Get your own Free HomepageDusk over Nobatia : Two views
From the Chronicles of the Nobades:
Gather round children and hear a tale of valour and victory from Gyrgios.
King Teferi was worried. If he lost this one the noble Blemmye kingdom was no more, crushed by the cursed arabs and their heathen allies the Alwa'ites like a mouse in the coils of a python.
"Cheer up Tef" said Lebne the eternal optimist and teferis only remaining general. "I'm sure we'll beat the Aiwa'ites in the dunes to the north of the city, at least it gives our camels somewhere to be safe from their accursed bows."
Looking at the terrain for tomorrows battle Terferi couldn't really complain, 3 large areas of dune were between him and the Alwa'ite host. One large piece on his right, during the night he'd position the camels, the city militia(fanatics to a man), and Lebne with some light horse there. Another large piece in the centre, the auxilia, bowmen and most of his light troops were there. A third series of dunes onthe left had 500 light troops lurking.
His cavalry would remain in reserve near the city.
Still outnumbered as he was his only hope was that the simmering unrest in the Alwa'ite forces caused by the forcible conversion of the country to the Christian death cult by their mad overlord Meles.
Dawn broke to show the alwaites arrayed with their mass bowmen in front of the cavalry. One set of blades under Meles to take the dunes on Teferi's left, another 750 blades under Tesfaye to take the centre dunes, a further bunch of bowmen to the right of this and 750 bowmen to watch the large dunes with the as yet unseen camels and militia in.
As the sun rose a great shout erupted from the command of Meles. "Look a saint, can you see it, there above the Blemmye, its Gods sign of victory, lets kill them all" A great surge shook the Alwa'ite line, hastily controlled by their officers. The blades on the left advanced , the Blemmye light infantry skirmishing manfully with them sometimes driving them back but more often retreating. In the centre something similar was happening. The alwa'ite bows eliminating some light infantry.
Teferi advanced with his light horse hoping to drive the outnumbered Alwa'ite light horse into the bowmen behind. A small bow duel began between the Blemmye and alwa'ite bowmen with the Blemmye bows inconvenienced by the dunes. Then with a great shout 250 Alwa'ite cavalry attacked the rear of the alwa'ite bows smashing a great hole in the line.
Ah thought Teferi REBELS!
These brave heroes were however soon smashed by the Alwa'ites but in
the process the command of the alwa'ites was disrupted and the mad fanatics
started to charge forwards piecemeal. On the right the militia were storming
out of the dunes with Lebne and the light horse in support. In the
centre the psiloi had been driven back into the auxilia Then with
a load roar of vengeance is ours a band of Alwa'ites hit the rear of Tesfayes
bodyguard at
the same time as auxilia and Psiloi hit him at the front. The infidel
fought well and died quickly his command fleeing at the sight. Many
were slaughtered in the pursuit. On the left the bowmen charged forward
to their doom with Teferi himself killing multitudes. The brave Blemmye
cavalry started forward. The psiloi on the left having lost half their
number, destroyed a regiment of blades and retired. The end was in
sight but the Alwaites took no notice and hurled themselves at the Blemmye
dying to a man.
Meles the craven took one look and left post haste taking 1250 blades and 250 elephants with him. 250 blades and a contingent of the baggage came back to the true faith. The rest of the baggage was pillaged by the brave Blemmye forces.
"See" said Lebnye "told you it would be alright"
"Praise the Gods" said Teferi.
The Alwa'ites arrived with 2500 Blades, over 12000 bows,750 cavalry,250 elephants and 1000 light troops. 1250 blades left the field of battle 1500 bows, and 250 elephants.
A great win for the Blemmye forces.
Lament of the Kings
Foul Axum for to crush they rode,
In God's great glory,
The word of Christ to spread,
And vile raiders stop.
The finest of Alwa,
Iron shod hooves,
Sharp pointed were their spears,
Great was their faith.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
The battle line was drawn,
By Axum's evil temples,
Trusting in their God,
Our soldiers hearts were pure.
They strung their bows,
Sharpened their swords,
Prayed for salvation,
No fear was to be found.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
In dunes and bushes the Blemm did lurk,
"Lone-psiloi"-ing our men
Cheating, cheating, cheating rule
Cheating, cheating Blemm!
King Meles, tall and proud did stand,
In front of the mighty hosts,
Ten thousand thanks he gave to each,
And every loyal subject.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
No speech gave he,
His men were ready,
No pagans did they fear,
God would know His own.
St. Michael he did bless the throng,
His vision lit the sky,
Advance, the cry was loud and clear,
They were not 'fraid to die.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
Storm forth, storm forth our bold heros,
Take strength from knowing thou art right,
A thousand souls each sent to hell,
In this the bloody fight.
But more came on,
A million more,
A thousand more, each Alwan killed ,
But still the fight went on.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
The sky grew dark,
The devil rose,
All his power to use,
He smote the goodly,
But brave King Meles
Stood against the tide.
The last of Alwa,
They could fight no more,
Pagan bodies surrounded their feet,
The whole host of hell at last let loose,
We fought and fought
We fewer and fewer.
The end it came,
Our souls we gave,
In service of our Lord,
King Meles flag was seen to fall,
But still he fought,
A lion of the desert.
His sword struck left,
His sword struck right,
Dealing death to each and all,
Hacking his way through pagan flesh,
He finally reached safety,
And saw the dismal slaughter.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
Now we sit,
And sing our laments,
The souls of the dead to heaven have flown,
Ten thousand saints this day are born.
Onward, onward, onward they strode,
Mighty warriors of Christ,
Now they are with God.
Hysterical Note: This battle was the last encounter between Nobatia
and Alwa, before the so-called Murderous Christian Plot delivered Teferi
and his family into the hands of King Meles, for the "Hundred Days of Blood"
ceremony that eliminated the Nobatian Royal House, leaving Meles ruling
both countries uneasily.
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