(1868-09-21) After the Goldhollow Siege
After the Goldhollow Siege
Summary: Baron Thomas calls his officers together to discuss their next move
Date: 1868-09-21
Related: Westwar, The siege of Goldhollow
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Thomas  Helena  Wulfred  Belladona  Sonya  Dertan  Jarret  Altair  

VariousOfficers  

The study of Goldhollow Keep
Room description
1868-09-21

It's been a week since the last battle in Goldhollow, since the ferocious charge by Rikton and counter charge by the Galenthain troops on their opposite side and, most importantly, since the rain turned into snow, then ice, then ice shards striking down hundreds of enemies with reckless abandon. The unseasonable snow has long since melted. The bodies have been buried, the wounded and prisoners exchanged on both sides and Rikton's forces withdrawn.

Are they truly Rikton's forces anymore? This question has been on the lips of many soldiers. It's true that when they left, they only flew the flags of House Tusca and the Order Templar. A curious turn of events. It's also been said that Lord Captain Rollo Tusca, Seigneur of his house, duelled and struck down the Order's head and took his place. Politics within the enemy's camp has certainly been of interest to the troops here, but there are more important thing.

The city of Goldhollow is in absolute ruin. Certain parts of the outer city are still fairly intact, having seen little concerted combat. As one moves closer and closer to the centre, the rubble becomes more apparent. Only slightly diminished are the citizens of the urban fight - both sides had done well by them and few had been killed. Now they try to pick up the rubble of their shattered lives. Traps, too, must be disarmed. It will be months and months of work, and that's if peace reigns over this land. Unlikely.

But, at least the walls still stand strong. Galenthia's decision to withdraw from them after token resistance means that they still have bulwarks, should more enemy come calling. It's time to decide where to move next. Brigadier Baron Thomas Chandus, garrison commander, has called many of his officers and knights in for a war council. The location is in the study of the city's keep, still well appointed and somehow only lightly touched by the two week mortar bombardment. These weapons are new. They'll get better with them.

Chandus stands, back erect and head tilted up with a smile on his face. He no longer looks exhausted, wearing a cobalt blue and grey gambeson, his house's colours, with his sword belt fastened at the waist. The room's been well appointed with food, finally flowing from the outside, though in small number, and the remnants of their wine.

Helena enters the Hall wearing something other than full plate armor, a shock. A long black coat that is closed from the to of her neck to just below her hips, yet fall to almost brushing the floor. She also wears riding leather pants and knee high riding boots, all in black save for silvery thread embroidery and of course the rest of Kaedon county one one soldier, and a strange wolf crast on the other. A arming sword hanging from her sword belt rounds out the outfit, with makeup and a very well braided bun atop her strawberry blonde head. As she moves, there is a slight clink' of sound, as if she has some mail stitched into her coat. "Milord Barron." She says with a bow, and then a military salute. "Lord Sokar and Viscountess Kaedon should be joining us shortly." She says as she takes a seat.

Wulfred ambles on into the study, taking in the food and the wine with a rumbled roar of appreciation, "My good Baron! And Sir Helena m'dear! Why Rikton will rue the day they crossed you both, that they shall." The greeting bright, cheerful enough, probably a touch over-optimistic, and yet with barely a pause, the old Wolf has grabbed the leg of a chicken, claimed a cup of wine and moves to settle his bulk into a nearby chair that dares to creak everso faintly as he leans back into its comforting embrace. Kicking out a foot, and then resting the other atop, Wulfred is indeed seated for the duration, even as his teeth tear into the flesh of the chicken leg, beard all of a carnivorous bristle.

Lady Belladona Ulsen wears a modest gown of richly colored dark red cotton embroidered with cream colored roses over its long skirt and flowing sleeves. She has her hair pulled into a neat single braid and bound with a matching red ribbon. Her silver holy symbol rests against the front of her dress, worn proudly. On the thumb of her right hand rests a new addition that might be noticed, a ring made of rose gold. Its masculine in design and a bit large on her dainty hands but she has yet to take it off since first being seen with it on. She enters the room with a smile on her face, curtseying low for Thomas before she will approach him. "Baron Chandus, I would like to offer my congratulations and thanks. You make a remarkable commander and leader, it was an honor to work with you here." She smiles brightly.

Sonya enters with a soft rustle of black silks. Her gown black as night and fitted to accent her figure. About her neck a silver necklace in the shape of a serpent is coiled, it ebony gemstone eyes staring out with the same cool composure the Countess her self shows. So the serpent hasn't left after all. On her silk clad arm is Lord Dertan Sokar and she breezes into the room alongside the man calmly her composure unwavering. She catches the tail end of what Belladona says and her lips curl in amusement. "If I didnt know better I would say his Lordship has an admirer." The newly named Ice Serpent admits in a sly tone inclining her head to Thomas just enough to be considered polite before starting for the table. Dertan is given a somewhat softer look. "You are free to mingle as you please my Lord, thank you kindly for escorting me." Its not a dismissal but rather an allowance for him to come and go from her presence as he pleases. She will move towards Helena now offering the woman a faint smile. "Sir Helena. I do hope you fare well?"

Helena looks up to Sonya and rises as she gives a deeper bow to her Leige-lady. "Just a few scratches, Milady, the enemy has it worse, trust me." She says as she then pulls out a chair for Sonya. "Allow me milady." She says, though looks for Jarret, it's not secret the two have been spending time together, even if it's because they are commanding the same unit, still, people talk.

Stepping in from the outside, Jarret is simply dressed in a dark cloak, with a hood, although that hood is kept down for now. He keeps silent, expression as stony as he enters, keeping a bit to the side for now.

Similarly to the other noble lords here, Dertan has turned the corner between beaten and worn into alert and well-dressed. He is presently wearing a gambeson in his house colours atop pants of some rich material and a lovely pair of riding boots. As usual his forearms are covered by the decorated clasp of his vambraces and he has a scabbarded cutlass and the typical dagger on his belt. There is no bow today; Instead he brought the Ice Serpent. He offers Sonya a nod as he is released but only takes a half step away from her before moving to rest his hands on the back of the chair besides the one Helena is offering to the countess. He looks around the group a little warily and then turns his attention fully onto Thomas. Offering a polite. "Baron Chandus."

Beyond the knot of Kaedon and Sokar and his own vassal, the room is filled with officers and knights. Several of Goldhollow's commanders are present, joined alongside by a bevy of Knights of the Burnished Spur, officers of Baron Chandus's Repton Regiment and two Dragon's Claws. They are milling about, none of them armoured and finally looking relieved.

"Sir Helena." Thomas, being without any kind of hat or helm, does not salute back; he does, however, come to attention in response to the knight's military compliment. Thawing back out, Wulfred is greeted warmly. "Lord Wulfred, well met." He seems to prefer to call his vassal by his noble rather than chivalrous title, probably something to do with the circumstances surrounding Wulfred's raising to the peerage.

At Belladona's approach, the Baron dips his head in return and, if she will allow, takes Belladona's hand to give it a rather gentlemanly kiss. "My lady, I thank you for your words, but without you this army would have been lost for wound and disease, and without these other fine souls, whatever plans that had been made in this war room would have come for naught." Sonya's entrance is givin a questioning and curious glance by the Brigadier. He'd certainly expected her and her remaining folk to depart, but her presence clearly rebukes that. He nods in return. "Viscountess. It is with great pleasure that I see you still among us. Sir Dertan. Well met, and my commendation to your direction of archers in the last fight." That he doesn't mention Sonya's own conduct could either be construed as a snub, or perhaps as an attempt to forget the past.

He turns to all of those assembled. "This is a common victory, won by force of arms, discipline and esprit de corps. Our foe outnumbered us and fought well, but the tide was turned. Despite the cost." His sunny demeanour fades at the last words, somewhat, and he picks up a sheet of parchment from the table in front of him. "Our casualties were significant, but not catastrophic, given Lady Belladona's expertise."

Belladona doesn't protest as her hand is taken by Thomas, she merely blushes her cheeks turning a soft rosy pink. Those eyes widen at the praise, her head lowering modestly. "You honor me with such words Your Lordship. I am not sure my skills are as grand as you describe, the way I see it it was a combined effort from all of us. We each had our own talents and it was your skill at commanding that helped bring those talents together and create a winning team." She smiles shyly lifting her head, its easy to see the admiration in her eyes that she holds for the Chandus Baron. She curtsies pointedly ignoring the snake in the room even though her cheeks do darken further at the womans words. She will curtsey once more to Thomas and move to find a seat. That the man continues praising her has her looking exceedingly flattered and bashful.

"Aye!" Wulfred responds to the praise of the healers, chicken leg bone waved somewhat patriotically before being tossed behind his chair and his hand wiped across his jerkin, "Here here!" And then silence as he quaffs a good mouthful of wine, content to listen and rumbles a few softly spoken words to his fellow Spurs. But soon enough, they are settled once more. All rumblings rumbled and all attention focused upon Thomas and the proceedings.

Sonya turns a calm ice blue gaze onto Thomas. She smiles faintly, a rather creepy smile ment to throw the man off guard and put him on edge. "The pleasure is mine Baron, despite what some may think I am and will always be loyal to our good queen." She lifts a glass of wine in salute to Thomas and takes a small sip. Her gaze observes those around her, noting how Helena seems to be searching for Jarret and smiling slightly. Her gaze turns thoughtful now as it slips over to Dertan.

Helena raises her cup to Bella and gives a smile. Taking a sip of her wine, she sets the glass down and places her hands in her lap, being seated inbetween her Viscountess, and Wulfred, the latter getting a slight elbow in the ribs and a muttered 'manners.' She has been serving the burshinsed spears as a commander, even if she isnt a part of that particular order.

Dertan doesn't quite have the poker face needed to disguise the fact that Thomas' acceptance of Sonya is a relief. He smiles briefly in response to Thomas' praise "Thank you." He replies grateful. "It was an honor to lead such well trained archers." As everyone settles he does too. Seating himself in the chair he claimed. He turns a very similar smile to Belladona. "I know several men and women who owe their lives to you Lady Belladona. Knowing you were there helped the morale of the troops significantly." Sonya's thoughtful look gains her a faint but self-confident smile as well.

Jarret listens in quiet as things are spoken, but doesn't really add anything for now. Expression thoughtful, he keeps his gaze on one particular spot out there.

Wulfred snorts at the elbow to the ribs from Helena, letting out a good natured harrumph at the chiding, "Youngsters." The word muttered, though tinged with a healthy smirk beneath that beard and a twinkle in the old Wolf's eyes.

"Indeed, your Excellency, indeed. We are /all/ servants of the Queen here, and Long Live Her!" Thomas pours some wine for himself. Several corporals milling about pour wine for the commanders present. Raising his cup, Thomas says, "For her Majesty, for Galenthia and for our honoured war dead. Together, we are strong." He lowers his cup and takes a drink, letting some silence fill the room. "I have called this meeting as a war council. We have two moves forward… three, if one counts holding in place. And we've little intelligence on either of them. Our scouts have been busy this last week with screening the area around Goldhollow and shadowing the Tusca forces. They've indeed been retreating, I'm happy to report."

Thomas steps towards a large Fallow Lands map put up on the wall - the opposite wall to the city map. He motions towards the north of the province and the border of Ironhold. "I want to hear your thoughts, my esteemed commanders. To the north, the Knight Marshal Duke Letholdus was badly mauled by the Kentairish legion.. but it was a pyrrhic victory. They both lost thousands, last we heard. We do not know the current status of the operation."

Then Thomas points to Oracla, south of them. "The Lord Marshal Duke Gauvain is here, allegedly still under siege by the Cardinal Teleko. Strengths unknown. We do know that the majority of our strength was with him there. So, I put this to you. While we must undoubtedly still conduct reconnaissance of both locations, one will have to be decided on as our main effort. Should that turn to be fruitless, we can always shift, but we must decide on where to concentrate our scouts. North… or south." He purses his lips in a frown. "Or, do we stay here and recover?" He does not appear to favour this, but sits down and lets the rest speak, keeping silent.

Helena looks up after the toast, and smiles, finally to the business at hand. "Well, if Milord will allow me the floor, I think a token force here to guard and aid the citizenry wouldn't go amiss, but, If the templars have fled the battle, and the rest of Rikton forces know they have left the battle, then it's a very good idea to take a chance with their morale. They might think 'what did we do to win against such odds." She pushes her chair back and stands as she walks to the map. "I think, in my humble opinion milords and ladies, that we go north. The duke has proven time and time again that he can hold out, but if the south is left with a badly injured commander, then perhaps that's where we should go. The duke's reputation precedes itself." She says before taking her seat once again.

Wulfred grimaces for a moment as he pushes himself up from his seat, his scarred left hand clenched tight into a fist as the arm itself is held against his side as he rights himself. Standing and sitting are easy, everything inbetween is a pain in the rear. But once standing, the portly noble stands tall and proud, like a great ship about to be launched, "Begging your pardons! North indeed! As Sir Helena says! Duke Letholdus has clearly suffered and I'll be damned if he dies any time soon and upsets Lady Claire! I would say that any force that has suffered such casualties, well, relief would bolster the spirits of our good men and women and drive those Kentairish dogs into despair!" Wulfred's voice roars as he speaks, rumbling and indeed with his good hand, he hammers his fist against his chest as he speaks, "To kill that conniving worm Teleko would indeed be a glorious thing, but let us save our men and women to the north! With our forces so joined, we can then march south and deal with that rat-bastard Teleko!" And with that said, Wulfred harrumphs once for effect, and settles back into his seat. Perhaps the days of no sleep have finally caught up with the Wolf, for he bows his head and a faint rumble escapes the 'praying' knight. Eyes closed. Prayers offered. The occasional rumble of a snore following, a snore covered by a few rumbled coughs from the fellow Spurs.

Once the corporal has filled his glass with wine Dertan lifts his glass to join the toast, echoing "For her Majesty, for Galenthia and for our honoured war dead. Together, we are strong." As Thomas explains the situation he listens intently, waiting for a couple of the other officers to speak before he moves to his feet to speak his own mind. "Personally I believe we should go to Oracla and break the siege. It is the most politically and economically valuable of the two targets and if we are lucky they will have some of the new siege weapons there. It would very much be to our benefit to get hold of some of those weapons. I acknowledge that the enemy forces around Oracla are likely to be more significant but we will receive support from inside the city. On the other hand it is possible that the Knight Marshal Duke Letholdus' forces will fail to join with us before the first battle with the legion is joined. Finally. Going north leaves us with active forces to both our north and south." He spreads his hands to show that he has made his argument and then settles back into his seat.

Helena frowns as she looks to the map. "Going North is a better solution Milord, with all due respect, we can rout the Legion there, since the south holds most of our men, he will have an advantage over the north, we fortify the north, and once the battle is done, we move south, and rout that siege there. Since the legion suffered losses as well, we can aid our forces, and then come south, we break the siege, and then we can talk on what's next." She says. 'We can afford to lose any ground, and if the Principality has a chance to take our ground, they will, as will Rikton, but north is in much more need."

They said he might find what he was looking for in the study of the city keep. That's what has drawn him thus. How he got past guards into such an auspicious meeting, he's not really sure. Maybe they thought he was another officer? Special forces? A towering warrior not to be trifled with? In any event, Altair finds himself rather wide-eyed to find a meeting in progress as the study door closes behind him. He's dressed in black leather armor instead of his serpentine mail, his polearm traded in for a peace-knotted sword at his side. His expression is apologetic, though he has not yet quite gotten the words out to apologize for the intrusion nor turn back towards the door, though the hints of both are readily apparent in his manner and cadence.

"And whilst we are up north winning this battle." Dertan looks to Helena. "Our enemy could be bombarding Oracla with those mortars. You have witnessed how those engines cost us a fortune in soldiers and rebuilding efforts. Outside the cost in lives - losing two cities will damage our ability to fight the war. Your suggestion is sound Sir Helena but I still believe that relieving Oracla will be a better choice. As long as Knight Marshal Duke Letholdus keeps the legion occupied they are not really an immediate threat." His eyes go to Altair once the door closes behind him but he chooses to wait and see before reacting.

Helena frowns. "So you are saying instead of putting down a quick battle that I could probably command and win in a week, and arrive south with a sizable force, you suggest we just throw ourselves at the bigger battle?" She asks as she leans back. "I understand that mortars and siege weapons are a problem, but also letting a small annoyance fester eventually becomes a limb you have to cut off entirely. My advice stands, we should move north, quell that fight and then charge south." She takes note of Altair, but says nothing as she turns her gaze back to Dertan. "I've been doing this since I was sixteen Milord, and trust me when I say that going north is the better bet."

Altair hears the argument between the North and Oracla, tilting his head a moment or two. He's a little lost, like he hasn't yet had a chance to survey the board, but he might still have a little more generic advice to offer. "Go for the battle that puts you in the best position, not necessarily the one you can win," he says to Helena first, then to Dertan, "Remember that in chess, a Queen's Sacrifice can ultimately turn the tide in your favor. Sometimes we just have to lose in order to gain." Feeling like maybe he's said too much already, he turns away from both, considering the books in the study, as well as the exit door, seriously considering the latter.

Thomas has listened to the arguments for minutes now, sipping his wine and watching the principals go back and forth. "Before we act, we must gather intelligence. We have none. My Hobelar lancers were nearly untouched throughout the battle, acting as messengers, and my scouts are still working. Where, thence, shall you my commanders go, hmm? Where requires your direct view?"

Dertan watches Sir Helena for a while after she's finished speaking. An unmistakable flicker of annoyance in his eyes. When he does speak each word is carefully measured. "I am failing to see the intelligence that suggests moving north and tracking down an army on the move will take more time than moving south and breaking a siege. Nor do I see how joining up with a badly damaged army is inherently better than joining up with a larger besieged one. You will have to enlighten me on these gaps in my experience Sir Helena."

"Because, should something happen to that smaller force, then we have an uncontested enemy army to the north. While to the south you have one of the greatest tactical minds in the kingdom, I'm sure the Duke can break their siege, if not, we can join them.” Says Helena “And you annoyance is noted 'Milord', but again, all due respect, Leave the southern army where it is, because we know it's there, and direct any aid we can get to them, and we should push north and clear that, THEN move south, as I said already. But let's continue this after the Baron has the proper Recon from the field."

Altair hmmms as he hears the word 'recon', but glancing over the table and the players, he decides to say nothing and returns to perusing the tomes in the study, arching a brow at one in particular.

After restraining an urge to sigh and basically deciding to temporarily ignore Helena, Dertan simply says "I don't have anything else to add. My opinion remains that the army to the south is the greater threat."

"And Lord Wulfred and Sir Helena both vote to the north." Thomas sums up, folding his hands over eachother. The Burnished Spur officers have obviously fallen in line with Wulfred, while the rest are split, some taking the southern side and some the north. Interestingly, the Goldhollow Lieutenants of Archers and the Chandus Leatherback, or archer skirmisher, platoon commander fall in with Dertan's view. Thomas swishes around his wine in the cup, considering the map. "Hmm. This is indeed tricky. Sir Dertan has good reason in what he says. If Kentaire renews their push and defeats Duke Letholdus again, then our northern flank is open. After all, it's not like that the so called 'Kingdom' of Ironhold will come to our aid across the border… even if Viscount Henric can hardly stop himself from leading a headlong charge." Many of the Burnished Spur and Chandus officers laugh heartily at this, something about the Viscount Cassomir's conduct in the Second Succession War, when he fought for Galenthia. Before Ironhold.

"But, on the other hand… if Duke Gauvain was defeated, it would truly be a disaster of epic proportions. The last time he was defeated was at Tamlin Ford. It took months to recover. The Thorn took my entire fief and invaded among Viscount Varian's counties. Months, months. Even Partharia tried to get into our Duchy." Murmurs of agreement among the same officers.

Helena nods. "Yes Milord baron, but an open flank is bad, and we should beable to call more to our aid, send those south, but let us shore up our flank to the north, and once that is settled, there is nothing saying we can give more aid to the duke. The smaller battle will be over quicker, if we commit to the larger battle, that gives more time for the "Princes' forces to get an upper hand."

Dertan asks. "Sir Wulfred talked of access tunnels into Goldhollow when he arrived. Do we have similar knowledge of Oracla?"

Altair looks to the group once more, tilting his head and remembering the talk of recon missions. "If you have need of the men, if I'm still in the area, I would be more than willing to volunteer for a recon mission." he notes strongly yet gently.

"Oracla was a village before we arrived and fortified it, Sir Dertan. I have no knowledge of any such tunnels." Thomas replies. He nods at Altair. "Your expertise is greatly appreciated, Master. After the decimation of the Shadow Snakes in particular, expert scouts are in short supply." He runs a hand through his blond hair, which has grown quite longer than he normally wears it, down past his ears and nearly halfway down his neck. "I will think on this for the night, then, unless you have any parting words?"

Nobody Does

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