General Kettukal remembers a story he was once told.

Beseiging the Atkolel Heights was starting to wear on General Kettukal and his troops. He knew he needed to find a way to break the stalemate or he might lose troops to another operational theater. In the Empire successes were rewarded and it was best not to even consider failure.

Late one night Kettukal remembered a tale told to him about a ruined temple that was a portal to caverns that held something important. He couldn't remember the entire story but thought it was perhaps best to check it out. In Tekumel stories and myths usually had a scintila of truth.

He knew he needed to send good troops but not his own Legion. He decided on the Legion of Serqu, Sword of the Empire. They are excellent soldiers but not his own. If succesful he of course would claim the operation, his right as General. If a failure; however, it would bring no discredit upon him or his!

The General summoned a young officer of the 14th Imperial Heavy Infantry to his tent, relayed the story as he remembered from his youth and issued orders. Take forces of the 14th to investigate this ruin and look for any evidence of truth in the story.

The young officer deployed scouts to lead his column, it seemed wise to have an advance warning of anything encountered.

Next in his column he deployed his archers. These were good solid heavy infantrymen, surely they could make short work of anything they encountered.

In fact, he decided to lead the archers himself. He would be able to direct their firepower and upon a pre-arranged signal move them to allow the heavy spearmen to finish off any foes. He would still retain enough control of the archers to direct them at any possible problem areas.

Behind his archers in the column would be the heavy spearmen.

The spears of the Legion of Serqu are stout soldiers capable of handling anything the enemy might throw at them. They are well trained and able to pull off complex manuevers very quickly.

This clearly was a winning formation. So off they moved in the direction the General had told them to go. As they marched they sang of victory for the Empire, victory for General Kettukal and most importantly victory for the Legion of Serqu!

The Baron dispatches a force.

Remember: Click on a Pik for a larger version or leave a comment if so inclined. Now on to our story, to be told in parts.

Baron Ald had heard rumors; there was a ruined temple near the base of the Atkolel Heights. A story hinted that there might be a weapon hidden in this ruin. A weapon that had the power to scatter the troublesome forces of Tsolyani now seeking to besiege him on these very heights. It was possibly just a tale. The Baron knew, it needed to be verified.

The Baron summoned to him a young female officer of some promise from the Gurek of Tleku Miriya I. He instructed her to sneak off of the heights, being careful to avoid detection, and to find and investigate this temple. If a weapon was in fact there; to bring it back, if unable to bring it back, send a runner for stronger forces and safe guard it against capture. Finally, to destroy it if unable to prevent capture.

She knew her trade and sent scouts ahead of the main force. They were spread out to ensure early detection of any ambush or spy.

Behind her scouts she deployed her crossbows. If contact was made a first blow at range could buy precious time or perhaps decide the issue.

She led the heavy infantry of her Gurek.

These warriors would form up and advance thru the crossbows to send any Tsolyani in the way running. By maintaining direct command of the heavy infantry she could move and deploy them as required.

It seemed a sound plan; now on to find this temple and prove to the Baron he had made the right choice.

More Coming! I promise!

OK kids there is more coming; however, here is a teaser. This is non-canonical-sorry.

Near the Atkolel Heights there is rumor of a ruined temple with a weapon that could change the balance of power regionally. Both Baron Ald and General Kettukal learn this story at nearly the same time and dispatch troops to investigate.

General Kettukal dispatches forces from the Legion of Serqu, Sword of the Empire with orders to head towards the heights, find the temple and investigate it.

Baron Ald dispatches forces from the Gurek of Tleku Miriya I with orders to leave the heights, find the temple and investigate it.