Hermant temporarily looks discomforted by Simon's words, but then rises to acknowledge the toast:
"Here, here!"
He then shifts and his tone changes:
"Gentlemen, the Council session has opened so now we too can use this moment of reflection to decide the Order's priorities for the coming ten seasons.
I propose that we form a company, composed of at least four brother knights with one of them in command as its captain. We need a formation of such a size for our Order to have any military weight within the Kingdom. We therefore face three questions:
First, who will ride with the company?
Second, where will the company be deployed?
And third, who will be captain of the company?
On the first question, I believe Simon and I have already indicated our intention to ride with the company. Are there any other brother knights among us who will join? The commitment is for the next ten campaigning seasons, but it will be a bond of fellowship only. Brothers will be free to leave the company at will - for example, if their Duchy requires their assistance - but so long as they remain part of the company, they should follow the Captain and fight together for France.
On the second question, I propose that initially we act as reinforcements for the Seneschal's army, supporting its maneouvres. Let us gather in Ille De France (OOC: Lacking any infantry of our own, the Company is currently unable to fight autonomously against most threats so we can only support Royal or Duchal armies. At the Captain's discretion, we may redeploy elsewhere - for example, if the Seneschal requires knights elsewhere on the front or if a particular Duchy comes under threat. While we have the luxury of time to debate deployment now, when the campaigning season starts we must have a chain of command and the Captain should have operational control of the Company.
On the third question, I nominate Simon for election to the post of Captain. Simon, will you accept the nomination and stand? Any other brother knight may contest the post, but they should be drawn from those riding with the company for the next ten seasons. The office is for ten seasons only - by our Charter, at the next Council session, we must elect a different Captain.
Gentlemen, I ask for your opinions on these three questions and any others you may have relevant to the Council session and the following term of the Seneschal."
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