Chapter Seventeen
by crusaderknight
Gruffydd stood on the small hillock which overlooked the site upon which the battle would soon be joined. With him on the hillock were Leopold, Edgar, and Gregorios. As the men prepared for the day’s bloody contest, Gruffydd reflected upon how the Crusade had progressed thus far. Shortly after joining with the Margrave, he had been approached by Edgar, who had introduced him to Gregorios. At first Gruffydd had been wary of the Greek, but Edgar convinced him to let Gregorios come along. The man had survived Manzikert, after all, and he knew a thing or two about Turkish tactics.
Once the Crusaders had crossed the Hellespont, courtesy of Emperor Alexios, the united force had marched south towards Nicaea. While the Crusaders were besieging the city, the army of Kilij Arslan had attacked. The battle had been vicious, and many good men had fallen on both sides. Gruffydd had seen the Danish King, Erik, fall from his horse. This had demoralized some of the troops, and some regiments began to falter. But Leopold’s Austrians and Gruffydd’s Wolves held strong. At one point during the battle, a Turkish spearman had impaled Gruffydd’s horse, and the Welsh leader was thrown to the ground. The Turk loomed over him, about to strike the fatal blow, when a blade suddenly appeared from out of the man’s stomach. The blade withdrew again and the Turk fell to the ground, dead. Behind him stood Gregorios, who spat on his corpse. He then reached down and helped Gruffydd up. The battle remained hard-fought, but the armies of Christendom prevailed. After the battle the Crusaders exulted and praised God. Edgar and his Saxons cheered in victory and awaited the next battle.
Edgar’s Saxons, always ready for battle.
Nicaea surrendered to the Greeks soon after. When at last the city fell, the Crusaders reassessed their situation. Leopold decided that it would be prudent for his Austrians to take the coastal route, through Smyrna and then south through Lesser Armenia. Both Gruffydd and Gregorios agreed, and so the march began. The Emperor actually sent a small contingent of 2,000 Greek soldiers to hold Smyrna after it fell. And so the force of 8,000 men marched along the coast until they reached the Aegean, and from there, southwards to Smyrna. The siege did not last long. There was not much of a garrison there, and when they saw 8,000 men coming to take the city, they quickly surrendered. They had heard of the defeat of Kilij Arslan at Nicaea, and were full of fear. The 2,000 Greeks stayed on to defend the city, and Leopold and Gruffydd discussed where next to turn.
Gregorios suggested that they move east, to Tralles. Tralles was a small settlement in the southern foothills of the Messogis range. From its vantage point, it overlooked the plain of the Lower Maeander. Tralles controlled the plain, and with it, a crucial connection between Smyrna and the rest of Anatolia. Smyrna was protected on nearly all sides by either water or mountains. But to the south was a small gap, which was the easiest position from which to attack the city. Tralles defended the route to that gap. If the Crusaders controlled Tralles, they would not have to fear the Turk retaking Smyrna’s crucial port.
The Greek’s argument had convinced them, and so they marched. However, upon arriving in the Maeander Plain, they were met with a terrible surprise. Corentin had been among the advanced scouts, and he had returned with a report of a large Turkish army camping just outside the city. Though by comparison to the main Crusader force, the Turkish army was puny, when matched against only 6,000 warriors of Christendom, the Turks had the advantage.
This was the situation which now faced them. Leopold looked to Gruffydd and asked, “How many men did Corentin say the Turk had at Tralles?”
Gruffydd answered, “10,000. And that’s not including the town garrison.”
Edgar shook his head, “We can’t take that. I don’t care if we have my Saxons, the battle-hardened Austrians, the deeply pious Welsh, AND our overly-courageous Breton friend. 6,000 men CANNOT take that many. Especially when the Turk has the terrain. We must turn back. Let them come to Smyrna and take them there.”
“No!” shouted Gregorios. “You CAN take them! You WILL take them! You MUST take them! Edgar, did you not tell me that you swore a sacred oath to GOD? You CANNOT turn back! God will make a way!”
“You are really insistent about this, Gregorios. Why?” asked Leopold.
Before the Greek could answer, Corentin arrived. He saluted and said, “My lords. There is a Greek merchant in the camp. He wants to speak to you. He says it is urgent.”
They looked at Gregorios, and his eyes said two things at once: “Told you so” and “I had nothing to do with it”.
They hurried to the camp. When they got there, the merchant greeted them warmly and said, “Kale Mera!”
The Crusaders looked at each other in confusion. Gregorios said, “It means, ‘Good day’.”
“Ah yes! Ofcourse it does!” said Leopold. Then, he tried to repeat the greeting to the merchant, “Kahl-eh… Mair-uh…”
The merchant laughed, “Close enough! But let us dispense with the pleasantries. I am here on important business. You are here to free Tralles are you not?”
“That was the plan,” said Gruffydd.
“But,” interjected Leopold, “We cannot risk the lives of our men attacking such a heavily fortified position. We will fall back to Smyrna.”
“You cannot!” shouted Gregorios.
Leopold raised his fist at Gregorios and was about to shout back something about how dare a mere Greek raise his voice TWICE to the Margrave of Austria, but he was not given the chance. The merchant said, “What if I offered you a way to take the city from within?”
Leopold let his arm sink to his side, and asked, “How could you do such a thing?”
“I make regular trips into the city,” said the merchant. “They know me there. They know the wares I bring. They rarely search my cart. And if they should, I have ways of convincing them not to. You can sneak ten men in my cart if you want. The Greeks in the city do not enjoy Turkish rule, and especially with Gregorios on your side, I am certain they will join you.”
The three leaders deliberated, and decided it was a viable plan. It was certainly better than turning back. If they could get the entire city on their side, it would save them a lot of trouble.
---
“I don’t like it,” said Rhodri with firm resolution. “I just don’t like it.
I should go, not you, Gruff!”
“No, Rhod,” Gruffydd answered. “We need an actual leader in the city. Someone who can establish Crusader authority in Tralles before the Turk knows what’s happening. That’s either Leopold, Edgar, or myself. Now, enthroned or not, Edgar is a king. His life cannot be risked on something such as this. Leopold is a powerful Margrave. He cannot be risked either. Therefore, I must go. Of the three of us I am the only expendable one.”
“But you’re not expendable, Gruff! You’re the leader of Gruffydd’s Wolves! What good are Gruffydd’s Wolves without Gruffydd? You’ve got your estate! Your men! And Gwen! Don’t forget her!” Rhodri insisted.
“Look, Rhod, its not as if I’m going on a suicide run! I have every intention of living! But should something happen, I am most expendable. Less than one hundred people will be adversely affected by my death. Thousands hinge upon Leopold’s survival. And Edgar has an entire kingdom hoping he will return with Papal favour and liberate them from the Norman scourge!”
“But Gruff-”
“No ‘buts’, Rhod. I’m going. If I should die, its up to you to carry on the Crusade. And if all goes ill, then tell Gwen I love her.”
Rhodri bowed his head, “So be it, Gruff. St. David protect you.”
Gruffydd smiled, “He will, Rhod. He will. He’s watched over me thus far, I don’t think he’ll abandon me now. God would not allow it.”
“I don’t like it,” said Rhodri…
---
It was the middle of the night, and clouds covered the moon. The ten men lay hidden under a tarp in the merchant’s cart. Gruffydd and Gregorios led eight Welshmen, ready to help them infiltrate Tralles. The Welsh leader looked over to his Greek counterpart and said, “Okay, Gregorios, there’s more to this than you’re letting on. You are right that Tralles is an important strategic location, and that’s why we did not oppose you. But your insistence puzzles me. There must be something deeper. But what? And don’t lie to me. I know you’ve been to this town before. That merchant knew your name.”
Gregorios sighed, “I was born here. I grew up here. This is
my town. That’s why I want it freed so desperately. And that’s why I can guarantee you that the men of the town will rise up and fight for us. Tralles will be ours.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” asked Gruffydd.
“I was afraid you would not have listened to me if you knew I had personal motives,” was the Greek’s answer.
“Gregorios,” said the Welshman, “You don’t need to fear that. I understand. The whole reason I am on this Crusade is for personal reasons.”
“It appears that we are more alike than at first appears,” Gregorios said with a smile.
“Indeed,” replied Gruffydd.
“Shhhh!” hissed the merchant, “We are almost to the gate!”
When they reached the gate, the guard smiled and said, “Perdikkas! It is good to see a familiar face. I hope the Franks did not give you any trouble?”
Perdikkas spat on the ground as he said, “Filthy westerners! They took half my load as supplies! Said it was ‘for the cause of Christ’! And that I would be ‘repaid in the afterlife’! Pah! I am a merchant! I care about the here and now! They robbed me! Damned Franks!”
“I understand,” said the guard. “Do you have anything to declare before entering the city?”
“Just the usual, Sai’id. Foodstuffs mostly. I must hurry. My clients will be angry enough as it is.”
“I must inspect the cart. Make sure the Franks did not hide anyone in your cart.”
“There is no time! My clients will be very angry with me! I promise you, there are no Franks in my cart. I checked myself! Here, take these coins, Sai’id. I promise you, my cart is clean.”
Sai’id took the coins and eyed them, “I guess you are clean. Okay, go in.”
“Thankyou, Sai’id,” said Perdikkas.
---
Once inside the city, the men sneaked out of the cart, and rushed off to find supporters. Over the course of the night, with Gregorios’ and Perdikkas’ help, they recruited 600 men to their cause. As dawn broke, they stormed the walls, and slaughtered the garrison. The Turkish flags were torn down, and the Turkish army outside awoke with a start. They quickly prepared to lay siege to the town and take it back, when suddenly, battle horns were heard. The Crusaders were attacking!
Gruffydd stands firm and resolute on the walls of Tralles
Leopold looked over the battle field, mounted upon his horse. Behind him stood his Austrian army, still at almost full strength, as they had taken minimal casualties back at Nicaea. And on his flanks were Edgar and his 200 Saxons, and Rhodri commanding the 700 Welshmen. He looked to the city and saw that the Turkish flags were down, and that Gruffydd, Gregorios, and the men of the city were hurling stones and other projectiles down upon the Turkish army.
The Margrave turned to his army, and said, “Men! Brothers! At Nicaea you proved your worth! Smyrna fell before you without so much as one drop of blood being shed! Now, we are called to battle once more! The Turk may outnumber us, but he will not be victorious! Here he lacks the cavalry and the archers he so desperately needs to even the odds, and so seeks to overwhelm us with numbers! But in combat, you are unmatched in all the world! Let us march now to battle! To victory!” Then, raising his sword on high, he shouted, “DEUS VULT!”
The men all raised their weapons on high and shouted, “DEUS VULT!”
Leopold then spurred his horse onwards, and the army marched after him. While some of the Turks brought make-shift ladders they had built and placed then against the walls to assault Tralles and retake it, most of their army turned to face the Crusaders. They gave out a loud war cry, daring Leopold to attack. The Margrave accepted. As soon as he and his guard were in range, he gave the signal. The battle horn sounded and charge began.
The Austrian knights lowered their lances, cried aloud once more their battle cry, “DEUS VULT!”, and spurred their horses onwards straight into the heart of the enemy. The infantry followed suit: spears, swords, and axes at the ready. Leopold and his knights struck the enemy with a loud CRACK! Turks went flying in the air, thrown by the sheer force of the armoured knights colliding with them. Others were crushed by the weight of the horses running over them. Still more were impaled upon lances and then slashed by swords. Leopold and his men fought like wild men, and pushed through the Turkish line, eager to break through to the assaulting troops at the wall.
Just as the Turkish front line was recovering from the knights’ charge, the infantry struck them. Fierce fighting erupted, and men on both sides met gruesome fates under the thrusts of spears and the blows of swords and axes. Blood stained the ground and bodies collapsed. The Turkish infantry tried to hold, but without their horse archers to pepper the Crusader Army, they were weak and vulnerable.
The Turks assaulting the walls were faring better. The men of Tralles were not hardened soldiers, and many began to flee when the Turks brought their ladders to the walls. Gruffydd and Gregorios were able to hold together a small cadre of men, but without armour, they were not going to last long. Thankfully, Leopold and the knights had broken through the main Turkish line, and were now striking the Turkish assault force.
Derrick and Corentin, both having their own horses, were among the Austrian knights. Leopold looked over to them and said, “Get those ladders down!”
Derrick glared at him and said, “There are hundreds of Turks on the walls already! We need to get up there and help Gruffydd!”
“No! Tear down those ladders before more Turks get in the city! We can always assault it after the battle, but the more Turks who get in, the more men will die in the assault!” answered the Margrave.
Derrick spat at his feet and said, “You want those ladders torn down, get your men to do it! I’m climbing up there! Then, from the top I will take out those ladders and save Gruffydd!”
Leopold shook his head and muttered under his breath, “Damn Cornishman.”
Derrick and Corentin dismounted their horses and fought through the Turkish lines. While the Austrian knights took out more of the assaulting Turks and tore down ladders, Derrick and Corentin began climbing one. As Derrick climbed, he caught a Turk by the heel. The Turk looked down, and Derrick smiled. The Cornishman said, “Greetings!” and then pulled on the Turk’s leg, throwing him from the ladder. The Turk let out a scream as he fell to his death. The next man up the ladder looked down and cried something in his native tongue. He began swinging his sword at Derrick, trying to protect himself. Derrick chuckled, and clashed swords with him. With some smooth sword work, he disarmed the Turk, climbed up, and slashed him across the gut. The Turk fell to his death. Similar engagements occurred until at last Derrick reached the top of the ladder. He leapt from the top, onto the wall, and immediately threw a Turk from the wall to his death when the man struck the streets of Tralles.
Corentin was right behind him, and quickly joined him in battle. As they fought their way through the hundreds of Turks on the wall, they caught sight of Gruffydd. Derrick called to him, and began fighting his way even deeper. As the fighting grew more fierce, Derrick and Corentin became separated. Suddenly, Derrick saw Gruffydd fall to the ground after a Turk’s scimitar landed a fierce blow on the Welshman’s shield. He let out a loud war cry and rushed the man, pushing him off the wall. The Turks continued to attack, and Derrick fought them off, single-handed, as most of the Greeks who had stayed on the wall were dead or wounded.
But as the fight wore on, Derrick became tired. He tried and tried to defend Gruffydd, who lay there unconscious, but his fatigue was getting the better of him. Suddenly, a scimitar cut across the back of his head. The Cornishman sank to his knees, blood pouring from his wounds. The Turks looked at him and smiled in victory. But, before the last of his strength failed him, he let out a loud cry, spun around, and thrust his sword into the stomach of the man who had struck him. With his last breaths, he looked the Turk in the eyes, as they both lay on the ground dying, and he said, “You didn’t think I’d let you get away with that, did you?” With that, he died.
Just then Corentin arrived. He stood over Gruffydd and Derrick, refusing to leave them to his enemies. There were still several hundred Turks on the walls, but the rest of their army had been destroyed on the field of battle. They were all that was left. Thousands of Crusaders now surrounded the city. Leopold’s herald blew the trumpet signal that called for a halt to the battle. Even the Turks recognized it, and as they looked around, they realized they were done for. They dropped their weapons, put their hands on their heads, and got down on their knees.
The Turks were then taken prisoner by the Crusaders. They were sent back to Smyrna under escort, to be held there. Gruffydd was awakened from his unconscious state, and quickly rushed over to Derrick’s body. He knelt there and bowed his head. Corentin came over, knelt beside him, and said, “Derrick gave his life to save yours, Gruff. I’ve never seen a man fight like that. It was truly amazing. He even defied Leopold’s orders. That’s why we came here. To save you. Leopold wanted us to let the Turks have the wall, but to stop them everywhere else.”
Gruffydd wept and said, “If you two had obeyed him, Derrick might still be alive.”
“But you would have died,” insisted Corentin. “Derrick knew that your life was more valuable. YOU are the one who binds us together. Were it not for you, none of this would have happened. Derrick was a good man, but he was not nearly as important to the cause as you. Our unit will hold despite his death. It would not have done so if you had died.”
Gregorios came, covered in cuts and blood, and said, “The Breton is right, Gruffydd. We lost a lot of good men today, but they were lives well spent.”
Leopold had just finished climbing the ladder, and looked over the many dead. He heard what Gregorios had said and snorted, “You speak of lives as though they were money! We lost a thousand good men today!”
The Greek stood tall and said, “Yes, a thousand of our men died. And what did it accomplish? I’ll tell you. Tralles is now in your hands. That means Smyrna is secured. The Turk cannot easily take it back. This means that supplied will more easily reach the Crusader armies in the Holy Land. And what’s more, ten thousand Turks are dead! Yes, it is very sad that a thousand of your men are dead. But in dying they took ten Turks with them for each of their own that fell, and they may very well have saved
thousands of Crusaders’ lives. So yes, I would say that they were lives well spent!”
Leopold sneered and said, “I just don’t like the way you speak of men’s lives in terms of currency is all. Is that all you Greeks think about? Money?”
“I resent that remark!” shouted Gregorios. “Who are you to judge my people!?”
“Brothers!” cried Gruffydd as loud as he could. “Can we not show some respect for the dead?”
Leopold and Gregorios hung their heads in shame. They apologized to Gruffydd, and moved on. That night there was much mourning among the Crusaders for their losses. The following day, they marched off, singing hymns to God. Only 5,000 men remained. They were ready to reunite with the main force of Crusaders.
crusaderknight is the author of the Byzantine AAR The Morea, a Palaeologid AAR. If you enjoyed his writing aboe, you might also want to give it a try as well. Or maybe his other AAR, The Heirs of King Arthur – A History of Wales, which is brimming with Welshmen.