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>>1424110

Continuing from last thread.

>"Don't worry, I'll think about it."
"Don't worry, I'll think about it."

Shrugging, Marcus rubs his shoulder, and leans close against you, voice lowered, whispering in your ear.

"I've half a mind to go after her anyways, but, well, you're my friend. Let the games begin."

Laughing, you shake your head, and sheath your sword.

"Tis a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

Bowing like a mummer at the end of a play, Marcus sweeps his arm aside, sheathing his sword as he bows.

"I am ever the thespian, my friend."

Standing up straight, Marcus heads out of your part of the camp, waving as he leaves.

"Shall I be seeing you around?"

Nodding, you affirm this, and say: "Farewell, Marcus."

With his ever-present cocksure gait, he walks away, smiling.

"Farewell, Victor."

Shaking your head, you turn to Kathrin, who stands there, eyebrow raised.

"He's certainly a... character, is he not, sir?"

Rolling your eyes, you crack your neck, which pops easily after the fight, and answer her.

"Of course, Kathrin, he's always been like that. Even back home."

Giving a small noncommittal shrug, Kathrin says, "I suppose that I'll get to it, then. Unless you want to handle training today?"

She looks up at you, face neutral, not betraying any of her thoughts.

>"Sure, I came here to give them an example, anyways."
>"No, I've other business to attend to."
>"I'll handle training more in the future, I've just been busy."
>"You know, Kathrin, I'm aware of Marcus' story, since we grew up together, but what's yours? Where from home did you come from?"
>Write-in.

>>1424146
>Actually, how about I join the men in training.

>>1424146
>>"Sure, I came here to give them an example, anyways."

>>1424151
+1

>>1424151
>>1424163

>"Actually, how about I join the men in training?"

>Writing.

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>>1424146

Scratching your chin, considering, you think of something different, something that might throw her for a loop, test her abilities as Lieutenant.

"Actually, how about I join the men in training? It's been too long since I've trained alongside them."

If she's surprised, she doesn't show it, opting to simply nod.

"Very well, then."

Taking a slight breath, small enough that you almost missed it, you see a change go over her face, becoming more cool, collected, and didactic. Raising an eyebrow, she stares up into your eyes, the much shorter woman somehow projecting her presence that, even though she's still smaller, it feels like she matches you in height.

"What are you doing up here, and not in formation, soldier? You have ten seconds to find a place, or you'll be on punishment duty."

Raising an eyebrow at her audacity, talking that way to her superior, you simply nod, and say, "Yes'm."

Trotting among your men, you find a place near the front, and stand at attention, waiting for instruction. You feel the eyes of your men on you, but you say nothing.

Starting the training, Kathrin walks among you, calling out the exercises, and critiquing your poise while you do so.

----------------------------------------------------

To her credit, Kathrin is very good at directing training, moving quickly and efficiently through the different exercises, making sure the men get the most of their exercises, being sure to push them. And she doesn't treat you any differently, just because you're her superior. She might actually be harder on you because of it, actually, calling you out, picking apart the smallest mistakes in your form.

At the end of it all, near midday, your men are soaked with sweat, exhausted, and you're not much better. Wiping the sweat from your brow, you bend over, taking deep breaths, listening to the men around you groan, complain, and grouse as they are dismissed.

Standing up, and stretching to help alleviate your soreness, you look to Kathrin, who is striding towards you, small grin on her face.

"Did you get the training you wanted, my lord?"

Crossing your arms across your body, hoping to stretch out your shoulders, you look at the small woman, who is back to being the polite lieutenant.

>"Yes, Kathrin. Thank you."
>"You're brilliant at training. How'd you get so skilled?"
>"You are a cruel, cruel woman."
>"No, that was quite easy. If I didn't know any better, I might say you were going easy on me?"
>Write-in.

>>1424227
>You're enjoying this aren't you

>>1424227

>"Yes, Kathrin. Thank you."

>>1424231
>>1424237

>"You're enjoying this aren't you?"
>"Yes, Kathrin. Thank you."

>Writing.

>>1424227

Groaning wearily, you try to get indignant, but you're too weary, and have to settle with exhaustion.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Smirk growing, but still slight, Kathrin raises an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest clue as to what you mean, my lord."

Shaking your head, you sigh.

"Yes, Kathrin, I did. Thank you."

Bowing slightly, Kathrin nods, looking up at you.

"So, sir, what might be next on the schedule?"

Looking at her quizzically, you ask, "And why might we need to know this, Kathrin?"

Shrugging, the woman gives you a nonchalant stare.

"Well, I'm your Lieutenant, even if provisionally, so I would like to know if I can help you with anything beyond handling training. I have generally nothing to do after training, besides keeping order in the camp."

Smiling, she says, "I want to help you, sir, as much as I possibly can."

>"Well, Kathrin, I was planning on relaxing after the ordeal you put me through. You're more than welcome to join me."
>"I was going to talk with Natalia later, she had something to tell me. Anything she can tell me, she can tell you, you're my number two."
>"Cellica was going to tell me more about the world, it would be helpful for my Lieutenant to know what I do."
>"I was going to talk strategy with the other Teuton Knight-Captians, for going forward. It's their choice if you stay, but we can go anyways."

>>1424291
>"I was going to talk strategy with the other Teuton Knight-Captians, for going forward. It's their choice if you stay, but we can go anyways."

>>1424291
>"I was going to talk strategy with the other Teuton Knight-Captians, for going forward. It's their choice if you stay, but we can go anyways."
Much as I want moar Celly, this is probably most useful.

>>1424293
>>1424300
>"I was going to talk strategy with the other Teuton Knight-Captians, for going forward. It's their choice if you stay, but we can go anyways."

>Writing.

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>>1424291

"I was going to talk strategy with the other Teuton Knight-Captians, for going forward. It's their choice if you stay, but we can go anyways."

Nodding, Kathrin bows, and waves you onward.

"After you, then."

Heading through the camp, you make your way to the pre-arranged meeting point, in Sebastian's tent.

-----------------------------------------------------

Entering the dark interior of the tent, lit only by a brazier in the center, you push aside the flap, and hold it for Kathrin, who nods graciously. Following, you see Sigmund sitting on a chair, reading a book. As you enter, the man rises, and laughs, grabbing you by the shoulders.

"Victor! You're right on time, welcome!"

Pulling you into a hug, he releases you, and beckons you in, motioning to a seat, another chair.

"Come, come, sit!"

As you sit, you look at Kathrin, and then back at Sigmund. Does he just not... notice her there?

Coughing lightly, you say, "So, you have no objections to Kathrin being here?"

Smiling brightly, Sigmund waves off the suggestion.

"No, no, of course not, she is Berthold's... well, WAS Berthold's second! I'm quite used to her being around, as Berthold and I... well, you know..."

You nod. You remember Berthold and Sigmund always working closely together, acting like actual brothers, not just brothers in Christ, even despite the age difference.

"And I called this meeting, anyways! If any of the others have issue, they can take it up with me."

Smiling, you look to Kathrin, who is currently standing by your side, standing still, looking at you.

"Well, you heard him. You're free to stay."

Motioning to the seat next to you, you indicate that she should sit down, but she shakes her head slightly.

"I prefer to stand, my lord, and well, Sir Sigmund prepared five chairs. It wouldn't be proper to deprive one of your fellows of a chair, now would it?"

>(Shrug)
>"I suppose not. But if you get uncomfortable, then don't complain to me!"
>"They're gentlemen, they wouldn't let a lady stand while they sat. Please, I insist."
>Write-in.

To Sigmund

>"So, what is that you're reading?"
>"Any particular reason you called this meeting?"
>"No bratwurst and ale? What kind of meeting is this?"
>Write-in.

>>1424340
>(Shrug)

>"No bratwurst and ale? What kind of meeting is this?"

>>1424340
>Fair enough my fellows may have their sear and you can have mine
>Why do you call this meeting.

Gonna call it here, thread seems a bit ded and I'm tired

Anyways, open voting until next time

>>1424364
Night, Ath. Don't die overnight.

>>1424348
+1

>>1424340
>(Shrug)
>"So, what is that you're reading?"

>>1424348
+1

I must say i like this quest. Comming from the archives to join in next time.

>>1425077
Thanks! Should be running tonight!

>>1425785
Uhull i will caught it live then!! That should be exciting.

>>1425785
Cool!

>>1425967
>>1426143
Hrm. I'm sorry for the delay, but something's come up. Thread will be delayed, unfortunately.

>>1426856
Guess i won't be able to be part of it then. Bad timezone for me looks like.

>>1424340
Damn, looks like I missed the first part. Finals are a bitch.

Damn, I'm never able to catch this live.

>>1424348
Fine, I shall also vote for this.

>>1424344
>>1424348
>>1424558
>>1424698
>>1424745

>(Shrug)
>Fair enough, my fellows may have their seats, and you can have mine."
>"Why did you call this meeting?"

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>>1424340

You shrug noncommittally to Kathrin.

"Fair enough, my fellows may have their seats, and you may have mine."

Standing up, you step aside for Kathrin to sit down, and gesture to the seat. Kathrin looks like she wants to protest, but eventually rolls her eyes and sits down.

"Ever the gentleman, sir? Very well."

Nodding briefly to her, you turn to Sigmund, and ask, "So, brother, why did you call this meeting? All I could get out of your messenger was some vague talk about 'strategy for going forward'."

Closing his book, Sigmund sets it down on a small table in the middle of the tent. Winking at you, and tapping the side of his nose, Sigmund chuckles.

"Ah, I've to have SOME secrets, my Prince! Let an older man have his dramatic reveal!"

Snorting and bouncing on your heels, standing beside your (now Kathrins') seat, you indulge the older Teuton, and drop the subject.

"Very well, Brother, I shall let you keep your sense of theatricality intact."

Laughing, Sigmund makes small talk for the next few minutes, chatting about the various things his warband experienced in the deep forest, telling tales of fey lights in the distance, between darkened trees, Elves in the treetops, and a general sense of, (if admittedly otherworldly,) calm about the place.

As he begins telling a story about a spring deep in the woods, you hear the tent flap rustle, and you turn to see who it is. To your surprise, it is Gunther, whom you hadn't really talked to since the day of the battle near Acre, back in the Holy Land.

Smiling, he opens his arms wide, and speaks in his distinctive Black Forest accent.

"How are you doingk, Victor, mein freund?"

Gunther Friedich. Son of Hans Friedich, a Lord of a, if small, tactically placed holding deep in the Black Forest. They attempted to reclaim the old roads through the forest, but the bandits were thoroughly entrenched, and would not be removed. Thus, they were in a war of attrition. In a bid for aid from the Teuton Order, House Friedich sent their eldest son, Gunther, to petition for help. Returning with the man, they broke the stalemate, and turned the war in the favor of the Friedichs. It would still be some time until the roads were usable, but they had won the first battle.

Impressed by the valor of the Teutonic Order, Gunther joined the Brotherhood, and became one of its' most ardent supporters. You remember him arriving one day, returning with the others of the warband that had gone for aid, dressed in the livery of the Teutons, sitting as proud as a peacock from the Orient. You weren't CLOSE friends, but you still were on friendly terms.

>"Very well, Gunther. You?"
>"You still have that accent, I see."
>"Shame about Berthold, wasn't it?"

>>1434477

>"Very well, Gunther. You?"
>"You still have that accent, I see."

Eh, open voting until tomorrow, rip thread,

>>1434852
Guess we will need a new one.

>>1434814
Second

>>1434814
+1

>>1434866
I dunno, actually, I might continue, I thought I had just started at a bad time.

>>1434814
>>1434869
>>1434897

>"Very well, Gunther. You?"
>"You still have that accent, I see."

Fuck a duck

>>1435126

>Writing.

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>>1434477

Taking his hand, and pulling him into a brief hug of greeting.

"Very well, Gunther. You?"

Laughing, Gunther slaps your back heartily, causing you to let out a small oof as he pounds your shoulder.

"I ham doingk very well, Victor! It iz very gut to see you!"

You wink at him, and say, "You still have that thick accent of yours, I see."

"Of caurse! Ah shan't leht ye fancee fucks frahm the Rivarr Cahntry change my voice!"

Wincing a bit at the curse, you look pointedly at Gunther, and motion to Kathrin, who sits in your seat. Gunther, previously oblivious to the small woman, stares at her for a few seconds, processing his breach of gentlemanly conduct. Putting his arm around your shoulder, he pulls your head close, and turns around with you.

Whispering in your ear, he asks, "Why'd ye brang a womman? She's nawt a Knight, nor a Capten!"

Snorting flippantly, you push his arm from around your shoulder.

"It'll be fine, Gunther, she's my provisional Lieutenant. She's going to have to know all of this sooner or later, anyways, so why not hear from the source?"

Mulling it over, Gunther shrugs. "Well, t'aint the wurst idea ah've ever heard. Izzat Berthold's womman, tho?"

Nodding to affirm this, you see Gunther's realization. "Oh. Oh! Yew took over his wahrbend an' she came wit' it?"

Once more, nodding, you motion to the empty seats around the tent.

"I know I'm not the owner of the tent, but come, sit, it might be a while."

Smiling, Gunther says, "Aye, brudder, ah think ah'll take a seat next to me ol' friend Sigmund."

And then, with all the grace of a charging bear, he does, causing the poor chair to sag under his muscled bulk.

Shaking your head, smiling, you turn to take your place by Kathrin's side, when, the tent flap opens once more, depositing two of your brothers within the tent.

Sebastian Keuchler and Veit Bendel are a mismatched pair. Sebastian, an old, graying man, even older than Sigmund, (solid silver hair to Sigmund's salt-and-pepper,) with a completely neutral look on his face, and Veit, a bedraggled man with a constantly pinched look, like he was constantly displeased with everything. Which he usually was.

Which immediately compounded as soon as he saw Kathrin sitting there, prim and proper.

"What's she doing here, Victor? This is supposed to be a strategy meeting, Can't be anyone else but us Captains. I bet she's a spy for those Templars."

Raising an eyebrow, you say...

>"Spy? Templars? Veit, man, we're on the same side."
>"Kathrin? A spy? While she may have the skills to be a scout, I doubt she could be a mole."
>"You're right, we can't rule out any possibility. It certainly wasn't that SARACEN SORCERER that brought us here. Nay, it must've been the Templars."
>Write-in.

>>1435304
>"Spy? Templars? Veit, man, we're on the same side."

>>1435304
>"Spy? Templars? Veit, man, we're on the same side."

>>1435329
>>1435396
>"Spy? Templars? Veit, man, we're on the same side."

>Writing.

>>1435407
Loving the quest Athinar keep the good work.

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>>1435417
Thanks bb

>>1435426
Whoops, that's the picture for this post.

>>1435304

Shaking your head, you sigh, exasperated by the suspicious, grumpy man.

"Spy? Templars? Veit, man, we're on the same side."

Giving you a sideways look, Veit grumbles as he walks past you.

"...NeverlikedtheItalians.... ....usedtobepagansofcoursethey'ddoit...."

Coughing politely, you look at Kathrin apologetically, who shrugs. At least she doesn't seem to be TOO bothered by it.

Sebastian, for the most part, seems to be ignoring Veit's... quirkiness, and instead, chooses to sit down, and ask: "So, Sigmund, now that we're all here, what is this meeting about? Why did you call it?"

Sigmund points at Sebastian and smiles.

"I'm glad you asked, mein freund! It's about our... diminished numbers." All of you nod, and wince at that. "We are... in danger. Not immediate, I assure you, but we need to discuss the issue before an entire warband is lost, and we have no way to replenish our forces."

The rest of you nod, contemplating.

"So, my brothers (and sister,) I would like to know what your thoughts on what we should do are."

>Teuton forces
270 (Previously 300)

>Your Warband
71 (Previously 50)

>"We should recruit foot soldiers from any towns we encounter. Pikemen and the like."
>"We should recruit the best fighters we can find, and make them knights."
>"We should recruit bowmen. We won't have to train them as much, and it'll supplement our forces with another means of attack."
>Write-in.

>>1435567
>"We should recruit bowmen. We won't have to train them as much, and it'll supplement our forces with another means of attack."

We can even grab any hunter and start to train some bowmen

>>1435602
Second

>>1435567
>foot soldiers
Not sure we have the numbers to protect a bow squad yet

>>1435622
We have 270 if we manage to have half of it as bowmen it will be enough and will allow more us to be more manauverble

>>1435602
>>1435607
>"We should recruit bowmen. We won't have to train them as much, and it'll supplement our forces with another means of attack."

>Writing.

>>1435653
What would be harder to train: Crossbowmen or Bowmen

Don't tell me they don't have crossbowmen in this world...

>>1435662
It'd probably be harder to train bowmen, because crossbowmen are point-and-shoot. However, bowmen are much much cheaper to equip, and you don't have any real means of making crossbows.

>>1435671
Guess first thing to do once we find a town will be doing this.

Okay I'm gonna have to end this thread here, sorry for the short, intermittent bursts. I shall find time for a longer session sometime.

>>1435780

Sorry I missed the run Athinar, I shall be here next time

>>1435780
Looking forward to it