Three Must Decide.

Part 44 Distance gives clarity

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.

You see a path which is so obviously right and it is but then you realise you guide is taking you to exactly were they want you.

Decisions.

No decisions for The Grand Duchess they are realising the consequences of their actions....they will not be alone.

Read on to see its end

Lady Jane had lead the last of the procession in through the palace gates. There had been a crowd at the gates of Peregrin run but beyond that the city was going about it's business and as the column made it's way, so the followers and traders made their own way off to find the next opportunity and those that served the Grand Duchess were given leave to go to their homes, inside or outside the walls, many headed to taverns and to markets to resupply or trade. Only the soldiers who arrived back on duty entered the palace grounds with Jane.

She had thought that Caroline would greet her there but it was soon clear that her Grand Duchess would be found at the docks. There was no message left for her, no duties required, and for a moment her thought were all of Artus, to find him and take him to her rooms. It had been too long since they had been alone and they had not seen each other since he had been elevated to Caroline's council, news of which had reached her on the journey back. She handed her horse to a groom and went to find him but she had not gone far when she stopped. For a moment she hesitated but with little more though she turned and headed for the docks. It was Caroline that she wished to see, Artus would wait.

She went alone retracing her steps and turning on to the wide street that lead down to the docks. It was still just before lunch and it was full of people and traffic from the shops closer to the cross roads at the city centre, down past the taverns and other places to meet and enjoy the company of friends, places suited to all classes and people of many places, all the way past the warehouses and properties of industry and offices, buildings of commerce.

Jane pulled her jacket a little tighter, autumn now had it's hold on the land and a cold wind was blowing up the street although the sky was almost clear of clouds. Having made her decision she found that the closer she got to the docks, weaving through the crowd and stepping out of the way of lumbering horses pulling heavy wagons, she could not help but pick up the pace. At times walking so fast she forced her self to jog a few steps. The feeling was of excited anticipation which was unexpected, but Jane put it down to their separation over the last days. Something that had just not accured in all the years she had served. Finally she stepped on to the harbour, an impressive place of industrial trade, of solid stone with strong timber jetty's serving the ships and out in the harbour the few war ships that had remained, the fastest set apart always ready to depart. That ship looked lean and able but seeing it brought immediately to mind Jane's belief that the Saxifrage should be here ready to protect the Grand Duchess not in the water ways of Drathan. Stopping and looking around she had a moment to catch her breath and it was soon clear where she would find Caroline, the largest cargo ship, wide it beam and slow in the water but it's hold could carry a fortune and strong enough to travel the seas to find the most profitable trades for years on end, and by the ship, lining the dock were two neat lines of soldiers in the Duchess new livery.

That would be where she was and the realisation made Jane instantly conscious that she was there unwashed from the traveling, sweating from her fast walk to the docks and stinking of horse. She began to turn away and then as she did so, through a gap between the soldiers, she saw Caroline and by some chance at that moment, across the crowds there eyes met and in that fraction of second it felt to Jane they were alone. All thought of leaving gone she went to the Grand Duchess. Caroline left the conversation she was engaged in and turned to her as she approached.

As Caroline moved past her guard to meet Jane she felt that wave of fear which had risen up, when she had felt so alone, that had only been just below the surface, be washed away. Jane had been a constant and then in moments they were united again. In those moments she went to Jane, her position forgotten, and held her friend, it felt good, a comfort and Jane felt at ease in her arms. such a short almost insignificant amount of time. They had seen each other, covered the distance, and held one another,  but it all felt so significant. Their bond had been made so much stronger.

The morning passed with Jane once again by her side, she was closer at her shoulder than before but it was not awkward both needed each others presence.

Jane waited until they had returned to the palace and she had changed and returned to the Grand Duchess, alone, before finally talking of the Saxifrage.

Caroline was at her desk in her council chambers and they would soon be taking dinner. Caroline had already indicated that she would be early to her bed, tomorrow showed every sign that it would be as taxing as today.

"My lady, I hope you will forgive me for being insistent" Jane began "but you should bring back the Saxifrage, beyond Peregrine Run it's your greatest asset" she stopped as she observed Caroline stop reading and begin to turn to face her. Jane continued "the traders who had heard of the possible destruction of Ehmet,I told you of earlier, has played on my mind. If we have your strength gathered here you will be safer" she stopped and Caroline now faced her.

The Grand Duchess stood and walked to the table, her face full of concentration, then it softened as she placed the papers she had been reading on the table.

"There is no need to ask for forgiveness I need your council and it may be right to bring the Saxifrage back but I cannot. Those of the True Order that have stayed with us have commited to me while being the most exposed to my enemies, I can't take take the ship from them while I have the Walls of my City. But if a won't have the Saxifrage we will have Lord Godbolts" she touched a letter on the table "he is coming here for while before returning home" Caroline paused visibly distressed by the news.

Jane took a step forward "he will not remain!?" All Caroline could do was shake her head and Jane could see how fragile her Grand Duchess was.

Caroline straightened. "He has a family and finally had enough of fighting he says he has seen his daughter in me and wants to retire to be with his family, to help them, so he will leave but not before coming here" Caroline paused and pushed a sheet of paper towards Jane. On it were notes in Caroline's own hand. "It seems we will lose another support and just when a new enemy appears"

Jane came to her side and picked up the paper frowning as she tried to understand the notes.

Caroline took it from her, laid it back on the table and pointing to each note she made clear her findings.

"You brought news of Ehmets possible defeat, we can't be sure yet but I do know the Rollo's supported his final advance, to what end I cant know. Word from lord Godbolts mentions the Rollo's again and just days ago I signed a trade deal with them to keep our hopes alive" Caroline looked up in to Jane's face and saw the realisation "while the 3 of us have been fighting they have profited, they have been everywhere"

Jane could see the danger, having been focused on the others they could lose it all to another. "What's to be done?".

"Prepare as best we can and do nothing until we are sure of the news of Ehmet" Caroline replied 

"And then" Jane asked expecting some path ready to follow but there was no certainty in Caroline.

"I don't know yet. All I am sure of is that I may have already bound my own wrists.