Battle of Westmark
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The Battle of Westmark was the opening battle of the Krajian Rebellion, between the Axis forces and the Imperial army of John II, Holy Orenian Emperor and his generals Ser Rickard Barrow and Duke John of Carnatia. The rebel host was commanded by King Sveneld of Ruska and the self proclaimed King Alexander of Courland. The battle marked the start of the Empire's efforts against the rebel forces of Courland and Krajia.
Prelude
The defeat at the Siege of Kraken's Watch forced the remaining Courlander host into full retreat to Riga. Duke Alexander had seen the war as a betrayal by the Emperor, and refused to return to the Empire and accept the results of the war. Within the confines of the city of Riga, Alexander crowned himself as King of Courland and forged an alliance with the Principality of the Dreadlands, officially rebelling from the Holy Orenian Empire. Hetman Sveneld, who had felt a sense of betrayal from his former ally, Duke John of Carnatia, also rebelled and crowned himself as King of Ruska, swearing to join King Alexander in his war against Emperor John II.
In response, Emperor John II quickly raised his banners, and with the meager forces he could rally, marched to Kraken's Watch. Two weeks before the battle, they broke camp and fast and crossed the bridge on the River Vydra, prepared to meet a small host consisting entirely of Courlander and Krajian soldiers. Upon their arrival, they were surprised by the size of the enemy force, and quickly began to form ranks as the Courlander host prepared to charge.
Battle
The young Count Sven used his tactical intelligence to gain an advantage by placing his footmen and archers on higher ground, just below the mountainous Staunton Palace. He kept his cavalry on his right flank, his left secured by a steep incline. He ordered every archer to loose every arrow available to them, many of which found their mark on the disorientated Raevir and Imperial forces whilst the cavalry protecting his right flank was ordered to chase down the Imperial cavalry. After many hours of arrow fire and small cavalry engagements Sven was convinced that the Raevir and Imperial line had been damaged enough such that a full frontal charge from his main infantry from atop the hill would send the Raevir and Imperial armies into a full retreat or face certain death. Such was the case with many pockets of Raevir soldiers who resented retreating being mown down by the now superior Staunton cavalry with the Staunton and Dreadlandic heavy infantry mopping up what was left behind. The battle was a decisive Courlandic victory with Sven handing the news himself to his bed-ridden father.
Aftermath
Following the coup of Aleksander Staunton, the conspirators freed the newly captive Petyr Barbanov and allowed him to return to Carnatia.
