He savoured the icy shock as the biting cold water splashed upon his face waking his senses and confronting any sign of tiredness. Weariness seemed almost a part of him now, a constant companion poking and prodding, always seeking his full attention. He would have his rest soon enough.

Captain Geara entered, “General. Lord Brandubh is outside requesting an audience. Urgently by his words.”

Maximo snorted, it is always urgent with the man. “Let him in, just him mind.”

Brandubh entered hood pulled up against the night rain covering most of his features. After removing his drenched cloak he warmed himself by the fire arms outstretched. Let him speak first if it is so urgent.

Brandubh gazed intently into the flames, after a moment of silence he finally spoke. “The hour grows late, at first light the letter said, it will not be long now. If the message is true that is.”

The General raised a brow inquisitively, “If? So you still harbour doubts then? I am glad to hear but whatever happens we’ll wait til morning’s rise at least.”

“And then? If the gates are opened, if Ardgal is offered up as a symbol of their desire to treaty….” Brandubh paused to face out towards Dún na Rí, “then I believe we should take full advantage.”

“If they offer us Ardgal, then what is their left to take advantage of? We will have their leader and the City.”

“If everything goes accordingly, yes. If there are no complications but there is always that possibility that some difficulties will arise. Better to move immediately once they have opened the Gate. Once we're inside there will be nothing to stop us, we should prepare a cavalry charge and act first, take the city and we can use whatever Druaidíi remain alive after.”

Maximo shook his head, “If they fulfill their side and bring us Argdal then there will be no complications. I’ve told you if we can keep Argdal as a captive it will be viewed most favourably in Milesia. He has peaked their interest it seems, I have been made quite clear on that. They want to learn and make full use of the Druaidíi, a vanquished foe shares few secrets.

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Brandubh shrugged, “Better a vanquished foe than a forced ally.”

The General chuckled, “All allies are forced Brandubh.”

Brandubh donned his cloak, “Perhaps. Very well if our friend inside succeeds then we will meet with them for the terms of surrender. But if anything amiss we must be ready and willing to act, do not forget that General.”

“Yes, yes and we will, we will.”

And once the Druaidíi are dealt with so too will you. Lowborn or not if given time and opportunity Brandubh could yet prove dangerous. Their time spent together on the campaign had convinced him of that. As of now the new Lord of Aileann needed Milesia, what he has he has through us.

With no land or titles of his own the other Lords and Ladies would never see him as their leader. And yet, Maximo had met many like him in his time at the Milesian Courts, plots and backstabbing was as much a part of Brandubh as war and battles were to him. Men like him did not rest nor grow content. They plan and they scheme always, wanting to rise higher, ever higher.

No, far better to have a more powerful man like Harfrigh in charge, a man of great ambitions but a blunt edge... that is a man I can contend with, no matter how annoying.

He glanced outside the tent, morning’s light would be upon them soon. Likely the letter was merely a Druaidíi trick designed to buy them some time. It may have done so but it also gave the men time to regroup and with the arrival of Brandubh’s reinforcements and his own incoming, morale was high around camp. More than it had been in quite some time, that along with the new resources and siege machines ready boded well for a renewed assault. The delay served those outside the walls as much if not more than it did those inside. By tomorrow night, Ardgal or not the General would make his bed as the first man to truly defeat the Druaidíi. Dún na Rí would be his and with it the glory of victory. A victory he both deserved and needed.