Chapter 17.1

Dawn arrived a cruel mistress, declaring the end to a restless night. Eirwen assumed it was her emotions from the day before that had left her waking from nightmares multiple times that night. She only had herself to blame, having sprung that trap onto her weapon master and about everyone else. Her accomplices had numbered only three, the honourable Bethan, Vicomtesse Pertrellan, and Lady Róisín. The other Verglas nobles had only been informed mere moments before departure.

Still, it had been the right decision. Even believing she had killed their Marquis, the people had still submitted to her. At that point, better to reveal the secret in a way that earned her even more loyalty. Now, he no longer would have to hide himself from sight.

Once she finished her breakfast, Eirwen called for all nobles to meet her in the throne hall. There, she announced her decision to rename the territory. With the line of Flamehearts now officially ended, a new name was needed. For the next ten years and a day, it would be named Iceheart, representing both Verglas rule and the snow and ice that influenced so much of the territory. Ten years would be ample time to decide on a new name, while it also indicated to the people that she wasn't just going to usurp control.

After that, Eirwen indulged herself with a spar against her weapon master. With both sealing all mana abilities, including those that gave them physical boosts, technique mattered a great deal. It secretly pleased her that she still had the upper hand in a duel, winning seven out of eleven bouts. If she mastered the abilities he had developed the past five years, she felt confident she could catch up with him even in a full fight.

Messengers came from both Verglas territories and several Iceheart nobles, reporting their current status. The borders still stood strong, even though vultures had begun circling them. With advice from both incomplete noble councils, she sent out reinforcement orders. It would leave the interior security less sturdy than she would like, but made sure all sides came together.

Other reports involved the royal delegation, which was making its way through the lands towards her. It seemed most dukedoms had sent their own delegations to meet up with the royal one. As for the two dukedoms neighbouring Verglas, house Beirn and house Ashwood, their delegations had arrived at the Verglas estate the night before. They had asked if Eirwen preferred them coming by themselves, or with the royal delegation. After thinking it through, she sent a messenger to call for them. They might not have joined her on the battlefield, but they still had quietly supported Verglas, allowing Eirwen to focus nearly all her forces on the war. Receiving them first would display her gratitude.

Despite their support, she still had been losing the war slowly. Honestly, she wasn't sure how long they could have lasted. All of that was now in the past, though. With money flowing back out of the Flameheart treasury, both Verglas and Iceheart would bounce back quickly.

It was a shame she had to communicate by messenger for now. While each Duke held means to communicate at great distance to each other, there was no trusting what had been done to the device at the Iceheart estate. Even the weapon master did not dare touch the thing, worried what traps his father might have left behind. She would have to wait for the royal delegation, which had already sent word that they were bringing a replacement, so she could easily communicate with the royal court. That also would allow her to communicate with other dukedoms from here, even her own.

While the Iceheart estate was vast, with its many floors and wings, there still wasn't enough space for all visitors to receive their own quarters. Lady Róisín almost twitched as she found out just how many they would need to accommodate. The nearby barracks had already been commandeered to house the visiting troops, so that only a minimal amount of people per delegation would need to be housed inside the estate. Both Verglas and Iceheart nobles were condensing their needed space, most of them sharing their wing with a friendly house. This still left them with barely enough rooms, though some knights had to take turns sleeping.

She felt his senses focus on her, quietly fussing over her, as if he was making sure she was okay after their intense moment the day before. It was strange how comforting it was to have him with her again, and it no longer being a secret. She really had missed him the past years. There had been many a late night, pouring over war reports, desperate to make sure she wouldn't miss anything, where she had missed him bringing her a warm drink and an even warmer smile. Last night he had brought her one, though he had been quick to leave, as spending time late at night was too soon for them yet.

She spread her senses, focusing on him in turn. She really couldn't tell he was constantly enhancing himself, holding his embers at the ready. Too subtle. The only reason she knew, was because she knew what it felt like when he didn't, like after her order the day before. But even in his sleep, he still maintained that constant effort.

The hours went by without major event. The previous council members reported in and performed their duties, their replacements handled their ends, while Pertrellan enjoyed a day of rest now that other Verglas nobles could also handle things. Eirwen lunched with all of them in the dining hall, then sought out the weapon master to interrupt his training sessions for another spar. He too seemed glad to finally be allowed in the open, while making sure to show his loyalty to her clear for all to see.

In the afternoon, a messenger arrived, notifying her that Duke Beirn and Duchess Ashwood were on their way. That was a surprise, she had expected them to come the next day. The messenger noted that their servants and part of their soldiers would spend the night at Castle Carraig, but the nobles and knights would arrive in maybe two hours. Secretly, Eirwen was happy with it, as it would give her another day with them.

She called for Lady Róisín to inform her, insisting to do so in person out of a secret desire to see the woman's facade crack a little. No such luck, the majordoma still managed to keep her face expressionless. Next was Eirwen's own preparations. She spent the next hour fussing over the details, before taking her horse and a small entourage to the town's gates.

It felt weird, not wearing her armour as she rode through the streets, recognisable to all. Her instincts screamed out, but only respectful bows awaited her. The difference with eight days ago was staggering. Without any hostility, she arrived at the town's gates, the combined delegation already visible as they climbed up towards the town. They numbered forty people. Duke and Duchess, their heirs, and eighteen knights each. Their arrival today showed their trust in Eirwen's assurances.

She greeted them with a broad smile, the smaller, sturdy man, and the tall and lean woman with the hawk-like eyes. "Duke Beirn, Duchess Ashwood, Marquis, Marquise. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Iceheart capital. Please, allow me to personally escort you to the estate."

Both Duke Beirn and both heirs nodded wordlessly. Duchess Ashwood spoke the thought they most likely all were thinking. "Iceheart, huh. It's not your best work, but it gets the job done." She fell in line next to Eirwen, letting her daughter follow them, surrounded by knights. "I am surprised you would come to us without armour. Are you sure you can trust the locals?"

Eirwen shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, pretending she didn't understand the wary eyes Ashwood showed their surroundings. "They're loyal to a fault. Feel free to observe them." So they did, noticing how so many gave Eirwen quick bows, how a patrol stood at attention as they passed, while not a single hateful glare was on display.

Eirwen weighed her words carefully, wanting to tell them so much but having to mind their location. "Once we're at the estate, I need to introduce you to a new servant of mine. He assisted with the handover." A cryptic description that earned her several questioning looks. In silence, they made it up the hill.

At the inner courtyard, a group of soldiers and guards awaited them, both sides now mingled and all kneeling before her. Bar one, the weapon master, wearing the grey cloak with her coat of arms on it. He remained standing, eyes only for Eirwen as she rode up to him. She accepted his hand and dismounted, letting her grip linger for a bit before she let go and turned towards her guests. "Let me introduce you to my weapon master. As he is nameless, his role is how we address him."

If any of the knights had doubts about his true identity, despite his bright red hair and the familiar way he had greeted Eirwen, the response from Duchess Ashwood made sure to eliminate those. While Duke Beirn simply shook his head in pity for Eirwen, the Duchess her face was thunderous as she steered her horse up to the weapon master and looked down on him with rage. Through gritted teeth, she practically snarled at him. "You are nameless, yet you cannot greet us properly? Have you no shame?"

He smiled broadly at her. "Apologies, but formalities aren't my job. You need the majordoma for that. But if you wish to have a spar, I will gladly be of service." Oh, he was enjoying this.

Before the Duchess could respond, Eirwen shook her head. "I would recommend against that, at least if you're going to use any form of mana abilities. He still wins most spars." Granted, that had already been a few days ago, but she had no doubt it was too early for that to have changed yet.

Duke Beirn raised an eyebrow, his voice filled with curiosity. "Oh? He can handle you one on one?" An innocent question, but poor phrasing, the implication immediately inciting the Duchess.

Eirwen shook her head. "One on four. I don't think I'd stand a chance one on one, at least right now." She meant it, but she could tell it was throwing kindle on the fire that was Duchess Ashwood right now.

The Duchess turned away, her voice sweet but ice-cold fury hidden underneath. "Duke Beirn, perhaps the four of us should loosen up a bit after our long trip?" Many people gulped, realising her voice made clear that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.