Three Must Decide.

Part 11. Face To Face.

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 needed to decide if they would send their son back to Drathan and lose much of what they had but avoid war.

Ehmet needed to decide if they would make another offer to a life long friend to avoid war or hold their ground and make Terrill bend to their will.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Marquess Terrill sat on his horse looking at the lone tent which lay about a mile and a half into the distance. He and the troop of Cadre Guards that accompanied him had risen early, the bad weather had been blown north but the air and ground was still damp as they rode across the boarder and out in to the Ponoden Grasslands. This place had become a no mans land and he know exactly why. If there was war he would order its control and because of that possibility The Crown Prince would not simply advance on to ground that favoured his cavalry. He had not eaten much, he was anxious, leaving his stomach in knots. Today he would meet Ehmet, a man who now filled him with conflicting emotions a friend and rival who he respected but who could become an enemy that he had to be prepared to kill. Such turmoil was so great it was a distraction. He hoped they could talk and find a way but he was also resigned to the fact that it would likely be an almost impossible task.

They had met Berengar, the Cadre's Captain, with a second troop standing as close to the tent as they had been allowed. The location and arrangements had been agreed and now were being enforced by Berenger's Cadre for Terrill and Flux and her fear bringing troop for The Crown Prince. Terrill kicked his horse forward, Berengar followed. Soon he would meet face to face with Ehmet and his chosen witness. No one else would be present, all the troops who had come to this place would stay well away, the location chosen so neither side could approach without being seen by the other. They dismounted and walked into the open end of the tent, furnished with just 4 chairs set apart and there before him sat The Crown Prince Ehmet in fine regal riding clothing. Ehmet looked as he expected, composed and confident and beside him, standing by the second chair was a woman Terrill did not recognise but the light armour she wore and her insignia made her out to be from The Awoken Sun Order. That revelation set questions racing through his mind even before a word had been spoken, for a tiny moment his own composure slipped to reveal his question, Ehmet evidently had been waiting and immediately opened the conversation by introducing the women.

Ehmet rose "Welcome Marquess Terrill, Captain Berengar, please meet my witness Commander and Seneschal Ninon Roseman of the Awoken Sun Order. My witness to what is said and to represent the order she serves who stand with the Kingdoms of Drathen and Vasted".

The announcement was significant and Terrill could not hide his reaction to it. He was not as proficient as Ehmet at politics and state craft, he had not been born to it.

"The Captain is my witness, it has been a long time Your highness, you look well" Terrill replied, it felt unnatural facing a man he was so close to, now a rival and the highest stakes were at risk.

"I am and you look leaner, we rode close to here when you first left for Vasted as the inquisitor general, it seems so long ago" replied Ehmet.

They had all taken their seats, the witnesses sat quietly, they both knew they were there just to listen to what was being said.

"So much has happened since then, years serving the crown together before then, I don't want this Ehmet" Terrill knew he was letting his emotions govern him but it did not concern him.

Ehemt saw the conflict in his friend, he felt it himself but his sense of duty cut his short.

"you were always among the crowns first choice Terrill, I was always happy to have you in my company, no one wants trouble between us" Ehmet paused "had Alden not been successful in his escape I can be sure we would not have reached this point, you know he would not have been harmed" Ehmet drove that point hard he wanted to be sure that what ever may come that Terrill would know that his son would not have been in danger.

Terrill lent forward in his chair he had always known that Alden would have been afforded all of the expected courtesies.

"It would have been" he replied without looking at his old friend "but now he is home and I will not order his return" he looked straight at Ehmet who shifted back in to his seat.

"You went too far Terrill, an execution and banishment and not a word to the Crown, did you not stop to think how that would be seen by the King?" Ehmet asked.

Terrill felt the irritation rise, the crown relied on everyone around them, how much did they do themselves "I gave you Vasted" he replied a little sternly.

Another Pause as Ehmet sat calmly, he waited until he felt that someone may try to fill the void before he replied "Everything has been given to you by the King, everything you have achieved could not have been done without our patronage the power to give you all you have comes from Bronze Gate, Drathen, the King"

Ehmets temper had begun to burn inside although outwardly all you could see was composure. Nonetheless he could not stop himself from rising to his feet. He rose and stood behind his chair, he did not want the meeting to be lost in fiery talk and Ehmet was ready to do all he could to avoid what he could see they both feared. "In time I will take on the responsibilities of the King, in time you can have more" he left the suggestion hanging between them.

Terrill had watched his friend and listened, had sat back involuntary when Ehmet had risen from his seat

"I have read your letter Ehmet, again and again, and not once did I consider it possible to agree. You must see that. I have an army loyal to me, I have no desire to rule but much of Vasted sees me as their lord, our gods have spread in to that land because of me" he stood. "All I did to serve before the war, I gave my all to the crown when we fought. I was with you when you heard of your sister!" his heart had begun to race, he stopped himself to catch his breath "I cannot agree Ehmet, Alden will not be sent to Bronze gate you ask too much, I will bend but do not ask for such sacrifice, it will not be given" Terrill said the last as a plea, not a show of weakness and it was not received that way either. Ehmet could see it.

"I cannot deny all you have said" Ehmet replied walking into the centre of the room, both the witnesses stood, although it was clear there was no threat of violence. In fact both witnesses could see the pain between them. "but you have been offered more than any other could expect. The King will not change his mind, Alden is to return to Bronze Gate and you may keep Dannamore Hold, your army must disband. I cannot do anymore" Ehmets voice hardened as the friends faced each other "The Bronze shields stand with the Awoken Sun. The Crown Swards guard Drathen we are ready Terrill"

Terrill looked at his friend and then to Captain Berengar who nodded to his Lord, he took a deep breath filled with regret and resolve. "My Lord Crown Prince Ehmet, when next we meet we will be at war" he felt the weight of the moment "I am sorry for it"

"as am I" replied Ehmet. And the two friends parted enemies.

Terrill left and rode back north in to Vasted. He would ride to its Capital, were his influence was weak, the rural counties were where he had most of his support. Berengar was sent to command the army with Alden.

Ehmet returned to Bronze Gate and to the King, The Awoken Sun would move within days.