"What are we going to do, my lord?" Robard said, glancing at the severed head in the sack again. "Are we still going to let your cousins roam free in Ard."
"We are going to do a lot," Gerald said. "I was simply fortunate this time, but there is no telling what would have happened had I not found out about this. I have been hesitating about my plans for Edgar and his band. I often wondered if those plans were too ruthless or perhaps even treacherous. But he has given me enough reason to seal his fate."
Gerald glanced at Yanna. "You can return now. Keep an eye on Grina's movements for the next fortnight. As soon as she steps out of her manor, you let me know."
"Yes, my lord," Yanna said, bowing. Then she left the study.
Gerald rubbed his neck which had become slightly sore. "Robard, you will tighten our patrols around Ard. We must prevent Grina from sending a single word to the bandit crews from today on. Don't prevent her from reaching Edgar though."
"By your command, my lord," Robard said.
Gerald nodded. He couldn't help but grit his teeth. If Isaac had never attempted to kill Gasper, what would have happened? Gerald had always had plans for Edgar and his band, but his hesitation would have ruined him. The mercenary would have eventually recruited more men into his ranks. Then what? Would Grina have found a way to open the gates of Ard for Edgar and his band during one of the darker nights? He shuddered just thinking of how foolish he'd believed her to be. He hadn't been the only one waiting for the return of the Red Rain band from the baronies south of the basin. Grina had probably been more impatient than him back then.
It was much clearer to him now, why Edgar would want to take the fortress in the south. Having it would mean having a foothold in the basin. But this would all end now. The basin had to be wiped clean, every part of it.
"Arthur," Gerald said, his voice cold.
"Command me, my lord," Arthur said solemnly.
"Send word from our 'merchant' to the bandit crews," Gerald said. "Tell them that the Viscount is planning to use the Red Rain's help again. Let them know that their turn is coming, and that the Red Rain band will play an important part in wiping them out. Also, let them know that the band is at its weakest now. With only 400 to 500 men alive after the battle, and almost half of them wounded."
Gerald couldn't abandon his honor and attack Edgar's band now. He'd given them the fortress and attacking them right after that would only be understood as him betraying his promise and turning on his friends. But he had other methods, better methods. He had been thinking of using the restless bandits against Edgar since their first meeting. But he had thought it too merciless and had hesitated for the past few days.
Arthur and Robard both instantly understood what Gerald's words meant. Brief shock appeared on their faces but they soon steeled their expressions in calm decisiveness. Arthur nodded. "I will make sure they receive word, my lord."
Gerald nodded for them to leave, and his two aides left.
Uncle Rudolf, who'd been silent for a while, glanced at Gerald's tense hand that was gripping the edge of the table. "You don't seem well."
Gerald shook his head. "I was too careless. I've almost been fooled by my cousin, not by a shrewd lord or a leering Duke but by my slightly crafty cousin."
"It's not as worrying as you might believe," Uncle Rudolf said with a comforting smile. "A man lives to learn, Gerald."
"I know," Gerald sighed, relaxing his grip on the table. "But I can't learn from my mistakes if I'm dead."
"Grina is clever," the old steward said. "But you've cut most of her strings in the basin. She would have had a hard time removing you from your seat. I doubt it would have been as simple as you are imagining. You are just not used to things being out of your hands. But not everything will be known to you, Gerald. In the years to come you will not always be the victor, and you will be fooled many more times. You can't let it unnerve you. You have to accept that you're not the only who can fiddle with the strings."
Gerald nodded in understanding, but he would have a lot to think about later. It took a few moments of silence for him to get his bearings again and speak. "Gasper no longer needs to call for an assembly with the other chiefs. He should wait."
"You don't want them to become suspicious, yes?" Uncle Rudolf said.
"Yes," Gerald nodded. "He will have to wait for them to invite him to an assembly on their own. There and then, he can make sure that things go the way I want them to."
Uncle Rudolf hummed for a moment. "What will you do after the bandits wipe the Red Rain band out and return to their nests?"
"They won't," Gerald said. "They will never see their camps again after eliminating Edgar. They have stayed in the family's lands for long enough."
Uncle Rudolf stared Gerald in the eye. "You're going to ambush them."
"Indeed," Gerald said. "Edgar might be weak right now, but with a fortress and almost 500 men, he can force a few losses upon the rabble of bandits before perishing. I will ambush the crews after the battle."
"Do you have enough men?" Uncle Rudolf asked.
"I don't need many," Gerald said, thinking with his eyes fixed on the floor. He tapped his lips with his finger as he contemplated the coming battle. "Gasper will play an important part in this ambush."
"So you will use his men, after all," Uncle Rudolf muttered.
"Yes. But that won't be enough," Gerald said. "You and Gasper will have to make sure that the two crews from the north return through the east. That way we won't have to face the combined forces of the four crews. We will ambush the two northern crews on their return through the east and the two western crews during their return in the west."
"That shouldn't be too difficult," Uncle Rudolf chuckled. "The two northern crews aren't on the best terms with the two in the west. I believe they'd prefer to pass by Gasper's territory instead of passing through the west."
Gerald forced a smile. "That sounds promising then. It would be best if you two could reach Edgar's living quarters before the others during the battle. I need those letters Grina sent. They should be enough proof, specially if I can get my hands on the letters he has sent her as well."
"I will let Gasper know," the old steward said. "Anything else?"
"Yes. Just one thing," Gerald fixed his eyes on his steward. "Don't let Edgar escape, Uncle Rudolf."
The old man smiled, almost mockingly, then nodded. "I will make sure he perishes with his men."
"Good, good," Gerald smiled too. "After this battle, Grina will have to pay for her schemes. I will not tolerate her anymore. The Viscounty will become clean at last. I only need to take this last step forward."
"I'm certain you'll succeed, Gerald," Uncle Rudolf said confidently. Then he sighed "I need to leave now. But I will send you a letter after the assembly."
Gerald nodded. "I will wait for your letter."
Soon, Gerald was alone in his study. He rubbed his forehead then walked back to his seat and slumped into it. Since he'd returned to the Viscounty, he'd been sleeping less than he was used to, but he'd never felt as tired as today.
He rested his throbbing forehead on the table and let that sweet call of comfort embrace him.