Why do we Fight? - Volume III - For Honor

Chapter 26: Laying the Foundations

- Beaufort Stronghold, A month after the Chimera victory... -

With everyone doing work to make the festival of victory, the past month has been rather eventful. The four factions rallied together to celebrate; it doesn't matter who they are, what rank they hold, or what class they are from. Everyone simply must have a taste and the limitless amount of delicacies and wine are not to be missed.

Once the leaders have had their fill, it was back to business. It was time for a new agreement to be signed, a treaty that will encompass all of Heathmoor and bring peace. The location for the negotiations which was chosen by (Argen) himself is set on a plain specially prepared for the occasion. Some distance away from the venue is the series of fortifications of Beaufort Stronghold.

(Argen) chose this location not only so that in an open field, everyone can see that they are safe, but that is also the second reason: they can see everything, including the towering castles and walls of Beaufort Stronghold so that no matter who — Viking, Samurai, or Wu Lin — they will see just how stronger and technologically advanced the Knights are in comparison and hopefully give them the message that Ashfeld is more powerful than they are.

Around them are guardsmen from all the factions involved, stretching out to the horizon as far as the eye can see and responsible for safeguarding not only their leaders, but also their chance for peace after a bloody war that was part of a much greater conflict that never ended ever since the Cataclysm. Naturally, the Knights' side of the guards are predominantly made up of Lightshield men-at-arms.

For weeks, they made talk, with an Egyptian foreigner known as Amun acting as their arbiter. Demands are put forward, but concessions are just as important. For a long time, it dragged on, but with the help of Amun as their arbiter and being a foreigner who has no allegiance to anyone, the negotiations are soon coming to a close. The leaders eventually have agreed upon the contents of the treaty.

Amun received a tome in which the treaty in different languages is written on. He looked at the leaders of the factions first, all of them giving him an eager look, before he then opened the tome to read the contents.

"Before I read the treaty, I must mention the short-term agreements that your leaders have agreed upon." Amun spoke to the people of the different factions who watched the negotiations take place. "First, all of the leaders have agreed that their forces will be pulled out of the respective territories of the opposing faction. The Knights are to cede control of their captured territories from Valkenheim which are the regions Hylur, Crystal Ice Fields, and Gron Gate. Blackstone Hills will then be voided of any Viking and Samurai presence as are the regions of Dolo Plains, Bellua Road, Valle Dei, and those around Mount Ignis. Blackrake must similarly be given up by the Wu Lin back to the Templar-Hospitaller Order. At the same time, Lightshield and Bronzetail Legion forces are to leave Auster and hand over captured territories back to the Wu Lin who will return looted artifacts from Blackrake and the Iron Slopes." He spoke in a professional tone. "Your leaders do not have opposition to these agreements, and so you must not as well for this treaty is certain to bring peace should it not be violated. Isn't that right, friends?" Amun glanced at the four leaders with him.

"Why, certainly, my friend." Gao Lei, the emperor of the Wu Lin replied with an amicable tone while (Argen), Stigandr, and Ayu simply gave him nods. Amun nodded before turning back to the crowd made up of the other leaders of the factions. Many of 'them' were all there.

The Knights have Amber Lorderius with her son and daughter, Jarod and Katelyn, Kalec, Seren, and Xavier Lorderius, Davius Titus, Zirem Hirtzel, Marcus Black, Arthe Whitesong, Hervis Daubeny, Janna Goldfire, Alyssa Tigris, Julius Salavander, Nevil Hardrada, Levin Valonforth, and many others.