Sirius looked blankly down at the large map that had been placed at the center of a large wooden table. He observed the other three young men. Each of the four of them occupied their own side to the squarish table in front of them. That was what they did in all matters. They balanced each other out. This was, perhaps, why the three of them had been named privy counselors to King James VII, the freshly crowned monarch of Phoenixordo. Besides that was the small matter that they'd formed a strong bond from the days they'd served together as squires to Lord Dumbledore. The King was young, just 21 this past spring. He needed his trusted friends with him, advising him, as he found his royal footing.

Sir Remus Lupin was better with maps and planning than any of the rest of them. He was quite capable of laying out a battle, but he wasn't a commander. He had an extensive knowledge of artillery that none of them could match. He was an asset to the king and Sirius was also glad to call the man a friend.

Sirius was both willing and capable of commanding an army for James. He'd rather be James's loyal guard dog than a King in his own right. He'd had more instances to consider those options than most anyone and he'd made those choices unflinchingly, long ago. He'd given up his titles and lived under the assumed identity of a base born son of Queen Euphemia's dear departed brother. He'd gladly spend his life pretending to be James's cousin, and defending James's crown. He had no regrets about forsaking his treacherous family. That didn't mean he was in a hurry to return to the lands that he'd once called home with an army at his back.

Sirius clinched his back teeth together and willed himself to speak. "If you just give them one really bad winter, they'll come crawling back. Riddle might be successful in his mission to dredge up an army for them, but he can't make their crops grow. That'll be the end of them. It really isn't worth the bother to go in after them at this point." He felt ambivalent at his own words, and also just a little bit disgusted. Was there some sort of… code of conduct for a knight considering taking up arms against his own family? Did it factor in at all that they were a bunch of self-serving snakes? He couldn't even look his King… his friend… his chosen family… in the eye when they were discussing these matters.

"Look Sirius, I know it must not be easy that I'm asking this from you. But you're the only man for the task." James' look was sympathetic, but Sirius saw the resolve in his eyes.

"Thanks for showing us all up." Peter winked as he nudged Sirius with an elbow.

Sirius was always a bit perplexed at Peter's place in their counsel. Or rather, he was confused as to how Sir Peter Pettigrew came to have a lasting place in James's life. But he had, and James would never hear a foul word about someone he considered a friend, so Sirius accepted Peter as a part of things. He still wondered if the man would have made a better Jester than an advisor. He was no great military strategist nor was he anything special with a sword. Sirius had to remind himself that perhaps James had seen something in the little blond haired knight that others missed. Or maybe he thought that they had real need of a jester on the privy council. James was the king and it was for him to decide.

"You know I'm actually the bloody king now? No respect…" James' glare at Peter was obviously exaggerated. He wasn't even trying. Propriety had gone straight out the window 10 years ago when they'd all shared a room, at the start of their service to Lord Dumbledore.

"That's exactly why you keep us around." Remus added, while also gesturing pointedly back to the map he'd painstakingly drawn out for the occasion.

"Well you also make me look better by comparison, but…" James laced his fingers together behind his head, and leaned back into his chair casually. He still had the air of a prince in the early days of manhood. Sirius wished they had been given more time to be just that… but as it were, they had a kingdom to manage.

"Can you lot focus on the task at hand? I'm not keen on casual insults to my character whilst I consider laying siege to my own damned family."

"You'd prefer it if we insult your character with more gumption?" Remus quipped.

"Why did I ever agree to be a part of this counsel?" Sirius groaned before pushing forward to peer over Remus' map.

"Because you love me. And because you love this country and want to be part of it. Come now, let's bring your lands back into the fold."

Sirius inhaled sharply. He knew that everyone present was aware of his origins but he still hated the casual way that James referred to Semprapuria as 'his lands'.

"You see," he laughed darkly, "it's funny because… I quite distinctly remember being disinherited. I do believe that Walburga tells people that her elder son died. I'm just a lowly knight, Your Majesty. And being such, I have no lands."

James smirked at him with practiced humor. "Let's get you some, then. Sir."

"I think it's a waste of resources. Wait them out. Cut of trade, besiege the bastards if you must, but I don't want to waste a single life on this. We reinforce the borders, and if they move a toe out of line then you can have your damned fight." Sirius was losing his cool. It was never going to be easy. Not for him nor for James. 'Easy' just didn't accurately describe their lot in life. But an hour of this made him long for the days they'd spent getting into trouble with the aid of Lord Dumbledore's collection of dessert wines.

"He has a point," Peter shrugged.

"Thank you, Sir Peter" Sirius nodded.

"Sir Remus, what's your stance?" James cocked his head to one side as he inquired, as if he knew the answer but needed to hear it out loud.

"As much as I want to test out my trebuchets, I have to agree with Sir Sirius. We wait for them to make a move, otherwise…"

"You'll manage to work trebuchets into the next plan. Yes, yes. Alright. I suppose that's enough for tonight."

James waved them off and Sirius felt like he could breathe again. He knew the peace was a temporary one, but at least tonight, he could take solace in the fact that he had not immediate plans to put his brother to the sword. That was something. That would have to be enough, for now.