Well the opening move of our latest contract hadn’t exactly gone to plan, we had tried our best to make sure the bandits didn’t get a wink of sleep. They hadn’t but then again other than an hour or two at the start of the night neither had we. The failure of last night's operation, if it can be considered as such didn’t make me at all hopeful that today's objective of getting the bandits to attack us would prove any more successful.
The part of the operation assigned to my squad the rest of third platoon and most of second platoon for that matter wasn’t all that difficult. While first squad and the scouts played a more active role we had to quietly and as stealthy as possible get into position to repulse any resulting sortie from the enemy no matter how minor.
I thought that even if the bandits had been planning to assault us today last night the moves planned for today would instead make them change their minds. However, Lord Duchen wasn’t paying us to sit around doing nothing so we had to give it a go.
A little before noon as I was about to order my squad to begin to move into position Lieutenant Bracton unexpectedly showed up, with new orders for me.
“Sorry about this sergeant but the Captain wants a word, hand your squad over to Corporal Bennet and report to the command tent. Have you briefed him on what is expected of your squad today?”
“Yes sir, have you any idea what Walker wants with me?”
“I’ll let him explain but apparently things had already gone wrong with today's daring-do.”
After reporting to the command tent I was shown inside by a corporal and I was surprised to see Sergeant Young accompanying the Captain.
“Sorry about this sergeant I know you’d like to be with your squad today, not that they're likely to see any action today mind you but hope springs eternal. Anyway, the part that was to be played by our scouts has hit a bit of a snag.
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Corporal Pen’s horse had a small accident not long ago and is in no state to be ridden not that Pen himself is in any better condition. Their both likely to make a full recovery mind you but that's not much use today. We could of course carry on with a man down but unlikely though it is things could get pretty dicey today and I don’t want to risk it. Having served with the scouts before and being one of the best horsemen in the company I immediately thought of you, are you up for it?”
“I am yours to command, sir.”
“Good, now I’ll let Sergeant Young brief you and then let you both get on with it.”
“Good to see you Niel, I wish it were under better circumstances but it can’t be helped. In a little over an hour, First Platoon and a squad of his Lordship guards will be lined up just outside of bow range of the Manor House. They will be joined by ourselves and his Lordship and we will approach just a little bit nearer under a white flag. While the rest of us hand back you will approach the enemy position carrying the flag and demand their surrender. Once they of course refuse you will then try to negotiate terms. This will no doubt also fail and once it does so you will withdraw.
Once you return to our lines you must be seen to have a disagreement with his lordship and you will then return to make another attempt this time accompanied by sir Stevin. You are to give this second attempt a full five minutes before giving up and once again return to the lines at which point we will all withdraw and try something different.”
“So we’re hoping that the Bandits will make an attempt to capture or kill his lordship but not until myself and him turn our backs on the negotiations and signal to them the truce is over. That’s risky they are bandits after all and not all of that breed I have found respect the rules of war. So my real job is to make sure that his Lordship makes it back in one piece. In fact, it might be for the best if the bandits make their move just as soon as they see me approaching with him in tow. Hopefully, they won’t make a move before that though it is always a possibility. I assume his Lordship is aware of the risks and is still willing to proceed.”
“That he is, perhaps a little too willing, if you ask me.”
“It’s not going to be easy if anything does go down but I think I’m up for it, how much of a horseman is his Lordship?”
“An avid one by all accounts.”
“Good that should make things a little easier, though I’d like to have a look at his horse before proceeding.”