The tavern was empty, save for one table where 3 men were quietly enjoying a beer together. They were not talking, just enjoying the peace and solitude of the inn, staring into the fire which was the tavern's only source of light. In their false sense of security they did not see the robed individual quietly glide out of the shadows.
"Tristan!" the stranger cried, slapping the king on the back, "I..." but he had no time to finish what he was saying, for Tristan's instinctive reactions snapped him out of his reverie, and he had leaned forward, kicking his own chair backwards hard into the stranger's shins and had fell forward into a roll during which he had drawn his dagger and ended up in a crouch, dagger pointed at the newcomer. Not that it mattered, for his two companions had drawn their swords in less than a heart beat, and had the stranger covered.
"Damn you guys," the stranger said, "James, Blue- put your bloody swords away. It's me, Bryggan!"
The three burst out laughing. "Hah," Tristan said, "the man who took on Black Company and Acre with just one comrade still lives in fear of his wife."
"Shaddup", Bryggan grumbled, "she's a fine woman. Bloodthirsty and treacherous, just like I like em. It's just the anti drinking stance I don't like... and most of my enemies never had access to my bedroom before."
"Damn," James laughed, "Rather than fighting you, I should have just got Witchcraft to marry you. But still," he said, raising a finger, "I'm not complaining. Things have gone well with you as a leader."
"True," Blue added, "With you as Emperor, or, back in the day, as High King, things went well. I guess it's because..." Blue stopped, a blank look on his face.
"Hmmm," Tristan said, scratching his head.
"Whatever Bryggan does or does not do is beside the point," James snapped, then turned to Bryggan. "Have a beer, old friend, "he said, "we have a jug of Karindi Kickass Ale here, and by chadz, they really improved it."
Bryggan sat down and poured himself some ale. "Well," he said, taking a large sip, "things seem to be going well. King James, you are doing a great job of controlling trade. Crime is down and our members are getting wealthy. I cannot thank you enough for the job you're doing of running our fiefs."
"Yes, well I should thank Wix for his input," James said, "he devised a map, setting trade routes for two types of traders- the short traders, who keep S&D down in short trades, and the long distance haulers who make the profits. Here, I'll show you his map:
"Brilliant!" Bryggan said, "though I hope this does not fall in the hands of our enemies- it is far too important.
"Which brings me to my next point," he continued and turned to Tristan, "My good 'Sword of the South. First of all, congratulations on yet another victory. But what are you going to do with these villages in the steppes? They are outside our realm of influence and, quite frankly, I have no interest in expending troops to protect them."
"I've been trying to sell them for awhile," Tristan said, "a few nibbles, but no real offers. So I decided to give them to this new faction, some immigrant. Goes by the name of Doom Carrot, of the Pelagor Empire."
"Pelagor Empire?" James mused, "he must be far from home."
"Doom Carrot..." Bryggan said, "I know that name... Doom Carrot, Doom Carrot... Oh by Armagon... um, sorry James, by chadz! That is the new fellow who was preaching against the rise of our empire! Yelling in the forums and all that."
"Oh yeah, I know," Tristan answered, "but I couldn't just give it to a friend or ally of us. Dutchy would attack immediately; and if not him, any of the other factions would strike, knowing we have no real military presence there. Just to piss us off."
"Like we attacked those villages just to piss Dutchy off," laughed Bryggan.
"Well, despite his animosity to our empire, I thought if we gave him lands, he might start his own faction- one that would be hopefully neutral in our wars. Perhaps start his own adventures, rather than tagging onto the ones we are on."
Blue, who had kept himself busy staring and occasionally scribbling in his ledgers, finally joined the conversation. "It looks like Doom Carrot has already started his own adventures," he said, "Moonshine got it into his head to attack him."
"Moonshine!" the other three exclaimed.
"Now why the hell would Moonshine attack an avowed enemy of ours," Bryggan asked, "I thought his whole plan was to try hurt the empire?"
"Well, he has been sitting in his castle doing nothing for so long, he must have gone insane," James suggested.
"Oh, that's true beyond the shadow of a doubt," Tristan said, " going on a 'rampage' with a couple hundred men. I can't believe I almost marched to Suno... I was expecting an actual army... a fight... a glorious battle."
"You overestimate our enemies' honour as much as you overestimated their strength," James sighed, "I've said it before, and I'll say it again- we are surrounded by shitlords."
"I get the idea that Moonshine considers himself some sort of rogue guerrilla fighter," Bryggan said, "his little show in Curaw proved that. Like his little gnat bites would hurt the empire. I thought we'd let him buzz around til someone ran into him. But I can't understand why he would attack our enemy?"
"I think Moonshine is a little less of an idealist and a little more of a brigand," Blue suggested, "Dashbigha has 300,000 silver in it. Moonshine never traded, and the taxes from his fief would not build a suitable army. He needs money, and I guess silver is more important to him than fraternity."
"Oh, that scoundrel," Bryggan murmered, pouring himself another tankard, "So what do we do? Do we help this enemy of ours to prevent another enemy getting the silver? With Doom Carrot in charge of Dashbigha, I'm sure he will make some pact with Dutchy."
"You really ought to leave the south more," Blue said, "weren't you gentlemen just in Curaw? Well, if you had left the taverns once in awhile, you would have heard Dutchy threaten Doom Carrot. Pretty much said that anyone who was not a direct vassal of his will be crushed and their lands taken back."
James guffawed in a rather unkingly manner, but the situation demanded it. "Now that is rich," he said, "here the world is saying we are the evil empire, yet when we give away lands to a newcomer, they pounce on it like crows on carrion!"
"Well, I gave away these lands in good faith," Tristan said, "I feel it would besmirch my honour to not help Doom Carrot hold it at least for a little while."
"Very well," Bryggan said, "we go help our enemy defend against our enemy. And I think we should take efforts to protect this particular enemy's independence. Nothing has been signed concerning peace with Dutchy... the war with him just kinda petered out."
The others were all about to comment, but Blue raised a hand. "The senate, gents," he said, "the senate."
