Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Seven : The Opening Moves


Run Them Down - Buddha Knows His Own

We open this chapter in April, in the year 823 AD, as the Despot received reports that the war down south was still going strong. Looked like the Raja had the upper hand when it came to numbers.

The Despot hired the Bengal Band which contained two hundred archers. He ordered them to march down to the County of Bikrampur owned by Thakur Madanpal of the Pala Kingdom. The Commanders in charge of the Army of Kyriakos, starting with the army's right flank, was Euphemios, Kyriakos, and Theoktistos. (1)

Spoiler: Army Of Kyriakos
Show


The Despot decided he was too old and just could not command a flank with a missing leg. So he stayed behind to get an overview of the war and keep an eye on the Royal Court.

By the 7th of June he received a report from the army that stated they had to stop right within the border. The Raja was carrying out a siege against Bikrampur and they feared entering the county would trigger a three-way war.

Spoiler: Waiting...
Show


As they waited the Great King sent another army against the Raja and was defeated. Which ended the war. The Raja won.

Spoiler: The Great King Is Defeated By The Raja
Show


The Despot was not disappointed - the Great King now had less then two thousand warriors, total, and was in debt. Over 200 gold coins in the hole in fact.

The army restarted the march on the County of Bikrampur and the Despot timed it so that the declaration of war got to the Great King right before his hired swords entered enemy territory. The Despot called forth his levies.

Spoiler: The Bikrampur War
Show


The Great King called his levies to arms also but he had a problem. The Despot's mercenary army was already within Pala's borders and they started hunting down the assembling soldiers.

The Despot's army had three battles in a row - all victories - against much smaller armies. One battle in August, one battle in September, and one battle in October in which the Despot's men lost a total of 3 men. The Great King's armies lost 230 men - which was all the King's men involved in the battles.

Spoiler: Small Victories!
Show


During this period of time the Raja Shurapala "The Cruel" formed an alliance with Thakur Punhun "The Butcher".

Spoiler: The Raja Shurapala Gains Another Ally
Show


Also, in October, the Royal levies were finally assembled and ready for battle! The Army of Dipanker was ordered south. The Commanders assigned to it, starting from the right flank, were Prabhase, Dipankar, and Caiytiska.(2)

Spoiler: The Army Of Dipanker
Show


So we end the war with three victories and the Despot staying home, sipping tea and trying not to worry too much, as he peasant-soldiers march down to join the smaller army of hired swords.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author’s End Notes:

1. Of course, Commanders would sometimes be replaced or move to different flanks throughout the war.

2. Ditto.