The Free Company - Book VII: Closure

[The Swert]

October 15, 1450: Afternoon, the forest near St. Malo

Dietrich was still running close to Gaston when the train of infantry came to a halt. He was pleased to have a little rest as the pace had been just starting to get to him. He breathed deeply not really caring what the reason for stopping was. After a few deep breaths he heard Baer barking about at the front and tried to see what was going on but his view was blocked by the rest of the infantry, expecially Ox's big body at the front.

Dietrich figured he'd better prepare anything and tried to reposition his grip on his pike. He despised the pike completely and didn't see why he had been given it. For him it was like a less maneuverable longsword with only a sharp point instead of a blade, a complete waste of time. He hadn't held one for years and had never really been trained at it always returning to his trusty bastard sword whenever needed. It showed, Dietrich was holding his pike like a blade and if an enemy came at him he would probably try to swing it at him instead of stab. Gaston's joke about peasants carrying pikes was just as applicable to himself.

Finally the troop started moving again. As Oskar led the infantry back into the forest Dietrich was finally able to see why they had stopped. The Company's light cavalry stood their dumbfounded guarding an empty wagon. Now that was probably the sight Dietrich least expected to see as he tried to work out what could bring such on an occurance. Presumably the cavalry were training too but in the middle of a forest with an empty wagon? It all seemeed a bit odd.

And then it hit him. Well rather he hit it, a tree branch came jutting out infront of the path and Dietrich's thoughts were preoccupying him from knowing where he was running. Gaston infront of him had been much shorter and not needed to duck under the branch so Dietrich had subconsciously followed suit and not ducked as well. Unfortunately with his height the branch struck him square on the forehead and for the second time in three days Dietrich went tumbling to the ground, although this time still conscious. He realised he would have to get up quickly and hope nobody noticed, an unlikely event in the circumstances.

 

[Valdemar]

October 15, afternoon, forest outside St. Malo.

Nikolai rose out of the shrubbery only feet from Lim's horse, startling the Chin sergeant. The old Ranger smiled and informed him of the intrusion of the infantry.

"So, should we call it a day? Any suspicion your men may have had regarding the exercise is fully revealed and the chance of the Rangers to spring a surprise is gone."

Lim shrugged,

"It is still a worthy exercise."

"Yes, but can we do it without causing combat? I saw your men had picked up sturdy branches. I doubt they intended to use them on the flies."

The Chin shrugged again,

"Possibly not. What do you suggest?"

"That I find my men, take them deeper into the woods, around our meeting point and then back to the track. You do the same and make your men camp some distance from here."

Lim nodded thoughtfully,

"And then your men will try a night raid? That will negate any advantage my men have being mounted."

"I'll have my men try and infiltrate the camp, but yes it will restore the advantage to the Rangers."

Lim shook his head,

"But it will make the exercise less valuable for my men. Any one, even infantry, can guard a camp."

He shook his head again,

"I'll let my men travel on, if you want to restructure your men do so, but I will not be making camp outside with the town so near."

Nikolai bowed his head slightly in defeat.

"All right. I will find my men and see what can be done. Please have your men follow the route out of the forest and to the end then, I'll have the Rangers get a short cut and get ahead of your group."

Lim nodded and turned his horse,

"Be quick about it, the day is waning fast."

The old ranger watched as the Chin sped of presumably to look in on the other three groups. Nikolai trusted other rangers would deal with that. For now he had to find Mario and his recruits. He knew the route of the cavalry, but they would have outpaced the Rangers by now.


An hour later, deeper in the forest

Nikolai had come by the light cavalry some moments ago and let them pass him.

He hoped his men would be close by, but so far he had not heard or seen any sign of them. A good sign if it is was due to skill, a bad sign if it happened to be because they had abandoned the task.

Mario almost stepped on the sergeant, so quiet had his footing been. Nikolai breathed an inaudible sign of relief and held up his hand in silent greeting.

"Very good, Mario, I had not heard you coming."

Mario smiled slightly and knelt down by the older man, silently pointing out the other men,

"We were almost on top of the horses when Baer spoiled it. We've been trying to catch up since, but they put out pickets and picked up speed. They are quite good."

Nikolai nodded,

"I know, I saw."

Mario looked suspiciously at his sergeant, but didn't comment.

"Anyhow, we will cheat a little with this team. Gather them up and we will short cut the cavalry route. That should bring you ahead of them and back into the game."

Mario nodded and stood up, signalling for the group to gather.

"All right. The Infantry spoiled our advantage. Had it been real only direct combat would have been a solution. We don't want that.

However, Lim has agreed to give you a second chance. We will short cut the route of the cavalry, getting ahead of them. Not quite fair as we ordinarily do not know the routes, but today we do."

He gestured a direction away from the tracks,

"I'll lead you and then once we get there you are on your own again."

Heading of he flashed a set of the usual Company signals to Mario who quickly and quietly relayed them.

"Field craft, you two,"

He pointed to Nigel and Thomas,

"You two left, Alejandro and Tylo right side. The rest middle, with Louis hanging back."

Mario smiled,

"You would never know for sure if this is a game within a game and we do not want to be surprised again. Accidentally or not."

The men moved out, Nikolai centre and the rest spread out.

A few miles on the forest began receding and they began encountering fields and other sign of habitation. With a quick few hand signals Nikolai gathered the group.

"We are coming up on a small village. We are a good way of from St. Malo now and they may not know about us. I want us to skirt the village when we get there without being seen, no need to spook the villagers."

The men nodded and moved on. Moments later the crested a small hillock and could look down on the small gathering of houses and farms.

Quickly Nikolai flashed for the men to fall down. Something was not right.

Sneaking up he slowly raised his head and watched the village. A good number of horsemen were milling around in the village square. Turning his head slowly he saw another group gathered near a small wagon apparently stocking it from a large building.

Small groups of villagers were hovering near their houses, children in close attendance. This was not looking good. Flashing another set of signals he slowly crept backwards and out of sight.

Waving the men closer he quickly whispered a few orders.

"Two groups. We go around the village on either side. No one is to interfere, they are too many and we don't know who they are. We observe and stay hidden. Once they are gone we report to Captain."

He looked sternly at the recruits.

"I repeat no interference, stay hidden and gather information, no attacking and no getting seen. If you feel you are being discovered fall back into the woods."

He got reluctant nods all around and waved for the men to spread out.

 

[redwolf]

October 15, afternoon, forest outside St. Malo.

Jan and the rest of the Light Cavalry reached their designated rendezvous point in the forest without any more problems.

However Sergeant O'Floinn was not there to meet them. It was Lim Hui.

As the group approached Lim, he was surprised to see another red arrow in Mihai's quiver.

"Where did you get that? That's one of the arrows the Rangers are supposed locate" He asked Mihai.

"I found it along the route." came the reply.

Lim looked a little surprised that Mihai was able to find a supposedly well hidden arrow. Either Mihai was that good or Nikolai was getting careless.

Jan had a wide grin on his face as he rode up to his foster father, "We made it to the meeting point with our load. I guess that means we won."

"Had the infantry not interrupted our exercise, the Rangers might have succeeded, or so Nikolai told me."

"With or without the infantry, they would still have failed." It was Bogdan. He sounded extremely confident too, Lim thought.

"Well, we will never know. Anyway Nikolai had approached me. He told me the Rangers were unhappy with the infantry's interference in the exercise and they want a second pop at the cherry. I have decided to give them that chance." Lim informed the rest.

He took Bodgan's map and pointed out another meeting point outside the forest. "Bodgan, you and your men will now carry escorting the wagon to this meeting point outside the forest. Even though the Rangers have a second chance, I still expect you to successfully finish the mission. Good luck and I will see you at the next meeting point."

 

[unmerged(119031)]

October 15, 1450: A village some miles away from St. Malo

Alejandro quietly entered the village, trying to remain unseen. Hiding behind some barrels he crawled until he reached a seemingly deserted house. He entered through a back door, and quickly rushed upstairs and walked towards a window without making any noise. Trying not to be seen he took a quick lookaround and saw several horsemen and some more on foot loading grain and other kinds of food on a wagon.

Alejandro was watching some of the men bullying the townsfolk, when he heard a woman cry, what caught his attention. The woman was running away from a half naked mercenary, who was probably trying to rape her. This was too much for the Spaniard to bear, and he quickly loaded his crossbow, but out of nowhere he heard Mario's voice,

"We must not be seen, we are here to watch and report, not to cause more trouble. If you shoot him, they'll take reveng on the people here".

He was right. Mario had followed him since they entered the village, and if it weren't for him Alejandro would have probably screwed it up. However, the mercenary chasing the woman tripped and fell, which allowed the woman to get away. Feeling somewhat relieved, Alejandro stepped away from the window and towards Mario.

"We should report to Nikolai, let's get on the move".

 

[unmerged(116410)]

October 15, 1450-A forest outside St. Malo-Afternoon

Louis was walking around, maybe in circles, maybe not. Anyway, he walked into a group of men. He stood in the bushes next to them, trying to conceal himself. A Chinese man was in the middle of a sentence, saying,-"want a second pop at the cherry. I have decided to give them the chance." He took a map and pointed on it. Louis, however, only heard, "Good luck." As the men were walking away, Louis walked from out of the bushes. "What are you doing?", the Chinese man asked.-

 

[comagoosie]

October 15, 1450: A village some miles away from St. Malo

Tylo and his group of rangers that he was with took refuge in an overlooking hill still part of the forest where they could see what was happening and no one could see them. Alejandro had left to do some more up-close investigating and Mario had followed, presumably to make sure Alejandro didn’t kill himself.

At first Tylo thought that they were spying on more of the Free Company men, maybe another training exercise. On second look, there was no way that these could be the honorable men the Free Company has been known to bring up.

In fact they looked and acted as if brigands. Tylo saw men run after women temptingly and looting the houses of whatever valuables they happened to contain. All of a sudden a wave of vengeance swept Tylo. He must repay the man who gave him his long bow.

Tylo jumped up, from his crouching position but soon found a hand holding him down.

“Don’t do it, you’ll regret it” Nigel looked at him, trying to convince not to do anything reckless.

Obeying, Tylo relaxed himself, though he made sure that his bows were ready whenever he was going to need them. At the first sign that they could advance, Tylo would make sure he would do so. It has been too long since the embarrassing tavern fight, and he wanted to prove himself.

 

[Alfred Packer]

October 15, 1450: Afternoon, the forest near St. Malo

Dietrich went tumbling to the ground, although this time still conscious. He realised he would have to get up quickly and hope nobody noticed, an unlikely event in the circumstances.

Gunther saw the large German collapse and slowed as he approached him. He offered his left hand as he wheezed, "best get moving fast, I'm sure you won't be the first to find that branch and the others might not be so graceful on the way down."

Dietrich took the offered hand and pulled himself to his feet eliciting a grunt from Gunther. "God's Wounds man, it's a wonder the tree isn't on it's back rather than you."

Gunther then offered his shorter Halberd to the German. "If you want, I can carry your pike on this run. If you keep holding it that way this won't be your last tumble."

 

[coz1]

October 15, 1450: A village some miles away from St. Malo


Henri wanted to spit on this man. He wished to take out all his frustrations of these past many years...all of his life, truly...on this man. But a look to his daughter, held tightly by her mother...his beautiful wife...caused him to stop.

"Take what you wish and leave us," was his lone reply.

The leader took a step forward and pressed his face close to Henri's such that his unkind breath caused Henri to look away. "You are smart to stand down, my friend."

Across the square, another man rushed from his house and was about to move on the leader, but Henri was fast. He shifted such that his body was between them.

"Leave them!" he shouted.

The man stopped short and looked at Henri with questioning eyes. "You do not fight them?"

"No! Nor shall you. This is our village and I wish to keep it such."

The crunch of dirt could be heard as the leader took three steps to close in on the man that was to rush him. He curled his lip as he spoke softly, "You are a lucky one."

The leader shifted to grab for his horse and shouted throughout the square, "We move!"

The others ceased their activity and moved as one, each gathering their horses and supplies and started to move from the village. The leader mounted his horse, taking one last look to Henri. He let the fierce look upon his face say anything else he might have desired. A swift kick to his mount had him in motion as he and his men left the peasants on their own. They had what they needed. And then they were gone.

 

[Valdemar]

October 15, 1450: A village some miles away from St. Malo

Nikolai watched the horsemen withdraw and convened with his rangers well out of sight and sound from the village.

He had noticed Louis missing earlier, but the recruit had to fend for himself, Nikolai had no intentions of wet nursing him.

The old Rus was however more surprised to see Alejandro and Mario arriving well after the rest and from the direction of the village.

He threw one glance at Mario who shrugged, then turned on Alejandro.

"And what exactly were you two doing in the village? What part of the orders to circle the place, not be seen, not be caught, did you fail to comprehend?"

He accented use of the words didn't soften them one little bit. Even after half a generation or more in the company the eastern pronunciation would not let go. No matter the number of language he learned to make do with.

Not waiting for a reply he waved the men forward, quickly assigning them to various points.

With luck they could have made it to the Light Cavalry, but given the current events he thought it prudent to report back to Captain as quickly as possible.

 

[unmerged(119031)]

October 15, 1450: A village some miles away from St. Malo

"And what exactly were you two doing in the village? What part of the orders to circle the place, not be seen, not be caught, did you fail to comprehend?"

He accented use of the words didn't soften them one little bit. Even after half a generation or more in the company the eastern pronunciation would not let go. No matter the number of language he learned to make do with.

Not waiting for a reply he waved the men forward, quickly assigning them to various points.

With luck they could have made it to the Light Cavalry, but given the current events he thought it prudent to report back to Captain as quickly as possible.

"Imagine what would've happened if you shot that man" Mario told Alejandro.

"Well, my guess is we wouldn't have had to hear Nikolai complain" he answered. "We'd be dead by now. Thanks, though, being alive is not that bad anyways."

They both laughed and Alejandro approached Nikolai to tell him what he and Mario had seen down at the village. He was about to speak when Nikolai turned to him and said,

"I thought I had been clear about not being seen, nor caught, nor heard, nor noticed in any possible way didn't you understand?"

"We weren't seen, we could've been seen if it wasn't for Mario, though" - said Alejandro, although he thought better not to explain why. "Those horsemen looked like mercenaries, and they were taking food from the town, against their will, of course. Some men were even trying to rape their women. We should do something."

"Well, good thing you were unnoticed. Now we'll report to Captain and see what he wants us to do. We won't move a finger without him knowing. But you'll have to learn to obey orders, young man."

Alejandro nodded and returned to his assigned position.

 

[merrick]

The run through the forest resumed, and so did the stumbles and falls. Gaston hadn't expected Dietrich to be a victim, and it took him a few moments to realise what the snap and thud behind him meant. He considered turning back to help, but the volume of German cursing reaching his ears suggested that Dietrich couldn't be too badly hurt.

It was easy to see which of the pikemen had experience of the Free Company's training methods. The veterans jogged easily with their pikes at the trail, careful not to get in each other's way. The recruits stumbled forward with their pikes clamped before them in both hands, the points wavering between head and ankle height and a danger to anyone within five yards. The ones with half a clue tried to hold their pikes vertical, parade-style, and they had the most trouble of all. Gaston was deeply thankful that his halberd was half the length of the unwieldy poles most of the infantry were carrying. Someone had told him the Switzers used pikes five yards in length. Possible, he conceded, if they stuck to open ground, in good light and dry footing.

They emerged from the forest at last. Baer called a halt while they waited for the stragglers to catch up, and no doubt prepared a warm welcome for any unfortunate soul who had lost or broken a weapon on the run. Gaston found a place behind Oskar and leant unobtrusively on his halberd, catching his breath and wondering what the Bear had in mind for the next stage of treatment.

 

[von Streusser]

October 15, afternoon, forest outside St. Malo.

"More trudging through the damned woods, absolutely fantastic" Bogdan groused, as he had been for the last half hour. "We won the damn exercise, if the Rangers are too bloody incompetent to-"

"Doesn't this seem odd, Master?" Mihai turned around in his saddle, and his question caught Bogdan between the eyes with the force of an arrow.

"Enh?" His response was less a reply and more a grunt with a question mark on it.

"We're almost to the new objective, and yet, no run-ins with the Rangers. Master, by my count, we've now passed at least two excellent ambush sites. We even went through a ravine with low over-hanging trees. They could have dropped right into the wagon. But even the pickets haven't seen anything, my Lord."

Lasko pulled out the map Bogdan had given him and looked it over once more. "He's right. We're almost out of the woods. Unless they plan on hitting us at the actual handover point, they'd be at a disadvantage anywhere left along the route." He looked around. "That is odd."

Any further discussion was cut short by the arrival of one of the pickets, moving at full gallop. "Sir!" he barked, pulling up next to Bogdan. "There's a village just over the next hill to the south. We sighted a large group of horsemen riding out of there a couple minutes ago."

"Well" Bogdan said, turning to the rest of the group with a grin, "looks like an unexpected player has entered the game."

 

[Amric]

October 15, afternoon, Just outside the forest outside St. Malo.

Baer looked upon his troops and grimaced. It wasn't great, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Everyone had arrived. Except for Charles Steward and Gerd. Most of the veterans were breathing a bit heavy, not surprising considering they were out of shape from the journey. The recruits, on the other hand...most of them were gasping for air and barely able to stand.

He shook his head in mock disgust, "That may have been the worst run we've ever had."

Oskar raised his brows, but wisely kept silent.

"Where the hell is Charles Steward and Gerd?" He thundered.

Gerd shrugged, "Gerd probably stopped to help him. He mentioned that the lad seemed to be having a problem."

"He did, did he?" Baer snorted, "And how did he do that?"

"He usually sticks close the rear to check up on possible stragglers."

"Is that his job?" Baer demanded.

"Actually, Sergeant Amric usually had him do that, yes," Oskar smiled slightly.

"Sergeant Amric isn't here, now is he?" Baer inquired mildly.

"No, Sergeant," Oskar agreed, "But nobody said he wasn't to do it, either."

"Don't use semantics on me," Baer snapped, looking at the men, "Take a break. One hour. Then we work on maneuvering drills."

"There's a small river nearby," Oskar called out, "Get a drink there and come back."

Most of the veterans immediately started heading in that direction. Everyone knew where it was, considering they'd thundered over the bridge twice during their run. Some of the recruits dropped where they were and waited for the crowd to get smaller at the river.

Oskar moved closer to Baer, "Gerd will get the lad back to Jan in one piece."

Baer growled, "He'd better. Damn the doctor for letting him get back into things before he was ready."

"You sound," Oskar smirked, "Almost paternal."

Baer glared at the other man, "Hardly. He's no use to me sick and incapable of doing his job."

"At least nobody is running about with soaking feet," Oskar referred to an incident years before in Ancona.

"Are you trying to be funny?" Baer inquired softly, his voice dangerously low.

"Not anymore," Oskar nearly whispered.

"Glad to hear it," Baer sighed, "Go make sure nobody drowns trying to get a drink."

Oskar nodded and hurried off to the river.

 

[Amric]

October 15, 1450: Some Distance from a village some miles away from St. Malo

Alejandro moved back up near Mario, "The Rus seems a bit angry."

"He is," Mario nodded, "You did exactly what he said not to do."

"But you did, as well."

"Following you to make sure you didn't do anything rash," Mario reminded him pointedly.

"Point made, again," Alejandro sighed.

"We follow orders," Mario said softly, "There may be a time to disobey them. But only if you have no choice. You had a choice, and you did the wrong thing."

"But they were..."

"I know," Mario commiserated, "But do you think Nikolai doesn't know what is going on? He's been around. He knows what a typical mercenary outfit will do. Now we're not where we should be so that we could report to Captain sooner. Had we been caught they would have been aware of our presence and be better prepared for us."

"They aren't, fortunately."

"Indeed."

"What do you think Captain will do?"

"We'll know when he tells us," Mario shrugged.

"Aren't you curious?"

"Of course," Mario smiled thinly, "But I've found as a Ranger it is rash to anticipate what Captain may decide. Or Lochlan."

The others had listened in as the two men had talked quietly. Nikolai had initially wanted to quiet them, but he was curious enough that he wanted to hear what the young Italian had to say. He nodded slightly to himself. The boy had been paying attention during his time in the company.

 

[Amric]

October 15, 1450: Heavy cavalry Training Area

Wilhelm stood next to Lucjan and watched as the knights cavorted in the afternoon sunlight. He ground his teeth at their high spirits and eagerness to do each other harm. He'd gotten tired of the ground drills and had found himself next to the Pole.

"Watching noble idiots trying to brain each other is thirsty work," he opined in German.

Lucjan looked at him blankly. Wilhelm repeated himself in broken Polish. Lucjan nodded.

"What say we go back to the tavern and have a drink?" Wilhelm invited the Pole, "At least we'd be out of the sun and not having to watch these clowns."


Lucjan stood there considering before he replied.....

 

[The_Hawk]

Oct 15, 1450: The Twisted Sole, St. Malo – Afternoon

Chuckling over another jab from Lochlan as he took another swig of his wine, Frederik suddenly found a hand on his shoulder, one which caressed his neck before developing into what a younger version of the agent would've taken for a strangehold -- had he not recognized his lover's scent. "Ooh, Frederik, it's been too long," Maria purred in his ear. "I would tell you to kiss me, but I'm afraid Lochlan would get jealous." She shot the Ranger a grin and a wink.

"Well, we wouldn't want that. I suppose could always take a walk," Frederik said, running his hand along the length of her arm. With a pat she disengaged and joined them at the table.

"I would say yes, but I don't know if you'll be able to adapt to these cold climes after so many years in Italy."

"It may have been a while, but I am from Denmark, you know."

"Alright, well, I don't know if I'll be able to adapt." She shivered involuntarily. "Gonna be cold tonight."

Frederik smiled slyly. "Well, we'll have to warm you up. If we can't go out, we may as well go upstairs..."

Lochlan made a choking sound. "If you two keep on like this, I'm going for a walk."

"Don't let the..." Maria paused abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she spotted someone across the tavern over Lochlan's shoulder. She looked to Frederik, inclining her head toward Enrico at the bar. "What's he doing here?" she demanded.

 

[redwolf]

Oct 15, 1450: The Twisted Sole, St. Malo – Afternoon

Jan Barbasaen was about to step out of the Twisted Sole when a pale looking Charles Steward walked into the tavern accompanied by Gerd.

“Where have you been the whole morning? I’ve been looking for you the whole morning.” Jan snapped at Charles.

Charles was too weak to argue so he just stood there while Jan berated him. Jan suddenly stopped and took a closer look at Charles. He wrinkled his nose slightly when he caught the stink of sweat on Charles.

“Have you been out training today?” Jan demanded. Without waiting for a reply, he turned his attentions to Gerd, “How could you take him out training when he’s not ready to train yet? Are you trying to kill him?”

Gerd tried to explain that he did not know but was not given a chance by Jan to protest his innocence. Jan’s tirade came to a abrupt halt when he heard a thud sound beside him. Charles had collapsed to the ground. Jan quickly went to his side, took his pulse and then turned to Gerd, “Get him to a bed. I will get my equipment and be back quickly. I will have a strong word with Baer about letting sick men go out training when he returns.”

--------------------------------------------------------
October 15, afternoon, forest outside St. Malo.

Lim Hui watched his men make their way to their next destination when someone suddenly appeared from the bushes.

Startled, his weapon was half out when he realized that it was one of the new Rangers recruit.

“What are you doing? If you are looking for the arrow, it’s not with me.” Lim told the Ranger.

Louis shook his head, “No, I was walking around and I kind of lost my way.”

A Ranger lost? Now that was something new, Lim thought. Looks like Nikolai has some way to go with this one.

“Well, I have no idea where the rest of the Rangers are but I am heading out of the forest. If you want, you can follow me.” Lim told Louis.

------------------------------------------------------
October 15, afternoon, near the edge of the forest outside St. Malo.

"Well" Bogdan said, turning to the rest of the group with a grin, "looks like an unexpected player has entered the game."

“Are these horsemen Company men?” Jan asked the picket.

The picket shook his head.

Jan turned back to Bodgan, “Since these are not Company men, I don’t think we should bother with them unless they head towards us in a hostile manner. There could be any number of reasons why they are heading out of the village. If we waste our time these riders and lose our load as a result, I wouldn’t want to face Lim Hui. Let’s just proceed with our own mission.”

 

[J. Passepartout]

October 15, afternoon, forest outside St. Malo.

“Are these horsemen Company men?” Jan asked the picket.

The picket shook his head.

Jan turned back to Bodgan, “Since these are not Company men, I don’t think we should bother with them unless they head towards us in a hostile manner. There could be any number of reasons why they are heading out of the village. If we waste our time these riders and lose our load as a result, I wouldn’t want to face Lim Hui. Let’s just proceed with our own mission.”

Lasko stroked his chin as they sat. "Picket, you are a longtime member of the Free Company?"

The picket looked at him with a slightly odd look on his face and replied, "Yes, sir."

"You aren't affiliated with any particular regiment of the Company?"

"What do you mean, sir? I'm just a picket..."

Lasko turned to the others and said, "Jan, you are more familiar than I with the Free Company system. Is it possible that this fine man was sent by the rangers to trick us somehow?"

 

[Lord Durham]

Oct 15, 1450: St. Malo – Late Afternoon

Captain and Gerd exchanged looks as they left Jan Barbasaen and the semi-comatose Charles in a back room. Jan’s cursing followed them out into the tavern proper.

They stopped. At the officer table sat Maria, Lochlan and Frederik. A few of the men-at-arms occupied another bench, having filtered in as the joust wound down. They were quick to demand drinks, each boasting or lamenting the loss of coins placed on the participating knights. Captain signed to Gerd, Was the training that rough?

The mute Gerd signed back, Not really. The recruits always have a tough go of it at first. Many threaten to quit, until they realize they get paid regularly. He smiled, something rare in the brooding man.

Captain clapped him on the shoulder, and Gerd wandered off to a table. He decided to join Lochlan and discuss a time-table to teach the new scouts some of the basic hand-signals used for silent communication. The hand signals were one of the secret weapons the Company had employed for decades, giving them a deciding edge when it came to confounding their enemies. As he stepped toward the table he saw Maria look up, her large eyes narrowing at a figure standing at the bar.

"What's he doing here?" she demanded.

Captain decided to join Gerd.
__________________

 

[von Streusser]

October 15, afternoon, near the edge of the forest outside St. Malo.

Jan turned back to Bodgan, “Since these are not Company men, I don’t think we should bother with them unless they head towards us in a hostile manner. There could be any number of reasons why they are heading out of the village. If we waste our time these riders and lose our load as a result, I wouldn’t want to face Lim Hui. Let’s just proceed with our own mission.”

Lasko turned to the others and said, "Jan, you are more familiar than I with the Free Company system. Is it possible that this fine man was sent by the rangers to trick us somehow?"

The picket's jaw dropped, and his face began to purple. Mihai went red with embarrassment, but collected himself before the reporting horseman could speak. "Forgive Lord Sagarra, My Lord. He's been working with the map all afternoon and guiding the unit. And since you've been out on the periphery during the exercise, he must have simply not noticed when you were assigned to picket duty." The boy ventured a nervous grin, hoping to salvage everyone's pride. Bogdan, however, was not interested.

"These horsemen" he said, grabbing the picket's attention.

"Sir?"

"Armed? Armored?"

"Yes and yes. Pulling wagons, too, though none of the villagers helped load them. There was a definite standoff between the locals and the horsemen. Might be brigands or mercenaries requisitioning food or goods."

Bogdan nodded, turning back to Jan. "I agree with Jan, we must give our 'mission' priority. However, I think this information bears reporting up the chain of command. We're not far from the next meeting point, and Lim Hui will be awaiting us there." He turned to the picket. "Head for the meeting point, best speed, and report to the Lieutenant. He'll decide what to do next. The rest of us will be along shortly with our..." he sighed "...valuable cargo." He paused, looking at Mihai. Now that they were back on the road, the wagon didn't need the boy's support.

"Go with him."

"Yes, Master!" the Moldavian barked, spurring his horse. In an instant, he and the picket had disappeared down the road, the rest of the formation following at the wagon's speed.