Unlike others, Ghislain had no intention of merely dragging things out.

Prolonging the siege for an easy victory would be ideal, but it wasn’t an option here.

Though Ghislain had waited for the drought to hit to ensure he could secure resources easily and create a situation where neither the Ducal faction nor the Royalists could act openly, now speed was key. Capturing the fortress as quickly as possible was critical.

‘The Marquis of Branford will handle any moves from the Ducal faction.’

Ghislain had chosen the Marquis as his patron precisely for situations like this. Branford, invested in maintaining …