Flashman and the Dragon (1 Viewer)

[Harrytheheid]

There's a subject, very close to my heart, that I've wanted to tackle for some time now. In addition, the untimely death of one of my favourite authors of all time has made it a priority to get suitable figures and figure out a storyline loosely based on one of my favourite characters of all time.
As this project develops, various figures from Naps to Crimean War to Sepoy Mutiny to Zulu War will be used cos of the dearth of figures available for the Second Opium War. (And that's a blatant hint - K&C - ).
So, at long last, here's;

It's 1859. The Allied army has floundered in front of the Taku Forts. Meanwhile, a certain cad, bounder and blatant, if careful to keep it hidden, coward has been caught lurking around the Summer Palace north of Peking and dragged into the presence of - "The Orchid", "Empress of the Western Palace", "The Celestial Silk Robe", "The Imperial Yi Concubine", "Most Beautiful (if somewhat frisky) Woman in The Middle Kingdom", in other words Yehonala, 20 year old mother of the "Heir to the Mandate of Heaven", and future "Tzu-Tsi" Empress of China.
Our unlikely hero has obviously said something inappropriate (as usual) and Little An the Lady Yehonala's faithful, if somewhat frightful, eunuch intervenes. Even one of the palace guards makes his point, pun intended.

With a flick of the wrist, Yehonala dismisses the rowdy and loud attendants, but keeps her Ladies by her side. This dame's no dumb blonde. (Actually, she's got black hair, but you get the idea).
But what's this..?? Her cousin the Lady Sakota appears to have developed a case of the hots for our dashing fraud.

Well, well....it seems that Madame has got rid of her Lady attendants now and Flashy's scored himself a private audience. Whatever next..??
Stay tuned to this channel and find out.

 

[The Lt.]

There's no doubt in my mind Harry that we're in for a treat and can't wait for the story to continue. Seems both you and Flashman have quite a bit in common. Thanks Harry....The Lt.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Great work Harry! I love how the book starts with him reminiscing over a piece of the loot he "liberated" from the Summer Palace . . .

 

[Harrytheheid]

Great work Harry! I love how the book starts with him reminiscing over a piece of the loot he "liberated" from the Summer Palace . . .

It's my favourite book of them all Louis - for obvious reasons...
Actually, I like the following paragraph on page 10;

"If you've read my earlier memoirs you'll know all about it - and how by shirking, running, diving in to cover, and shielding my quaking carcase behind better men, I had emerged after four campaigns with tremendous credit, a tidy sum in loot, and a chestful of tinware. I was a colonel of six years seniority at 37, big, bluff, Flash Harry, quite a favourite with Queen and Consort, well spoken of by Palmerston and my chiefs, married to a beauteous and wealthy daughter of a peer (and a dead peer, at that) - and only I knew (though I'd a feeling that wily old Colin Campbell suspected) that my fame was all a fraud and a sham."

Old Flashy kind of lays it all on the line there....

Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

There's no doubt in my mind Harry that we're in for a treat and can't wait for the story to continue. Seems both you and Flashman have quite a bit in common. Thanks Harry....The Lt.

Yeah, right enough, we've got the same christian name....

Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

Aye, so anyway, back to the plot. The Orchid has maybe not been as clever as usual. Old Flashy decides to forget the fun of the chase and cuts to the quick (double quick).

Making the excuse that she needs to freshen up (you know what they're like guys), Yehonala disappears off to the back of the throne-room, whereupon Flashy is astonished at her reappearance (and, by Jove, the new appearance as well, I might add). She's only gone and changed out of court dress into "something a bit more comfortable" and procedes to introduce Flashy to the fabled Manchu Fan-Dance.....

Round and round and round she goes. Where she'll end up no-body knows. Although, this being that Flash Git, I reckon I can hazard a guess.....

To be continued.

 

[Leadmen]

I like your Flashy story Harry. He knows where the good times ----lay. I enjoyed the photos. Leadmen

 

[aujj65]

Harry,

Some parts of this forum just get better and better....

Jeff

 

[Harrytheheid]

By this time, Flashman's almost beside himself, as the Manchu Fan Dance builds to its final crescendo.

Suddenly there's a crash as a horse and rider burst on the scene in the pavilion. Who's this..?? Why, its Jung Lu, Captain of the Imperial Brave Flying Kite Regiment - and more to the point, he's Yehonala's current boyfriend. That jealous toerag Little An happened to casually mention the likelihood of some hairy Barbarian taking advantage of his absence at the Taku Front.

With a yelp of dismay (and no small disappointment, I might add), the little temptress scurries off and changes back into Imperial robes. This dame knows which way the rice-bowl lands when its dropped off the table though, and she puts as much distance as she can from our hapless hero. The said hapless hero who's still so overcome at the incredible display he's just witnessed, that he almost ignores the towering presence (and overwhelming rage) of Jung Lu.

Lu's completely choked up with the betrayal of his trust, and besides he's kinda out of breath having worn out three horses in his mad dash to the Summer Palace from the Taku Forts, where he was happily, if somewhat innocently, serving the Emperor lopping off Foreign Devils heads and extremities, with scant regard as to which it might be.
Finally, taking himself in hand, he hisses, "Aye, well might ye blush. Ye brazen wee hussy ye. Who's this I've caught ye with this time..? Why, its a Furrin' Divil nae less." It should be mentioned here that Captain Lu has studied the life and times of the greatest soldier of the age - Sir Colin Campbell.

So, Flash Harry's been caught "in flagrente", so to speak. How's he ever going to wriggle out of this one or run away..??
To be continued.

 

[Captain]

OK.... you got me hooked Harry.

 

[aujj65]

Harry,

Sometimes it's difficult to remember that these are only 54-60mm figures when you look at the paintwork.

Jeff

 

[UKReb]

Harry

I see you have taken the role of Cecil B DeMille for the forum's dio thread with no less than 3 colourful epics all running concurrently and all with daily chapters.
I doff my cap to your output. Simply outstanding
I intend to just sit back for the rest of the month and thoroughly enjoy these 30 days with Harry in Peking blockbusters
Reb

 

[Harrytheheid]

Thanks for the encouraging comments guys .
Meanwhile......
Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

OMG....All the stramash and attempted HEAUCHMAGANDIE has woken up the Court Executioner. Now this is a dude that really needs his beauty sleep. Old Flashy had better do some fast talking - or fast running.

Too late. The Palace Guards have turned up at Yenohala's Pavilion now and Flashy is getting his collar felt. The drama's almost too much. Can Flashman show them a clean pair of heels..?? Or is he for the chop..?? (Literally)... I'm willing to bet that he harbours no great ambitions to obtain future gainful employment as a Court Eunoch though....

Here's a shot taken from the tapes of the CCTV cameras. Aye, that Emperor isn't as daft as folk think. He's had his Precious Little Lotus Blossom under surveillance for some time now. Yenohala..?? Well, she looks pretty hacked-off with the whole affair, doesn't she..?? Even Little An's getting in on the action and having a surreptitious tug at the wee harpie's hair.

"You're nicked, my son."
The Lion statue seems to think the entire uproar's rather funny.

Well, that Flash Cove seems to have done it now. He's in deep "trouble" and no mistake, Guvnor.
'Member and remind your Mum to let you tune in on this channel for the next exciting episode of -
Flashman and the Dragon....

 

[Rob]

Excellant Harry this is fun.

Rob

 

[Harrytheheid]

Excellant Harry this is fun.

Rob

this is fun

It's what life's all about.
Cheers Rob
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

this is fun

It's what life's all about.
Cheers Rob
H

Hey Rob,
Drifting off thread for a mo.
Just in case you're labouring under the false impression that it's all beer and skittles while I'm home on days off, here's a
family portrait of Missus Heid accompanied by.......Two Terrifying Chinese Dragons.......

My Mother-in-Law and her Sister...!!!

 

[Rob]

Hey Rob,
Drifting off thread for a mo.
Just in case you're labouring under the false impression that it's all beer and skittles while I'm home on days off, here's a
family portrait of Missus Heid accompanied by.......Two Terrifying Chinese Dragons.......

My Mother-in-Law and her Sister...!!!

Your a very naughty man!!

 

[Harrytheheid]

So, getting back to the thread narrative, despite his lamentable protestations, Flashman gets carted off to the Summer Palace version of "Sing-Sing" by the local cops, where he'll be incarcerated while the Court Executioner sharpens his sword. And it's an almighty BIG sword at that...

Now, while Flashy's trembling with fear and trepidation for his tender parts and serving his time in the slammer at His Majesty's Displeasure, let's cut to the action outside the Taku Forts and see how the Imp forces are getting on while Jung Lu's gone AWOL.

Hmmm.....doesn't look like our French Allies are doing too well in the face of Imperial ordinance.

In fact, it seems the French ain't doing too well at all. Doesn't take too much imagination to wonder what Sharpe would say to these scenes of shock and awe.

To be continued.

 

[aujj65]

Harry,

Don't know what to say really! All these latest threads are just so enjoyable to look at, I haven't got time to work

As Reb has said on another thread.....you're having too much fun! But don't stop

Thanks

Jeff