16
- Retreat Across Rosyaye
The Darshak army arrived at the remains of the bridge the next day as expected.
A small scout party from 4A company light cavalry watched from hiding as the Darshaks crossed the Aethry.
The Darshaks cut down trees and piled them atop the wreckage of the Bridge. Once a solid dam of logs had been made, Darshak infantry started to work their way across.(17)
As soon as most of the infantry had crossed the Darshaks started placing planks to allow horses and wagons to cross.
The
entire river crossing took the Darshak 3 days.
Mobius' watchers showed themselves in the open as soon as it was clear that the Darshak were ready to move south. Once it was clear they had been noticed and the Darshak were ready to chase the scouts retreated. The scout parties rode quickly to the southwest where the rest of the 4th Legion cavalry were waiting.
Once the Darshak pursuit was beyond the help of their main army the 4th Legion attacked and drove back the pursuers.
This attack had been hoped to confuse the invaders and slow their southward movement. The Darshak appear to have continued their advance southward without slowing.
4th Legion then moved further down the road before cutting south across the open plains.
Two days after the Darshak had crossed the Aethry the 4th Legion hit the flanks of their columns from the west before turning south once more. The cavalry weren't able to inflict many losses upon the Darshak, but they were able to delay the Darshak advance by a full day.
After every few attacks the 4th would cross behind the Darshaks and then move ahead to attack from the opposite side.
These hit and run tactics were continued during the six week retreat towards the Gula River and the defenses of Hyrios.(18) (19)
By this method Mobius was able to cross the Gula river nearly two full weeks ahead of the Darshak. Over the following week most of his forces that had been in Khorobil and Rosyaye arrived in northern Ren'tlic - just ahead of the first snowfall.
The 4th Legion broke contact for the last time and raced south to join up with the rest of the Alliance force at Hyrios two days before the Darshak reached the Gula river.
