Cabourne emerges from the treaty talks with the Iorinthan representative with a mandate for power. The Iorinthan Gate Guard will be reduced in number from ten thousand to nine hundred. This number will be reviewed in a year's time to determine whether the reduction has been successful. Further changes may be possible on this anniversary. Cabourne will have to send delegations to Iorinth every one hundred days for the first three years. This will serve to create stronger and positive bonds between the two groups. Spansis will be free to pursue its own diplomatic treaties with other nations. The heralds will grant Spansis full standing. This means military rights are guaranteed and Cabourne can retain his troops. Belringer's force has left Spansis, unlikely to soon return. Their route follows the Road. Commanding the troops is, Colonel Turbulent. There is some opinion that this force should be bolstered, as it will likely become engaged with the Churl brigades of Kelud.
Cantriq may be the prototypical 'woman scorned'. Nonetheless, she commits to taking the fight to the forces of Kelud and their master, Deignghaul. This will do a favour for Maldon, at least in the sense that Belringer's troops will be diverted away from a strong foothold in Spansis. Definitely a 'two birds, one arrow' situation. While this eases some of the situational complexity, there are still many aspects of the day that need to be considered. Between them, Osric and Maldon will need to have an idea of where they are headed, lest they be swept up in events too momentous to resist...
As the city of Spansis readies for the resolution of the siege, Maldon and Osric determine to deal with the national forces of Iorinth, Kelud and the army of Belringer. In doing so they will see two of these groups dealt with through diplomatic means, while the other will be removed as an active component, through means most unforeseen. . .
The Houses of Chaos form interesting partnerships.