Discontent in Scotland (open RP)

[Gandalfus]

After the treaty of Tours, King Charles of France lost his grip on the French throne, and the Franko-Scottish alliance was dissolved in all intents and purposes. However, the Scottish have no desire to see England gain power, and now, Charles has been secretly funding the Scottish king and his nobles to raid and distract the English while his forces gather for rebellion in France proper.

Reports have come as far as London of Scottish border raids, with Newcastle even being put under siege by the highlander barbarians, only for them to retreat back up north. However, they have come down in force, and it is up to the English lords to investigate the area and put any rowdy Scottish raiders down. Reports say that a small group of them has recently pillaged a few towns deep into the Anglo-Scottish border, and many people are calling for aid from the English lords, knights, or vigilantes. Should this get out of hand, it may pave the way for a Scottish invasion! The men of England must act fast.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard, the Duke of York, rode with his personal guard of 200 men-at-arms. He was doing a small patrol through Northumberland before heading to Cumberland. With rumors of Scottish aggression rising, Richard needed to make sure all was secure before England could focus its full attention north. Word of the raid had reached his ears. Richard had only gone ahead with his party while a trusted noble in his services was raising the levy of 2,000 men to aid them if needed.

[Gandalfus]

Richard's patrol see a plume of smoke rising from a hilltop village, the ground blackened around it. It is hard to tell from a distance, but some of the buildings look completely destroyed, and the old stone road running up into the village looks ruined, smashed into complete obliteration.

[Lucius Malfoy]

With such a scene up ahead, Richard's senses went on alert. Since the Battle of Agincourt, his abilities as a general and warrior had gone upward in skill. Now with the dust recently settled, it was time for the Duke to once more put these skills to the battlefield. He quietly orders a hundred of the men-at-arms to approach the town from the direction they were coming from. The other hundred men-at-arms, divided into two groups of fifty, were sent along the flanks of village. They were ordered to cut off the retreat of any Scottish stragglers while the main formation was to strike at them head on...if contact was made. He then snapped the reins of his horse lightly as the center formation moved its way into town.

Center formation: 100 men-at-arms
Left Flank: 50 men-at-arms
Right Flank: 50 men-at-arms

[Gandalfus]

The village is found to be deserted, however it looks like the scots have made short work of the villagers, they lie dead in droves, and ashen corpses cover the ground like a macabre rug. The buildings are ruined, and the smell of hot death dwells in the air.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard grabs his nose, the stench was horrible. He waves to the captains among his men-at-arms.

Search for any survivors! Scottish or English! We must see if we can get any word of where this rabble is heading.

The captains nod and ordered their troops to begin their search. Richard then rides with a small guard to the nearby church, hoping to find someone there.

[Gandalfus]

Nothing is found at first glance inside the church, but if one looked closely, there was a small wooden triangle on the floor, looking as if it was part of a hatch. The rest of the floor nearby was covered by an ornate rug.

[Lucius Malfoy]

His troops move into the Church. Richard himself walks in and begins to look around. Eventually, one men-at-arms would hear the creaking of the hatch when he steps upon it. He yells for the others as Richard rushes over. He slowly opens the hatch, after the rug is removed, and looks into darkness. He asks for a soldier to get him a torch while Richard yells down.

Hello? Is anyone down there?

[Gandalfus]

An English family are huddled in the corner of the church basement, terrified. There seems to be a dead Scotsman down there, next to the father, judging from the cheap flimsy mail he is wearing.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard looks up at his captain.

Find water and rations and get them to this family now!

The captain nods and rushes off. Richard takes a torch and slowly walks down to the cellar with four of his men-at-arms. He approaches the huddled family.

I am Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. I have come in pursuit of these monsters that dare to threat the peace of Northumberland and Cumberland. Do you know anything about where they were headed?

[Gandalfus]

The father looks up at the English duke, haggardly. They have been down here for a while.

My lord, they attacked under cover of darkness. I was the last inside, wrestling a scavenger who lies down here now.

He hesitates, waiting for the duke to gauge his meaning.

But anyway my lord, the Scotsmen went west along the border, looking for more villages to pillage.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Moments later, the captain brings in some water and bread for the man and his family. Richard sits upon a barrel nearby, listening to the story. He strokes his chin lightly before looking at the Captain.

Have these people moved to York...any survivors will be tended to and fed. And burn the bodies of the Scottish rabble.

The Duke of York stands up now. His eyes looked down at the children. Richard was sentimental in many ways and was said that such young people were witnessing these terrible events. He looks at the man.

You are to be commended for your bravery, good sir. You remind of the good soldiers at Agincourt who fought against the numerous French forces. You would make a fine Knight someday if you ever aspire to be one.

Richard then walks out of the church with the family being escorted out. He gathers his troops and has a messenger ride south to gather the troops at York. His personal guard of 200 prepared to move West. He would call upon the peasant once more.

How great are their numbers, good sir? Do you know?

[Gandalfus]

He taps his foot, thinking.

Can't have been more than a hundred, my lord.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard thanked the peasant, giving him a few Florins as a thanks. After the Scottish bodies were piled and burned, the Duke of York's army began a swift march West. He hoped to catch up to the rabble of raiders and ensure their quick demise.

[Gandalfus]

They came across another village, however, this time it looked like it was being burnt. Flames consumed the village's houses and buildings, and began to consume the village. The sound of fighting came from inside, as well as screams.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard grinned when he had caught up the mere rabble. He ordered a hundred men-at-arms to head into the town and rally the peasantry to fight against the Scottish rabble. The last hundred were divided into two groups of fifty and moved along the flanks of the city, hoping to catch the enemy by surprise. Their orders were to flank and block their retreat.

Richard rode into the town with the center group of a hundred men-at-arms. He cried out in a loud voice to the peasants of the town.

Hear me, O' Great English People! Hear me! Rally forth! Rally forth!! Grab your farm tools, grab wooden sticks and use your fists to beat back these raiders! Defend your homes proudly and with honor! Defend your families so that your children and grandchildren sing songs of your bravery ere today! I come as a servant of our noble Majesty, King Henry V...and I stand here as your commander and fellow Englishman! Raise your arms and attack the foes that dare to break the tranquility of these northern lands!

Immediately his men-at-arms were given their orders to charge! They rushed forth with swords drawn and shields raised. They surged forth, ready to slash down any opponents that stood in their way. From the major side streets, the flanking groups of men-at-arms came forth as well, aiming to cause panic among the Scottish raider's ranks.

OOC: You can do a roll of peasants that join the fight due to Richard's speech.

[Gandalfus]

The scots, alarmed at the sudden emergence of the English duke, began to try and flee from the encroaching English soldiers. 60 peasants come from the houses and block off their escape whilst the English advance upon them from all sides.

[terradon]

Roman arrives and rides to the side of duke Richard

My lord, I have come as soon as i heard you left north. Forgive me for my absence my lord.Let us finish these raiders off together.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Richard had already sent his troops forward with the aid of the peasantry. The men-at-arms rushed forth, clashing with the raiders that attempted to flee from the might of English arms. The Duke looks at Sir Roman.

It is a mere rabble, Sir Roman. Nothing compared to what can be truly fielded by the Scottish nobles. They send men like barbarians to probe our lands...provoking our King to turn his vicious gaze northward. They underestimate the might of arms and the skill of our nobles in battle.

He then barks an order at his troops and the peasantry.

Capture any who surrender! Kill all who resist! Make the Scots learn their lesson!!

[Gandalfus]

The highlanders put up a small fight, but many surrender after they see their comrades cut down by English soldiers.