For these two months, Baronet Francois and Sieur Patric repented in The Horn's Discipline Monastery, seeking to atone for their lack of gravitas and other failings. JA's escape after a month of mortification was a grave disappointment to his already grieved cousin.
The two Terminants were constantly instructed in their creed by the monks, and their knowledge and faith grew. Hours were spent in instruction, prayer and meditation.
Meanwhile, in the Gronne valley, the war begins.
Prince Farnol strives to goad his father's reluctant vassals into taking the field against Montcuivre, whom have declared themselves for the Regency. The existing rumour that the Montcuivre brothers are sorcerers and diabolists are encouraged, and the citizens of Naras are promised "fair prices" for the ore of the Montcuivre mines. Some agreement is apparently made with the Count as well.
The northern border, to Cobelle is peaceful, and Hamvalle, though declared for the Regency, have yet made no advance southwards. However, the Champs-Bluets are reluctant to take their troops abroad. They cite goblins and dwarves on their border, the threat of brigand activity (most construe this as implying that the Valsangés might try to retake their former lands), and the possibility of a Hamvalle advance. They lay siege to the Trecore, but with little effect beyond taking out this bridge, and isolating the northmost fiefs of the Montcuivres, which are plundered by Champs-Bluets and Valsangés alike, sometimes skirmishing with each other.
The Valsangés are hearty in attacking these exposed lands, but are hesistant to cross the Old Bridge in force as long as Trecore and Borte are unconquered.
The Ducal army, supported by the Bois-Alsante and Naras armies, and some Molagne knights, enter the western Montcuivre holdings, and begin laying siege to Borte. The town does not, however, surrender, and the walls are well defended. The attackers dig in, and despoil the holdings of those knights unwilling to come over to the Ducal forces. Although they dominate the area, the Montcuivres still counter-attack, and skirmishes are frequent even west of Borte. The Prince is unwilling to assault the town, as he will need every man when the Condottiere comes up the valley, yet it is well known that the town must be taken, or Montcuivre otherwise neutralized, before the Condottiere comes.
The Montcuivre forces retain control of but half of their productive land, and their grain harvest is very limited. It is generally believed that they will be forced to retreat into the Sidrenne valley if Borte falls.
Molagne is busy preparing its defenses and defending against raids from Gronne Base, occasionally making counter-raids.