Three Must Decide.

Part 19 Dannamore Hold.

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.

Hidden consequences.

Nothing to add this time that cannot easily be found in the words

Decisions.

Ehmet had to decide if he would talk again with their enemies.

Terrill had to decide if he would fight again.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Oceana looked out from her carriage as they passed through the gate house of Dannamore Hold, her home and the House of Terrill. The ride after the meeting with Flux and Valet Henderson had been hard and fast, Lord Iordan had ordered a large part of his cavalry to ride ahead and taken others horses as spares to maintain the pace which continued until they reached the boarders of their home estate. That ride had been too much for Oceana, despite her being an accomplished rider she had never suffered the demand to ride at such a pace for so long with out rest so Iordan purchased a small 2 person Post Chaise carriage drawn by two horses which enabled the small wing of his cavalry to continue on at pace. That wing was always watched by Flux and they soon concluded that trying to out run them or drive them away was pointless, all they could do was watch for them closing on them. Those moments of dread never arrived and finally Flux was driven away by a large detachment of the Cadar Guard lead by Earl Alden and Captain Berengar when they came within reach of the Terrill estate.

Now with the day coming to an end but with the light still holding the dark at bay and a warm breeze blowing across the lawn in front of the mansion Oceana was home.

The Post Chaise came to a halt at the doors and there stood Terrill, the man whose title was below hers, who her mother had told her to catch because he was rising and back then there were few closer to the crown of Drathan. Now with few seemingly further from that throne they stood together. Terrill was a man she had came to respect and now she found, in their home coming, that the love that had grown as she had got to know him and cemented by watching him with their son when he was young seemed to have buried itself much deeper. Deep enough so as to catch her breath when their eyes met as she stepped down from the carriage. The feeling filled her and she felt her smile spread across her face. She longed to be alone with him but for now there was much to be discussed and their religious guide who stood by Terrill confirmed that.

The meeting was not long, Regenfrey Iordan was not the only one of his family who had arrived at Dannamore hold. When Regenfrey had made the decision to take Oceana to safety he had also sent his fastes rider to his home with the news. The weight of it had brought his father to Dannamore hold with almost all the remaining house hold spear holders long before Olivia or anyone else had made it there. The leader of the house Iordan agreed with his sons judgement and already that judgement was being taken to their piers among the influential families and people of Vasted and those leaders were gathering just beyond the estates boarders between Terrills army and that of The Crown Prince.

Those leaders did not want to go to war with the Crown Prince and if they had to stand against him it would not be all out war but to stand with the Iordans whos principles had protected their nation for generations. Now they would gather and seek an audience with their Crown Prince.

Oceana lay with Terrill having heard all the news, seen the making of her plan, she felt the power she was holding. AS she began to fall in to a deep sleep she knew that lives were gathered and would be spent to protect her. All she had to do was to keep them bound to that purpose.

The following morning and the few days that followed went by so quickly that to Oceana it felt that even if 100 days pasted they would never have time to be prepared yet the last thing she wanted was delay, now all she wanted was to feel the dread of knowing that Ehmet had finally arrived. Those days passed in routine, considering her plans and ensuring that the Terrill net work of agents were never at rest. Those agents confirmed time and again that their world was not a place of free passage but instead continual conflict. Vasted was full of shadows many able to block a path, cloud your vision and shorten your reach. Many were taking their last breath away from the light and Terrills agents were confirming that they were not in total control, the only consolation being was that as fare as they could tell neither was the Crown Princes.

While she continued her plans, Terrill and their son drilled their army and in doing so seemed to find moments of care free confidence in what they saw in their command. Now those days of waiting were almost over. Ehmet had arrived but before the rivals could come together the Iordans would speak of the law of Vasted and their royal house in the person of Crown Prince Ehmet had come to listen because no ruler could risk pushing allies to their enemies course and the Iordans could not be disrespected not without alienating the leaders of Vasted whos support the crown depended on.

Once Lord Iordan had receaved written confirmation that they and the other lords ,who had come to their side , could meet the High Prince preparations had been quickly made and a location agreed upon. Equal distance between the High Princes location on receipt of the request and Dannamore Hold. Oceana would travel with them despite the pleading for her to remain at her home both from Lord Iordan, his son Regenfrey and Terrill. Her son had supported his mother much to the annoyance of his father. Nun the less she had gone, Oceana was a free citizen and under the protection of the Iordans going to a meeting with the High Prince who had given his word. She doubted Ehmet would try to capture her as it would drive the Iordans and those Lords to Terrills side and may even turn to a conflict between Lords, princes and Kings in to a new civil war. Such an escalation could be to their favour or at least it would present different opportunities. Despite those thoughts Oceana was not giving such an out come too much thought as it was unlikely. She went with the Iorans so that she was present at the meeting and could hear for her self what was said and judge the mood. Before she had left she had spent a great deal of time with Terrill. They had ridden out to places they had always loved, walked and talked when they found time had gathered their family, friends and those most loyal to them to eat and drink. Terrill had taken great pride in brining her with him and their son to inspect their army. It was impressive the shear number of horses and mounted warriors gathered all around their home displaying their skill and disapline it seemed hard to imagine any advisory who could find a way to pin them down and send them running. Those times were some of the happiest she had had for a long time. Their purpose was clear and they were ready and able, defeating the Grand Duchess had demonstrated that. Now they would face another enemy but this time one which could not hide behind walls and prepared defences.

Oceana had left Terrill and Alden with the army at the ready. It was all they could do to be ready. Ready to launch every warrior they had without delay should Ehmet be untrue to his word. Terrill doubted that his former friend had changed but he would not allow himself to be in a position of morbid regret so he would be ready for betrayal and ready to cover the great distance which still remained between the armys at a pace that would bewilder even the most seasoned soldiers.

It was hot, finally hot, and Oceana had taken the Post Chase carriage for comfort and speed The leaders of Vasted had left very early. From what she knew of the land and the chosen location they would be there well in advance of Ehmet and so they were. Once the camp was set, it seemed small to her and with so small guards a twing of doubt came in to her mind but all along she was re assured by Lord Iordan the the crown of Drathan would not be prepared nor seek to have any chance of the conflict spilling over in to anything more than what it had become. So they waitied and Oceana spent the time getting to know more the women amongst the leaders of Drathan. Only one like her was born in to any sort of high house the others had gained their position by amassing enough money to gain influence and one or two had married in to power and found that they could weild it well. The fair weather did not break and the waiting was not a chour despite the fact that Oceana found that, only two or possibly three of the company she would like to see again but all could be useful.