15
- Battle of Aethry Crossing Conclusions & Retreat
Conclusions
The Sentinels and 4800 soldiers under Mobius versus around 9200 Darshaks may sound like a major battle, but the Battle of Aethry Crossing was a minor one when viewed against the grand scope of things to come.
The true significance of the events of the Aethry bridge were that Mobius had come upon an effective method of attack for the Sentinels and earned the Alliance its first victory.
This one small battle presaged what would happen at The Battle of Tears.
Events Elsewhere
The invasion of Khorobil had made good progress by the time of the Battle of Aethry Crossing.
The southern and central plains of Khorobil had been cleared of Darshak forces by the invasion out of Ren'tlic. These forces were joined by the southern Alliance landings and together they laid siege to and captured Haustor.
The northern Alliance landings had forced the last significant Darshak forces up the coast and trapped them on the Zulun peninsula.
The Alliance forces that had cleared Haustor were now moving towards the Capital to ensure that the south was clear of Darshaks.
Watch forces along the Aethry south of Sul had seen total quiet.
Retreat
By morning Mobius knew he had to get moving again quickly. 4F company now reported that the main body of Darshak was now only one day behind.
Mobius ordered his Sentinels to break the bridge and thus deny the Darshaks an easy crossing.(15)
Small groups of riders from both light cavalry companies were dispatched to warn and rally the Alliance forces in Khorobil and along the Aethry river in Rosyaye.
Mobius ordered his infantry and supply columns to head south as fast as they could. His cavalry units would stay to the rear and harass the Darshaks as much as possible.(16)
