Lothar Rothmanns - Mordheim Diary Entry #2

 Rothmann cursed under his breath........damn this weather. He and his followers should have been safely at the inn by now.

Now, the light was failing, they were still on the road, they were sodden and they were miserable, silently trudging through these woods, filthy to the knee.

A cry went up from the lead man. What was it this time? Not another delay, he hoped. 

Rothmann moved up to check.

What was that? Something shuffling amongst the treeline.............Rothmann gave the cry to pull back and regroup. Make all weapons ready!

Vile beastmen! How many? Where? Which direction?? They seemed to be flooding out of the trees in all directions.

It was all descending into a series of individual fights, each man for himself. Rothmann saw Brother Belgar fall near him, the Priest taking what looks to be a dreadful wound. 

No time to assist, as the beasts were attacking from all directions, Rothmann bellowing orders to keep the band together. People were splintering and being isolated - we must stay together!

An unholy animal appeared in front of him, roaring in what seemed to be a guttural language. Was this leading these creatures? Rothmann had to charge and attempt to swing things by defeating this enemy.

 The baggage animals frothed and screamed in fear as fighting continued all round them.

Men were falling all round him. Rothmann saw there was no other option.............he gave the general call to retreat, feeling the shame of his last retreat. This time it would be an ordered withdrawal, not a rout again.

Lifting their injured fellows, the Witchfinders fled the scene, leaving the beasts looting their baggage, gorging on the dead and pack animals they had left behind.

Thankfully, as he was being carried away by the Zealots, Brother Belgar stirred and gave a cry of pain. He had survived, but was clearly seriously injured.