After giving one last impassioned speech to Lyra, Argus sat down and waited for her decision.
Ultimately, she would need to agree with his plan before any other steps were taken, or other arguments were thrown out.
If she refused, the plan would be a wash no matter how much support the other leaders piled on top of this plan, since without Lyra, they would not be able to seamlessly win over the people of her home.
Taking a moment, Lyra seriously thought about what she wanted to do.
If she took her place as a duchess, and claimed her parents' former territory as her own, she would immediately put a target on the entire region.
However, she could not deny that Argus had made some good points, and her inaction could cause even more suffering to her people.
'Marcus what do you think I should do.' Lyra asked, confiding in him.
'I believe that you should do it. The rebellion has made great progress, and it is time for it to strike. If we wait too much longer, the momentum that we have built up might diminish. Ultimately though, it is your call. I will back you on whatever you want.'
Having received Marcus' advice, Lyra looked out resolutely at all of the other rebel leaders and said, "Very well. I have taken your words to heart Argus, and after considering our options I am willing to take my place as the leader of the Augustyn Duchy. We can then declare it the domain of the rebellion and openly fight against the crown's tyranny."
After she said this, Lyra sat down and waited for the other leaders to voice their opinions.
This was a major step for the rebellion, and they needed to make sure that it was the right move.
Hours of back-and-forth discussion went by as the different leaders said their piece, in favor or against the idea.
But in the end the majority agreed to the plan, and it was decided that in two weeks the rebellion would make a formal declaration of war against the crown by occupying the Augustyn Duchy.
"Now that our course of action is decided. All of you prepare your troops for departure. We are going to move in mass towards the duchy's capital city Valenhart." Marek said at the end of the meeting.
Things quickly wrapped up and everyone went their separate ways, other than Marcus and Lyra who stayed behind with Marek to discuss the finer details of the plan.
"So how did you want to approach your cousin who is currently in charge?" Marek asked to Lyra.
Immediately she answered and said, "We should try to meet him diplomatically first. We have not seen each other for around four years, but he is not a bad person. I try to keep tabs on my home and from what I hear he is trying his best to keep things stable and follow in my parent's legacy best he can without angering the king and his supporters. I believe that he is only following the king in order to keep himself and his family safe. If we offer him our protection, he may give up his position to me without a fight."
Nodding his head, Marek agreed with Lyra's plan hoping that bloodshed could be kept to a minimum.
"Very well. Once all of our troops have moved to their assigned positions, I will go with you to meet with your cousin. I do very hope he will give up peacefully."
Marek then turned to Marcus and said, "And what will you do? We have not assigned any formal role for you, but your abilities make you flexible and able to fill many positions."
Looking at Lyra, Marcus had already made up his mind and said, "I will be sticking with my friend as a bodyguard. While I certainly support what you are doing here, I would not be putting my life and time on the line if not for her. My only goal is to make sure she survives."
"I see. I suppose for your goal that would be for the best while we make this transition. It is possible that an assassin may be sent first to get rid of Jadzia and throw our plan into turmoil." Marek said, consenting to Marcus' action.
Of course, lyra was a bit conflicted, since she wanted to believe that she could take care of herself. But if things really did take a turn for the worse having Marcus who was a bit stronger than her around would be useful.
Sighing, Lyra agreed to allow Marcus to act as her protector for the time being, since she was about to paint an even larger target on her back.
"Good. Now that we have resolved that. I need to make sure everything is well organized. We need to move out fast in order to get to the duchy's capital before the snows become too heavy." Marek said ending their private meeting.
After that Marcus followed Lyra back to her base where she managed the men and women in her squad.
"Knox, we are moving out in two days. Make sure that everyone in our squad is ready to go. Also, I have a special assignment for you and Magda. The two of you will be acting as my servants while I transition into my new role, and until things have become more stable. Also, I know that you dislike him, but Jed is also going to be accompanying me as added protection." Lyra said to Knox, her top lieutenant.
Nodding his head, he naturally was more than willing to follow his captain's orders, but whenever he glanced at Marcus his displeasure was obvious.
Once she was finished talking to Knox, Lyra, went to her room, and Marcus followed.
As soon as she entered, she jumped onto her bed and the stoic form she had been showing vanished.
The fatigue that had been building up in her and the recent nerves that she had been accumulating were allowed to show.
'Roxene, would you mind?'
'Sure, it is no problem.'
Hopping out of Marcus' companion storage, Roxene went over to Lyra's side and laid down next to her and brushed her fur against Lyra's face.
The two of them had gotten closer over Marcus' time with the rebel army, and now Roxene and Lyra were pretty good friends.
Not long after Roxene moved over to her, Lyra grabbed the young wolf and buried her face into her soft fur.
"I am going to make something to eat. What would the two of you like?" Marcus said to Roxene and Lyra.
Immediately Roxene responded asking for puff cow fillets. While Lyra asked for something a bit more unusual, wanting a rabbit risotto with mushrooms.
"Okay. Just give me a few minutes to go and find some rabbit and will cook that up for the two of you."
Leaving Lyra and Roxene alone, Marcus went in search of a rabbit, and luckily was able to find one that had been hunted not too long ago.
He then brought it back to Lyra's room and began cooking up a special meal for her in order to help her nerves.
"How is it." Marcus asked Lyra as she took her first bite.
"It is perfect. It reminds me of home." Lyra said as she began crying.
Apparently, this was a dish that was often served in her house and was one of her and her mother's favorites.
Lyra quickly devoured all of what Marcus made, and by the time she was finished she looked quite refreshed, and it was obvious that she had calmed down quite a bit.
"Thank you for that Marcus. You have been a better friend than I ever could have hoped for.. I doubt I can ever repay you for all you have done for me."
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