Double Dealing

"Gruber!"

"Yes, Herr Feldmeister?"

"Give orders for the men to eat now. We stay as we are for the present... at least, that is what that clown of Ober Nord Westfalen thinks. We had best give that impression. Once the men have fed, bring one of the Dragoner Schwadronen forward, quietly. They are to lead their mounts, and wait to the rear of Infanterie Regiment Nummer Drei. Once those bastards have disappeared from sight, we march at full speed. The Dragoner are to maintain contact with them. Taking care that they are not seen. Understood?"

"Jawohl, Herr Feldmeister!"

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Well, Herr General, that went rather well, I thought!"

"Really, Your Highness?"

"Oh, yes. The Feldmeister took to his schnapps, and while he thought he was being very clever, he rather let slip more information, I am persuaded, than he had intended."

"In what manner, Your Highness?"

"Well, as an appetiser, he told us that he leads the advance guard of his forces, and that substantial reinforcements are a day's march behind him. However, in the tally of his forces, he has omitted the Hannunteran Guards Regimente. Is it likely that Hannunter takes the field without making use of its so-called elite?"

"Agreed, Your Highness. Most unlikely."

"So... where are the Guards? It seems to me that we had best keep a screen between us and them. Have Herr General Muller arrange for observation patrols to keep watch on Hannunter's past route. If the Guards are anywhere about us, Von Wenigkirche is sure to communicate with them!"

"You are convinced of some duplicity, Your Highness?"

"Of course I am, Von Wenigkirche, for all his bluster and not-so-thinly veiled threats was remarkably accommodating. You will note that despite his protests he accepted all of my suggestions with a quibble. However, I do not trust him to abide by the terms of our agreement. I believe that once we are out of sight, he will move, and move quickly. He is not of the temperament to sit on his hands and wait!"