You oversee the victory and demand the amazons' surrender before going to the keep.

"Ahhhh..." you sigh contentedly as the battle begins winding down after nearly an hour of chaos and carnage. "Outstanding, simply outstanding. I can't wait to show mother this lovely new castle the next time she comes to visit, even if it will need quite a bit of repair work. Who says that women are ill-suited for warfare? I've won this battle handily, and I never even needed to draw a sword!" you gesture down at the largely-ornamental blade in its jeweled sheath hanging by your side.

"So you're proud of being lazy, huh, Zoe?" Rima sneers at you from behind your back. "But I don't think anybody is gonna be saying that females can't fight. Look at those amazons over there! Your crappy militia could barely lay a finger on them."

You look over at where the foul-tempered, blue-pigtailed teenage witch is pointing. The amazons that had retreated here from the abortive siege of Undrek have come down off of the walls, and gathered into a tight shield-wall formation, keeping their backs to the wall. Dozens of slain men are heaped up in front of them... not just militia, but also the Grey Star mercenaries that you'd thought were the best troops you had. No one is coming close to them. However, they are totally cut off from the gate, and even if they made it that far, they'd never escape pursuit. They are probably hoping to make a valiant last stand against the horde.

Sadly, they aren't going to get it. Backed into a corner like they are, as soon as the besiegers reorganize themselves and bring up their archers and crossbowmen, the amazons' only option will be to stand there in front of a firing squad, or break ranks and make a suicidal, headlong charge. Looking out at them you see that Lady Rella is among them. Motioning to your retinue, you move closer.

Whilst you're unhurriedly making your way over to them, you see that the keep is, at long last, doing the sensible thing and raising the white flag of surrender. Unfortunately, according to the customs of war, that gesture comes far, far too late. The besiegers are not obliged to extend any mercy or decorum to the defenders of a castle that holds out until the walls are stormed. Still, since this is a dispute between nobles of the same kingdom, you have already given word that the citizens are to be spared **** once surrender is given, though not plundering or... indignities. Already, mercenaries and miltia alike are breaking into doors and windows throughout the interior of the castle walls. There are scores of townhouses, cottages and shops where townsfolk are sheltering.

Tula's knights are now crowding around their baroness, showing concern and bringing her waterskins. She is clearly suffering from heat exhaustion, so they begin helping her out of her armor. Quite vigorously, in fact... you sincerely wonder if things aren't going to get out of hand once the buxom baroness is stripped down to her undergarments. Well, that's her problem.

"Hah, you know, Olivia," you say to the short-haired tan witch near you, "I am sure the womenfolk of Aldergrove here are most grateful for the services you and the other girls under Marzena have been providing! You know, providing an outlet for the pent-up lust of these barbarians under my command. I think they might actually follow my commands not to forcefully despoil any women that they abduct! Some of them, anyway. I'm sure that if we give them a chance to think once they've gotten over the initial shock, the women of a sacked town like this will realize that if they do the smart thing and show some friendly hospitality to their 'guests' without making too much of a fuss, things will go much easier for them."

Marzena giggles and elbows you in the ribs. "Truly, Zoe, you're a paragon of piety and virtue! A figure of adoration by maidens all over the kingdom! Why, I'd not be surprised if you were put forward as a candidate for sainthood at the next church conclave!"

Stopping beyond the range of thrown javelins, you and your witches have assembled in front of the amazons. They face you with steely discipline. It is a testament to their superlative skill and incredible gifts of grace and coordination that only a few have been wounded or killed in the battle.

"Hello there, Lady Rella!" you shout out, waving cheerfully. "So good to see you again! I commend you on your troops valor, and in recognition of it, I shall spare all of their lives in spite of their unwise decision to go against me! Now start making a pile of all your spears and swords on the ground. I shall have my personal retinue come over and tie up your hands."

The slender amazon looks furious and stares hatefully at you. You keep smiling beatifically. "You remember my promise, I'm sure? Come on, let's hurry up and go tell the Count of Aldergrove the good news in his room. I hope his tongue isn't worn out from shouting orders at his incompetent soldiers, he's going to have need of it." you sway your hips enticingly and half-turn, exposing your alabaster rump so you can waggle it directly at Rella.

"Oh," you continue, "and as for the rest of you amazons. As I said, I do truly recognize your honor and bravery. So, as we get you all properly situated allow me to offer you a choice... Those who would prefer to be bound laying face-up on your backs, raise your right hands. Those who would rather be tied up bent over on your hands and knees, raise your left hands." You pause for a moment. "Personally, I think I'd choose the first option. Less likely you're going to get an arrow in the wrong quiver, you know?"

Marzena laughs uproariously and claps, then leans over and whispers something. "Ah yes!" you say. "Those who would rather keep your legs and feet untrammeled so that you can be moved around as needed, put both your hands out in front of you, but I'm afraid we can't accommodate all of you that way. We only brought a dozen iron collars."

The amazons seem more amused by your words than offended or horrified, and a few of them even laugh nervously. Perhaps they think you're joking. Several of them look to Lady Rella for her decision. If she decides to lead all of them in a final charge rather than surrendering they'll surely follow. That would be a shame, but if nothing else, the annihilation of this band would make the rest of those snotty amazons on their island queendoms hesitant to meddle in Itheria, going forward.