Both sides had leverage, and both needed some time to lick their wounds, so the negotiation table became the new battleground, and the exchange of personnel was put on the agenda.
Regarding the prisoner exchange, the Kingsfort side was very cooperative, and Jansen Cornelius readily agreed to the list proposed by Maplestone City.
To show sincerity, he sent a ship in advance to bring Colonel Bod's widow and daughter back from Guidao City, escorting them with courtesy to the Newly Reclaimed Land.
In response, the senior officers of the New Army—especially Gessa and Winters—felt a sense of relief, as if a burden had been lifted from their hearts.
Although Gessa typically jabbed at Jansen Cornelius' backbone, angrily calling him "a beast who uses widows and orphans to curry favor," he was still genuinely happy that Colonel Bod's wife and daughter could safely return to Paratu.
