Three Must Decide.

Part 8 Returned

Chapter note. the first 3 chapters have introduced you to the Three. Each faction is controlled, to a degree, by a real life person so decisions have to be made.

Alden is home but his return has been demanded. no list of choices here. Will they send him back or not. 

Also there are rumours of the Grand Duchess in the north. So they need to decide what to do with their forces. Will they split them and send some north away from Dannamore Hold. Or keep all their force as one.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Dannamore Hold itself, even under a blanket of grey dark cloud did not look forbidding. From a distance you could see almost everything there was to see when you arrived at the gate. it was a grand house, which stood in front of a small Keep accessed over a narrow bridge. The House, which fronted on to a courtyard, with a new wide low wall and finely cropped grass was bordered by the drive leading from the single fortified gate. It could not be mistaken for a palace or mighty castle. Originally the single gate house was supplemented only by a shallow moat but that had been before Terrill had taken it as his own. Now the moat was a lake, and beyond that works had begun to circle Dannamore Hold and a large swath of land with a canal to be filled by redirecting the river that ran close by. It was not built for a siege but the huge stables and campground, over looked by the house, showed anyone that walls were not the homes primary defence.

The day had been long, the return of Alden had meant that much had to be discussed but by the end of the day very little had been decided which troubled Terrill greatly. Indecision left you being driven by others. Terrill had walked to the stables and as expected found Berengar stabling his horse, something he would do every evening. Berengers posture and reaction when he saw his lord was one of annoyed acceptance.

Terrill waited for those present to leave and became a little frustrated when Berenger openly took his time stabling his most prized stallion. They could not be friends but Terrill would seek Berengers company and opinion, away from the required formality, regularly enough for some to assume they had a friendship. Berenger was conscious of it, he liked and respected his Lord but would never try to become anything more in case his own judgment became clouded.

"He is a fine horse Berenger" Terrill was genuinely impressed by the stallion and was envious of his Captains ability to choose his mounts.

"One of the best I have, although I would not get too close as he has a tendency to bite" he closed the stable and began to head for the door.

Terrill walked with him "Do we have the strength Berenger if it came to it"

They walked out into the failing light. "We could Lord, but our advantage is not overwhelming and as we know them they know us well also. We are a threat, but we cannot expect them to fear war with us" Berenger paused turning to Terrill. "Continue talking to the Crown Prince lord, do what you can to avoid a fight and your army will follow you without question and don't forget The Duchess" Berenger bowed to indicate he wished to leave and Terrill let him go.

Terrill needed to hear Berengers opinion again away from Alden and his wife. He would reply to The Crown Prince, who had moved no further into the grasslands or crossed the border. Alden would not be sent back to Bronze Gate and the retention of his homelands in Drathen and Dannamore Hold offered by The Crown Prince was not enough. He did not have to bow so low, not when he had given so much for the Kingdom of Drathen. Terrill returned to his home, the messengers would leave. Those in the north would keep watch for the Grand Duchess, so many rumours could not be ignored, Peregrine Runs Garrison would be alerted. The Crown Prince would have to bend, Flux had slaughtered Aldens warriors before him, something Alden could not forget and may never forgive. Oceana would not see the family split even if Alden had seen an advantage in it. He did not, they were strong and holding enough to give some of what they had and appease the Crown Prince.

The letter from Ehmet had stripped away even more from the first, Terrill had been left in a rage but not surprised. The demand was for Alden to be returned once again to Bronze Gate, They could retain their home lands in Drathen and Dannamore Hold, all the rest must go including disbanding the army.

Terrills offer, he knew, would leave Ehmet in a dark mood.