HIS EVE, a group of Loyalists could be found training rigorously in the streets of Minoc — undoubtedly to better prepare themselves for the coming fifth battle over the mining capital of Britannia. The session was perhaps not focused on the area that required the most improvement, however training is training nonetheless, and will unquestionably help towards a better performance all the same. The two-man Britannia Guards team — cut short of three, due to Guard Anarion feeling rather ill — met with the small squad of Royal Marksmen under the leadership of captain Devante and marched to Minoc on force.

FTER REACHING the Minoc bank – which had seen many a skirmish over the past weeks – the soldiers received their briefing and commenced their evening's line-up; first of all, team picking, which saw Captain Stirling and Esmeralda the team leaders. Pitting one team in a none-too-familiar situation of defending the ridge, the other team had to, naturally, seize the position. Team Stirling-Beaufort-Arrowsmith- Folker proved themselves dominant each round.

UBSEQUENT TO THIS exercise, a rather interesting one followed. It had surely been noticed that towards the closing end of each battle, a tedious period of skirmishing is performed; constant running and chasing, in a somewhat ineffective attempt to finish off any survivors. Indeed, this exercise was aimed at giving s practise in this business.

S WITH DURING the real battles, this similarly took a prolonged period of time to conclude. Nevertheless, it was more than likely a productive evening.

ARLY ON TODAY we was taken on a hunt led by our Corporal Calmil, off into them lands of Ilshenar. First off we was finding ourselves in some Dungeon near that Sacrifice Shrine. Sacrifice Dungeon, aye. I gave them beasts inside a walloping, and part from watching me in amaseme*scribble* amazma*scribble* amazement them others joined in.

O AFTER a wee while we was marching off again to a camp of them Jukas, to thin out them's numbers and such. We lost Anne on the way, and then a n umber of times after that, but tis only expected from young ones them being so unreliable. We stopped off at them Gypsy's bank, so we was able to deposit our coins and make room for more loot.

IDN'T TAKE LONG to reach the camp it didn't, and some more wallopings followed. Many a Juka Warrior, Wytch, and Lord fell today, even some Golems! We came across some laddie who had been knocked out by them goldies you find in Ilshenar, but we soon saw him back on his feet, and the goldy dead. I told him nay to be so careless again, but tis only expected from young ones.

UR FINAL STOP before getting back home was them Cyclops' Valley, but ye also find them Titans there too. Twas a tough battle this last one was, aye, but I*scribble* we triumfd*scribble* triumphed in the end nevertheless.

Signed,
Bengard MacDhui
Trainee

HE GUARD met with Lady Yvarae O'Lion from Spiritwood last night. An order had been issued from the court in Britain that the Guard would be needed for her safe escort. Lady Yvarae wished for an escort to Cove, a city no loyalist travels light-hearted to. But the lady was of true noble nature and could not see "why some political debaucle should stand" in her way. It was vital that the Guard did its job and ensured her safety on her travel.

T THE BOADER of Covetown, the Guard ran into a few Covian militiamen. A fellow named Tiberius and a handful of other soliders denied her entry to Cove. Minutes later the ex-Commander of Cove, Erik Arkay, turned up only to propose a duel of honour between the best Britannian Guard and the the (best) Covian.

OT LONG THEREAFTER the Covian, Tiberius, had been knocked down by Sergeant Esmeralda of the Guard, and entry to Cove for Lady Yvarae had been won.

ECENTLY having been forced to retreat from Minoc, the Britannia Guards had rendezvoused with their allies in Yew. With a successful strike on rebel forces in Minoc the previous eve, the night was spent training in assault and defence – many assaults await as the Loyalist Forces attempt to secure Minoc for the King, and subsequently, many defences of the town will follow.

ERGEANT BEAUFORT gathered the men by the Yewmens’ Avatarian Church, and organised the Drill to take place over the course of the night. A somewhat embarrassing turn-up for the Britannia Guards, soldiers of the Guardsmen Militia outnumbered them almost three-to-one; however, the attendants were noted nonetheless.

SIMPLE procedure followed, as one team set up a basic outpost which they defended, and the opposing side assaulted it. This was repeated a number of times, with a regular change in roles, and an alteration to the rather unbalanced teams. They got it right in the end, and a successful eve it was!

HE BRITANNIA GUARDS had been holding Minoc for quite a lengthy amount of time, holding back attack after attack from Covians, Vesperians and Hospitallers alike. For many a day, the Guard had been expecting a large attack force from Cove to attempt to sack the city. Scout reports had suggested so, and their indications were never to be underestimated.

LITTLE AFTER the seventh hour, the Guards rallied at Minoc Bank, bearing a seemingly abundant supply of equipment for the construction of a defensive outpost to aid the defence they were soon to put up. Upon Baron Edmund Fairholm's arrival in Minoc, the regiment marched south to the main road leading in to Minoc.

HE GUARD'S SERGEANT, Henrich Beaufort, ordered the men to commence with their task to erect a grand outpost that would stand strong at the face of any attack. Each Guard took some timber, and began laying down the base of the outpost wall. Creating a large perimeter, they sealed each layer of timber with an animal hide, ultimately producing an imposing defensive structure that would serve them well in the defence of the town.

AKING last-minute preparations, the Baron assigned formations, gave the men their orders, and stood vigilant with his men awaiting the Covian force.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

HE COVIANS' MARCH could be heard a mile off. The Britannia Guards 1st Guards Regiment raised their shields, their swords, their axes and their bows, awaiting the moment to strike. Baron Edmund Fairholm and Baron Octiovus von Richter approached one another, and head to head they met in front of both armies. 'Twas a grand sight.

HE COVIAN ARMY charged forth, in an attempt to storm the outpost. Britannia Guards and Covian soldiers engaged one another, and the battle had commenced. Soldier after soldier fell to the ground, every one blue-clad. Cove had not avoided suffering no casualties, but they were the victors.

T WAS TIME for the Britannia Guards to move out of Minoc, to retreat to the west and rendezvous with their Yewish allies. And that they did.

HE NEWLY PROMOTED Sergeant Henrich Beaufort lead a hunt to Dungeon Shame on his own initiative the other day. Many guards turned up and the hunt turned out to be a complete success. A lot of gold and leather was gathered for the Baron and stored at the Garrison after the hunt.

ACK AT THE GARRISON, the Guards presented their loot for the sergeant who seemed overly very impressed with their efforts. Surely this shall be counting for the next promotions- and awards ceremony!