You tell your men to go rest, and that you will speak with them again in the morning. You invite Sirs Percival and Denton to your manor, and crack open a cask of ale that you have been saving for a worthy occasion. Wearily, you settle down, a fire crackling in your hearth, and tell your two friends what has transpired thus far.
Your friends are impressed by your mettle, and toast your victory. However, they are troubled that the Count let these raiders through his land... although not surprised. Sir Denton does posit, however, that given the timing of the battle, they may have slipped by Curbiston in the night, choosing to avoid such a strongly fortified position. Sir Percival nods, and says that may in fact be a possibility.
When you ask if there are any other nearby Knights they can call upon, they shake their heads. They do recommend getting in contact with Carshire, however, as they generally can provide a sizeable levy of spearmen in a pinch. They also recommend that one of them rides to Curbiston on the morrow, in force, so that they can ascertain what is happening with the Count.
They also express some reservation, saying that the weather will soon become inhospitable for campaigning. An army could only survive in the field for another month or two before the bitter cold of winter began to take a toll.
With that, you retire for the night, saying a prayer for those who fell and one of hope for your wife and unborn child's safety.
***
In the morning, you hold a service of mourning, naming all of the dead amongst your soldiers. You also commend the wounded, and explain that your Steward is commissioning medals to provide to them, that will show that they carry your thanks and favor.
You give a rousing speech, claiming that you have smashed their first advance up the river, and you will smash their next advance, and any more that come thereafter. This is your land, and you you'll make sure that anyone who encroaches on it dies learning that lesson. Your people are heartened, although their mood is still stoic.
Sir Percival rides with a small guard to Curbiston, and you spend the next two days preparing a false townfront downriver for defending the river. With fake buildings, fences, and other pieces of cover for archers. A rider also arrives from Carshire, telling you that they have called up their spearmen, but that they cannot leave their walls undefended and join you at the moment.
Later that week, a small courier boat arrives from Curbiston, bearing Sir Lope. He tells you that he comes on behalf of the Count, to call your levies up. He explains that the Count is battling a fierce episode of gout at the moment, but that he has sent Sir Lope to gather forces to join up with the King in relief of the Duke. You are to bring as many men as you can spare to Curbiston, in order to quickly march on the enemy host.
The month is waning, and it will soon be October and the harvest month. Your harvest is already being pulled in, but there are no extra men to work on your tower and wall at the moment. Will you leave? Do you have any orders for October before you travel off? What comes next for the battle-hardened Sir Samuel Stone?
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Topic: Lordship: A Suggestion Game (Read 329112 times)