To further solidify the alliance between Rhoxolani and Colchis, (Particularly due to the peace treaty between Rhoxolani and the Bosporans, in which two provinces were ceded to Rhoxolani) Rhoxolani allowed Colchian troops to enter it's lands. With the new spoils of war, Kuji offered great ceremonies and sacrifices to the gods, appeasing the public and the heavens alike. Stability was gradually returning to Colchis after the rash and unorthodox actions of the chieftain.
The otherwise poor nation of Colchis now had an economy greater than ever before. Thanks to the tribute from the Bosporans, the wealth of the nation had grown dramatically.
A triumph was held for the victor of the war: Shapur Vardanid, the great general who would lead the nation forward martially.
A new trade route to Scodra, the Illyrian capital, provided not only new wealth to the nation but also civilisation, as the Illyrian traders brought new technologies from the west.
With the Bosporans now secured, Kuji looked to the untamed provinces to the north east. Barbarians who would threaten the growing Colchis lay in wait, and Kuji wished for a pre-emptive strike to destroy the threat before it overwhelmed them. Shapur Vardanid marched once more to battle.
Upon the 3rd of October, 477, the barbarians were assaulted.
Shapur was far outnumbered, but his talents far outstripped his challenger. Losses were heavy on both sides, but the barbarians ultimately suffered heavier losses. Colchian troops were broken, however, and with even the solid core of heavy infantry beginning to waver under the tide of unwashed barbarians, he ordered a retreat.
The first siege of Phasis was enacted by R.Palacid, and as time wore on and the Colchian army grew nearer, the siege became a conquest. A bitter defeat for Colchis and almost ridiculing to the encoraching army. Just before arrival, the walls had fallen.
Shapur engaged the barbarians once more, vowing to send them back into the fog of the north east. This time, however, Shapur had taken command of the nations finances, recruiting a regiment of highly prized warriors in Colchian lands; Cavalry.
The barbarians suffered a major defeat, and the defenders of the fallen capital were quickly overwhelmed. Colchis had returned.
Upon this victory Kuji called upon the gods to bless the nation with new life and a prosporous future.
It backfired. Famine stalked the land.
Despite this, Colchians celebrated the recent liberation of the capital and the victories of the Bosporan war. Despite Kuji's lack of talent, the people admired him for his dream and his bravery. The nation had gradually emerged from an age of division into an era of stability.
Unfortunately however, the new year of 480 did not bring good news. Scodra had fallen to Macedonian forces, cancelling trade between Colchis and Illyria
and depriving the nation of beneficial trade. Although Kuji wished to intervene, even he knew he could not. All Colchis could do was wait until the occupation had ended and trade resumed, although tensions between Macedonia and Colchis grew.
As the newest regiment of Heavy infantry emerged from Phasis, it was decided that although the good relations with Illyria should be maintained, a new trade route would be needed. Although not as profitable, Panticapeum provided new opportunities for Colchis. Unfortunately, this new trade route would not remain.
War returned to Colchis.
