Chapter 23.2

Five nights was the minimum for a noble's visit to be considered polite. Given how far some had travelled, none had expected the delegations to stay longer, not unless absolutely necessary. With the communication crystal already taken care of, and negotiations finished as well, the remaining two days could focus on entertainment.

Of course options were more limited at the Iceheart estate. With the events that had taken place, a hunt was a sensitive subject. Entertainment options also were limited. That left sparring and weapon contests.

That morning, Eirwen had practice targets set up in the rear courtyard. Too close for archery, but it would suffice for throwing weapons. Sure enough, merely the presence of the targets sparked the desire for some nobles to go up against each other.

In the afternoon, the weapon master entered the fray. Not that he could fight anyone, that went against all etiquette. But he gave Aoife silent instructions, which she followed obediently as if he still was her commander. While he conversed with the court mages, Aoife sparred with people and gave them advice. They all knew not all of said advice came from her, but they also knew when to keep their mouths shut.

Sir Seabhac made a surprise appearance, sparring with Aoife before joining her efforts sparring with guests and using compliments to offer concealed advice. Both of them kept their distance from the weapon master, making it clear where they stood.

Since people easily recognised the former leader of the Marquis's personal guard, his presence drew a lot of attention. Inquiries were made and answered, allowing them to spread the terms Eirwen and the weapon master had agreed upon.The fact he had done so selling her his father's demise, though, that part the guests didn't need to know.

As for the weapon master, at some point the mages asked him to come along and give them a hand with the communication crystal. A clear excuse, though Eirwen wasn't sure for what. She received her answer when he reached out to her.

"Eirwen, I would like to teach them a self-defence technique, to pass on to Edmund and Mildred. This would work best with a memory crystal. Would that be alright?"

The children of the first prince? Should I be worried about you planting a trap inside the royal family?

"No. The royal family should. But only if they go against you. I doubt it will ever be needed, but at the very least it buys us goodwill. From the court mages too, as this technique will be of great use to them as well."

He sent her an image of the technique, a restraining method that built on several techniques he had displayed before. She reviewed the method and mentally discussed some possible improvements before remembering to give him her permission.

The rest of the day went by without any worrisome events. Sir Wigbeorht had shown his face and while most acted normal around him, it was still clear he held favour with none of them. Eirwen attended dinner this time, inviting her friends from the royal academy over to her table, while the Verglas and Iceheart nobles all mingled with the other guests.

That night, Eirwen slept well, needing no interference. The next day, spars were kept to a minimum, so everyone would be fresh for the journey the day after. Instead, a variety of games were played by many, spread over multiple places in the estate, which also allowed for quiet discussions. The weapon master spied on all of them and gave Eirwen brief reports. It was a shocking violation of privacy, but it was clear he felt the need to hold onto any information he could get. She would need to wean him off that wartime attitude later.

At dinner, rare meat was served, ranging from bear and wolf to large birds of prey. Lady Róisín had gone all out with her preparation of the feast, serving perfect drink combinations alongside the meals. Eirwen had given permission to serve half of the highest quality bottles of the estate, as well as a quarter of those of her own. A gesture that didn't go unnoticed by those with a refined palate.

This time, she let her weapon master sleep at the same time as she did. She needed him fresh in the morning. Dawn came without concern, though Eirwen could sense that many of her own had already departed, to prepare her final gesture towards her guests. No doubt they had woken at false dawn and left at once. It made the estate feel somewhat empty now, but no matter. Enough remained to keep her safe.

Half an hour later, Eirwen arrived at the front courtyard, which was already filling up with nobles. Outside the gates, countless knights were saddling up, while carriages stood ready for staff and wares. Her presence in itself wasn't a surprise, but her wearing riding clothing was. She was joined by Ailbe, as well as Sir Caerbychan leading a dozen other knights. Ailbe and Caerbychan took position next to her, Ailbe her shield, Caerbychan her sword. Definitely not the people that had been expected by her side.

Duchess Ashwood was the first to approach her, and immediately Eirwen noticed the crowd hush as they covertly tried to listen in. "Are you escorting us today, Eirwen?" The name usage was a clear choice, another way to remind the others of both their ranks and their familiarity. The Duchess wanted the entire kingdom to know she stood with Verglas.

Eirwen offered a smile, not just politely but one of proper friendship. Another deliberate gesture, to fight off her reputation as a lady of ice. "Only part of the way. There are troops waiting at the gate to escort you all for the next three days, until the royal delegation leaves Verglas territory. As for you and Duke Beirn, at my estate additional troops will join to escort you to your borders."

Not that the royal delegation needed an escort, but it was a proper symbol of strength. And truth be told, Eirwen wanted to make sure nobody tried to abuse the situation. Ashwood nodded, then asked the question everyone was likely wondering. "And your hound? Where did you tie his leash today?"

Ashwood enjoyed putting him in his place, even if she had already resigned herself to Eirwen sticking with him. Both she and Eirwen had twinkling eyes as Eirwen responded. "I had him lead a small pack to the Reeve, to discuss something. He should wrap up in time to bark his goodbyes." A lie and a truth with a smile.

As the first bell neared, everyone was finally ready. Eirwen took the front, tailed by Sir Wigbeorht, Duchess Ashwood, and Duke Beirn as the highest ranked present. There were idle conversations, until they got close enough to the central plaza for people to realise. Ashwood was the first to both notice and speak up, with a grump in her voice. "Just discussing something with the Reeve, huh. No wonder I didn't see the usual suspects."

Sir Wigbeorht didn't understand, while pretending he simply didn't care. Behind, whispers informed those with lesser sensing abilities, until most knew what was waiting ahead. Roughly three hundred knights and nobles. And as the experts could tell, they were positioned as a guard of honour. Eirwen's final show of force, to properly make her point once more.

As they rounded the final corner leading towards the central plaza, all could see at last what was going on. Eirwen held in her smug smile as she noticed Sir Wigbeorht's breath hitched when he finally saw what was going on. Behind, gossip flared as more and more saw and understood.

On each side of the central path through the plaza stood twelve representatives. For most territories, the noble in charge. For those whose leader had fled, Eirwen's approved replacement. And of course the weapon master who stood nearby, him on the right, across him Vicomtesse Pertrellan. Past them, Iceheart and Verglas alternated, with Aoife next to Pertrellan.

Each representative stood in front of a double layer of knights, totalling twelve per territory. The weapon master led Eirwen's knights, while everyone else had their own knights behind. Everyone but him was in full armour. Not ceremonial, but their actual combat gear, weapons and all. As for him, he wore his nameless grey clothing, with the Verglas coat of arms marking him as hers, and a shield and sword by his side.

Normally, people used the plaza to meet or sell things. Right now, hundreds of people stood nearby, observing the whole affair. They ranged from young to old, all keeping a distance from the knights. If any had wondered what was going on, seeing Eirwen lead the delegations likely answered all their questions.

At twenty paces distance, Eirwen halted her horse. She used her senses to observe Sir Wigbeorht's face behind her in detail, noting it held quite the sour glare. This was an excessive gesture, meant solely to put him in his place. But Eirwen felt no need to act friendly to the man. He had lost the right when he had pretended she was but a fool falling for her lover's lies.

They had prepared this well. Eirwen would have liked both Pertrellan and her lovely hound to bark first. But no, they insisted it had to be just Pertrellan, on account of making clear she alone commanded Eirwen's armies, not the nameless weapon master. Pertrellan's voice rang out, answered by all representatives. "All hail the Duchess!"

""Hail!"" Next all representatives, to be answered by the knights. ""All hail the Duchess!""

"""HAIL!""" Over three hundred voices ringing out was already intimidating and many a horse showed discomfort at the noise. But now came the last, a step that couldn't be rehearsed, that nobody really knew how many would answer. """All hail the Duchess!"""

""""HAIL!!!""""" All of them. From noble to knight, from child to elderly. The entire crowd screamed that out loud, then fell silent, a gesture that gave Eirwen chills. She could sense she wasn't the only one, and saw it too as she turned towards those behind her.

Oh, Sir Wigbeorht looked bitter. No surprise, as this was just rubbing it in. Eirwen spoke, her voice raised and amplified, making sure the entire plaza, nay, the entire town could hear her. "I wish all of my honoured guests a safe journey home. And rest assured, I guarantee you one thing. Under my lead, the West will never fall."

"""""HAIL!!!""""" Again, shouts from everywhere. Now even from all around them, as all in town joined in. Eirwen saw shivers, a few dark looks, and noticeably open eyes from Sir Parmenter as he looked straight at Aoife. He had noticed then, that Aoife had secretly given the town's people a signal. Good. That way it would be known it wasn't Eirwen's hound commanding the people.

Eirwen and her own stepped aside. The royal delegation continued, walking in-between the guard of honour. Eirwen knew that tomorrow evening, a lot of representatives would borrow the Verglas communication crystal and report today's events to their superiors. Knowing the message they would pass on, her smile was full of sincere joy. Finally, it was over. Now she truly could begin to move on from the war.