[h2][color=SlateGray]Sidskold (Black Army HQ): Coralie D'Ambois and Momin Assinger[/color][/h2]

"Well I suppose these months of peace were going to be broken sooner or later," she shook her head, offering up a confused shrug, without pausing in her pacing of the room.  The Iktani Halberdiers who formed her personal guard were impassive, as always, "But by Ariana?  I'd have thought she might have worked to create a chokehold around the city rather than try to dig me out."

She gave an exasperated sigh, then stopped, turning to face Assinger fully, forcing a smile onto her face, "I am sorry, old friend... we still have no word back from the mission to the Doel Union and the war chest is beginning to look a little light.  Did you have a chance to take a look at the army that has come down here to face us?"

Assinger nodded, "I did... I didn't get a good count, but it seems large, larger than us.  There is a core of veteran troops, ex-Owned men, from the looks of some of them, though most are enthusiastic peasants.  We have better arms, equipment and training... though I would caution you from assuming that gives us an insurmountable advantage.  The Empire had better arms and equipment at Rodelkog."

Ariana nodded, "Send word to the Colonels to make the troops ready to march out tomorrow at dawn," she paused momentarily then hurried over to a table in the corner where a map of the local area was laid out, "Momin!" she called, and Assinger followed her, looking to where she was pointing, "Am I correct in saying they are here, approaching from the North down this road?"

Assinger nodded, "As far as I am aware."

"Then tell the Colonels we march for -" she tapped a small town on the map, "That place... Katalani.  We should arrive before the Reds, which will give our men time to rest before the fighting.  Also, send a messenger to General Viryarus, see if he is willing to join us.  Even if he sees conflict between us as inevitable, having Ariana breathing down his neck with her horde of peasant rabble, would be a far more concerning prospect for him than we are.  Let him know to meet us at Katalani."

"As you wish," Assinger gave a polite bow, retreating from her company.

D'Ambois remained hunched over the maps, studying them.  Another bloody day for her people lay ahead.  One she had not expected, "Damned stupid girl," she muttered, eyeing the spot on the map where Ariana's army was supposed to be, "You could have gone for the jewel in the crown, but instead you go for me.  Do you even have anywhere to retreat back to if this goes wrong?"

Ariana paused, the cogs in her brain whirring like those of the pendant-watch she wore around her neck, a small smile forming on her lips.  As corcerning as it was, Ariana's rashness also provided an opportunity.

[@Bingelly]