Explanations.

Arerto had risen early and had her bath and some food and dressed in her own armor that had been returned to her by Katherine. She headed out headed to what could for a better word be considered an office. There she found Agnethia and asked her if she could find some people to wake her friends and also if she could borrow the office. So an hour later Arerto sat on one side of the table and Karleen, Katherine, Freya Shazia, and Sarah sat on the other side. Agnethia was just leaving when Arerto told her please stay as this may concern her and her new responsibilities so she also took a seat. After a young girl had poured them all some wine in goblets she left the room closing the door. Arerto looked around the room smiling as she got eye contact with all the women gathered there. "Okay let me say thank you to all of you for rescuing me I owe each of you my life. Now I need you all to inform me of what has happened in the past weeks Karleen please if you would.."

_"Sister _it all started when Chasin started to arrest and imprison our enemies. First, it was just our known enemies and to be honest I did not have an issue with that. However, after a while, she started having the nobility arrested and anyone who supported your rule so I decided to act. Unfortunately, she struck first and had me arrested and publically stripped of my title and my clothes and had me imprisoned with the rest of her enemies. She visited me in the dungeon and told me I had been charged and found guilty of high treason and was to be executed and my ashes to be scattered in the ocean. Before that, however, she had me whipped by my former servants and they were too scared not to obey her. So for a week, I languished in my cell in strict bondage wishing for my life to end but then another prisoner was brought in." She looked across at General Freya.

" Your majesty I had arrived at the river and finding no sign of reinforcements I proceeded to make our positions stronger. A few days later the Queen appeared and had me arrested in front of my troops. I was stripped and put into bondage and taken back to Talia accused of treason and sentenced to ****. When I was thrown into the dungeon I saw Her Highness Princess Karleen in a similar position as mine bound gagged and whipped. The sentence was to be carried out after two days of **** when we would be taken to the town square hooded and then either hanged or beheaded. We both struggled with the ropes that bound us but to no avail, in my mind, I knew that somehow with the goddess's help, we would be saved. The night before I had to be honest given up hope of being saved but then help did arrive and they had a plan to get us out." Freya then turned to Katherine with a smile.

"I happened to be in a tavern when one of my many cohorts reported to me of the plight of your sister and her general. I remembered the pledge I made to you and formed a plan to get into the palace and dungeons and to release them. The night came and we got into the dungeon and subdued the guards and released Karleen and Freya. So as to not arouse suspicion we the two guards in their clothes and hooded them then left and I presume they died at the hands of the executioner. We went to one of my old hideouts and then proceeded to find you and rescue you which you know. I could not have done this without the help of Shazia and Sarah and I would ask that they are properly rewarded when you get your realm back." Katherine looked at her two friends and smiled then turned back to Arerto. "I think I speak for them when I say that we help you to get your throne back Arerto" Karleen and Freya raised eyebrows at the way Katherine addressed the Queen. Arerto saw this and giggled inwardly.

Freya spoke up again and explained that she had brokered a truce with Thaden and offered him the lands across the river Junice. Arerto just nodded saying that she had done the right thing and that she would honor that truce. She went on to share how she was caught and the hardships she had been **** to endure. Then she stood up and paced for a few minutes then turned around and addressed them "Sister I request that you stay here and teach Agnethia how to be a wise and strong leader. Freya I want you to go back to the army and assume command. I know that Jasmine is a very capable and loyal officer and I am willing to bet she already offered you command. Katherine, I cannot order you but I request that you get word to Thaden and arrange a meeting. We need to combine our forces if we are to first conquer Pragar and the Chasin. Also, I am really going to upset you Katherine I am making you my admiral so you will need to find a fleet to buy or steal it I do not care I know you will do it."

With all the orders and requests given Arerto walked from the office and out into the garden and found a tall tree which she sat under and consider the upcoming mission. Everyone in the room she knew she could trust Karleen because she was family, Freya, because she was a childhood friend and a strict follower of orders. Katherine she knew had fulfilled her pledge and could have left at any time but she had chosen to stay and help with the conquest. The only concern she had was she Arerto when the time came strong enough mentally to kill Chasin because that is how she saw it going. She would not be as cruel as Chasin and placed her in chains but Arerto knew she could not keep her alive. Keeping her as a prisoner would invite her supporters to attempt a rescue. This would stir up rebellion and cause needless **** and destruction to the realm and ARerto did not want this. She closed her eyes and let the sea air fill her nostrils until she found herself dozing off.