With Despite's fall and forgetfulness being lifted from the Compact, Martino is taking the opportunity to research into how the Malvici armies protected Arx during the Reckoning. How they held their own, what tools, formations, potential magics or artifacts they had in their possession to do such a thing. Was it shields made of certain material? Magics to aid their combat prowess or unyielding nature?

Whatever it was, now is the time to find out and to begin drilling the Malvici army in this knowledge.

Alexio may not be much on troops and war. But knowledge and teaching he can do. Alexio will do his best to provide surprisingly useful briefings on different types of magics, risks, and known ways of addressing.

Knowledge is always useful. Lucita delves into Saik History as it relates to the time Platinum left Arx and his Platinum Guard relocated to Saiklang Greens and the years afterward. Using her charm and her stewardship knowledge of who to contact and how to organize efforts, she sets up searches for anything that might help fill in gaps in history and information, locations of any possible weapons, tools, artifacts using family, Scholars and verbal history from some of the older commoner families. As far as magic, she is a spellsinger and can, when Eirene tells her it is time, the troops are ready, reminds them of the usefulness of magic in the more recent wars.

Eirene used her own occult knowledge to instruct the Malvici troops (once a Malvici always a Malvici) in the demon and Legion fighting techniques she's learned over the past 15 years. Anything Martino discovers she passes on.

While Eirene has the troops in order, Thea will use this to do some more research. With her notes and the growing of Sundraw, she already has a starting point of her own, but it never hurts to expand one’s knowledge.Not to mention, the always Malvici in blood and spirit has seen, experienced, and experimented a few things on her own over the years. Whatever information she DOES acquire, Thea will make sure it’s swiftly brought to Martino.

If the order of the day is training troops, Drake will also assist in this. He's also built up a lot of specialized knowledge over the years in fighting different types of foes - not always human, necessarily. He can start by focusing on weapon techniques and where best to strike at the heart and weak points of things that need to be fought. He'll also be sure the troops have courage - it will take teamwork and bravery to join this fight.

Sometimes getting the answers is not really helpful when it's only a surface answer. The soldiers of House Malvici had a number of powerful adepts, and their weapons and armor were oft enchanted. That's what they glean from research, but how to reproduce that? That's largely blank, and almost certainly a problem of where the world is now. Magical ascension seems to be distinctly personal, so reproducing it on a large scale is something that remains elusive.

When House Nonpurdo struck against House Malvici and sunk the Duchess Calypso's ship, as well as the last sighting of her being on board that sinking ship, Duke Martino Malvici pledged war against the Abandoned House.

Reminding the Compact and the upset traditionalists in the world that House Malvici will protect Arvum's Peerage and the traditions of the Compact, war has been pledged. That diplomacy with pirates and the Abandoned is not always with words but, instead, with steel and that House Malvici still honours their militaristic diplomacy.

Plans have been made with the family to locate, hunt down and eliminate House Nonpurdo from the face of the Compact. Leaving no mercy for them.

---

Martino himself will be in Southport to rally citizens of the city to the war, attempting to inspire them to fight with their whole lives in devotion to House Malvici and Duchess Calypso. Speaking forth on the virtues of not allowing this slight against our way of living as an Arvani going unanswered. That, where other Houses would break bread with people like this, Malvici will not for what they have done to harm Southport and Duchess Calypso.

Directed by Martino to head in the direction where Calypso and the flag ship was last seen, Thea works with Baroness Lucita. As Lucita funds everything, Thea will aid too in giving direction. Diving before, the Countess will help those on board, telling them what to do, where to go. Where to dive. The hope is to bring up something such as chests, figure head, remains, anything helpful.

For a mission of this level of importance, Eirene assists the Malvici fighting forces by resuming her place as a high ranked general. She reminds her soldiers she is Malvici by both water of womb and blood of battle, and their oath to defend their home, fealty, and Compact is one of the strongest bonds a soldier can give. And there is NO greater tradition than House Malvici bringing war for the defense of the Compact and destruction of enemy forces.

Her primary tactic is to ensure each naval vessels has boarding marines and her battle medics alongside to protect and assault enemy ships, and be able to deploy once land is reached. Nonpurdo will feel the full wrath of Eirene's grief and fury at losing her niece Calypso.

Malvici's militaristic diplomacy is something Irisa is all too familiar with, and is as comfortable in its execution as she is with her understanding of it. After her return from Riven, and the thoughts that have plagued her since, the straight-forward and righteous conflict at hand is exactly what she needs, and so she has flung herself into the fray.

Certainly, she leads troops -- she is a stalwart figure on the field of battle, and a keenly decisive voice amidst the chaos it inspires, but she does so from the front lines, ready and willing to fight for House Malvici, to whom she owes so much.

Her attempts focus primarily on support actions and well-placed ambushes, supply line harassment and defense, depending upon the scenario she finds herself in, choking and starving the enemy forces and battering their morale in an attempt to give others the greatest chance at victory.

Neither by chance nor by fate, but entirely by choice, Kaia will be alongside her Malvici family, leading her group of archers - the Band of the Hawks (#532) with great might and glory - as she learned from the Bislands.

The force of archers will be ready to strike through and true those enemies with merciless precision just like she taught them. They will be covering the battlefield from both a distance and from great heights - to which some of them will sneak over once they reach land. None from House Nonpurdo will be able to escape the eye of the Malvici hawks; hard as they may try.

Kaia on the other hand, will be specially focused on covering Thea, Irisa, Eirene and any notable ally's back. Ensuring that if they were ever in harm's way by a foe coming too close said enemies get shot down from afar in order for them Malvici to continue their glorious fight.

Count Artorius will be taking out Magnotta's fleet and armies to assist in Duke Martino's plans to war against House Nonpurdo. The Duchess Calypso was the reason behind Artorius becoming Count in the first place and so she will be avenged, for the abyss has no fury compared to the fury in Artorius' heart over this.

With Artorius leading Magnotta's army and navy in support of House Malvici, it is time for Desma to step up and show her worth. Commanding the Magnotta archers, the Talons, she is going to ensure that they fight as efficiently and smoothly as they can, whether that means it is on land or on ship. She will be also lending her bow to the battle, leading by example, as she tries to prove herself worthy of Magnotta and honour those who had given her this opportunity; Artorius, Calypso and Domonico. By Sea and Sky!

As one of the Malvici vassals, Lucita is committed assisting in this effort to actively display the proper tradition of a house supporting its liege and fealty, not undermining it or rebelling. Seeing active support and loyalty, being able to cooperate is intended to reassure those who are in turmoil and make them feel more secure.

At the request of Martino, she works with Lady Thea to make diplomatic contacts, sail to the location in which Calypso and the flag ship was reported to have been sunk by an abandoned house. There a meticulous search is being made, depth of the water ascertained with dropping weighted ropes. If possible, remains, chests, figurehead, flag, helm-wheel are to be recovered by free-divers if shallow enough or with grappling hooks and nets. She assists with funding this attempt and using her skills in stewardship to both connect with people and to draw them together to help this succeed and in rounding up the necessary supplies. Even if their efforts fail to recover anything, it displays positive qualities of how houses can and should work together

Aiding in his adopted family here Drake is helping out to raise the charge. He does love some adventure and if this will also secure the traditions of the compact he's doing his duty to his family as well in the process. Drake will help scout whenever the effort is not on water, since he's good at tracking once land is reached. And of course when things do come to blows, which, seems to be the plan, he'll be in the fray.

Alexio will aid not in the direct military but working in terms of logistics, supplies and ensuring the mobilizing forces have the best equipment, transport and ample supplies. He puts his not insubstantial mercantile efforts and those of Southport to rallying behind the force being put together. Alexio does his best to ensure that the forces selected are able to transport what they need to be autonomous and that each location they arrive in is able to efficiently (and securely) resupply them for the duration of their mission.

To kill a duchess is no laughing matter. There are some parties across the Compact and greater span of Arvum that forget just how dangerous a duchy can be, how stronger their martial arm can slam back in retaliation. There may be no house that this is truer for than House Malvici, those who hold the infamous City of Swords.

With Calypso's death at sea, Martino wastes no time organizing Southport into a campaign of war. The people of the city are eager to agree, traditionalists especially, that the slight of their duchess being killed is not one that can be ignored. This isn't a time for diplomacy or soft words, it's a time for justice at the sharp point of a sword. There's overwhelming support for the Duke-Regent, and the act of going fully in on this endeavor makes him wildly popular among his people. This is exactly what they'd expect in response and what they've been waiting for. He's a man that's long been known for having a softer hand, but this solidifies him for them in a way that's tangible and resonates among the militant minded people of the southern city. It's not money or silks or clever words, it's action and momentum. He's not simply some playboy with an affinity for making silver turn up out of thin air.

He's Martino Malvici, the Steel Hawk of Southport. The man that will see a bloody end to the insult his family suffered in the wake of Calypso's death.

Southport's forces sail, their coffers adequately supplied by the good work of Alexio, who sees that the duchy has absolutely everything they need to manage such a long campaign. It's Artorius who takes the lead at sea, commanding a fleet that is both Magnotta's and Malvici's. His doing so showcases another important point, the devastating power that allied houses can cause when they band together. Two forces, dangerous on their own, are now brought together and slammed into the remains of the fleet that had sent Calypso's ship to the bottom of the sea between Southport and Caer Morien.

Nonperdo had to have been expecting this attack, but no one would be able to tell by the way the Malvici takes them by surprise at sea. With Magnotta's fleet sailing in from one direction, and Malvici's from the other, they pin the Abandoned ships between them. Kaia's archers rain down volley after volley of arrows onto their ships, devastating the crews before they even have a chance to react. The battle is a short skirmish, all told, with Drake and Irisa distinguishing themselves by boldly boarding Nonperdo's flagship and executing the captain and first mate when they refuse to surrender.

Eirene is credited with not only seeing to the longevity of the soldiers under her care by ensuring there are enough medics, but by fighting alongside the soldiers. While she may have married into the Crownlands, no one will ever be able to forget where she came from and who she is under whatever name she carries now.

Nonperdo's holdings are not far off, a small city known by the name Asti. Most of their military was tied up in ships that Malvici violently destroyed down to the last piece of saltwater soaked wood. When their ships sail into dock, lighting buildings on fire and engaging with what city guard that remains, the Abandoned living there capitulate quickly. If it is a choice between every last man, woman, and child being cut down or turning over the remaining members of Nonperdo to be executed by the Malvici's, the choice is simple.

What happens with the people of Asti from here on out is the choice of Duke-Regent Martino.

As the embers of battle begin to burn out, Thea and Lucita sail to the site where Calypso's ship was last seen. There have been other searches, but it's another thing to see it for yourself. They find an expanse of peaceful ocean, sun glittering off of gently lapping waves. The two women have collected a good number of the most noteworthy and skilled divers, and can even swim down to take a look for themselves.

It's impossible to tell in the dark depths of the sea which of the wreckage is which. But then Thea has the kind of luck that's akin to finding a needle in a haystack. On one of her dives to the bottom, she spots the familiar glint of gold. She's running out of breath and has to make a desperate snatch before swimming to the surface and getting a good gasp of air again.

In her hand, she holds Calypso's signet ring.

After clearing all of the Thornweave out of Highhill, the task now before the Wyrmguard family and its allies is to restore this vassal house and create a new life for this county which was once a Wyrmguard vassal. Once the land is restored and repopulated, a new county will be created where Richard will become Count. A certain amount of work will need to be done to even make the land livable again, building up infrastructure, tending to the population of these lands, and bringing them into the fold of the House. This will result in new buildings, new population and eventually a new restored house. The construction and restoration efforts will be championed by all submitting to this action.
For Drake's part personally, he is not yet much of an inspiring leader, but he can lead by example, using the labor of his back to help with the building and clean up processes. Stone needs to be moved, horse carts guided, walls lifted, dust and dirt swept, and many other small things that a knight with strong arms and a bit of determination can do. His contribution is a fairly straightforward one, but other family and friends will also be chipping in.

After congratulating her cousins on a job well done reclaiming high hill, what can the marquessa do but offer herself as an example of leadership during a time of rebuilding. Of course, she won't take the lead, but in terms of setting up a plan, making sure that the plan is followed through, and helping Richard and Drake delegate such activities is something she can do in the meantime. The old plans of High Hill, historical records, and old treaties between the land and Blancbier are brought up and poured over to serve as templates for how things can run. She does what she can, serving as an advisor of sorts in the logistics of the restoration, occasionally leading groups of people in various tasks related to setting up the proper infrastructure to serve as an example before letting the brothers do it. Naturally, as their eventual liege, she wil lalso offer whatever resources they will need to help move things along on the way.

One might expect the new Count of a land to focus on administrating the restoration efforts, or perhaps roaming around shaking hands and securing assistance of one stripe or another from other houses in order to forge the beginnings of alliances and positive relationships.

Richard is not that sort of Count, not that sort of man. While he is laboring to study the arts of statecraft, he is as ever hampered by his difficulties in the social side of the grand game, and still has a lack of confidence in his ability to lead as people might expect.

Thusly, Lord Richard (he remains uncomfortable with the Count title until High Hill has at least become a suitable place to live) is taking a light hand on the administration and a heavy hand on the work itself. He lays out a list of logical priorities - restoring water, food, and shelter foremost - and then joins in the work personally, lifting, hammering, cleaning. He hopes that, if he may have difficulties forging a bond with his people through inspiring words, he can at least do so through his actions. He does not intend to balk at the dirtier tasks, and he seeks experts amongst the populace that may be able to provide him with advice.

He is uncertain what to do about the cathedral that once served as the lair of the Heart. Certainly the people need a place of worship, but he does not wish to simply paper over what he has convinced himself is his personal failure to turn the Heart away from self-destruction. Richard leaves it as it is for now, intending to seek the opinions of both his people and the Faith to find a compromise between restoration and memorial in the future.

Though she has much to learn about becoming a leader, she does possess considerable charm, a strong voice and a clear head. With this she goes about the town to speak to the residents, asses their needs and complaints as well as their skills and passions. She makes careful record and secures promises of aid for certain tasks as she is able

Jourdain, much like his cousins, has a great deal to learn about leadership, but the restoration of High Hill is a good time to start. He lends his assistance by beginning from angles with which he is more familiar: observation and teaching. As the others work, new infrastructure -- both physical, economic, and social -- is erected, and Jourdain helps the populace become acquainted and acclimated to all the changes attendant with the forging of a new county. In particular, he spends time scouting the lands of High Hill, and shares knowledge with the hunters, rangers, and farmers regarding the new shape of the land after its ravaging by the Thornweave, and subsequent reconstruction efforts.

Verity has nothing to learn about leadership because she's AMAZING. Wait, does propaganda count as leadership?

Whatever the case, Verity takes care of the public relations side of things. She'll use experience and reputation as a loyal minister and notable deal-maker to spread word amongst the Oathlands that High Hill has been cleansed and is ready to receive both its displaced former residents and new settlers looking to make lives for themselves.

If there are Abandoned on the land (it was unclear if this is so), she will incorporate them into her efforts by talking up the importance of coming together to form a stronger whole during these dangerous times. She'll play up the reliability and trustworthiness of Philippe and Richard, using Philippe's reputation as a dependable leader and Richard's reputation as a physician who cares for commoners -- these are people who can be trusted to stick with a deal and treat others with fairness and dignity.

Lady Tesha Telmar has a deep fondness for Highhill and the late Steelhart family. Her best friend was Lord Seth Steelhart and she was once a trusted ally of the family before they died. When Highhill fell, she was devastated and set out to see if there were any survivors of the hound variety. She loves this place and she will gladly be offering her assistance in setting things back up. She will use what she can to guide the new building. Making sure that the place is fortified against attacks should it happen again.

Count Philippe Blanchard comes to the aid of High Hill as promised. He moves his forces into High Hill to help with clearing the land for roads and bridges. The old man may not be the most sparkling diplomat, but he works to see to it that the shavs of the area understand the benefits of being brought into the fold. He contributes the material efforts of Chevalle to help with civilizing the area. Where men and horses cannot meet the needs of High Hill, Philippe contributes silver. Where silver fails, the old man will work with his bare hands to help Richard bring the area to order. Building his brother-in-arms' dominion is a project that Philippe believes is fundamental to the stability of the west, and so the count puts his full efforts behind its success.

If there's anything true in this uncertain world, it's that when it comes to leadership, Bianca is Best.

Or at least, pretty good, but there's no alliteration that I can find for 'pretty good' at 7:30 in the morning.

And so, with High Hill (relatively) freed of weird planty evil, Bianca comes to assist her cousins with the next, and possibly most important stage of the revival of High Hill -- rebuilding, and repopulating.

Bianca's approach to this will come in two fronts. The first comes in the form of infrastructure and personnel. With her resources as Legate, Bianca will be employing various workers and disciples of the Faith to help with cleaning up the area around High Hill and restoration of its buildings. She holds to whatever Drake and Richard request in terms of reconstruction, but without specific instructions, frames it as an attempt to both restore it, and blend Blancbier architectural stylings into the new buildings -- an effort to show a unified front of the old and the new.

For the second phase, Bianca will be a driving force in public relations alongside Verity; leaving the Shav'arvani to Verity, Bianca frames the reclaimed High Hill as a refuge to those seeking a new place and second chance at life. Bianca emphasizes the potential of High Hill as a sanctuary -- what was once lost, restored, and stronger than ever before -- and in so doing, seeks to frame it and Richard as a fine place and lord for any displaced souls looking for a safe haven -- or even simply those looking for a new home, and a new life.

Calarian will be a man of the people, going out among them (with his guards, of course) to engage them in discourse as to why it would be a good for them to move to Highhill. He will talk primarily talk about new opportunities, making lives of their own in a new place.

They said it wouldn't be easy. Some said it would be impossible. But with grit, determination and thousands upon thousands of labor hours and nearly every favor, debt or promised owed called in, Highhill has been restored. The Palais Guivre has been raised atop the ruins of the Steeltower, the construction of the wood and stone castle softer than the previous holding, indicative of the difference between the Steelhart philosophy and the new rulership of the Wyvernhearts, a cadet branch of the Wyrmguard. Lead by Count Richard Wyvernheart, and his sibilings, Lord Drake and Lady Kiera Wyvernheart, are somewhat unknown, but their pedigree is more than enough to put the new citizenry at ease.

Recruitment has been wildly successful, new opportunities and promises of protection and prosperity enough to bring in large numbers of farmers, millers, lumberjacks, hunters and more. Merchants flock to an open market with guaranteed customers and a feeling of excitement and opportunity floods the area.