An Old Midlish Rhyme
The wind from the North sings of heroes of Olde
The wind from the East makes our blood run Cold
The wind from the South smells of Spices and Gold
But the wind from the West tells of warriors Bold.

Friday, August 30, 2024

If You Go Down To The Woods Today.......

It was already afternoon when the column came into view of the border tower.  The eerie quiet put the old soldiers on their guard.

Suddenly the Queen's curse broken the silence, followed by a screaming charge of painted warriors and beasts from all sides.


Before the spearmen could react, a horde of men and beasts was upon them upon both sides. Around the edges, arrows flew in both directions, when an open target presented itself.


Fierce fighting broke out as the column of squares struggled to reform from from marching order to squares but discipline and armour helped to hold the squares together despite the ferocious attack. Soon the lack of armour and discipline had their enemy at a disadvantage. Even the great apes were reluctant to plunge in. (ie lousy dice!

Losses were heavy on both sides and the woods folk fell back then regrouped, ready to throw themselves onto the pikes again when the call came. But with dusk drawing in, the Queen saw no reason to sacrifice more of her subjects when the enemy had been scarred and was obviously just wanting to go home. She ordered the horns to call the warriors back. Even the body of crossbowmen cowering in the edge of the great wood where the road runs through it, would be allowed to go. They had not chosen to come and fight. 


Night falls. Many were dead or wounded but the army was nowhere near broken, just eager to get home alive. 

The Great Revenge Raid was over and the survivors would soon be home while the spirits of the rest would wander the woods and hills for all time.

9 comments:

  1. A great story with a terrific cast. Really it. I particularly like the second picture as the ambush hits.
    Alan Tradgardland

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lucky for the Duke that his Pikemen held together.. I haven't seen the Great Apes before; are they plastic figures?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. $store bag of plastic toy animals. I bought them for the palm trees but you can only keep the critters locked up so long.

      Delete
  3. Ross Mac,

    A great battle report! I certainly expected to see a bit of a massacre take place, but discipline prevailed in the end.

    It sort of reminded me of some of the battles between the Anglo-Egyptians and the Mahdists but set in a very different time and place.

    All the best,

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it's best to let the figures and your instinct/subconscious) form the scenario and battle plans.

      Delete
  4. Nice. Love the idea of those gorillas!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stirring stuff indeed Ross…
    I too like the Gorillas…
    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete