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The dawn was cold and crisp as the sun rose over the hills to the east of the long abandoned human village. Commander Tetharion had led his patrol through the valley because the remnants of the human population had claimed to be fleeing from a "horde of greenskin savages". Tetharion knew this meant one thing... orcs!

Prince Manarian had claimed the area clear at the last Council meeting but obviously he was mistaken or, as Tetharion feared, simply incompetent. The Phoenix King's chancellor had appointed him personally and so the more seasoned commanders in the colony had no choice but to accept his leadership.

A warrior Tetharion recognised as one of Anith's Shadow Warriors came running back to the patrol's positions.

"My Lord", he said evenly, "your suspicions have been proven correct. There are orcs approaching from the south side of the valley. My Lord Anith sends promise to hold the village but can make no assurance for securing the flanks"

"Thank you", Tetharion replied, "inform my Lord Anith that I expected nothing less from one so valiant, and that I will see to the flanks".

He signalled to the Warden of the Silver Helms and the Drakemaster of the Dragon Princes, "We meet them here. Take your positions. We adopt the attack I outlined the evening before last. Destroy their cavalry and take their warlord. Alert the master of the Eagle's Claw that on my signal he is to let loose hell."

A thunderous roar could be heard from beyond the hovels of the village. A young elven archer came rushing back to the commander's position. Tetharion recognised him as one of the youngest archers of the Sapphire regiment, a mere 70 years old. "Too young to be fighting with savages over some rain-sodden, gods-forsaken piece of soil that should have been given back to the humans decades ago.
"Orcs, my lord", the young archer said breathlessly, "hundreds of them. And they have bows!"

Tetharion could sense the young elves rising panic at the thought of battle. "Have no fear, even the toughest savages can be pierced by a shaft of true elven steel. Return to your regiment".

Tetharion knew the coming battle would prove to be difficult, but he also knew that he had never been defeated.

Notes on Deployment

This was bad terrain to deploy on. If I ever get my hands on the idiot who put a village right in the middle of the battlefield ;-).

As the High Elf Commander I deployed in a traditional manner. My cavalry on the flanks and my infantry in the centre. I intended to hold with my left flank and attack with my right. I deployed my General between and behind the Swordmasters and Silver Helms and my Mage between and behind my Spearmen and Archers. I would move my Spearmen out in echelon and reveal my Archers from behind the buildings while my Shadow Warriors lightly peppered the advancing Orcs and my Swordmasters and Silver Helms attacked the opposing Orcs.

Looking at the Orc deployment I have no idea what he was up to. As it transpired, I don't think Brian knew either.

Notes on the Battle

The Orcs didn't advance. The Silver Helms got slaughtered by the combined archery and spear chukkery of the Orc left flank, but survived long enough to draw out the Orc Warboss in his fiendish chariot. We then counter charged with our General, used our standard to win the combat resolution (it was a War Banner) and then run down the chariot and its crew with my General. I was overcautious with my Swordmasters (who barely advanced halfway across the table) and spent ages getting my Archers into position. Still the Orcs didn't come.

It all suddenly turned into a stramash as the Orc Stikkas came within range of my Mage. He cast a nasty spell, "Flames of the Phoenix" which killed nine of the Orcs and remained in play (!), the Archers shot another three but they still didn't panic. The Wolf Riders charged across to run down the exposed mage but the Dragon Princes charged them in turn. The Wolf Riders fled as their charge reaction (and continued to flee right off the board) and revealed the flank of the already battered Stikkas to the Dragon Princes charge!

It was all kind of pear-shaped for the Orcs after that. Final result indicated a massacre.

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