Take the three of them hostage

One by one, you look at the three of them. “Is there anyone of you who understand Almain?”

At your question, the three of them looked at each other. It seemed that they understand the language though to what degree remains to be seen. The daughters ended up giving their mother an expectant look. The noblewoman of the barbarians steps away from her assigned guards whom you already signalled to let her speak.

"Greetings, I am Dobra, wife of Vetrix. Young lord, my family and I submit to your mercy and grace.” she says in perfect Almain. Dobra hesitates, wanting to say more.

You hold up your hand to silence her. “I’m taking all of you as hostages.”

“Hostages?” the woman named Dobra asks.

You nod.

Dobra is surprised by your declaration. The eldest daughter to seems to understand what you have just said and wanted to reply. But Dobra, noticing what she is about to do, gives what seems to be a caution in the barbarian language and the elder daughter quieted herself.

“But my young lord, my king, I am afraid that we really don’t have any value as hostages.”

You wave her remark away. Dobra isn’t wrong. In normal circumstances, the political or military hostage situation will involve one party legally handing over one or several hostages to the other party as a guarantee of good faith in the observance of obligations. In this case, Vetrix, if he is still alive, will surrender his family to you as an assurance that he will not attack you in the future. In return, you will treat the hostages with respect and dignity.

However, Vetrix is dead, and any emerging barbarian king will not follow the accord. Hence, the hostage taking seems to be useless. At least that’s what it seems to Dobra. But you know better.

“I will make use of your knowledge, Dobra,” you say. “And in return, your daughters will be properly educated in Almain ways and culture.”

Truthfully, you don’t have any plan for the two daughters save for keeping them close to their mother to gain her cooperation but you decide to prepare them just in case they can be used as political tools. Maybe give them away as wives to your loyal knights or secure cooperation from nobles by presenting them as concubines.

As for Dobra, she should prove useful for what you’re about to do.