Down the Moonbeam Road – Chapter Two

“The meeting of the war council reached its end giving the emperor the moment to recapitulate a number of key points. Plans for the upcoming campaign had taken shape and the objectives were clearly detailed for the admirals and generals present. The campaign against the Southland tribes was set for early next year and to ensure efficient coordination of land and sea forces, training exercises were scheduled for next month on the island of Hador. The emperor would be present for the final day which meant we too would be present.”  

Arms akimbo, the professor listened patiently to his student’s report, each presenting their findings, albeit sprinkled with much speculation and theories. Map coordinates did correspond to known geographical locations on earth, yet sketches and maps showed a different land mass, leaving Gerard to suggest this may be the result of tectonic plates shifting in other directions or the result of volcanic activity and melting snows of an ice age?

Thanking them on the amount of work done, the professor now asked them to focus their efforts on one particular question. The disparity of development between the northern and southern lands was apparent from their research, but the two realms paled in comparison to the rapid evolution of the Elven realm. This begs the question, ‘how were they able to maintain their secrecy while advancing their civilization, spread over a dozen islands? Explain their technological superiority over the northern and southern realms? Was there any mention in the journal of travel between places and times?” adding “If so, how was this accomplished, surely, this was not achieved through magic?”

“During the maneuverers of final day, Arundel made rough sketches of the flying marvels and added a rough map of the Southland territory between the written passages. A shadow fell on his writing and glancing over his shoulder he noted a slender figure behind him and ceased writing.

The onlooker, with a hint of a smile said, “There is more yet to come.”

Just then the sound of horns and drums followed by the roar from tens of thousands drew Arundel’s attention away, as this signalled the appearance of the emperor. Glancing back over his shoulder, the veiled figure was nowhere to be seen.

Martin advanced the screen to another passage dated the 125^th day, year 1649; “Forces exploring the Southern Waste lands met roving warbands and after a brief encounter, defeated the enemy. Survivors fled into the dense jungle making pursuit hazardous.” Reading this, Gerard began to imagine the conflict between the elves and their old arch-enemy, the green-skins.

For Sale: Horse and Musket series.

Updated: 15-09-2021

For Sale: 15mm Pathans

The Pathan are Blue Moon miniatures and are mounted on 1.5mm triplex bass wood (40mm x 30mm for mounted, 40mm x 20mm for foot, 30mm round for command). Bases are covered with a white glue sand mix, painted and flocked with electrostatic grass. Banners are hand painted generic models. 

Collection includes: 

3 Chieftains, round bases, 48  Pathan tribesmen, melee weapons, 12  Pathan musket armed, 18 Pathan skirmishers, musket armed, 21 Pathan cavalry, 6 Pathan mounted scouts.

Price $120, exclusive postage and packing. 

Worldwide shipping, send queries to timurilank (at) aol (dot) com for delivery options and prices. 

PayPal preferred. 

Cheers,

For Sale: 15mm Ottoman Turks - SOLD

The Ottoman Turks fit well in the major campaigns of the 18th century. Sipahis cavalry, Janissaries and plenty of Azab infantry. The figures are all Old Glory and mounted on 1.5mm thick bases, covered with a sand mix, painted and flocked.                                                                         

There are 7 Generals + aides, 30 Cavalry, 4 Light horse, 3 artillery pieces + crew,  48 Janissaries, 16 Line infantry, 63 Azabs, 6 Skirmishers giving a total:

41 mounted, 164 infantry, 3 guns + crew = 205 figures, asking price; $180.00 - SOLD

Please send queries to timurilank (at) aol (dot) com for delivery options and cost. 

For Sale: British EIC, ca. 1840 - SOLD

These represent the East India Company of the early 1840s. Figures are Blue Moon with many selected from the Mexican War list and painted as British foot, artillery and cavalry; sepoys are modified Austrian Grenzer figures which worked very well.

All figures are mounted on 1.5mm triplex bass wood, covered with a white glue sand mix, painted and flocked with electrostatic grass. Flags are hand painted and reflect the most common colours carried at the time.

5 Generals, 32 British line, 6 British skirmishers, 4 British Riflemen, 48 Sepoys, 8 Sirmoor Rifles, 6 British Cavalry, 6 Sepoy Cavalry, 3 General’s guard, 16 artillery crew, 4 gun models, 4 horse artillery crew, 2 models, horse teams; 123 foot, 15 cavalry

Price of $120 is exclusive postage and packing. Worldwide shipping, but send queries to timurilank (at) aol (dot) com for delivery options and prices. 

Down the Moonbeam Road – Civil Unrest

Listen to this”, interjected Martin “Dated, Summer 1651”

“General Yuan Kui, leading the Army of the Front, defeated the rebel armies and pursued them to the wasteland region. Following their moment of glory, the Imperial troops succumbed to a plague in the marshland region decimating their ranks and curtailing further pursuit of enemy survivors. Isolating the infection is a high priority, advise no further expeditions be sent until the threat of plague has passed, signed General Yuan Kui, Army of the North.”

From the court official’s journal

 

A flock of birds fled their shelter in a nearby wood, signalling the approach of the Imperial vanguard. Labouring through trackless ground that masked treacherous boggy ground, this was an ideal spot for an ambush thought General Wang Yun. As leader of the rebel troops, his sole worry at the moment, could his troops hold their concealment long enough before the signal for a general assault be given. Timing was crucial.

The crack of musket fire broke the general’s thought as to his right, Imperial light horse opened fired on Yellow Turban mounted scouts taking flight. “Good, they are taking the bait” thought Yun, as Imperial cavalry moved in pursuit. This had the expected result, the Imperial infantry too, joined the chase.

General Yuan Kui had been confident his Imperial troops were sufficient to destroy the rebels, but a sinking feeling gripped the general’s stomach as musket fire erupted at the rear of the column. A heartbeat later, rockets burst overhead to be joined by the screams of a thousand voices, waving banners as they attacked the centre of his column. Within minutes, the impressive and confident bearing of the Imperial column was now a shambles.

Later that evening and twenty li from the battlefield, the shattered remains of the Army of the North straggled back toward a makeshift camp and after a brief rest, they would continue their march back. Riding at their head and shamed by the defeat, General Yuan Kui began to compose his report to be presented to the Inspector of the Northern Commanderies.

  

Following Martin’s reading of the passage, Hermann added, “Translating the Elven names and coordinates did reveal many interesting bits of information, but prominent among them were the similarity in names to locations found in the historic past of the Peoples Republic of China. Most bizarre however, the region labelled “Khan Dao”, Herman continued, “have similar coordinates to a land mass stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.”

“Canada?”