The Adventures of Prince Micheal of Valdur: Episode 16

IN THE DAYS OF KING ARTHUR 

A Little Mayhem by  the River.

The Saxon raiders leave a vigilent boat guard.

It had been a quiet summer but with the fall came the Saxons. When word came that the raider Helgin had marched inland leaving a small guard on his boat, Duke Stephen sent word for the coast watchers to march for White Harbour and led his household knights to battle.

As the Coast Watchers gather from all around, Helgin's party comes in sight along with a cart full of loot.

As the Duke and his knights, including our hero, rounded Woody Knoll a watcher pointed out the approaching raiders but an arrow cut him down. The Duke detailed Prince Michael to gather some footmen and hold off Helgin's party, while he, Sir Robin and Sir David, burned the boat to cut off their escape.

A storm of arrows ftom the boat guard held the riders back though and through the huts the Duke could see the approach of the famed raider, Redlegs. Having scattered a party of leaderless watchers, he was hurrying to the relief of the boat at the head of more swordsmen and archers. Looking over his shoulder the Duke could see that Sir Vince, a local knight, had joined the Prince but that the party was still outnumbered almost 3 to one. Pulling his horse around, the Duke raised his mace and spurred to the rescue.

Sir Vince's armour could not turn back the Saxon waraxe.

Taking post at the head of his small band, Michael steadied them as Helgin gave the warcry and led his warriors forward at a run. Sir Vince went down at the first clash but so did one Saxon. Once again the Prince squared off with his old foe, Earl Helgin, deflecting one blow then laying the Chieftain low seconds before the Duke crashed into the Saxon shieldwall. It bent, then suddenly, it broke and the Saxon raiders scattered like leaves on the Autumn wind. Seeing this, the boat guard cast off and headed down river towards the Saxon Sea, while even the fierce Redlegs  opted to head for the shelter of the woods.