Fight For The Ford

It did not take long for the Federation scouts to find fords and begin crossing the river, but it was long enough for Sir John of Raven's Wood Tower, Captain of the Pass, to arrive with a detachment of the Black Guards.

Sir John had led the detachment from the Black Tower to the Eastern Frontier as soon as word came from spies about the raid, but it was by chance that they arrived at the right place at the right time. The addition of a  company of heavily armoured knights supported by both mounted and foot crossbowmen was a major boost to the garrison and local levies but they were faced by twice their numbers of Federation Horse Guards and horse archers wading across the river.

At the main ford where the road crossed the river, 4 companies of archers, supported by the Horse Lord with two companies of lancers, began a long range duel with the two companies of local levies that defended the palisade. Two more companies of horse archers spread out to the south to look for a ford which would let them outflank the fort.

By the northern ford, the Black Company initially drove back the Federate light cavalry with heavy casualties, but they couldn't stem the flow of enemy cavalry entirely. Once the Horse Guards crossed over, their fierce charge drove the Black Company cavalry with heavy losses with the young Captain Theodora proving her ability to lead and to fight.

While the Black Company was holding back the upstream raiders, Lord Neville had arrived with his levies and driven off the Federate light cavalry who had crossed downriver. The garrison behind their palisade was slowly taking losses but appeared to be winning the exchange of arrows. 

The sun was starting to slip for the horizon and it seemed like it might be possible to hold back the invaders till more of the local forces arrived.

The Horse Lord was not one to be easily dismayed though and he commanded a picked force. The assault was renewed with effect, sweeping away most of the remaining Midlish cavalry. There was nothing left for the defenders but to retreat behind their palisade and watch the raiders march past. In the woods to the north, the veteran Black Company crossbowmen did their best to form a rallying point for the surviving cavalrymen whose units had been shattered. When night fell, they retreated back through the woods.

The prolonged defence had been overcome with heavy losses, but it had slowed the raiders long enough to give the countryside time to prepare. The raiders would have to fight for their plunder!

The East Watch Beacon Is Lit!

Rumours are constant on the frontier. Few are true but none can be ignored so the garrison at Eastford has been on alert for a week. A call for reinforcements has gone out, and mounted patrols of the river have been doubled.  Then one day.....

Alarm! Enemy in sight!

The local frontier garrisons are used to small raiding parties but this looks like an army marching towards them. The men peer over the palisade and some could be seen clenching their fists, shaking them and then opening them like men throwing bones in a tavern while muttering: "Lady Luck be with us".

The Host Gathers For The Raid

 The talking is over. A plan has been agreed upon and the the raiders have mustered

The Valdurian component, led by the now recovered Prince Wyngnuht, is on the right as the eldest of the Federation. They are represented by one company of lancers and two of light cavalry. Two companies of the Federation Horse Guards are in the middle supported by a company of Dalish archers and two companies of Others from the mercenaries forces who guard the Great Pass which leads from Dale, past the Black Tower and into the heart of the Midlands. The Herdsman, with the largest force, form the left with 4 companies of archers, 4 of light cavalry and 2 of Lancers, 1 of which contains the Horse Master who has been given command of the expedition since he has the largest force.

With the Midlish army licking its wounds behind the Black Tower, and the Free Folk still harassing the Midlish Northwestern border, it was thought best to flank the Midlish defences by moving swiftly through the East Pass into the debated lands and crossing the Great River that runs down to the Middle Sea before the East Marchers of the Midlands can muster and block the crossings.

The horns were sounded, and the march began.

The Great Raid: Prologue

At last the planning and preparations are done, the polyglot forces have gathered, and the Great Raid into the Midlands has begun.

Captain Theodora, at the head of the Third Squadron of Riders, pauses at the crest of the pass to survey the vista of farms and villages that stretch across the Midland plain below.

Captain Theodora, recently appointed to command the Third Squadron of Horse Guards, has been given the honour of commanding the allied advance guard. She may find glory at the head of this polyglot force but she is as likely to leave her bones for the ravens in these rich lands. 

As long as the Bards sing songs of her deeds it will be worth it.

A Tale From The Days Of Long Ago

 The days when the warriors of Valdur were smaller and more flexible.

Dismayed by the encroachments of the Sea Raiders, King Aerophix led his host against the enemy.

Despite the enemy's armour and his shield wall, the Valdurian cavalry swept around the enemy right flank while the Valdurian  light troops harassed and slowed his centre.  

The battle was short and bloody. King Aerophix was lightly wounded but refused to let his chariot retreat lest his men lose heart. Inspired by their king, the Valdurians enveloped the Sea Raider line and cut them to pieces.  King Orion himself was severely wounded but his men did not abandon him. Drawing close around his wounded body, they carried him back to their ships to raid again when his wounds were healed.

The Enemy of My Enemy

 The peoples who make up the Northern Federation have little love for the Free Folk of the West but they are not the threat that that the  Midlands present, nor the rich source of plunder.

So it is was that when news reached the Eastern plains that the Westfolk had tweaked the noses of the Western Marcher Lords, and taken back their sacred Dalai, the Herdsmen sent out the Red Arrow indicating that men were wanted for a raid. 

They also sent messages to the Hills and Woods where the Others hold sway to invite them to join in on an expedition beyond the Mountains.

Is it just me or do those Spearman look a little nervous?