IC-Scene: Rebache (Continuous)

On arrival to Rebache, William sent messengers to all the knights working for Rebache at the moment. They were to come to Rebache immediately to plan a strategy, and designate positions for each.

Day 2, morning

The messenger found Ealdred just as he and his squire were riding up to the holdfast of Rebache.

Sir, the baronet requests you to come to his tower, the messenger said.

Ealdred snorted. What does it look like what we're doing, boy? he asked.

Oh, errm... I... errm, the messenger's mouth gaped open for a moment.

Shut your mouth boy and back to work, Ealdred commanded and spurred his horse up the hill.

Never mind him, Jacob told the messenger and gave him a friendly nod before he followed his master.

Some minutes later Sir Ealdred clanked into the great hall of Rebache's holdfast and more or less reluctantly bowed to the baronet, Jacob on his heels.

What is your bidding, milord? Ealdred asked.

Jared marched into the great hall and smiled easily at the baron before bowing.

Couldn't you have waited an hour lord? I was "entertaining" the daughter of a local merchant when the damned messenger came barging in.

"Ah hello, Sir Ealdred, Sir Hounds, and squire Jacob. I am glad you arrived. For now we should wait for everyone to arrive before we hold the meeting, but until then I have tasks for you. Sir Ealdred, I hear you have quite the lineage and are quite the veteran as well. I would be honored to have you as my drillmaster, you should be able to get the troops battle ready in time. Squire Jacob you shall help your master." William said the words "in time" almost ominously.
"Sir Hounds, I am sorry to have taken you away from your lovely lady." William said with a chuckle. "You, I believe, are quite the archer. You can begin training the archers, what you do with them is your choice."

I would be honored my lord, how many men will that be?

"Begin training 10 of them. 5 being archers and 5 being horse archers to gain greater maneuverability."

Certainly my lord, it shall be done.

Jared then proceeded to gather up 5 Militia and 5 regulars and began drilling them all in archery until it became to dark to continue.

As the conversation between the participating knights dragged on, heavy footsteps could be heard approaching outside. Pairs of steel boots let out a clanking sound as they walked toward the meeting room. Then suddenly they stopped behind the door and it was opened. In walked three knights, two black-clad knights flanked the more smaller figure between them. They took up posts in the outside along the other guards, after noticing that there weren't people hidden for an ambush.

"The road here was treacherous, but here I am, milord. What is it that you wished to talk about?"

Chonrad Blackwood looked at the two other knights for a second or two before his eyes fully settled on Sir William

"Ah I am glad you arrived safely, Sir Blackwood. Now that you have arrived we can begin the meeting." He turned to his aide and instructed him to call the other knights.

"Excellent, now that everyone is here we can begin to discuss strategy. First thing first I would like to designate positions. Sir Hounds you will lead your core of archers into battle, Sir Ealdred you will lead a group of knights, being mounted or infantry that is your choice. Sir Blackwood you will be my first lieutenant in battle. For all of your support you will, of course, get a reward being a political position, money, or whatever you desire as long as it is reasonable and I approve it. You all may also do anything you think will be advantageous to our goal."
"Now that that is out of the way, I would like to discuss plans. First thing, with Rebache's coffers we can afford more man power, that being mercenaries or other knights. Second off, there is a more tricky matter I would like to discuss, I would like to propose an alliance between Yaragar and Rebache."
"Does anyone have any objections or proposals?"

Day 2, morning

Milord - the word caused visible pains for Ealdred to pronounce - I would rather not hire that common mercenary or adventurer scum. Better use it to convince the other free knights of the righteousness of your cause and claim.

"Hmmm, we do need men, Ealdred. I am not sure other free knights would provide enough man power."

Day 2, morning

A mounted knight in full plate is worth ten puny commoners on the field of battle, Ealdred snorted.

"In that case, you will be the one to help me recruit new manpower. We may still have to hire some mercenaries as well though."

Day 2, morning

Best invite the knights here, ...milord, so you can state your case, Ealdred replied. I'd rather beat some proper sense of discipline and respect into your men.

"Have fun." William said with a grin.

Seph snorting in disgusting turns his back on Sir Ealdred

Your arrogance is going to kill us all, being born into a wealthy family doesn't make you a better soldier or a better man and bringing in 10-20 more men of lower birth would provide us with far more fighting men then spending a fortune on 2 men.
Why the adventurers are a mounted force of medium cavalry with bows.
I would far prefer to go into battle with them behind me then behind my enemy.

Someone knocked into the door, and as soon as it was opened, commoner-like man entered Great Hall, and made his way to Sir William Grey, and said with trembling voice "From a possible friend" giving note to Baronet afterwards.

Note:

"My lord I have taken the liberty of sending a message to Sir Forn the commander of the adventurers in the area already to request a meeting to discuss terms of a contract with him and his men.

My squire is more then capable of beginning the training of the archers without me and as it seemed apparent that we are going to need additonal man power I thought it wise to contact them now before another does so in our place.

I would like to ask how much I may offer them to convince them to join us.

I was considering between 1500 and 2500 denars as well as an equal share of the loot from battles and raids.
I could also offer them a bounty for knights and important figures belonging to our rivals and a position on your council once you have taken your rightful place as the ruler of this area but this is of course your choice to make."

Day 2, morning to dusk

Sir Ealdred snorted derisively. He shortly bowed to the baronet, ignored the other knights and the commoner that just entered and left the hall with Jacob on his heels.

In the courtyard he called the spear and sword wielding soldiers together.

Listen, you scum, he announced. You may be more incapable of fighting than not for now, but I shall address that issue. Get your weapons up, pairs of two, we start immediately. I and Jacob will replace your partners from time to time. Hopefully the bruises we give you will remind you of what you still have to learn.

Soon the yard was filled with the clanking and thumping of practice swords and the occasional cry of pain when Ealdred hit a training opponent somewhat harder than would have been necessary.

Later on he got the men into formation and the second half of the day heard commands like "battle ranks", "shield wall", "advance", " defensive line" bellowed across the castle.

[OOC: If continued Sir Ealdred's training will give +1 skill and +1 discipline but -1 morale for the troops]

Day 2 dawn

Merclans small party rides into the village at a slow walk, perched atop a colossal charger, his beady eyes scouring over everything, his scarred face made horrific by his big smile. His three sons ride behind on tired looking chestnutts, with light crossbows resting on their laps and assorted daggers, axes and short swords. Yirimir his daughter brought up the rear, sitting on a slick jet black stallion, a boiled leather jerkin covered her body, but her bright blonde hair flowed behind her. One unfortunate militiaman in the practice yard with Ealdred dropped his guard in wonder and was cracked in the face by the furious old knight. Merclan rides up to the keep and waves the paper note in a beleguered sentries face. "Yes hello fine sir, I'm here to see your lord slash baron slash emir about a proposition he has forwarded to me." Whilst the sentry hurries away, Merclan eases back into the saddle, and pulls out a pipe and an indescribable D'shar herb. Lighting it and inhaling deeply he waits for Williams response.