Kingmaker

Scout #1

Ava silently waited on her mount, Sir Richard at her side with his hand gently upon the stallions' neck. "20 men, Ava. 15 volunteered. 5, I handpicked myself. Though they seemed reluctant. They still hold that grudge against you for being from York" He watched the men as they formed rows of 5 infront of the pair. "Again, I was born in Lancaster. I only went back to York a while after I was born. So technically, I'm not from York. I was just taken there and didn't have the means to leave" Neville had to smile. "You are still from York, dear. You will have to tell me when we arrive in Preston of your birth in Lancaster. And maybe as we return to Lancaster once our work is done, we can dig out some family records and see if you have any family ties to Lancashire" He said this not to doubt her, but to give her something to think about as she rode today. He and Plangenet wouldn't be far behind with the rest of the army, but Ava still planned to ride at dead speed; so really. Chances of them being within viewing distance of one another were pretty slim.
"Maybe I do. But my family kept it hidden. The last time I tried to dig out information on my routes. My hands were slapped away and I was punished for sneaking around. But that was when I was young. I know how to stay hidden and sneak around now. The House of York didn't see me sneak off to you during the joust tournaments" She held a smile at that, seeing it as a sort of achievement. Neville chuckled, resting a hand on her knee. "They did not. Though what would they have done if they had seen you? No doubt slain you in all of their horrid ways" Ava smiled at his words, keeping her eyes directed ahead of her, not wanting to look down on a knight. "They would've cut off my ear. A messenger once came to us with news of a death in the family. It was my fathers' brother that had passed, and the two never got along and were sworn enemies. The poor messenger had his ear cut off by one of my fathers' knights for wasting his time with such news. I imagine they would do the same to me" Neville once more chuckled softly, taking note of the smile that Ava still had. "They will have to try quite hard to get that close to you, Ava. These men will fight to keep you safe. They know the consequences should they fail to do so"
"Do not punish these men for a failure, Sir Richard. The consequences should steer them away from it anyway" She still smiled as she gazed over her small army. It was only 20 men, but still. She had her own army now. Even if it was temporary. "We must ride now. We will drop no slower than a canter. We have a task to do. And I have no intention of failing. You obey my word, and you do not break formation. Gentlemen. We ride towards Preston. Should we encounter any York soldiers. Do not strike unless they advance towards us. Remain vigilant" She had addressed her men with her head held high. Yet, she had spoken respectfully and maintained her confidence. It seemed insitill confidence in her men as they gave a cheer with their fists raised above their heads. This made Neville smile. Knowing she had to ride now, he beckoned her to lean down to him for a moment. Taking her lips in a soft, passionate kiss before breaking away to smile to her. "We will meet in Preston. Be careful" he said, watching as she nodded and raised her hand to her men as a signal to follow now.
She instantly urged her horse into a trot, before breaking into a canter once they had left the field. The army of 20 following behind her. It wasn't the biggest army, but Ava was just starting out as a commander, of sorts. So it was all she needed. Behind her, the soldiers talked amongst themselves. Some talking of their own lives. Others muttering over their 'commander' at this current moment. Ava could hear, but ignored it. She wasn't above the soldiers, but she wasn't going to stoop to their level either speaking of someone they knew little to nothing about. With a sigh at the lack of ground they had covered, she rose her hand above her head; making a small motion to the pathway ahead. She had got the attention of her soldiers as they silenced. "Gallop, gentlemen. We have a lot of ground to cover before nightfall. If you need to stop, you shout" With that, she urged her horse into a gallop; feeling the stallion surge onwards. He was definitely a powerful horse. Feeding off of the galloping stallions and geldings behind him. Ava smiled now. Thinking. She now wore the colours of Lancaster, and was galloping to intercept an army from York. This was something she had only dreamed of. But now it was reality.
As they galloped, she kept her gaze steady on the paths ahead. Looking out for any possible spies that had turned out to line the paths that she would need to take. One weapon she had forgotten to request was a crossbow. She had been a skilled archer, and swordsman; and liked to train and use both skills. But now she would have to use nothing but her sword. Which was fine. They continued to gallop and canter for several miles. Covering ground quickly as they created more and more distance between themselves and the rest of their army. After a further 30 miles, the horses all slowed to a trot. Needing water and a moments rest. By now, it was around 3pm. None stop riding meant they had covered quite the distance and were quickly closing the gap between them and Preston.
Ava raised her hand to signal her men to slow. "We will rest here for a while. Tend to your horses and eat, gentlemen" she said, turning her horse to face the group as she did so. The great stallion shaking his head up and down now. Ava patted his neck gently to calm him as her soldiers dismounted to stretch their legs and to sit on the slight embankment for food and drink. Meanwhile, Ava remained in the saddle. Her horse drinking from a makeshift bucket that had been placed before him. The only reason Ava had remained in the saddle was so that she was above her men. Not to show status or power. But to ensure she could see a threat approaching from afar. She had sat in silence for some time before a soldier approached her. Bowing his head in respect, which earned a smile from Ava, though the bowing wasn't required. "I brought you a drink and a snack...Uh.." he said, unsure as to which title to use. "Thank you" smiled Ava, taking the drink and the apple that had been offered. "And don't worry about using titles with me. Call me Ava" she smiled again. She had said that they use her name so that it felt like they were on common ground. She too was just a soldier. A knight, really. But she wouldn't be making them listen to how that came about.
"How far to go, Ava?" asked another soldier as a few of them sat closer to speak with her, some just wanting to listen. It wasn't long though before they all sat nearby to hear what she had to say. "Not long, I believe. We have covered quite the distance. I have ridden this road many times. Countless times to take some peace from the House of York. I'd say we have covered around 45 miles. The distance feels so long, does it not? But don't worry. We'll rest here for a while. Then continue when the horses have cooled and calmed. It is 132 miles that we have to cover overall. Alone, we have covered 45, and with the rest of the army, we covered around 20 miles. 67 miles to go. We may cover that if we ride through the night. But we need to be wary of our horses. What you say to resting here until sunset. Then we ride through the night by lamplight. It is merely fields and moors from here onwards. With several small villages along the way"
The men seemed to agree, nodding as they glanced around at one another. "Then it is settled. Rest for now gentlemen. I will wake you all when it is time for us to move on. Should any of you decide to remain awake. I would like you to stay close to those that are sleeping. Protect one another. Out here. You only have eachother. Which is much more than I had back then"
With that, the men nodded. Breaking off into their respective groups. Some for sleep, some remaining awake to guard those that slept. The horses also dozed silently ater having their fill of water and grass. Ava smiled as she gazed over her army, a feeling of satisfaction coming over her. They would ride fast, and hard to cover the remaining land. And they would intercept the Yorkist army.
They would succeed. All of them. Or die trying.

[Authors Note: This would've been way longer. But hey. I do 2 parts now per 'title' and I'm trying to get each to at least 1000 words. I'm also trying to improve my writing.
What kind of leader do YOU think Ava is?]