Four turns in and it's a waiting game with Hilarius Panto's Batavians advancing cautiously, their flanks secured by lurking cavalry.

Their objective, to capture the renegade Bilius Bullius. #spreadthelard #infamy2

As Dubius Caracta's horsemen begin to sweep the woods, the Britons reveal themselves!

Queen Viputera herself leads the charge.

The grim Batavians carve down the brave Britons like so much chaff. Duplicarius Nefarius Purpus distinguishes himself, killing Corblimus, Viputera's champion, amongst others. The Britons give ground, the Batavians surge into them. #infamy2

Roared on by their comrades to the rear, and inspired by their now frenzied queen, the handful of warriors around Viputera perform startling feats of arms (rolling 7 kills to the Batavian 2), but the horsemen are expert (they roll five 5+ saves . . .) and Viputera is wounded.

It's too much for everyone and Nefarius wheels about with his remaining men and gallops for the rear while a still screaming Viputera is hauled away to a safe distance (both groups break).

Dubius Caracta leads the horsemen who'd supported Purpus against the group of Britons who still stand firm. They slug it out

Confident in the security of his flanks, Hilarius Panto presses forwards. With thunderclap surprise, Cumulonimbus' noble warriors surge from the stead and smash into the Batavian ranks.

A bunch of javelinmen have crept down the stream and hurl their weapons at Caracta's cavalry. They hit only trees and bushes.

Cumulonimbus' nobles are thrown back almost exhausted, but the auxilia are flagging too and the optio, Furius Rancor, has to hold the men in place.

The setback has the Britons teetering on the brink of collapse.

In the woods a horn sounds a high hopeful note . . .

To the pulsating notes of a huge horn, Extraviagrus thrusts himself into the fray. His men are roused and eager, the Batavians wilting from their efforts so far, Hilarius Pansa gravely wounded. Victory is there for the taking . . .

But the Batavians are made of tough stuff. Once more, against the odds, they throw the Britons back. Extraviagrus is very deflated and the morale of the Ordovices collapses. #infamy2

The final positions as the Britons decide to leave poor Bilius Bullius to a fate worse than death. The renegade has a story all worked out, really it wasn't him, it was an acquaintance, Montus Swabius, but, like Bilius, it doesn't wash.

#spreadthelard
#infamy2

Contrary to rumour, no postmen were harmed in the making of this battle report.

Any resemblance of characters herein to real people or imaginary friends, is strictly intentional.