Keep momentum

A voice called in Ariadne’s head:

“These two need time to cool down before making a proper decision. Distract them for now. Begin to strip yourself of your armour casually—but do not stop at that. Take off your clothes until you are in your underwear. That should break them from this argument of egos and pride more than anything.”

Target > 90

1d100 Roll = 14

Failed Suggestion

Dame Ariadne

Corruption Points = 0

Ariadne shook her head. Taking off her armor and clothes in a tent full of men? That was crazy! She was their commander; she must demand respect from them, not appeal to the basic instincts of primitive minds.

“My lords, please calm down.” Ariadne put her hands on the chests of Lord McRound and Lord Precee, separating them. “You have both stated valid points, but raising your voices won’t solve anything. We are in this together, and only united will we succeed.”

The lords stepped back.

“I’m sorry for my actions, Dame Ariadne. It was not proper for nobility,” Lord McRound apologized, putting his hand on his chest where Ariadne had touched him.

“Hmm, yes, forgive my temper, Dame Ariadne. It won’t happen again.” Lord Precee nodded, stepping back. Behind his bearded face, there was a slight blush on his cheek, barely visible.

Ariadne leaned over the maps of the area, noting that Sir Raymond stepped behind her, keeping a hand on his sword like a good bodyguard. She studied the maps, calculating in her mind how long it would take them to reach the border of the kingdom and how far away the orc settlements were.

A voice spoke a suggestion in her head:

“Play it safe. Retreat for now. Return when you’re at full strength again.”

Target > 50

1d100 Roll = 45

Failed Suggestion

Dame Ariadne

Corruption Points = 0

Retreat was tempting—safer and more secure. But it would also leave them with unfinished work, sending more good men to fight again next season when they had a chance to finish it now for many years to come… No. Ariadne wasn’t ready to retreat yet.

Another voice spoke in her head:

“Lord Precee is right. You need to take advantage of your momentum and banish those damned orcs once and for all!”

Target > 50

1d100 Roll = 83

Successful Suggestion (+1 Corruption Point)

Dame Ariadne

Corruption Points = 1

Ariadne looked at her war council.

“I have decided that we will continue our march deep into orc territory to destroy their settlements. We cannot retreat now, when total victory is in our hands.”

Lord Precee smiled behind his beard, giving a triumphant stare to Lord McRound, who kept his manners and simply nodded, accepting the decision.

Ariadne looked at the maps, deciding on their next campaign target. The lords joined her. Precee spoke first.

“We should aim for their only town in the area with proper defenses. Once we destroy their stronghold, the orcs will lose their foothold in these lands, and they will pose less of a threat in the future.”

Lord McRound disagreed.

“We didn’t bring siege equipment with us. Storming their walls will be costly and lower our chances of success.” He pointed at a few marks on the map. “We should burn down their villages, destroy their crops, kill their cattle, and seize their stores. In that way, we will **** them to leave this land, as they will have no more food or resources.”

Lord Precee opposed him.

“If we do it your way, we will be stuck here longer than a month, as you yourself said. Most of our forces are foot soldiers. We don’t have enough cavalry to raid so many villages while also maintaining scouts for the main army.”

As Ariadne raised her hand to calm them down again, Raymond spoke from behind her.

“By your permission, Dame Ariadne,” he said in a dutiful tone.

“Permission granted, Sir Raymond.” She nodded for him to continue.

“What are we going to do with the prisoners and the rescued subjects? They will slow us down in the coming campaign and consume our supplies. You must decide what to do with them, as I believe they will become a burden.”

Yes, yet another problem for Dame Ariadne.

“We should kill all prisoners and send the subjects back to the kingdom. Some of them may not survive, but we cannot afford to slow the army down,” spoke Lord McRound.

Lord Precee opposed him.

“No. Prisoners may be useful in negotiations if the need arises to secure the release of our own men. As for the subjects, we should use them for basic tasks within the army, relieving the soldiers so they can conserve their strength for combat.”

“Do you seriously want to risk a rebellion of orcs behind our lines when battle begins? That would be suicide.”

Dame Ariadne let out a heavy sigh, feeling that these two men must deliberately take opposite sides just to argue.

Then she heard voices in her head.