[Manhunt] Who Killed Private Charlesworth?

[w00hoo]

Following the others the older man nodded, "oh, that we will Taff, that we will."

[Halfbat]

As Miguel caught up, Hempwick looked sickened, hoping his old friend managed to reach safety or, at least, disguise himself as one of the Count's many servants. <Miguel, I do not intend running for long, merely to find a place away from the village where we can regain the weather-gauge and give those cavalry a double-shotted broadside. Can you think of such a place? Hide for now, regain the wind, and then tempt and lead these damnable Frenchies piecemeal up into the hills after us, so they do not suspect the village?>
There's a difference between the Redcoats and the gurerilla's I dare not voice, he thought to himself. The 33rd are disciplined - the finest troops in Europe - and can face anything. But the guerillas? If they are not protected, or have not surprise or the weather-gauge, they will run. How to use both? And how to convince that stubborn, fight-happy Sergeant?

[Neil Gow]

[OK, so we have a feinted retreat called for by the Navy man. Pulling back and then possibly attacking. I think this is very apt and could well inject some much needed action! First up though, the retreat. Skirmish Challenge. Win it and you get the 'weather gauge' as Halfbat so aptly put it for any further attack. Fail it and I'm afraid the Frog horsemen are on you in the open ground of the vineyard and thats officially Not A Good Thing. So can I have actions and skills/reps/traits etc. please. And yes, this is one of those actions where soldiering is appropriate. Orderly and by the numbers is what the British Army does.]

[w00hoo]

[Ignore this then, I seem to have the wrong end of possibly the wrong stick...]

[Halfbat]

[Have to confess to being TOTALLY confused, atm - I didn't think the French were even in sight, just that we'd heard them and been warned about there presence.... the only Frenchman we've seen is the dragoon sniper. Otherwise there would have been no way on earth than Hempwick would have retreated in the face of a foe, unless it was absolutely necessary to save the troops. Can you confirm, Neil?]

[Neil Gow]

And then the air is pierced by the curses of Miguel and Fuller. In the distance, the tell-tale sound of cavalry can be heard.

The French are coming!

[...was the clue. French cavalry approaches and following this post...]

Hempwick cursed at the sound of the cavalry. Sound echoed strangely in these hills mountains, he guessed. <"My friend, we must leave. Which way will take us out of sight the quickest?>"

[The impression from the posts that I got was that you were leaving and in a hurry. Following with...]

"Price," he calls angrily, "we must continue with our orders!" He continues riding mountainward, his jaw set in a grim line, as their guide breaks into a trot, making sure the small chest is secure.

[So the situation is that you are getting out of Dodge. There's no way in an open fight that you could easily win against a French cavalry patrol with a fistful of men (although they are PCs, so you know, the PC glow helps). Your post of...]

There's a difference between the Redcoats and the gurerilla's I dare not voice, he thought to himself. The 33rd are disciplined - the finest troops in Europe - and can face anything. But the guerillas? If they are not protected, or have not surprise or the weather-gauge, they will run. How to use both? And how to convince that stubborn, fight-happy Sergeant?

[...sounded like a great plan. Hence... ACTION!]

[wraithben]

[So for my own clarity the first thing we're doing is the escape part of the plan? So you need to know what we're doing to help get out yes? Or am I totally lost now?]

[Neil Gow]

[No, you're 100% right as I read it]

[wraithben]

Price kept running, chivvying along the spaniards who were with them.

'Keep going lads, wait for the order then we turn and shoot together. Just watch us and do as we do'

Aware that they might not understand the words he hopes the tone at least is reassuring.

As he runs he glances back frequently ready to give warning if the French close on them, ears open ready to react to orders immediatly.

[Using soldiering to keep this a well run, organised military retreat rather than a panicked rout].

[Peanut]

"Nice and steady lads, keep 'em with you". Making sure Price and Fuller were off and away with the Spaniards Curtis backed out of the village, taking a final look around to check that no-one was left behind. Satisfied, he turned and, keeping alert to any sight or sound of the french cavalry, set off after the rest of their little party, making sure he caught up to ensure that no-one was lagging behind.

[Soldiering 7 + Respect of the Men? + Reputation: Regiment 3]

[w00hoo]

Snout keeps his eyes on the others as they start to retreat and then looks back to the lay of the land, working out the route most likely to keep everyone hidden from the on coming French. As they move he puts his hand on Taff's soldier, to halt the man, and with a nod of his head indicates a tree filled with birds snacking on the last of the withered fruit. Nodding towards a different direction, they move on leaving them undisturbed. [Awareness 6 + Institute:Rank and File 2 + Any discipline thingy. Hope that's all OK now...]

[Halfbat]

[Thanks Neil - I wasn't confused after all. ]
Hempwick glanced at the apparent confusion of the retreat, noting with pride the way Carmichael's men were trying to organise the irregulars. He paused his mount for a moment behind an outcrop but where he could see the trail into the mountains. They might just manage to escape to leeward and hope for a shift in the wind after all.

He began making suggestions...

[Discipline 3/Command only 1 to whoever needs it most. Soldiering 2, but I think I have to play Respect of the Guerillas +2 whether or not I wanted to, here!]