The Hugon War

They say all is fair in love and war, and the Hugon war had plenty of both. The story of Queen Livia and her barbarian enemy turned lover is full of blood, lust, and death. A story worthy of the bard's tales and the legacy of the Queens of Balonnor.  

Conquest

Livia Aiza was already a legend when she began her conquest on the lawless borderlands that separated Balonnor from the sea. She had defeated every enemy that had stood against her and united the squabbling houses of her kingdom and believed no one could defy her might. But the highlands of the Hugon tribes were wild as were the people who called them home.   The first skirmishes and battles pushing into the wild lands were overwhelming victories for the Queen of Balonnor. The tribal villages were woefully unprepared to defend against the heavy cavalry and infantry that swept through the highlands like a tidal wave.  

Rout

Rather than allow his lands to fall into the hands of Balonnor, the king of the Hugon, Vaddon, mounted a daring plan. The Hugon used their knowledge of the land to confuse their enemy and convince them that the tribal numbers were far more significant than they were. Terrified of being surrounded, the queen's generals committed more of her forces to break through the Hugon lines. But those lines were decoys.   While the knights of Balonnor were bogged down in the fens and hills, chasing ghosts, Vaddon led his chariots behind the queen's forces. Faced with a likely defeat, Livia ordered the Balonnorians to retreat. Vaddon pressed his advantage and chased the queen's army all to way to the capital of Balonnor.  

Siege

The Hugon forces surrounded the city, burning crops and destroying trade caravans. Though they had little in the way of siege weapons, they had fast chariots and wild, vicious tactics. The siege did not last long, however. Despite the hasty retreat, Livia was able to rally her armies and break the siege.   Vaddon Hugon was captured, chained to his chariot with golden manacles, and dragged through the streets. When he was brought before Queen Livia everyone assumed he would be executed. But the queen was inspired by the strength, bravery, and cunning the Hugon king had displayed. Instead of death, she offered a compromise. The Hugon could keep their lands as long as they bent the knee and swore to guard travelers from the sea to Balonnor. Vaddon must have been impressed with the queen as well, for he agreed to these terms.  

Outcomes

The Hugon became a county of Balonnor from then on, and a steadfast one at that, though the other nobles of the court despised the barbaric tribesmen. But the queen was more than pleased with the outcome of the war. She gained a loyal county and, it was rumored, a lover. Though neither Livia nor Vaddon ever admitted as much, it was impossible not to notice the flaming red hair common among the Hugon on the heads of Queen Livia's children.