Three Must Decide.

Part 3 Vasteds soul.

Terrill had moved his campground to the far south of Vasted, to a great loop in a river, where it took a long steady meander from its straight course around a large raised pasture the neck of which opened out to the meadows and plains in the surrounding region. The pastures of lush grass allowed the horses to graze freely with the main camp at the neck and all other approaches protected by the river. A place of safety and beauty where you could see anyone approach from the small wooden towers. The favoured campground was also the closest to the Drathen boarder and Terrill had taken his Cadre Guards and household there as soon as his son, Earl Alden had left for Bronze Gate. It was not too far from some of the main land routes between the kingdoms but it was remote. Terrill knew it was much too distant from Vasteds centres of power and, with a mountain range between them, completely detached from the Kingdoms northern lands. Terrill was having to rely on those leaders in Vasted loyal to him, the Priests that listened to his house Priest Herald and his troops of Lightly armoured but swift mounted horse soldiers to maintain his order. They would have to keep him informed but he could not stay too long. He knew his need to leave this haven was driven by the same need that made The King and Crown Prince of Drathen to seek to bring him back to their court, control.

The most recent letter from Bronze Gate had been delivered the evening before, Terrill had read it, dismissed his attendants, and spent the night with his wife, pushing the cares aside. Now he walked in the morning light by the river, the grass covered in dew drenching his boots. Standing watching the water flow by, bare chested and wearing just his riding boots and trousers, he bent to wash his face with the cool water. He was tall and powerful with a lean rugged face which carried scars leaving Terrill with a look that was unnaturally handsome. He turned back to the ring of tents, covering the distance quickly, entered his personal accommodation and took a clean white shirt from an servant.

The room was large enough for the table and chairs at its centre to sit 8 comfortably and to have plenty of room for Terrills own seat to the back, chests containing all that he and his wife may require day to day placed around its canvas walls. Small braziers placed around the room kept out the morning chill and the ground was covered with rugs and the walls hung with woven images.

The morning had moved in to its later hours. The letter lay on the table and with him, this morning, to help him decide the future were his wife and Captain of the Cadre guards. Marquess Terrill felt the absence of his Priest, who remained in Bronze Gate to make sure the gods would remain neutral, and his son, Earl Alden who had been held away from them for many weeks. This was not the first letter, many had been sent, all had been answered, the tension between the allies and friends was felt but the Marquess was firm in his resolve.

As Earl Alden had first entered the Crown Princes palace, which was now Aldens grand cell in his prison of Bronze Gate, so the first letter had arrived giving gratitude for his service, declaring the time for an Inquisitor General had passed and that he and his household were to return to the Drathen court. Fury was Terrills response, despite his suspicions at the time, suspicions which had made him send Priest Herald to Bronze Gate close on the heals of Alden. It was tempered by the Duchess whose advice was soon supported by Priest Heralds messenger who declared that the gods were divided and so could not intervene in the affairs of men until a balance was found in their own realm. Gods were not invulnerable against other gods, it seemed. With them divided, no one, not even the King of Drathen could receive their aid. Priest Heralds influence had risen to a great height with the Inquisitor Generals power and new wealth, now a force which could not be ignored.

The Marquess and Duchess did not want a conflict of any sort but they would not just abandon or leave the care of their lands and assets to others or to chance. Their reply thanked the Crown for the honour of serving as the Inquisitor General but graciously declined the offer to return to Bronze Gate. They would not take a place in the kings court or the unprecedented gift of the Crown Princes own palace. They needed to remain in Vasted, Terrill relied on his friendship with the crown prince for his sons safety and returned the lands in Drathen beyond his own home to the crown to show they meant no slight to the king of Drathen. It was after all everyones right to protect there holdings themselves or to call on their lord to do so and Terrill knew only too well that Drathens reach in to Vasted was only so strong because of him.

The silence in the room continued, Terrill was standing leaning hard on the table, The letter from the day before now lay next to another and in the door way a dust covered rider waited patiently but evidently they were exhausted and finding it hard to stand straight and steady. The Duchess Oceana Winter was becoming impatient with her husband and as she waited her angular, thin lipped face was becoming darker by the moment.

Terrill and Oceana had worked to become a strong match, together they had come from minor noble holdings to their current height of having the greatest control in Vasted. Now Oceana Winter was waiting for her husband to see the obvious course. She looked to the Captain, who respectfully acknowledged her but it was clear he would not speak first. If Priest Herald were here Oceana could have perhaps relied on him to break the silence, it was sometimes best to have someone between discussions that involve a husband and wife.

"Terrill we must send the Captain with the Cadre Guard in to Drathen, Alden may need them, we cannot take any chances with his safety. To have him out of reach of the king.........." Oceana stopped as Terrill straightened .

Terrill did not look up as he spoke "we could find a way to avoid this we just need time"

"They have accepted our offer Terrill, allowing us to stay here protect our property, but they are ordering us to disband our army" Oceana continued "we will have lost what we worked for and be reduced to a Dukedom in Vasted" her tone was matter of fact.

Terrill ached for the council of his Priest but he was in Bronze Gate. Marquess Terrill considered his position. He did not need to concern him self with coin the Marquess and duchess had amassed a fortune while they held the title of Inquisitor General and through the lands and business they had gained during the struggle to gain Vasted. Coin, or lack of it, he knew was a concern for the King and Crown Prince. What the Crown did have in Drathen and Vasted was legitimate power and it would remain so while they were seen to govern well. Their word was law and they were stripping away Terrills own power with words. Terrill had almost decided to agree and wait for his next moment or rise again, even ride to see the Crown Prince to gain better terms but that was before the rider had come.

Terrill grabbed the kings letter and in brutal frustration throw it in a fire, he could not look at it any longer, what could have come from a reply to that letter or meeting with the Crown Prince now. The second letter was in Aldens own hand and it confirmed he had escaped from his Drathen guards with the help of his own that had escorted him to Bronze Gate. Its contents confirmed what had been written in the kings letter and that Alden had arranged his escape to strengthen the hand of his family. Terrill knew it had done much more than that. Alden was now an outlaw until he reached his family and the king could not treat him as anything else. All the games being played could now be for nothing as Terrill would not abandon his son even though his escape may force them to play the most destructive card.

Terrill turned to his Captain "leave us with a force to keep us safe, we will meet again at Dannamore Hold, Take the rest of the Cadre Guards and bring Earl Alden back to us"

The Captain bowed, accepting the order, looked knowingly towards the Duchess and left. Oceana went to her husband and for a moment they silently acknowledged the challenge they now faced.