Though you would like to simply bypass this town and save yourself the trouble of having to undergo a costly siege before you have even reached the rest of your army, you cannot allow a hostile force when you are so close to Montechio; whereas the Fortellites of Anaggia have had any chance of an advance, unlikely as it may have been, halted by the presence of Isedia, the same cannot be said for these men here.

More than that, if they truly have taken the city, then their defenses must be battered and broken - their forces, too, must have taken casualties. No better opportunity to take this town shall you have. You belt out the orders - you must enter battle formations and advance!

Your regiment, quickening their march, moves towards the new town, ready for an engagement. Your vanguard at the forefront, it doesn't take long until you are able to spot the town, sitting behind the sea. That corpse fire that had been reported now lays dormant, snuffed out. What surprises you, however, is not the graves - but the town whose gates remain entirely open, as if inviting you to march in.

If your officers are confused, they do not show it, but Hugues is the first to suggest sending forth a small party to ascertain the situation. You stare off as they run towards the city, and in moments, Joan informs you that another group has ridden out to meet them. That the encounter ends without bloodshed gives you an idea of what had truly ocurred, but you hold your tongue until they are back.

"Milorde," begins the horseman, as he retells the meeting, "The men of the city tell me that they are indeed the folk of Sonero, and that the forces of Largo were destroyed by them entirely after they had attempted to hold them to a siege."

The news brings you some relief; yet again, you have escaped the burden of partaking in an assault on a fully defended city.

"There's more, Don Alessandro." they continue. "They tell me that the Potestate of Sonero has welcomed not only your lordship to meet him for supper, but also to house any nobleman in the city for the night."

That, of course, is even better; though your own field tent is far better and bigger than those more commonly used by your men, it is nothing compared to a proper bed. You would certainly enjoy the invite, and the noblemen of your army would appreciate it as well. You see no reason to deny this invitation.

"Very well, then. I shall accept the mayor's invite. Hugues!" you say, turning to your assistant: "Have the men set down for the night as usual. I shall require you to manage the camp while I am gone."

"Yes, sire."

>No vote today, update will continue in the usual time