Round 6 019 Solachon (586 AD) Kardarigan’s Stand
Giulio (Sassanid) - 1 banner, 23 blocks lost
RiverWanderer (Byzantine) - 5 banners, 5 blocks lost
The Byzantine 11-card hand lacked sparkle but suggested a plan focussed on the Sassanid left flank. Lack of any scout, leadership, cavalry charge, first strike or ambush cards did not bode well for what the Sassanids might have in store but at least "Counter Attack" might prove useful.
Opening with their best card, Forward, Byzantine Cavalry closed to attack the Sassanid left flank, claiming a banner as a Light Bow Cavalry unit fell in the first assault. Sassanids swiftly reorganised to strengthen their hold on the hill.
Skirmishing on both sides achieved little, not even the Byzantine's use of "Darken The Skies". Then, an early Sassanid claim to a "Scout" banner forced the Byzantine pace and they risked another close combat by their medium cavalry. Luckily for them, the Sassanids had only a weak response that proved suicidal for one Auxilia unit, allowing a follow up attack to eliminate a second one.
Now came the crux of the battle, opening with a Sassanid Mounted Charge. Byzantines held their breath, ready with "Counter Attack", everything hanging on the next few dice rolls. Lady Luck was ungenerous to say the least; Byzantines suffered only a retreat and an evade, gaining a hit in battle back. Now, it was the Byzantine's turn to charge, with almost certain odds to finish the battle. However, Lady Luck was still waking up. The charge of the Super Heavies failed completely for lack of a leader and they scurried away, far to the rear, in disgrace. It was left for the light cavalry to salvage the attack by finishing off a Sassanid Medium Cavalry unit.
The Byzantines were now ahead by 3 banners but there was yet a chance for the Sassanids, if fortune would allow it. It was not to be - once more, a single unit - medium cavalry - was ordered forward to be betrayed by the dice. Able to counter the, now weakened, unit with a double attack, the Byzantines claimed victory.
Thanks to Giulio for the game and sympathy too, as Lady Luck seemed to be very unkind to him on this occasion.
