Redemption

Within the walls of Dosenberg Count Erik's attempts to make Lady Eleanor confess to the murder of his son stalled in the face of her own counter-accusations, each convinced of the others guilt but unable to prove it.

   "Who else's men met my husband  in the woods that day, if not yours in their yellow coats?" Lady Eleanor demanded to know.  Erik bristled at the implications.

"I gave no such orders, my son died with your own pistol to his back!"

"Your sons death was not my doing!" she snapped, "The blame for that is yours and yours alone."

Erik sharply turned his back on her and thought hard; why wasn't she admitting her wrong doing?  When his sons body had been brought to him and the reports given, he'd been so sure, convinced, that the pistol ball in his back was a gift that could have come only from the Lady of Veloires, and that when confronted she would admit to having blood on her hands. He had reckoned without her pig-headedness though. He turned back to confront her again, the butt of her pistol met his skull with a sickening crack, and he crumpled gently to a heap at her feet.

  Eleanor stepped over the fallen Count reaching into the folds of her cloak and was disappointed that she'd forgotten to conceal any powder and shot with her pistol.  Oh, well at least the old fool was quiet at last. Hidden by the Roman ruins she knew she hadn't been seen, now she just had to make good her escape!  the nearest Drakland soldier was guarding the entrance to the gardens and had his back to her, beyond were the bustling streets of Dosenberg, and undoubtedly more of the Counts lackeys...

 

Outside the town walls, across the western fields, the grey coated figure of Major Nette watched the gates.

With him were the hand picked men he had chosen for this mission, concealed within the ruined chapel.

Looking towards the town wall he carefully noted the position of the guards: two on the gate, a sentinel on the tower, another walking the ramparts, and a patrol just leaving...

...on a rise to the north a gun watched the road west...

...and a small group of horse grenadiers practiced their drill to the south of the road.

Peering through the gate he could make out some sort of commotion...could this be an opportunity?  Ordering his men to stay put and wait for his signal he cautiously advanced...

  There was indeed some sort of disturbance on the street's of Dosenberg but it wasn't of Eleanor's doing: as she stepped up behind the sentry and delivered a smart blow to his bonce, a snarling mad man hurtled out of an alleyway waving a scimitar and a mace, and headed into the street. More shadowy figures appeared to be following him...

She fled into the street, hoping she wouldn't be recognised, and was looking for a place to conceal herself when a hand grabbed hers and drew her to one side.
"Don't be alarmed M'lady, your father sent me" said the man quietly, "The name's Lien, James Lien. Follow me.  Do not fear, the mad man in the chainmail will draw attention away from us."

"The streets are crowded, and though I doubt the citizens would notice us there are numerous troops patrolling the area...wait a moment and we shall have an opportunity."

In the fields Major Nette kept low amongst the crops, up against the hedge.  He knew he was unlikely to be spotted from the walls thanks to his drab uniform but he would have to be wary of the patrol on the road and the horse grenadiers manoeuvring to his right...

James Lian cautioned Lady Eleanor to pause for a moment as he scouted ahead. The two gate guards were inattentive, slouched against the wall and looking bored. However, Von Mueller himself was riding through the streets, exchanging greetings with folk as he passed....

James waited until Von Mueller was also distracted by the antics of the strange madman who was accosting a drunk and James took the chance; he beckoned for her Ladyship to follow and rushed through the gates and felled a guard with a blow from the Gospels, he spun round to see the other go down like a tree under Eleanor's assault.

Pausing for a moment they took stock, had they drawn any attention?  It seemed they had as Von Mueller came through the gateway after them, and with a cry launched himself at Lady Eleanor.  As she was forced to defend herself James blindsided the Drakland officer and knocked him from the saddle, silencing him with another blow from his leadweighted bible...

Major Nette, from his concealed position by road, could clearly see his commander at the gate, and she seemed to have enlisted some help. He made ready his carbine, but held his fire; there were Drakland soldiers all around his position and it would only take one shot to alert them and the enterprise would be ruined...

As the pair at the gate hurried along the road towards his position, he revealed his presence to them and beckoned them towards him.  As he did so he heard a splatter of musketry behind him: he turned to see that the Horse Grenadiers patrolling the road and stumbled across his men, and they were shooting at each other across the gravestones...

Alert now, the Drakland troops sprang into action!  The patrol on the road broke into skirmish formation and  advanced towards the chapel, dangerously close to cutting the route to safety.

The Horse Grenadiers on the hill came galloping down towards the road, and a distant roar signalled that the gun crew to the north of the town had been paying attention.  Major Nette took aim at the nearest Horse Grenadier and took him out of the saddle, his two companions carrying on to attack Lady Eleanor and James Lien, who used their pistols to expertly finish the group off.

Having dealt with the mounted patrol by the chapel, Major Nette's chosen men moved to engage the infantry in the lane...

With the alarm now sounded the men on the walls headed for ground level, and a second group of Horse Grenadiers clattered through the busy streets, where there is definitely something strange happening...

Our brave heroes rendezvous on the road to meet this new threat together...

...whilst their loyal troops fight to hold back the Draklanders.

Within the walls chaos reigns, until its nutted in the face by a scotsman...

Eleanor and James make a break for it, as Nette covers them; with some excellent shooting he fells two of their pursuers.                                      

Alas, behind them the hand picked men are forced back by the superior numbers of their opponents, and Major Nette was forced to come to their assistance, lest their efforts be in vain!

More Drakland troops have been mobilised, hastening to the sound of gunfire.  The streets are quieter now...

...as the unusual trio depart...

...and Grenadiers find their Commander amongst the fallen pillars, regaining consciousness and feeling rather sore.

 

As the Draklanders closed in the last of the hand-picked men fought desperately to hold them back, Eleanor and James coming to his aid in the nick of time. Meanwhile Major Nette came under attack by the remaining Horse Grenadiers; drawing his sabre he felled them both!

More Drakland Regiments fill the streets, but they are too late now...

Finally overcoming the remainder of the Drakland patrol Eleanor and James run for the horses hidden behind the chapel,  from behind them they hear the crack of a carbine as Nette fells another of the pursuing guards, and the cannon roars in reply.

They mount up and pause for a moment to see if Major Nette will join them, but with troops pouring forth from the gate they hurry west, but they will be going alone: Major Nette, stung by a cannon ball at the moment of his redemption.

Notes;

This game was a bit different to normal: we used a cut down version of GW's Lord of the Rings rules (made a bit tricky by lack of practice and not having the rulebook!).  Stats for each side were agreed before hand. I controlled the Drakland forces, which were mainly moving on predetermined circuits until activated. They could be activated by a failed attack against them, or being within 1 move and Line Of Sight of a foe.  If a musician was activated he could sound the alarm and activate all other troops.  Gunfire had the same effect. 

My opponent was Rick, initially commanding just Eleanor and Nette.  The hand-picked men could only be activated by gunfire (the prearranged Signal) or by being attacked. The agent  James Lain was an unknown quantity: every time Eleanor came within 1 move of a civilian 2d6 were rolled, on a double the figure would be revealed to be the agent; a double was rolled on the second attempt! 

The Draklanders had superior numbers though mostly with fairly basic stats, though a couple of officers with a small number of might and fate points were provided. 

The Hand- picked men were like wise equipped.

Eleanor and James were granted a few points of might and fate each, and had slightly better stats.

 Major Nette however had no fate points, but was granted 3 wounds and 6 might points!  He was, rather fittingly, a true hero, slaying numerous Draklanders, and armed with carbine and sabre, and killed with every shot! Alas, that in the final moments he should suffer an Ironic Death!  The model was specially made for the game.

I have been hard at work making scenery over the last few weeks, all of which appears in this game, though the town wall is made from a toy castle that was donated to our gaming club: the club hadn't the space to store something so large and so rarely used and it was given to me to store!  

Various characters were brought together to provide a chorus, some contemporary (or nearly so!) and others a bit more unusual!  They and the other various non-coms and animals dotted around helped dress the scene. The madman was in fact a citadel Chaos Knight of 1980's vintage which I found in the loft when I moved into my new house! He was pursued around the houses and finally escorted off by Little Willie and the Doctor.  Most the chorus simply moved randomly and played no other part in the game.

Thank you for reading!

Stratagems and Intrigue.

    Tristram, Duke of Veloires, looked up from a desk groaning beneath the weight of correspondence at the uncomfortable figure of Major Nette stood before him, hunching to avoid the lamp hanging from the roof of the tent. He decided to let the grey coated officer squirm a moment longer, and turned his attention to another letter.  At length he spoke:

 "You appear to be alive, Major."

"Yes, M'lord..." 

"And my daughter is a guest of the Count." the Duke added calmly. Major Nette swallowed nervously, he could hardly deny it.

"How do you account for this state of affairs?". 

 The Major's word's came out in a rush; "My Lord, we were ambushed, and badly outnumb...", the Dukes chair hit the ground as he leapt to his feet with a roar, Major Nette retreating a pace at his fury.

"I was referring to the fact that you have failed in your duty to protect my daughter and you yet draw breath! Do you not have a pistol? How am I to wage this war when I am served by such cowards?" 

The truth stung like a cannon shot, but Major Nette rallied himself and stepped forward, drawing himself to his full height.

"My Lord, I beg the chance for myself and Her Ladyship's loyal men to redeem themselves in your eyes; Let me attempt a rescue...or die trying." 

Tristram stepped around the desk, and fixed the Major with his gaze at close range before giving a barely perceptible nod. Major Nette turned to the door of the tent and paused for a moment as the Duke spoke again,

"If you fail this time Major, I will not see you again." 

After the Major had left the Duke returned to his desk and permitted himself a small smile. Sometimes people just needed a little encouragement.

Brigadier Gaillard was shown in by the adjutant moments later,

"My Lord, our patrols are in, and I have verified their findings.  The Count has entered the town of Dosenberg with most of his forces, though a covering force seems to have encamped to the south.  The town is walled, but the defence's are ancient and though they have recently been repaired they are hardly the work of Vauban.  There is no ditch or glacis to speak of, and no outworks. Our train is on its way but I should feel confident of shattering those walls with our field guns.  And, for now at least, Her Ladyship is within the walls, and well guarded."

   The Duke nodded thoughtfully and pondered for a moment, before handing Gaillard a letter.

"I have an agent within Dosenberg.  See that he gets this.  Eleanor is resourceful and headstrong but if she decides to attempt an escape she will need an ally. Arrange for further  patrols by the Dragoons.  They are not to engage, and must stay well to the north and south of the town.  Ensure the Count sees them."  Gaillard left to give the appropriate orders leaving Tristram to consider the odds against the venture now set in motion. He had done all in his power to stack the deck in Major Nette's favour; all he could do now was to hope it was enough.  

*    *    *

Meanwhile, within the walls of Dosenberg, Count Erik of Drakland gave orders that Her Ladyship was to be brought to the old Roman Gardens, and that they were not to be disturbed. 

Amongst the ruins of a fallen civilization the Count listened as footsteps heralded the approach of Lady Eleanor and her escort. He waited as the escort retreated, and they were left alone. 

  

 At last he turned to her and when he spoke it was in measured tones.
"You killed my son." 

 He watched her for a response, to see what emotion was stirred. When it came her reply was dripping with venom;
"You murdered my Husband!" 

 And to the west, beyond the towns walls, in a ruined and overgrown church yard, a grey-coated figure watched the guards on the gate, awaiting redemption...

Ambush!

Duke Tristram's pursuit of his fleeing quarry has has been unrelenting as he attempts to overtake and destroy the Counts forces. However, men and beasts have limits of endurance and he has been unable to force his prey to turn and face him, fearing that to force his men on will leave them unable to fight the battle he desires.

Currently the Horse leads the march into Drakland's heart, with Gaillard's Dragoons scouting ahead of the column.  Both the Duke and Eleanor, his daughter, ride with their respective regiments.   Far to the rear Brigadier Gaillard himself commands the foot.

 Here though the Veloires army is entering terrain unsuited to Horse; whilst to the right lies vast expanses of farm land to their left the region is becoming more rugged and heavily wooded. The Dragoons scout cautiously to the next turn in the road...

...but above them, hidden amongst the trees on the hill a figure observes their advance...

It is Count Erik of Drakland, who has chosen this place to make his stand!

Behinds the woods and hills his troops stand ready, his plan is to lure the Dukes Horse in to a battle in this unsympathetic terrain, and close the road with his infantry to prevent their escape or reinforcment. 

Whilst the Marines, Drakheim Regiment and Ahrend's Regiment are concealed amongst the trees behind the crest ready to cut the road, the remaining Drakland squadrons are hidden behind the hills to assault the flank of the Dukes cavalry before it can deploy.

 The Trap is completed by the remnants of the Grenadiers and other assorted units, who,under Von Mueller's command have been formed into an ad hoc brigade.  The rest of the Counts army, shattered regiments and refugees have fled down the road blocked by the wagon, fear of the Dukes pursing troops has lent wings to the exhausted Drakland soldiers and bought the Count enough time to prepare this ambush.

 The Veloires Vanguard spot the apparently abandoned wagon, and spur their horses onwards to claim whatever spoils it contains, unwittingly springing the trap as the Counts troops appear and give fire emptying many a saddle!

 Round the corner the rest of the Dukes Horse continues its march unaware of the danger...

 Seeing his moment Erik orders the attack!  The Marine Battalion advances against the Lady of Veloire's own Chevaliers and the Drakland Horse move to destroy the unfortunate Dragoons pinned down by the road block.  Unfortunately two of his regiments are reluctant to advance, and a chance to destroy all of Tristram's cavalry with a massed flank attack is missed!

 The Draklanders close in on the Veloire's regiment of Dragoons from three sides, and they are unable to manoeuvre under the weight of fire directed against them...

 Brigader Gaillard hurries his battalions of Foot along the road, but for Her Lady's Chevaliers in the distance it is already too late!  The Marines give them a volley and charge into their unprepared flank; some fight and some run, and the Regiment is destroyed...

 The Duke reacts to the danger, and reforms his Life Guard and Moreau's Chevaliers off to the side of the road, hoping to find space to manoeuvre and firm ground on which to fight.

 Back down the road the Count is still trying to get his men into position; they need to establish themselves to prevent the Dukes Horse escaping or his Foot breaking through to them, but having reached the security of the roadside fence their advance grinds to a halt.  Only the Marines are on the road, and with news that will cheer the Count...

 ...Lady Eleanor has been unhorsed and her regiment run off! All alone, she defiantly gave the marines the benefit of both pistol and sabre, but vastly outnumbered and with no escape she has no option but to surrender!

 Colonel Grimm assigned a detachment to guard the Dukes daughter and sent her to the Count.

 Angrily she demands her release and threatens the Count with her fathers wrath, but Erik icily points out that  the Duke has problems of his own at the moment!

 The Veloires Dragoons manage to receive the charge of the Drakland Horse in some semblance of order, and in a flurry of desperate hand to hand fighting manage to see them off! First Schwarz's Dragoons retire...

 ...and then their supports, the Essenburg Horse flee the field!  Gaillard's Dragoons it seems are in no mood to be driven off today, despite the odds against them. Seeing their plight, Duke Tristram unleashes his Lifeguard against the Drakland Grenadiers, to take the pressure of the Dragoons.

 The Counts attempts to cut the road behind the Duke have failed, as Brigadier Gaillard leads his battalions against the Drakland Foot.

 Further up the road the Duke recalls his Horse: The Lifeguard were unable to make much headway against the understrength Grenadiers but with the Dragoons safe there is little to be gained from continuing the fight. They pull back to regroup under the Dukes command, apparently oblivious to the current wherabouts of his Daughter...

 ...who is securely under guard and being escorted from the field!

 Gaillard's brigade have all but secured the road and re-established contact with the Duke.  The Marines have retired and the Counts remaining battalions are too few to do more than hold the fence line...

 With little alternative left, and his plans in tatters, Erik admits defeat.  He issues one last order: Burn and Retire. his troops set their defences alight and fall back under cover of the flames, leaving the Duke to a hollow victory...

A few better command rolls at the beginning of the battle and Erik's rather bold plan to bloody Tristram's nose might well have worked, however his troops were obviously too exhausted from their flight to give it their all, though the Marines and Grenadiers fought well when pressed. He must be content with at least buying himself some time and  with the capture of Lady Eleanor, gaining a valuable bargaining tool!

 Though he has been still unable to bring Erik to heel in a decisive battle Tristram kept his head throughout and should not be displeased with the overall result: Erik's army is almost a spent force and careful handling of his forces along with ferocious fighting from the Dragoons meant that the Dukes army is still largely intact, however he will be furious when he discovers that his daughter is Erik's prisoner, and we can only imagine the shame of her Chevaliers at failing to protect her, and how he will deal with them.

The question that remains is simply this; how will Erik make use of this leverage, and turn the situation once more to his advantage?