Serenno's Open Terrain

Aurora strode up toward the command position from which Duke Malvern and Lady Bruce oversaw the bombardment operation. Since the start of the campaign, Aurora had been leading an offensive force from the western front of the Bruce lands. Each day, her force had grown with the addition of those willing to fight after their homes and towns had been liberated. The blitz tactics that Malvern had devised had helped them reclaim many of the lands. But now, the fight came down to one final offensive. And that was becoming something of a prolonged siege of the Bruce Castle.

While Aurora did not remember much of the Castle itself, she had faint memories of visiting there when she was a child. But it was enough to pain her at watching the battlefield it had become. She kept her pace up the hill, her armour now covered in a mixture of stains that were either blood or mud. Something she would attend to cleaning once this battle was over. For now, she came to a stop before Abigail, and gave a bow
Countess Bruce... Might I beg a moment of your time?

Aurora felt a brief skip as Abigail addressed her. It would yet take her some time to get used to the title that came with being a bannerwoman. Rising when motioned to do so, she followed Abigail a short distance away from prying ears, to allow them to talk in private. Her gaze shifting from her Banner Lord to the Castle
Thank you, my lady... This blitz campaign has kept us busy and brought us far. But please forgive me for speaking my mind when I say that it has stalled... I do not doubt Duke Malvern's resolve to maintain this siege and come out victorious. But I fear the cost may be far greater than it needs to be...
She turned her gaze from the castle back to upon Abigail. Her Liege lady whose beauty was unmatched by any woman that Aurora had ever met. Equal parts inspiring and enchanting
I wish to propose an alternative... Instead of drawing this siege out any longer and tearing the Castle apart, let me and a small force sneak inside and take out Derek... With a strike of my blades, I can cut off the head of this snake. No more fighting, no more unnecessary losses... My blades are yours to command. If you so wish it...

Abi listened as her Bannerwoman laid out a plan to infiltrate and slay Derek. It was a plan that the Countess had considered before, but had dismissed as too risky. Or more her guardsmen had vetoed the action as she was always the one doing the sneaking in. But now another member of her court suggested the plan. Perhaps this was the way.

=Abigail=
You are certainly brave and noble to volunteer for such a daring plan. But I would not have others go into this nexu den without accompanying you myself. If we are to undertake this mission we do so together.

Abigail's signature crooked smile appears on her face.

=Abigail=
It's good that you do not protest, because my involvement was not a request. Come, let us present our plan to the Duke, we will need to coordinate with him and his forces.

Abi would then lead Aurora back to where Malvern stood and cleared her throat politely to announce her return. Once his attention was gained, Countess Bruce would give the lord a curtsy.

=Abigail=
My lord, Bannerwoman Aurora and I have a plan to help end this prolonged siege.

Telandra could feel thee excitement from Vanyla. Her new Sister bursting with energy. She gave a nod in response to the offer then, wondering if perhaps it might not be such a bad idea to make some new friends
I would appreciate that a lot, thank you... For now though, Clan Mother, if it would be alright with you, I could certainly do with some rest and a place to call my own here...

Bringing herself up to full height, trying to seem more as a capable warrior and less of a noble woman, Abi began to speak.

=Abigail=
Aurora and I would lead a small team to infiltrate the estate and... remove the serpent's head, as it were. If we could take Derek out of the equation and leave his force leaderless, your troops would likely have an easier time of routing this rabble. My family had secret passages built into the buildings and they are how my grandmother and I escaped. We could use these to move about unnoticed until we were ready to strike. What do you think so far, Your Grace?

Now that the plan was spoken out load, Abi was even more eager to see it done. It would likely save many more lives then this drawn out siege and following assault.

Mansfield walked up to the strategy table, his usual stoic expression still on his face. Taking a brief moment to acquaint himself with the various formations laid out before them, he listened carefully to both Abigail and Lucien. Evidently, a plan had already been structured, but rather noticeably, it lacked a force to cover Lucien's eastern flank, and he had heard word of some sort of remote rebel redoubt. A redoubt he could likely assist in crushing.

"A grand plan indeed. However, I will point out the lack of support to the East, which is caused in no doubt due to the limited amounts of resources with which we are working."

He paused for a moment, allowing his statement to sink in. He had spoken with his typical decisive nature, and he allowed all present to consider his statement.

"Duke Malvern, Baronnet Bruce. My forces could provide the support you require to crush the rebels in their entirety."

He then gestured to the keypad, punching in several figures. A small red blip appeared on the right side of the map, alongside several waves of small blue triangles, representing LAAT gunships, zipping towards it.

"I have heard word of a rebel redoubt in this area here, and would be more than happy to take care of it."