To the victor go the spoils

Ostiarium

Margrave Otho arrived in Ostiarium a few days after the Battle of the Plains, at the head of a large train of slaves and a huge captured herd. Flanked by Sir Zane he kept his features covered under a large black cowl protection his pale features from the Summer sun.

Word of their victory had arrived in the city. The tribes had been crushed, defeated, those that could, ran north into the steeps, putting as much distance between them and the unbreakable men of iron.

Throngs of people filled the streets to cheer the returning heroes, laden with spoils of war. The huge herd of cattle meant that the city would not need to worry about food shortages, for a long time. The coming Winter would be weathered in high spirits and full bellies.

Land grants started to be issued to anyone that wanted a parcel of land to farm for a nominal fee and subject to future taxes and conditions. To get permanent title to the land, which for now belonged to the Crown, the owners had to accomplish specific things, such as continue to reside on it or improve it for at least five years. They could not leave or abandon it for more than six months at a time. Sizes of parcels allocated varied as did its costs. What was clear is that Duke Stoneshade had been planning for this eventually long before victory was achieved.

Most jumped at the opportunity. That was after all why all had braved the journey to Arcadia. A chance at a new life. A new beginning.

Ships were filled with slaves for the trip back to Helias. Others not claimed by the Odonine had be sent to Aquilo's mines, whose operations needed to restart in earnest and now under the control of the Craven Pack.

Six more vessels were expected to arrive by the Fall Festival before the seas closed, bringing more settlers and soldiers.

The Purple Legion continued its campaign of hounding and destroying tribes across the Plains using Bootleggers' Pier as their base, as did some Odonine warbands, whoever most under Koshnem's banner were returning to Fang with their own spoils of war.

Despite all this Margrave Otho was not a happy man. The Silent Flock had suffered immense casualties. The Inquisition had not encountered such numbers of powerful magik weavers in generations back in Helias. Sir Zane warned the Lord Commander of the fact before the two most powerful foreign men in Arcadia met in Stoneshade s' Keep Great Hall...

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