Tristan was bored. "Where is everyone?" he asked.
"Well," one of the guards answered, "the Emperor is at Senuzgda castle renewing diplomatic relations with Astralis..."
"Whoa," Tristan interrupted, "when did he leave?"
"Just yesterday, sir."
"Well then, I had better join him... for moral support." Tristan grinned. These diplomatic missions with Moonshine were always the same- Bryggan and Moonshine clasping hands, assuring each other of non-aggression, then sitting down to the best Astralis wine and telling old war stories amicably. Bryggan would probably be gone a week enjoying Moonshine's hospitality, and Tristan planned on being there for that party. Always a good time.
He was approaching the stables when he heard loud cursing, and watched in surprise as three stable boys bolted out of the building in terror. Tristan caught one by the arm. "What's going on in there," he asked.
"The emperor is back sir," the boy answered, "and he's not in a good mood." Tristan released his grip and let the boy scamper away. 'I better approach cautiously,' he thought, and withdrew his wineskin as he entered the stable.
Bryggan was rubbing down his own horse, rather roughly, and muttering under his breath. Tristan decided to play it safe. "Here, catch," he called out, and threw his wineskin to Bryggan. Bryggan caught it, looked at it, then downed the whole container is one swig.
"You seem a little out of sorts," Tristan said, "not the usual promises of eternal friendship with Astralis this time?"
"Oh, promises alright," Bryggan growled, "friendship with a cost. Moonshine asked for Dhirim and and Derchios Castle in exchange for his non-enmity."
"Hmm, seems a little excessive. Is that all he offered?"
"Well, a couple measly villages. Like I would evict a king, especially one like Volkwin who has done so much for us. I offered him Derchios inexchange for Mazigh and free trade and a defensive pact."
"Seems generous to me, though Sitvek might not have liked that. And what did Moonshine say?"
"He said nothing. He left me pacing in his hall for hours, like I was some beggar. I finally left in disgust."
Tristan frowned. "Well this is an odd turn of events," he said.
"The problem is that people think we are weak. Moonshine seemed to think that we were so beset by enemies we would pay for peace. Like I would stoop to that."
"Pay the Danegeld, and the Dane never goes away" Tristan murmered.
"Exactly what I said. I think we need to demonstrate our strength. Maybe then Moonshine will use a little common sense when at the negotiation table. I have no interest in Astralis lands, but the rattling of his sabre has given me a head-ache and has made me quite grumpy."
With Bryggan somewhat mollified, the two went to the Great Hall. "Minstrel," Bryggan called out, "play us that Danegeld song. I think we need a reminder of what weakness buys."
The minstrel picked up his lute and began to play.
It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbour and to say: --
"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
And then you'll get rid of the Dane!
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: --
"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that pays it is lost!"
