Three Must Decide.

Part 49 Shakeled

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.

Now the storey has evolved. The Threes strategy, manoeuvres, traps and tricks forced the birthing of another faction. Another has taken control of the Rollos.

Hidden consequences.

still much is hidden but here at least part is revealed

Decisions.

At its end, without a set plan for it, there are no decisions to be made as every chose has lead these people to this end.

Read on to see its end

The Rollos waited, all three houses who had fought and damaged the world of commerce that the Rollos thrived in had come.

When they arrived they were met by Herald the Terrills house Priest but today they were given over to their birth family. The Rollos had faith and today their families highest ordained Priest would lead in the direct interactions which the heads of the Rollo house found so distasteful. Not that it left them feeling foul, just that they found it hard to do and even feared the awkwardness of it. Herald would do this duty.

It was not always the way but once everyone was seated the business would be done and then the feast would begin just after mid day. Many of the extended Rollo family of high enough rank would stay for the feast but the leaders of the Rollos would eat, pay their respects and move to their quarters. If anyone needed to speak with them they would be received there, away from the crowds.

The Rollo twins, Joan and Lina were already seated at the round table in two chairs that were only slightly smaller than the ones placed around the table for the Crown Prince, their Lord. It was early to ensure the business was complete before it was time to feast and the twins had been in their seats for as close to an hour as possible before the first guests arrived.

The round table they were seated at was crafted for the occasion. A round bench table encircled another solid circular table with space enough between the two for a person to walk the centre tables circumference. The outer table was divided into 4 equal parts and the space between them allowed access to the centre.

That central table had been intricately carved and showed the kingdoms of Vasted and Drathen. A great deal of effort had been spent on the carving, providing tiny details that to the untrained eye could be considered insignificant but every carving was relevant to the workings of the kingdoms. Its final point of note was that it was much lower than the surrounding bench table so that it was easy to look down on to while seated.

Earl Alden was the first to arrive, alone apart from two of his most renowned Cadar Guards. Dressed in civilian cloths as all would be and absent of weapons, favouring the most recent fashions. The twins observed him while Herald dealt with introductions.

They watched him as he took in the trading hall they had built. It was a massive hall of stone and dark hard wood, columns and arches carved to reflect what Vasted could offer and the Kingdoms most famous places and people from myth and reality, new and old. Clean, new and part of the new centre of their estate which was carved out of Marques Diegous when he had passed. The Old centre left to those in his Will.

The construction of the trading hall and all the buildings around it, including a grand estate house, fit to receive kings and Queens once finished. The new estate was displaying to anyone of significance in Vasted that the Rollos, come from Drathen, we're wealthy and powerful and we're pouring money into a new home to the benefit Vasted.

When Alden arrived so the twins partners came to their sides. Baron Warin took his place next to Joan and next to Lina Countess Jeneuer.

Within the hour the Grand Duchess had arrived with Lady Jane and Longbane, the sward masters presence was not lost on the twins despite him being unarmed.