Excerpt: Revenge

“Be seated,” he commanded, and the gallery took their seats.

A scribe sat in the alcove to record the events of the meeting.

“The first order of business,” he recited, “is the Lord of

Diplomacy’s report.”

A well-dressed gentleman came forward from the crowd. “My

liege,” he stated with a bow, “there is disturbing news about the

Unclaimed Territory. With neither Sartan nor the empire legally

permitted to introduce combat units into the disputed region, a

potentially volatile trend has emerged. Settlers from the Kingdoms

of Romadon, Rador, Valia and even the empire have begun settling

in the fertile region with little to be done about it. Now that you

have withdrawn our forces from the region, we have no leverage in

the zone.”

“How is that a concern to the empire?” Mandrean inquired

while accepting a drink from a servant.

“Sire,” stated the lord, “our informants tell us that Valia for

certain and perhaps each of the others has secretly promised

protection to the settlers as an enticement to move there.”

Mandrean had heard every word but was, after all, a man of

slow wit. Realizing that the significance of the information was

indeed lost on his master, the lord elaborated.

“Do you not see the implications for us, Sire? If that prairie is

settled and these nations provide protection, it is an underhanded

method of claiming the territory. Once the farmers are in place,

these kings need but only claim that there is a danger to their

people and send armies to protect them. They would appear to the

world to be innocent lambs but are in fact preying wolves. We

would be forced to either accept their annexation of the region or

fight three powers. The issue must be scrutinized.”

Mandrean grew agitated when the issue was brought into

perspective. “That land should have been ours years ago,” he

insisted. “Are you sure of your facts?”

The lord shuffled his papers and looked away. “We are certain

that the settlers are squatting and that they are doing so in

increasing numbers. As for the support guaranteed by the other

factions, we have one spy’s report from Valia and no others.”

“So this threat is little more than speculation at this time, is it

not?”

The lord became less at ease. “Sire, I truly believe that my

concerns are valid on this matter.”

“Fine. Then find out how correct they are, and report back to

me with something more definite. I am not inclined to mobilize our

forces without good reason.”

Snickering was heard from the gallery after the statement. The

sound set the emperor into a tizzy.

“Who laughed?” he yelled. No one spoke. The hall was silent.

“If I find that fool, he will be dead.” Still, no one spoke.

Seeing that his point was made, Mandrean returned his attention

to is Lord of Diplomacy. “What else have you?”

“Your regional commanders have been briefed on the other

matters, and they will address them in their reports.”

“Then waste no more of my time talking,” Mandrean told him.

The lord returned to his seat.