Kalmar

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Lieutenant Karras

As he neared his destination, the distinct-yet-distant sound of musketry became audible. If any of Milos's men had been flagging or half-asleep, they were now fully alert. Milos himself was actually relieved - it meant his men were still holding out. Complete silence would have been even more alarming.

"Dragoons!" He shouted back to the men behind him. "Form up on me!" His men moved to obey, bringing their mounts closer and forming a single line. He would not order a more advanced formation just yet, as it would surely shake apart by the time he reached the enemy. "At the canter!" Milos shouted, spurring his mount forward.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Lieutenant Karras

Milos nodded as he received his new orders, feeling a slight sense of relief which he did not show. His men might not be fond of him, and some of his Cornets may indeed be too reckless for someone with no experience, but he was not comfortable with letting him die. However, had the captain ordered him to continue south, he would have carried out that order nonetheless.

"Very well." He said at once. Then he turned to his new command. Raising his voice just loud enough for all of them to hear, he spoke. "Dragoons, your comrades to the north are hard-pressed, while the enemy gathers in the south. It falls to us to relieve them so we can deal with this southern threat. Form up!"

Once the men had done so, he spoke his next command. "At the trot, advance!" And then they set off, two rows of six with Milos himself at the front.

Enemies to the south, enemies to the north... what is the meaning of this? He found himself thinking. Either the enemy planned to strike the towns from both sides simultaneously, or one force was only meant to be a diversion while the other scouted for the main army. Or perhaps no attack was coming at all, and they just wanted to harass and harry them to make it harder to establish a foothold?

He continued ruminating on it until they reached the western gate, and once they had exited the city itself, his mind went back into focus. The last thing he wanted was to distract himself and get caught off guard by a sudden ambush. Even though he knew such an event was unlikely - they were, after all, in an open field, and possessed double the numbers of a six-man patrol. Nevertheless, he ordered his men to keep an eye out.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Lieutenant Karras

Milos's frown deepened, and gears in his head seemed to start turning. He had been about to embark on a simple scouting mission, and now he just found out two fifths of his Bandon were at risk of being annihilated. Naturally, his first instinct was to ride to their rescue, yet that instinct he immediately squashed. His orders had been to ride elsewhere. Yet, it still didn't sit right with him.

"I have been ordered elsewhere, trooper." Milos told him, his voice suddenly cold and even, once again. "Take your report directly to the Captain. Give him my compliments, and tell him exactly what happened. Then inform him that my force is assembled at the east gate and ready to depart south. However, if he believes the current predicament to be more urgent, I can take my men northwest instead. Do not delay. Hurry."

And with that, Milos turned his horse away from the Spaniard and was about to launch into a trot, but then he stopped, almost as if having second thoughts. He looked back at the Spaniard, his expression no less serious or monotone than it was mere moments ago, and his tone once again betrayed no emotion despite the sincerity of his next words. "You did good to arrive so quickly. I thank you. If the Captain does not promote you himself, I will advise him to do so upon my return."

Then he spurred his mount onward.

---

And that brought him to his current situation. Waiting at the gate for the arrival of his men... as well as the Captain's response.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Lieutenant Karras

Of course, only a few minutes prior to his arrival at the east gate, Milos had been accosted by a rather unexpected individual. A man he vaguely recognized, but only when he spoke did he realize exactly who it was - the Spaniard! Milos's firs instinct was to narrow his eyebrows in suspicion. After all, he had not been expected back by now.

But the Spaniard wasted no time, and immediately launched into an explanation. By the end of it, Milos had been clenching his teeth in frustration, and perhaps a bit of confusion.

"Which Cornet?" Milos had immediately demanded. He had sent two, but if this man was indeed the last survivor of his patrol, that meant Konyk was dead. "How many of my men are left at the bridge? What are the numbers of the enemy force? And why in God's name did your superior see fit to disobey my orders!?"

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Would you like me to wait for you to RP getting your squad and leaving so I can meet you on the road? I did my best to make it seem like he was damn exhausted and had been riding hard.

@The Wyrm

Milos is going to send you straight to the Captain either way.

Anyways, I'm fine with you meeting him at the city.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Isn't it supposed to be a two-day journey? How has Delgado already returned?

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

@Not Fishing Yes, this was a purposeful contradiction of your orders. Both Bardas and Konyk are staying behind at the bridge. Konyk has judged (perhaps incorrectly) that Bardas can't hold the bridge alone and is sending only Delgado back to inform the garrison at Tomis.

@VoiD

Sounds like desertion to me...

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

Lieutenant Karras

Milos saluted. "Yes sir." He said again, and with that he walked out of the office. Originally he had intended to go to the garrison straight away, but then a last-minute thought occurred to him. He quickly made his way to his own office - a tiny and cramped thing, as he was after all only a Lieutenant. He pulled a sheet of parchment from one of his drawers, and began to write.

Less than a minute later, there was a message posted to his door, explaining he had been dispatched on a mission, and that should any of his men return before him they should take their reports directly to the Captain.

No sooner had the message been posted than Milos was once again on his way. First he hunted down the two Cornets, which he found at an officer's club - garrison duty had given them a great deal of free time, it would seem, but thankfully neither of them had had their first drink. "Cornets. I am Lieutenant Karras. We have been tasked with a scouting mission. I want your men assembled at the east gate within half an hour, where I will explain the situation in full. Any questions?"

"No, sir." Came the response, somewhat delayed by the surprise of their sudden assignment.

"Very good. Dismissed." And with that, Milos saw to the his own kit.

---

Twenty-five minutes later, Milos's mount stood before the gate, the man himself mounted atop as he awaited the arrival of his new command. His horse was a dark grey, well-muscled and healthy despite the lengthy voyage, which had been named Diligence. He was equipped with a standard issue sabre, finely sharpened and in good condition. A pair of pistols were holstered at his belt, and another two holstered to his boot. There was a nine-inch dagger sheathed at his belt as well.

Though there was still five minutes to go, he hoped the two Cornets were the sort who preferred to arrive early.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

"If you spot the enemy, ride back here with all haste and inform us."

@Not Fishing

"It is vital we maintain control of this bridge as per Lieutenant Karras' orders."

@VoiD

Bardas... y u do dis

Edit: Hold on, I think I misread the post.

Okay, so Konyk was the one who gave that order. And he is staying at the bridge to help Bardas?

I know it doesn't matter, since Milos isn't anywhere near there, but I'm just trying to understand the situation.

The Imperial Dragoons — A Flintlock Fantasy RP [Open]

You only announced you were back five hours ago. Maybe give it a day or two before committing to a decision?