizcaya in the north, striking fear and worry into the hearts of the Estalian and Tilean defenders.