| Western Slope Withdrawal |
| Date |
RY765 Resplendent Earth |
| Location |
Varad, Madura |
| Result |
Azerbani victory, with heavy casualties |
|
| Belligerents |
| Scarlet Empire (4th Imperial Legion) |
Azerban |
| Commanders |
| Mnemon Nikkal |
Laerus Wolfborn |
| Strength |
250 Realm Legionnaires
75 Legion artillerists
4 Dragonblooded |
2,700+ Azerbani soldiers
250+ Maduran soldiers
1 Solar Anathema
1+ Dragonblooded |
| Casualties and losses |
124 Realm Legionnaires
74 Legion artillerists
2 Dragonblooded |
202 Azerbani soldiers
199 Maduran soldiers |
|
Preceding Events
The Battle of Birch Temple had pushed the Campaign against the Anathema-Voivode into a very active phase, and matters were not looking up for the 4th Imperial Legion. The armies of Azerban had pushed across the Thousand Rushes River and swept east to the Ford of Chumo-Sheh, where they attacked the positions of the 3rd and 4th Dragon from both sides of the river and had managed to muster catapults to bombard the ballistae defending against any assault across the ford. The 1st Wing of the 3rd Dragon, assigned to patrol the interior away from the riverbank, recieve orders to redeploy to the Ford to assist in its defense.
However, as they prepared to move, an urgent Wind-Carried Words message came to them from the Legion strategoi, Sesus Abeisha, commanding that they immediately march south to relieve a siege being conducted by the enemy against her position at Varad. Obeying the chain of command, the wing accepted this latest order and marched southward, in hopes of joining the Battle of Varad.
The Battle
The wing had not expected to meet a massive number of enemy troops south of the river, and they were shocked to find themselves vastly outnumbered when they clashed on the evening of the 4th of Resplendent Wood. A withdrawal was considered, until another Wind-Carried Words arrived, from talonlord Orchid Explosion, whose unit of artillerist were holding out in their fortified encampment, and who had seen their banners when they had arrived. The message reported that the strategoi was dead and the battle for Madura was lost, pleading for help.
The wing was ordered back into combat, in an attempt to reach the artillerist camp. Though they fought well, talonlords Cynis Hibare and Sesus Senbeyn leading the charge until the latter's death marked the halt of their advance. Orchid Explosion, with no other options, led a sally of his troops in an attempt to break through the Azerbani and reach the relief force. He was engaged in personal combat by the Anathema's foul minion Laerus Wolfborn, as the rest of his artillerists were cut down, only a single one being pulled to safety behind Legion shields.
Withdrawal
As it was evident that Orchid was outmatched, the order for a fighting withdrawal was signaled, and the wing withdrew up the slope to the southwest, fighting as they went, until the Azerbani gave up their pursuit. Talonlord Orchid Explosion was felled by Wolfborn with the setting of the sun, and with darkness as cover the Legion survivors pulled back as quickly as they were able as the Azerbani consolidated their positions.
Aftermath
Realm troops being forced from Varad meant there was no hope of determining the fate of the 4ths strategoi. At roughly the same time, the 3rd and 4th Dragons at Chumo-Sheh had been mauled and forced into retreat themselves, opening the path for the rest of the Anathema's forces to pour into Madura and join the advance south on Ceben.
The battle was a defeat for the forces of the Realm, as they were able to save only one soldier of those they had hoped to rescue, and had arrived too late to play a role in the Battle of Varad. Casualties had been heavy, but they had inflicted many upon the foe as well, before making their withdrawal successfully... while not a victory as seen in the Battle of the Thisian Bridge, it stands up well next to the other battles and skirmishes of the time.
