The field, nestled in the hills that marked part of the Ylisse-Plegia border was unused to importance. In fact, aside from the odd time it was used for grazing, it was unused to seeing much of anything at all. Until now, at least.

It was a sight not seen in centuries. Two armies, one Ylissean, one Plegian. Meeting each other under a flag of peace. The cloth banners of the various noble families from both nations fluttered in the breeze, and the mix of many chants and songs of soldiers filled the air. They came to a halt at a single gesture from their Monarchs, leaving a vast gap between the two forces.

Four horses, two from the Plegian side and two from the Ylissean, departed their respective groups and closed the distance to meet in the middle. The first face to face meeting of the present Plegian and Ylissean Monarchs, and neither man had a smile on their face.

"..Your Radiance." Validar greeted politely.

"..Your Majesty." Nicholas inclined his head.

There was silence, for long enough that the assembled soldiers started to glance at one another. Eventually, the Exalt took a calming breath, and cleared his throat.

"My squire, Frederick Warwick." Nicholas gestured to the young man beside him. "The son of a close friend. And one of a concerningly small number that has my trust." Nicholas held his breath. Taking his Squire along for the initial meeting had been a gamble, to say the least. He considered having Isambard at his side for this, but his brother's easy-going demeanor would almost certainly be out of place for this most important of first impressions. Frederick at least he could trust not to insult anyone.

"My daughter, the Lady Aversa." Validar, following suit, introduced the girl at his side with a smile. The young woman offered a firm nod to the Exalt, but said nothing. The boy at the Exalt's side was obviously trying not to glare at her, and at the same time was quite clearly staring at the distinctive purple markings that adorned her face.

The King noticed this, and raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter, Squire Warwick?"

The Squire's eyes widened in surprise, and an embarrassed smile crossed his face. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Curiosity has gotten the better of me, it seems, with regards to your daughter's facial markings."

"It is the Shadowgift, Master Warwick." Aversa told him. "A sign from the Almighty that I am bound for greatness. Or at least, that is what the Grimleal believe."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Do you believe otherwise, your highness?"

"..'Destiny' is an excuse madmen use to justify atrocity, Your Radiance. I would prefer to think of greatness as a duty entrusted to me by Grima." The fourteen year old held Nicholas' gaze. "..And..with the utmost respect Your Radiance, I am not a Princess, I am a Lady."

The Exalt let out a chuckle. "I stand corrected. My apologies, Lady Aversa. It was not my intention to offend."

"Oh, I'm not offended, Your Radiance." Aversa offered a cheeky grin. "Just potentially saving you from future embarrassment."

Nicholas smiled. It was..refreshing, dealing with someone that was both respectful and teasing towards him. Granted Lady Aversa was probably at that age where that was the default treatment of anyone and everything within an eighty mile radius, and in all honesty he was not looking forward to when Emmeryn and Lissa hit that age, but for now he could appreciate the younger woman's candour. There was much too much sycophancy, too much residual fear of execution back at his court for his liking.

Before he could offer a proper response, cries of "Riders approaching!" filled the air, and the quartet in the centre formed up in a line to greet the new arrivals. At their head was a man that Nicholas and Frederick recognised. He was mildly overweight and bald, but had a short, neatly kept beard, and was garbed in expensive looking riding leathers.

"...Baron Robert Haycox." The Exalt addressed the man that led the group of men. "My condolences for the loss of your brave son. If it is any comfort to you, he died in battle. Rather than.."

"A traitor's death at the end of a rope?" Haycox sighed, and nodded. "..Thank you, Your Radiance."

"Might I enquire as to where your former compatriots are?" Nicholas asked, although given his tone, it might as well have been an order. "I am aware that you received my correspondence about the most recent title I have acquired."

"Derringdon believes it to be a false claim. Weatherspoon is in Valm, organising matters on the Entente side of things, so intends to negotiate surrender from exile if needs be." Haycox sighed. "Caverndish, Lancaster, Lawrence. They're all foolishly listening to their 'Lord Protector'. Abbendis and Fall...Aurelian is old and wants a war to die in, and I sadly cannot conceive of a world where young Cintra would willingly make peace with Plegia."

"A pity." Nicholas drawled. "It is a shame that something that was such a star pupil of the Collegium Magum would turn her back on her own nation. Even more so given she's a Fall."

"She can't have been that promising."

Almost all eyes in the tent turned to Lady Aversa. The young Mage was sporting a grin, and once the mild shock of her words had sunk in, it was Frederick that spoke first. "..May I ask what\ you mean, My Lady?"

Because, Squire Warwick." Aversa smirked. "War has historically been an action favoured by idiots. Since that is exactly what she appears to favour, what does that make her?"

"Ava." Validar hissed. "Let it rest."

"...Apologies." She lowered her head.

Ignoring her outburst, Nicholas once more turned his gaze to the Baron. "...What are they planning, Robert? How do they intend to achieve their goals?"

"He's hired Lesocvar Mercenaries, from the Entente." Haycox sighed. "They'll be sailing into one of Baron Lawrence's ports, and heading to the League's 'capital'. They are reportedly under the command of Giovanni Bagrationi, a son-in-law of their current ruling Prince, Gregor."

"The use of Lesocvar Mercenaries is banned on this continent." Validar pointed out with a frown. "For good reason. Even that bit-, my apologies, even Exalt Isolde held to that treaty."

Haycox shrugged. "Technically speaking, the League has yet to sign that treaty, Your Majesty. Thus, 'Lord Protector' Bradshaw has decreed that they are not bound to that treaty, and their hiring of those men is not illegal."

"Might I ask why the use of these Mercenaries is illegal?" Frederick asked aloud. "It seems an...odd thing, banning a certain mercenary band.."

"Their brutality, Master Warwick." Validar told him. "The Lesocvar are...not given to acts of mercy or charity. Or anything resembling human decency, for that matter."

Letting out a long and frustrated sigh, Nicholas addressed the Baron. "..And where are your now former compatriots, Baron Haycox? They must be based somewhere, surely?"

Haycox swallowed, and remained silent. He turned his gaze from the Exalt to the King, to the Lady and to the Squire. Letting out a weary sigh, he told them. "Winterspeak. They're at Winterspeak."

Nicholas nodded once. "...Thank you, Robert. In accordance with the laws set down by Exalt Aloysius the Younger, I ask you if you and your loyalists wish to rejoin the Halidom of which We are Sovereign. To be my leal and faithful vassal once more, so help you Naga?"

Relief blossomed on the face of the other man, who immediately nodded. "Yes, your Radiance. So help me Naga."

The Exalt held the Baron's gaze for a number of moments before he spoke again. "Welcome home, Baron Haycox. Take your men and fall into line. We'll be setting up camp here."

As the newly reinstated loyalists made their way into the Ylissean ranks, Nicholas let out a sigh. "...This will be bloody."

"Indeed." Validar agreed grimly. "But it must be done. For peace."

"...Will your men follow you? To fight and possibly die to keep Ylisse whole?"

"It is change, Your Radiance. They might not like it, but they will do so if I order it." Validar went silent for nearly a full minute before continuing. "The mothers and fathers of Plegia entrusted the lives of their children to me. I will see as many of them return home safely as I can. Those I cannot.."

"Will rest peacefully." Nicholas intoned with the utmost solemnity. "For they will rest in friendly soil alongside our own sons and daughters. It is time to put an end to it all, Your Majesty. The wars between our nations have gone on for far too long. Let us end it. Today."

The Plegian King held his gaze for a few moments, before letting out a snort of laughter."...I hope you will not be offended by my next words, Your Radiance ...but it is a truly sad world in which we live where my telling you that Exalt Isolde would be utterly ashamed of your actions is doubtless the highest compliment I can offer you."

Nicholas dipped his head, and chuckled softly. "...Aye."

"Winterspeak then?" His fellow Monarch asked. "That most unconquerable of fortresses?"

"...It seems so." The Exalt sighed. "..Naga save us."