Briefing on today's events.

Jacinta approached Lady Amelia later that day as she was being briefed about the state of the opposing armies.

“My Lady, we cannot be certain but it looks as if there has been a shift in alliances out there. After the parley, we were able to observe fighting between the two sides with Blackmuir’s troops breaking camp,” Sir Rifkin reported after having come back from the walls that afternoon. His bleeding had stopped after two changes of dressing and Rifkin being ordered to take it easy by Lady Amelia herself.

“Could something have happened to Duke Blackmuir?” Lady Amelia asked.

“It is quite possible. I have seen wounds like that prove fatal before. The lose of a limb is a shock to the body of any a stout man. He broke the terms of parley when he drew his blade, please lose no sleep over his passing if it is indeed the case,” the Knight implored.

“I will lose not a second’s sleep nor a once of thought over that old pig. Would that you had killed his son too,” Amelia said bloodthirstily to a round of applause from the gathered soldiers. “I would have what conformation we can on the matter though. Can we send men to spy on their camp at night?”

“Yes, My Lady, I’ll have some men slip through the side gate under nightfall and see what they can learn.”

“Have them take some uniforms from the slain men against our walls if you think it would help the ruse.”

“Aye, My Lady.”

Lady Amelia also asked Sir Rifkin to have some hunters, if he could spare then, slip out with the men and range off into the mountains around Castle Arrowthorn for game. They wouldn’t be safe below the castle, especially with one army on the move, but would be relatively protected in the higher lands.

The lands of Arrowthorn were not especially known for their abundance of farming lands but possess countless miles of uncharted mountain ranges. Animals such as deer might be uncommon there but rabbit and smaller prey could still be about. Fresh meat would do the moral of the castle good as well as help her Father recover when he regained consciousness.

On the matter of her Father, Lord Caiden, the healers had asked to move The Lord of Arrowthorn to his chambers that afternoon. Having made it through the night they judged him stable enough to move. Lady Amelia was happier her Father would be resting in his own great bed tonight where it could be made warmer than the great hall would allow.

As the council meeting broke apart, Jacinta brought Lady Amelia her sword before her cousin Welwyn could intrude on her time with whatever drivel he thought to bring to her attention. Jacinta had no love for her Ladies cousin, finding him a spineless and conniving excuse for a human being.

“My Lady, I managed to recover your brother's sword,” the lady in waiting said presenting the blooded and dirtied blade to her.

“Oh, Jacinta! I thought it lost! I am so eternally grateful,” The Lady said picking up the unclean weapon.

Seeing her cousin turn his nose up at the nature of the sword, Lady Amelia turned to him, “Dear cousin,” she began.

“Yes, My Lady,” he said wearily and her title begrudgingly.

“Seeing as you have no wish to wield a blade, you can very well learn to clean one,” she said passing her brother's sword to her cousin who looked at it like it a serpent about to strike him.

“I’ll have one of the squires clean it immediately,” Welwyn said as he took it in a be-gloved hand.

“You will have them show you how to do it yourself. They will have enough to do after today's encounters for themselves,” Amelia commanded.

Jacinta and Amelia took joy in the displeased look upon his face as he carried the sword to go do her bidding. Jacinta in having him stoop to the role of a servant. Amelia in the hopes it might teach him to serve her people just as she did.