The meeting lasted until sunset, and it wasn't until the lights were lit that the arrangements for taking over, managing, and renovating the Phan Stone Fortress were finally roughly settled. Among all the arrangements, the most important was deciding who should guard this crucial northern gateway next.
Gawain did not choose Sir Philip or Byron Kirk, the two "veterans."
The loyalty and competence of these two knights were, of course, beyond doubt. However, they were not suitable for guarding the Phan Stone Fortress. The First Combat Corps they led was the main force of the Cecil Clan, responsible for maintaining the security of the entire southern borders and defending against the Dark Mountain Range, especially the latter, which Gawain dared not relax.
