“When you can’t have concrete, irrefutable information, an honest opinion will do as a compromise.” - Araphon Utghwes, Head of Intelligence for the Duchy of Dvergarder, circa 52 FP.

“If you don’t mind me asking, Your Grace, what is your honest assessment on whoever these invaders we’re supposed to deal with?” asked Reinhardt as the meal wound down and they relaxed while sipping on cups of strong, hot, sweetened tea. He might be unable to taste the sugar but it proved irrelevant since he happened to enjoy good teas as they were anyway.

“There have been many theories and guesses about them, Captain, but so far, the most prominent ones are that these invaders were either multiple groups of pirates that joined their forces together, or were from a nation across the sea,” said the Duchess after a moment of thought. “Personally, I lean more to the belief that these invaders came from across the sea. Even if there were indeed pirates that plague our western coasts, they have nowhere near the military force needed to directly take down a Duchy like these invaders did.”

“We did learn from some old books we found in the Theodinaz treasury that supposedly there were some people across the sea that traded with the people of Posuin, though that was many centuries ago,” said Reinhardt as the conversation reminded him of the books. “Pops even cribbed the style they used for their weapons for Friede and Ery since they liked it.”

“Some of our oldest records indicated the same, though there was no hint as to why we lost contact with them back then. They had never reestablished contact over the centuries that passed so I guess we just gradually forgot about them,” admitted the Duchess. “Even then, if there were people more likely to remember them, it would be the Wanaruans and Bostvans, since they hold the western coasts.”

Posuin’s position on the west end of Alcidea was a rather geographically isolated one, with how it was separated from Clangeddin to its east by the Northern Marshlands, the Forest of Despair, and the Southern Wastelands. Similarly, its shorelines were mostly steep, rocky cliffs, and it was only on the western end of the nation that they changed to gentle sandy shores.

Dvergarder did not possess a single port despite having part of the continent’s southern shoreline in its territory, as what shores it possessed were poorly suited for building one. Algenverr to the north only had a couple small ports close to the marshlands, with which they mostly traded with the Barony of Gerouz from Clangeddin in the past.

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“If these invaders truly did come here from across the sea, then I guess the lack of ports in the Border Duchies might well be a blessing,” noted Reinhardt. It would be difficult for an invasion force to land anywhere outside sandy shores and proper ports, which were entirely on the western end of Posuin. As such, even if the invaders were to sail along the coastlines to reach Dvergarder and Algenverr, they would not be able to land easily.

The lack of ports formed a natural chokepoint which made it far easier for the defenders to hold the enemy back even with lower numbers.

“I thought the same. I already assigned ten thousand men to patrol our southern reaches to watch out for any such attempts. Given the terrain they should be able to hold on even if the enemy actually arrived and tried to land there, at least long enough until we can send more help that way,” said the Duchess as she sipped her tea. “You and yours will mostly be working with Nestor, though. We’re less worried about Bostvan. Their main force is still intact and they mostly lost their underdeveloped western regions, but we worry that the Centrals won’t be able to hold out anywhere as well.”

“Kolitschei should still be reeling from the blow Duke Nunez gave them back then, especially since it was followed by a civil war,” said Reinhardt in affirmation. “And if I remember right, Lovia-Hosberg also lost a lot of troops back then when we rode north to come to Jonkver’s aid, did they not? Can definitely see them still reeling from those losses.”

“Precisely. If they stood together they would have a better chance to hold on, but with Wanarua already removed from the equation before the others even realized it, they are at a disadvantage,” said Andrea thoughtfully. “Nestor has been sending letters to both Kolitschei and Lovia-Hosberg offering aid, but I have no idea if they would swallow their pride and take that offer or not.”

“Normally I would say that they could have their pride and go die, but I guess in this situation we would prefer to have their troops fighting on our side rather than die pointlessly while barely hurting the enemy, isn’t it?” noted Reinhardt with a nod of his head. “We’ll head over to Algenverr tomorrow. There might not be that many of us, but we should still be able to earn our worth over there.”

“I thank you for your willingness to work for us once more, Captain,” said the Duchess with a smile. There were only the adults left in the room at that time, since the children had grown tired and fell asleep, so their nursemaids took them to their beds. “Here’s to a happy collaboration like last time,” said Andrea as she raised her cup for a toast.

“To a happy and fruitful collaboration, Your Grace,” said Reinhardt as he responded in kind. The other people at the dining table similarly clinked their cups together with theirs. “If there’s one thing we Free Lances pride ourselves in, it’s that we always earn our pay.”

The Free Lances did not stay overlong in Dvergarder. Other than the time needed to settle down the captives they found in the bandit camp – which was mostly done by Miriam and was a matter of a few days – the time they spent in the Duchy was mostly waiting for the negotiations between Reinhardt and the former Duke to conclude. The day after the dinner with the Duchess, the company moved out and headed north to Algenverr, where they would be deployed.