44. Richard Drengot

  March 30th Pope Alexander heard the reports of towns falling over southern Italy, having to deal with the antipope of Honorius, and planning various other things, the politicking across the Christian world had stopped. Northern Italian lords were promising their armies, and the southern ones were gathering troops for the incoming conflict. Alexander had gathered another 3000 and sent them south to Richard Drengot, and he was raising more money, Honorius had already been somewhat sidelined by Henry the IV, as he even sent a letter to the pope after he heard the news of the battle of Casalnuovo.

  Dear Alexander, I thought the reports of a Pagan Republic were a joke at first, but since they have been expanding I am going to mobilise forces for Christendom. Even my rebellious nobles have calmed down upon hearing the news. It is likely that Italian lords will act first, not me, but still, many things will change.

  The pope sighed, looking at the reports with a dour look.

  A Pagan Republic. What an insanity.

  Richard Drengot had raised a large host at Capua, 3000 papal troops, infantry this time, 6000 of his own personal troops alongside the papal contingent had arrived at Ceriniola, reinforced by 3000 local troops, as well as remnants of Guiscard’s army that was likewise 3000. 15,000 troops consisting of 5000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. Richard was still cautious, raising more troops, waiting for a northern Italian continent of roughly 3000 to arrive. The siege of Andria was interrupted when Demetra’s spies reported the large army approaching.

  “15,000 troops not that far from here,” the spy explained.

  The blonde prince was marching down to meet and greet the blonde general of the Republic.

  “Richard Drengot,” Gocelin smiled, “nostalgic.”

  “A Norman you know?” Thorphinius asked.

  “He’s one of the most important Normans there is, so you could say that, up there with Guiscard,” Gocelin said.

  While Gocelin was in Andria, the local garrison changed their posture, with 500 of them filing out to go and reinforce the army of Richard Drengot.

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  March 30th, in the dead of night, a move stunning just about everyone; the town of Terlizzi underwent an infiltration by The Shadows who promptly slit the throats of the guards guarding the walls, local serfs and ex slaves assassinated the drowsy soldiers who fell to the guile of the fanatics. The special flag of the Shadows of Artemis and Hermes was raised over the keep, with Kwame gaining some 3000 solidi in loot. Having spent much of the 20,000 he had captured on equipping new fighters. Slaves were freed, and the Shadows proclaimed the rights of the Republic. The market tax and the lack of other taxes, and of course land redistribution which earned some recruits.

  March 31st in the early morning, men in carts had infiltrated the town of Corato, and when riders led by Sauromates came to rush the city walls, the town gates were held open, the guards knocked out just next to the walls.

  “Take the city for the gods!” Sauromates shouted.

  The Normans came with normal fighting styles, only to encounter flying knives that hit them in the eyes, axes that knocked their shields back, and underhanded low tackles that were promptly followed by many stabs.

  “Slavery and feudalism is an abomination! You Christians talk of sins! Look at yourselves!”

  Roughly 1300 Shadows had subdued the local garrison who soon enough put their hands in the air, as flying knives, spears and axes had them totally demoralised as there was no sense of how many men would come.

  “For Helios! For Hermes and Artemis! For the Republic!” One woman shrieked, to the consternation of the locals.

  Slaves were freed, and peasants lifted their spears. The churches were set alight in a most unprecedented act, with gold and silver carted out, Sauromates talking on a stand.

  “Look how the churches hoard wealth while you starve!” Sauromates shouted, “we are redistributing the land to the locals, no longer will the peasant toil on land that isn't even his!”

  It was about 12,000 solidi in The Shadows pockets, the holy organisation now controlling four towns and the local villages, raising more and more units, and spending much of its wealth on weaponry and training the locals. Sauromates raised a spear, as a church burned in the distance.

  “We believe in freedom of the Christians to worship,” one of the Shadows said, “just as you burned our temples, we have done the same to you!”

  Despite the sacrilege, they managed to raise 1000 more Shadows in the town of Corato, with much of the town accepting the holy orders Pagan rule without much of a fight. Buying horses, they rode out to further towns to spread the word.

  April 1st, Richard Drengot’s 15,000 had been reinforced by 3000 Northern Italian lords troops, alongside 500 troops from Andria. His men had reported that Corato had fallen to some sort of religious cult associated with the Pagan Republic, the news alarming Drengot who looked with worry. A further 2000 troops from Florence to reinforce the army, their commander joining the coalition army. With 20,500 men he marched to face Gocelin, determined to crush the Pagans and roll back their gains all the way to Bari.

  “For Christendom! For glory and christ! Chase these idolators all the way to the sea!”

  “Hoorah!” The army roared in approval.

  Guiscard looked ahead.

  We will crush that treacherous Norman, a traitor to his kin let alone his faith. Guiscard thought, gritting his teeth.

  “Gocelin must be made an example of!” Guiscard said to his contingent.

  Again the Normans cheered, and all the Christians raised their crosses before the big battle.