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The Battle of 1094 AF

The Battle of 1094 AF

Sir Huw de Grognard
Council of War
At about 11 PM, Lord Wolf permitted me entrance to his command tent to draw a map of the battlefield. He was in negotiations with the representatives of Odyssey. The agreement that included the clause to remove the Bears as a problem.
At about midnight, The Council of War at the Dragon’s Camp was not going well because Lord Wolf had not arrived. Lord Fig stated that this battle is against one man, Lord Corvus, and that the Harts of Albion were very welcome.
About a half later, Lord and Lady Wolf finally arrived. Those present at the Council of War were.
Lord and Lady Wolf of the Wolves Faction;

Lady Karlennon, Captain Tiamat, Sir Hugo Charenten, Baron Tarn, Duke Calin and Earl Tarragon of the Harts of Albion;Lord Fig of the Dragons Faction with his tactical advisor and Baron Lachlan;Laird Angus McTwatem of the Bears Faction with his tactical advisor McLoony who just points and the Bears charge;King Gustav of the Vipers Faction.Lord Wolf was elected as the field commander. Lord Fig asked his tactician to put forward his ideas. “The Dragons deep column will puncture the centre of the opponents line. If this is properly supported it will split the opponents line and hence, he will be able to be destroyed in detail.” This plan was floored as they had not looked at the terrain and as Lord Wolf forcefully pointed out it would split our own forces in two. Each Lord Generals put forward their numbers. Duke Calin did this on Lady Karlennon’s behalf.
At about 1 AM, the wonderful news that Odyssey was going to fight with us was received. Lord Rothco of the Mercenaries was made welcome. The agreed plan was as follows.
The Bears would form up in front of the army and charge the enemy to fix Corvus in place.
The Dragons’ column was to punch through the left of the enemy line.Odyssey would keep the whole open and then roll up the enemy line.The Wolves would pressure the enemy from the front.The Hunters would act as flank guard and skirt around the coppices and quarries to ward off any flank attacks.The Vipers and the skirmishers of the Harts of Albion would threaten to turn the enemy left flank.This was later changed by Lord Wolf deploying the Harts in the wrong place. The meeting broke up at 2 AM.
Muster
On Monday, the Harts of Albion were called to arms at 10 AM. Lady Karlennon addressed the Harts of Albion with an impassioned speech and seemed to have taken on the mantle of Boudicea in her fine gilt chain crafted by the Dwarves of Durin.. She has grown greatly in stature since her husbands death in 1092 AF.
The White Wolves, Lord Wolf’s personal guard, turned up at last to escort us to the Wolves camp. At 11:30 AM, Odyssey was greeted by a rousing cheer.
At midday, the Harts were halted just south of the market square and observed the low dense dust cloud caused by the Dragons, which must have sent shivers down the back of Lord Corvus. The Dragons marched directly onto the field of conflict a song in their hearts and a spring in their step, as they are going to vanquish their scourge of many years, Corvus.
About a half hour later, the Harts were finally on the move. Sir Huw pointed out the salient features of the ridge especially the two fenced off coppices and the concealed quarries. They appreciated how steep the ridge was that they had to climb. The Dragons were mustered beyond the ditch taking shelter in the trees. The Harts stopped just in front of the ditch in line with the eastern quarry and coppice.
Deployment
At about 1:30 PM, Lord Wolf ordered the Harts to march beside the ditch towards the crown of the hill. The army was deployed by placing the standard bearer in position and then ordering the unit to form around it.
The Dragons marched across the southern bridge in good order and formed in a 12-15 man wide by 20 ranks deep column on the extreme left flank of the army. Their objective was to punch a hole in Corvus’ army.
Lord Wolf with their White Wolves bodyguard took their place next to the Dragons.Odyssey marched directly into place next to the White Wolves. These mercenaries in chain and plate with large kite shields to their front form up at least 4 ranks deep. These are to follow up into the gap punched by the Dragons.The Hunters were formed upon the Hunters Standard Bearer, Sir Huw. To the left was the Karlennon Household. The Bacchus Bastards fill the third and forth ranks of the Hunters. To the right were Ragna Rock and the Knights of Camlam Al Shaheid. In front of us are the Wolverines under the capable commander, Captain Tiamat. Lady Karlennon with Kalas Lightstaff carrying her banner and a few companions stood behind us.The Bears formed up in open order in front of the Army. Their task was to fix the enemy in place.The left flank of the army was held by the rest of the Wolves Faction and numbered over 150 warriors.On the slope of the ridge the skirmish screen of the Vipers bolstered by some troops of the Harts led by the Watchers of Darkwood.Earl Tarragon was asked by Baroness Zircon to remind the Hunters why we were here and a stirring one it proved to be. “We, the Hunters, are fighting for the ‘True King of Albion.’ Let us not forget that many of our fellow countrymen fight upon the other side. By our actions this day, let us show that the right and might is on our side.”
The battle
At the signal, the Bears charged off at the run with much whooping towards the enemy led by Lord Angus McTwatem. The Bears halted the Gryphons and the Tarantulas progress along the ridge. They had already reached the plateau part of the ridge.
The main army advanced at five paces a time before dressing ranks. At about a hundred yards from the enemy, the Knights of the Dark Sun left our lines to follow their self appointed mission to track down the Swords of Waylund.
As the Harts neared the enemy at about forty paces, the Dragons charge the Tarantulas on the left of Corvus’ line. The Harts held their own against the Lions and Gryphons while Odyssey followed the successful punch through the enemy’s line by the Dragons and trapped the enemy in place. The Harts fought with great fortitude against superior arms to yield not one inch. From the banners the Steppe Alliance was not with the Lions. They had taken the field with Corvus but removed themselves from his line when the battle started. By the presence of Lady Karlennon, they were saved from being attacked by any of our side. Corvus’ personal bodyguard was the Anree Slayers and the Knights of RocheBrune. The Scum and the Pizzens could be seem and gave the best showing of those left in the Lions faction. Baron Gondric of the Pryde was slain by Duke Calin almost during the death throws of the battle.
At about 3 PM, the battle was won and Corvus’ army vanquished. Lord Wolf and Lady Karlennon addressed the victorious army from a set of standing stones just beside the second coppice. Lord Wolf said, “The day is ours and Lord General Corvus is captured by Odyssey. He is mine [Lord Wolf] to do what I choose. It would have been better for him to have died in battle.” Lady Karlennon then addressed the throng, “An end to civil war, let no more needless blood be shed. Three cheers for Lord Wolf and our victory.” Those Harts of Albion that stood around me were silent, mourning those who were killed from our country.