Your relations with other kingdoms

Nearly six months since your visit to Sinnabarrow, King Pierre was still playing the options, deciding on which course of action with regards to his daughter would maximise his dynasty's options. Of course, having met Madeleine for yourself now, you imagined the young princess' personality and wilfulness was not helping matters.

Some of your advisors urged you to await the elderly king's verdict, while others suggested other candidates, such as the new Duchess of Goldfields.

You kept silent about your pledge to Kara, for now at least. That is not a match your advisors would approve of.

-

The Morlandian offensive on Sinnabarrow's border had been quelled, thanks in large part to the Beathans lending your mutual ally their war axes and steel, as well as enterprising sell-swords like Roland.

The two once-whole realms fell into a tenuous stalemate, one that would no doubt boil over into conflict again, given time.

-

It was the news from Beatha that proved most troubling. It was well known by now that King Coinneach was ailing, that his time in this life was drawing to a close.

It was when you heard of the old man's passing that you knew things were about to get fraught.

Sure enough, reports reached Itheria that the Two Kings of Dean, that northern kingdom of raiders and fearsome warriors, had launched an invasion on the grieving Beatha, even before Donald had the time to be crowned his father's successor.

Beatha and Dean had fought some years prior, a particularly nasty war that had ended with thousands dead, and lands considered Beathan for centuries prior under Deanian rule.

Now it seemed they fancied another swipe at their southern neighbour. With the fearsome Einar, the Serpent King, bringing his armies and fleets down upon Beatha, many of your advisors favoured the Deanian's chances. Einar was only a few years on his throne, but already his nightmarish tactics and immense magical prowess were the stuff of folklore.

You yourself were left in a delicate situation. Privately, you had pledged Donald your support in the war at hand. Kara, as well, expected Itheria's aid. But still, no matter how well things went for you, the coming campaign would not be pretty. And, there was convincing your council...