Southern Torrs Tower, Southern Torrs Governor's Mansion, 3 days after the Liberation

After the Liberation, Pattou and his allies along with representatives from the peasants and merchant were still deliberating on how to leave Southern Torrs protected as Pattou and company are set to depart for Eastern Torrs. 

Council Meeting

Pattou: Gentlemen,  we are all aware that this region of Torrs is severely undermanned in terms of defense. It is not enough that this region is farmer and merchant dominated. Not taking away from your squadron of allies, Rikkou. 

Rikkou: None taken cousin, but I do see the point. Our numbers as far as defending the South will take some time to replenish after that Corrvin dealt a huge blow to the Wreckers

As he said this, his fists were once again shaking in rage.

Pattou: Cousin, breathe first. -turns to Liger- Liger, have you sent a request from Governor Cyril to add more numbers to the defense squadron for Southern Torrs. 

Liger: I have sent in a sniper falcon to my younger brother with that request attached to the leg. All hope is for the reply to arrive soon as the distance and given that Corrvin's men can strike at any time may provide a challenge. That and we are not so sure if by bringing some of our Western defenders here will decrease the defensive posted in the West.

Pattou: -places his palm gently to his forehead with worry- Then we need only to wait. But time is not on our side, I know we must march on to commit to the pact we have made with the people. This, given this... I cannot stand by and just leave the Southerners to the mercy of Corrvin. 

Rikkou: Cousin, if you must know. Those soldiers who attacked Riff upon us rescuing him, have turned to our side after I straightened them out. Some peasants have willingly wanted to join our cause seeing the victory against Yansho in the Delta Marshlands.

Pattou: Will that suffice still?

The merchant representative, an ally of Gerard, spoke, 

Merchant Representative: Lord Patriarch, we thank you for allowing Gerard to post members of the Wreckers as defenders in the marketplace. But I feel given that the South has resources that even Emperor Corrvin will not hesitate to pilfer off of, we need more men posted. 

The peasant representative spoke up as well, 

Peasant Representative: Sire, I know some of us are farmers, others have given up farming to become a member of your cousin's brigade or to defend by our own means. Yet, that is still not enough. Sure we can be trained to fight but we peasants were made to remain to till the land.

Pattou is still feeling uncomfortable with the decision, not only is this deliberation heading nowhere. They have yet to even appoint a governor for this region as the diversity of the citizenry would not allow Pattou to appoint one from the merchants or the peasants for fear of possible revolution. Gerard and Rikkou had opted to stay behind until the defensive squad numbers in the South will be adequate, but Pattou refused this decision as he will need his allies with him as they march to liberate the other regions. Sayfuro then suggests,

Sayfuro: Masters, the longer we stay on here talking amongst ourselves, Corrvin may have already snuffed out the resistance movements in the North and the East -turns to the merchant and peasant representatives- Do you happen to have a village chief or someone who serves a similar role?

The representatives stood and said

Representatives: We know who to get for you. Please wait for us. 

They then left the mansion. The sniper falcon had returned with a missive for Pattou. Liger read out what his younger brother had written, 

Liger: So according to my younger brother, this is surprising actually. We have been getting new recruits in the West. They can spare some volunteers to guard the South but...there will be concerns as far as ensuring they make it in one piece. And it will be a small combination of snipers and knights 

Rikkou: If it will be possible, I can spare a contingent of four wreckers to meet with these volunteers to ensure their safe arrival.

Pattou felt a weight fall off his shoulders with regard to the defenders. It is only the governor that he must appoint, which will be the only concern before they decide to march onward. The two representatives returned with a third man with them. Rikkou recognized him as he was one of his compatriots in the Wreckers, going by the name of Braun. Braun spoke, 

Braun: Gentlemen, you all seem to need my services? 

Rikkou: Are you sure you know what you are getting yourself into? This will be more than what we're used to from the trainings, farming and.... 

Braun: In our duties, I have come across both sectors, peasant and merchant. With these two representatives as deputies, we will do just fine. Now go accompany your cousin and aid in the effort to liberate all Torrs with Lord Patriarch!

Pattou: Then that shall serve as the resounding endorsement. Braun, you are by orders of the Blade Empire, appointed as Governor of Southern Torrs. And the two representatives will serve as your deputies in running this region. 

Braun accepts the appointment as well as the two representatives who found him.

Pattou: Gentlemen, the time has come upon us. We shall make last minute preparations before our journey to the east. 

Liger, Sayfuro, Rikkou, Gerard, Riff: Yes Milord!

After the council meeting is over, Sayfuro confronts Pattou, 

Sayfuro: Lord Patriarch, I am proud that you have now taken a new approach to your leadership. You are becoming more and more like your father in terms of decision-making. 

Pattou: Look, I know what you are doing. At this point, I can recall so little from those days as I was still a wee lad. But thank you for appreciating the urgency in those decisions. Now we can comfortably find those other allies we so desperately need coming from the North and the East.

Southeastern Pathway Arch, Southern Torrs side, Morning, Next Day.

The Blade Army, this time only consisting of Pattou, Sayfuro, Liger, Rikkou, Gerard and Riff, have gathered by the exit. Gerard bringing along a cart filled with provisions for their journey. Pattou would bid farewell to the Southerners, promising that they shall return and once more, entrusted the Southern Torrs region to Governor Braun. This time in the presence of the Southerners. Governor Braun will ensure that the South will run normally and can sustain itself, militarily and materially. Luckily the Western reinforcements were able to arrive in one piece to the South.

Pattou, upon turning away from Southern Torrs would tell his allies, 

Pattou: No turning back.

Little did they know, there was a surprise awaiting for them....

And that was Chapter 17. 

Hold on to your seats, Chapter 18 will see in the entry of the roses. What do I mean by this? Stay tuned!

Keep safe and stay awesome!