Padraig left the camp guard to the sergeants and then considered their position. He didn't have a map, and assumed that if anyone else did they'd have shared it by now. So instead, he took some time to relax and consider their next course of action, while missing the company of Melinda.

In talking with some of the sergeants that have rolled over to the Duke's side, you find out that they have some knowledge of where you are headed. It's mostly flat land, with a few drainage ditches ... it's perhaps another day or so to the river. They expect to see a gaggle there as new officers want to advance while those retreating want to continue to do so...

The man took the information in and nodded as the sergeants revealed it. Good work, we can probably move around them and gain some advantage with the terrain..." (tactics?)

"if we can harry them enough to distract from the Duke's main force, perhaps he'll be able to press their advance while we take the flank. Even a few well placed flanking arrows, enough to break the line would likely see the Duke winning the engagement" he said, formulating the plan and then setting it in motion as they prepared to move.

You move south in such a manner as to most probably not hit the rebels main defense and to turn it's flank as well. By later afternoon, your NCOs suggest that you stop here and spend the night as you are but a mile or two from the enemy's expected line. That will let the scout reconnoiter and your men rest after marching all day, they suggest you attack at daybreak.

Padraig nodded, it was a good plan and best to let the men rest before any large encounter was engaged.

"Alright, lets set up here - we'll send out scouts to get an exact count and position and rest before joining an attack with sunrise... Make sure you're all well rested and have yourselves sorted out"

Things go smoothly ...

Give me a tactics and a leadership roll...

22:27, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 13 using 3d6.  Leadership.

22:27, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 7 using 3d6.  Tactics.

Come morning, your Men are in place and move forward on your signal, their guards sound the alarm and run. By the time your men plow into the camp in formation, the enemy camp is in turmoil and cannot mount any sort of coherent defense, the whole force, easily twice your size crumples ... Nobles flee on horse back in their sleeping shirts or whatever they grabbed, leaving their fancy tents and gear behind ... enemy troops scatter to the 4 winds and you have a huge problem with the large number who surrender ... more than 600!

Padraig frowned at the number of prisoners they took and thought perhaps their morale was terrible if so many surrendered.

He called his sergeants over after the men had surrounded and thought what best to do.

"Requisition all the belongings here, and have our quartermaster take account of all the stocks and items we now have in store.

Keep the prisoners tied - but feed them and give them a drink of some beer, or alcohol we might have.  Same for our lads, lets make sure they get fed properly and enjoy themselves a little - but nobody gets drunk yet.

We can rebuild the camp - if the prisoners help they can use one or two of the tents when we camp.

Also, find their leaders, and send them into that tent over there, I'll use it as the command tent for now.

Everyone did fantastic, and should be proud of their efforts. A lot of honour was gained today.

He said, patting the closest sergeant on the shoulder before retiring to what he assumed to be the previous command tent.

---

When the prisoner leaders were brought he'd prepared a few words to ensure their compliance, as best he could - but he also wanted to know why they broke so easily.

His first question was "Tell me how a force over double our size managed to break so easily. You and your men look strong enough so I can only imagine that you wished to be here much less than those noble cowards that fled he said, already anchoring the notion that they had been abandoned by cowardly commanders.

The sergeants suggest that no one be tired up, but that they clean up the mess and set all the tents back up ... Their weapons will be removed, as will their armor. They further suggest no alcohol so there are no problems. Water and food, some tea with breakfast.

Their rations are very limited except for what the nobles had, which was excessive to their needs as there were only 5 of them. They'd like to add those rations to the general supply, it won't make food plentiful, but will certainly bolster what they have had up to now ... and it will augment our rations too.  They will keep the prisoners busy and are already moving the enemy sergeants away from their troops. Some of them arew not to be trusted at all ... other may decide to change sides seeing what those who did now have.


The three Nobels tents are in disarray,  but the two smaller tents each have two cots for young nobles sons, the large tent has only one somewhat lavish sleeping area and a separate meeting/common area. There is a comely young peasant girl cuffed to the bed swearing only a shift. She is shaking from fear and the cold both and terrified when you enter.

He nodded at the suggestions.

When Padraig walked in, he spotted the girl and then gestured the other men away.

"Out" he said, and then once clear, walked over to the girl and squatted next to her.

"Who are you?" he said while retrieving a knife from his boot to cut her restraints.

Her restraint is an iron cuff with a key lock.
She screams and tries to get as far away from you as she can.

A sergeants asks What's goin' on? through the tent divider

Padraig looked back at the sergeant. "There's a girl here, some prisoner of sorts, bring me something that can break manacles please" he said as he turned back to face the girl and gestured peacefully.

"I'm not here to hurt you, do you know where the key is?" he asked, before pointedly looking around the room. Then, having given her something industrious to focus her mind on and bring her back from the edge of fear he spoke again, using placating tones. "The man who occupied this tent is no longer in command, he's fled and we now have taken it back. We're allied to Catheran... he said, hoping she could find something to cling onto there.

As unfortunate as her situation was, a screaming, near-naked and terrified woman in camp was not something that was going to lead to good things.

Her face still shows fear but she doesn't scream any more ... So Sir Garulf isn't here? she asks in a very soft plaintive voice.

Padraig shrugged "He's either dead, a prisoner or has fled. But for certain, this isn't his tent anymore"

"So, who are you? And do you know where the key is?"

The key was around his neck ... I am Sasha de Uberville, My father was a Baron who came upon hard times ... Garulf came and conquered us I guess ... I was hustled off in a blindfold, I have no idea of what happened, though I fear for my family. He then used me as he saw fit, passed me around to the whelps he had with him ... I am debased. No man would have me now.

Padraig grimaced at the notion and then patted her shoulder lightly, wishing Melinda was here to console the girl "Well, we can worry about that later, you're alive and free again. Lets find you some clothes and get you fed and then we'll figure out how to get you home

She Snorts  Home?, I no longer have a home ... even if my father lives and has a holding, he can't marry me off ... I am nothing to anyone but a woman to use. I never wanted to be a Nun either.

He frowned again "Well, we'll see what we can do for you. I have a friend that might be able to help you she's back at Freehold. So for now, you can stick with us"

FWIW she is dressed in a loose gown, she is not bare.


It is about 15 minutes later when a sergeant speaks from outside the curtain one of the soldiers was apprenticed to a lock smith and says he may be able to open them...

Sasha settles down a little . Thank You , that would be more than I have hoped for.  Garulf was an ass, but a big strong one and he used his size and strength freely to get his way, all his sergeants were scared of him, as he killed one of them with his bare hands for telling him he couldn't go a certain route ... of course they were seriously mired and had to back out and go another route, but the man was still dead, even though right. They were to hold the crossing  so that it could be used to bring reinforcements. Those were to arrive tomorrow and cross using boats that Garulf has gathered by the river..

Padraig laughed at the information she provided and then shook his head in near disbelief. "My lady, you prove to be invaluable.

I've known plenty like Garulf, but for now he's out of the picture.

Okay, lets get you dressed properly then we can have our man see about your manacles, eh?

I can't dress very well while so manacled ... and don't have much to wear anyway, as Garulf threw it away, said I wouldn't need it anymore.

Padraig shrugged at the obvious comment, he just didnt think about the situation. "Alright, let me find you a blanket and then we'll get him to come and unmanacle you. You can stay in here too at your leisure, but you're free to stay or go as you wish. We'll find some clothes for you - they might not be the most lady-like, but they'll do until we can get you to a place you can find your own things. Ill get you a knife too.
he said.

He then climbed up to his feet and looked through the tent for something to cover her, before summoning in the soldier.

"Get rid of those chains" while he went to task, Padraig looked out of the tent to the nearby Sergeant and asked "There's a big guy, goes by the name of Garulf, he was the leader here. If you spot him amongst the prisoners, bring him to the tent"

OK PADRAIG ! ... She is Covered ... she is wearing a loose shift that goes below the knees. It is not see through although thin enough cotton ... like one of your dress shirts cloth, but has arms with short sleeves and covers her neck to below the knee.
If you got it wet, she'd be on display for sure, but right now she is decent if only thinly covered ... so clothes will be appreciated, but she isn't bare by any stretch.


The sergeant brings the man in who goes to work on the cuffs ...  He was one who rode off I think, but we have scout and some back up for them following to see what's there ... only about 20 or so ran that way.

OOC: SLightly annoyed by the impatience of your comments. If you want it resolved, I suspect that the better method is to just OOC: metagame it to make the point clear. Or just be clear about it.

Players obviously work on a different set of expectations and understandings of the scene/environment/world.


IC:

"Figures, people like that would often ride away to save their skin than do right by their men. Keep the scouts looking for their whereabouts. If they can engage safely, they should. Otherwise, we'll prepare before engaging.

Ideally, i'd like to get Garulf or one of his superiors alive.

He called out. Then, looking at the woman, now unrestrained, Padraig said "We'll set a tent up for you. I can't promise you'll have one to yourself, but we'll do our best to keep you apart from the soldiers.