From NoelW: Butting out at Bromley’s Butte (35 points)

As we cross the grassy plain in the early morning light, Bromley’s Butte rises before us as firm and roundly butte-like as if it had been designed for a Kardashian. 

Getting closer, we see a dot of light glinting on the peakest point of its peak, like the sun reflecting off a bald man’s forehead, or the twinkle in his eye he’s no longer got the capacity to act on. Shiny!

Then it vanishes.

Then it’s back again.

Gone again. Back again.

Gone. Back. Gone. Back.

Wait a minute! This might not be a natural phenomenon. Could someone somewhere be signalling with something?

My deep intellectual rumination are suddenly interrupted by a rustling in the bushes nearby. Grabbing the latest of my sergeants (I seem to be running out of them) we dive courageously into the long grass, holding our weapons and our breath.

Zulus! Tall, muscular men clad only in loincloths and sweat, edging the way cautiously towards the mountain outcrop. At their head their leader reins in, to confer with a scout who points out the flashing signal on the hilltop.

More Zulus appear. You can guess how many. They fan out to left and right in classic oxhorn formation, the central chest following the track as nonchalantchally as zulus can, directly towards the mountain, whilst the hidden horns on both sides slide through the grasses with hidden menace, closing in surreptitiously on the flanks of the lone mountain.

If Admiral Ackbar was here, he’d know what to call it. Those men on the mountain have no idea of their peril. In a few moments they’ll be surrounded and their position enveloped. If only there was someone here who could signal them. Or someone around who could distract the Zulus. Or perhaps attack them in the rear, bluff them into thinking they were under attack from a much larger force.

I look around but there’s no-one. Just us.

Dot dot dot.

Which direction is Piper’s Peak?

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Sander mentioned that I'd neglected to include an (updated) map, so here's the start of the return journey, beginning at Snowlord's Peak and aiming to get to Douglas’ Shallows.

Continuing with my return journey, at Bromley’s Butte I’m required to provide a reconnaissant model. So here’s two for the price of one: one for each side in the Zulu Wars. I’ve still managed to stick with my aim of small vignettes for each theme (though there are some future encounters that might be a bit of a headache…)

Here's a spotter for Chelmsford's column, equipped with heliograph to signal any sightings.

And here's a zulu command stand, an nduna interrogating his scout.

All the figures are Perrys. The zulu scout and the three soldiers with the heliograph are plastic; the zulu commander and the guard for the heliograph are metal models.

Scoring: 5 x 28mm foot and 1 x 28mm rider: 35 points

Another Noel anecdote and some lovely looking Colonial figures.  I do love the Brits in there scarlet tunics and blue pants and nice basing on the ZULU commander.  But who can resist the Heliograph, it brings back memories of a mischievous childhood using a "borrowed" mirror to blind one's friends or start fires.
PeterD