Question on retreating vs. routing

[Merry Jolkar]

In an army of commanders, if one dies, the whole side routes. Is this true if a commander retreats as a result of the retreat order? I'd like to keep a priest around this turn to preach, and give him orders to retreat. Will this cause my supercombatant to retreat, as well?
Thanks!
Merry

[Sheap]

Retreating does not cause routing, only death.

[Merry Jolkar]

Thank you Sheap!

[Merry Jolkar]

Strange thing happened!
My two celestial masters were at the edge of the map with instructions "flee". I was defender. But, enemy Triton army somehow got first attack, and killed them. Any idea why?? I have the battle saved, so if anyone is interested, can send it.
Merry

[Arryn]

Your fleeing mages walk. Tritons fly. Tritons being much faster, reach you before you escape and thus kill you. End of sad story.

EDIT: some advice: protect your mages with troops having orders of "Bodyguard". It may not protect you completely against enemy flying troops, but it's certainly better than them being all alone and highly exposed. BTW, having mages alone in the back is an invitation to enemy archers & mages with orders of "fire rear".

[Merry Jolkar]

Thanks for the tips.

Interesting: so even though I was just one square away from the edge of the map and the initiative, they got me. So, I suppose this means that I cannot actually place them on the very edge of the battle map, even by putting their "white squares" at the back of the battle planning board, right?

[Ironhawk]

Yeah the edge of the green space in the army layout screen is not the very edge of the combat map. I was under the impression that a normal speed human unit could flee the map on the first turn, but perhaps I am mistaken.

[Merry Jolkar]

The battle took place under water, so evidently my celestial masters are just too slow...