"..." There was an uncomfortable silence within the war room. Avira had withdrew the imperial token handed to her by her father and announced her decree. She wished for Duke Runak to thoroughly support her claim to the throne, to use his massive military and noble standing to fight against her brothers.
Not even for a second did Avira believe that this request wasn't a given. Her uncle was the most loyal man of the Empire, his allegiance to her father unquestionable. Why then did it sound like he was avoiding committing his forces to her cause? Did he not say that she would have his full support? That the Duchy of Icethorne would not accept any one other than her on the throne?
She stared at the non-responsive Duke as well as his Generals who just a moment ago were up in arms about the depravity shown by her brothers. Were they just like the other nobles? All talk and no bite.
Her heart was on the brink of shattering, her hopes and dreams of revenge collapsing as she saw her uncle struggling to form words.
"WHY!!" She screamed in anger and despair but all she got in response were downcast expressions filled with inner turmoil.
"It's not that he doesn't want to V, it's that he can't." Suddenly a voice that she had come to rely upon came from behind her followed by a gentle yet firm grasp of her shoulder. Avira turned around with reddened eyes to see Frost with a gentle smile on his lips, calm and unperturbed.
"…What do you mean?" She tried her best to calm down a little before asking.
In response Frost glanced at Duke Runak and asked, "May I?" In a respectful manner to which the battle hardened man nodded his head, thankful that someone else was willing to take the burden of possibly crushing his niece's initial hopes.
He was known far and wide as a ruthless monster that was born for war and battle but deep down there wasn't a single commander more caring than him. He took to heart even the smallest of losses amongst his forces how do think he'd fare against someone he considered family. He couldn't bear to break Avira's heart after having her cry in his arms.
So he allowed Frost to tell her hoping that hearing it from him would somewhat soften the blow.
"V what is the purpose of Icethorne?" Frost wasn't as restrained as Duke Runak but he too didn't want to cause unnecessary pain to the young Princess, so he decided to use a thorough explanation.
"What does that have to do wi…."
"Just answer the question please."
Avira wasn't really in the mood for riddles and off topic conversation, but she struggled to refuse Frost's request when she saw the sincerity in his eyes.
"It serves as a bulwark, a frontier outpost of the Northrend empire. It being here allows us to keep the powerful kingdoms and tribes of the Glacial mountains inner regions in check while ensuring a steady stream of trade goods from them into our empire." She gave a textbook answer, her studies to become the next ruler were quite thorough.
"Correct, now how do think these powerful tribes and Kingdoms view Icethorne?" He was leading her towards a certain answer one that he thoroughly understood thanks to his brief discussions with Jared as well as the current look on Duke Runak's face.
"….An enemy, something that prevents their expansion into the south as something that acts as a leash on their economic state." Icethorne practically served as the only trade route to the south meaning they could charge high taxes and even choose who was and wasn't allowed passage.
Avira knew that the actions of the Icethorne fortress would not be accepted back in the civilised world, neighbouring nations would never allow such a powerful monopoly.
"If that's the case how do you think these enemy nations would react when they hear that the Northrend empire is in a state of chaos. That their rulers have been assassinated and that the heirs are currently fighting violently amongst themselves for control."
"!!!!" Avira had a sudden realisation. Even before she had to run away to the Furano Viscounty her father was already receiving reports that their close knit neighbours were making moves both openly and secretly. If even their allies acted in such a manner then what would their enemies do?
She quickly turned to face her uncle as the gears in her mind started to turn.
"If I'm not mistaken the Duke and the War Ursa Battalion is probably having to fend off waves of enemies practically every day or so…thus I doubt he even has the capability to spare a single soldier let alone a large chunk of his entire battalion." Regardless of how much Duke Runak wanted to lend military aid to his darling niece he just didn't have the forces available, in fact he was probably more in need of support than Avira.
"…Uncle is that true?"
"Haaaaa I hate to admit it but yes. Icethorne even at this very minute is likely under siege at the northern wall. Half of my Generals need to be present there at all times and I'm unable to leave the fortress.
The moment we give even an inch the enemy nations will swoop in with their regular army." Duke Runak was infuriated by the situation, constant unending attacks that kept his soldiers in a state of constant wariness.
The moment word of the emperor's death reached the nations and tribes of the Glacial mountains an impromptu and unofficial alliance was formed.
The great beastkin kingdom of Jakbrak, ruled by the powerful Winter Tigerkin and cunning snow leopardkin. The northern nation of glacial sprites and ice elementals. The horde of ravenous blue ants and polar mantises. The Mighty tribe of the large horned ice drakes as well as the frozen demonic empire that lay close to the border between the inner and core regions.
These 5 entities served as the main force of the anti Icethorne alliance. Along with the hidden aid of more neutral parties such as the order of the ice shield and the great dwarven hold of Karak Kanz they launched aggressive attacks upon the northern walls of Icethorne.
Normally there'd be the occasional bout of aggression on their part, a way to force reduced concessions and tariffs or for them to cull their swiftly growing numbers. Now however the assault was of a completely different nature. The attacks were no longer sporadic and minor but major disruptions that drained on Icethorne's reserves.
There was even A-rank monsters at the helm to keep the War Ursa Battalions in check. It was clear that these five entities and those who helped supply them with resources, manpower and access were hoping to destroy the Northrend empire's mightiest bulwark.
Duke Runak was a lauded military general, unmatched in terms of strategy, personal strength and quality of soldiers but even he struggled to see the light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
They were outmatched, outgunned and all alone out here in the mountains, surrounded by enemies. With the Empire in its current state hoping for reinforcements was nothing but a pipe dream, hell he'd be lucky if the empire didn't send forces to help subdue him.
In his mind the possibility of Sedrick or Randolph contacting the enemy to help rid themselves of an uncooperative Duke was not low, the situation was truly dire.
Right now the battlefield was still under control, but the pressure was building every day, the enemy's forces were growing in number and in quality. Duke Runak estimated that if nothing changed the fortress would fall within 3 to 6 months even with his presence.
Upon hearing her uncle's confession Avira's anger transformed into concern and panic. She couldn't rely upon her uncle's military might and if they weren't careful the Empire could lose its northern most fortress, a bulwark that kept the powerful nations of the glacial mountains at bay and ensured that substantial trade flowed into their southern territories.
Although Avira was still a young woman she was intelligent and wise and had received a ruler's education from the Emperor himself. Seeing the powerlessness in the expressions of the nearby Generals as well as the repressed rage in her uncle's eyes she took a deep breath and reorganised her priorities.
Her revenge would have to wait, ensuring the War Ursa Battalion's and the duchy of Icethorne's survival was more important.
"I understand uncle and I apologise for my emotional outburst; I shouldn't be so quick to ignore the plights of my subjects if I am to be a fair and just ruler."
"V…" Duke Runak looked at Avira in shock as well as nostalgia, he could see the shadows of his friends behind her resolute expression.
'Your daughter has become a fine woman Franz, Amelia.'
"We must solve the current problem of Icethorne before focusing on the state of the Empire.
As long as Randolph and Sedrick continue to battle against one another the nation will not fall immediately….we have some time but not a lot" Avira would first have to help her uncle resolve the current situation with the enemy alliance hounding at their doors before being able to reclaim what is rightfully hers.
""By your will, your highness""