With a week of time before the main host's march begins, you rest your men, and see to some minor errands. Fin, Luther, and Oswald are outfitted with scale mail armor from the Duke's personal supplies, per your request, and you spend many afternoons and evenings speaking of tactics and strategy with the other Counts and the Duke.
After poring over the maps, you identify a long, gently sloping hill peppered on either side with a light forest that is about half a day's ride southeast of the capital as a likely spot for the Duke to camp his forces. You argue strongly for digging hidden trenches as the main defensive preparation here, as a palisade seems apt to deter the enemy from attacking. The council of war is generally agreeable, and finds your plan acceptable.
You offer your men as an early raiding force, offering to ride ahead by a few days and begin raids on foraging parties in the terrain surrounding the Capital. The Duke pulls you aside, and reiterates the importance of not drawing the whole horde off of the Capital before the agreed date two weeks from now, which you agree is important. Your task is simply to harass and disrupt, not start the battle. Can't have the trap springing too quickly.
Your men hearten at your presence as you explain your mission to them, and you will ride forth in a few days. During those days, you try and stay productive, sending word by boat to Marna about the campaigns progress, and advising her of the incoming prisoners. You pay a visit to Count Gorgan, and introduce him to Luther. As Luther is not trained adequately in the hit and run tactics required by your forces, you ask if he can be temporarily attached to the good Count. You also mention, in passing, his ferocity as a fighter.
This seems to pique the man's interest, and soon you find yourself watching the two face off in a sparring bout. You encourage your men to come watch, to raise their spirits. The fight itself, well...
To say that you have truly fought before would be difficult after watching these two go at one another. Luther charges forward like a bull, Gorgan flows aside like water. Gorgan darts in like a snake, Luther knocks him aside like a gnat. They go at one another for the better part of half an hour, before, both dripping with sweat, Gorgan finally lands what would be a fatal blow after parrying another massive strike from Luther.
The men around you erupt in cheers, and the Count raises his sword, then walks over to the hulking brute that is your squire, grabs his wrist, and raises his hand as well. "Count Stone, I would be honored to spend a bit of time with this fine young man." He claps Luther around the shoulder, and the two walk off, discussing the bout that they just had.
You smile to yourself, aware that the ease of camp will soon be replaced by the hardships of the march.
***
You arrive south of the capital, in the agreed area, about five days before the plan is set to take place. The Duke will be arriving in another two days. You set up a basic camp on the hill, and are ready to begin harassing. You survey your force of Rangers, Archers, and Halberdiers. How exactly would you like to deploy them for this task?
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Topic: Lordship: A Suggestion Game (Read 327770 times)