Reinoldus' picture is the most legit thing ever, that's basically how I personally painted him mentally. I might go put my own series of 'what I imagined' pictures up later just to see how we compared.
Getting into marching order, the soldiers, clad in clinking steel, and two riding their war-horses, rode into the outskirts of the village, ready for anything. Kal had this peculiar feeling in his gut as he traveled onward; it was both one of novelty and a sudden apprehension. The novelty arose from the simple act of doing what he was doing; marching in order with soldiers- him as their commander, at that!
The apprehension arose but a short march into their journey, but rather than halt to voice his sudden change in plans immediately he allowed a quarter's day march to place them nearer the village of Helcomb. It was here that Kallain, raising a hand, called the formation to a halt.
"Reinoldus, consult with me a moment." the young prince quipped as he cast a swift glance around to the other men- who seemed somewhat perplexed as to why they stopped, but the green soldiers relaxed..at least, until the grizzled soldiers put them back on their toes with a bark. The gruff old knight that is Reinoldus nodded once, sharply, and his grim air was once more present. Kallain gestured for Reinoldus to follow him and began to walk away from the small group of soldiers- only to halt with one foot off the edge of the path.
"...These are bandits, not some organized force." the prince said quietly, and only Reinoldus directly behind him to hear him. The old knight's grim stoicism shifted into a grin as he realized what Kallain had been about to ask him.
"Aye, I see you're putting that education to use now."-- the older knight's laughter was a reassuring gesture to Kallain, but to the other men it was quizzical at best due to their unfamiliarity with the duo. Kal shook his head once, then turned back to address the soldiers.
When he planted his feet to begin speaking, a small shift came over him- where before it was clear that he was as green as the fresh recruits, he now carried the air of a prince proper; commanding, confident, cool. Even if for just a moment, the hard analytical gaze of a tactician fluttered across his features.
Inside Kal's head, it was a stark contrast to his exterior. That flicker of analysis on his face was a reflection of the anxiety coursing through his skull and spine, making him feel as if the hair on his arms was standing on end. One thousand different scenarios played out in his head, but as he planted his feet to address the soldiers one seemed to stand out and scream at him at the top of its lungs for attention. And so, Kal took in a short breath and began to speak...
"These are bandits, not an organized military. I don't want to work off of assumptions however, so do not assume for an instant that you will be walking through fields of bandits reaping them as if harvesting wheat with a scythe. The image may be amusing, and I agree with you that the idea of someone using a scythe as a weapon is comical, but I digress. Rather than march headlong into the village and expose ourselves, let us instead expend ourselves efficiently. We are fourteen, and from Tamlyn's explanations the bandits number close to thirty. That's a little over double our number." As he spoke, the fresh soldiers seemed, in part, unnerved and, in part, reaffirmed in their reality. "Also noteworthy is Tamlyn's description of their namesake... Kal hesitated here for a moment as if trying to find the right words.
"While a majority of them are simply bandits, Tamlyn says that a few of them, including the one known as 'The Turnip' himself, seem to be capable of springing from the earth in ambush. At first I queried magic, but as we have travelled and spoken to each other I have spent serious thought on the issue and I think I have come across an answer for that." and with that a sly grin appeared on Kallain's face.
"How does a smaller force overcome a larger? Either through skill or clever thinking. I'd rather not risk lives with the assumption we're better trained, so let's simply out-maneuver and out-think these bandits. Gentlemen--" addressing them as 'gentlemen' warranted a low, snorting laugh from the grizzled soldiers and a nervous chuckle from the fresh. "Let's dig a few holes of our own. They are notorious ambushers? Well, let's turn the tables."
---
Rather than describe the entirety of the next quarter day in full detail and in time consuming narrative, I shall instead list the process here for convenience sake.
Kal's directive of 'let's dig a few holes of our own' would sound rather confusing, but he seems to think he knows how these bandits do what they do.
He shall first set the fresh soldiers to digging holes on the side of the road- not on the road itself, but along its edges. He himself, along with Reinoldus and the grizzled soldiers, would spend the same time gathering up foliage and light branches in order to make [With Tamlyn's help] semi-realistic foliage coverings.
Which, upon completion, Kal will then explain his idea to the soldiers as thus;
People get into the holes, then pull the foliage covering up over their heads to cover the hole- with them inside it, of all things!
From the outside, it looks like just another leaf strewn area of the forest floor.
Then, when unsuspecting victims such as farmers or, in their case, bandits come by...
you leap out of the holes and accost them, or fire arrows out discreetly, or some other manner of assisting technique.
This is the process Kal goes through
--- After the conclusion of the holes' construction, it'd be well into the evening and sunset.
"Reinoldus. I don't know who else I can trust with this next part of the plan." Kal began hesitantly, looking to the old knight.
"You mean 'risk', highness." Reinoldus' grin was fierce and full of life- the old knight was back at doing what he had done his whole life, and it was an envigorating nostalgia. "Not 'trust'."...Kallain couldn't resist a smirk, then a sigh of anxiousness.
"We have an ambush, but we're likely walking into an ambush ourselves. I have no doubt that the bandits will have scouts in the forest in the immediate area around the village, but we need a good chunk of them drawn here...-" Reinoldus gave a sharp nod and cut him off.
"I'll take three others with me, say we're a policing force from the crown who came t' check on a farmer's plea. That'll get the bandits riled up enough to try and kill us before we report back- and if it doesn't, I'll..." the knight hesitated, his grin slipping somewhat. "Just make sure your damned ambush works."
Kal nodded grimly, looking at the knight solidly before reaching out and clasping an arm with him. As much as they had a gap between them, they were friends, and this was the first danger they faced together.
Kal regrouped with the eleven Reinoldus didn't take as the old knight set off for the village in the evening. If this plan went right, Reinoldus would have considerable opposition in the morning right around where Kal's ambush was set up...
"Your first opportunity at commanding troops and you put your stake in an ambush... Let's hope it works out..." was the comment that raised through Kal's head, until ultimately the words Hope it works out... were the only ones left.
Well, welcome back Athi. I appreciate the reaffirmation of interest myself- appeared as if you had up and quit on us there xD Eh, I phased out for a week there myself, so I feel your pain.
--Edit--
Dear lord none of you realize the monstrosity you've let happen. Phoenix? With the opportunity to incite a battle and or death of the player character? My god, what have you done! My inner tactician screams for blo-
I mean, it feels good to get out of my sick/testing stagnation. Yay.
==Double Edit My God==
Welp, I didn't want to do any of my super insane ideas for now, so I went with a solid one instead.
I must apologize deeply for my absence. I have come down with a sickness that has scrambled my mind quite a bit, and even now I suffer from mild confusion and difficulty focusing. I'm improving steadily and all in all it's not a critical illness, but certainly a debilitating one.
Again, I'm sorry, and 'll try to get back to you guys ASAP
You can always post, I'm malleable and organic. I'll always work around what you guys say unless it's something directly in conflict with the scene I set up.
Is there a gun under the table? No, probably not.
If there a chandelier? Hell yeah have fun.
That sort of thing, at least. Don't assume there are things anywhere though, as I might throw a curveball.
As for posting under others- go ahead. As long as you're not both in the same firefight or situation, you can always post over each other unless I otherwise says so
