the Ferndalian plan moves into action
Surprised but not at all unhappy to see the Boozonians move east toward Gruyere the Ferndalains waited until they were sure that the Boozonians had committed the bulk of their forces to the march eastwards. Certain of the location of the main Boozonian army the Ferndalains unleashed their revenge and sent their main force north in a march against the Boozonian capital. The first obstacle they encountered was a small earthen fort that blocked the pass into the mountains. Meant largely to secure the border against raiders it would be the first test of the expanded Ferndalian army.
Laird Donald Huntley squinted into the mist trying to discern the source of the noise coming up the valley. Half an hour ago the Highlanders who had set out to raid to the south had come scurrying back with tales of a vast Ferndalain force moving northward. Huntley knew the sound of an army on the march so he entertained little doubt what was afoot. His main concern was that his little mud fort may not be enough to withstand the enemy until help had arrived. He called for his nephew Trevor, a bright young lad of fifteen summers, "Boy, listen to me well, I want you to take me fastest horse and ride like the wind to Laphroaig. Tell them a vast army invades from the south and they need to raise the Crann-Tara. We will stand fast here, but if we fall, they need to be ready when the foe descends the pass!"
Trevor nodded nervously, "I shall not fail you Uncle", he swiftly mounted the horse and turned before riding away, "Fare thee well!"
Huntley raised his hand to wave, "And you as well". As he watched the boy ride into the mists he heard the cannons of the fort open fire.
the forces as deployed, four shot companies and three cannon are all that stand
in the way of the powerful Ferndalian army set to invade Boozonia
the cannon opened fire as soon as the enemy were in range, seemingly without effect,
the Ferndalain forces advanced undeterred
heedless of the roar of the cannon and the peppering fire of the Shot companies the Ferndalian Arquebusiers advanced and fired at the gunners
despite casualties they were able to eliminate one of the cannon ,
far to the west (top of the picture) some Highlanders had answered the call for help
while the gun crews were lashed by fire the Highlanders were able to distract some of the enemy horse,
not appearing in this picture are the Scots Mossers who were routed as soon as they arrived
the Boozonian gunners were repeatedly unable to hit any of the opposing forces
another round of point blank fire and the Boozonians began to feel the weight of the mass of Ferndalian troops arrayed against them, in the distance the Highlanders were punching well above their weight but could only distract a limited number of enemy units
in the end the storm of shot pouring into the tiny fort was too much, another batch of gunners was shot away and the losses among the other troops in the fort mounted, Laird Huntley boldly tried to rally his shaken men but swept away in an absolute sleet-storm of fire as one of the Ferndalian units mounted the walls, disheartened by the loss of their leader the few remaining Boozonian troops broke and fled
As the smoke cleared Marshal Maximo Pavolich began to order his Ferndalian troops to regroup and get back into marching order. He had lost a day in this battle,he did not intend to lose the night as well. He cursed and sent provosts out to stop the troops that were looting the dead, time was the enemy now, there would be plenty of opportunities to collect baubles later. As he spurred his troops onward he ordered his engineers to demolish the fort and to pay special attention to proper burial of the dead. They had fought bravely for their cause, they deserved the Honors of War.
No comments:
Post a Comment