XXIII. Later on the same day, news of this uprival reached the Forum in Ceor, and at the Principal Palace the council met to discuss the mutiny Lord Peron of Ieros noted on the dead look of Elder Corgann and the troubled faces of his colleges at the table. Most were confused since all were, at least on paper, loyal to house Clasthaur and there was none more devout to the Clasthaur than general Caradon, so his rebellion raised concerns as to the clarity of the matter. Of course none of them knew at the time, the Ealdorman was serving foreign interests than that of Harador. The schemes of Corgann were beginning to crack, yet ever more meticulous he noted the special loyalty he displayed in multiple occasions towards Elbracht, particularly in his childhood, for he himself was counted among his tutors. Anyhow, the Bearer of the kingdom was official in command of the Harad armies, thus he wasted no time in commissioning general Jogicus with the arrest of general Caradon; Jogicus was deployed to Cigoria, his forces were numerous yet Caradon's were trained soldiers and had served their country multiple times. Jogicus being all too arrogant dared to station at Cigoria right after having taken the city of Durma and cutting the rogue armies access to the sea, keeping them cornered against the mountains and woods.
On the second day of the second month, Jogicus' forces were to ready to march on Cigord, when the scouts informed him that general Caradon and his armies were already nigh Cigoria, Ceor armies were large and well-funded, yet Caradon's soldiers were better equipped, and the efforts of his company of slaves in the Nurgeth mines, gave fruits forging better weaponry for his men. The battle was fierce, damaging the city infrastructure along the way, and collaterally taking innocent lives; most surprisingly, Jogicus lost up to a third of their forces, and would have lost even more if he hadn't withdrawn upon the fourth hour of the battle. Ceor forces retrieved back to Ieros and split their forces in two to also occupy the castle of Fraso.
XXIV. During the conflict, the city-capital of Culgarost was not without turmoil, Winter had come, lights dimmed and so much had 'the Gate' been used that it began to take its toil in the old Guardian. To better grasp the severity of this case it is necessary to explain the functioning and use of the so called 'Gates of Neldor'; these were a series of portals in every capital of the Order, which eased communications between the member realms and the White Tower, yet theses accesses could not be sustained by their own; some 'archaic devilry of unknown lore'—as the official records of the Sagrary put it—had to be summoned by flesh and toil. The Guardians were wizards of the foremost hierarchies in the Order, many were of the race of the Elders (Ennards) since their distinctive nature was better suited for those arts, still, some among the race of men found themselves amongst their number through arduous training, mastering the arts of arts of yore.
Numénquor was the Guardian of Gate in Culgarost and was as old as most of the woods that circled the capital, his tiring age was viewed by some as a source of energy for the spirit, yet though so in some inspiring sense, the old man waned in strength and every time he was told to open the gate one of the many candles in his tower would extinguish.
Since hearing of the death of prince-elector Elreck, lord Osguald Guelmo summoned many emissaries and diplomats from the White Tower, and in the name of King Medrios attended several meetings of the Princes Hall*(1), planning and scheming along other leaders how to solve the crisis of gold. However, all this distance holding left Numénquor ill and withered. The masters of Neldor were already looking for a replacement, but it were the old man's wishes that his successor had to be of the race of men; this was disliked by the masters, for all Aredan high wizards were already serving at other posts in the Order. The only candidates to be considered were all ennards. The court, knights, sages and specially the citizenry were all against those options, yet in the eyes of the King, only the flesh and toil of an Ennard could sustain the ever increasing demand for communicating with the White Tower.
The chosen Guardian was Umdenur the white, an Ennard of the Nulves*(2); ancient to the eyes of men, yet young in the reckoning of Neldor and Ennards, with wits still to solidify and uncertain morals, though highly gifted in the hidden arts and wizardry. Lord Guelmo saw in him a manipulable tool to use in favour of his gains. Nevertheless his choosing did not sit well neither in the public forums of Culgarost, nor among the noble houses of the Realm, chief among these was house Nillöre of Beltos, who overtly spoke against the Order's judgment in the public basilicas, giving the gentry even more reasons to dis-align from Neldor.
Aside from the civil unrest in the capital, King Medrios and his house had more troubles to deal with in the south. On the first of the second month, (1716), to Eldershold became known both the offer of Corgann to Neldor and the military uprival in Harador; only amassing more problems to the alread unstable first year of the reign of Medrios II, but were the king saw chaos, Lord Guelmo saw opportunity. Osguald advices the King to make Elder Corgann's offer his own and present it to the council of masters with the condition, that they bring peace and restore order to the Southern Kingdom—the decision was, of course, not free of consequence, yet for the time being it seemed to be a very clever political strategy. To put an end to the Nillörian propagandistic antagonism of Neldor, the banker of nations had the king acknowledge the crisis in Harador as a 'civil war', giving thus the crown an excuse to close the public basilicas and assemblies whatsoever for the time, hushing the voice and influence of Beltos in the capital.
On the 4th of the second month, the masters of Neldor sent four regiments of the Order's knights through the gate at Culgarost with the task of 'easing the tensions in the south', as some master put it. This was the last time Numénquor opened the portal, dying two hundred winters since he first became Guardian; Umdenur the White would succeed him swiftly. The regiment of knights were skillful cavalry and needed only three days on Neldor mound*(3) to reach Nefyore, and from there only one and a half to reach their assigned outpost in Emiha.
XXV. King Medrios II was not just king over all kingdoms of the Realm of Men, but simultaneously served as Lord of Arthalyon and thus head of the house Sentriary. Until a month ago, his distant uncle, Lord Hernos, the elder, of Alcobos served as head of the family due to his seniority, yet a week after the celebrations of Medrios' coronation, Hernos passed away, leaving the large businesses of the house in the inexperienced hands of the boy-king. House Sentriary was famous among the Aredan nobles for being the oldest of them all and predating in some lores the lineages of even the Argaeron kings. They claimed to be descendant of Senn the Brown, a High Man who tricked the Ennard masters in Arthos*(4) and, wedding Colidä, became a master himself. The house of Senn could thus command men well before the crowning of the first Manking. They were also of renown for their immense wealth and resources; for theirs were all the treasures under the Golden Peak*(5). Their armies were not the most numerous, nor the best equipped, save for their cavalry, for in Ardor the strongest and most gifted horses were raised, yet ruled over Sudary, a vast land of rich soil; (even the common folk was more fortunate in Ardor than in the other kingdoms). House Sentriary, apart from Ardor, had a number of domains that stretched from the Harath range to the far off highlands of Sudis.
Such an abominable enterprise of powers and legacy required much of the King's attention—in some regards neglecting other kingdoms; since, feeling the responsibility to extol his bloodline many roads and monuments in honour of his house were risen and built, yet the king since his coronation had spent little time in his homelan, sharing some of his roles as lord of Arthalyon to his grand uncle, Hernos the younger, lord of Sudos and to his sons Vedmo and Guismo. House Sentriary also had plenty of minor branches, amongst which the Sentriary-Alcobos of Gurbenza had amassed some eminence in Ardor; to this house belonged the lady Aveline of Ceor, and her brother Lord Dundos of Alcobos, who had spent days putting the king under preasure to release his sister from further humiliation and by extent his nephew as well. The weight of this demand had started to create a rift in the family; where there was faction that ceaselessly demanded the release of Aveline and another who demanded the King's justice be brought upon her regardless of her family name. This inner crisis in the house of Senn kept Medrios from sleeping and nurturing well, the stress of his kingship had taken a toll in his health and guise, making him appear far older than he was.
The capital's silence towards this demand was seen as an act of weakness by the Alcobos faction, yet when news of the Neldor intervention in the war reached Ardor, Lord Dundos Alcobos declared himself in favour of general Caradon and vowed his financial support to him in his efforts to release Aveline and put his nephew, Elbracht , in the Haradthrone. The fortress and town of Gurbenza, of which Dundos was lord, lied nigh to harath range, this proximity to the mountains served the Senn-lord well to send reinforcements and funds through the tunnels underneath the range all the way to the fortress of Cigord.
XXVI. Back in the city of Ceor, Elder Corgann had consolidated his authority at court and to the Principal Palace had come the captain of the Nelder knights sent thither lands. Captain Quebor, a lesser man from the kingdom of Gandor in the west, was stern, upright, and highly entitled by his standing in Neldor, though most unpopular was his welcoming in Ceor, for he waved and bore the Order's colours and banner, he understood himself well with the Ealdoran, they were both of the same mind, that up-rival had to be ended swiftly and without many civic casualties, so the arrangements made between Culgarost and the White Tower could commence. Nonetheless, it came as a surprise to Corgann that one adjustment had been amended to the offer, he previously presented to the Order; the White Tower would take the cities of Emiha and Enduham and another, much smaller, jurisdiction over the site of the ancient Ennard forum in Ceor, which remains were located just next next to the Odein forum in the middle of the Harad capital. This was highly inconvenient for Corgann, for the presence of Neldor parties in the city, could most definitely agitate the gentry's mood, yet he found himself in deep need of Neldor's intervention, since general Jogicus' large armies proved an easy opponent to general Caradon. Elder Corgann granted jurisdiction over said site and it was immediately occupied by Neldor envoys. At the same time, of a much more pending nature was the escape of Elbracht's brothers, who had been secretly been moved out of the palace by his page, Jarron of Ieros.
Carédock and Tulfric were somewhat difficult to sneak out, taking the effort to steal palace guard's gear and uniforms to go out quietly, however Memlafar was much too easy to help escape, far subtler as pointed out by Jarron, Memlafar's delicate features and smooth face sufficed to dress him with maiden clothes and make him pose as a servant. Thus were all three brothers free of Corgann's yoke, ready to collect the evidence the Ealdorman hid away.
Three day had passed since their escape and Neldor's agents were to be seen in every corner of the Harad capital, especially at the forum. The people's mood matched the eagerness of the brothers to blame Corgann. they first moved down the river to the wicked district of the city, where soothsayers and conjurers traded and sold their services to the common folk; of this part of the city, only gossip is known, for little testimonies are there to assert the veracity of these 'magicians'. With the indications of Jarron, the brothers tracked down Corgann's hand of influence to a grocery guild were ten physicians were employed, 'to better the city's health' as said their motto; the brothers discovered this was a masquerade to hide in mercy's hand, a business of alchemists, who wrought rare well-defined poisons, among which were Quobicus and Akonyques similarly high prized. The page's testimony and the patterns of ownership of that establishment would suffice to blame the Ealdorman, yet Corgann's involvement with Neldor and the 'powerful men in the capital'needed to be brought up alongside the evidence as well. Jarron had one rescuing move; the correspondence he held in his chambers. He argued time and time again, that to steal his master's private could compromise his safety, however, he told them where Corgann kept it.
Although with much favour at court, the city of Ceor was plagued by so much hatred for Corgann that it was not difficult to find two or three skilled souls ready to plot his assassination and maybe one or half would meet the brothers' wishes to collect sensitive information to taint his name, prudent enough to keep his blade from doing anything rush, yet none who knew the palace better than themselves to find a passage or two to get into the Ealdorman's quarters. To Carédock it was clear that one of the brothers need to break into Corgann's chamber, for none better than them knew the palace's secrets and layout. But Tulfric argued repeatedly that it would be too risky for any of them three to get back into the residence. Memlafar spoke just at the right time, and suggested the one most adequate for the job; only their cousin Elbreck of Lauvr could pose as the perfect burglar. He had spent enough a holidays with the brothers, making mischief here and there in their youth, to know the palace and its secrets, his roguery was best suited for this job. This seemed the best alternative; still it wasn't free of complications.
House Lauvr was a minor branch of house Clasthaur and during the war, their forces were the best archers in at Elreck's orders, they were even present at Elreck's last feast, but parted back to their fortress of Lauvr as soon as Corgann took control of the city. They had pledged to neither the treasonous Corgann nor the rebellious Caradon, so their take in the up-rival was much unclear. Ceor had been sending many a callings to their fortress to join the Ealdorman's banners against Cigord, yet every time they refused the call; this act was not punishable by the crown's law, though let themselves be seen as cowards to the eyes of their fellow countrymen. So it was only natural to Tulfric to not want to trust his kinsmen with such a task. He knew not whether it was even a good idea to pay the Lauvr a visit. In his incredulous eyes, he began to see their lack of action as a safe pass to let he bigger lords play their war, so at the end only they would remain to claim Ceor. In spite of his doubts, time was not an ally and no safer option was considered. Carédock took the latter option and fled Ceor with his brothers to Lauvr.
XXVII. On the 9th day of the second month, (1716) to Ceor arrived a caravan of six carriages 24 mounted knights, of which 12 were Neldor escort, the rest being knights of Culgarost. The procession lasted one or two hours moving through the agitated streets of the Harad capital until it reached the Principal Palace. The convoy wore the banners of the King, of house Sentriary, of Neldor and the Cross of Men*(6) X. A spokesman from the escort claimed as the convoy stopped: "The King's most rightful chancellors and jurors bring the King's Justice to the His kingdom of Harador!" This shout rang in the ears of the troubled Elder Corgann, court received the envoys without his leave, and as he readied to welcome them, the caravan was already making preparation for the long overdue trial.
Many courtiers noted on the Ealdorman's temper as he entered the Major Auditorium; he pointed out the basilicas and public assemblies were closed on the king's orders. Chancellor Woodmot of Gwinx (head-justice of the proceeding) said unto him: "and yet it is by the King's grace and by the leave of the council of masters of the White Tower, that we are come here today and deliver the King's justice on the matter of the assassination of prince-elector Elreck of Clasthaur, lord of Ceor.
-"Three times you used the word King in that sentence” said Corgann,
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-“And I can say it three more times to remind you who is the true lord of these lands” said the chancellor,
-“The convoy was supposed to arrive well over a week ago," said Corgann "...in that time fates have shifted, fortunes have changed."
The chancellor answered: "Still, the crown's judgement and Neldor's wisdom remain unaltered. The convoy was sent in motion on the 23rd of the first month, first year of the king's reign, it is by his name and command the we were called back to the capital three times since our assembling to the better assessment to the crown on the matters now at hand. Now time is come for Oenid's will to be imparted."
This timing was especially unfortunate for Corgann and still his arrangements with the King had been clear but the Realm's proceedings could only be postponed for so long, when the eye of Neldor is on the guard. The Ealdorman's plan was crumbling but his mind remained resolute in going on with the machinations already in motion.
The knights of Neldor had just met at Emiha to plan the offensive against general Caradon, stationed at the time in Cigoria trying repeatedly to subdue Fraso and Ieros to no avail. Captain Quebor had readied his cavalry and constructed catapults and ladders for the breaching of Cigord's walls and when time was ripe for him to harvest the fruits of his war-designs, he marched south to the fortress.
XXVIII. Carédock and his brothers travelled up the river Lauvos to reach their kinsmen fortress. Elbreck was the only son of Helbroch, lord of Lauvr, who had been first cousin to the late Elreck. His father Jomfrey was brother to Tomfrey; they both had a special brotherred, which oftentimes bordered the mischievous, so their father Brenn of Ceor, a man of cruel nature and cursed heart, always set them up as rivals in tournaments to foment enmity between the two. When Tomfrey fell for his cousin Ieniä of Croides, Brenn arranged a marriage between her and Jomfrey, what caused an inner-doors rivalry between them, then Brenn gave Jomfrey the fortress of Lauvr by the birth of the river Lauvos. Every time time the two would meet it always came to unpleasant confrontations. This enmity was then passed down to Elreck and Helbroch, who would spit to each other's name at court and duel in tourneys. When Elreck declared himself Haradking, Helbroch almost didn't respond to his call, yet could not resist the impulse for competition and tried, many times, to upstage him in battle, but as for this case, Elreck poved to be the better man at war.
The two cousins expected nothing less of enmity between their children, but fortune surprised all by forging an almost unbendable bond of amity between the children. It was in remembrance of this frienship, that Carédock led his brothers to Lauvr castle, up the river and up the hills. Helbroch welcomed them with open arms, most unsual from him, and said: "I am most content and feel in it is my duty to give you three, my cousin's children, sanctuary under my liege, you clearly just escaped from the iron grasp of Elder Corgann" the brothers tried to explained the lord of Lauvr their purpose there, yet sure of himself, he hushed them kindly again and again. It seemed obvious now that Tulfric's suspicions were well met and they had escaped from one cage and locked themselves in another. Their only consolation there was meeting with Elbreck again. Their beloved kinsman had grown tired of his sire, still Carédock was convinced they needed both Elbreck and Helbroch for their plan to work.
Carédock told his kinsman that he had to persuade his father to support Corgann so they so he and his father could be accepted at court, giving Elbreck the opportunity to steal the correspondence. To mellow his father Elbreck told him his nephews had conceived an arrangement for his support during this quest. If he agreed to this calling and fake his support for Corgann; they would ensure Elbracht's hand to any daughter he might be able to conceive. Lord Helbroch was finally swayed under this promise, and thereafter no other lord would be so eager to produce a female heir. The forces of Lauvr were ready the next morning, and arrived at Ceor one day before Neldor's convoy. Corgann was plaesed to lern of his support and received young lord Elbreck at the residence, whereas his father and his army marched to Ieros.
With half the plan on motion, the brothers had posed as commoners and returned to Ceor. Tulfric and Memlafar also played the role of burglars as they crept into the city's notary to steal the ownership patterns of Corgann's grocery. Yet the most ardeous and difficult job was left to cousin Elbreck; the way to the Ealdorman's chamber was often patrolled and creeping in through a window, would have been too public, there was only one passageway left; it proved the most complex.
In their early childhood, the princes and the little lord had discovered a hidden door which led to the princess chambers and a year later, in there, they found another hidden door which led to the chambers of the lord chamberlain, post and rooms then occupied by Elder Corgann, but this way was narrow and crafty, yet time was pressing too. Elbreck became a shadow in the palace; a shade in the eye of nobles and guards as he followed the secret passageway. From the library to the residence, until by a tunnel he stumbled upon, he fell through a cavity full of dust and smoke and landed on a fire place, extinguishing the flames with his garments, when the fog was lifted two figures he distinguished; one was slender and feminine, it was the princess dowager, lady Aveline, the other had a stern look, frowned brow and fight-ready, it was Elbracht. When to the Edoran became clear it was his cousin, they embraced each other in joy, his kinsman's kindness was noted by Elbreck; he was offered a seat and a hot drink, though he begged for discretion, so the guards didn’t notice his strange voice, still Elbracht couldn't save himself from asking whether he was there to rescue them, Aveline could neither help but ask for her brother, Lord Dundos, and if anything was done for their release. Elbreck explained to them all what the brothers had told him, especially of Caradon and Corgann, and the war. The news of it brought Elbracht to tears; in his memoirs, he even wrote a lament for the breaking of his homeland and the misfortunes befallen on his countrymen in his name;
"Where are the corpses of my men?
Of those who fought and strove but fell
In name of mine with venom used,
Whilst I confined by serpent' spell.
"Where are the corpses of my men?
The warrior cried, with anguish deep,
His heart heavy with sorrow and pain,
For those who fought and fell in sleep.
“He looked about with thorough eyes,
But found no trace of fallen kin,
Only the remnants of battle cries,
And the blood that once had run thin.
“He wondered if their spirits still roamed,
In the fields where they had died,
Or if they were forever gone,
Lost to the earth, to fate's cruel tide.
“He mourned the loss of his comrades,
Whose lives were taken in the fight,
Their sacrifice for their lord and land,
Now forever enshrined in sight.
“He longed to salute the fallen,
To honor their memory with pride,
Alas, was trapped by a serpent's spell,
And hands and tongue tight were tied.
"Where are the corpses of my men?
Of those who fought and strove but fell
In name of mine with venom used,
Whilst I confined by serpent' spell.”
In those last two verses the venom and the serpent, imply the Ealdorman, who was seen by Elbracht thereon as a snake that whispered to his ear tangled lies to manipulate him.
Elbreck went on to tell them of the Ealdorman's involvement in Elreck's assassination; to Aveline it seemed obvious, but to Elbracht it was prompt-awaken surprise. He revealed to Elbreck that Corgann had been regularly meeting with him, convincing him that his safety was in question, thus; his confinement. Their audiences always were polite and respectful, often swayed by his reassuring cunning, he gave way to many of the authorities he displayed, yet now it was all clear, the fog was removed from his eyes; Elbracht cursed the honey in his tongue; he saw the web of lies of his making and his intentions were clear to Elbracht, that he only aimed for his own rise to power. Elbreck feared Elbracht's wrath would alert the guards, but the prince tamed his tongue, for his cousin to go on with his job.
Elbreck went through the last secret door and followed his way to Elder Corgann's chambers. Once there, he hid behind the tapestries, as Corgann talked with his page about the preparations for an execution; he was overheard saying he had gathered the necessary evidence for the trial. As soon as he left his chambers, the young lord of Lauvr searched about his study until he found letters sealed with the crown's emblem and others with the arms of Neldor; a catalog with details of the war, of the projects and envoys at Emiha and the site of the old forum, of the crown's wishes to carry on with their 'previous endavours', presumably relating to the death of Elreck. Having gathered all these letters, before he left, he stumbled upon the documents the Ealdorman had refered to earlier, threw the forged evidence into the hearth and went back whence he came. On his way out, he met with Elbracht and lady Aveline once more, and suggested, they escape with him. Nonetheless, upon having pondered long of what was previously discussed, he was resolute of mind, that he should stand trial and face the king's justice, that he would not coward away nor flee his city. He blessed his cousin, and Elbreck left.
On account of Carédock, Memlafar, Tulfric, Elbreck and Elbracht all the aforementioned took place on the 8th day of the second month.
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The Battle of Cigord
XXIX. The 10th of the second month is remembered in the Vale of Durma as the anniversary of Cigord's siege. On that day, year 1716 of the second age, the entire regiment of Neldor-knights were deployed south from Emiha to lay siege at the fortress of Cigord, accompanied by an infantry of 200 men and 90 archers, not a massive force, yet equiped with ladders and catapults, and other tools of the same art financed and powered by Neldor.
Within the 8th hour since the operation began, news of the siege reached the army of Caradon in Cigoria, at once he left the outpost and marched back to the defense of his fortress. It took one day for Jogicus' army to notice their absence and immediately began their chasing. On the 11th of the second month general Caradon and his forces arrived at the site of the siege. Three towers had already fallen, the walls remained unbreached and the ladders proved useless, since the mount upon which the fortress was built was to steep for the Neldorians to reach, yet the catapults tore down the first gate, gaining access to the outer bailey. Caradon attacked in two flanks; the cavalry and archers marching on the forces outside, and infantry rushing to meet the forces inside the bailey. Caradon's forces were on the win 2 to 1, still the general's fortune would soon shift.
By the morrow of the 12th day, the enemy forces inside the outer bailey were obliterated by Caradon's counter-offensive, yet his numbers in the outer flank struggled with the knights of Neldor and their fine coordination; the losses reached the hundreds. The general was ready to rally against them with his personal escort of knights and cavalry, but he noticed, with the sun's rise, Jogicus forces at his back, followed by the reinforcements of Lord Helbroch. The latter's forces were ready to fight against them, yet their commander's mind was fixed in not engaging. Caradon, fearful at the sight of that army, marched forth to join his forces at the castle and abandoned his second flank, leaving it to perish.
With his forces regrouped at the inner bailey, Caradon looked out from the walls, gazing at the large numbers of general Jogicus and lord Helbroch, all led by captain Quebor. The loyalist general was ready to leave his fortress through the mountains' under-tunnels, when a clash of shields was heard out of the mountains' mouth; it was Lord Dundos' reinforcements, led by himself. Their combined forces were still not enough to counter Captain Quebor's yet it was enough manpower to fake their disadvantage. Caradon prepared the inner bailey to serve as a slaughterhouse, and when the enemy lines approached the gates, they would already be open for them to rush inside, then the gates would be then closed only for the trapped troops to be butchered, thus the gates would be opened once more, only for another legion to meet its end. This went on a couple of times, until the officers realized the mischief behind the tactic and ordered the fortress be evacuated. Nevertheless the enemy forced had thus far been shrunk considerably. Sometime after noon the gates were opened once again and the joint forces of general Caradon and lord Dundos marched forth from the castle to meet the armies of general Jogicus and captain Quebor in the battlefield—not those of Lord Helbroch since he never engaged—it was only when he saw the early indices of Caradon's victory, that he joined the battle in favour of the latter. The corpses piled beneath the feet of Quebor, and only then did he wave his cloak in sign of surrender. The battle of Cigord was decisively won by the loyalist faction of general Caradon, and now his aim was clear; to march on Ceor and free his lord.
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XXX. On the 13th of the second month, King Medrios sat at council with his ministers, to discuss how to quell Colmeth riots and put a definite end to the civil war in Harador, the latter of which became swiftly too obvious, too soon. Lord Osguald Guelmo, informed the King that an envoy from Hardlond had come to the capital on the same day through the Gate of Culgarost. Thereupon, King Medrios hastily held court in the grand hall at Eldershold; much of the Sentriary heraldry was on display, yet the house had never been more divided.
The Ennard diplomats entered the hall radiating graciousness, like any other of their race; twice the tall of a man and trice more solemn. Some court-men in the hall could not help but twist their teeth upon gazing their proud long faces. The foremost envoy introduced himself in the common speech as Bordénur the Harbour-keeper, he spoke in the name of his master, Hefestur of the Nulves, High Adjudicator of the Republic of Hardlond, offering the King funds, military support and his wisdom to quell general Caradon's rebellion, through this report the King learnt of the battle of Cigord and its victor; on this matter the emissary is recalled saying:
-"...the demonstrations of strength and courage of the parties involved will be reckoned in songs and tales, yet even so, what most concerns my master, are the implications attached to the outcome of this battle. We wish to extend our helpful hand and assist you, O excellent king, in the fullfilment of our contract..." referring to the pact Medrios had struck with the White Tower. The King did what he could to politely decline the proffer, yet would not allow the free movement of Ennard forces hither and thither across his Realm, in fear of provoking the commonfolk or upsetting the many lords, who still saw the Elder Ones with scorn.
Though adorned with a silver tongue and golden phrasing, the exchange in the grand hall, was an assembly of threads, an exhibition of determinations; a duel of wills. With knowledge of the battle now aware to him, having traveled to his ears faster than air, the crown had to make up its mind to ensure the covenant he had convened with the council of masters of Neldor. On the very same day, the King informed his ministers that no further support would be given to Elder Corgann, and dismissed the knights of Neldor in the south, as well as their mission—only a handful of knights could return to the capital, later the next day. To mend the many rifts he had caused, he officially denounced the Ealdorman for the arrest of his kinswoman Aveline, as well as offering the Order lands and dominions not rightfully his; but none of these edicts would reach Ceor in time.
He met with lord Guelmo in his chambers that same evening, wrote the King in his diaries. There the counselor told his master, his decisions had been bold and perhaps too risky, 'a desperate move, Osguald', noted Medrios. He contemplated his first months of reign as tense and riotous, Guelmo tried assure him of his youth and perseverance, alas to no avail.
-"There is still one delicate matter, my liege..." said Osguald, "...it is not prudent to let Elbracht ascend to the Harad-throne, for he will pose a dire opposition to your rule, surely. It would be more preferable for the realm, to see his brother, Carédock take his place, or else his other brother Tulfric, who seems wiser and more tolerant of the difficult decisions you have to make." swayed by his prose, the King took quill and parchment and sent along his other decrees, his 'prefered' ascension. These royal mandates were sent on pigeon flight to Ceor and it took less than a day to arrive thither.