Battle of Raven’s Ford

The Battle of Raven's Ford was one of the major battles in the recent years of the War in the Mountains. It prevented the joining of two major mountain clans, and broke the strength of the Sons of the River.

Background
Word from the mountain clans arrived in the Eyrie; whispers of a possible union between the Redsmiths, who had long-harrassed the Vale proper, and a mighty tribe from further north, near the headwaters of the great river that ran through the Snakewood.

These rumours would soon prove true, as word spread swiftly of horrific assaults on villages and holdings near Heart's Home and Snakewood, with raids even going so far up the river as Strongsong. Eventually a mighty host of clansmen were spotted, traveling south again towards Heart's Home -- for not far away lay Raven's Ford, the greatest of the river's crossings.

Engagement
Word was sent to the nearby houses, calling for whatever men and arms they could readily provide. Osirc himself departed at once, riding hard for Hearts Home. The two parties arrived almost at the same time -- no sooner had the Andal forces secured the far side of the ford, the Clansmen emerged from the forest to meet them.

The First Men charged at once, their numbers and ferocity hoping to carry the day, and the Valemen threw up a hasty defense with their backs to the river. It was hard fighting, and they were gravely outnumbered, but superior arms and armour held the line for the time being.

Inch by inch the Valemen were pushed back, until their rear most lines stood ankle deep in water. The river rushed behind them, ready to snatch and carry away the fallen; no man was eager to flee across those glacial currents as they swept towards the sea. The Clansmen pressed harder, though no banner of the Red Hawk could be seen - only the scarlet hammer of the Redsmiths, and various other sigils and markers from the myriad of clans. The howled in victory as yet another knight fell -- but those howls soon turned to cries of sorrow.

From the woods came a ready band of knights - Coldwaters and Belmores, as well as a spotted few Lynderlys. Their numbers were small, having rushed from their holdfasts ahead of their main hosts. They burst from the tree line and swept down toward the ford, toward the rear of the Clansmen forces that assailed their fellow Andals. The crash and might of horse and lance drove a part through the Clansmen ranks, and broke them.

Aftermath
The shattering of the army proved detrimental for the Sons of the River, who fell into infighting and disunity after the deaths of many of their warriors and leaders. The Redsmiths would retreat, fading back into the hills and forests where they would not trouble the Vale again for several blissful months.