Battle of Long Ridge

While the local levies occupied a prominent hill, hoping to stop the enemy's forces, the Duke gathered whatever reinforcements were in reach and forced march them to the battlefield. They took a short rest over night in a small village in sight of the ridge, then set out to reinforce the local levies at dawn.

As the reinforcements began to form up for the last march, the sound of trumpets from the hill meant that the enemy was in sight. 

The cavalry pushed their way through the infantry and rode at full speed to meet the enemy.

The armies were soon in contact and despite the advantage of defending the crest, the numbers were against them and the advanced guard was pushed back in several places.

The remaining defenders did not have the strength to try to retake the ridge but they formed up to block any further attack and waited for their reinforcements which were close behind them. The infantry battle soon settled into a shooting competition while the cavalry deployed and set out to sweep around the hill, driving off the wild horsemen of the invaders and then flank their army as the infantry reinforcements stormed the ridge.   

The Valdurian cavalry swept back the invading light troops, only to find the Great Beast, supported by light troops. There was a short calm as the armies prepared for the crisis.

The Great Beastie was an intimidating foe, but the Valdurian cavalry were brave men. Charge followed charge with the cavalry being forced to give a bit of ground after each charge but the young beast had received several wounds and its escort was also taking losses. Beside them, the Valdurian infantry was deployed and preparing for a last ditch assault on the ridge. Could their shield wall force the enemy back?

The loose formations of the woods folk and their habit of fighting as individuals could not hold back the Valdurian shieldwalls and armour. The day was not yet over though. 

Slowly the Valdurian infantry pushed the wood folk back across the hill but the cavalry on the flank were taking heavy loses and forced to give ground. Things looked bleak but one unit of the woods folk warriors suddenly broke. The Valdurians pursued and suddenly found themselves surrounding the Forest Witch.

 

The Valdurian captain did not hesitate to cut her down! The sky grew dark and and waves of fear came across the warriors of both armies. Suddenly there was a rush of wind and a blood chilling cry from the sky and a giant shadow fell upon the battlefield. The Woodsfolk turned and fled back to their woods while the Valdurians cowered behind their shields. 

To a rocky hill amid the forest, the Chief of the Eagles bore the Enchantress and laid her at the feet of the old hags who began at once to weave their spells to restore the life to the Queen of the Forest.