Count Zinegesicht of Thezard's Account of the action

At dawn I saw from a nearby burning beacon that the alarm had been raised. Realising we thus had little time to spare I sent Kark to raid to the East of the stream before us. The main body, with all the cattle, booty and prisoners I took to the West. We soon had a nearby cottage in flames and captured one man and two women from it. As we advanced, I saw the Tower of Drum with its Flambeaux burning. Alas also I saw women herding cattle and sheep away from us. We came under harassing archer fire from the hill to our left and a group of Makgh tried to attack us in the rear. These were repulsed but we lost three men in the process. I decided that we had better head straight for the ford and veered left. Kark meanwhile had set on fire two cottages and was in hot pursuit of a herd of cattle, who forded the stream. He had a brush with an evil speywife who cast spells against him. She was slain by a stone from a sling. Kark then saw a large force of Makgh coming from the Tower of Drum direction and alerted such of my own force as were within reach. My force was now in some disarray as the way was narrow and we had to pass either side of a lone cottage. We had picked up a flock of sheep and they were slowing us down. The prisoners were being as awkward as possible.  Kark formed a slender battle line in the van but was hard pressed. By the time I reached him, losses had been severe on both sides. I saw Tappit Drummy himself leading the enemy and challenged him to a duel. Long and hard we fought but neither of us had the better of it. The Kark, who had been wounded called out. "Make a truce! Neither side can win ought but losses if we continue thus!" He had seen that another force of Makgh were threatening our rear. "Perhaps we can come to an understanding?" proffered Tappit Drummy. So we did a deal. I gave him back the sheep, cattle and prisoners I had taken in his Glen, plus three cows being one for each of the cottages we had burnt. He let us through to the ford with the 20 prisoners, 7 pack beasts loads of loot and remaining 10 cattle.

We crossed the ford and met Argob's force. Then we returned back safely into the Horg Forest. I had lost six men and Kark nine with several wounded as well. I had not managed to recapture the cattle stolen from me. On balance the raid was a success and I believe that the Makgh will think long and hard before they come our way again. Whether King MakDeth will now start to do his duty regarding our Chaotic cause we have yet to see.    

Click on the Thumbnails for a bigger view.

	The kine that were the root of the raid.  The cattle models are Irregular Miniatures, the stone huts are home made from card (sandpaper roofs) and the hills are 1 inch thick polystyrene.
	The view from the ford at dawn.  The stone came from a local quarry, the reeds are Christmas decorations and the corn stooks are from the Merit railway range (I think).  The stream is made from card painted silver and edged with green painted plasticene.
	The Glen is at peace.  Cattle and sheep are grazing in the gloaming, crofters are slumbering and in the centre some hunters are awakening in the chill highland air ...
	Odd and his hunters take breakfast in their dell, sheltered from the morning wind whilst old Nanna Grieva fetches water from the burn.
	In the far distance the raiders emerge from the fir wood.
	Young Erk rubs his tired eyes, He cannot wait for the dawn relief to arrive.  Suddenly a movement by the wood catches his eye.  The raiders are upon us!
	Nanna Grieva curses the Kark and his men as they drive off 9 prize cattle acquired only recently from the Count.  They have also taken 2 women captive and slain their menfolk.  The children have run off with the sheep and goats into the hills.
	Farsicht, Laird of Etlond, harries the raiders from the rear.  The bodies in the foreground show that he has been successful - 5 raiders will not go home but two clansmen lie dead or crippled.  The red markers indicate crippled and those without a marker are dead.
	Tappit Drummie and his men advance past drum tower to cut off the raiders.  In the middle ground Borag and Kala drive livestock to safety whilst Nana Grieva can be seen in the gully cursing the raiders.
	Trapped between Fasicht and Odd with Tappit Drummie not far away the raiders realise that the game is up.
	The second time the game was played the raiders were much more successful at the start.  A great column of cattle and prisoners had already been taken when the alarm was raised.  Two farms are already ablaze.  Only Odd and his hunters pose any threat.
	This time a well placed sling stone fells Nanna Grieva as the raiders rush on to face Tappit Drummie and his clansmen.
	Tappit Drummie orders the charge.  The sides are evenly matched with little advantage to either.
	A long a fierce battle begins.  Many are the slain and grievously injured.  After a long hard duel Zinegesicht and Tappit Drummie take a rest and come to an understanding.  Tappit will let the surviving raiders through for the return of all his sheep, goats cattle and prisoners plus and additional cow for each of the three cottages burnt.  Zingesicht keeps all the other cattle and prisoners taken outside Glen Drum.

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