Ye Ballade o' Fair Lady Mary Bell

 

Nothing ready from the painting table, so here is something I prepared earlier - on 17 Jan, in fact!

Here is my next Solo Wargame inspired AI comic book adventure. This time, its set in the Borders region between England and Scotland in the late 16th century. Based on this game       Bydand: Ye Ballade o' Fair Lady Mary Bell - Verse I

Panel 1 – The Quiet Valley

Lady Mary Bell’s small party travelling a peaceful Border valley 

Panel 2 – The Hamlet Ahead

A distant hamlet offering rest and hospitality. A few thatched cottages, smoke rising. The escort gestures toward it. Jessie the maid relaxes slightly.

Panel 3 – The First Threat

Jessie screaming as three Reivers emerge from the wooded hill The horsemen appear like wolves from the treeline—steel caps, padded jacks, long Border spears.

Panel 4 – The Second Threat

Another trio of mounted Reivers thundering past startled farmers Dust, hooves, panic. Farmers scatter; a child clutches a sheep.

Panel 5 – First Shots Fired

Calivermen firing as smoke billows across the valley. One Reiver wheels his horse and flees; the others lower their weapons and charge.

Panel 6 – Clash of Leaders

Mounted Heidman duelling the escort leader while a lancer attacks a caliverman. Steel flashes. Horses rear. The Heidman’s face twisted with fury.

Panel 7 – The Heidman Falls Back

Wounded Heidman reeling away, blood on his jack. He clutches his side, horse staggering. The caliverman nearby drops his weapon in terror.

Panel 8 – “Behind the Dyke!”

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Escort urging the ladies behind a stone wall as Reivers circle. Mary and Jessie duck behind the rough dyke; horses loom overhead, blades slashing down.

Panel 9 – Reivers Dismount

Four Reivers advancing on foot toward the wall. Shadows lengthen. Mud splashes. Their expressions are grim and determined.

Panel 10 – The Fight Splits

Second Heidman and a Reiver attacking the English leader; others engaging a caliverman. Chaotic melee. Spears, daggers, and short swords clash.

Panel 11 – The Leader Falls

Escort leader collapsing, mortally wounded. Mary watches in horror. Jessie covers her mouth. The caliverman shouts for them to flee.

Panel 12 – A Small Victory

A caliverman wounding a Reiver, turning the tide briefly The Reiver staggers back, clutching his arm. Mud and blood mix on the ground.

Panel 13 – Surrender and Return

Mounted Reiver defeating a caliverman; others firing ineffectively. The caliverman raises empty hands. Smoke drifts uselessly from the guns of the remaining footmen.

Panel 14 – Heidman Approaches the Ladies

Victorious Heidman moving along the wall toward Mary and Jessie. Predatory calm. His blade drips. Mary’s expression unreadable.

Panel 15 – A Farmer’s Brave but Futile Aid

Local farmer rushing in, only to be wounded and driven back His pitchfork snaps. Jessie cries out. Mary remains strangely composed.

Panel 16 – Last Defenders Fall

Caliverman firing and missing; his coverman slain by the Heidman The coverman collapses into the bog. Mary and Jessie shrink behind the dyke.

Panel 17 – The Secret Bargain

Reiver whispering to the ladies as chaos continues nearby. Mary leans in. Jessie looks shocked. The Reiver’s eyes gleam with cunning.

Panel 18 – The Escape and Aftermath

Mary and Jessie mounting the pack mules, following the Reiver over the wall. Other Reivers remount and retreat to the woods. One abandoned captive lies bound on the ground. Mary glances back with a faint, enigmatic smile.

That one did not take as long as the Death Mask of Ramallah and turned out better I think, although sometimes the AI just would not cooperate - it randomly created this image for panel 11 - I actually liked the postures and expressions better - but could I get the bloody thing to change Lady Mary to match all the other images of her.....could I ##%^$!

It also seemed happy to give Jessie the maid varying facial expressions and different poses but insisted on leaving Lady Mary in virtually the same pose throughout the entire course of events! Anyway, I had more fun doing it and I will probably do another one soon, so hopefully readers don't object too much?!