Three Must Decide.

Part 31. Old ways.

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.

When your time is consumed by others you can be taken advantage of.

Decisions..

The Rollos. The 3 have no power here.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Princes Katerina was traveling east in a carriage pulled by 6 horses. It was spacious and comfortable, the materials fine and craftsmanship the best that Bronze Gate could offer while still being built for travel. In the carriage with her was her daughter, father and her hand servant Issobella Rollo, a niece to the head of the Rollo family and their vast estates. Behind it there were 2 more wagons containing Katerina's essentials. Her brother rode at their head leading the company of their home lands soldiers who had remained in Drathan since the beginning of the war. Behind the coach and wagons another company marched who came every time her father visited which was now often and stretching back beyond them were others, first of high rank and many more of no rank at all.

With Ehmet away and the larger part of their house hold with him there was little to manage at their home in Bronze Gate and the confines imposed on her movements, a necessity to ensure her safety, had lead to boredom only finally solved by the kings suggestion that if the lord's would or could not join or finance the war they should feel it's influence as keenly as possible. What better way than to feed their families with news from the princess who's young daughter also spent time mixing with the lord's of Drathans children and Grandchildren.

Katerina had set to the task and it had soon become clear that various families concerns were never far from their heads thoughts!

What was a passing comment by the king had created, by Katerina's will, a moderately sized group connected to a good number of the higher class and other influential families. Many had not deemed it of interest or seen any need to be involved with the impromptu group. A number of those who had shown no interest were very high in the social order and a hand full of those rejections Katerina took as a snub. However, despite the groups moderate size and missing sections of the social elite it had become a recognised social force and now as they traveled together Katerina was proud of what they had become. 

The king, clearly surprised and intrigued by the potential political reach of the groups members, had granted that they could take residence in the mountain palace until the apparent danger, that had come with the arrival of the unexpected fleet, had gone which had lead to the caravan forming that the Princess lead.

The palace lay within the basin of the vast extinct volcano that now held rich soils that were ringed almost completely by the mountain ridges and peaks that had once formed the mighty volcanos edge and where the bronze that had given the city it's name had first been found and mined. That ring was only breached in one location where in an unimaginably distant past it had exploded and collapsed forming the land which ran down to the grand river and where the City of Bronze Gate had finally been built. Before Bronze Gate the leaders, kings and Queens had their center of power inside the basin and the mountain Palace had been where they had held court.

The Palace was little used now, once or twice a year the royal house would hold court there as tradition dictated but it was maintained more for its seemingly impregnable position high on a small Plato accessed by a narrow path and steep stairs only. No need for walls just gate houses at each of the entrances and shear mountain cliffs. That would be their journeys end and in such uncertain moments all within her caravan were fully aware of the outstanding privilege and honour they had been given through Katarina their Princess.

The journey went well with no disturbance and once within the natural walls of the massive crater there was no sign of the trouble that could be approaching Bronze Gate. The land was peaceful, fields were being worked wagons passed on their way to the city laden with precious metals from the mines and grain from the stores. The climb to the mountain palace was not so simple as a wagon broke and blocked the way for the others meaning the last part was a short but step climb taking only the essentials while others went for help from the Palace resident warden.

The view from the garden terrace was a thing of beauty as the sun went down behind the distant peaks and Lady Issobella could not help but marvel at it and the frightening drop just beyond the low wall which marked the gardens edge. She had made sure her ladies rooms were prepared, seen that the evening meal was served in the dinning hall which opened on to the terrace they now walked through with the Princess. In truth it had only required her to relay the wished of the Princess and then a cursory inspection as the Warden here was very able and expert at receiving unexpected guests because all arrivals were unexpected or at relatively short notice, even the coming of the king and court were not set dates. The only issue is it seemed to leave the warden perpetually annoyed which made her not really a very pleasant person.

Issobella at 17 was very young to be a lady in waiting but the Rollo family name and her keen mind had overcome any misgivings within the first few weeks of the appointment and of course the Princess had other close confidents who seeing their ladies satisfaction in Issobellas service rallied round the new member of the inner circle. The position had only become available when Katerina's closest friend and previous lady in waiting had requested to leave her service to go and live in western Drathan on her families lands with her young family, they wanted their children to know their homelands before coming back to the kings court. To which Katerina accepted the request although with regret.

Issobella moved beside the Princess as they continued the walk along the terrace path. All her entourage was with her, men and women of her close circle and following close behind all of the influential members of the group that had come to the Mountain Palace. Issobella glanced back to the oldest member of Katerina's circle, a man appointed to her house when she was a child, then a close friend to her father and now an even closer confident to Katerina and to those who cared for her. Issobella had spoken to them about her proposal and with their vote of approval she would put it to Katerina. Issobella did not need to seek support in a seemingly minor matter but it did not hurt. Nor would disapproval have stopped her as the suggestion had come from the Rollo household and seemed a perfect strike at those who had rejected the offer.

"My lady" issobella began to gain the Prinesses attention, away from another conversation that was coming to a close "with everone here in this anxious time I wonder if you should send word to thoseb who have not joined us, it seems perfect to confirm their reticence while offering a hand to them." 

katerina stopped just for a moment clearly considering it favourably so Issobella pressed the point. The instruction received from the Rollo house was to spread a little panic "they should surely know the danger and if they already do, which many will, they should also be clear that you have taken it very seriously by bringing your friends to such a safe refuge."

katerina walked on with a slight spring in her step and a broad smile "I think you are right Issobella we should let them know, we shall stop a while just up here where the view is even better and there is room for many of us to sit. I will ask all to send word to who ever they would most like to receive it" Katerina's smile changed to a more mischievous one and with that the little plan was set. 

Issobella was learning that her Princess was intelligent and a capable partner for the Crown Prince but thier political astuteness and potential moves needed guidance. Isabella was receiving her own in that regard as well  and she had been told to leave the agreement for her to marry as private for a few more days. That marriage would secure greater dock space than the king himself for the Rollos and the final details would be agreed eagerly with the present danger so close and the powerful Rollos ready to help their beloved country, for a little gain.