The Giant Killers of Hambrook - Part 2

 The Unexpected Victory

The Giant Killer of Hambrook

Dimluk Grimtooth watched as the halflings drew closer around the hill, he was ready for the final blow. He had been fortunate to find a hill giant willing to join his raids on the ripe halfling lands. There had been plenty of easy pickings, but this was the first time his warriors had faced a real battle. By skirting far to the east of the Darkling woods he had avoided the dread queen Morgana. His cousins who served the dread queen had warned him she was not to be treated like rotten meat.

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The queen studied the halfling messenger. He looked wearied from the road and agitated by the delay.

The queen turned to the chamberlain ‘Fetch Maeve I have need of her spear and her wings.’

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‘We cannot stand against this giant much longer’   stated the Mayor.

‘But at least I can look him in the eye on this hill ‘ said the bloodied sergeant at arms Tolman Grout and he swung his sword to show he was still ready to fight.

‘How many arrows do we have?’ asked Brock.

‘Enough for one more volley’ said Tolman.

‘Good, we will give the giant a volley when he gets close and hope that will be enough.’  

There was a snort from banner bearer Sam. ‘We will not go down without a fight’  he said with as much gruffness as he could muster.  

The giant had stopped to examine a dead pony and poke it with his bloody tree branch. Dimluk ordered a couple of his lackeys to get the giant moving and finish the halflings. He wanted this battle finished so he could get to the plunder and the slaves before anyone realised, he was here.

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The faerie captain Maeve skimmed across the treetops and looked back at the elven war runners following her towards the goblins. She could clearly see the giant  and the few remaining halflings on the hill. They would be too late to save the halflings, but they could at least avenge them.

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With a bit of prodding from his helpers, the giant turned to face the last remaining halflings and the goblins made way as he approached the hill. The goblins started chanting ‘Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!’.

‘Get ready lads, fire when I give the command’ ordered Brock.

The giant trudged up  the hill with the goblins still chanting. ‘Fire’ yelled Brock and the volley of arrows hit the giant. The giant tried to swat the annoying arrows and took a forced step back. As he stepped back, he tripped and fell. Tolman sensing his moment leaped forward and landed on the giant’s chest. Not wasting a moment, he drove his sword through the giant throat.

The goblins fell silent and Dimluk stepped forward and roared ‘Who’s spoiling my fun?’  

In reply Brock picked up a bow and shot straight at Dimluk. It hit him in the eye, and he fell back reeling.  Before the goblins could react came the unmistakeable war shouts of the elves to rear of their line. The goblin line wavered and rippled before it suddenly broke and every goblin was running for his life.

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Mayor Brock sat smoking his pipe as Maeve landed nearby.

‘The goblins are on the run, but I could not find Dimluk. You must put more rangers to scout the Downs to guard against further raids.’ Said Maeve.

Mayor Brock nodded, ‘I think the other Shires may listen now’.  

Budding Halfling contingent

Painting Practice

Finished the Giant Killers for now as I have run out of halfling archers. The other halfling archers will keep their existing paint jobs. But will be rebased to match in.  Now on the militia and some scouts.  Both of which will need a bit converting and modding. 

Rob