The march had gone all according to plan, not surprisingly Andrew had held good on his word and let his men go without hounding them.
He didn't know, but he assumed the other prisoners were probably being sent out at this very moment. At least he hoped so.

Clarm came into view, the massive fortress upon the clifftop ever an impressive thing to see.
Claus almost felt sorry for Andrew, he knew his enemy would need it as a foot hold to claim the entire peninsula for his alliance, but it would not be a fun fight.

It didn't take long to get to the castle, many tents were outside with the various troops of the concord.

As he entered the city, a messenger rode up to Claus and handed him a cloth letter.
The lords of the castle wanted to see him, just as he thought.
After sending out his re-acquired forces for some much needed drinks with their own, he went into the keep. Alone.

The couple was waiting at the courtyard, this time without the troops surrounding him as Claus entered, which was a relief.
He marched up to them with proud steps, their expressions far from happy, but at least they were not visibly furious. Which was also a relief.
-"Milords." Claus expressed with a happy smirk, it was evident they were not in a joking mood.
Cathryn spoke.
-"You are lucky that lord Patrik De Reimer is there to cover your diplomatic missteps. General." She was not pleased, her reason going above any anger she might hold at this moment.
-"Grandin, tell him about your military plans." She spoke to her husband.
-"I want to take the Telmarion forces to aid the concord, if they fight the Manshrew's in a pitched battle they will need all the forces they can muster, also, the keep cannot hold all those troops in a proper defensible position anyway." Grandin spoke with impressive calmness considering the situation.
-"I agree, you will also take with you the concord mercenaries, you will have temporary command over them until i speak to Patrik myself."
Claus expressed, at the mercenary part both Grandin and Cathryn was visibly surprised, although fashionably so. Claus kept going.
-"This fortress cannot have too many defenders atop the walls and in its keep, it is best that only the very best forces are focused here and that care is taken not to be cornered. I don't want to see my troops pressed together like sheep livers in a barrel."
The Tuania's evidently wasn't really used to the expression but seemed to understand.
-"This fortress is best manned with about 3000 men, more than so will just work against us." Claus seriously noted.
-"Yes, that is correct." Grandin told, seemingly surprised. It seemed he just realized he had underestimated Claus tactical knowledge.
-"What makes you so certain?" Cathryn asked.
With a smile Claus informed.
-"Did ya miss it? The Steel Fist is specialized in siege warfare. To be fair though we're more used to be on the outside though." His telltale smirk betraying his pride.
-"Regardless, i'll need a contingent of your best archers, about a hundred or so. The more proficient the better." Claus demanded.
-"I'll, see what i can do." Grandin expressed with a hint of scepticism.

-"Now go, this whole affair has gone on for far too long. Make sure you are not caught by the Manshrew forces as you move out. I'll join you to make sure the concord mercs follow your orders for this assignment. Go directly south a day to begin with, then west. That way you will probably be able to form up with the concord in time, while also avoiding Andrew." Claus ordered.
With that he just turned around and began marching out, slowing down to look at Grandin, suggesting he should move.
With an initial hesitation he moved out.

Making sure the concord mercs listened to Grandin was easy enough, after that Claus made sure to have another meeting going over the defence details with his own company.
Later that day, the entire concord force moved out, together with the remnants of the Telmarion army. The tent camps outside the fortress now gone, Claus stood in a lookout tower and watched them move out, south, just as ordered.
Cathryn had stayed behind in Clarm, probably to try and keep her country running while the war was going on. Not an easy task, so her efforts were admirable.
He had no further problems with the Tuanias.
Claus thought that he should work with this Patrik guy more often, people seemed to take his word dead serious. And when his word said that Claus was to be boss, that meant Claus had a massive amount of say.
It felt good.

Later on, a scout came riding to Claus to give him news.
-"Sir, they have been spotted, as suspected, they are coming this way. The Manshrew forces are coming to Clarm!"
Claus just watched the horizon, and spoke.
-"We meet again Andrew. We meet again...."