"I guess I don't understand how these tunnels, passages, caverns, - whatever you want to call them, can be so difficult to navigate." Burt was looking across the table at Finn, Noah, and Rachel.

"Well sir, if I may, after gathering information from citizens, apparently the passages were around before the castle was even around. It was an underground system where people actually lived and did business, mostly in illegal ventures such as the human trade. Apparently when the castle was built they just extended some of the passages up to it in order to allow for passage in and out of the palace without having to go through the town. When Elias came to power, he had the people who lived in the passages executed so there was only a small amount of people who knew the passages well enough to navigate them. It is believed he is the one who added all the booby traps and even some dead ends to trap those who entered with the intent of sneaking into the castle." Rachel explained, Finn nodding behind her.

"We'll as much as I find the history fascinating, it doesn't help our present situation. I need solutions people. Now. I'm done playing the waiting game." Burt exclaimed.

Noah stepped forward, " It was suggested that we try flooding them. Divert the water flow from the south river into the passage entrance near it and force them out. It could also expose other entrances."

Burt shook his head. "No. As much as we need to deal with Anderson, we can't risk drowning the innocents he took with him, namely the princesses. We don't know if the ground in there is all level or drops and rises to create pools."

"We'll what about sniffing dogs like they use up north for hunting? We could have them track anyone down there." Finn offered.

"We'll have to have them sent in. For some reason there aren't many dogs in this region and apparently none that are trained for such a task." Rachel countered. "The same people who gave me information about the passages told me a number of tales about Elias Anderson. Apparently he was nipped by a dog when he was young and has had a standing order to have any dog around killed. A little over the top if you ask me."

Burt folded his arms over his chest, "I think we're stuck with hoping Kurt and Blaine can get something out of those two in the dungeon. I will talk to them and see if Blaine is alright with confronting them as soon as possible."

The trio before him nodded and Rachel added, "We will keep brainstorming in the meantime in case that idea doesn't pan out. I'm sure we can come up with more options."

Burt nodded, "And when I get back I also need a full report on the current positions of all Anderson friendly armies. They should have attacked a week ago based on our original projections but we haven't had so much as a sniff of them."

Again he was met with a series of nods and Burt began the slow walk to Blaine and Kurt's new room, taking care on the stairs as he didn't want to overexert himself and bring on another heart attack. Carole had already threatened to completely revamp his diet into rabbit food if he showed even the slightest indication he was at risk for another attack and Kurt had threatened him with an exercise regiment.

Overall his prognosis had been excellent and aside from Carole and Kurt nagging him constantly about his eating habits and not stressing himself, he was probably feeling the best he ever had. His brush with death had made him more convinced than ever that it was time to settle down and enjoy his life with Carole before he got too old to do so. He wanted his children to feel that they could settle down and relax themselves so perhaps in a few years time he could enjoy grandchildren. He wanted Elias Anderson dealt with so he could move on from this life and enjoy the time he had with the ones he loved.

However that now meant leaving behind Kurt. He had to keep reminding himself that parental love was the one type of love that led to separation. He wanted Kurt's happiness and had seen the love between the two boys, but there was a big part of him that was still having a hard time with the idea of not having his boy around. If there had been one constant in his life over the past twenty odd years, it had been Kurt.

The end of this campaign also meant the disassembling of the army. Some of the troops had already agreed to stay on in Westerville at the behest of the nobility. Others were planning to move to the country or return to places they had close to their hearts. A small contingent insisted yet on staying together as a smaller force to continue to help where they could - those were the ones who lived for the thrill of battle and nomadic life. He admitted to feeling pride in that small group, knowing that his life's work would continue through them.

The nobility was still heated about allowing Blaine to take over the throne, even after being attacked by his father. He had a meeting with their loudest member, one Sue Sylvester later in the day.

Arriving at the door, Burt hesitated before knocking. It seems strange to think of this room as being shared with Blaine, the son of his enemy, and Kurt, his own dear son. It was the first time Kurt had shown any interest in anyone, and for it to be Blaine had originally been hard to stomach.

"Come in." Blaine's voice came from inside.

Burt entered and saw the bed was now position across the door. Burt had been staying in here prior to Kurt's request to move Blaine's room here - both as a preparation for his rise to power and to accommodate the both of them comfortably. It seemed a lot more cozy than before and, not surprisingly, the mounted heads had disappeared.

Blaine had a finger to his lips. He was sitting up in the bed with a book beside him. He nodded over beside him where Kurt was laying, still fully dressed on top of the sheets. His boy was sleeping, and peacefully at that. Burt couldn't remember the last time Kurt had napped during the day.

"I was reading to him and he fell asleep." Blaine whispered, holding up a book entitled 100 Things to Know About Westerville Wildlife. Burt mentally acknowledged that it was no surprise Kurt had fallen asleep listening to that.

Burt smiled warmly and quietly asked, "Are you alright to have a conversation privately Blaine or should I wait until he's awake to help you up?"

In response Blaine stiffly edged himself off the bed and stood up. He walked to Burt with rigid movements, and Burt could see he was pushing himself. Burt knew not to call Blaine on the fact that he was obviously still not ready to be moving that much as he had argued with enough troops over the years in similar situations who needed to prove themselves.

They walked out of the room and closed the door to allow Kurt to continue sleeping. Burt noted that as Blaine closed the door, he paused to look at Kurt on the bed and a broad smile covered his face. Whatever doubts he had about Blaine, he knew he loved Kurt, especially in that moment.

"What can I help you with Burt?" Blaine asked, turning towards him.

"I need to know if you can talk to those guys who roughed you up. Try to get some information out of them. We're at a standstill with the passages and we need something, anything, to go on." Burt admitted, trying to gauge Blaine's response.

Blaine pursed his lips and nodded, "I can do it... But I don't want Kurt there so I should do it now, while he's sleeping."

Burt tipped his head to the side asking, "Why not? They're in cells and there's lot of guards. They couldn't get him."

"It's not that." Blaine began, "Kurt said these guys might have been listening into our conversations and waiting until I was left alone before attacking. They'll know about our relationship and might try to say or do things to use that against us. Also... I know these guys, from before. I'm not surprised my dad sent them after me, since they were bent on making my life a living hell when my father was in charge. What I might end up saying to them... Well quite frankly I don't want Kurt around when I express myself. He might try to calm or restrain me and I need to get it out of my system if it comes to that."

Burt found that he was nodding. It made sense. "I'd still like someone else with rank there of course." He needed someone to validate anything that was said.

"Of course. I will go and get myself dressed in something a little more official and you can send someone of your choosing up to get me when you have someone selected." Blaine put a hand back on his door, looking to Burt for acknowledgement.

Burt agreed with another nod of his head and left Blaine then, going back to the main hall. He grasped Noah by the arm as he they passed in the hall and directed him to go with Blaine to interrogate the prisoners. Noah didn't ask a lot of questions and was much better at listening then Finn who might try to ask his own questions out of confusion.

"Sir. A Miss Sue Sylvester is waiting for you in the meeting chamber." Rachel announced, stepping in front of him.

Burt grumbled something inappropriate under his breath and turned to go to the meeting room where he found the tall, lanky woman pacing back and forth in the room. Sue Sylvester had hidden that she was a woman during Elias Anderson's reign. She had cropped her hair and hidden her body under padded tunics in order to maintain a voice among the men in this realm. As soon as Elias had left, she revealed to everyone that she was a woman and quickly overpowered the other nobles to become their unofficial representative. It wasn't hard, because even under Elias' reign, she was the only noble who managed to maintain her estate and have the respect of the majority of citizens.

"Ah. Marshal Hummel. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." She stopped pacing when she saw him and stood tall.

Burt sat himself down in a chair and looked to her. She took a moment but eventually she sat down too. After so many meetings, Burt knew that she was more agreeable sitting down than standing up. Kurt had mentioned once that a person was more vulnerable when they were sitting, more exposed, and that certainly applied to Sue.

"What's this about? You should be having your meetings with Blaine since he'll be the one you'll have to negotiate with once I'm gone." Burt said, having started many meetings off with the same statement.

"So you keep telling me and yet I keep meeting with you to tell you that's simply not possible. However I do have a proposition for you."

"We'll let's hear it then." Burt swung his arms out to each side, preparing to hear another offer to pay for the army to stay.

"Well it has become more than obvious that your son has become rather enamoured with the little Anderson prince and vice versa."

"Yes. And?" Burt wasn't sure he liked where she was going.

"I'm proposing a marriage alliance. Blaine gains nobility support by showing his commitment to what you've accomplished here, we end up having a high ranking member of your army left in power here with him, because you don't represent any specific nation, rather an ideal, there is nothing for any other specific nation to gain from this marriage alliance, and it would put a definite end to Elias' policies of intolerance to have our head of state enter into a marriage with another man."

Burt balked. Sue had thought this through all right. He was ready to say no to her then and there but it was definitely not his choice to make and what she was saying all made sense if he was being completely rational. But Kurt and Blaine had barely known one another. Then again, arranged marriages were common no matter where you went and they knew each other a lot better than most spouses did before their wedding day. Arranged marriages were especially typical and expected with royalty, and spouses usually didn't meet until their wedding day.

"I understand and respect your idea. I will let them know because its not going to be my call to make." Burt finally said after letting his mind flip-flop back on the idea.

Sue grinned, recognizing that she had made significant headway. "And just think. Your family would be taking their place in the world again. Things will have come full circle. Plus, I understand that it is not expected that you would get a grandchild out of the mix, but I would be willing to offer you some of my personal wine stocks in congratulations."

"Thank you ma'am. Ultimately though it will be up to them and I will support whatever they choose." Burt said, wanting to get this conversation over with.

Sue nodded, "Of course, and so long as they make the right choice, we will have their backs."