CHAPTER 29
1427-1430
AGAINST THE DRAGON
The first casualty of the invasion declared on 14th October 1427 was no one else but grandmaster of the Brotherhood himself.
Having heard the terrifying news from the West, grandmaster Pyrros of Ba'albek died. His death was shocking and greatly lowered the morale of monk-knights. But the Brotherhood must always have a grandmaster, especially when hordes of
xenoi directly threaten the Imperium. And so a new leader of the Order had to be chosen. It wasn't surprising when sworned brothers chose king John Stibolt – his determination and past experience with fighting
xenoi were traits most needed in this dark hour. Assuming the name of Ioannes Stibolt, king of destroyed kingdom was ready to lead monk-knights to battles and to seek revenge against the same savages who brought doom upon his people.
Weeks were passing quickly on preparations for war – holy day of Iesus Kristos birth came and passed and the Imperium was still reading itself for merciless conflict.
Themata from every province were assembled and marching to the rallying points – tens of thousands brave Romaioi in Italia, Aegyptus, Aragon, Anatolia and other provinces were leaving their houses and families behind them, for months in case of some, forever in case of many. Whole forests were cut down to supply the Imperial Navy with additional
dromoi needed to transport vast armies of the Imperium. Konstantinoupolis was like a beehive, with hundreds of eunuchs and servants carrying orders and requests through the halls of the Great Palace. Every
strategos,
domestikos and
tourmarches who wasn't already with his unit was in the City waiting for an assignment. War plans were drafted, refined and then substituted with better ones and military treaties like
Strategikon or
Tactica were more commonly read than poetry. Soldiers mixed on the streets of the City with processions and even in quiet monasteries monks were praying three times a day for victory.
[video=youtube_share;4_gVrnf--C8]http://youtu.be/4_gVrnf--C8[/video]
By the end of May everything was ready and tens of thousands of Romaioi were on imperial ships on their way to Africa. Among them was
protospatharios doux Demetrios Komnenos as
strategos of several
themata – although Augustus initially wanted to keep him in the Great Palace as one of his military advisors, Alexios I following
parakoimomenos Leontios Doukas advice decided to sent him to the battlefield. The honorable title of
megas domestikos, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army, was bestowed on
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos, who personally was commanding Aragonese
themata.
First skirmishes with
xenoi forces were successful and Imperial Army was almost unopposed in initial part of the campaign, killing several thousands of savages on the fields of Cyrene and Ajim and securing territory east to
thema of Tunis. Cities and castles in Djerba fell after a short siege and in early October the war was in favor of Romaioi. But it was only just a beginning – soon Aztec armies from West and North started to deploy on African shores.
Despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos decided to meet them before they advance to the east. Huge army commanded by grandmaster Ioannes Stibolt and doux Demetrios Komnenos counting almost 50,000 troops, including monk-knights of the Brotherhood, marched against them.
And so on 20th October 1428 battle of Bejaija began.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Mark.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: MARK!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Draw.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: DRAW!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Loose!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: LOOSE!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Keep shooting, I want half of them dead before they move closer.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Yes,
kyrios. ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: My lord, the flag!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: What?
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Blue flag –
domestikos of the right flank is dead!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: What!?
STRATEGOS STAVROS: SHIELDS!
:xenoi arrows rain upon Romaioi:
WOUNDED SOLDIER: :screams in pain:
:strategos Stavros pulls out the arrow from his wound:
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Poisoned.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS:
Xenoi scum! Nock! Mark!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: NOCK AND MARK!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Sir, shall we send the messenger? Without leader the right flank – they are charging!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Spearmen forward! Draw!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: SPEARMEN FORWARD! DRAW!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Antonios, give the signal to grandmaster. I'll lead the
kataphraktoi. Horse!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS:
Kyrios.
emetrios gets on his horse:
STRATEGOS STAVROS: My lord, the archers!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: What in the hell are you waiting for? Loose!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: LOOSE!
The battle of Bejaija was a spectacular success – more than 20,000 savages were killed by the triumphant Imperial Army. Victory was complete but
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos ordered Romaioi commanded by doux Demetrios and grandmaster Ioannes to retreat and regroup. The plan was for the Roman soldiers to prepare an ambush in the narrow passages of Atlas Mountains. Superior numbers and fortified positions would make it possible to completely wipe out the invaders. In the meantime the bulk of the Imperial Army was stationed in
thema of Sicilia, ready to reinforce forces fighting in Africa at moment's notice. Reports brought by imperial spies concerning new armies of
xenoi advancing from the east were worrying and
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos decided
not to ignore them.
And so several weeks after successful battle of Bejaija, on 11th January 1429 the battle of Guelma began.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Mounted messenger,
kyrios.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: About damn time. First he ordered me to command the rearguard and then he not only took my
kataphraktoi but also gave them to grandmaster Ioannes. I'm telling you, the battle is probably over by now and I didn't even draw my
spatha.
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: It was direct order from
despotes, my lord.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: I was sent here by Augustus himself and not even Palaiologos can take my men. When I'm back in the City I'll-
MESSENGER: Orders from illustrious
megas domestikos to honorable
protospatharios Demetrios-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Enough, boy, just tell me what does he want.
MESSENGER:
Despotes orders you to retreat immediately with all your men and to secure the-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Retreat? What the hell happened there?
MESSENGER: M-my lord, the orders-
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Doux asked you a question.
MESSENGER: There were too many. They flooded our defenses and when the charged failed, they made it through the-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Charge? What charge?
:messenger looks at Demetrios with fear in his eyes:
MESSENGER: Noble grandmaster Ioannes Stibolt has led the charge of
kataphraktoi and sword-brothers of the Order across the river. The enemy perished in the initial strike but the
xenoi spearmen and archers-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: He ordered heavy cavalry to charge in the MOUNTAINS?!
:messenger falls to his knees:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Did we won?
MESSENGER: I beg you my lord, you must retreat now.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Did we won?!
MESSENGER:
Despotes orders you to fall back immediately with all your men and-
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Look!
Xenoi horsemen!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Iesus Kristos...
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: How could we lost it!? We had numbers, we had superior positions!
MESSENGER:
Kyrios, you must retreat now! This is order from
despotes!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: God damn you, Kyriakos!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: They are chasing our soldiers! The army is fleeing!
STRATEGOS STAVROS:
Kyrios, shall we attack? We have 3,000 men, we can slow them down and give a chance to our-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: No. We retreat.
MESSENGER: My lord?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Get on your horse.
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Sir, thousands will die if we won't-
:messenger gets on his horse:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: They are already dead. You - tell
despotes that we're retreating. And may God have mercy on his soul.
Imperial Army emerged from passage of Guelma on 30th January 1429 victorious – not a single
xenos has survived the battle. Another savage army was destroyed and it seemed that victory is within reach. But not everywhere things were going as well
as under command of despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos. In Djerba the imperial
themata were surprised and destroyed in an unexpected assault – somehow
xenoi managed to land their armies much further into the east than it was thought possible. Of course, 20,000 savages marching north would be of no challenge for Romaioi concentrated near port of Souk Ahras. But they could be considered only a scouting force for the true armies deployed by Aztecs in the west. Combined they counted more than 90,000 savages according to imperial spies.
Despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos
in his wisdom decided to meet the enemy on the fields of Annaba.
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: …a mistake.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: You call it a mistake? Twelve thousands dead is a mistake?
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: You lost twenty six thousands in Bejaija.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: On your orders! I told you we should send stronger army, there is-
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Silence! You are way out of line, doux – don't you know who are you talking with? You should consider yourself lucky because I still need you – otherwise I would order you to be flogged.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: The Emperor-
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Not another word! I am
megas domestikos and I'll have your eyes sent to the City if you open your mouth again.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: …
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Good. Now,
strategoi, please look at the map. Here, here and here are our main fortifications. We can expect the reinforcements to arrive from Sicilia within-
:eunuch runs into the tent:
EUNUCH: Illustrious
despotes! Enemy forces have been spotted!
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Where?
EUNUCH: Scouts report they were crossing river Yena before sunset. Current location unknown.
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Then there is no time to be lost.
Strategoi! Romaioi, today the enemy is at our doorstep. We know our duty and we will do it! We fight for our honor, as imperial soldiers, as Romans, and we fight in the name of the Emperor! If we die this day we die in glory – we die hero's deaths! But we shall not die, no, it is the enemy who will taste death and defeat! As you know, most of our
themata forces are stationed in Sicilia, prepared to embark
dromonoi to make amphibious landing near our camp! Our perimeter has been prepared in the event that
xenoi should be so bold and so foolish! We have placed numerous war banners and messengers, allowing our forces for multiple simultaneous and devastating defensive deep strikes.
Strategikon names this maneuver “Water
Kontos”. We will descend upon the foe, we will overwhelm them, we will leave none alive! Meanwhile, our
tagmata will ensure our full domination on the battlefield, cutting them out from reinforcements. We are the Imperial Army! We are the Augustus' fury! The Angeloi protect!
STRATEGOI: The Angeloi protect!
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: You have your orders. Now leave my tent, I want to pray before the battle. Grandmaster?
GRANDMASTER IOANNES:
Kyrios?
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Gather your men - Augustus wishes that sword-brothers pray to God for blessing for
porphyrogennetos Valerios Angelos on the day of his 16 birthday.
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: It will be done.
KYRIAKOS PALAIOLOGOS: Good. Leave now.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Grandmaster Ioannes!
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Yes?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Before you leave, there's something I must ask you about.
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Go on them.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Why, on Kristos holy wounds, did you charge against
xenoi during Guelma?
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Why? Why? They are soulless monsters, they slaughtered and enslaved millions, they turned my kingdom into wasteland and you ask me why?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: This is not your personal quest for vengeance, my lord. This is Imperial Army. We survived for a thousand years not because of courage or lust for revenge but thanks to order, discipline and organization.
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: And yet the Imperium has been using my fellow Varangians to unleash their fury on enemies of the Throne for centuries. I am the king of Varangians.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: You are not a member of the Guard, Ioannes, nor you are a king. You're Emperor's soldier now.
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Careful, doux – you don't want to have enemy in me.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: As you wish. But mark my words: four thousand finest
kataphraktoi died to satisfy your pride. Not anymore, you hear me? If you lead me men to pointless slaughter like you did in Guelma...
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Are you threatening me,
domestikos?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: I'm just telling you that – drums!
:drums beating, imperial soldiers running and shouting orders:
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: They are here. We'll have to finish this conversation later.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS:
Malista. You! Prepare my horse, now!
EUNUCH:
Kyrios.
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Doux Demetrios.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Yes?
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: May Saint Markos guide your hand.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: May Isapostolos protects you too. Death to
xenoi.
:grandmaster Ioannes smiles:
GRANDMASTER IOANNES: Death to
xenoi.
The battle of Souk Ahras began on 23rd March 1429 when thousands of savages clashed with the invincible wall made of brave Roman soldiers. The same day
megas domestikos sent messenger to
thema of Sicilia to bring reinforcements – additional
themata joining the battle after being transported through the sea by
dromonoi would allow for complete annihilation of
xenoi. The imperial forces were divided into three
katepano. Left flank was commanded by
protospatharios doux Demetrios Komnenos, right flank was led by
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos and in the center both Brotherhood and regular
themata were under the command of grandmaster Ioannes Stibolt. Thousands of
xenoi died from the rain of flaming arrows. When the gigantic armies finally clashed, the western savages were completely overwhelmed. They had no chance - Romaioi were better organized and more numerous and with reinforcements on route, the destruction of
xenoi army seemed certain. Soon the Aztecs were forced to retreat and whole might of the imperial forces could focus on what was left from enemy's left flank.
The victory was near. But the power of Darkness can not be underestimated.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Rally to me! To me!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: My lord, grandmaster is retreating! The
xenoi are too many, we can't hold them!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: We can and we will! We have to buy some time for
despotes. Stavros!
:Stavros blows the horn:
STRATEGOS STAVROS: FORM THE LINE, YOU SCUM!
:hundreds of kataphraktoi preparing formation:
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: But we have maybe a thousand
kataphraktoi left!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: I said we're charging.
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: For God's sake, Demetrios, that's suicide!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Soldiers! There are over seventy thousands of
xenoi before us!
:tagmata kataphraktoi, prepared for charge, look at doux Demetrios:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: :rises his spear: Let's go kill them!
TAGMATA KATAPHRAKTOI: :shouting: KRISTOS! KRISTOS!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Ride with me!
Stauros Nika!
TAGMATA KATAPHRAKTOI: NIKAAAA!
The first battle of Souk Ahras ended in a catastrophic defeat on 12th May 1429.
Xenoi horde, reinforced by the freshly arrived armies from the West, slaughtered thousands of Romans on this day. And although the savages paid heavy price in bodies for their victory, imperial forces were forced to retreat to Medjerda. Almost 40,000 brave Romaioi soldiers died and became a feast for crows and terrifying western cannibals – and only more would have died if not for doux Megistos Komnenos, who with his
tagmata slowed down the enemy's chase. Still, the casualties were horrifying.
But the worst was only about to come.
Fresh
themata from Sicilia landed on shores of Annaba as ordered by
megas domestikos to reinforce Romaioi fighting with
xenoi. But in the chaotic aftermath of the battle no messenger was sent to warn them about the outcome of Souk Ahras. According to the plan reinforcements from Sicilia were to help forces of
despotes crush the savages – but it was the Imperial Army which fell into a trap. Surprised by enemy while disembarking, unready and disorganized Romaioi lost thousands before they managed to retreat. Second battle of Souk Ahras was over by 25th June – the Imperium lost. It was erroneous leadership of
despotes Kyriakos which led to this tragedy.
Augustus was very disappointed.
When he news reached the City, they say that Alexios I Angelos aged several years in one day, his hair turning grey. He ordered to perform a great holy mass in Hagia Sophia to pray for the fallen and for the victory. To motivate
despotes and to make sure he would not make another costly mistake again, Augustus ordered to imprison his son Kyrillos Palaiologos. But before the messenger from the Great Palace could warn
megas domestikos about the consequences of yet again defeat, the
xenoi pursuit catched up to the retreating Roman armies in mountains of Kasserine
Despite best efforts of imperial
strategoi,
xenoi attacked before
themata was prepared. Mountainous battlefield would give enormous advantage to Romaioi if used effectively – alas, there was no time for preparations. Constant attacks of Aztec raiders and exhausting march from Souk Ahras combined with disorder caused by lack of discipline of mercenaries caused the morale to be low. When battle began on 29th June 1429, little more than 30,000 brave Roman soldiers had to face over 50,000 strong
xenoi army. The ill-fated reinforcements from Sicilia were on their way but although they counted 30,000 men as well they were chased by even bigger horde of western savages.
There were no victors.
Although
xenoi managed to force Romaioi from the mountains they suffered heavy casualties, losing two or three savages for every imperial soldier killed on the battlefield. Army led by
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos and reinforcements from
thema of Sicilia finally joined their forces. The strategic situation was worse than bad and despite new forces promised by the envoys from the Great Palace it seemed that by the time
tagmata and mercenaries arrive in Africa,
xenoi would attack again. After regrouping,
megas domestikos ordered his men to march back to Medjerda – it was in the same bloodied canyons which Romaioi left on 22nd July to the Aztecs were he was hoping to survive the incoming storm. Upon hearing the news about his son being imprisoned,
despotes was determined to hold on long enough for
tagmata from Konstantinoupolis to join the battle. More than 50,000 strong Roman army was about to face
xenoi forces twice as numerous. But this time there was time to make preparations. Spikes, stakes, wooden palisades and short walls made from dirt and stones were raised to protect positions of
themata. Wounded were being healed, hungry were fed and processions with
eikon of Saint Markos Isapostolos were conducted to ensure God's blessing. The fate of the war depended on the incoming battle – it was to be either the turning point of the invasion or the last stand for exhausted Romaioi.
Finally, the hour has come.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: They charged! Sweet Iesus Kristos, they charged against him.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Grandmaster will hold them.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: He better do.
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS:
Kyrios, the messenger.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: What is it? Speak quickly!
MESSENGER: My lord, I'm bringing news from the rearguard –
xenoi attack has been repelled!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: They are determined, western scum.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Why are you telling me this? Does
droungarios Zenobios needs reinforcement?
MESSENGER: No,
kyrios. He... he just...
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Spell it out.
MESSENGER: No,
kyrios. Sir, he stopped fighting. He isn't giving the orders anymore, the rearguard-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Then who is?
MESSENGER: Nobody. He – my lord!
STRATEGOS STAVROS:
Kyrios?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS:
Xenoi can't break through. Horse!
Strategos Stavros, you're now in command of the right flank. Antonios, you're going with me.
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Yes sir!
:guardsmen rise as Demetrios goes pass them:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: You, take twenty archers and go to the passage – make haste! :mounts the horse: Don't let them take the hill, Stavros, no matter the cost!
STRATEGOS STAVROS: Yes, sir!
emetrios and Antonios ride to the narrow mountain passage guarded by several hundred troops; corpses of xenoi and Romaioi are everywhere; near the entrance to the passage droungarios Zenobios is on his knees holding bloodied body of another imperial officer in his hands:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS:
Droungarios! What is the meaning of this? :gets off a horse: Are you deaf or blind?
Xenoi are preparing another assault and-
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS:
Kyrios.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: :sigh: You! Yes, you – who is this? His friend?
THEMATA SOLDIER: 'Twas 'is brother, noble sir.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: God damn it. Let him go,
droungarios.
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: …
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: I said let him go. You're an imperial soldier and I am your superior.
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: …
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Do it, soldier!
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: :mumbling:
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: I think he's saying something,
kyrios.
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: What? :gets closer to Zenobios: What are you mumbling about? Ugh!
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: THEY ATE HIS FACE! They killed him and they ate his face! :cries:
ne of themata soldiers vomits:
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Isapostolos protect...
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: :shocked: You... you leave him now. You have your duties, officer. The Imperium needs you to command this men and to hold this passage. Do you understand?
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: :cries: They ate his face... his face...
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: I asked you a question. The Imperium-
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: To hell with Imperium! :cries:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: How dare you?! You better pray to saint Markos I forget about what you just said or else-
DROUNGARIOS ZENOBIOS: Fuck saint Markos! Fuck the Angeloi!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: :stunned: What? That's... that's heresy!
:themata soldiers observe the scene terrified:
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: :quietly: My lord, we need to do something –
xenoi may attack at any moment and morale is already very low. They are not
tagmata: these are just peasants from Anatolia and Italia, if they-
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Give me your axe.
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS:
Kyrios?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Give it to me!
:Antonios gives his battle axe to Demetrios, who swiftly swipes it at Zenobios head; Zenobios falls dead to the ground:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Soldiers! You will die today but not of traitor's death! You will die for your families and for the Imperium!
oints bloodied axe at the passage: Death itself is coming for you but you shall face it like men! You are Romaioi! You will die standing! Antonios!
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: Sir?
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Take five archers and put an arrow to everyone who tries to desert.
:scouts blow the horn:
THEMATA SOLDIER:
Xenoi!
Xenoi are coming!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Form the line, form the line!
ushes through the soldiers to the first line: Archers, ready your bows! Drums!
:drums begin beating:
STRATEGOS ANTONIOS: How many?!
THEMATA SCOUT: At least three thousand!
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: Soldiers! This is where we hold them! This is where we fight!
:masses of xenoi start pouring from the passage:
DEMETRIOS KOMNENOS: The Angeloi protect! :rises his axe: Death!
THEMATA SOLDIERS: DEAAAATH!
:Romaioi and xenoi soldiers clashes:
It was a slaughter. The hills were red from the blood of the Romans and it was as if bodies of the slained formed a new mountains. Aztec beast were feasting on the dead and dranking from their skulls. Whole
themata units were wiped out, few just a few thousands of survivors fleeing from the battefield and leaving their fellow soldiers to certain death.
On 12th October battle of Siliana was over – the Imperium was beaten.
Tagmata from Konstantinoupolis arrived too late;
kataphraktoi onboard
dromonoi of the Imperial Navy could only watch as Africa was being burned, helplessly. The remnants of the Roman forces were scattered, most of them hunted down in the following weeks in battles of Netza and Zaghouan. Some managed to escape the ruthless pursuit, among them accursed
despotes Kyriakos Palaiologos. Grandmaster Ioannes Stibolt and doux Demetrios Komnenos survived too, leading what was left of Imperial Army to the coast, from where they were evacuated.
Augustus was furious.
Disastrous failure of the campaign was the responsibility of
megas domestikos and, as it was promised to him, there were consequences. Kyriakos Palaiologos himself didn't join the imperial forces gathered in
thema of Sicilia – instead he and what was left of his men sailed straight to Aragon, seeking refuge from Augustus' anger. But for Roman citizens in Africa in mattered not. Defenseless, they were an easy prey for
xenoi and despite best efforts of the Imperial Navy to evacuate as many as it was possible, tens of thousands were wiped out or enslaved.
Thema of Tunisia was burning while hordes of savages from the Far West were razing whole cities to satisfy Dark Power to whom they serve. Whole Africa was overrun in the following weeks and there was nothing what could be done to save Romaioi from their terrible fate.
In the gathering darkness it seemed that God has abandoned his children.