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"If Saschen loyalists are at hand in Minden, then perhaps Gunthar and I might be better served as spies within the congregation. We might overhear something telling, or glean a hint at the people's true feelings as we sit amongst them.
Currently very busy at work and at life. Hoping I can re-engage at the weekend!
"By all means Gunthar. We've got a roof over our heads and the ear of the Graf. Definitely worthy of a celebration - especially as it looks like we'll be bound for the wilderness again all too soon."
Cool. We get to bot the DM. Invasion of giant Teletubbies mounted on Dinobots coming right up.
Lo smiles encouragement to Reolus. "I'll help you if I can," he says.
Pleased to see the above. I'm not sure I'm really that into roleplaying torture and execution! :-)
"Amen father!" joins Lo.
Lo winces a little at the Graf's bloodthirsty proposal, but it doesn't stop him enjoying the food, simple though it is. He listens with interest to hear how Gunthar will answer.
"Well it's a good thing I've just finished scrubbing the dirt of the road off my clothes," says Lo to Brechthalt. "Lead on."
On returning to Minden, Lo's first priority is to give his armour, weapons and gear a thorough clean. He also tends to Balder and Fitzroy.
I also suggest Minden, but only so Gunthar has more time to consummate things with his new girlfriend.
"You mind?" Lo chuckles awkwardly at the show of affection, and shakes his head. “Not at all. Perhaps you can keep her safer than her father could.”And perhaps if I was as bold in battle as Gunthar, they’d be someone clinging to me now. Hmmm, brave or reckless. Does anyone else differentiate those qualities? There’s nothing at the camp worth salvaging, and Lo watches dispassionately as the men start to fire the tents. “What’s to be done with the pagan dead? he asks Reolus, unsure as to whether Brechthalt or the chaplain should preside over such matters.
A wild, exhilarated grin beams from Lo’s face as he rides into the captured encampment. He slaps Gunthar and Reolus on the shoulders in the shared joy of victory, but at least manages to restrain himself beside Brechthalt, keeping it to a nod of acknowledgement and a cry of “Well fought!” Presently though, the rush of elation at survival and success drains away. Lo surveys the butchery about him, and although his foes were pagans, melancholy replaces his swagger. Most about my age. Will they be given a chance of repentance before they enter Hell? Still, the sight of the women so cruelly abused stills such doubts. He leaves his two companions to the business of comforting them, fearing he would be a clumsy consoler. Instead, he sets himself the grim task of checking the fallen to ensure those appear dead are indeed so, leaving the four wounded Saschen under Brechthalt’s eye.
Lo fires arrows at the foe in an aggressive manner! Cries of dismay issue from the Saschen ranks as shafts penetrate flesh!
"Reolus, Lo, remember they outnumber us, even without the spears we just killed. If they mass an attack on one of our half-strength forces, they would outnumber them more than two to one. Plus, if they have cavalry and archers that threaten them at the same time, we would not be able to protect both of them. Our spears are safer and more powerful as a unit. Let us take the risk of riding to the other side." “We’ve cut down many of them already. The odds will favour us, especially if Reolus and Brechthalt lead the charge with the spearmen. You and I have yet to feel the edge of their blades, and we’ve the horses to ride around to the other side of the camp and pick off any who flee the spearmen’s advance. With our steeds beneath us we can ride to safety if attacked in superior numbers.”
Lo just nods in agreement. "Two forces. Sounds like a good strategy."
Lo looks at Brechthalt’s wound and winces in sympathy. Still, he threw himself into the fight before he needed to, he reflects. Still, the young warrior can’t help feeling a little uneasy as he re-joins his fellow knights. The premature engagement with the Sachsens has left him looking the coward, especially as his three fellows brought death and ruin upon the enemy, outnumbered though they were. Somewhat resentful that Gunthar and Brechthalt’s bravado met with such success, he simply says “Whatever you command, my lord.” Guiding Balder over to where Reolus tends his horse he asks “How do you both fare?”
Lo steers his horse to where the others are waiting and nods in agreement with Brechthalt.
Lo looks in askance at his shortbow as his arrow tracks away from its intended target to pierce the eye of one of the lesser Sachsen skirmishers, killing him instantly. "Nice shot, Sir Lo," That wasn't who I was aiming at . . . responds Lo silently, but who is he to question the omnipotence of his Maker? As the first group break and flee, he let's Balder continue to canter forwards, and fires another arrow at the 'proper' warriors, hoping his aim is true this time around.
Lo groans as his comrades swiftly lose all appearance of knightly discipline to fall upon the pursuing Saschens, but his dismay turns to pleasure as Reolus and Brechthalt chop down several, even as they suffer wounds of their own. Not wishing the others to pay for their foolishness with their lives, he turns his horse about and let’s fly another arrow.
he shouts, waving the spearmen out from their cover amidst the trees.
"Don't be a fool Gunthar!" shouts Lo, [b] "Stick to the plan!"
It seems to me that the wisest course is to keep running, perhaps slowing just enough at times to fool the pursuers into thinking they've a chance of catching us. Our infantry is hidden, so there's a chance the pursuing group will follow us and allow them to be engaged. If they stop, we start shooting again. It would be foolish to engage them now when we don't need to and they outnumber us.
Lo has a light warhorse and it's lightly encumbered. Says so on his character sheet :-). Holidays are done, so I should be back to being able to update daily if the Internet gods are kind. EDIT: Except of course, when I think about it I realise he's carrying Lo, so he's not lightly encumbered at all.
Luckily I already live next to a nice beach, so we're more in search of the 10metre long pythons! No luck on that front yet, though we spent our first night camping in the wilderness after the car got stuck. If someone else can roll those ten shortbow attacks for me I'd be much obliged. I think it's more than my iphone and this shitty jungle internet connection would be able to handle.
Starting tomorrow morning my wife and I embark on a two week road trip through Sarawak. I'll do my best to put a post or two in when the chance arises, but it'll be a tall order - we plan to spend a lot of time in some of the more remote national parks. Bottom line is - DMPC me as necessary!
"Time to put some distance between us and them," warns Lo, wheeling his horse back towards where the infantry lie in wait.
Another arrow thrums.
Thanks for keeping us up to date DM Jelani. Hope real life settles down soon.
“One slain already, this should be easy! jokes Lo as the camp continues to stir. Seeing their foes still gathering their forces, and no counterattack yet in evidence, Lo holds his ground and fires another arrow, shifting his aim beyond those with their shield wall formed to the lesser protected men hurrying to join it.
In a couple of hours I'll be on an island. Don't think they've got Internet, and even if they do I might be too busy snorkelling. Probably won't be further posts me this weekend! DMPC as needed.
Reolus’ prayers help calm Lo’s excitement (or is that fear?). As the sentries begin to move towards them, and the camp comes to life, he knocks another shaft and takes aim. The arrow shoots skywards.
Lo draws a deep breath, his shortbow in hand. Glancing at his fellows, he asks “Ready?” in a voice that suggests he’s uncertain he’d be able to answer the question were it aimed at him. A brief chuckle passes his lips. “Better mutter a prayer for us as we ride, Reolus, he concludes, “because if we dawdle any longer my courage will escape me!” With that, Lo kicks Balder’s flanks firmly, and the sturdy, dark warhorse bursts out of the trees and launches into a steady canter across the grey moor. Lo’s aware only of the silence of the dawn and how loud are the sounds of Balder’s pounding hooves and jingling tack, and his own clanking armour and excited breathing. Slowly the enemy camp takes form in the dim, predawn light. A good way short of his foes he draws Balder to a halt. As soon as the warhorse has settled, he knocks an arrow to his bow, stretches it back at angle to give the missile lift, and releases at the closest Saschen he can see. With a hiss the arrow climbs into the steel-grey sky, announcing the battle to come. At such long range, cutting down his opponent will be difficult, but it should certainly get their attention.
"And do we split our forces and hope to encircle them, or keep our men together and risk allowing the Sachsen escape?" asks Lo.
"But what if they too have bows? They might just opt to shoot us off our horses."
Lo settles down beside his fellow knights, his belly reasonably full and a cup of wine in hand. Although it can’t exactly be said that all are now travelling in style, it’s a lot more comfort than their first expedition across the moors. Still, the added food and warmth doesn’t quite settle the feeling of disquiet in the pit of his stomach at the prospect of battle on the morn. He turns his attention to the map Reolus has deftly scratched into the dirt. “There’s no obvious weakness in their defences,” he observes “Though as our force is largely infantry, the lines of stakes they’ve fortified the camp with are not of too much concern, except that they might split the cohesion of a unit marching in formation.” “Brechthalt – are we to merely defeat them and drive them from their camp, or does the Graf expect the utter destruction of the Saschen force? If it’s the latter, then it might be necessary to split our forces in two and attack from opposing sides.” “I wonder if there might be some value in trying to panic the oxen as the attack is joined, sowing confusion amongst the enemy and disrupting their lines?” Lo turns to Reolus. “Your thoughts?”
"Might we should share a tent, and plan tomorrow's assault?" Pleased with Brechthalt's handling of the men and caution in choosing a campsite, and pleased still further the man is happy to include the other knights in planning the attack, Lo quickly agrees, eager to hear Brechthalt's intentions.
Lo bows his head through Reolus' prayer, and tries his best to project an aura of confidence and experience towards the assembled men.
"You may spend the evening as you wish. I will make sure that you are well stocked with dry wood, a few chickens and a flagon of wine this evening." “My hearty thanks my lord,” bows Lo lightly. “Such fare will be wholeheartedly enjoyed with the knowledge we are to return to the cold wilds soon.”
Lo returns Father Augustus’ mule , then sees to his own beasts. Afterwards, he joins his companions in their tent. "That was odd. Ordering 20 spears to attack a camp of 30. I didn't know we were so outnumbered." Lo chuckles as he sups on his flagon. “Last night you seemed eager to take them on all by yourself. But I do agree, it would be nice if at least one of ours stood for each of theirs. I guess this is where we show the mettle of Charlemagne’s knights against the heathen.”
Lo's updated. He gains the Deflective Shield which is unlikely to be much use :-) 1 skill point each in Survival, Perception and Knowledge (engineering).
Much as he loves the outdoors, the wilderness hereabouts has proved cold, hard and full of grim sights (and probably grimmer opponents, ones that, for now, Lo is happy to let lie). Lo is positively overjoyed to return to Minden’s humble bid for civilization, although he’s too cold and weary to let much of that feeling show. His legs cry out for rest, his belly for something warm, and his lips for something stronger than cold rainwater, but it’s clear duty must be followed. What’s more, the significance of the dark findings in their venture has begun to dawn on Lo on their ride back to Minden. Graf Theodoric must be warned, and he leads the way to the townhouse despite his own exhaustion. The simple comforts found within are most appreciated, and when the Graf enters along Brechthalt and Father Augustus, he does his best to pull himself up and bow. "Tell me, what have you discovered on Father August's errand that is so important as to demand my personal attention?" “Hard tidings, my lord,” answers Lo. “First, I’m afraid we must report with sadness that Augustus’ ward Uwe is dead.” Lo takes a breath as he remembers the horrific scene at the hof. “And … slaughtered in a most barbaric pagan fashion.” “But that is not all,” he continues, fearing the Graf might not consider such news worthy of his attention. “The lands north and east are rife with activity. The enemies of God are moving towards war. We saw fires at night, and this very morning rode from an encampment of Sachsens. Semi-permanent, fortified with stakes against a horse charge, ten tents worth of men and vigilant sentries. We believe them responsible for a raid on the steading of Ulger, a good Christian. Men were wounded and slain, and the women taken.”
"I'm all right. That one took the worst of it, he's about to keel over with fatigue." comments Lo, with a nod towards Gunthar.
Lo heaves a quiet sigh. "No heroes to the rescue in this tale," he says sadly. "But you're right. Let us be away from here."
Lo stays in his original position, making sure he's as well hidden as possible. If Gunthar wants to die that's his own prerogative. Lo watches the camp intently, searching for any sign of the women or any clue as to the identity of the band.
Lo carefully follows his companions, his bow also ready with an arrow on the string.
Happy Easter to you too Reolus, and everyone else.
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