If You Go Down To The Woods Today....

The Adventures of Prince Micheal: Episode 25: 

Be prepared for a big surprise!

As the month of October drew towards a close, Prince Micheal found himself assigned to escort his Aunt Kathleen home after an extended visit.  They set out on a cool but sunny October morning, two of his companions,  four archers, a wagon, 8 infantrymen as a rearguard and a mounted rider scouting ahead. 

(Click on the pictures to see an enlarged version.)

All had been quiet until the scout was surprised by a troop of Centaurs emerging from the woods ahead of him, followed by the sound of battle from behind him. With the way ahead and behind him blocked, he chose to try to out run the arrows and warn the rear of the column. He nearly made it......

The sudden appearance of armed lizardmen in the woods startled Lady Katherine whose horse bolted. The brave Sir Jeffery was soon in hot pursuit leaving only Prince Micheal and one knight to hold off three times their number of lizards. They decided to exercise their discretion. 

Hardly had the fray begun when a party of centaurs appeared from the woods behind the column, acompanied by woman in purple riding a giant Siamese tiger! As the Centaurs' arrows began to clatter on their armour, the Purple witch rose up waved her hands and lightning flashed out. Unable to reply, the soldiers fell back into the woods.  

For a moment, the whole force, faced with such unusal and terrifying enemies, like characters from an old folk tale, wavered but the example of their bold Prince, the cover of the woods and the sudden appearance of a huge Woodmen who called encouragements to them as he appeared out of the depths of the woods. 

With the line steadied, the archers emerged from the woods to get a clear shot at the Lizards, supported by Prince Micheal, the Woodsmen and the remains of the escort. In the rear, the infantry lurked in the woods, sheltered from the Centaurs missiles while Brave Sir Jeffrey (who had been first to the rear as usual)  stood guard over the Princess. 

The archers peppered the Lizards with arrows but it wasn't enough. The Shamen leading the Lizardmen summoned evil images and thoughts and hurled them at the knights. The Prince stood firm but the rest were cowed and fell back, even the brave forester found himeself unable to withstand such magic. The Prince, determined to end this or die trying, pricked his charger and bellowed a challenge. As he hewed the first Lizardman, the rest suddenly broke, not even the old Shaman could hold them.  

With the flight of the Lizard warriors, it was over. There were not enough Centaurs remaining to tackle the whole of  escort supported by their new friends and as quick as they came, they were gone, fadingback into the woods.   Back by the farm, the Lady of the Glade  treated the wounded and calmed the Lady Katherine while Michael's men regrouped and started preparing to camp for the night.

Note: This game was played using the current version of 'Stout Hearts and Willing Swords' with a few hurriedly written fantasy rules. These will probably be adjusted and expanded.