Three Must Decide.

Part 10. Peregrine Run.

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.

Terrill had to decide if they should send soliders north or keep their army in one place. what did they do?

The Grand Duchess had waited to resupply before marching did it give the defenders of Peregrine Run time to prepare its defences? will she assault her home or put it to siege.

Read on to see what they have decided.

The Grand Duchess sat beneath an open sided marque with her colours flying high and bright just in front of a small coppice of trees on a low rise. The season was right, and they had marched only to be hit by a storm which socked them all the way to the walls of Peregrine Run. The rain continued and as she looked out over the sea to the north the sky was still dark. Wind stirred the banners above her, coming from the south it was warm and from there the sky was clearing. There beyond the horizon The True Order of Lord Godbolts was spreading through her lands and with them the weather had broken. Caroline wondered if that was an Oman or a sign from the old gods of Vasted. Her beliefs were not strong but the values held by those who truly followed them were hers as well. The Gods that had come and spread with the influence of Bronze Gate held no fear for her, nor had she worried if her people had chosen to follow them. The people's lives were harsh and often short, why not see if there was another power which could ease their suffering. Then came Marquess Terrill as the Inquisitor General. Her Brother had sheltered those oppressed in his lands, Peregrine Run had become a place of safety until The Marquess Terrill had come. Caroline rose from her seat and touched the ground before her, the ground were her brother had been executed, were her exile had begun. She stood and walked out into the rain, her home Peregrine Run stood before her its gates closed, atop its walls the garrison watched, Terrill still ruled within those walls.

They had hoped to spread throughout her land while she led a small land force to her home, those with her would not assault those walls but hold the garrison within while Maston Kiby took Marquess Diegous beautifully powerful flag ship, The Saxifrage, in to the harbour with her flotilla to take the fortress. Caroline had seen the friction between Lord Godbolts and her Rear admiral flare while the plan was set, eased when part of the True Oder would be at Peregrine run. Those plans would now change. The garrison had been ready, Caroline saw before her the consequences of waiting for the fleet to re supply them although she would not have changed that decision. Peregrine Run was shut fast from land and Sea. The walls faced Caroline and Boom towers had been built to raise a chain across the harbours mouth. Caroline stood regally beautiful, she was surprised at how well the defenders had covered their preparations, not a word of it had come to her ear. She had wanted to spread her power across her lands but now she wanted to stand in her home with a fiery passion and she felt the frustration burn within her.

"Ride out and inform Lord Godbolts that we have not taken Peregrine Run, he is to come with as many soldiers as he believes will be needed to take it" she said to an aid who left immediately. Caroline turned back to her seat and looked at the walls built by her family to keep their enemies out, the irony was not lost on her.

Thoumes looked out over the wall of Peregrine Run, down in to the dry moat, its depth and shear sides satisfied him. He moved on to the gate house, his right hip hurting as it compensated for his failing left side. A familiar annoyance rose up, if not for that he would still be riding and would not have the command of Peregrine Run. He grumbled but received only sarcasm from the young soldiers with him and little better from the old ones who formed one third of the garrison. The old were teaching the young. He limped but was still strong, just not fast, his uniform was old but practical much like most of his belongings. His leather jerkin not quite big enough to fit comfortably over his belly which seemed to grow year after year no matter what he did. Had he grown a bread it would be as white as his hair had become but he stayed clean shaven. Several times a day he walked the wall and inspected the defences, taking particular time to make sure his preparations would be ready as he planned. When the Grand Duchess sent her army against them the high walls and deep moat may not be the greatest nightmare they would have to overcome.