Preparations.

Two days later General Freya had moved her defences back over the river Junice ready to face Chasin's troops when they came. Freya's contacts that were still alive and free in Talia had got word that Chasin was preparing to march west. She would be at the head of an army numbering at least ten thousand warriors. Freya could only muster three thousand troops but with the Junice between her and Chasin, it was easier to defend against the attacker. Common doctrine said that an attacking **** would need three to four times the number of the defending **** and unfortunately Chasin just about had that. Freya and Jasmine had identified an area of the river bank to defend because on one side another natural barrier was marsh and boggy land and on the other side was a sea of quicksand. That was fatal to all but the marsh impeded cavalry and wheeled weapons so this would allow Freya to concentrate her defenders down the middle.

Another advantage that Freya and her troops had was her army were seasoned fighters and Chasin's would be made up of mostly poor conscripts. She had the greatest admiration for Arerto who had bled off trained troops leaving only a few older warriors. However, Chasin was not to be underestimated and if Freya had been Chasin she would hire mercenaries to bolster her inexperienced troops. Freya summoned Jasmine and told her to send a message to the queen telling her of the army's disposition and the intelligence from Talia. Jasmine did as ordered as the messenger was on the way to HeaHel with the important message. Freya had the ability to simulate battles in her head and she was doing this by trying to find weaknesses in her defences and then when found strengthening them. As the day drew to an end her mind wandered to her lover back in Talia she really hoped that Rachel was safe. When they had got together they agreed to keep the relationship a secret so as to protect Rachel from harm Freya was glad now for that.

The next morning the messenger had delivered the message and was now resting while Arerto read it and turned to Karleen" Sister how many HeaHelians can bear arms?" Karleen replied honestly that she did not know but she would find out and let her know. As Karleen went to find Agnethia Katherine walked in smiling and announced that she had a fleet of ten ships and two transport ships. "That is good Katherine now how many ships to attack the harbour in Pragar?" Katherine replied seven ships would be needed with one transport for around five hundred troops. "That is also good news because the other three ships and one transport can land at this cove just north of the capital and attack the palace directly. Pragars forces will be tied up with Thadens threat in the south so they should have an easy time. My aim is for the harbour **** to storm the palace and hold the gate until Thaden arrives. Resistance should be at a minimum as the enemy will be engaged elsewhere." Katherine smiled and nodded her agreement.

In Pragar Lady Cressida had arrived and been welcomed by the Queen and she passed on the message from Queen Chasin. Pragar was angry that Arerto had managed to escape and even more upset that she planned to attack. She had the daily report from her military advisors which showed that an enemy army was camped along the border to the south. Her troops had been sent to keep watch for signs of aggression along the border then Cressida spoke. "Your Majesty there is a solution make peace with Arerto and then let the sisters fight and destroy each other then you can rule over Talia as well," Pragar thought on this and said that she would seek advice from her senior advisors in the meantime Cressida should consider herself an honoured guest. Cressida left the throne room with a smile on her face having planted the in Pragar's head soon she would be the ruler of not just Talia but Pragar as well.