OOC: I have no problem with either one. I will take lead if cool.

This message was deleted by the player at 20:49, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

"You may be correct, Sir Dalan. The Irish are closing in on us. We might need to choose a direction of attack, and attempt to break out taking the Princess and Earl to safety. The Maneuver might be a lot like Sir Sejanus capture of the flag. Tie the enemy up, and a small unit flee with them."

The twenty-five knights head toward the north and Bulford, arriving about thirty minutes later.  Like most of the manors they have seen, the place is abandoned.  A little west of the manor, the body of one of the messengers lies by the side of the path with two arrow wounds in him, although the arrows themselves are gone.  Once more, there is no sign of his horse.

Continuing on to Winterslow, they find another abandoned manor.  As they ride by, however, they hear a shout and turn to see the second messenger a bloody bandage around his right thigh, waving from the front door.

He steps back inside and a moment later returns with his horse, lifting himself into his saddle and riding somewhat painfully to the knights.  "Mal and I rode up this way and on to Bulford.  I spotted something and stopped but Ol' Mal kept going for a space and next thing ya know there were two arrows stuck in 'em and a third whizzed past his head.  Then a fourth struck me in the leg as I wheeled around.  Mal slumped and fell from his horse and I rode out of sight and sent you the message.  I continued on and took shelter here.  Not twenty minutes ago I saw them soldiers marchin' past.  There was round sixty of them.  Roughly even with pikes, swords, and bows," he explains.

"You did well. Lord Robert will remember your service. Budfannon take a look at his wound." Garym gazed towards the direction they were travelling to see if there were any advantage to the land. Twenty minutes ahead meant that they were about 2 miles away.

Probably more like a mile, given the low-quality road and them being on foot.

Sir Garym has not spent a lot of time in this area but is pretty sure that there is a low ridge to the left of the road about one-and-a-half to two miles from here.  That would provide some cover and allow part of their force to essentially sneak up on the enemy, if they were reasonably quiet.  Then, when the other group charged down the road and the enemy turned to face them, the hidden group could enfilade them.

Sir Garym gets a check in Battle.

"There is a way that this attack can succeed." Garym explains the his plan using the lay of the land. "For Salisbury, men. The group approaching from the road needs to sound like an army twice their size."

"We'll knock our lances against our shields." Sir Dalan says. A wolfish (pantherish?) smile appears on his lips. "And we'll be shouting for Salisbury, God and the King when we ride!"

Sejanus looked most serious, but remained silent,as he rode with the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

The group rides about a half mile down the road, spreading out as much as possible to reduce dust.  When the ridge starts, Sir Garym, Sir Sejanus, and eight other knights split off to the left and ride along the far side of the low ridge, staying out of sight of the Irish on the path.  Every now-and-then, they halt and listen for sounds of the company of foot soldiers.  Once they hear the distinct sound of clanking metal and hard boots on the soft earth, they arrange themselves and slow to a walk.

The remainder of the knights, including Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, and Sir Perin, wait for several minutes before proceeding at a trot up the road.  As soon as they see the dust from the passage of many feet, they let out a yell and charge.

The Irish are caught off guard by the initial charge as pikemen try to get to the front while archers fall to the rear.  Despite this, they manage pretty well once engaged.

Sir Garym hits one of the archers with his lance, knocking him down before he can get off a shot.  Sir Sejanus's lance, meanwhile, goes clear through another archer, killing him instantly.  A pair of other archers target the two, both missing.  Sir Garym gets a check in Lance, Sir Sejanus gets a point in Lance.

Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, and Sir Perin charge down the road, whooping and hollering.  Each kills a pikeman with their well-aimed lances.  Sir Dalan and Sir Perin get checks in Lance, Sir Gracian gets a point in Lance.

Ten Irish are dead or unconscious, two knights are unhorsed.

Drawing swords, Sir Sejanus and Sir Garym lay about them, trying to kill off more of the archers while fending off swordsmen.  Sir Sejanus is hit by an archer with expert aim, but manages to deflect most of the damage and stay on his horse (Sir Sejanus takes two points of damage).  Sir Garym knocks another archer unconscious.  The swordsman on Sir Sejanus misses but the swordsman on Sir Garym lands a mighty blow, knocking Sir Garym off of his horse and giving him a major wound (Loss 1 CON, Chirurgery needed, take 14 points of damage, remain conscious) but he remains conscious.

Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, and Sir Perin each fight a pikeman and a swordsman, and each knocks their pikeman unconscious and their other opponents miss them.

The Irish lose another 15 soldiers to death or unconsciousness.  Sir Garym and one other knight have suffered major wounds and one knight is dead.  Seeing their numbers quickly deteriorate, the Irish surrender.

A review of the battlefield reveals that there are now 34 Irish standing, 8 dead, and 17 unconscious.

Riding around the surrendered foe Sir Dalan glares down down at them and calls out: "Do any of you know our tongue?"

The battle complete. and trusting his brothers to see to the aftermath, Perin turns his attention to the surviving messengers, and the bodies of their fallen comrades that the knight's squires are transporting.  "Gentlemen, I was hoping that you might be able to help me identify these men and where they were heading. There are certain messages that are absolutely critical to Salisbury's survival, and if they weren't delivered and were instead intercepted by the Irish..." He lets the words hang for a moment before adding But if that's impossible, could you at least be able to let me know if any of these men was the one that departed Salisbury late last night?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

The Irish seem disinclined to make eye contact, much less speak to the angry knight on horseback with his blood-splattered sword.

The messenger who met you south of Porton shrugs, "I don't know who was carrying what or where any were going.  There were five sent out yesterday afternoon," he points to three of the dead found around Porton. "I spoke with ole Carliff there after dinner, so he must have been sent out later," he explains.

Perin barely manages to stifle a curse as he replies "Thank you my friend.  I was hoping that you might be able to help us out.  While we get the situation here sorted, can you return to Sarum?  I fully expect the fortress to be surrounded, but it's worth knowing for sure.  Could you please scout out the area for us?  I know that I am asking much of you, but the fate of Salisbury hangs in the balance here."

Seeing the man off, he returns to his fellow knights "Brothers, I have terrible news.  Do you remember the message I sent to the Countess Fiona?  There is a very distinct chance that the courier I sent it with is among the dead.  It is therefor imperative that I ensure its successful delivery, even if I must carry it myself."

Sir Dalan looks ashen at the news. He looks over at the Salisbury injured. "Sir Garym my brother... can you ride? With your own injury it may be best you keep from the next fight especially as we'll need Sir Perin's sword and lance."

"Garym gravely raises his head. "I am do not think so. I can try."

A death of a thousand cuts. They loss 3 knights compared to the larger losses of the Irish, but who was hurt more.

It is mid-morning.  Two hours after you left Sarum, two-and-a-half after first light.

You have 34 prisoners, 17 wounded, and 8 dead Irish.

You have the bodies of four messengers and one knight and you have a wounded messenger and two wounded knights.  You have two additional messengers and 22 knights.

Sir Perin believes that his message to Fiona was intercepted, as were most of those sent by Sir Robert, meaning few if any know of your predicament.

You do not know the fate of the bridges on the Avon or Bourne near Sarum, nor Sarum itself.  You only know that as of about 90 minutes ago, Wilton had fallen and the bridges on the Avon were under attack or threat of imminent attack.

You are a hard hour's ride from Sarum, probably two hours or more if you are bringing the prisoners.  Sending a messenger there and back will also take about 2 hours.

What are your plans for the prisoners, wounded, and dead Irish?  If anyone is planning to attempt to deliver a message to Countess Fiona or anyone else, how do you plan to get there and how many knights are going?  Remember that the Irish prisoners outnumber you by 50% and the fewer of you there are the more they outnumber you.

Sir Garym can ride but a lot of hard travel will cause damage.  Getting him and the other wounded knight to a place where they can rest and recover may be a good idea.

Garym waves over the other knights as he whispers softly. "We can not win engaging in many little battles. It spends us foolishly. We need a plan that will limit the amount of battles fought. There is a strong chance Sarum will fall. Our goal should be the escape of the Princess and Earl. We are outnumbered. I have a plan of deception that might work. The Irish know they can not hold Salisbury. Their goal must be more short term like the capture of the Princess and Earl. We need to trick them. Send out a decoy that they can chase, but the Princess and Earl hide amongst the masses of commoners that have sought refuge in Sarum. I doubt the Irish could recognize them if disguised. Meanwhile, Perin seeks help from the Countess, and her knights. But as I have argued many times there must be another force that we can utilize against the Irish."

 Sejanus removes his helmet, and wiped the sweat from his brow. " I volunteer to be part of the decoy. if I fall, the loss would be slight, as opposed to those of you with wives or soon to be married."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

Perin smiles and claps Sejanus on the shoulder "So humble brother.  First, the loss of any man of Salisbury is always mourned; and second I count three bachelors here my good man, and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon."

Nodding to Garym, who seems to be in quite a bit of pain, Perin continues "And with respect good Sir Garym, I wouldn't be so sure that Sarum will fall, at least not immediately.  Water will force their hand soon enough, but we have at least a week.  I think your plan is a good one if it comes to it, but I see a few problems.  First, the Irish have no doubt surrounded Salisbury and will no doubt take umbrage at our attempts to enter, though we would be well served to find out.  Second, what do we do with our captives?  It's not as if we can just take them with us.  And third, and probably the most pressing, your wounds, they need a healer's aid, and swiftly."

Perin turns to Dalan and Gracian and asks "Though speaking of forces to aid Salisbury, did either of you send a message to call your knights to battle?"

"Sarum fall?" Gracian uttered as he unhorsed and knelt by the wounded Sir Garym. "Am I so terribly naive that I refuse to admit it has come to that?"

He inspected Sir Garym's wounds and tried to look brave. "Oh ... uhmm ... just a fleshwound, my friend. You will up and running in no time." He was lying of course and he was bad at it.

He rose and looked at the Irish prisoners while listening to Sir Perin. No I did not call for my knights. Things has been hectic and I doubt any messenger will get through. Frankly I even doubt you will get through to Countess Fiona ..."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:25, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"Be not naïve. Sarum falls without support. Whether by arms or lack of water. The only way it does not is  delaying the enemy until reinforcements come. Guile not force will win this day. We need to act before to late. This will possibly stave off the attack giving time to allow you a chance to get help. We do the same thing they are doing to us. Make them make decisions on what their priority is. If, we do not act sooner than later we will have a chance to slow the tide of Irish. If, their goal is the Nobles than they may not attack as soon as they planned. Each day, allows a chance to get help. During that time, if Irish believe there is no gain to attack Sarum they may release the common refugees with promise of treasure. The Prisoners scatter their arms, and they will regroup, but what else is there to do save execute each of them. Which I am not yet savage enough to do."

"I too have not had chance to send message to Cardiff, but now that we are actually out of Sarum I suppose I could make the attempt." Sir Dalan frowns. "I would not be willing to execute the prisoners either but is truly no way we can deal with them without letting them go."

He rubs his beard. "You say we have a week... could we make for Silchester - all of us, prisoners included - and return with aid from that quarter?"

Perin holds up hand "The problem still remains, we must reach Garym before you can do anything brother.  How are we going to get there with prisoners in tow?  And if it is surrounded, how do you intend to break through?"

The large knight fixes Gracian with a solemn look "Trust me my friend, I will make it to the Countess, nothing will stop me."

Nodding at Sir Dalan, he adds "It can't hurt to ask for aid my brothers."

"Hopefully none of us will ever be savage enough to kill prisoners, Sir Garym. We are better than that, noble friend. The prisoners will be told to scatter. Yes they will reform but at least we have shown them what chivalry is, and we cant bring the prisoner's with us, Sir Dalan, because they will slow us down.

Sir Garym? You squire should take you to Levcomagus to the North-East where your wounds can be treated. Without skilled treatment of your wounds then I fear your ... fleshwounds ... will be your death.

Sir Perin should ride to Countess Fiona with all haste, and you, Sir Dalan, are of course free to attempt to reach your holdings and gather your knights. But I will return to Sarum and defend it. If it is a week we have then I will make the Irish bleed for a week."