Chapter 11.1

The rear courtyard was a boring place to look at, filled with grass and stone but little else. Still, after hours of reading and mana usage, the fresh air was a delight. And Eirwen didn't mind the company, her nameless advisor walking next to her as she pretended to be inspecting the walls. Her senses stretched beyond them, observing the Flameheart patrols and grumpy citizens.

Some of those guards also kept up their senses, but they kept them away from the estate walls. Obedient lapdogs that didn't mind their change in master. Frustrating, but also a relief. She glanced at the man next to her. How loyal had they been to him, that they followed his orders even after he went off to die? No displayed resentment, simply falling in line. He had told them she would rule them now, so they let themselves be ruled. She doubted her own would have been that obedient if he had been the victor instead.

Then again, depending on how he handled it, on how it would have happened, they might have. He had that kind of influence of people. But there was no point in diving into such a hypothetical situation. The real one was already problematic enough. Vicomtesse Pertrellan had made a good point earlier, how Eirwen was setting everything at six and seven with a muddled chain of command. It was time to resolve that.

"I think we need to have a discussion, and some tea. Tell Pertrellan and Bethan to meet us at the study in ten moments, and ask the kitchen staff to arrange drinks and some food. But make sure the Carraigs don't notice you." He nodded and carefully spread out his senses.

She looked around while waiting, shaking her head at how desolate the courtyard looked. It used to have bushes and trees, but those had been cut and removed the past few years. Maybe the Duke had feared assassins would use them as cover. It brought her some joy that the man had lived in similar fear to what he had inflicted upon her. And then he just went and turned his back on the man he feared the most. What a fool the man had been.

She could feel her advisor withdraw part of his senses, his conversations taken care of. For a few more moments, they enjoyed the outside. For her, it was a needed break. For him, it might be the last time he could stay outside. Starting tomorrow, the Flameheart staff would return and he would have to remain hidden.

They returned just as the Vicomtesse arrived, while Bethan was already inside, her back to the window, enjoying a cup of tea. The healer nodded and poured them all a cup as they seated around. Eirwen sat with her back to the painting, her eyes facing the desk. Pertrellan sat down on the deskside corner of the couch, leaving him a seat next to Eirwen. Subtle. Bethan grinned a bit at the sight.

Ignoring that, Eirwen took a sip then spoke up. "Alright, I brought you here to discuss chain of command. Vicomtesse Pertrellan brought it up earlier today, and she had a good point. I think it's best if the three of you figure out the best order, since you'll be in the saddle most of the time. Go ahead and discuss, but try not to take too long."

The three blinked and looked at each other. Eirwen narrowed her eyes as she studied their expressions. Apparently all three of them considered the answer obvious. She sighed. "I'm guessing you three already are aligned somehow? Fine, let's hear it. Bethan?"

The healer looked playfully offended at being the one called out for an answer. "I would like to note, your Grace, that I find it unfair I'm the one that has to answer. But fine. You, Seren, this guy, me, sounds like the best order. Seren has authority from her rank and we need someone separating the two of you. I'm above the knights, because they're all enthusiastic fools that don't know these lands at all. Ailbe and Aoife shouldn't be in the order, they have their own responsibilities."

Eirwen looked at the other two, who nodded. Her advisor raised a hand. "May I suggest we put Llywelyn below Bethan, but above the other knights? I'd like to train him a bit, and only the doorguards pay more attention. It might also inspire the other knights to follow his example."

Pertrellan frowned. "Wh- oh, right. Well, I agree with giving your handler a position above the others. It makes it easier for him to arrange things. But as for providing him guidance, I do have a condition. I need you to help train the rest."

He hesitated for a count, looking as if he was about to glance at Eirwen, before nodding. As for Eirwen, she kept her face expressionless, not interfering with the order.

The Vicomtesse continued. "We should start today, preferably before dinner. Call everyone together, establish the new chain of command, then begin training them at once." She hesitated for a few counts before making the decision. "And you're going to tell them about your spy reports."

He and Bethan nodded without hesitation, causing Eirwen to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. The Vicomtesse grumbled defensively. "What? We've all been thinking it should happen. We've just been waiting to establish the chain of command, to figure out who will be the one to decide. You did give me the reins, your Grace. And tonight is our last chance before we have to lock him up again. I want him to break them in while we still have the chance."

Bethan snorted. "You're treating them as unmannered horses. What does that make this guy, a stallion?" All four of them slanted their heads almost simultaneously, thinking that through. Yes, that sounded about right. The healer continued with a grin. "Well, I guess it is a good thing he's not gelded."

A flush jumped up his and Eirwen's cheeks. Both of them called out, him purely embarassed, her also in a berating tone. "Bethan!" She grinned and grabbed another snack. As for the Vicomtesse, she just rolled her eyes.

For a few moments they just enjoyed the peace and quiet. Then he put his cup down and looked to his right. "Alright, Seren. You're saying before dinner, which means you need me to go all out. Everyone is awake now, so let's gather at the next bell in the official throne hall. Soldiers and servants too, everyone. I would recommend Bethan sends Ailbe and Aoife away, she can sell it best, what with her being a grumpy woman who nobody dares question. As for the rest, everyone armed, including you, me, Eirwen. Agreed?"

Pertrellan thought it through, but to Eirwen it came across as a performative gesture. The Vicomtesse agreed, but she wanted to properly establish herself as his superior. Make sure neither of them got into the habit of taking his advice as a guaranteed command. "I agree. That includes you, your Grace. I don't need you in armour, though you can if you want. But I want you wielding."

There was still room to object, the tone made clear this was somewhere between a request and an order. Before Eirwen could answer, the other two made to speak up, saw each other, and fell silent for a bit. Eirwen smiled and stepped in. "Thank you for worrying about me. We'll discuss the finer details, but I will participate. We must take this serious, so they will too. But please do keep checking in on me."

All three nodded. They turned back to the last of the tea and snacks, while discussing how they would handle the reveal. After a while, the plans were made and they went to prepare and send out instructions. Eirwen stayed behind, looking at her belongings, figuring out what to do. She decided on light armour in the end. It felt fitting, given how they would train inside the hall. Looking at the painting, she took a deep breath to resolve herself. Here was hoping she could keep herself from falling apart.