Political Situation:
Still at war with the Byzantines.
"Stubborn bastards. Can't conquer the fallen remains of an worthless empire without a fight these days." Cristiano.
And the Sicilians.
"Think they're still bitter about torching Robert the Weasel's fleet all those years ago? And their fleet a couple years back? And calling them ugly, smelly, babboon sons?" Cristiano.
"Probably. Or maybe it was pushing their princess down the steps." Pecina.
Allies
Holy Roman Empire
"Keeps the Milanese thinking, plus keeps their allies the French away." Cristiano
Hungary
"Easier to stab someone in the back when they're actually willing to turn their back." Cristiano.
First new turn....
1146
Recruiting 3 Pavise Crossbowmen in Constantinople.
"What, you guys aren't happy about defending your city?" Recruiter
"No, we're perfectly happy defending our city for our former enemies, protecting a bunch of fat cat merchants who are looking to plunder our cities trade routes for their own gain. No, we're completely happy about that." Soldier
"What's with the smile?" Recruiter
Recruiting a Italian Militia, and a Pavise Crossbowmen in Venice.
"Don't trust Milan?" Pecina
"I don't trust our children, what makes you think I trust the Milanese?" Cristiano.
"I don't which is sadder, that statement, or the fact that the statement is justified." Pecina.
1148
Turks and Milan are allies.
"Very troublesome. The Turks are very likely our enemies down the road, and Milan will be our enemies at some point, now we may have to face both together. Plus, we have trade relations with the Turks that could be threatened by this." Benasuto.
Marino is born to Antonio.
"Oh goody, he's got a regular bloodline going on. Well, his son can't be anyworse than he is." Benasuto.
Don't you have something else to focus on, like oh, an attack on Corinth, one of the last Byzantine strongholds?
"I'm not worried. I have over 1200 men under my command, to their 265, most of whom are conscripts. They'll fall and be crushed under my boot soon enough." Benasuto.
There's something wrong with this family.
Battle of Corinth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-snSSI3LPZs
Benasuto Selvo, 5 stars, 1284 Men 5 Italian Spears (75 Men, 67, 74, 72, 75) 3 Peasant Archers, 60 Men each 6 Sergeant Spearmen, 75 Men each 1 Italian Militia, 75 Men 1 Armored Sergeants 75 Men 2 Mailed Knights, 40 Men 1 Mounted Sergeants, 40 Men
Captain Manouel, 265 Men 2 Trezbizond Archers, 60 and 59 Men 1 Peasants 73 Men 1 Byzantine Spearmen 73 Men
Benasuto looks over the city, which sits on a hill overlooking the army, leaving only one way in, the main gate.
"I'll give these Byzantines one line of credit, they know how to build walls. That's ALL they know how to do, however. Once we get inside, they'll run like rats from cats. Advance men!" He calls. A unit of Sergeant Spears, manning a siege tower, and a unit of militia, manning a battering ram, move their siege weapons up the hill towards the gate. For half the way up, there's no arrow fire, at all.
"Advance the men towards the gate, but keep them back a bit. I don't like this." Benasuto says, as his men give the orders. His lieutenant, Maro Mulcono, looks at him, confused. "There aren't any archers on the walls. Even if they think they're doomed, they should be at least putting up a fight. The fact that they're not, makes me nervous." Benasuto explains. As the soldiers get half way up the hill, the towers suddenly open fire, and a group of archers appears on the wall. "I knew it. An ambush, and a cunningly crafted one. If we had approached the walls, we would've been easy targets, and weakned before our attack. Clever. But not good enough." He smiles. The siege tower reaches the wall, and the men soon roll it into place. At the same time, the battering ram reaches the gate, and begins smashing it open. The gates fall in next to no time, and the soldiers rush in. And...there's no one there. The rest of the army rushes for the gates, and some soldiers are picked off by the towers. Two groups of spearmen run down the street, turn, and slam into a group of Byzantine soldiers.
"There's the Roman boys! Get em!"
"Can't we interest you boys in some wine?" The leader of the Greek forces asks, before grabbing his own spear. The forces struggle slowly, beating each other to a pulp. Just as that was going on, the archers on the wall break....and run right into the main body of the army.
"Oh, come on!" They yell, just as the army falls upon them. Two units of cavalry charge down the street, around the block, and into the last of the archer units, who are quickly slaughtered. And the last of the spears breaks....right into the cavalry. The battle ends quickly, with only one man escaping the following slaughter. And that's only because he spent 20 minutes begging for mercy.
"The city is your sir." A messenger tells Benasuto. "Put it to the sword. Take anything of value, kill anyone who resists. And a few that don't. They will know the price of resistance soon enough. May their blood fill the streets! What's wrong with you?" He asks one of his bodyguards, who's sucking on his finger. The soldier extends it, and shows the general a shallow cut. "Paper cut." Upon seeing the blood, the great general Benasuto, terror of the Byzantines, faints dead away.
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