Well Carcino (both halves) were already allies with the Golden Alliance and paid mild tribute to some of the countries and rulers. (We did discuss this before). So I think he’d be going to make sure things don’t get out of hand losing them their allies. I was imagining the alliance had always been a bit begrudging between the Carcino’s and the Golden Alliance; however, Rottek (the Lord of N. Carcino) would praise them and basically convince them he only has their best interest in mind (really he’d just want to remain on the more powerful countries good sides should things go sour). Laures would probably try to barter an alliance between the two but the two aren’t getting along, Lord Rottek is being very adamant in having Lord Adrian removed from his position (believing him responsible for S. Carcino’s “faults”). S. Carcino is fed up with N. Carcino (and probably paying up to the Golden Alliance) and the conference ends in failure. War escalates and S. Carcino turns to Jehanna, etc. 

It could be that Ismaire wants to help for the throne, but the group could have also just been hired. And then later stumbles along Lance and Co.