Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-17114085-20141125120454/@comment-5583506-20141213040820

The defensive tactic had worked out fine in the end and the armies had even managed to capture enough stragglers to confirm that the opponent was Markarth with Reachmen mercenaries in their ranks. It hadn't pleased Garm the least. Mostly because he had lived among the Reachmen when he had gone into exile with his armies. If they had allied themselves with Markarth, he knew that there was something not quite right in the south. The Reachmen were a fierce bunch and valued freedom and loyalty over any gold.

They must have been given an offer they couldn't refuse, he speculated

Black Tommard had flayed the captured commanders and hung their rotting corpses along the main road into Haafingar while Ungol gro-Daznag had rounded up any surviving stragglers.

Bori Fast-Hand had begun negotiating with Dragon Bridge in order to further alliances between Solitude and the rest of Haafingar. Didrik Drunken had joined him, mostly for the reason of trying out some new ale.

Garm sat in the council chamber as usual and examined all the documents covering the aftermath of the Battle of Solitude Road, as it had been called by the local populace.

He rubbed his forehead and mumbled quietly to himself in order to keep track of his own thoughts. "If Bori's negotiation succeeds, then we will have gained not only Dragon Bridge and surrounding areas, but also total control of all land north of the Karth River. A good strategic position with only the bridge for the enemies to cross. However, if they only have Reachmen in their ranks, then they will surely use the mountains to their advantage."

He slammed his fist into the table. "Damn them! Why would they have to join up with Markarth? For what reason? They don't give a damn about gold. They want the land that Markarth stole from them back."

Jaqueline poured him a drink in a cup. "Well, pardon me for saying so, your grace. But no matter what Markarth is paying the Reachmen with, perhaps it would be a good idea to take their primary source of income?"

A mischievous plan began to form inside his head and he traced his fingertops over the Skyrim map. "Smart girl. If I can train an army strong enough to push through the Hjaal river and march along the Reach and take Karthwasten, I can strangle half of Markarth's mine income and slowly drain them into submission. Not likely that they will give up, but they will have strained their resources to give the Reachmen, which would lead them to abandon Markarth's cause."

"And then maybe you could give them a counter offer?" suggested the Breton girl.

"Such as?"

"Take the Reach and offer the Reachmen free amnesty?"

Garm raised an eyebrow. "When did you learn about politics?"

Jaqueline backed away. "I am sorry, my lord. I should have never..."

"Don't be ridiculous, girl. That was a very wise plan. Maybe you would be more fit to rule in my stead?"

She blushed, but didn't dare to speak further.

"Aye, but so it shall be. It seems that Najiima's ships will come to good use. I have need of an army to sail along the Hjaal River and then storm the Reach. If I only can take Karthwasten and hold it for at least half a year. Then Markarth's resources will be nothing more than a bad memory..."