Agreement.

Cressida was on her way back to Talia having made her agreement with Pragar that she would make peace with Arerto and she smiled and said to herself "Soon I will control Talia and Pragar". In the meantime, an envoy came at HeaHel from Pragar and handed Arerto a letter from Queen Pragar and she read it. "Queen Arerto I deeply regret your treatment at my hands but I was influenced by that bitch Melusa. It has come to my attention that you plan to attack me. I do however also know that your main target is your sister who has taken your throne. I offer you a peace treaty so that you do not need to worry about an attack from me leaving you to focus on your sister. My envoy will carry your reply back to me. Pragar." Arerto reread the letter and then told the envoy that until she had discussed this with her advisors she could not formally reply but she tell her queen that there would be no attack until she had spoken to her advisors. The envoy left and Arerto summoned Karleen and Katherine to meet with her.

She showed the message to both Karleen and Katherine and asked them what they thought. "Sister it could mean she is scared and just needs time to prepare her army." Katherine looked at Arerto " It could be that she is telling the truth but I highly doubt it, if she is true to her word then you would only have to fight on one front." Arerto thought on the advice then she call Agnethia and told her to send messengers to Freya and Thaden asking them to come to HeaHel. Arerto let her sister and admiral get back to work while she contemplated the message again and did not for one minute that Pragar had been manipulated by Melusa. Maybe there would be a use for Melusa other than the mansion's skivvy maybe she could be used to get rid of Pragar then there would be no need to fight. Fighting on one front was certainly a very favourable scenario especially as Chasin outnumbered her troop by almost four to one.

Arerto and Katherine shared the same bed that night making love not as Queen or Admiral not even as Mistress and **** but just as lovers. After they had passionately pleasured each other they slept till morning when they awoke and washed and then ate breakfast before meeting with Freya and Thaden who she showed the message to and asked for their opinions. "Well your Majesty fighting on just one front would be a good idea but we have to question her motives. If I was her I would make peace in the hope of both you and Chasin killing each other and depleting our fighting numbers," said Freya. Thaden was still looking at the message " Arerto I this is a trap just as Freya said and she will stab you in the back. That said I can pull my troops back to a more defensive position to cover your rear while you take on Chasin. She may also see these as a retreat from the border and lull her in a false sense of security" Arerto thanked them both and sat with her hands on her head thinking. " Okay, we will play her game and see where it goes. Okay go enjoy the hospitality and return to your camps"

Arerto asked her sister to remain when they were alone._" Sister this message bothers me. I do not believe it for one minute but one thing I do believe is someone in Talia apart from Chasin is guilty of treason. Pragar knew that Chasin had usurped the throne and I cannot believe that Chasin would lower her guard so much as to allow foreign spies in the city. No this has to be someone close to the court and I think I know who it may be. Lady Cressida has always hated me and she is a master manipulator and it believed a disciple of the dark arts we will need to be careful if she is behind this." _Karleen nodded her agreement then left without a word knowing her sister was most likely correct. It would seem that Cressida was playing two sides against the middle so they had to be ready for anything. She walked down the hallway and bumped into Agnethia who apologised " Sorry your highness I did not see approaching." Karleen smiled "That is okay and call me Karleen when we are alone" Agnethia smiled " Yes Karleen I will try to remember" Then she turned and left.