Battle of Bi

The Battle of Bi was one of the great battles in which King Hikiqat I of the Ateter Kingdom fought and annexed the cities under the dominion of the Erhemmii of Erbi. The battle was the first battle of the conflict and was a great success for the Ateter Kingdom, with Bi falling under the control and protection of the Ateter Kingdom.

Prelude
The Ateter Kingdom was formed in 3704 ED, as a union between four cities, including the Ateter capital of Gizenatter and the city of Irbid. The kingdom's influence extended beyond these city walls and in 3704 ED, the father of King Hikiqat, laid claim to lands to the north of Irbid. To the north-east of the Ateter Kingdom, the powerful city-state of Erbi, operating as the Erhemmii Empire, which exerted control over Bi and two other cities, lay and sought to expand its influence.

In 3678 ED, Bi began farming on lands claimed by the Ateter Kingdom. Due to a fierce winter, King Hikiqat was unable to respond to the Erhemmii act of aggression and waited until the spring of 3677 ED to begin his campaign. Over the winter, he assembled and trained a host of around five thousand men, taken from all cities of the kingdom, and marched north to besiege Bi.

Battle
After a week of marching from Irbid, King Hikiqat's army arrived outside Bi, and King Hikiqat sent envoys to offer the Azang of Bi the chance to join the Ateter Kingdom peaceful and keep hold of his power. The Azang refused and had Hikiqat's envoys executed. King Hikiqat was outraged that his envoys had been killed and laid siege to the city using battering rams.

Some soldiers of Bi managed to get out of the city undetected, and attempted to sabotage the battering rams, but they were killed by the soldiers guarding them. Sonn afterwards, the gate to the city was destroyed and the two armies met. The defenders were more numerous, but were poorly-trained and armed. Conversely, Hikiqat's army had trained for several months and were armed with well-made weapons. The garrison defending Bi were quickly killed and scattered and Azang Erek was captured and brought before Hikiqat, for execution.

Aftermath
With the death of the Azang, the city of Bi was captured. Many people of the city fled during the fighting, fearing punishment from Hikiqat. Those that remained found Hikiqat merciful and he installed a local priest to be the new Azang, though he was subject to Hikiqat's rule. When Erang Erek II heard that Bi had fallen, he was furious and assembled an army to retake it, leading to the Second Battle of Bi.