[h3]Lord Jerran Gades Stolt[/h3][hr]

Stolt listened to the noblemen speak their peace in turn. Many spoke of revenge, of grand plans and schemes. But as a warrior, Stolt knew that often a plan on paper did not hold up in the field. Lord Gerantius had spoken well and passionate, it was clear the man was not to be trifled with. Still the grand strategy he had entailed required a great many actions, and would cost innumerable lives. And Lord Conrad was correct in his estimate of the armies losses. It would be a long while before any more 'crusades' could be conducted against the Orcish hordes. 

"[i]Lord Gerantius, your impassioned speech does your family motto justice. I can see you are a man of great vision. But I must caution you, as I caution anyone who will listen at this table. Lords Marek and Conrad are both correct. The Black Army is in no state to wage another war for quite some time, and our morale is devastated at the loss of our King, 4000 Knights would be but a drop in the bucket...[/i]" Lord Stolt paused and wiped his brow. He pressed his thumb against the necklace of orc-fangs around his neck until he felt a calming pain seize his finger. A drop of blood trickled to the table.  

"[i]I have seen great men, giants whilst in armor weep openly at the loss of a loved one. I have buried sons in the desert my Lords. They did not all go to their deaths with smiling faces and singing songs as the fairy tales would have you believe. For my part, when I took the head of Groth, son of Gorguth, I felt a great satisfaction. His dried and foul head has a fine place above my hearth. There are many more heads to take beyond the Southern Reaches. Far more than any of you can imagine, and as Lord Dematorious has assessed, their numbers grow. I fear we do not have the numbers. [b]Lord Conrad[/b], have you anything to say of matters of state? I fear any lingering indecision will only further depress the morale of the army, and of the people. [/i]"