The Plains of Athelney were the gateway to all of Saxany. Once past the Plains, an invading army could strike out in any number of directions.
Through a network of diligent spies, much had been learned about the enemy’s intentions and preparations. It was obvious that the enemy was brazenly sending a tremendous force straight towards the Plains of Athelney. It was a titanic spear aimed at the heart of the realm.
Aethelstan had heard many rumors about the nature of the invading force, but all agreed that it was unprecedented in size.
Becoming ever more apparent was that a second force with different designs marched along with the principle invasion. This second force was almost certainly Avanoran in nature, and the leaders of Saxany were now convinced that it had a very specific purpose.
After much deliberation and study of reports, it was clear that the only logical area for a second force to try and strike through would be in the area of Wessachia. The lower areas of Wessachia offered some ideal passages for a considerable mass of warriors to get through the hilly and mountainous terrain, just beyond a stretch of open land that was part of the adjacent County of Annenheim to the west.
The passage was made ideal, of course, if it went uncontested.
As such, Aethelstan’s burh of Bergton, and the other burhs that were under the authority of the great Ealdorman Morcar, were coordinating the formation of a second battle group to go contest this likely thrust of the enemy. All indications showed that the enemy’s overwhelmingly best route lay in piercing the hills running south, just beyond the headwaters of the Grenzen River.
Anything north of that area, deeper into Annenheim, would quickly become very problematic for a substantial invading force. The swift and cold waters of the broad river flowing into the seas to the north served as both a barrier and an ancient boundary. It now marked the lands of Count Einhard’s lands of Annenheim to the west, and Ealdorman Morcar’s Wessachia to the east.
Funneled between the river to the west and the slopes of Wessachian territory to the east, an enemy force moving northward would be placed at a great disadvantage.
Even more challenging to a prospective invader, the large hills of lower Wessachia rose into mountains towards the north. A few easily defensible passes were the only routes through the northern mountains, which could be held for a long time against any force trying to push eastward.
It all left little doubt that an enemy would seek to attack in the south of the Wessachian region, pushing through the lower hills without the dilemma of having a river to its back.
Even though the Saxans were well aware of the general route that an enemy would take, this was still no mere border dispute. Nor was it anything like the common conflicts across the world of Ave through the ages, arising between rival kingdoms or landholders.
A grave and unique moment had arrived, when the very existence of Saxany was under threat from a multitude of kingdoms now in thrall to the singular will of the Unifier.
Wind Runner cantered forth alongside the dense column, and Aethelstan slowed his steed as it neared the front where the large banner of Wessachia was being carried. Aethelstan’s ears were filled with the steady tramping of hundreds upon hundreds of feet, and the continual rustles and clinks accompanying the rhythmic tread.
He glanced back along the winding throng of commoners, following along behind the leading contingents of austere-faced, mounted warriors. A great number of smaller pennons were held high among them, carried forward at the end of long spears.
The bonds between men of the same village, and with their immediate neighbors, would be of paramount importance in the face of the adversities that the villagers would soon be facing. More similar contingents would be joining the main column near the outermost villages of Wessachia, having mustered well in advance to meet the main force along its route.
The muster, though hurried, was already going very well by all the latest accounts. Very few of those expected for the muster at Bergton had failed to respond to the summons. It filled Aethelstan with a fierce pride, as he knew that the levy’s nearly total presence made a tremendous statement regarding the strength residing within the people’s hearts. There was no question that they had overcome much to be standing there that day.
Aethelstan regarded the fearful expressions and anxiety-ridden looks that filled the faces of the commoners as they filed out behind the mounted warriors. Even those who had more calm expressions were betrayed by the tight, white-knuckled grips that they held upon the bows, spears, or farm implements in their hands. Their impending sojourn claimed no end in sight, and promised to draw them very far from the town wall-walks and familiar village surroundings.
There were so many strong feelings that raced through Aethelstan’s mind and heart at the sight of the commoners, as they started out on the long journey together.
He had lived and trained with most of the skilled warriors of his household for years. They possessed the best of arms, such as the prized swords on the senior warriors, and the notorious, long-hafted war axes wielded by many of the others.
Aethelstan had already fought alongside them, such as during a few minor border conflicts with Ehrengardian nobles, and he had no doubts as to their hardiness and abilities. His axe-men, he felt, could match the skills of the vaunted King’s Guard of their mutual lord, King Alcuin.
The higher level ceorls that were part of the more widespread select levies were capably prepared as well. They were often modest landowners themselves, and some simply had not yet established the fortified enclosure and bell tower that would allow them to officially ascend to the rank of a thane.
Whether the land of a couple or several families, a designated amount of land, measured as eight hides in total, was made responsible for providing an equipped warrior to a levy. While not necessarily matching the full skills of a garrison or household warrior, these ceorls were most certainly robust, effectively equipped, and possessed quality training.
It was these more elite portions of the army that Aethelstan was well familiar with; the thanes, garrison warriors, household retinues, and ceorls.
Aethelstan knew the measure of what he could expect from them on a longer campaign. The rest of the general levy was an altogether different situation, holding so many unknown factors within its broad ranks. It gave him much to think about regarding the military aspects of the campaign and looming battles.
It was true that a small number of them had solid lances and sturdy knives, the latter including seaxs of lengths substantial enough to be like a shorter sword. A few of them even had shields and helms.
More often than not, the few better grade weapons amongst the commoners were heirlooms that had been passed down through families for generations. Quite frequently, such items were prizes culled in the aftermath of blood-drenched battles that had occurred long ago.
The matter of bows and archery was much different within the ranks of villagers, farmers, and artisans.
There were a substantial number of very good quality bows carried among the commoners. With strings of linen, and staves of ash or yew, the bows were used by individuals that had honed their skills while hunting within the hilly forests of Ealdorman Morcar’s lands.
Most with bows were competent archers, and a fair number were quite excellent in their ability. Aethelstan knew that they would hold a very important place within the Saxan ranks, and he did not even want to begin to contemplate the detriments faced by a Saxan army without an ample number of the peasant bowmen.
Even so, the host of commoners was not of the same sort of martial ilk that his household warriors were.