[quote]2. Since a war is a-brewing, should we surmise that it's springtime, or at least fast approaching it?[/quote]

The first blooms of spring are fast arriving. That's the idea, yeah. Rainy, wet, still snowy in some areas, but winter is finally at its end.

[quote]1. I've often heard that an army's "regular" pace (not running from an enemy, ordered by the superiors to rush B cyka blyat, or otherwise in a hurry) is more like 25-30 miles by foot? Then more like forty if they're skipping meals, shorting themselves on sleep, and otherwise needing to get the fuck where they're going ASAP. I don't know what "with luggage" means, however, since I'm assuming any sufficiently provisioned group of travellers has some kind of baggage train with it. If "with luggage" means you're carrying all your possessions on your back then fair enough. I've done that and it ain't fun.[/quote]

So far as I can tell, these are the numbers by researchers based what we know about Medieval Europe. 

With luggage is referring to having a backpack full of stuff, right. Bedroll, blankets, winter clothing because of the location, food supplies, cookware, any tools you might need... Don't forget having a sidearm (like an arming sword), a dagger, a coinpurse, rope... There's a lot that you could be carrying.

Minimal luggage is, well, minimal.

I'm assuming these travel times were based off of a leisurely pace, not a brisk / hustle pace. A well-traveled person can probably move faster than the numbers assigned, and modern people whose bodies are well conditioned can indeed go 20 miles a day if taking breaks and stops, 26-27 if they're not.

Considering the terrain, however, I think the numbers I dug up are reasonable.