In the Name of the King (Medieval, IC)

[United Socialist Republics of Lupina]

OOC





In the Name of the King

Summer, 298 AF

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

Courage, Fidelity, Victory

King Draakon II
The Royal Gardens

The King walked through the garden, looking over the various plants and hedges that grew in the gardens, he patted at his brow as he perspired from the heat. Nearby him followed Edd, the gardener, and further back followed a half dozen guards headed by a pair of knights. The King enjoyed looking over the garden, seeing things grow in the peace behind the walls of the Wolf's Den. He planned on visiting the kennel later to see how the young dogs were shaping up, he pondered making gifts of them to some choice vassals, assuming of course the dog might match the master's personality. The King chuckled at the thought.

"Your Highness?" Edd asked, perplexed at the King's joy in such weather.

"Oh nothing Edd, just a jest I thought of."

He ran his hand over a few leafs, smelt the lovely scent of a few flowers as he passed by, he knew where every plant was and when it had been planted. He prided himself upon the well maintained garden, he suspected it was the best kept in all the Kingdom. There was nothing out of place. That was, until he spotted what looked like a dying bush not far ahead of him.

"What is that?" he pointed.

"Eh? Oh that, Your Highness, is nothin' to worry 'bout."

"No, it looks like it is dead." he walked up to the specimen, bending over to inspect the darkened, drooping leaves. "I will not have such a thing ruin the garden. Dig it out."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"No, it will be down now, fetch me a spade Edd. I'll dig it out myself."

"Your Highness?" the aged man asked in both shock and confusion.

"Fetch me a spade, for the love of the Mother." he made a sign of the Mother for his profanity of her holy name. Indeed, a spade was fetched and to the further astonishment of the gardener, the King began to dig at the ground beneath the bush. It brought Draakon back memories of when he was a younger man, a young Prince, who loved to dig ditches and trim hedges. As he continued to dig, he suddenly realized how winded he became from his labours and handed the spade over to Edd, pointing at where to continue digging. He was indeed not the young man he remembered.

He was approached by one of the household servants, receiving the bow which he deserved, and was informed about the council meeting taking place. He merely nodded and motioned for the man to leave. He was preoccupied with the roots of the dead bush. They seemed to have grown deep and were not letting go of the earth. The gardener hacked at one of the big tendrils that burrowed into the earth. The King was informed again about the council meeting, and again sent the man away, taking up the spade again to hack at the roots himself. When he was approached and informed again, he turned a red face at the fellow.

"Send the Queen to sit in my place, can't you see I'm busy tending my garden?!" he returned his attention back to the roots, hacking away at them some more. Can't the council go one day without pestering me over their troubles? He continued hacking at the roots until another of the large tendrils was broken, the bush slowly being pulled out bit by bit, he had to remove it, it was a blight on his lovely garden and he had to be the one to remove it since no one else seemed to take much notice in such things.

---

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

Honor and Victory

Count Erron
Chambers of the Royal Council

Erron sat opposite his father in the familiar chambers that the council table was situated, the pair were alone as they waited for the rest to join them. It was cooler inside than it was outside, but the sweltering summer heat was still a nuisance. His father wore some fine livery and jewels, but not nearly as fine as those he wore; a few of the rings had been presented to him by the King, and Erron enjoyed the finest of things. Indeed, the wine that sat in a perspiring silver cup in front of him was of a fine vintage from across
the Warm Channel.

"You ever wonder why they try and charge us more, despite being councils to the King?" he asked his aged family patriarch.

"I always thought it was so they could spend it on sellswords for when the King tries his hand at war again." Geobald cackled.

Erron grinned, "Aye, and no doubt that merchant thought he could get away with it too. He's in a cell for his fraud as we speak."

"Good, I'll see he gets what's coming to him." the King's Justice grinned back at his son.

"So, I've heard you've begun pressing royal authority in the Moonshae Isles-" Geobald stopped grinning, "I hear they are being...difficult."

"Aye, they think themselves separate from the crown due to some oath made back when Erron the Conqueror was stomping about." Geobald huffed, "A royal decree will silence them, if they know what's good for them."

Erron hummed in conferment, "Indeed, best to have men who you can do business with, over a stone headed fool." His father nodded.

"Speaking of a stone headed fool, I wonder how much Calvely will moan about the state of the royal purse?" he asked sarcastically.

Erron snorted, he knew the state of the Royal treasury was very deep in debt, particularly to the Faith, bankers across the Warm Channel, and even the Calvely's. He sipped at his wine, chuckling at a stray thought.

"How interesting, a dragonite that is tight with another man's coin and not with his own." he received a laugh from his father. "I'm sure the crown can drink up their small fortune like a cup of wine." he motioned with his cup, receiving another laugh.

---

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

Courage, Fidelity, Victory

Prince Draakon
Royal Library

Due to the heat of the day, Prince Draakon's guardian had decided to the Prince should spend his day reading out of the heat, and he had been happy to do so. He sat at the table, with a large tome open in front of him. He had loved reading Grand Maester Horras' On the Fall of the Dragon and the Conquests of King Erron, but it was Grand Master Theo's The Origins of The Time of Troubles that had become his current fascination.

His great-grandfather, King Tiberius III had been a boy of seven when he inherited his father's crown, he'd grown into a peaceful king, living in the light of the Mother. His rule had been rife with rebellion and had only known a few years of peace, until the eventual rebellion that cost him his crown to the Usurper line. Their line ruled until Craakon's grandfather, whom he'd been named after, had rebelled against Erron IV, slaying both the Usurper King and his son on the battlefield, restoring their rightful place on the Dragon's Throne.

He had also begun reading Grand Master Loren's On the Wars across the Warm Channel, a recent work which focused largely upon the wars of conquest Draakon I had begun across the Warm Channel, partly to reclaim the ancestral lands of Marsh. Such lands had not been held for nearly two hundred years, only held a few times since and only then for a year or two. His father had sent expeditions across the Channel time and again,each one a failure, as were many of his other attempts to delve into the political and mercantile affairs in that foreign land.

He wanted to lead an expedition of his own to try and expand the realm and take the Marsh like his grandfather had, but his father had forbade it. The King had enacted his taxes and lead his armies every time to disaster, he hoped for the day he became King and made his namesake proud by doing what he had never been completely able to succeed, and what his father had failed to keep. He continued reading about the problems of the reign of his great-grandfather, which seemed to largely be his lack of rule. Indeed, his grandfather's rule was very strong by comparison. He pondered what would his father's reign would've been like if he had been born a warrior?

[Albertae]

OOC


(Image)


In the Name of the King

Summer, 298 AF

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

(Image)
Courage, Fidelity, Victory

King Draakon II
The Royal Gardens

The King walked through the garden, looking over the various plants and hedges that grew in the gardens, he patted at his brow as he perspired from the heat. Nearby him followed Edd, the gardener, and further back followed a half dozen guards headed by a pair of knights. The King enjoyed looking over the garden, seeing things grow in the peace behind the walls of the Wolf's Den. He planned on visiting the kennel later to see how the young dogs were shaping up, he pondered making gifts of them to some choice vassals, assuming of course the dog might match the master's personality. The King chuckled at the thought.

"Your Highness?" Edd asked, perplexed at the King's joy in such weather.

"Oh nothing Edd, just a jest I thought of."

He ran his hand over a few leafs, smelt the lovely scent of a few flowers as he passed by, he knew where every plant was and when it had been planted. He prided himself upon the well maintained garden, he suspected it was the best kept in all the Kingdom. There was nothing out of place. That was, until he spotted what looked like a dying bush not far ahead of him.

"What is that?" he pointed.

"Eh? Oh that, Your Highness, is nothin' to worry 'bout."

"No, it looks like it is dead." he walked up to the specimen, bending over to inspect the darkened, drooping leaves. "I will not have such a thing ruin the garden. Dig it out."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"No, it will be down now, fetch me a spade Edd. I'll dig it out myself."

"Your Highness?" the aged man asked in both shock and confusion.

"Fetch me a spade, for the love of the Mother." he made a sign of the Mother for his profanity of her holy name. Indeed, a spade was fetched and to the further astonishment of the gardener, the King began to dig at the ground beneath the bush. It brought Draakon back memories of when he was a younger man, a young Prince, who loved to dig ditches and trim hedges. As he continued to dig, he suddenly realized how winded he became from his labours and handed the spade over to Edd, pointing at where to continue digging. He was indeed not the young man he remembered.

He was approached by one of the household servants, receiving the bow which he deserved, and was informed about the council meeting taking place. He merely nodded and motioned for the man to leave. He was preoccupied with the roots of the dead bush. They seemed to have grown deep and were not letting go of the earth. The gardener hacked at one of the big tendrils that burrowed into the earth. The King was informed again about the council meeting, and again sent the man away, taking up the spade again to hack at the roots himself. When he was approached and informed again, he turned a red face at the fellow.

"Send the Queen to sit in my place, can't you see I'm busy tending my garden?!" he returned his attention back to the roots, hacking away at them some more. Can't the council go one day without pestering me over their troubles? He continued hacking at the roots until another of the large tendrils was broken, the bush slowly being pulled out bit by bit, he had to remove it, it was a blight on his lovely garden and he had to be the one to remove it since no one else seemed to take much notice in such things.

---

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

(Image)
Honor and Victory

Count Erron
Chambers of the Royal Council

Erron sat opposite his father in the familiar chambers that the council table was situated, the pair were alone as they waited for the rest to join them. It was cooler inside than it was outside, but the sweltering summer heat was still a nuisance. His father wore some fine livery and jewels, but not nearly as fine as those he wore; a few of the rings had been presented to him by the King, and Erron enjoyed the finest of things. Indeed, the wine that sat in a perspiring silver cup in front of him was of a fine vintage from across
the Warm Channel.

"You ever wonder why they try and charge us more, despite being councils to the King?" he asked his aged family patriarch.

"I always thought it was so they could spend it on sellswords for when the King tries his hand at war again." Geobald cackled.

Erron grinned, "Aye, and no doubt that merchant thought he could get away with it too. He's in a cell for his fraud as we speak."

"Good, I'll see he gets what's coming to him." the King's Justice grinned back at his son.

"So, I've heard you've begun pressing royal authority in the Moonshae Isles-" Geobald stopped grinning, "I hear they are being...difficult."

"Aye, they think themselves separate from the crown due to some oath made back when Erron the Conqueror was stomping about." Geobald huffed, "A royal decree will silence them, if they know what's good for them."

Erron hummed in conferment, "Indeed, best to have men who you can do business with, over a stone headed fool." His father nodded.

"Speaking of a stone headed fool, I wonder how much Calvely will moan about the state of the royal purse?" he asked sarcastically.

Erron snorted, he knew the state of the Royal treasury was very deep in debt, particularly to the Faith, bankers across the Warm Channel, and even the Calvely's. He sipped at his wine, chuckling at a stray thought.

"How interesting, a dragonite that is tight with another man's coin and not with his own." he received a laugh from his father. "I'm sure the crown can drink up their small fortune like a cup of wine." he motioned with his cup, receiving another laugh.

---

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

(Image)
Courage, Fidelity, Victory

Prince Draakon
Royal Library

Due to the heat of the day, Prince Draakon's guardian had decided to the Prince should spend his day reading out of the heat, and he had been happy to do so. He sat at the table, with a large tome open in front of him. He had loved reading Grand Maester Horras' On the Fall of the Dragon and the Conquests of King Erron, but it was Grand Master Theo's The Origins of The Time of Troubles that had become his current fascination.

His great-grandfather, King Tiberius III had been a boy of seven when he inherited his father's crown, he'd grown into a peaceful king, living in the light of the Mother. His rule had been rife with rebellion and had only known a few years of peace, until the eventual rebellion that cost him his crown to the Usurper line. Their line ruled until Craakon's grandfather, whom he'd been named after, had rebelled against Erron IV, slaying both the Usurper King and his son on the battlefield, restoring their rightful place on the Dragon's Throne.

He had also begun reading Grand Master Loren's On the Wars across the Warm Channel, a recent work which focused largely upon the wars of conquest Draakon I had begun across the Warm Channel, partly to reclaim the ancestral lands of Marsh. Such lands had not been held for nearly two hundred years, only held a few times since and only then for a year or two. His father had sent expeditions across the Channel time and again,each one a failure, as were many of his other attempts to delve into the political and mercantile affairs in that foreign land.

He wanted to lead an expedition of his own to try and expand the realm and take the Marsh like his grandfather had, but his father had forbade it. The King had enacted his taxes and lead his armies every time to disaster, he hoped for the day he became King and made his namesake proud by doing what he had never been completely able to succeed, and what his father had failed to keep. He continued reading about the problems of the reign of his great-grandfather, which seemed to largely be his lack of rule. Indeed, his grandfather's rule was very strong by comparison. He pondered what would his father's reign would've been like if he had been born a warrior?

Gared sat in his normal seat to the right of the King's seat as he was his King's Man. Gared sat waiting for his liege to come occupying himself with papers of his own lands, taxes, etc. Next to his foot lies a large chest of gold dragons. He'd had a successful year in taxes and was ready to pay his liege. The King never came though, so he started the meeting representing the king.

[Amuaplye]

House of Burgussøn
Våctshin Fïter Dårið

Sigmund Burgussøn
Sigmund was looking out the window of his room, muttering to himself. A note slid under the door. He picked it up, slightly enthusiatic. It was a note from Ansa. It said:

Sigmund, I love you. Do you love me?

He chuckled to himself, before looking out the window. "Will I see you again?" He said, before looking out again. He then decides to jump, he jumps out the window, falling from the tower to the ground below.

Filippa Burgussøn
"What's the commotion?" She asked Sigurð. "I heard a thud coming from Sigmund's room." "Let me see..." Said Sigurð. He walks outside, near Sigmund's room, and sees Sigmund's corpse. He picks it up, and takes it to a small plot of land, and buries him.

[Cuprum]

Chambers of the Royal Council

The seat had been his for years now, but time didn't make it any more comfortable. Leithianor sat stiffly at the small council table. He found little solace or assurance in the cordial smiles they each forced for him. The man was about to open his mouth to speak of the current issues when a small cough came from across the table. He paused, shuffling a stack of papers before taking a nervous sip of pear brandy and clearing his throat once more.

“I’m afraid we should add another matter to a list of issues concerning the crown,” he said softly. “The islands of the west has closed the ports to us, refusing all trade and taxes with the continent. My whispers tell me this stems from a dispute with his majesty, shall we sent the fleet an erase this nuisance from the face of the ocean.” The Admiral shuffled through his papers once again before pulling a yellowed piece of parchment from the bottom of the pile.

[Albertae]

The Royal Councilroom

Time, time time... Minutes, upon minutes. The king has not yet come to attend the meeting, so as Gared is the King's Man he takes it upon himself as per the norm to start the meeting and go over the issues.

Gared says,"Ok everyone, please quiet down. The king seems to be busy with something, so I will start the council meeting." He looks at a list of issues thinking about just how messed up the kingdom is right now."The first order of buisiness is finances and debt of the crown. I propose we dismantle all of the Royal fleet except for a few ships to deal with the western lord as you said Leithianor. If we cut down on the fleet that's just a bunch of upkeep we won't have to pay for in taxes. Opinions?"

[Cuprum]

The Royal Councilroom

Time, time time... Minutes, upon minutes. The king has not yet come to attend the meeting, so as Gared is the King's Man he takes it upon himself as per the norm to start the meeting and go over the issues.

Gared says,"Ok everyone, please quiet down. The king seems to be busy with something, so I will start the council meeting." He looks at a list of issues thinking about just how messed up the kingdom is right now."The first order of buisiness is finances and debt of the crown. I propose we dismantle all of the Royal fleet except for a few ships to deal with the western lord as you said Leithianor. If we cut down on the fleet that's just a bunch of upkeep we won't have to pay for in taxes. Opinions?"

Destroying the royal fleet will mean that we are no longer powerful, our mighty fleet is no longer feared. Since the crown don't have money to maintain the ships I'll take care of the cost and the king can make a compromise and pay me later in metal, land or tax exemption. I'd be a sad scenario to see the ships I command rotten or sunk. The western lords' vessels can't be compared with the mighty royal fleet, I think in a week or two the rebels will be surrounded.

[Albertae]

The Royal Councilroom

Time, time time... Minutes, upon minutes. The king has not yet come to attend the meeting, so as Gared is the King's Man he takes it upon himself as per the norm to start the meeting and go over the issues.

Gared says,"Ok everyone, please quiet down. The king seems to be busy with something, so I will start the council meeting." He looks at a list of issues thinking about just how messed up the kingdom is right now."The first order of buisiness is finances and debt of the crown. I propose we dismantle all of the Royal fleet except for a few ships to deal with the western lord as you said Leithianor. If we cut down on the fleet that's just a bunch of upkeep we won't have to pay for in taxes. Opinions?"

Destroying the royal fleet will mean that we are no longer powerful, our mighty fleet is no longer feared. Since the crown don't have money to maintain the ships I'll take care of the cost and the king can make a compromise and pay me later in metal, land or tax exemption. I'd be a sad scenario to see the ships I command rotten or sunk. The western lords vessels can't compared to the royal fleet, I think in a week or two the rebels will be surrounded.

Gared understand the admirals reverence to protect his fleet but still explains,"We can't afford to pay for all these ships and the salaries. We must salvage and destroy most except for a few which we will keep to enforce our decrees to the Moonshae Isles. The Royal fleet isn't feared anymore, so there won't be any point in keeping it. Salvage the ships throw away the rubbish and save some upkeep in the whole thing is my vote. I represent the king in his absence and I say no Lethianor. Everyone if we are done debating the subject may we get onto the vote?"

[Cuprum]

Destroying the royal fleet will mean that we are no longer powerful, our mighty fleet is no longer feared. Since the crown don't have money to maintain the ships I'll take care of the cost and the king can make a compromise and pay me later in metal, land or tax exemption. I'd be a sad scenario to see the ships I command rotten or sunk. The western lords vessels can't compared to the royal fleet, I think in a week or two the rebels will be surrounded.

Gared understand the admirals reverence to protect his fleet but still explains,"We can't afford to pay for all these ships and the salaries. We must salvage and destroy most except for a few which we will keep to enforce our decrees to the Moonshae Isles. The Royal fleet isn't feared anymore, so there won't be any point in keeping it. Salvage the ships throw away the rubbish and save some upkeep in the whole thing is my vote. I represent the king in his absence and I say no Lethianor. Everyone if we are done debating the subject may we get onto the vote?"

Then I'll take the ships you want to destroy as my retinue, my servants and my shipyards will be pleased with the new acquisitions which I'll use to retake the Moonshae Isles with my levies. I won't let you destroy our dominion of the seas the mediocrity of the finances of our realm has his source. The decandence started somewhere and now is your duty to end it before it destroys the whole kingdom.

[Albertae]

Gared understand the admirals reverence to protect his fleet but still explains,"We can't afford to pay for all these ships and the salaries. We must salvage and destroy most except for a few which we will keep to enforce our decrees to the Moonshae Isles. The Royal fleet isn't feared anymore, so there won't be any point in keeping it. Salvage the ships throw away the rubbish and save some upkeep in the whole thing is my vote. I represent the king in his absence and I say no Lethianor. Everyone if we are done debating the subject may we get onto the vote?"

Then I'll take the ships you want to destroy as my retinue, my servants and my shipyards will be pleased with the new acquisitions which I'll use to retake the Moonshae Isles with my levies. I won't let you destroy our dominion of the seas the mediocrity of the finances of our realm has his source. The decandence started somewhere and now is your duty to end it before it destroys the whole kingdom.

Gared has great respect for the Admiral but he speaks of treachery. Gared says authoritatively getting up from his seat,"Now you listen to me, Admiral! You command the Royal fleet, but you have no power to take them as your own personal demense or retinue. You serve the crown with ships provided by the crown! If you wish to buy the ships you may, but I will not allow this treacherous talk!"

[Hippie Kiwis]

Caer Callidyrr

The port of Callidyrr is arguably the greatest in all the Dragonlands, it's bustle of ships from every known land is famous, but now it draws it's harbor chain shut. The last time Aavak, the High Lord of the Isles went to Dragonfall, he attended a private audience with the king. No one knows what happened inside, but the High Lord came out fuming, and left with the tide. Since then the great ports of Callidyrr and Corwell have forced ships from the continent to use the lesser docks outside the harbor, especially difficult for large cogs. It is rumored that taxes too have stopped flowing, but no one outside the fortress, the Caer, knows for sure. War galleys too have been seen, though not in large number. The streets are abuzz with rumors about the why of the strange behaviors.


High Lord of the Isles Aavak Blackraven was still furious with the king. To propose something so audacious... ugh! The nerve of some people. His harbors would stay barred, and the tax flow would remain cut until the King accepts that this is the land of the Earthmother, and no witch temples will be built upon it. If the King should force his hand, well… he’s find that the Moonshaes have more teeth than he knew. He finally arrived that his grandson nursery, and tried to shake his anger as much is he could in the presence of the child.

[Cuprum]

Then I'll take the ships you want to destroy as my retinue, my servants and my shipyards will be pleased with the new acquisitions which I'll use to retake the Moonshae Isles with my levies. I won't let you destroy our dominion of the seas the mediocrity of the finances of our realm has his source. The decandence started somewhere and now is your duty to end it before it destroys the whole kingdom.

Gared has great respect for the Admiral but he speaks of treachery. Gared says authoritatively getting up from his seat,"Now you listen to me, Admiral! You command the Royal fleet, but you have no power to take them as your own personal demense or retinue. You serve the crown with ships provided by the crown! If you wish to buy the ships you may, but I will not allow this treacherous talk!"

''Clean you ears because since the beginning of this conversation I showed my desire to adquire the ships. I'll buy those ships, sea trade is a profitable business and merchants will need to hire more ships to protect their gold in spices. Those ships were provided by our taxes who were wasted and now we are paying for that, so clean your mouth before talking rubbish.''

[Albertae]

Gared has great respect for the Admiral but he speaks of treachery. Gared says authoritatively getting up from his seat,"Now you listen to me, Admiral! You command the Royal fleet, but you have no power to take them as your own personal demense or retinue. You serve the crown with ships provided by the crown! If you wish to buy the ships you may, but I will not allow this treacherous talk!"

''Clean you ears because since the beginning of this conversation I showed my desire to adquire the ships. I'll buy those ships, sea trade is a profitable business and merchants will need to hire more ships to protect their gold in spices. Those ships were provided by our taxes who were wasted and now we are paying for that, so clean your mouth before talking rubbish.''

"Your taxes which you owe to the king for the protection he gives you! For the trade he provides you! Speak to Cavely if you are to buy the ships, he will negotiate the prices."

[Cuprum]

''Clean you ears because since the beginning of this conversation I showed my desire to adquire the ships. I'll buy those ships, sea trade is a profitable business and merchants will need to hire more ships to protect their gold in spices. Those ships were provided by our taxes who were wasted and now we are paying for that, so clean your mouth before talking rubbish.''

"Your taxes which you owe to the king for the protection he gives you! For the trade he provides you! Speak to Cavely if you are to buy the ships, he will negotiate the prices."

'''The protection he give us, the trade he give us, when he can't even pay his own men or maintain his own castles? The barbarians of the north pay better for our goods. You need someone to blame about the current situation, if not will be blamed and chaos will appear. The Moonshae have give us the perfect excuse once wwe defeat them, we can blame them of all our financial problems. We waste a lot of resources fighting them''

[Albertae]

"Your taxes which you owe to the king for the protection he gives you! For the trade he provides you! Speak to Cavely if you are to buy the ships, he will negotiate the prices."

'''The protection he give us, the trade he give us, when he can't even pay his own men or maintain his own castles? The barbarians of the north pay better for our goods. You need someone to blame about the current situation, if not will be blamed and chaos will appear. The Moonshae have give us the perfect excuse once wwe defeat them, we can blame them of all our financial problems. We waste a lot of resources fighting them''

"You are a fool Admiral, we do not fight them they may not be loyal right now but they swore an oath of fealty. And that is not an honorable thing to say Lethianor. What kind of man blames a person for something they did not do? You are a sick dishonorable filth."

[Cuprum]

'''The protection he give us, the trade he give us, when he can't even pay his own men or maintain his own castles? The barbarians of the north pay better for our goods. You need someone to blame about the current situation, if not will be blamed and chaos will appear. The Moonshae have give us the perfect excuse once wwe defeat them, we can blame them of all our financial problems. We waste a lot of resources fighting them''

"You are a fool Admiral, we do not fight them they may not be loyal right now but they swore an oath of fealty. And that is not an honorable thing to say Lethianor. What kind of man blames a person for something they did not do? You are a sick dishonorable filth."

''An oath they broke and now they are against our king's might. Are you trying to protect them, you fool? Do you think honor keeps the lords in line? Do you think it's honor that's keeping the peace? It's fear! Fear and blood! If no one is going to take the blame for our misery then you as the king's hand are you going to take responsibility? Are you the one who will maintain the royal army or you'll destroy it too? Because the mercenaries are demanding their wages and we don't want to angry them unless we want our fields looted.''

[Albertae]

"You are a fool Admiral, we do not fight them they may not be loyal right now but they swore an oath of fealty. And that is not an honorable thing to say Lethianor. What kind of man blames a person for something they did not do? You are a sick dishonorable filth."

''An oath they broke and now they are against our king's might. Are you trying to protect them, you fool? Do you think honor keeps the lords in line? Do you think it's honor that's keeping the peace? It's fear! Fear and blood! If no one is going to take the blame for our misery then you as the king's hand are you going to take responsibility? Are you the one who will maintain the royal army or you'll destroy it too? Because the mercenaries are demanding their wages and we don't want to angry them unless we want our fields looted.''

Gared is furious and bangs his hand onto the table, saying only a few words,"I will do what I must!" For seconds he is quiet until he speaks again,"I do not protect them, I only do what is right for our kingdom. Honor is a very strong bond. If you have no honor then what do you have, the reckless shell of a man with no soul? We will do what we must with what we have! I call for a force of mercenaries to be sent by ship across the sea to the islands, so that we may condemn them once and for all! If the Great-Lord of the Moonshae Isles does not kneel, then the mercenaries will pillage his lands for riches. Is that the dishonorable thing you wanted me to say? Is this what we have become?" Gared sits down discerned by it all.

[Cuprum]

''An oath they broke and now they are against our king's might. Are you trying to protect them, you fool? Do you think honor keeps the lords in line? Do you think it's honor that's keeping the peace? It's fear! Fear and blood! If no one is going to take the blame for our misery then you as the king's hand are you going to take responsibility? Are you the one who will maintain the royal army or you'll destroy it too? Because the mercenaries are demanding their wages and we don't want to angry them unless we want our fields looted.''

Gared is furious and bangs his hand onto the table saying only a few words,"I will do what I must!" For seconds he is quiet until he speaks again saying,"I do not protect them I only do what is right for our kingdom. Honor is a very strong bond. If you have no honor then what do you have, the reckless shell of a man with no soul? We will do what we must with what we have! I call for a force of mercenaries to be sent by ship across the water to the islands so we may condem them once and for all! If the Great-Lord of the Moonshae Isles does not kneel the mercenaries will pillage his lands for riches. Is that the dishonorable thing you wanted me to say? Is this what we have become?" Gared sits down discerned by it all.

What a reckless non sense are you saying? Are you going to send an army to some land without having a plan first? Do it but have something in mind, the beast who lives around those coasts won't let you land nor return. If invading the Moonshae Isles was so simple then I'd have sent my levies to ravage that land. Do you think that those Petty islands would rebel without knowing about the fact that a powerful beast that that can destroy entire fleets is living near them?

[Albertae]

Gared is furious and bangs his hand onto the table saying only a few words,"I will do what I must!" For seconds he is quiet until he speaks again saying,"I do not protect them I only do what is right for our kingdom. Honor is a very strong bond. If you have no honor then what do you have, the reckless shell of a man with no soul? We will do what we must with what we have! I call for a force of mercenaries to be sent by ship across the water to the islands so we may condem them once and for all! If the Great-Lord of the Moonshae Isles does not kneel the mercenaries will pillage his lands for riches. Is that the dishonorable thing you wanted me to say? Is this what we have become?" Gared sits down discerned by it all.

What a reckless shit are you saying? Are you going to send an army to some land without having a plan first? Do it but have something in mind, the beast who lives around those coasts won't let you land nor return. If invading the Moonshae Isles was so simple then I'd have sent my levies to ravage that land. Do you think that those Petty islands would rebel without knowing about the fact that a powerful beast that that can destroy entire fleets is living near them?

"Admiral, I am not the King's Sword, I am his closest advisor and regent. I just give the orders on his behalf. You and the King's Sword must plan on getting them there." He looks to the next thing on the list realizing they just went over it so he goes to the next thing. "Ok we need to do something about exiled lords across the Warm Sea."

[Nasaira]

The candle flickered against the wind in the night as the winter rain harrassed the castle walls outside. Devan Griffin stood a vigilant watch over his now bed stricken father, watching as with each breath the life left from his body. The healers had informed Devan months ago it would be a miracle if his father made it through another winter. Devan was never close to his father and now in his finale moments the only feeling he had was the chill from the wind escaping into the bedchamber from the storm outside.

The old man struggled to take a breath gasping for air each time he did. Devan just stood at the window looking out over the bay and gazing at the city below. The surrondings illuminated with each flash lighting. Devan turned away from the storm and walked over to the bed his father was confined to, his heavy boots echoing off of the stone floor.

Looking down at his father's face in the candle light it wasn't sorrow that filled his body nor grieve. The only emotion that radiated throughout his body was disgust. Devan took his gloved hand and ran it through his fathers long grey hair and leaned in close to his and whispered.

"As a child I feared and respected you, I no longer fear or respect you"

A look of terror came over the old man's face and his son took the pillow from under his head and placed it over his face taking away the precious life giving air. There wasn't much of a struggled as the old man faded away. Devan calmly removed the pillow and placed it back under the head of his father.

"Guards!" Devan shouted. The heavy wooden door opened as two men in armor and bearing the sigil of house Griffin enetered the room.

"Inform Great-Lord Gared that my father Hectar Griffin has passed away in his sleep."

[Argentarino]

The High Keep, Rivercross, the Dominion of Risteys
Seat of House Seral

Lord Dovan Seral sat behind his desk, glancing at the various reports that had come to him throughout the Staunchlands. The Great-Lord Gared had appointed him to the position of Judiciar of the Staunchlands, which not only meant carrying out the justice of both the King and the Great Lord within the Staunchlands, but it also meant keeping reports on intelligence that could affect the stability and interests of the Staunchlands. The appointment itself was a mere formality, as the position was also held by his father, and his father before him...in fact, as long as anyone could remember, with a few exceptions, the position had been held by a Seral. But Dovan had concerns on his mind. Some of the reports he was receiving were troubling: gossip in taverns and lordly halls throughout the region showed a deep fear of what would come should King Draakon II - Mother forbid - pass away. The peasants may not have cared about who ruled, as long as they were left alone, but everyone, peasant and noble alike, had a fear of instability. Any war in the Dragonlands would bring with it horror that the Kingdom had not seen in some time, and no one wanted to endure that again. Dovan felt that everything would be fine, but he also knew better than to let his guard down. Succession was always a tricky thing...

And speaking of succession, Lord Dovan had to see to his own succession. Some years ago, he had been betrothed to a noblewoman from a family elsewhere in the Dragonlands, but the betrothal broke through when his father passed away. Now, with the King rumored to be ailing, Dovan knew that it was imperative that he find a bride who would give him a legitimate male heir. And Dovan had an idea about who to reach out to, to discuss this matter of succession with. And so, with quill and parchment in hand, Dovan took a break from reading at reports in order to write to his liege, his lord, and, he felt, his friend.

To My Liege, Great-Lord Gared of the House of Jarbary,

I write to inform you that, as of the moment, there are concerns throughout the Staunchlands about the future stability of the Kingdom, should, Mother forbid, the King pass away. I dare not write anything else, for your security as well as mine. Should you return to your holdings, I will be able to present the full of the report to you in person. There is another matter, my lord, that I wish to bring to your attention. When I was young and attending your court, I had the pleasure of being the acquaintance of the Lady Janice. In the years since, I have seen and heard from afar about how she, like me, has grown into a strong, young woman. My lord, I have always, and will always, serve you and your family. I ask a lot from you now, however, and I beg you not to judge me harshly. I ask permission from you to seek the hand of the Lady Janice in marriage. I hope that this request will not shame you, my liege. May the Mother watch over you.

Forever in your service,

Lord Dovan of House Seral, Lord of Risteys
Judiciar of the Staunchlands

Dovan entrusted the letter to a raven, which would take a few days to reach the capital, where the Great-Lord currently resided in his service to the King. These next few days would bring some anxiety to Dovan, but for the moment, all he could do was wait...

[Keshokif]

Vyk, the Reyek Isles, Moonshae
House Reaklan's Longhouse

Here they come, the Men of the Waves,
Blood on the banks, men in their graves,
Pillaging, looting, taking slaves,
Leaving by daybreak, the Men of the Waves.

Eorl Horwick Reaklan had a proud lineage, one that went back generations. For one time, his family held the title of King of Reyek. Alas, those were different times; his family was less learned on matters outside the Moonshae Island Chains, and there was no knowledge on the need for defence. Later, while his house was in its youth, they stayed independent of outside control for an entire generation of leaders. Alas, those were different times; his family was less learned on matters outside the Moonshae Island Chains, and there was no knowledge on the need for sustainability. Even later still, Horwick's family became the greatest raiders on the seas, making the blood of mainland cities and tribes run red onto the rocks below. Alas, those were different times; his family didn't know of the riches to be gained from complacency, and there was no knowledge on the need for peace.

But was there truly riches in complacency? Was it a ruse? His father had told him those stories ever since he was a child, how each endeavour was an advancement for his house. The final one, however, never felt like it to him.

"Father," he would ask. His strong accent would have been jarring to anyone outside the Moonshaes, but it was only natural for him and his family, "Why is it good that we don't raid anymore?"

But his father could never come up with a coherent answer. It was like he was struck dumb, and he wanted to make a strong answer, a decent answer, but couldn't. At the end of a period of mumbling, um-ing and ah-ing, his father would ruffle Horwick's black hair and say, "It's just the way things are. You will learn in time."

Now, Horwick was never an ambitious man. At one point, he was offered an extension to his title - he couldn't even remember what it was, now - and he declined. So, yes, he lacked ambition, the desire for complete betterment. However, he longed for days of old, when his ancestors rode the back of the sea and came down upon the shores of the mainland with a righteous anger and just fury, taking the wealths of the land they trod beneath them. But no matter how much he wanted it, it did not change the truth. Horwick was an older man now, and he had given up on such childish dreams. Every night, when Brutton was ready for bed, he said the same story his father told him. Brutton, bless his heart, never questioned it. He just went to sleep in the yak-skin covers.

But when his brother, Eskar, became old enough to talk and understand, Horwick told him the story. The first time he heard it, the words on Horwick's lips were echoed in Eskar's.

"Why?"

Horwick's eyes had shot open that day, and as he left Eskar with no answer, he plotted. The next morning, Eskar amd Brutton were taken onto the sea. Brutton began to go a pale shade of green, and spent most of the time in the centre, where the rotations were less severe. But Eskar? He thrived. At the front of the longship, where naught but the captain of a vessel stood, Eskar climbed and Eskar jumped. It was his joy that re-invigorated Horwick's own desire, to travel the sea, to stop where the land did, and then continue on.

His ancestors had vowed to follow House Blackraven many generations ago. When this happened, there was rejoicing in the streets. The Blackravens were known for their upholding of the Earthmother and the Seafather. But when his ancestors followed the Blackravens to become vassals to a far-off Mainland 'King', there was no rejoicing, only anger. In history, House Reaklan blamed House Blackraven for this. But Horwick could see that the Blackravens had no choice. It was swear loyalty or die, and even the combined greatest navies the world had ever seen, sailing under the raven and the three ships, would never have been able to hold off those Kings forever. Those Kings were the ones to blame, and Horwick wanted justice.

[United Socialist Republics of Lupina]

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

Courage, Fidelity, Victory

Queen Beatrice
The Royal Council Chambers

The Queen hurried as best she could to the Council Chambers, she had been summoned by the King to take his place without any forewarning and as such she'd had to get her handmaidens to dress her quickly into the most formal regal attire in her wardrobe. She hated when he did this, but then again she likely would not have gone on half the misfortune ventures he had embarked upon. As she approached the Royal Council Chamber doors, she heard loud shouts from within; no doubt the council had begun already and some foolish bickering had gotten out of hand. The guards were quick to allow her entrance whereupon she saw the likes of Lords Jarbary and Leithianor standing up, opposing each other with looks of rage upon each of their faces. Those that noticed her rose and gave her bows, giving the proper respect due to a Queen.

"That is enough." she commanded in a regal tone, the entire council had their eyes upon her now, to any that tried to continue the argument she commanded "Not another word." She stood with her head high and her eyes determined, his voice demanding the respect that came naturally to her.

"What is the meaning of this meeting? Does this council not wait for it's King to sit upon his own council?" she looked around, the elder Esham had a more stoic face, but the younger Esham appeared to be grinning as if a jest had been spoken, oh how she hated that man, hated his smile, hated his very presence. "This is no laughing matter, Lord Esham." That wiped the grin from his face, replacing it with a cold stare. They all were like some of the King's mongrels in the kennel, in need of a switch to keep them from biting one another, to show them who the master really was.

She moved around the table to the empty seat to the right of where the king was to have sat, "The King has sent me to sit on this council in his place. Now sit, the both of you." She sat down and made a point of staring at the Lords Jarbary and Leithianor until all were sitting at their rightful places at the council table.

After a moment of silence, with all eyes upon her, she finally spoke, "Now, what is this affair over which the King's Council has resorted to shouting matches as if this were a common tavern?" If they wished to be treated as dogs, she would make sure they were trained to take commands.

[Kaledoria]

Caisleán Ailech
Magh Meall

Fergus Cimbáeth
Duke's study

The derogating relations between the Moonshade isles and the Crownlands were of great concern to Fergus. He regarded the Islanders as friends and great trade partners. Yet, trade was slowing down, he had one of the last merchants from the isles at his study. The man had about him the unpleasant flair of a smuggler but at least in this visit to the mainland, his business seamed to be legitimate.
"How much whale oil for a Silver Eagle? It's just damn whale oil, i should get four barrels the coin!" Fergus insisted. "Nobody really needs this stinky stuff."
"Milord, I heard your Druids do in fact have a steady demand of it and I foresee, that their will be supply shortages in the months to come. It's a reasonable ... well, it's a baseline for near offers."

Fergus turned to his Courtier: "In that case the Druids can suck it. Ask among the merchants, who is heading for the Damïntin lands soon, maybe they offer such oil, too." Turning back to the merchant: So, about this supply shortage: You sound like the ports in Callidyrr and Corwell have closed already. So I guess, you have no way, to buy some of our fine goods, cattle, wool, linen or maybe some fine glassware?"
The merchant laughed: "I can use the port very well, thank you. But if you wonder, where you could move your ships to, I could name you the best ports, that are still open as they have no military value but can still harbor sufficiently large trade ships. For a price, of course."
"Of course," Fergus answered. He would take the information with caution and advice the larger ships to pack dinghies but at least he would know where to go, to keep the trade running as long as possible; at least long enough to find alternate sources for their goods.

[Albertae]

The Wolf's Den
Dragonfall, the Capital
The Crownlands

(Image)
Courage, Fidelity, Victory

Queen Beatrice
The Royal Council Chambers

The Queen hurried as best she could to the Council Chambers, she had been summoned by the King to take his place without any forewarning and as such she'd had to get her handmaidens to dress her quickly into the most formal regal attire in her wardrobe. She hated when he did this, but then again she likely would not have gone on half the misfortune ventures he had embarked upon. As she approached the Royal Council Chamber doors, she heard loud shouts from within; no doubt the council had begun already and some foolish bickering had gotten out of hand. The guards were quick to allow her entrance whereupon she saw the likes of Lords Jarbary and Leithianor standing up, opposing each other with looks of rage upon each of their faces. Those that noticed her rose and gave her bows, giving the proper respect due to a Queen.

"That is enough." she commanded in a regal tone, the entire council had their eyes upon her now, to any that tried to continue the argument she commanded "Not another word." She stood with her head high and her eyes determined, his voice demanding the respect that came naturally to her.

"What is the meaning of this meeting? Does this council not wait for it's King to sit upon his own council?" she looked around, the elder Esham had a more stoic face, but the younger Esham appeared to be grinning as if a jest had been spoken, oh how she hated that man, hated his smile, hated his very presence. "This is no laughing matter, Lord Esham." That wiped the grin from his face, replacing it with a cold stare. They all were like some of the King's mongrels in the kennel, in need of a switch to keep them from biting one another, to show them who the master really was.

She moved around the table to the empty seat to the right of where the king was to have sat, "The King has sent me to sit on this council in his place. Now sit, the both of you." She sat down and made a point of staring at the Lords Jarbary and Leithianor until all were sitting at their rightful places at the council table.

After a moment of silence, with all eyes upon her, she finally spoke, "Now, what is this affair over which the King's Council has resorted to shouting matches as if this were a common tavern?" If they wished to be treated as dogs, she would make sure they were trained to take commands.

As soon as the Queen came in Gared bowed to the Queen."Your highness, as the King's Man I filled in for the King until he was to come or you were to. We have gone over the first two things on the list. For finances and debt we have decided the Royal fleet is a burden on the kingdom because of major upkeep and Leithianor will buy the fleet. He will also deal with the Moonshae Isles, but wishes to negotiate compensation." Gared sits down in his seat and awaits to be needed once again.

[Laurvier]

Royal Council Chambers

Sir Abram Calvely had stood out of respect when the Queen entered and bowed. He only sat when she did, the golden chain of his office clinking with his movements against the contrasting simple leather jerkin he wore. Next to Abram was a small book on the table. There were larger ones at his estate and office within the Wolf's Den. All under guard by his own personal men-at-arms. The realm's finances were a state secret that had to be closely guarded. Although his brother, Alden, regularly viewed them. Much of the debt belonged to him anyways and Abram was his man on the Council. He had arrived just before the Queen. The Calvelys were skilled courtiers and it was never wise to arrive later than the royals. Although he had missed the argument between his fellow council members.

Abram Calvely raised an eyebrow at Lord Jarbary's suggestion. "Is that so? I thought matters of finances and debt were my responsibility. Forgive me, but is it not the Admiral's duty to maintain the royal fleet and make sure its costs are efficient?" Abram asked then looked to Lord Leithianor. "If Lord Leithianor is so wealthy he can purchase the entire fleet then perhaps he should draw from his own purse to maintain it until such efficiency can be acquired. Such is our duty as vassals is it not? It is unseemly anyways that a vassal be so well funded and the Crown not." He said, words beyond reproach for House Calvely had been bankrolling the Crown for years now. "Plus, without a Royal Fleet your seat on this Council would become moot would it not?"

He leaned back in his chair and took a breath. "I also have another proposal. One that would allow the Crown to keep its ships and increase their value. For the time being, allow me to lend the ships to my brother Count Alden. He will put them to use as trading ships. The Crown will take a generous profit and I can convince my brother to guarantee their value if they are to be lost at sea through storm or foul piracy."