Isolde

Chapter 17 - Aftermath

Queen Tigressa of Turige reached the border quickly. Fortunately for her as Rilia was still under Turige control she met very little resistance on the journey back to her homeland, nothing more than a few peasants jaunting her for the finery of her dress or how she looked like she wasn't used to travel. She walked the whole way over the border and didn't look back the whole time. She was known in Turige for her strength and her cunning and didn't want to lose that reputation for being seen as weak for pining for her husband who she assumed was still at the Rilian palace. It was hard enough for her as it was being a woman in power and she didn't want to give the impression that she was weakened. She also had to show that Turige wasn't weakened.

Upon crossing the border, she was welcomed by the people of the first town she came to. She'd visited this particular town when she and her husband had been on progress, she'd even donated grain in her name during a famine just two months after marrying into the family. As a result she was welcomed gladly. The people were pleased to see their queen who had previously saved them from starvation. She was given food and ale and even offered to be taken to the palace by the local magistrate who noticed she'd arrived on foot. Tigressa agreed and was taken in his carriage to the palace where she set about planning what to do next since the rilian were fighting back.

Meanwhile in Rilia, Frelian was concentrating on ensuring he could hold control of the country. The king of Turige may now be dead but the queen still lived, not to mention that the king and queen of Rilia were now dead so Rilia had no formal ruler. Of course it was assumed that Frelian would become king after the death of his father but as he wasn't formally crowned and anointed he had very little power and the power he did have came from his support from the people.

Since Kerime had fallen, Frelian had lived at the palace as acting king and regent. Isolde had been living with Biren and his family to keep up the facade but was visiting her husband regularly who now found himself surrounded by nobles. They'd been called to the palace by him as soon as he took control to decide on how they would ensure Turige never took control again. In reality, the two nations would forever be at war until one overpowered the other but the main thing they needed to discuss was what to do whilst Rilia had the upper hand and what resources they had available to use against Turige.

Eight days after the initial retaking of the palace, news arrived from Inovine in the form of a letter brought back with the baron who Frelian had sent there. The baron originally had been travelling to Inovine on business and was to stay for several weeks but on receiving a written reply from Callan had returned to Rilia immediately to pass it on. Frelian received the letter eagerly and thanked the baron for his services. He read the letter privately, then called a meeting with the nobles and Isolde immediately to read to them the good news:

Prince Alvaro,

Inovine is sorry to hear that Rilia's rivalry with Turige is once again at the point of battle, we know that your two nations have been feuding for many centuries. And whilst it's not tradition for other nations to choose sides in your conflict, we have decided to do so.

When you left us so abruptly, one must admit to feeling offended although can also recognise the urgency with hence you left as to hear your country is in danger is to feel as if one's world is in jeopardy. And for this reason we have resigned to help you. To form with Rilia an alliance in all sense of the word, both military and political in the hopes that it will benefit both our nations in time.

As part of this alliance, Inovine would like to offer you aid at this time. We shall send you six warships of troops and supplies to help you in your siege of the palace and re-acquisition of power. In response we ask that you swear an oath to help Inovine in any way it may require and to do your best to stop all counter attacks towards our nation from the Turige. We hope this may be the start of a great bond between our countries.