Three Must Decide.

Part 22 Listen

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.

Delays give chances to prepare.

Decisions.

Ehmet had to decide to talk again to his enemies and slow his advance on Terrill or ignore them and risk the Vasted Lords joining Terrill with full support but give Terrill no more time to prepare.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Ehmet was tired, tiered of talking and now he would have to sit and listen and talk again. Behind him and his entourage the camp was once again being made. It still amazed him at how it all came together, creating a  town in a matter of hours that could be packed up and moved on in such little time, although he was sure their passage would be able to be followed for years to come. Now that town was heavily patrolled following the death of the Marquess. He had given the order himself and had made a point of visiting the reeves. No one could question his shock or sincerity, letters by his hand had been sent to the Grand duchess and with that his action was brought to a close. 

He was not just tired of talking but also the monotony of the required regimental organisation that took place day in and day out. He looked forward to his ride out every day when the commanders and masters of their trade would accompany him to discuss the more dynamic problems and solutions required to keep the campaign moving forward. Talking and listening and moving and preparing day in day out. The preparations were so complete he knew they were ready to implement any of the plans they had discussed and also his experience from the war against the Vasted Lords had taught him those plans were just as ready to be broken as quickly as they were to be followed.

The summer was blazing on, clear day after clear day and now more and more water was being brought in and their route was now following the water ways, in fact their journey was influenced at every turn by the need for food and water, there was little they could do with so many bodies in one place. The thought of supplies gave him a sense of frustrated urgency every day. He walked out of his tent and straight on to his horse which waited for him, even as early as it was the heat was still building and he wondered if he would be a little uncomfortable in the formal royal uniform that he had chosen to meet the Lords that had chosen to support the Iordans in their defence of Duchess Winter but he wanted it to be clear for all to see that he was the Crown Prince of Drathan and his Father the King of Drathan and Over Lord of Vasted, Ehmets Children would combine the Titles and they would be Kings, Queens, Princesses and Princes of both Realms. He rode out to meet them with a strong force and with the word of all that the meeting would be on neutral ground, nun the less he had made sure his scouts had ridden far and wide and Flux again was his shadow and only then did he leave for the meeting always aware of how swiftly Terrills Lancers and Archers were and how devastating they could be.

Time to listen and talk again.

The spot they had chosen was beneath two huge old oaks which stood alone and their shade was welcome during another hot summers day. The talks had gone on for several hours and for the past hour Ehmet had allowed the conversation to go round and round letting his aids exchange opinions with the Iordans and the lords that followed them. He had noticed The Duchess had remained silent but her presence alone drove home the point of why they were all gathered. Ehmet allowed himself to lose focus on the conversation and was looking out over the land that surrounded him and was concerned at how dry it all looked any grass without shade was browning off, soon it would be dust. The consequences of what seemed like the beginning of a drought just after two poor harvests was weighing heavily on his mind. If he was going to fight Terrill he needed to do it soon, his only comfort was that Terrill would be facing the same problem with as many mouths to feed despite half of them being horses. 

The meeting had been cordial and all the usual etiquette had been followed but he could not help but think that he could have just march straight through them instead of enduring these hours of chatter. Ehmet shifted in his seat and to all around it was clear that he wished to speak. All grew silent.

"Thank you lords, we have finally come to the last points in this matter and so I will draw this to a conclusion" he spoke with authority and the Iordan Lord did not show any sign of objection "you have gathered to defend the laws of Vasted which is commendable and the Crown of Drathan recognise and honour the Iordans judgments. We have not forgotten your support during the war. You argue that the Duchess could claim protection as a citizen, personally I do not see how the army that I command on the out skirts of the city was not proof enough that the covenant of its defence was not met" there was a grumble as the days arguments began to begin again but he held up a hand to still them "but I will not argue that point any longer, I speak for the king and The Duchess will not be harmed or taken if she is escorted to your estates Lord Iordan. However the crown of Drathan and over lords of Vastad are at War with Terrill and as such the Duchess can not simply wonder freely, she must remain on your estate. Were ever she goes it will be that houses responsibility to maintain this agreement. So go Duchess as you please" Ehmet paused "as a citizen she will be safe Lord Iordan, the matter will be closed"

Ehmet waited and Lord Iordan turned to the Duchess "my lady we cannot force you to go as a free citizen under our protection but our lord is right you will be safe"

The Duchess said nothing. She rose from her seat bowed to the Lords and Ehmet and returned to the camp.

Lord Iordan looked concerned "we will do what we can to persuade her my lord but as a point of Law she is a free citizen while under our protection"

"then stop protecting her" Ehmet said flippantly and received a stern look form Lord Iordan whos family had stood by the law regardless of the glory or disaster it brought on their home for generations.

Ehmet had no more time "send word in the morning Lord we will break camp and march regardless of the decision but so there can be no misunderstanding, I will not send soldiers to your home estate but those who stand against me for what ever reason will receive no quarter"

Ehmet left the lords under the tree clearly nervous o fthe out come but obviously ready to follow the Iordans whos sense of honour was still unwavering.