Three Must Decide.

Part 39 another day to dred.

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.

What seems the right thing one day can leave you at a disadvantage the next

Decisions.

Ehmet had to decide to not advance and suffer the failure or advance against the odds.

The Rollos had decide what would be best for them.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Captain Xalvedora Rollo had stayed close to the Prince although always just outside the circle of closest advisers. The Crown Prince had dismissed his advice to take a bridge over the canal. A clear snub,  so he had kept himself and the company of Crown Swards away from most of the fighting but still close to the Prince. A company of the very best Swards in the kingdom ready to defend the Crown Prince would dissuade any suggestion of cowardice.

So he had watched, seen the damming of the canal, the horror of the fires, the coming of Terrills army from north and south. He had made his command ready to fight it's way out and marveled at the site of the Awoken Sun. Finally hearing that the army would fall back across the canal he had taken his company to fight with the Bronze Shields, holding back the mounted army as the light failed and the rest of the army made it across.  Dragging it's self in to new defensive formations to await anything that may come in the night or the new day. When the task was done he lead his company, bloodied by the work, back to be close to the Crown Prince and where they held council. 

Before the dawn Xalvedora left his command and made his way to the Crown Prince, his mind made clear during the fighting at the end of the day before, of what should come out of the next day to favor the Rollos.  

A victory here for Terrill would leave them in a powerful position. Terrill would have defeated both armies fielded against him and although he would have lost control of half of Vasted, with the Grand Duchess in the North and North East and the Capital back under the control of the Crown of Drathan, Terrill would be the greatest threat. Xalvedora had thought on that for some time, a crippled Drathan Crown would give the Rollos great influence.

Victory for the Crown Prince would destroy Terrills power base and the Grand Duchess would be standing alone against the Drathan crown which would control the greater share of her home land. It would likely mean that the war would be won by the Crown sooner rather than later and the chances to profit from it for his House would soon be over. His family had made gains so far but not without opposing the Crown and resisting its requests to join the war. The Rollos had already counseled the other lords to stay as neutral as possible which no doubt would result in the Crown looking unfavorably on them in the future, at least for a whole.

 Pushing through the nobles surrounding the Crown Prince Xalvedora used his known status to reach the edge of the Crown Princes council. The last of the night still held but most could be seen now. In that dawn only the edge of sight remained unclear even in what seemed to be a dull start to a day. He remained at the edge and saw that those with the Crown Prince were far fewer than the day before and Xalvedora knew only to well why that was, many had been casualties. The conversation was brisk and pointed, the Crown Prince looked stead fast and it seamed clear that his advisors were against him. Xalvedora strained to listen, despite the advisors words of concern and in one case clear disbeleaf, the Crown Prince wished to advance. 

At frist Xalvedora could not believe it but then as he caught up with events it became clear that despite Terrills reputation of attacking, of tricks and surprise it was evident that this morning he would not. the Crown Prince had gathered his army ready for Terrills coming. In the night Flux, eager to reclaim their reputation, had missed little. Terrills forces had been moving. It was not clear what they planned but everything pointed to attack but then by the early hours there was no doubt. Terrill would defend his home they had no reason to attack, they would win if the Hold remained theirs.

The Crown Princve had found themselves defeated with no more effort needed, his huge army reduced to numbers similar to Terrills and now to win he would have to attack. The members of his council advised to withdraw, keeping the army intact and the weight of their advise was great indeed. 

That was all Xalvedora needed, all 8 of the most established houses of Drathan had not answered the call to war, saying that this war was between the Crown, Terrill and the Grand Duchess. the Crowns Enemies had shown no sighn of wishing to make claims beyond  those that they  already had and the Crown of Drathan still owed those families far to much from the war to take Vastad than to press them in to service this time. However everyone had sent members of their families and companies of house troops to follow the Crown Prince, to observe the war and for many young members to gain valuable experience. Those members fought with there solders and now just 4 houses remained represented. Xalvedora had noted with concern that his house was not present and would send members of his company to find news of their fate as soon as he return to them. Those that remained were not supporting a change in the defensive stance, unless Terrill attacked the day would be lost but the army would almost certainly remain a viable force. The fourth had declined to confirm any action themselves but had said she would support the Crown Princes decision. A clever position to take when the Crown Prince had been out voted, the politics was stacked to much against him to attack given the state of his army, although no one blamed him for the previous days events. The Commander At Arms of the Awoken Sun Order, Nicolous Sear had quashed any suggestion of it during the night.

For Xalvedora with that 4th decision made he saw his opportunity.

"My lord can I speak" he had stepped forward feeling the eyes of them all on him. He reminded him self of his standing.

Ehmet turned with a little surprise but said nothing just responding with a nod. 

"I am with you my lord and as the only member of the house of Rollo here I will give you its support"

There was a almost instant erruption of indignant argument and Xalvedora stood steady receiving a torrent of angry words from one lord until Ehmet held up his hand for silence.

"Why" Ehmet asked, delivered with genuine curiosity from a man who had moments before found an impossible barrier before him.

"It is clear our numbers are almost even but we are still the better force, in skill, l;leadership and equipment. The Marquess's advantage has been in horses and archers, neither of which will be the same today. You cannot fight for a day and still have spare shafts and we have all seen more horses than any can count killed or wounded on this field. Today their advantages are diminished and ours, although fewer in number remain the same" 

Xalvedora could see his thoughts matched the Crown Princes so he would trap him.

"we came with the greatest army any of us have served in, defeat now will be a mark that cannot be removed and an even deeper scare when we can still win" Xalvedora finished with an edge to his voice and despite the Crown Princes composure he could see it strike home. all lords turned to Ehmet.

"bring my horse" Ehmet said "we advance"

Nothing else was needed Ehmet felt the hatred for the Rollos rise and his thoughts that he would deal with the Rollos was now only confirmed. He knew the game being played but for now he would take the veiled support and use his concealed rage to drive Terrills army in to oblivion.