Year 488 - War on the Continent

[Geoffrey]

A questioning look came across Geoffrey's face as Cedwyn waved the squires in.  Like his own cousin, may God rest his soul, Cedwyn seemed to pay little, or no, heed to proper custom.  It was no wonder the two were such good friends.  With a slight shake of his head and a sigh, Geoffrey turned his attention to the duty that had been assigned to them.  Another curiosity to Geoffrey.  There was no need to gather them, a messenger could have relayed this message easily enough, giving them more time to prepare and rest up.

The knight was silent as he watched and listened.  Rodric spoke highly of this man and the company he kept, perhaps he was missing something.

[Cedwyn]

"Two battles have I fought," Cedwyn continued against the silence, "In both good friends and brother knights I have known since a boy have fallen. The latest battle felling your cousin, Sir Geoffrey."

"I bring us together one last time before battle so that we may remember this moment when we were hale and hearty; ready to seek the glory of battle and the rewards of plunder."

"I also bring us to discuss thoughts around tactics and strategy. It may well be that we encounter only villagers and hunting parties. The Lord bless us, that will be all we encounter. But I have yet to see a battle plan that worked as thought. I would know the capabilities of each of your forces. Militia. Hired mercenaries," he gave more to Arne and Valka, "Beyond the Northmen with your Chieftains. Archers?" Cedwyn looked around at the gathered.

"Winterbourne Stoke brings 60 militia and 40 hired Irish knifers. My men are armed with pikes and hunting daggers. I plan to use my mercenaries as the front line."

"If we encounter a large force, my plan is to send one of our squires via horse to his lordship. We then find the right ground to force battle. Have them exhaust themselves getting to us for example."

[ooc: Assuming I can repeat last year impress and hire knifers to fill the gap again]

[Arne]

Arne set his flagon down and nodded to his wife with a grin.  "Valka and I have forty Nordheimers to bring to the battle.  Well, forty-two, including us.  Besides the both of us, eight of our more experienced warriors are mounted, as are our svends."  Here, Arne indicated his and Valka's squires with nods. 

"The rest travel by foot, but all are trained to fight in a Nord shield-wall. All our warriors wear hardened leather armor, and carry shield, spear, axe and dagger. Our mounted warriors also have swords."

Arne hesitated.  "Sir Cedwyn . . . how do you think the Irish knife-men will stand up in a battle line?  We would be willing to take the right flank."

[Cedwyn]

“It’s hard to say. They are the best I can afford to meet my lord’s requirements to field. I don’t have many peasants I can call on. I wamt them in front in case they break but also because I’d rather them die before my men.”

“If possible, I would like your mounted warriors to scout ahead and look for enemy skirmishers. They should avoid combat unless they can decisively eliminate a force.”

[Geoffrey]

"Falt has had to fill its quota with Irish knifers as well.  We will have a combined total of one hundred at our disposal."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn began, “All right, chain of command first. Sir Artaigne? You’re my adjutant for the duration of the campaign. If I fall or become incapacitated, Sir Geoffrey you assume command and Sir Artaigne will be your adjutant as well as commanding Winterbourne Stoke. With apologies to you both,” he looked at Arne and Valka, “Sir Artaigne assumes command should both Sir Geoffrey and myself fall. Then Chieftains, should tragedy go that far you’ll assume command after Sir Artaigne.”

Cedwyn poured a few pebbles out of a bag he’d carried in onto a table. He placed two smaller stones in front of three bigger ones.

“No matter what Chieftains, I’d like your kerns [ooc: mounted non-knight warriors] out front. They’ll act as our forward scouts. The question is hoq to order the rest of our march.”

“I almost want your Northmen in our rearguard,” he said to Arne and Valka, “You would be reserve forces or surprise attack up the flanks,” looking at Geoffrey he added, “It would also help put spine in our Irishmen if 20 hardened Northmen as coming up on their flank, leaving them nowhere to run.”

“An attack on our scouts and van is then easily dealt with...as would be an attack on our rearguard. It’s flanking that could be trouble. An attack from our right plays to our strength, but from the left could be trouble.”

“What are your thoughts?”

[Arne]

Arne tapped a knife against the left flank and replied, "If my mounted warriors are close by, they could swing around here and carve into any enemy threatening our left.  Flank the flankers," he chuckled.  "Or . . . perhaps make your left flank the stronger side?  If the enemy is expecting the right to be the stronger and strike at the left, they could be in for a surprise and perhaps give us an advantage."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded, “Thinking about it. I want one rider held in reserve as a messenger to the Earl if we run into trouble.”

[Artaigne]

The Irish knight nodded at what Cedwyn had to say by way of acknowledgement and acquiescence.  "My lords, I cannot speak for all of my countrymen, but I hope that these shall run true to our native spirit and be courageous on the field of battle.  I think that there is truth in the words of our friends from the North...flipping the usual ordering of the flanks would be to our advantage."

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn nodded, “I agree. There is something there. I think we should make determinations on the field. For a smaller force, I would like this subterfuge; I ajudge more likely they would try such a thing. For a larger force, they may simply try to crush us. Hmmm.”

“Think that makes it certain. Arne. Valka. The Northmen take the rearguard. That will give us tactical flexibility. You can act as reserve company or move to either right or left flank. More to the point, mercenaries are not highly regarded, it may well be that draws an attack to the right. If you were to march a little slovenly, it may give an enemy quite a surprise when they attack and you suddenly show your true quality.”

[GM Craig]

[We good to go?]

[Cedwyn]

[I think so]

[Geoffrey]

[Yeah, don't wait for me.  I'd like to contribute something of value but Cae has been waking up about an hour and a half earlier than usual and not falling asleep again so thinking has proven to be extra challenging the last few days.]

[Arne]

Arne raised an eyebrow, but laughed as he drained the last of his mulled wine.  Good stuff, this drink.  We should learn how to make it.  "I like it, Sir Cedwyn!  A few of our warriors might gripe a bit about acting like lazy curs, but Valka and I will set them straight on the ruse."


(OOC:  Ready to go as well.)

[GM Craig]

Your small force of Cymric peasants, rough Irish knifers, and Northmen, set out in the early hours of the morning. You needed to leave some troops behind to pack up your camp and move your baggage, but most of your soldiers are with you, as are your squires. You climb up the fairly gentle slope that leads from the village, and enter into a wide open country.

You all note a similar sized force, led by Sir Amig, departing at the same time, though they will be to the east while your path leads you farther west of the army's planned route.

The lands appear to be rich plains, scattered with orchards and the occasional large oak tree. At this hour, you see little movement, but it it very early yet. You pass a few abandoned farms - some of them recently - but when your troops investigate there are no supplies. A few hours later, you spot a building on a hill, overlooking a tiny farming village. All of you, except Sir Artaigne, recognize the symbols and totems of Saxon gods. It seems this is a temple.

You have been spotted, and you hear shouts from the village. A small stream of people are running up the village towards the hill.

Your outriders signal all clear - this does not appear to be an ambush.

[Actions?]