(1875-04-04) Ill Met By Moonlight: Addendum
Ill Met By Moonlight: Addendum
Summary: After the battle of Biaret, Thomas confronts Corwin
Date: 4/4/20
Related: Ill Met By Moonlight: Part Five
NPCs: None
Players:
Corwin  Thomas  

Biaret, Duchy of Tarris, Galenthia
The town of Biaret is the centre of the interlake, a compact walled town on the shore of Lake Sanabria and the River Meldus.
4 Avril 1876

The night of the capture of Biaret. The town has by all accounts been taken flawlessly, in a sequential plan that had many moving parts, but was fairly straight forward none the less. The plan relied on the professionalism and discipline of its soldiers, and this bore fruit.

The sun begins to come up, and the sight of a hundred former Biaret militiamen can be readily seen, hanging on nooses from the town's keep.

A message has already been sent he who commanded the soldiers who took the keep - Lord Corwin Ashedown. The messenger is a wry older Chandus bowman, wearing two corporals' stripes over the mail on his right arm and the chest and back 'plates' of leather that are all that remain of their old designation - Leatherbacks. His bow is still strung, carried in his left hand, while in he's got a fistfull of arrows. Just in case, you see.

He is obviously tired judging from the bags under his eyes, but who isn't after marching a fair distance and staying up all night? Breakfast beckons, soon. He consults with the Venantius mercenaries at the gate of the keep before heading inward, towards where he's been told Corwin is currently.

Corwin is informed of the message and finishes up with seeing to the executions of the peasant traitors. He then heads out with the corporal. "Soldier." Corwin says with a nod to the man. "Go get some rest. You look as if you earned it man." He claps the man on the shoulder and then heads to the meeting point.

He walks into the location and nods to the Knight Marshal. "Your Excellency." He salutes in the Galenthian style, and bows his head as is required of his station compared to Thomas's own. "You wished to see me?"

The archer doesn't seem to be phased by the sight of prisoners hanged on the walls of the keep. He may have even made a quip about it to one of the Venantius men, who laughed tiredly. A tired smile is given to Corwin after he passes the message, and he bows his head at the answer.

Upon exiting the keep's walls, last night's handiwork is apparent. The main square in front of St Ruth's Church, which dominates the town, is filled with disarmed militiamen. They look sullen and far more exhausted than the soldiers who guard them; months of pent up tension, released like a cut bow string - and struck them in the face. There are more than two hundred of them, herded in small groups under the control of soldiers who likely wish they were eating their breakfast. No bodies are present here, but by the barricade to the west there was obviously a struggle, judging from the pools of dried blood on the cobbles.

The rector of St Ruth's, a severe looking priest in his middle age is speaking rather pleadingly with Lord Leodis and gesturing to the prisoners. Bargaining, perhaps? As Corwin makes his way to the half tent that is set up as the Knight Marshal's head quarters, more men and women are led into the square - well dressed. Councilmen.

When Corwin enters the tent, the Knight Marshal gestures to his staff, who leave. "Lord Ashedown. Your taking of the keep was exemplary." His expression does not bely a compliment.

Either oblivious or dismissing the backhanded compliment, Corwin nods his head and bows it in thanks as he says, "Thank you your excellency. They fought well, for peasant led … well peasants." He stands at ease looking around the tent and then continues. "I found quite a bit of loot. I ordered ten percent to be split amongst the troops, and the rest given to the Town for repairs so they can easier rejoin the Queen's fold." He nods once and looks out the tent for a brief moment.

His eyes scan the crowd and the militia that are prisoner there. He spies the dried blood and nods appreciatively. "It would appear that you too met some resistance but were triumphant. Well done Sir." He smiles slightly. It is the smile of a man who is in victory, specifically a young man, flush with the work of the day. "The Venantius are excellent soldiery. I am pleased they are apart of Her Majesty's court."

"I presume you are speaking of our Venantius folk. Their officers are Kentairish nobles, or men of what we consider knightly status." Thomas corrects, though his tone, at least, is mild. "That was a clement action, and well thought." He lets Corwin finish, and nods warily. There is a long pause.

"What was not clement was what I observed on the keep this morning. Were these men prisoners?"

Corwin shrugs a shoulder. "They were traitors to the Crown and a threat to my Sister's rule of her Duchy." Corwin says evenly and looks at Thomas. "They were peasants who decided to take up arms against the banner of Galenthia for whatever reason, the punishment for that act is death. Those that cooperated are safe and will be seen to properly." He gestures in the direction of the keep. "Those that were not, and who killed the Queen's men, I say punished." He looks into Thomas' eye and raises an eyebrow, "I take it you do not agree with my decision Your Excellency?"

"You have no right of justice over these burghers, my lord. That belongs to Lord Hytal, or failing that, to the Duchess herself." Thomas points out to Ashedown, a frown tugging at his lips. "And we are short of soldiers in these times. I would have recommended hard labour, perchance, and for them to be broken up to help garrison the eastern mountains against the greenskins. I will likely still do that for the survivors." He sighs, looking around.

"Damnit, Ashedown, we need men. Do you know that the greenskins are likely biding their time until they strike? This will affect us. And this town's militia is what it is, but if we execute all of the men or even exile them, who will move here to ensure that this place is manned? It is a vital link on the river. We must think strategically in these times, always."

"There is a reason we are having this conversation in private. Many will applaud your ruthless devotion to justice, as you see it. But our law is that a Lord dispenses justice in his lands."

Corwin blinks a few times and then shakes his head, thinking briefly before he speaks. "I think the Greenskins can't get past the forts Father had build." He considers again before he nods once. "I can, though disagree, see your point. I am also capable of admitting I might be wrong even in my disagreement." He isn't angry sounding. He does sound as if he is considering, and processing everything. "For my rashness, you have my apologies. Sincerely. I will … Speak to Lord Hytal and make what amends I need to. However, I think given the bandit's actions, this will prevent many others from taking this step."

"The forts are designed to block the greenskins and buy time for the Marcher lords to immediately send their retinue troops to deal with the problem, whilst they call up militia." Thomas smiles some, now. "And the troops manning them are re-enrolled veterans. Older, and broken. They can use with a few younger hands to assist." He nods, slowly. "I think that would be a good step. In private, of course. In the public face, my lord, I am behind you, and we will present this as a calculated action. I will lend it my seal." The Knight Marshal's watery blue eyes watch Corwin carefully.

Corwin nods once. "Yes Your Excellency." He salutes again. "I will speak to Lord Hytal as soon as possible and get that squared away." he pauses and looks out toward the captured men. "Hopefully then, these men will be able to be brought back into the fold and made useful to the Kingdom by serving their penance at one of the Forts along the border."

"They will be, my lord. They will be put to work for our borders, and I promise you that some will find their way into your lands to help the Frontier Regiment there." Thomas fixes Corwin with a firm gaze. "We are judged by the One in not only how we conduct ourselves in regards to justice, but also in regards to mercy. We will make them better through duty to their Duchy, and we will be better for it."

Corwin nods to Thomas. "As you say Your Excellency." He is silent for a moment and then squares his shoulders. He looks around the tent and then nods again. "Is there anything else Your Excellency? I should see to my troops."

"No, Lord Ashedown." Thomas gives another smile, this one clearly genuine. "You don't need to address me by my honourific when we are in private, you know. I may call upon you in the future for other things. Go forth, and once the Venantius and your men have casualties and ammunition expenditure, please have it sent it to my headquarters. Go with God."

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