Duke Bryggandt stared into the bottom of his wine glass. He was not looking forward to this audience but it had to be done.
"My Lord," the holy chadzian priest said, "this is beyond belief!"
"Believe away, my friend," Bryggandt muttered, "that is your job, isn't it?"
"But, please, consider your lineage!" the priest continued, "Your great grandfather, Bryggan the 1st, was know for his piety! He defended the Holy chadzian Faith at the expense of his kingdom".
"You know," drawled Bryggandt, "I wonder about that. Most of the stories were written 50 or so years ago. But, in New Shulus, where he started, they still sing the song about the troubles he had when the brothel was to the left of the tavern and the pig sty was to the right. I heard the ditty, and was greatly amused."
"But to desert your family's faith!"
"Oh come on!" Bryggan yelled, suddenly sitting up right in his chair, "chadz has left these lands! Ever since the Prof nailed his 95 updates to the door of the church of Reindi castle people have had their doubts."
"But.. but Tammo?"
"Ah, what's the difference. chadz, Armagon, Moohhamed, they are all the same. Thing is, we are surrounded by enemies desiring our lands. As I found out during my last Euro-trip, I cannot defend my lands on my own. I have the men, the money, and the roster, but I can not be everywhere at once. Tammo has Curaw, which is the rightful throne to the north. And, unless someone else takes Curaw (Tummo forbid, we are soooo sick of that fight), or I get pissed off and rebel, I must accept them as my feudal overlords. It sucks, but when you have a two man faction..."
"One man faction dear," Lady Sweetcheeks interjected.
"Ok, one man and one woman faction, one cannot be rebuilding empires. If I had my ancestor's heroes beside me, maybe. Albus and Sitvek the totally cool but absolutely mercenary, and the Sword of the South, plus Dirk the Dependable (but he just disappeared), and Lars and DeLaitre... even the indomitable JayJrod, who brought such victories (until he turned traitor). But nope, I have no heroes other than the ones who consistently roster for me for no real good reason."
The priest was about to speak again, but Bryggandt yelled at him, "DON'T EVEN START! I HAVE DECIDED, AND I WILL HAVE NO UPSTART PRIEST DICTATING TO ME! Lady Sweetcheeks, I am sure you agree?"
"Of course my dear," she said, then went back to scrolling through Facebook.
