A bugle sounds and the Royal Marines' encampment springs to life. All those not already on duty hastily assemble on the parade ground; which the Lt. Colonel had had constructed to exercise the men during a long and dull siege. They fall into formation. When all is again quite, Lt. Colonel la Pointe rides forward and stops 15 paces in front of the first ranks. "Men I would first like to congratulate you on your efforts these last months. Although inconclusive; our siege has been successful in making life the more miserable for those within the town. Their nerve cannot hold much longer with nothing left for rations; but house pets and their dead." The Lt. Colonel pauses before continuing, "I was especially thankful for the loyal support you gave me as commander of the regiment when the Colonel was busy with his duties at Second Army HQ. You have proven to me that the brotherhood of soldiers outweighs however we may be seen upon our return to our homeland." The Lt. Colonel pauses again before continuing, "As you may well know I will not see that homeland for 9 long months. Although I do not want to force that unfortunate situation upon any of you; I could think of no finer group of men to serve that time. There is also some unfinished business here. I'm sure we share the same desire to bring this siege to a final conclusion. In that regard I will be keeping the regiment at the front. Any man that wishes to return with the Army will be given my leave to do so. If in-sufficient numbers of men choose to remain then only those men of the 1st Battalion shall remain with me." The Lt. Colonel salutes and says, "Long Live the King!" He then signals a Major who nods to a Captain who mutters to a subaltern who screams, "Dismissed!" [ OOC: AlP will take the RM to the front in Sept if the Colonel (npc_BBG_N7) is busy with his duties as adjutant of the Second Army. If he cannot get the entire regiment to go then only the 1st Battalion will likely be sent. Any PC's that wish to be excused should contact me by email to be added to AlP's orders. ]
