[h2][color=DarkSlateBlue]The City of Inbur: Oskar and Eleuia Krawiec[/color][/h2]

Oskar was silent over dinner brooding.  While the Duke had, seemingly, given him permission to raid the coffers of the merchants of Inbur, he was still loathe to do it.  It was the bit about making sure they were arrested...

If they weren't arrested they would complain to the Emperor about the human who stole their gold.  And then, the Duke would throw the impudent human who had done so to the wolves.

"You're thinking about the defense of the city again," Eleuia spoke up finally.

Oskar nodded.  "I doubt the Black Army could fully invest the city, but we can't face them in the field and I am expected to protect the countryside where so many of our Elgafolk betters have their farms and hunting retreats.  If I had the money to bring down another Host that would tip the balance, but to get the money I'd need to upset powerful people."

"Then we wait," Eleuia declared, "We wait to see what the result of the Battle in the West is.  From that we can decide who we want to upset and who we do not.  Do not forget my dear that, in the worst case scenario, you can just take the Host home."

"Right enough," Oskar chuckled, "Dishonourable, but so are most of the people we are dealing with... and Coralie will not want to lay siege to the city so close to Winter."

"So we wait.  Wait for the pigeons to come in."

Oskar nodded.

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[h2][color=WhiteSmoke]Andronika Hasikos: Western Empire Camps, Near the City of Elvesland[/color][/h2]

The arrival of the Quinians that morning, was a welcome sight, though they would not make a material difference to the vast armies assembled for battle.  The camp was already humming.  Troops formed up into columns to the sound of fife and drum, elga lancers donned their armour, pennants fluttering in the morning breeze. Somewhere to the East lay Voron's army, presumably doing the exact same thing.  In the distnace, pickets exchanged sporadic fire with one another.  Orrian wanted to march on Elvesland.  Voron was set on opposing him.  Battle was inevitable.

Andronika was up and about, dressed in a pretty cream-coloured dress, her hair hanging in pretty ringlets to frame her face.  Vassos meanwhile, who came out with her to greet the Prince, was wearing his breast and back plates, ready for the coming battle.

"Prince Edwin, it is an honour," Andronika curtseyed politely, "I had rather hoped you would arrive earlier, though I trust you have not marched far this morning.  As you can see, there is going to be a battle."