The young woman certainly had a strong spirit, that was certain to Lady Grimm as she dissected the information given to her.  While the name Yaar Tovah meant little to her, the dark elves' ears perked up at the name.  [b]"An absolute delight to make your acquaintance.  I expect you to do your best in the upcoming battles."[/b]  Lady Grimm smiled demurely and acted as if it was all just small talk rather than a life or death situation.

[color=39b54a]"Yaar Tovah...well that explains a bit."[/color]  The green knight leaned back in her seat with a scowl.  [color=39b54a]"Elves do still have some ties there as I recall, though if you recall sister a certain 'incident' destroyed most of those connections."[/color]

The red armored dark elf frowned and placed her hands on the table.  [color=ed1c24]"Quite the debaucle indeed, though its been so many years it is still fresh in my memory.  Still, I am sure a few of those idiots still keep an eye on that village from time to time."[/color]

Lady Grimm interrupted them at this point.  [b]"Now, now, mind your manners you two before our guests.  Also you should be on your guard for it looks like things are about to be heated."[/b]  Before either could ask a scuffle had broken out further down the table and chaos had started to ensue.  The two dark elves were instantly on their guard and ready to take action at a moment's notice.

[hr]

As being the closest to the initial hubbub, the two potential heiresses had front row seats to the sudden chaos as Confederates and Imperials started to brawl with each other.  Primrosa made sure to keep an eye around her, ready to fight at a moment's notice if need be, but not daring to get involved while her father was present.  Esmerelda lifted her plate as a stray piece of bread sailed and would have taken out her dinner if she had not moved in time.

[b]"If I am not mistaken sister, I believe it was your Empire who made the first aggressive move.  Brandishing a knife at the banquet table, how disgraceful."[/b]  Esmerelda daintily took a napkin and dabbed at her mouth as the battles around them grew in intensity.

[b]"Well, it was your uncivilized crew that goaded him in the first place!"[/b]  Primrosa countered and grudgingly got up from the table to back away from the mess.

Officers tried to calm down their troops but to no avail.  Servants were keeping their distance from the brawl, except for a certain masked individual who seemed to be trying to get as close as possible though staying out of any fists or plate's way.

[hr]

Lord Grimm surveyed the chaos with a determined glare.  The lack of strong authority over either group allowed the others to do what they wanted.  Everyone had wanted to take a swing at the other party and this was their first chance to do so.  Hate, anger, frustration, feelings of revenge and justice were spewing over into a bubbling concoction that was palatable.  It was a good start to this war but if things got out of hand, his family could be in danger and it was way too soon for this contest to end.

Lord Grimm stood up to his full height put back an armored gauntlet to allow a servant to hand him a large, battleaxe.  The weapon was large, and made of blackened metal, a weapon with quite a bit of weight and girth that would have been cumbersome in the hands of the untrained.  With one hand he smashed the axe onto the head of the table, wood cracked and splinted as a fissure made its way down the center.  Because a few idiots were on top of the table, their weight increased the strain and the table collapsed, split in half as men and women tumbled to the ground in a daze.  Thankfully it was only one of several tables placed together so only the ones nearest to Lord Grimm had any minor injuries.

The unexpected move though made everyone turn to look at Lord Grimm who heaved the battleaxe onto his armored shoulder.  The fighting was effectively brought to a halt as they gazed unsure at the towering Lord.  [b]"I do believe it was stated that this dining hall would be neutral ground."[/b]  His voice was like a sheet of ice crashing down upon all their heads.

[b]"Forgive us Lord Grimm, we tried to stop them but their passions got the better of them."[/b]  One of the nobles from the Empire quickly explained in a panic.

One of the more wealthy merchants from the Confederacy was also quick to apologize.  [b]"Yes, my Lord, forgive us, we meant to disrespect."[/b]  Under his breath the merchant cursed the more crude members of his party who had engaged in fisticuffs and potentially got in the way of a good trade deal down the line.

Lord Grimm stepped on part of the remains of the table in front of him, smashing it even more.  [b]"You are lucky we had put are best furniture away for safe keeping.  While I have all your attention there is one more thing I want to aid to this war.  I am putting a limit on how much wealth you can use to sway my servants to your advantage.  Every day they will report without fail to me, how much you bribed them.  As wealth is not the best measure of strength you are limited to 1000 gold pieces throughout this campaign.  Now,"[/b]  Lord Grimm stepped back from the rubble while people righted themselves and looked sheepishly at him. [b]"I expect you to behave yourselves as my servants escort you to your accommodations."[/b]