Marshal’s Log, Entry 7:
This entry is written after I have regained conscious at the edge of the river Sulphix. After ferocious fighting, I have to inform you that we have been pushed back to the other edge of the river.
We had received messages that our close enemy, the Mortis Praetorian, would be occupied around this time with an Orruk horde that had appeared in the east. I wanted to take advantage of our occupied foes by launching a surprise attack on their western border, taking the other side of the Sulphix and have a safe passage into their lands. Unfortunately, the tides of war had changed, and we found our foe mobilising with great speed around their leader, Zradan.
The idea was to strike at the heart of our foe with our strongest men. With our flanks protected by the gunfire and Sylvaneth magic, we should have been able to cut through their numbers. I sounded the charge, and led the vanguard as I ran at our foe with my most able men.
Then came their reprisal. The Mortis Praetorian unleashed a relentless bombardment of crushing boulders and malicious relics that crushed both men and horses. What little that escaped the rain of death was cut down swiftly as the projectiles destroyed any initiative we had with our charges, like a gut strike.
I was not spared the fate of my men. I too got hit, and wounded in this battle. It would have not been that severe, had I not fallen into the Sulphix. The scalding waters singed my flesh like I was thrown in a boiling pot. I screamed and thrashed until I found someone grab me and pull me up. It were the Tree-Revenants of Ivrevein. It was the last thing I remember before I lost conscious. What happened after was told to me by Zinkev and Volgi.
While my charge had been a horrifying failure, we had way more success on the right flank. Zradan had attempted to run through the Yndrinien Watch, hoping to crush them before moving to the middle. To everyone’s surprise, the steelhelms did not only hold; they were able to push back, kept safe by their huge pavisses and some impressive spellcasting from Zinkev. They fought so ferociously, that when Zradan tright to fall back, he was brought down by a mixture of musket fire and Mikulitschku’s huge mace. Even with my current state, I can only smile when I think of how much we are testing this liege's title of 'The Immortal'.
Unfortunately, their heroic stand was not enough to turn the tide. We have fallen back to our side of the river with substantial losses. Our cannons and their Mortek crawlers are now keeping the stalemate at the river.
I have to inform the city council that my injuries are unfortunately not so easily healed as I had hoped. Our medic has explained that she was unable to heal my blisters from the dip into the Sulphix. There is the possibility that it will never fully heal. I dread the next battle, for every swing of my sword feels as painful as when I joined the steelhelms when I was a boy. May Sigmar protect me.