Binky and the Staring Skulls of sakati

The City of the Skulls

Favouring a quiet night raid on the palace before the sorcerer Zmellikarzi returns our intrepid heroes advance in skirmish order.  One part is heading straight for the palace while the remainder are charged with freeing the captives from the prison cage.

The town is now quiet after the revelry that started the Festival of Whaoppituppah.  Only a few fires glow in the night while on the far bank of the river is the guard fire by the prison.

On the left of the town is the tower of the Zniqabari traders.  on the right is the palace complex and on the far bank a fortified camp of Europeans with a protected steamer.  To the left of the camp is the Ceremonial Fountain of Wad-Jet and to the right is the prison and the Tomb of the Ancients.  Adrian and Piet's forces are entering on the left while Binky has skirted the forest and just off camera to the right.

 

Adrian and Piet moved quickly and quietly through the village - the askaris were in native dress and so they achieved the element of surprise in almost all encounters.  After dealing with a couple of guards they took some native canoes and paddled across the dark river without incident.  A quick and silent rush and the sleeping guards in the steamer and one canoe were dealt with before they woke.

Notes:  The steamer is an old casting from HLBS (I think), the wooden jetty is from Ainsty (now available from Old Crow) the buildings and mine entrance are home made, the palisade is made from cocktail sticks and balsa wood, the ovens are from Frontline, the prison is a container that once held fruit and the tomb is made from Hirst Arts bricks)

Binky's group dealt with the sentries and a patrol as they forced their way in to the palace complex.  Here they rescued some of the Royal Family, captured the Priestess Beidgrabba and liberated one of the Staring Skulls from the dead hands of a guard who was trying to escape with it.  Unfortunately it was necessary to use rifle fire to subdue an attack by the Palace guards.  And the alarm was raised.

Meanwhile on the other bank the raiders split into two smaller groups.  Both secured success in capturing the Europeans and liberating the king, just in time as his health was suffering greatly.  The Europeans turned out to be Ruritanians.  While the officers were supporters of the Sorcerer (so that they could mine precious metals) the troops were discontented. They had not been paid in months and were thousands of miles from home. 

Binky gathered up his prisoners and the regalia items needed for the ceremony.  Soon he was able to lead his party down to the river bank as Adrian sent troops into the beached canoes to back them up.  The Palace Guards had circled around behind the palace and how started their advance through the town while Ruga Ruga riflemen occupied the now deserted palisade and huts.  They put down a sudden volley that felled Hayder, Henry Jones, a Baluchi, an askari sergeant and corporal.  Disaster!  Under fire they took over the rowing boat and pushed off. 

 

Binky made an attempt to drag Henry Jones aboard and bullets crashed about him.  Miraculously, he was unscathed.  Ignoring the shooting and the risk to his life he grabbed Henry more firmly and with great heave drew him into the boat. 

Suddenly the Ruga Ruga leader called on his men to cease fire on Binky.  He recognised heroism when he saw it.  The rifles were now turned on Adroan's men on the far bank.

 

Seeing the approaching hordes of palace guards Hans set up the rocket tube and fitting one of Mr Hales devices into the tray, fired at them.  The wretched thing misfired and flew straight into the ground showering Lucille in earth and stones.  Fortunately it failed to explode.

Seeing the seriousness of the attack he loaded another in readiness.  And firing again and again they managed to drive the Palace Guards back.  Binky made it to the rest of the party.  But not without casualties.

Things went quiet for a while as Pet explored the Mountain and met up with priestesses there who took exception to Spike (his dog) and in a short fight killed the dog.  Piet did not want to harm them despite the loss of his faithful Spike so he disengaged and withdrew. 

Just about dawn the sorcerer, summoned by a runner, arrived with his main force.

A horde of skirmishers armed with bows and spears backed by more Ruga Ruga with modern rifles preceded the Sorcerer and the two regiments of his guard - the "Men Who Kill" and the "Maidens of the Spears".

The Sorcerer was easily identifiable in his mask of power even at a distance. 

Binky and the king had wasted no time.  Seeking out the Priestesses of the Fountain of Wad-Jet they started the ceremony of re-establishing his power.  The drums thundered and the populace of Sakati were roused from slumber and made their way in ever increasing crowds to the river bank opposite the Fountain.

Binky had used the time wisely, stores and beams from the mine workings had been transported and made into a fortress.  The troops were disposed to give as clear a field of fire as was possible.  The experience with the Palace Guard of the night before left him in no doubt at all about the courage of the enemy.

The Ceremony took longer that Binky expected as they had only two of the three stating skulls that were usually required.  But a few choice (expensive) offerings to the High Priestess of Wad-Jet soon reminded her of a proper form of works and ritual that would be acceptable to the gods.  The king, Princess and Maiti (as his champion) performed the rituals under the instruction of the priestesses.  All the time the Sorcerer and his forces advanced and more and more towns folk came to the riverbank.

Barely pausing for breath the Sorcerer's army plunges into the chest deep water. 

Waiting until he can "see the whites of their eyes" Adrian  calms his men.  "Fire!" he shouts and a crashing volley rips into the tribesmen. 

The Machine gun and rockets fire into the flank as they cross. 

Casualties on both sides mount but for every tribesman who falls another takes his place. 

On and on they come, ever closer, ignoring the bullets and rockets. 

"Steady lads", Adrian calls. 

Then " Cease Fire!"  They look at him.  "Prepare to fix bayonets!"  "Fix ... Bayonets!"  Bayonets rasp from scabbards and are fixed.  "Present .. Rapid Fire!"  This is going to be a close run thing.

Over by Binky's position it becomes suddenly clear why the Sorcerer launched such a precipitate attack.  A column of Sikhs and Askaris in full battle formation was fast approaching.

At least 3 companies of regular troops with artillery!

The Sorcerer and his troops pressed on with increasing ferocity born of desperation.

The priestesses chanted and beat their drums as the ritual drew to its close.

The king was crowned again.  The towns folk cheered - they could see the slaughter of the Sorcerer's forces.  It was time for a change of allegiance.

The relief column stormed the town and the palace complex crushing all resistance from the Sorcerer's troops.  Most of the tribes men were trapped against the river and annihilated only a few escaped. 

Despite coming under heavy fire as he fled the Sorcerer Zmellikarzi escaped with only one acolyte. 

Binky was left to count the cost.  His expedition lay exhausted about him.  Hayder Yusulf and most of his brave Beluchis lay dead, the Askaris had fought well and paid the price for anly a handful were left.  The one good thing was that Henry suddenly sat up.  The bullet that had knocked him down had struck his leather bound "Songs of the Welsh People" written by his aunt.  He was severely winded, had a couple of broken ribs but was otherwise unhurt.

 

The King was extremely grateful and after a few days of feasting, Binky and the others were rewarded with many treasures including the Ruritanian steam launch.  A cunning contrivance that could be split into sections to be man handled around rapids or obstructions.  Most Useful. 

The party handed over their Ruritanian prisoners to the column commander and took their leave.  They were heading back to Mariba for a well earned rest.

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