feyeleanor, no disrespect to Cathal and his peace offer. Unfortunately many old guys in Orit did see the loss of Alowca duchy regions as a sort of embarrassment to them. After all, they all presided over the demise of Alowca realm in the past. If Alowca realm come to life, surely they cant sleep well 
I was worried at one point that Oritolon would accept - especially once I put permanent title to Alowca on the table. Thankfully "thrice-cursed" Spearhead and the other old-timers would never make peace with an Alowcan, as Cleatus made very clear once war was declared. Ash really does have some treacherous realm mates
And whilst Cathal would willingly embrace an alliance with Oritolon - his earliest prophecies were a call to rescue Oritolon's people from Valast's dominion - this was but a test for the all-encompassing war he's long anticipated.
