October 1069
Ludovico stood thinking about how he got into this situation, over a thousand troops at his command, a stormy sky overhead. Eight months ago Veglia had fallen to the Croatians but Ludovico and his court, as well as his 2800 strong army(Roughly 800 of which were levies while the rest were members of the Pecheneg company which was composed mostly of light infantry with about 253 light cavalry and most importantly to Ludovico, 285 horse archers) were able to escape to Venice.
Four months after that his army joined that of Serene Doge Domenico the third, which then retook Veglia from the Croatians. In the months prior to this impending battle The Venetian army had managed to lay siege to the other settlements within the county of Veglia, and had even captured the Croatian capital Senj, taking King Kresimir the fourth’s wife Miroslava and, crucially also took his heiress, the five year old princess Neda and his infant daughter princess Jadranka as hostages.
While Ludovico felt great sympathy for Kresimir, given that he would kill for his own son Alfontso(Whom he and Ricciarda called their angel, a claim which they believed was especially true during his first few months of infancy.), he also realized that the quicker this war was over the better off everyone involved would be. (Especially as his coffers, even after borrowing, 300 florins from Veglia’s small yet resourceful Jewish population, were strained by maintaining both levies and the mercenaries he so desperately needed). In spite of this he had, a few months ago even hosted a lavish feast
for a group of hedge knights and provided medical care for one that was injured in a minor tournament.
Ludovico, commanding the centre of his army started a speech,”Men of Venice, today we fight for our lands, our honor but most of all we fight for our freedom. Freedom from the tyranny of kings and the freedom to pick our leaders based on their abilities and experience. Throughout history our Serene Doge’s and patricians have earned their positions through shrewd management, unlike kings, who merely inherit leadership through being fortunate enough to be the oldest surviving male. Now let’s send these goatherds back to the cesspit that they inhabit!”
Many but not all of the soldiers cheered, something he had not foreseen as he considered himself to be better skilled in the art of administration than that of crafting speeches. Shortly afterwards the two armies started to clash, archers exchanging arrows, and the battlefield soon became a noisy place of chaos. The battle, eventually reached Ludovico himself for while the Venetians had an advantage in numbers, the more numerous Croatian heavy infantry clashed with the Venetian line.
While many of his soldiers were distracted he soon would have to defend himself. He rushed in front a young soldier pushing him out of the way in an effort to save his life. His opponent a grim faced middle aged man charged at him, easily deflecting the swing of Ludovico’s sword with his shield, sending him stumbling back. In retaliation he brought his mace down on his ankle. Ludovico let out a grunt of pain, tears filling his eyes, and responded with a shield bash to the man’s chest and while he was dazed Ludovico cleaved his sword through the side of his neck.
The rest of the battle continued with little in the way of threats to Ludovico’s life, it soon turned out that hiring the Pechenegs was a wise decision for while the left flank of the army commanded by Mayor Domenico of Lido was after a stubborn defense, forced to retreat, the troops of the Croatian center and right were shot to pieces by pecheneg horse archers.
Also a desperate charge of the Croatian right flank, spearheaded by King Kresimir and his light cavalry floundered as they engaged charging pikemen lead by the captain of the Pecheneg band Tyrach “The cruel” who earned his sobriquet through his treatment of deserters on prior occasions.
The Croatian right and center though supported by what was left of their left flank soon fled the field. The Croatian left, was meanwhile left to their own devices and after fighting Ludovico’s men for a short while lost heart and retreated.
Hours later….
The young man Ludovico had saved earlier chirped as he walked beside him, the sun setting over the Venetian camp“I’d like to thank you wholeheartedly for saving my life sir.”
“I owe you this young soldier. As a patrician I should at least have the decency to fight alongside the fighting men of Venice.”
“It is I who owe you milord, if not for you I could have been one of the 868 men that were killed or seriously hurt in this battle.”
Ludovico looked crestfallen as he heard that figure”How many did the enemy lose?”
“1632 men milord, nearly twice the amount we lost.”
“I’d like to thank you for your service young man, we have just discovered how devastating war can be. What is your name?”
“Matteo, sir.”
As Ludovico limped on and Matteo continued to walk with his youthful energy they encountered a young woman perhaps 17 years old, with similar ginger looks standing outside Ludovico’s command tent. She smiled and ran towards Matteo who she nearly tackled in an embrace,”Matteo brother, I am so happy that you are alive”
He grinned,”Me too Matilda. But we owe our gratitude to Patrician Ludovico of House Strazzi, he took a blow to the ankle to save my life.”
Matilda left her brother’s embrace and approached Ludovico smiling,” You saved my twin brother milord, we are all we have left. How could I ever thank you, your bed must grow cold while on campaign, would you like me to warm it?”
While the proposal seemed aroused him, given that she was such a pretty young thing, and he had not laid with his wife for over a month. Ludovico felt like such a thing would ruin his perfectly happy marriage and in that moment he vowed to himself that he would never betray Ricciarda,”I’m sorry young lady but I intend to be faithful to my wife, the look of happiness on both of your faces is all the repayment that I need.”
One day later….
Ludovico and Ricciarda passionately embraced as they met in the dining hall,”I missed you so much my love, I am so glad that you are alive.”
He ran his hair through her blonde curls,” I suppose we are lucky, poor Bianca has been widowed twice now, and has just remarried once more.”
“Irregardless of that, she seems to be settling in nicely, you know even though she was my stepmother we might as well be sisters. The Catalan Guillem de Cerdanya is the second of your commanders that she has married.
Anyways, it seems as if Alfontso will soon have a brother or sister.”
A smile nearly split Ludovico’s face in half,”That must be a result of the activity we took part in the night before I left.”
She nodded,”It will be nice to have another child like Alfontso, I wonder who he will resemble most when he grows up. As of right now he has my hair color but it may darken as he gets older.”
“Indeed, no matter what our children will inherit your charm and grace.”
“Our little court is expanding my dear. As you know Benedetto’s wife Elena gave birth to a girl named Beatrice and I have it on good authority that Marshal Boris’s wife Adelaida is with child.”
“It’s not surprising, the too could barely keep their hands off each other during their wedding.
Is the eunuch Manding-Bory doing well?”
“Yes actually, in spite of his origins and skin most of the court seems to be accepting of him.”
“Good, he may make a fine counselor should none of our current one’s have children competent enough to succeed them.”
Ricciarda caressed Ludovico’s beard“I know there is a war to be fought my love but please don’t leave if you can help it.”
“I won’t. Guillem will earn his keep by commanding the men left over after we dismissed the mercenaries, we now only have to fight the Serbians that are laying siege to Venice, hopefully the Serene Doge will make an advantageous peace with his cousin King Kresimir.”
“I hope that happens too.”
The two spent the rest of the day with their somewhat pudgy son, who, much to the joy of his parents and the court, managed to take his first steps.
PS:Sorry that I wasn’t able to update last week and that this week’s post is a little late. I’ve been pretty busy with essays and projects during the past two weeks.