Preparations and meet joana in her room

Almost about a week passes as many a mercenary, the retinues of my vassals, as well as what must be almost a thousand levies from my old family's domain gather near the capital of Kingsford, after having heard of their young Queen's upcoming military campaign. There's so many soldiers that a large army camp has sprung up like cabbage just outside the capital's walls, and many banners and shields can be seen showing off the fierce, roaring Brancaster lion with its sharp upturned claws. Although who knows how long the proud lion would continue to reign? The sudden thought eerily sends a shiver running down through my spine.

"What does the situation look like?" I ask to my council as I stop staring through the window at the busy streets below. {if@ route1 == True}"Well your highness, its probably going to be pretty tough out there, as estimates of our opponents strength would have it that we'd pretty much be equal. So I'd advise us to take caution and try to take our fight defensively once we enter meet the enemy."{elseif route2 == True}"Well, my Lady. Even though estimates would suggest that our forces would be more numerous than whatever army his single dukedom could muster, its probably still going to be pretty tough out there. But once we take the fight to them, we should be luring them out of their hiding hole. Otherwise we would be looking at a lengthy and costly siege, as Lord Gregor's main holding is a heavily fortified one."{endif}

"Good, in that case order our capital's levies to prepare so that they will reinforce our own forces, and keep only some of them at home. We'll need every man we can get. Also, I want every soldier of ours to know what they're actually fighting for, and thus every harlot and camp follower who tries to tag along should get expelled. We'll be fighting the righteous cause and our army should not be distracted, and I'm sure they can get plenty of their barbarious ways more than enough after the campaign."

"You sure? Because some of the men might go wild, and decide that you should be spending more time on your back for them, and then they'd all take turns fucking you. Or is it that you actually want this to happen?"

"Okay fine" I mutter furiously as I stampede out of the room. I definitely don't want that to happen either.

As I walk past Lady Joana's room, I decide to hang out with her for a bit and I knock. I could really use some time cooling off right now before going to sleep. I look at the long brown tussled hair, that she would usually wear in a cutesy bun, of my handmaiden as her face slowly appears from behind the still half closed door. "Cecilia!" She opens the door further to let me in. "Quick, I was just about to have a good bath." She switched to whispering now. Probably afraid someone might hear her, although I wonder what if someone else would have visited instead of me. "Please please please will you join me? Pretty please... Its been too long since you let me wash your hair. And who knows when you will get to see a bath again if we're on the road."