Southern Torrs Tower, Southern Torrs Governor's Mansion, Noon.

The people for the first time have gathered at the Governor's mansion. Word has already reached of the ambush by Dino Corrvin the other day. Unlike the liberation in the West, the South had a more somber and sullen mood cutting away the jubilation. The crowd then gave way for Pattou and his allies to enter the mansion and stop by the Mansion doors. Mood notwithstanding, Pattou had resolved that the people still have the right to know the state of affairs.

Pattou: Greetings to you all. I am Lord Patriarch Blade, head of the Blade empire and clan. You may know me, as well as my allies Sayfuro and Liger as the great liberators of Western Torrs. And you are all gathered here as I declare that along with my two allies and three new ones from among the Southerners, Rikkou Slingblade, Champion and head of the Rikkou's Wreckers, Gerard Cooke, whitesmith and heir to the Cooke wealth and merchant group, and Riff Chousokabe, the wandering bard with a heart of gold. 

The allies he called upon stepped forward to be acknowledged by the crowd. Some Wrecker members were also in attendance, as well as merchants associated with the Cookes, who both cheered for their representatives. Riff could also see some maidens in the crowd eyeing him out.

Pattou the continued on, 

Pattou: With the help of these individuals, as well as the provisions from the merchants, the volunteers from members of the Wreckers and from the peasantry, we were able to deal a heavy blow to Baron Corrvin by ridding you of Governor Yansho. With this, I declare Southern Torrs is now under the Blade empire! 

The people cheered. Pattou had let the people rejoice to this news first before delivering the next segment.

Pattou: Today should be a day of rejoicing that we have liberated you all here from Corrvin's regime. However, I must be the one to report this news. The Southern Farmlands were tampered upon as an ambush was launched by Dino Corrvin. We were unable to reach the contingent defending the Wrecker camp for long. 

The people suddenly gasped. His allies were shocked that he had indeed proceeded to mention this, Rikkou and Sayfuro being the most shocked among them.

Pattou: Other rulers would rather hide away from this reality. Others would rather cower out and stop here and call it a stalemate. 

Pattou hesitates a bit in front of the crowd but after thinking it over and pondering on all their efforts thus far, he continues on, 

Pattou: I no longer want blood being unnecessarily spilled but sadly, we have reached this point. I have always thought that we can achieve this bloodlessly. But given our foes' penchant for ambushes, raids, looting, it has finally given me resolve. Not just myself, but my allies behind me as well have bones to pick with them as well. Here we say, We welcome the challenge! As I have said before we head to war, some of you may live on, others may have their last fight. But do know that as long as we stand above and along each other, nothing is impossible. We have already taken down two despotic Governors, what is stopping us from doing this two more times and to the Emperor himself? 

Pattou finally gaining some confidence, changing his cadence. 

Pattou: We shall ensure that we will all recover. We shall inform you all of the next Governor of Southern Torrs. And with that out of the way, you stand with me, we shall all stand together towards a better future where justice, peace and prosperity shall be the norm. Long Live the Blade! 

Southern Torrs Citizens: Long Live the Blade!

Just as what had happened in the West, the Raven flag of Corrvin has been lowered and what rose in its place is the flag of the Blade Empire. Unbeknownst to Pattou and company, someone else had been watching the declaration and had sped off.....

Torrs Castle, Noon.

Drake Corrvin had returned from the ongoing declaration in Southern Torrs. Baron would ask his younger brother, 

Baron: Any news on Blade? 

Drake: Brother, Patriarch Blade has chosen to persist in his resistance against us. 

Baron: -sigh- I knew Yansho's nobility clinging foolishness would give us free reign to purge away at the south and take what we can. Guess it went both ways that he is as incapable as Dongzuo. -stands- We only have this castle, as well as North and East Torrs left under our control. Those fools have already taken the West and the South. We need to raise the stakes. Inform Northern Governor Shann Meekmahon and Eastern Governor Don Patricius that they need to provide our 'guests' with the welcome they deserve.

Dino Corrvin then enters the throne room, 

Dino: Brother, come on. We can do better than that. Remember, there is an oncoming coup with the religious tribe of Tamaran. Having those fanatics on our side will solidify our claim to the throne. Think of it as having some 'Mandate of the Gods' ... 

Baron: Suggested by the one person who already had the enemies in front of them BUT did not kill the bastard Blade emperor. 

Dino: Really now? Where would be the fun in that? Did you not say you yourself want this interloper dead by all means?

Baron then after taking a sip of wine was about to suggest something but in came Vin Meekmahon, Baron Corrvin's strategist and chief High Wizard. 

Vin: Gentlemen, if I may suggest something as your strategist. 

Baron, Vin and Drake : -nods in unison- We're listening. 

Vin: We see that in each region they liberate, there will be these allies who come in and join Blade. What if we ensure he never arrives to the next two regions. We can arm my son Shann and the Eastern Governor with ambush officers from the ranks? Once word of Blade's fall before reaching a region reaches the land, we can retake the South and West. Other than that, we can double up our efforts to extinguish the rebels in our controlled areas. It will also be of help that Tamaran be conquered as well, but those religious fools will not let us in.

Baron: Vin, that is nothing to worry about. I feel we will have ourselves a Tamaran sympathizer. Someone who is power hungry and a potential ally will come the way of Don Patricius. -looks to Drake- Drake, head to Eastern Torrs and let us welcome our link to the Tamaran Tribe. -looks to Dino- Dino, bring Tierria Rizing and some forces to ensure our good friends do not make it to the East alive.

Dino and Drake both respond with an affirmative nod. Baron then walks across the throne room, 

Baron: We shall see if they can still continue their futile struggle in one piece or in tatters.

That was Chapter 16. Chapters 17 and 18 will be out by this coming Saturday.

Also for Chapter 18, all this author can say, enter the roses! 

Until then, Keep safe and stay awesome!