Castle Frest

The first stronghold past the Henderlif bridge. Sedekamp explicitly steered Lorist's convoy to the lower ford instead so the column wouldn't have to deal with Lukins's people on the way in.

Castle Frest is the seat of the Grand Duke of the Northern Lands, Lukins, standing just past the Henderlif hanging bridge (Hendlifoso) in the upper reaches of the Mitoburo. It is the first stronghold on the way into the Northern Lands from the upper crossing; at the bridge Lukins keeps strict tolls. Together with the guard post on the bridge itself, the castle forms the upper defensive line of the Northern Lands.

It is precisely because of Castle Frest that Sedekamp deliberately leads Lorist's convoy to Baron Shulas's lower ford: at the entry from the Henderlif bridge stand Lukins's men, who forcibly buy coveted goods at half price (ch 82). Originally the upper line — the Henderlif bridge and Castle Frest — was held by four battalions of the Northern Corps, over ten thousand soldiers.

During the 'Southern Disaster' Lukins draws off two battalions (five thousand) from here for his personal march on Rockcastle. The remaining five thousand Lorist pins with Rodd's two regiments of armoured lancers; Golden Knight Odema, beaten in a sortie, abandons the bridge post and pulls all survivors into Castle Frest, shutting himself up (ch 163–164). After Henned lures over a further three thousand men, fewer than a thousand of the garrison remain, and the Second Prince takes both strongholds with ease.