1. Garreg Mach has fallen to the Empire, Your Majesty.
  2. I did not expect it would last long. Is Lady Rhea safe?
  3. Yes. She escaped and is on her way here with a [cdb]small force.
  4. I see.
  5. This won't be like granting asylum to your standard [cdb]refugee. If we take the archbishop in, it will be [cdb]tantamount to declaring war on the very Empire.
  6. Is that a risk you're willing to accept, Your Majesty?
  7. It is. We have already thoroughly discussed the matter [cdb]with the Kingdom's lords.
  8. Even if I refrain from deciding publicly one way or [cdb]the other, the Empire will still insist that we hand Lady Rhea over.
  9. The Kingdom's people and government are too frail [cdb]to stand without the holy church's support.
  10. I agree with her ultimate goal, but such a situation [cdb]calls for gradual reform over time. The emperor's [cdb]desire to tear it up rapidly will not do.
  11. Then it is a good thing we've prepared for such [cdb]contingencies. I will start by sending a party to Ailell to welcome our new guests.
  12. Thank you. I would go myself if I could, but I'm [cdb]needed here to prepare for the war.
  13. For now, send messengers to Counts Galatea and Charon imploring them to muster troops for [cdb]our defense.
  14. Oh, and send for House Fraldarius as well—let's make [cdb]sure our new duke earns his title.
  15. Grave news, Your Majesty!
  16. Hmm? What is it now?
  17. Count Rowe has declared fealty to the Empire and is [cdb]marshaling his troops as we speak!
  18. Also, one of his bannermen, Lord Lonato, is moving [cdb]to hunt down and slay the archbishop.
  19. We have long held our suspicions about House Rowe, but I never expected their actions to [cdb]plunge us into war.
  20. And after all the discussions we've had to prevent [cdb]exactly this. He must believe his reason is just.
  21. Very well, then. Our plans have changed.
  22. I will go and meet with Lady Rhea personally, [cdb]and House Fraldarius will serve as my guard.
  23. Inform Galatea and Charon they are to gather their [cdb]troops in Erebus and Geraint lands.
  24. Lord Lonato was once a faithful servant to the crown. Will you now see him executed?
  25. I have no mercy for traitors, no matter their pasts. On the contrary, I have an obligation to protect the Kingdom from his kind.
  26. We've struggled long to attain this peace. I will not [cdb]permit the Empire to crush it beneath their foot now.