Duty

You groan and raise your hand to pinch the bridge of your nose, as though that could quell the growing ache in your head. Your duty commands you to protect your people: raise an army, march it south, and drive out the goblin nest for good. Your loyalty instructs you to obey the king and send him the men he requests, even if it damages your capability at home. Your honor demands you charge east, take the traitor Tannis' head, and mount it on a spike outside The Spire. Ideally you'd like to do all three, however you know you have the power to do but one...

For now.

"Sir Zachary" you grumble, "Do as I instructed, raise the war-banner and marshal the men."

The knight nods before asking, "And where shall we be preparing to march Your Grace?"

You let out a heavy breath "Towards Twin's Pass. I have a duty to keep my people safe. All other concerns must wait."

Sir Zachary Tobias bows respectfully and resumes his place. You sit back in your throne and mull over the decision. You know it's the right one, but you fear how weak it will leave you to face the next inevitable challenge. If you exhaust your men doing your duty, how many would be left to salvage the honor of the south? Or even fulfill your loyalty to the king?

Wait... the duty of the south. That's it!

"Lord Endwin!" You exclaim, and **** yourself to hold back your enthusiasm. "Dispatch a rider to Castle Hillgard. Inform Lord Tannis he is to raise as many men as he can and march them towards the Pass."

The old steward looks puzzled for but a moment before realization dawns upon him. "As you wish, Your Grace."

To the best of your knowlege, Lord Tannis remains ignorant that you are wise to his treachery; with luck that will remain so for a while yet. He is still your vassal, and as such is duty bound to answer your call-to-arms. If his forces arrive, you could march against the goblins with the combined might of the south. Then, once the battle was concluded, you could turn east and take back Castle Hillgard with his own men! Count Tannis, though crafty, fails to have a reputation for bravery; it is doubtful he would join his men on the field of battle. Instead it's likely he would remain safely behind his walls leaving you to command the army.

If he sent them, if you were victorious, and if his men would march against their own homes. It's a risky maneuver, but it's the best one you have available. The king's request would have to wait.

"Y-your Grace" Sister Cynthia speaks up with a shaky voice, "you should send the king his men and request a royal detachment to deal with Lord Tannis. His Majesty would have more than enough men..."

As she starts you see a sad look cross Lord Endwin's face just as Sir Zachary grimaces. They both know, through her words, that her youth and inexperience betray her. While the advice itself is not an incorrect action, it displays a lack of understanding about regional politics, behavior, and custom, as well as simple decorum. The south has always handled its own problems. Other duchies and counties ask the king for help, the people of the Frostpeaks do not. A duke who couldn't handle internal problems didn't deserve to hold the Spire. You cut her off before she can finish her sentence.

"No." Your volume is loud and your tone sharp. "The south does not need. The south does not ask. The south Does. Not. Beg."

You're softer than you should be with her, yet harsher than you wish. It gets the job done however; and the girl, scolded, shuts up. It leaves a depressed feeling in your core, and you find yourself silently cursing Father Landon for sending her.

"That's all for now." You rise and make your way towards the entrance.

"Your Grace, I have matters of the Coven to discuss and..."

"Later!" You cut Lady Adrianna off and storm out.