"Shall we talk by the horses?"
"Of course sir," Lydia nods, and the two retire.
"There's a lot of them, and they are led by elves - Valenar elves," Lydia tells him bluntly. "Fortunately this band of them wasn't. We ran into their rearguard at the ridge, and one of them got away I'm afraid. After that we tracked them northwards for two days. We already had intelligence that their lair was in the Blackcaps, so I was getting suspicious that they were laying a false trail toward Aundair when we spotted the tracks of a small group of riders heading directly east breaking from the main group.
"I figured it best to follow the riders, sir, as we could overpower a smaller group and gain more intelligence from them. I think it was the right course of action, too, as we came on them in woods at night and were able to take them down with no fatalities on either side. One of them was already injured pretty bad with an infected wound, another I nailed when he didn't listen to reason.
"That's how we learned about the elves leading them, sir. One of them gave us the full run-down...I expect the others are telling Lord Karrn about it now. At any event, they confirmed that their lair is up in the Blackcaps. They have their own fiefdom up there, and they plan on raiding us and the surrounding lands for what they need. They consist of deserters, bandits, disaffected soldiers, and refugees with nowhere else to do after the war ended.
"That's why the one spilled everything - his heart really wasn't in it, he was only there for his brother's sake, the man with the infected wound. They'd broken from the main group to get him to a healer faster, which tells us that they didn't have a good healer in their raiding party.
"Anyhow, we got attacked by some cat-like creatures in the night, and they offered to fight for us. Of course two of them made a break for it - the fanatic and the one I shot. The other two restrained the fanatic instead of trying to escape, the last was killed."
Lydia pauses and draws a deep breath.
"Once we resupply, sir, I'd like to head back and see if we can head off the main group before they get too far into the Blackcaps. I know the foothills pretty well, but I think routing out the main body of them with an army is going to be damn hard, and they know it - especially with elves leading them, we both know how hard they are to fight in bad terrain. It might be a lot easier to just set up patrols to block their raiding parties and starve them out. Some of them are fanatics, but a lot of them just have no-where else to go...if we can get more of them to defect, we can easily bleed them dry."
Karl tells Lord Winehorn about the relatively good harvest, though the war has made a lack of farm-hands to take in the crop. Also politely informs the man about his family and inquires respectively with the soft decorum of a man used to small-talk.
As they enter the tent, Karl stands back and to one side - trying to hide his evident lack of precise tactical knowledge and refraining from stealing Lino's spotlight.
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"Of course sir," Lydia nods, and the two retire.
Walking back to the corral, Martin is personable. "It's good to see you, Lydia. Not as good as that morning in the Reaches. Don't think that I have forgotten how you lead your company through that Host forsaken forest."
He enquires after Lydia's health and family. He proclaims to be happily married with one son already and another child on the way. Martin looks good. He's put on a little weight. His chain shirt gleams; his sword belt's buckle and rivets are silver. His cloak, thrown back over his shoulders is fine wool, heavy but unworn by use. The clasp that holds it is also silver, shaped like an arrowhead, and worked with a swirling flame pattern.
Only at the corral does he turn to the business at hand. He listens carefully to the shifter's report, drawing a map of her adventures in the dirt of the corral with his dagger while she speaks. Sometimes he hands her the dagger to let her clarify a point.
Lydia pauses and draws a deep breath.
"Once we resupply, sir, I'd like to head back and see if we can head off the main group before they get too far into the Blackcaps. I know the foothills pretty well, but I think routing out the main body of them with an army is going to be damn hard, and they know it - especially with elves leading them, we both know how hard they are to fight in bad terrain. It might be a lot easier to just set up patrols to block their raiding parties and starve them out. Some of them are fanatics, but a lot of them just have no-where else to go...if we can get more of them to defect, we can easily bleed them dry."
"Lydia, you've done well, but that's probably not going to happen. "
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"Of course sir," Lydia nods, and the two retire.Walking back to the corral, Martin is personable. "It's good to see you, Lydia. Not as good as that morning in the Reaches. Don't think that I have forgotten how you lead your company through that Host forsaken forest."
He enquires after Lydia's health and family. He proclaims to be happily married with one son already and another child on the way. Martin looks good. He's put on a little weight. His chain shirt gleams; his sword belt's buckle and rivets are silver. His cloak, thrown back over his shoulders is fine wool, heavy but unworn by use. The clasp that holds it is also silver, shaped like an arrowhead, and worked with a swirling flame pattern.
Only at the corral does he turn to the business at hand. He listens carefully to the shifter's report, drawing a map of her adventures in the dirt of the corral with his dagger while she speaks. Sometimes he hands her the dagger to let her clarify a point.
Lydia pauses and draws a deep breath.
"Once we resupply, sir, I'd like to head back and see if we can head off the main group before they get too far into the Blackcaps. I know the foothills pretty well, but I think routing out the main body of them with an army is going to be damn hard, and they know it - especially with elves leading them, we both know how hard they are to fight in bad terrain. It might be a lot easier to just set up patrols to block their raiding parties and starve them out. Some of them are fanatics, but a lot of them just have no-where else to go...if we can get more of them to defect, we can easily bleed them dry.""Lydia, you've done well, but that's probably not going to happen. "
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With Bradford Winehorn:
Karl tells Lord Winehorn about the relatively good harvest, though the war has made a lack of farm-hands to take in the crop. Also politely informs the man about his family and inquires respectively with the soft decorum of a man used to small-talk.
Winehorn nods whiles listening peacably. The inquiry about his own family rouses the old man somewhat. A bit of pride creeps into his voice. "My wife and two youngest are doing well. She's with child again, so I left them all at home. Linnet and Jack are getting ready for their term down in Sharn. I wanted to keep them at home another year or two, but Karin wants them to get as much schooling and polishing in Sharn as possible. Mishann's been at her again, I fear. You'll see Karrn soon enough. I'll want your impression of how he's doing."
Talking with Karrn is coming soon.
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In the tent with Karrn Winehorn:
Flanked by the others. Karrn is big and clad in a gleaming chain shirt. His long dark hair, shoy with grey only partially hidden by oil, is pulled back from his face. His gear is plain, but clearly of quality. A silver clasp shaped like an arrowhead and worked with a flame-like pattern holds his cloak at his neck.
His companions carry gear of similar quality. One is a spare old man with a longbow chased with silver. A large silver arrowhead engraved with flames hangs at his belt. This must be Prudent Croft, cleric of the Silver Flame, advisor and confessor, some say savior, to Karrn.
Another is dressed in shades of green. Strands of blond hide in his grey hair. His face is lined from seasons spent in sun, rain and cold. A pair of heavy leather gloves, nearly gauntlets, a knife and throwing ax hang at his belt. His legging are mud spattered. One hand holds a flagon of water, and the other some bread. Linokashtai know s him to be Mitchell Bowyer, Bradford Winehorn's chief scout.
Another face is familiar to Lino, Karl, and Aljohar. It is the long face of Mardith Flax. She is Bradford Winehorn's seneschal, chief of staff, logistical manager.
The other three are younger. Like Bowyer they show signs of recent hard riding. Badges mark them as captains of troops in Karrn's service and they all wear the silver arrowhead.
As they enter the tent, Karl stands back and to one side - trying to hide his evident lack of precise tactical knowledge and refraining from stealing Lino's spotlight.
Linokashtai takes Karrn Winehorn's hand when it is offered to her. "Thank you, sir," says Linokashtai.
Karrn's voice is gruff, but not unkind. "My father values your counsel. And I thank you for the information you bring. Hopefully we can cut these brigands down before they become really troublesome."
She places her psicrystal on the table, having it scurry over to the map so that it can point out the path that the party took on their travels as she relays the events as they happened. She tonelessly paraphrases what Lydia had already told to Bradford Winehorn, with the psicrystal pointing out any geographical features that are mentioned during her story.
Karrn listens eagerly, as do the young captains. At times they seem almost giddy with excitement. Bowyer and Flax are gravely attentive. Bowyer's hands drift up and down as the psi crystal walks the map, almost like he's feeling the shape of the terrain. Croft stares at the wall of the tent.
When Linokashtai finishes, Karrn speaks "Only twenty of them, you say? I'll tell you there were three score raiding south of here. We chased them away to the southeast two days ago and were riding north to meet my father when we received word of the attack here. What do you all think? Can we cut this group off and smash them?"
Flax is first to speak, "The main body of horse can be mustered and here in two or three days. Until then the margin is too thin to bring battle...." but the others soon pour in over her in a rapid torrent. The young captains want to force combat, or maybe split their force. Bowyer calmly reminds them that they have had no eyes to the south all day.
Martin:
"Lydia, you've done well, but that's probably not going to happen."
"If we go charging in there with the cavalry, it'll be just what they expect. I can't see that working out well."
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"The problem is Prudent Croft. I don't know why he's so set against shifters, but he's like something out of the last crusade. He hates 'em. Preaches that they're one step away from werewolves, spawn of Khyber. Says shifters can't be trusted."
"And Karrn listens. We blessed Croft years ago when he took Karrn in hand and straightened him out. Karrn's a good man, but he's got a blind spot now. That's why you're talking to me instead of straight to Karrn. If you went into the war council everything you said would be discarded. I'll listen and I'll talk to Bowyer, and we'll make sure your message gets across. But Karrn's not going to let you command or even scout for him. "
He looks down. His hand moves to touch the silver clasp then jerks away. "I'm sorry. I wish it was different"
"The opinion of a fool doesn't bother me," Lydia snorts. "And I wasn't scouting for him when I took off after those bastards anyway. I'm going to make sure Amanda is all right, then I'll aim back for the mountains - I have a score to settle of my own. If I should happen to come across anything that might be of interest to you, of course I'll let you know," she grins.
"I beg your pardon" Jam says politely in response when Karrn when he suggests charging in to smash the enemy "I may be out of line as I'm no strategist, but judging from the group we met there may be another way. Seems ta me a lot of these folks are simply going along with the leaders because they just don't know what else to do with themselves."
The young monk lightly rubs at the back of his head "Doesn't rub me right to charge in an start bustin heads, there's a few fanatics for sure, but most of em are just along for the ride, just refugees and petty bandits that don't know any better. If we can convince them there's another way to live, or that their cause isn't worth the trouble we give them we could see a large number defecting, or deserting with a little luck we could end up facing only a fraction of their forces." He smiles sheepishly "Show the the grass is greener on our side, maybe we'll see less casualties on both sides."
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Martin grins. "If you're determined to go out alone, we'll need to set up some kind of drop where we can exchange information. Bowyer and I have talked and we just don't have enough good experienced scouts to cover everywhere. Not every town had a Pensive Starfinder keeping the warriors sharp. We'd be happy to have your help. "
"Not a problem," Lydia nods. "I'll probably join up with my friends if they go out again. If not, I can set trail markers with drops hidden nearby."
Linokashtai purses her lips slightly at the rude guffawing of the captain. She considers Jam's words and says, "I do not think that they would listen to us preaching at them, especially with the threat of violence and expectation of reward from their own Count Barabbas. Even if they are just fearful... it would take more than outside persuasion."
She considers it, looking upwards as she considers out loud, "To make them think their cause is not worth the trouble, it would mean undermining their Count. Make his word impossible for them to trust. If he says they are not going to go hungry under him, starve them. If he says they will see glorious battle, give them inglorious capture or humiliating defeat. Then inside, morale would start to break. The problem is that it would require time."
Her eyes turn to Jam, "It is your idea. How do you think we ought to plant the seeds of doubt? Three score of their numbers moving north, though-" She has he psicrystal point to where Karrn had described and slowly trace upwards on the map with consideration, "That seems like a more immediate threat than planting seeds can deal with, but it is good to also think in the longer term."
Jam slowly shakes his head "Well I'm afraid I'm more of a romantic than a strategist... I would say by separating the leaders from the masses, or like Linokashtai suggested, cut off their supplies and starve them out." He gestures towards Lino "or another possibility Lino mentioned they do not seem to have much for healers, the group we captured was travelling to find a cleric to heal their injured companion, if we have some way to make them all sick they may desert to look for healing."
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Karrn nods slowly. "A long term strategy then. Nothing that will help us in the next day or two. Think about how to implement it. We'll talk again."
He turns to the three young captains. "A lesson for you then. They are thinking past the battle at hand. You can't let it distract you from your tactical preparations, but you must have it in mind. What happens next, after. What should I do if I win. What happens if I lose?"
"With that in our thoughts -- the enemy has split his forces. This small group running north is vulnerable. We could isolate and destroy them. But we won't, at least not now. I like a chase as well as any of you but the enemy has a larger force in the field to our south. As Bowyer keeps reminding us, we haven't had contact with them for two days. Even though we routed them before, they may have regrouped and could be headed north again. We must know where they are and where they are going before we can move north against this small group. The local militia is roused, and I am well satisfied with their response thus far."
When of the captains opens his mouth, "Sir, my troop --"
Karrn cuts him off. "-- could take the northern enemy and return quickly, Paget? Perhaps you could. But your troop numbers only a few more than they. And more importantly without your troop I don't have enough troops to face the southern enemy if they have regrouped. We'll move our camp a day's march south. We'll count on the local militia to at least keep these northern scoundrels from doing serious harm. And we'll wait for additional troops before committing to battle."
"Paget, your troop will take the lead on the main road south. Downy, your troop is on the left flank. Temple, you'll take the right. Bowyer, regroup your scouts and get them spread out in front. They leave as soon as possible. The troops leave after the next watch. Let your men eat and rest before we march. Go. Oh and Bowyer, one of your men to go to Drum Keep. Flax will give them the message."
The captains depart, leaving you alone with Karrn and Mardith Flax. She's murmurs some excuses and departs to take care of her duties.
Karrn looks at Jamorin, "What did you do in the war?"
The discussion about sowing dissent seems to have sent Aljohar off into her own world, as she mutters to herself and ticks off points on her fingers: "Fear of elven kingdom; useful work to do - land, family; amnesty?; recruit for guard troops; common enemy..."
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Karrn shakes his head, his long hair spills over his shoulders and he pulls it back with both hands.
"They are so young and untried. It's catching. I could use more steady veterans to keep us all in check."
Behind him a grunt comes from Prudent Croft who had faded into the background. "They could use more time at prayer. That would steady them. As could we."
"At least they have enthusiasm, though that'll soon be gone if and when they're tested." Karl sighs, though he's not taken part in any open-warfare (for which he's glad). "Why have they split their forces? Why is the group headed North.... surely that's a bad plan if they have enough strength to openly fight you - why reduce that."
"What is to the north that they'd risk losing their advantage." Karl leans over the map and tries to figure out what's there.
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"I'm not sure they had a plan for heading north," Karrn says. "The three score enemies to the south were in three separate raiding bands. "They were able to coordinate and join forces while we chased them. Two of those bands doubled back on their marches after trying to lead us away from their eventual marshaling point."
"Me sir?" Jam apparently wasn't expecting the question "Nothing terribly memorable or heroic I'm afraid. I was a runner, I carried messages, orders... intel, whatever was needed to whoever needed it. I Occasionally did some simple low risk recon if there was no scout available but was never really in the front lines." He rubs the back of his neck slowly "I'm uhhh not very good with a sword."
The monk takes a look towards Karl as he talks about the troops going North, then back towards Karrn "Karrn Sir, what about us? Your captains are on their way, but What can we do to help?"
Keeping a stony face at the mention of roles during the war, the brewer tries not to let any emotion rise to the surdace.
Karl nods back at Jam, agreeing that they need to do something - though what can be a trifle difficult. "So more of raiding parties than an organised army, which means there trickier to find or make deals with. As Linokashtai said, we need to undermine the leadership and offer alternatives."
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Karrn absorbs what you tell him but after a few more minutes of respectful discussion, he ushers you out of the tent, except Linokashtai. "If I could have a few more moments of your time?"
Outside, a messenger queries, "Karl Roujon? Which of you is Karl Roujon?" He wants to take you to Mardith Flax.
"Aye, that's me." Karl says with a raised eyebrow and only a hint of trepidation as he looks around the tent at the others. Then he stands and nods to the messenger.
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"Please follow me, sir." The man leads Karl off toward a large tent near Karrn's.
The rest of the party can see Lydia and Martin down by the corral.
"Fair enough. I can station a couple messengers out that way if you let me know where you're going. That will give you an option if you need to send a message fast."
"Karl Roujon, ma'am." The soldier softly announces Karl's presence.
The seneschal rises and turns from her portable writing desk. "Karl, it's been a while since I've seen you. Was it last fall while rotating the grain stores? Would you like a drink? It's your own vintage. How's the family?"
Flax's tent may be large, but a large bookshelf conceals three quarters of it. From experience Karl knows the far side houses her traveling staff's work area. Her own quarters are small. A hammock, chest, the writing desk and a small round knee-high table surrounded by three folding chairs complete her furniture. Mardith may handle the goods and coin that supply Winehorn's troops, but it hasn't enriched her.
After a few minutes, Flax gets to business. "This bandit business has caught us all on the wrong foot. Karrn wants to muster all our troops.
"Most will converge on Xandrar before they come south, but a number of companies will muster here immediately. In the next three days I may need to feed 150 men. Next week 600, and we could be in the field for months. The Xandrar troops can carry some stores, but not enough for weeks. I don't have the teamsters or the wagons -- yet. I'm going to need some help."
"Fair enough. I can station a couple messengers out that way if you let me know where you're going. That will give you an option if you need to send a message fast."
"Let me talk to my friends," Lydia nods in their direction, "and then I'll let you know where I'm planning on being. I have to drop in and see Amanda, my sister, too. She got hurt pretty bad in the bandit attack."
"Certainly," replies Linokashtai to Karrn, bowing her head slightly, "I am here to help."
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...
"Let me talk to my friends," Lydia nods in their direction, "and then I'll let you know where I'm planning on being. I have to drop in and see Amanda, my sister, too. She got hurt pretty bad in the bandit attack."
" I hope Amanda is recovering well and I will talk to you soon. Please give my greetings to Linokashtai and Jamorin. "
"Certainly," replies Linokashtai to Karrn, bowing her head slightly, "I am here to help."
"Good. I'll see you tomorrow morning then."
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Mardith Flax settles into one of the camp chairs with her glass of wine.
"I think I have a possible solution to our problem. Drum Keep should be well supplied now. If we could convince them to share their supplies and transport them here, that would give us time to make our own arrangements. Even better if they sent a column of Regulars to protect the supplies. It would give us another force in the field."
"You know how hard it is to get the national troops to share with us provinicials. I'd like to send you and Linokashtai to negotiate this."
"The families been, well mostly fine - the usual arguments." Karl chuckles softly, taking a sip of the wine with an appreciative nod. "Certainly more supplies for you troops would be useful, we can see if we can achieve gathering it. I take it you'd prefer not to have any national officers, they can prove a bit... fussy."
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"The families been, well mostly fine - the usual arguments." Karl chuckles softly, taking a sip of the wine with an appreciative nod. "Certainly more supplies for you troops would be useful, we can see if we can achieve gathering it. I take it you'd prefer not to have any national officers, they can prove a bit... fussy."
"Let's just say I'd rather avoid any royal entanglements. But if that's what it takes to get us supplied in the field quicker, I'll accept members of their Quartermasters' Corp supervising the supply train."
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Mardith and Karl continue for an hour or so, discussing the supplies that might be needed and the logistics of getting it to the troops.
The rest of you recall the elder Winehorn's request that you return to see him. He receives you somewhat groggily. He's apparently been napping in your absence, another sign of his age. He asks about the meeting with Karrn.
The meeting is brief. Soon he let's you go to 'rest for the trials ahead.'
Leaving the camp Lydia makes her way out of Haltwhistle toward Sally's farm, hoping that her sister has had the good sense to stay abed and heal up after the arrows she took.
Karl's happy to try and understand the logistics of the requirements, both the labour and the actual objects themselves. Pouring over the maps with Mardith, he tries to work out the best route there & back, as well as any ambush site - just in case any of the bandit army manage to move there.
Since the usual caravans the merchant had run were a trifle smaller than this, thus his knowledge is slightly inadequate for this specialised trip. "What sort of requests, or concessions can we give them in exchange for the supplies? Since I'm sure these guys will require something." He asks.
Rather than tell the elder Winehorn about the details of troop movements and plans - basic info he can get from others - she instead talks about how in-charge Karrn seems to be: keeping the younger subcommanders from running off and chasing ghosts in the wilderness, concerning himself with long-term plans as well as tactical moves. Karrn is keeping the army together and giving priority to supplies, but is willing to entertain good strategies for dividing the enemy, demoralizing his troops, and possibly luring away others. She pushes Jam's ideas and her own, about using amnesties, land grants, pardons, or other means to lure the able-bodied out of the bandit troop and into useful citizenry.