2 - Yeah, friendly fire is always a fun discovery.
You know, I'm still confused as to whether Inner Furnace makes Aby's indy troops heat-immune. I think it does, even though it shouldn't. They don't get a FR immunity, but they do get Heat, and they seem to stop catching on fire.
3 - Nah, it's an optical illusion caused by his higher previous rate.
4 - Yep, good plan.
5 - Send a spy (not scout) over the province. I don't know what reports 3rd party spies get in a siege though.
6 - You're welcome