Once More Unto The Pass

The harvests had been collected and the Midlish nobles were eager to wipe out the shame of their repulse at the New Year's raid. It had been years that they had tried to pass through the mountain passes rather than going around.

Scouts reported that the Valdurians had no longer manned a fort at the top of the pass, and the word went out to the border Nobles to muster their allotment of horse and foot and be ready to march as soon as summer turned to autumn..

"Look! We've scared an old crow, it must be an omen!" 

With laughs and boasts, the column advanced while the Valdurian Pass Watcher put his paper away and crouched down to count the force of the column as it marched up the pass with songs and shouts. When all were passed, he faded even farther into the woods and moved swiftly but quietly through the woods to report what he had seen.

A New Alliance

The recent invasions by the Midlish armies, have led to a new coalition of the weaker, less aggressive peoples.   On the eastern border of the Midlands, the Herders accepted what plunder they had been able grab, and agreed to a promise of an annual payment to guard the Midland border in the East and see that no further raids were made.

In the West, many of the Wildfolk, shattered by their losses in warriors and beasts when they got bold and attacked the Valdurians, and even more by the loss of their Queen, slipped back into the depths of their woods and mountains. The remaining wildfolk, those who live on the edges of the broad forests,  approached the Valdurian King and pleaded for him to become their king as well. 

Farther away, many of the Sea People set forth to see if they could find a new land that was more fertile and less warlike.  However, the Hill folk, which have some blood ties with the Valdurians, approached the King of Valdurian and proposed an alliance for mutual defence if the Midlish knights invade again.  

The Midlish Kingdom was no longer surrounded on 3 sides by multiple dangerous enemies, but instead was now faced by a stronger, united, enemy on two sides. In this situation, it is unlikely that peace will last on the Northern and Western boundaries of the Midlands.  

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A Festive Surprise

The Midlish plan was to surprise the Valdurians, spoil their New Year's Eve and Day and make up for all of their defeats over the last decade......  

But the heavily armoured column just might have been spotted by villagers and foresters since there was a force of Valdurian levies and Horse Guards deployed upon a ridge. 

"Deploy the column! Cavalry on the right, archers on the left!"

"Where are those bloody archers!?! Cavalry, prepare to charge!"

A Raven's Eye view of the battle.

"Reform and Charge Again!"

"Is that the time? How many casualties have we taken?"....."That many!? How about them?"....."hmm..too much wine last night perhaps......not worth a 3rd charge really...."    "Trumpeter! Sound Retire!" 
".......mumble..basttards..mumble....we'll get them next time...."

Happy New Year To All! 

.....The Hosts Will Gather Again in 2026...

Midlanders! You Shall Not Pass

 ........< Coming very soon to this blog page > .....

...............

Surprise Attack

Having heard that the Wild Folk had raided the Valdur portion of the Federation, the Midlish border barons decided to hit them while they were recovering in hopes they would revenge their previous defeats.

"Milord? The scouts have reported an enemy battle line atop the next ridge."

"Well, this should save us a march or two. Deploy the column into a battle line!"

 

Odds are on a Boxing Day battle!