Post by Duke Gideon of Genlith on Mar 31, 2008 14:23:01 GMT -5
As if revolutionists popping up here and there stirring up animosity towards the Crown, complaining taxpayers, disgruntled nobles, lack of enough decent weapons smiths to give sufficent support to their growing navy and army, increased pirating along the coasts, and pressure already on their Tusaine and Scanran borders were not enough, Carthak had to jump into the fray and wave its sword around. The young messenger had arrived during the night, breathless and exhausted, having ridden non-stop from Port Caynn to deliver his message. Upon arriving, the young man had gasped his message to the captain at the gate and then collapsed. The captain had had one of his own runners inform the Queen and her counselors and had the lad taken to the kitchens to be pampered by one of the cooks.
Gideon had been having a restless night, so when there was a knock at his door, he could hear the short conversation between his servingman, Gerald, and the messenger. He had hastily dressed and tied back his hair by the time Gerald had sent the runner off and come to wake him.
In answer to Malin's mumbled questions, Gideon whispered briefly in her ear, "Shhh, it's all right. I'll be back later." After gently brushing her cheek with his hand, he hurried out the bedroom and parlour doors and into the dimly lit hallway.
As he jogged down the hall, not caring if restless person who happened to be wandering the hall during the middle of the night saw him - Gideon was, afterall, known not to be too particlarly concerned if proper manners were not kept, and besides, late-night wanders were often not too-fond of rules themselves - he pondered the implications of the ill tidings the young runner had brought. Port Nananuat sacked? This was the very last thing Gideon needed added to his and her Majesty's plates. This was a blatant act of war from a very, very formidable opponent. It didn't help matters at all either that Carthak had wealthy Tyra in its pocket, always ready and willing to fund any venture that might prove lucrative.
It was a more of a blow than a blessing that Governor Garett and part of the townspeople of Nananuat had survived. As cruel and heartless as it sounded, if they all had died, Carthak would have no bargaining chips or a way to stab Tortall with a double edged blade. If they refused to surrender Port Nezahua, then all of the survivors would be executed. People would have relatives there would cry out against the Queen, screaming for all to hear that she might as well as hanged them herself. On the other hand, if they relinguished Nezahua, that would not only giving in to Carthak, but make Amedessa look weak and invite more grievances by their enemies. It would also be a death sentence for many of the citizens of Nezahua.
Gideon reached the door of the lesser council room and pulled it open without hesitation and with a great deal more force than was strictly necessary so frustrated was he by the actions of the Carthakis. Doubtless, he said bitterly in his mind, Mithros and the Graveyard Hag are at odds.
Gideon had been having a restless night, so when there was a knock at his door, he could hear the short conversation between his servingman, Gerald, and the messenger. He had hastily dressed and tied back his hair by the time Gerald had sent the runner off and come to wake him.
In answer to Malin's mumbled questions, Gideon whispered briefly in her ear, "Shhh, it's all right. I'll be back later." After gently brushing her cheek with his hand, he hurried out the bedroom and parlour doors and into the dimly lit hallway.
As he jogged down the hall, not caring if restless person who happened to be wandering the hall during the middle of the night saw him - Gideon was, afterall, known not to be too particlarly concerned if proper manners were not kept, and besides, late-night wanders were often not too-fond of rules themselves - he pondered the implications of the ill tidings the young runner had brought. Port Nananuat sacked? This was the very last thing Gideon needed added to his and her Majesty's plates. This was a blatant act of war from a very, very formidable opponent. It didn't help matters at all either that Carthak had wealthy Tyra in its pocket, always ready and willing to fund any venture that might prove lucrative.
It was a more of a blow than a blessing that Governor Garett and part of the townspeople of Nananuat had survived. As cruel and heartless as it sounded, if they all had died, Carthak would have no bargaining chips or a way to stab Tortall with a double edged blade. If they refused to surrender Port Nezahua, then all of the survivors would be executed. People would have relatives there would cry out against the Queen, screaming for all to hear that she might as well as hanged them herself. On the other hand, if they relinguished Nezahua, that would not only giving in to Carthak, but make Amedessa look weak and invite more grievances by their enemies. It would also be a death sentence for many of the citizens of Nezahua.
Gideon reached the door of the lesser council room and pulled it open without hesitation and with a great deal more force than was strictly necessary so frustrated was he by the actions of the Carthakis. Doubtless, he said bitterly in his mind, Mithros and the Graveyard Hag are at odds.
