Marius looked at the elf. He had a slightly mystical air about him - the same he had noticed about Lethair. Evidently a mage, he thought, not someone with which to trifle.
"You cannot hope to beat us alone" said the elf.
Alone? thought Marius. Evidently they had not seen Johann and Mannfred slip away into the forest. He yielded his sword - there was still a chance of escape. As was custom, he was given it back, being as he was, an officer. He was marched in the centre of the elves, who began to move towards the main fight.
As they moved, he believed that the elves were unused to fighting in the woodland - they were making far more noise than his men had.
Suddenly, a volley of arrows flew from a thicket. Four elves dropped, as they spun around to meet this threat, trying frantically to nocks arrows to their strings. Another volley, two more elves writhing on the ground, and the mage himself had taken an arrow in the leg.
Marius dragged his sword from his scabbard and launched himself at the nearest elf, crying "SIGMAR!!!" The pommel of his sword crunched against the elf's skull, collapsing it, and allowing Marius a clear view to escape. He ran, elven arrows now whizzing past him, before diving for cover.
"My lord!" called Johann, tossing him his bow and a sheaf of arrows.
"Keep up the fire - they will flee!" Marius ordered, immediately back in control. He knew not where the additional arrows were from, all that mattered was victory. As he launched his first shot into the fray, he saw that the elves were retreating, back towards the main battle, only 5 archers and their wounded mage still walking.
Once they were gone, Marius ordered "Advance - check the bodies, confiscate any wealth, bind the prisoners."
Now, the mystery of the additional forces was solved. Marius turned to see a weathered hunter stood at attention, waiting on him.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Marksman Hagald, my lord. One of your men alerted us to your plight and we gave our assistance as best we could."
"Thank you - I had no wish to become a prisoner, and your help meant that an effective ambush could be staged. I am indebted to you."
"Thank you my lord. What do we do now?"
"We will return to the main column, as has been my intention. We must now have collapsed this flank of their line, and can roll up. By now the main force must have made contact."
"I can confirm that, sir. The elves had begun an attack as we left, but we judged your need was greater in the immediacy."
"You chose well," smiled Marius "Now, let's get moving - a single extended skirmish line - go! Johann, you're injured, take the prisoners, a noose around their neck should ensure their obedience!"
The orders were carried out, and the seven man section began it's advance to contact...