The War Room

The High Preator was first to arrive. He wore Aaedanian heavy armor and had a wolf pelt draped across his shoulders. The mark of the High Praetor. His eyes shone in evening light. "You summoned me my king?" He did not salute as others would have since he and the king were near equals in might and power.

No sooner had the king told Bartholomew to wait, did the kings own brother enter the council room. His hair was wet, having just got out of the bath. "Brother." Ralof bowed his head slightly to the king. "So what is the war meeting about? Are the barbarians making an unexpected comeback?"

"I know him, he will be a Praetor one day. He may enter."

"We await only Nikolai and the Praetors."

"Are you making them run for the entirety of your absence again?" Jorech smiled. "We await the rest of the Praetors and Nikolai. But since so many are here, these maps have been delivered by Tribune-Rex Nyx Mann. Take a look and tell me what you see." The king was excited as he spoke.

Optio-Praetor-Rex Holthow Bartholomew saluted his son John Bartholomew after his salute to the king. "The meeting is soon to begin, yes?"

Jorech looked to those in the room. Not counting Nikolai everyone had arrived. High Praetor John Bartholomew, the Might of Aaedan. Praetor of the 1st Leigion, Vanguard of Aaedan: Praetor Galarr. Praetor of the 2nd Legion, The Riders of Aaedan: Praetor Theo Alwhin. Praetor of the 3rd leigon, the Fist of Aaedan: Archduke Ralof Mann. Praetor of the 4th Legion, the Sword of Aaedan: Prator Raynold Takans. Praetor of the 5th Legion, the Shield of Aaedan: Optio-Praetor-Rex Holthow Batholomew. High Paladin of the Aeon Knights, Lothair Wolfris. 3rd Legion Legate, hero of the Eastern Warfront Ozmidas Wolfris.

These powerful men and woman will be setting a course for Aaedan in this "New World" opened up to them. War or peace, victory or defeat, Glory or shame.

The was grinning, "I fear war will be finding it's way to us." He sat down a full report from Nyx. "This is a report from my daughter. In it it describes an early run with soldiers from a place," he placed a finger on the desert north of the Free Ciry, "known as the Pheonix State. They are outwardly aggressive and could pose a threat to us. While I don't think we can march our troops through the desert and fight them head on.... I wan the Legions on standby at all times. I want the full garrison on the walls at all times allowing only breaks for appropriate rest. Since they will likely strike from the north I want the Calvary stationed at the southgate and ready to ride. If they come to attack us we will be not be caught unaware."

He nodded to Galaar, the praetor taking the next command out of his mouth. "Indeed, we should fortify the norther borders, double if not triple the garrison. Whats more, it seems our western neighbor, the Free City is in a shaky alliance with them. I fear we will get no help from them if we go to war. We may even be going to war with them as well. Though Tribune Nyx has reported that they seem to avoid war as much as possible." He examined the map once more, "We should send emissaries to the Kingdom of Medan as well. I don't know their relationship with the Free City but if they will go to war with us we may need the help." He sighed. Sending troops so far from home was a new endeavor for the Aaedanians. Their history of war was always with the barbarians that lay to the east, the eastern war front close enough to home to get fresh troops to the fights regularly. "It will be hard to send troops to foreign wars while maintaining a defense for the city. The barbarians may be done for the year, but they will resume their assaults. When that happens, we will need to crush them before they can do too much damage. If we could prevent their attacks all together..."

At this point the King's eyes lit up. A plan, tried before but always falling short of complete success. "Perhaps we should devote one of the Legions to invade the east. Route out the barbarians. Kill all but the women and children. It will stop them from attack for a few years at least and allow us to pursue foreign interests with a secured home front." He looked to Raynold Takans, "This is a job for the Sword of Aaedan, is it not?"