King Alfonso of Castile glared at the Moorish castle. It was already October and the citadel still wasn’t ready to fall into his grasping hands. Soon his lords and knights would be wanting to leave Granada and the siege of Gibraltar. As the King peered closer, he could see a chink of light appear in the dark recess of the castle gate tower. The Moors were not content to wait either…..
Led by a knightly host, the Moors of Granada hoped to take the hill on their right whilst enveloping the invading Castilians on the other, more open flank.
Alfonso was confident that his almughavars would win the race to the top of the hill. Once there, they would have a height advantage and supporting skirmishers with bows.
Alfonso was more concerned about the Moorish jinetes . Tales of the raids from Al-mogauar, or devastators , would not console the Christian camp followers.
Jon was using the new DBA version 3 command radius to full effect. Thankfully my spearmen were ready to refuse the right flank. Skirmishers with slings and crossbows prepared to sell themselves dearly against the Moslem horsemen.
With the ever present danger of being ridden down, the Castilian light foot fought in conjunction with their own jinetes.
Not content to sit on the ridge in full view of the Moslem host, the brave Castilian almughavars descended on the famed Granadan crossbows. Every homestead in Granada may well have a crossbow above the fireplace but they could not stop the wild Castilian hillmen!
King Alfonso saw his chance. The final crushing of the Moor would be his! Like St. James himself, the King tore through the Moorish centre.
The battle had been an exciting one, with lots of nervous dice rolling. The defeat of the Moors leaves Castile with a new Southern province but the question of Valencia still a bone of contention with Aragon. The Moors of Granada however are swearing loyalty to Castile.
But King Alfonso was not to see the fruits of his gallantry. The good Lord saw fit to strike him down with the Black Death and that leaves his son Pedro, just 15 years old, to hold the kingdom together. Already nefarious armies of mercenaries ( James’ C ‘s Free Company) are moving on Castile’s Geonese ally. But that will be next week. I do hope you enjoyed our very first episode in the campaign, be sure to come back to see if Pedro the Cruel does live up to his name? But for now, our regret for the loss of Alfonso, sword of Christendom, defender of the faith and Moor slayer without peer!
Despertaferres 
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