Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 58

Missing Marshals

"My lord, seeing as both of the Marshals for our two armies will not be present for the siege of Ozrat, will the Captain General be leading our forces?" Mathias asked his commander, as they rode alongside the marching columns of troops.

Xarnelf raised a thoughtful eyebrow as he considered the valid question before replying. "Well, good man, I believe Duke Armando already went ahead to scout out the situation. Since he is the Expeditionary Army's Second, it falls upon his shoulders to make sure the details of the battlefield are taken care of, in Marshal Mat's absence."

The hero left it at that, but his captain was not completely satisfied. "Understood, sir. But what about those of the Guard who will be joining us?"

This made Xarnelf cock his head slightly at an angle as he considered the man's words. "I had not even thought of that! Well spotted, Mathias! Lady Celina was last seen in Lantzas, and Lord Heinrich has business at home. That leaves no one in command of the Regal Guard!"

He made a mental count of who was present from the other army and then considered who might be quickly announced as a suitable Second. Before deciding, Xarnelf asked his captain, "How far away are we?"

In response, Mathias signaled behind him for one of the scouts. The closest one approached promptly with a salute. "Scout, know you how much further we have to travel?"

"About twenty more miles, Captain Sir!"

"Very good, dismissed." He turned to his liege. "That leaves us little time, my lord."

Xarnelf sighed and went through the list again in his head, slower this time around. Then all of a sudden, a thought came to him, and he smiled.

Aye, that just might work....

(to be continued at What Who Come Again?)