Three Must Decide.

Part 33 undercurrents.

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.

Those who fight wars find that many who don't fight feel the consequence. A few have power.

Decisions.

The Grand Duchess had to decide to negotiate, Sail for home, or go for the city with their reduced force.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Lord Godbolts sat waiting a short distance from their camp which had the Saxiafrange and his freed flag ship with their balistas watching over it. The four remaining war ships and hand full a carrier ships which had remained down river had gathered up stream of the barrier which still lurked below the water.

Days had been lost gathering the force, freeing ships and salvaging what they could. Defences had been built at the same time in preparation of a possible counter attack. The campaign was a mess but dispute the losses they were still a formidable force. There course of action had not been decided on before a messenger came. Not from the King of Drathan but from the Rollos bringing such an enormous standard that the messenger rode to within sight of the camp with two others just to hold it up right. The message was clear according to the Grand Duchesses Warden. The Rollos wanted to talk and as they and almost nun of the other major lord's of Drathan had not been summoned to serve in this war the Rollos could in someway be considered nutral to a point.

The Warden Godbolts and the newley battle hardened Admiral Kirdy waited for the Rollos to arrive. As the small party came closer I became clear that there were no more to come and the Warden again showed the experience of her years within a high family. As they suspected itv would not be the head of their house who had come to talk with them but as they finally came in to clear view even she was suprised by the arrival. It was a Preist, more than that, coming to talk for his family was Preist Herald, now riding under the Rollo banner but all knew he counciled the Terrill house. Was one of their closest advocates and in his role, serving the gods and bringing the Terrill closer to them, yet here his association was clear.

Lord Godbolts would lead with the invaluable council of the Grand Duchesses Warden who was imparting her knowledge in a low steady learned fashion. Kirdy was there but this was a unfamiliar position for him and he planned to remain silent, there just to add the weight of his presence.

Lord God bolts treated Herald with reverence and respect before leading him to a comfortable seat. The day was drawing to an end as the nights had begun to draw in, it remained warm but with the early hours of evening approaching all at the meeting had brought an extra layer to remain comfortable.

The real work began with Herald flanked by the standard bearers who still held the enormous flag behind him.

With the expected respectful introductions over Godbolts began, no need any more for the commander of one of the greatest mercenary armies known and who's current loyalties lay with the Grand Duchess to be soft.

"Are you for Terril within the boarders of Drathan and learning all you can in Bronze Gate under the protection for your Brother Rollo or are you for your Rollo family" the Warden had given Godbolts much to work with. 

Herald did not reply but kept their gaze on Kiby for long enough for them to become uncomfortable and to prickle Godbolts. Herald was comfortable in his position.

" The Saxiafrange was part of the Marquess estate, now waiting for the crown's signature, so you are a pirate Mr Kiby?"

Kiby shifted, moved to reply and defend himself but Godbolts would not allow it and he would rely on the presence of the Warden to hold the conversations course.

"We are not hear to talk about pointless matters Preist Herald, Admiral Kiby has his written orders from the late Marquess and he is not one to ignore them nore the order of the Grand Duchess. Why are you serving your old family house, are they above the Gods"

Herald gave Godbolt a slim smile and left the matter of Kiby, he had gained enough to understand that the Admiral pinned his hopes on some letter until the Crown of Drathan had placed their seal on the gifting of the vast estate.

"The gods have been divided, that has been made clear by the riding out of the Risen Sun for the Crown has it not?" The question raised but no answer expected "The Gods are stirring now the people suffer and some gods rage through their Priests some are silent and the rest murmur. Soon, Lord God bolts, the gods will be moved but until then their Priests including myself are free, in a way, until the gods guiding hands lead us on their course again"

"So speak for Rollo then Preist, we are here for the Grand Duchess of Vasted and Bronze Gate is in our reach, if you are here to delay us with chat then you will find that we prepare to break camp while we rest here talking to you"

Heralds face took on a tired irritated expression . "You will not march on Bronze Gate Lord Godbolts. The Crown is not defenceless although you have caught them out and the city would not be able to keep you out. Not with the numbers you have and that is the problem. The Rollos have spoken with the king and that is how I have come here, I speak for the Rollos but with the crown's consent. This war at a distance can be tolerated but attacking Bronze Gate will disrupt income of the lord's who were not commanded to join it. With the pressures of a possible famine such an occurrence will not be tolerated"

As they listened the Warden again whispered in Godbolts ear " And without an army how do you propose to influence us" Godbolts and the Warden knew the answer, neither were naive enough not to know.

Herald had been irritated by them and so as he delivered the answer he was already rising to leave, common cortices ignored. Godbolts and the Warden stayed firmly seated 

"If you march on Bronze Gate the Rollos and the lord's who are not part of this war will be compelled to enter it. Your small army cannot hold the city surrounded by hostiles Lord Godbolts. Go back to Vastad, fight this war there. Although I doubt the gods or my family the Rollos will allow this to go on much longer"

The Warden whispered urgently in Lord Godbolts ear and he stood as Herald was leaving. "The Rollos are powerful, possibly hold more power than the king but if you held the city with us your power in Vasted would be without question" he said no more.

Herald did slow as he continued to leave but there was no pause. He did not really look at them as he gathered himself.

"I don't think there is need for us to seek such a thing the king is our liege lord and they are more useful by far than present company".

Herald left with an air that reaffirmed his position of power. A soul that served the Gods and a body that runs with Rollo blood.