A mix of emotion runs through Palomides as he prepares for battle.
Already he still is wanting most to return home.
He had only a single day of joy before this with his own house. The new child who had been raised as he traveled with him back from Rome. now introduced to the family he barely recognized.
He had been honoring his dear departed Lady Rei when the needs of the Nation had once again drawn him away.

Much Faith was needed by those who tried to lead nations......
A mix of emotion runs through Palomides as he prepares for battle.

Faith in the bond of the Armenian knights....
Concern for the silence of Akritia after he replied with a call for help in reply to the mistrust showed......
Confidence that the Byzantine knights would defend the peasants as he requested....
Disbelief that any of these peasants would fear a doomed witch more than Heavenly justice....
Certainty that some would....and cause brother to fight brother because of the tasks placed on each commander.
That was the saddest thought of all ......though Palomides knew it was the most honorable solution.

A mix of emotion runs through Palomides as he prepares for battle.
The bandits were now dead...but the witch could not be allowed to survive!
At any cost.
Her worms of betrayal could not be allowed past the armies. If it became an issue between entire Nations, then her poison may not end but would grow.

A mix of emotion runs through Palomides as he prepares for battle.
With a shudder Palomides looked up in time to watch the messengers gallop out of the camp.
Seeing a rising sun beyond them in the East he found a sudden clear calm one that allowed him to focus and steel himself for whatever was about to come.
He walked out of his tent to go provide confidence and assurance within the hearts of the Princes and nakharars of Armenia.

............The following Orders went to the Armenian Armies.
Leave the villages......search into the hills! Until just before midnight if needed!

What the Nakharar and Princes and Princess of the nation would think of them was by no means certain.
Even the widowed Queen had not spoken, so her mind was unknown since the death of Ser Vukodav, a near brother to Palomides.

What the Other knights who gave attention to this part of the world would see from all this was also unknown.

It is no mistake that the word Leadership began with the metal word of Lead. A hard and heavy heart was on any who took to leading a nation. Strange that lead was also the softest of metals but could be poison if heald inside too long.

Palomides wondered who would speak their mind to him first.
He walked the camp without a single doubt shown on his face though. This was the right choice, he was certain.
As he walked he sought out the Doom Guard Army command tent and the fellow Sparapet, Athanasius who guided them.
The Dawn Riders he saw around him, had awakened as the horses hooves had been their waited call.
Sorabija was watched for his friendly strength would be welcome too.
Perhaps it was just a sign of the trust in him that they were all just welcoming and quiet until now.

Witches and traitors......daughters of Beelzebub and poisonous snakes.....could not be allowed to corrupt the Nation of Noah with their darkness and butchery. At any Price!