[center][h2]The King and a Wise man[/h2]
[color=a187be]King Fredricus[/color] and [color=fff200]Lord Thernous[/color] [/center]

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[color=fff200]“My King, there are several routes we can go with, but first, if we wish to be in a better light to the rest of the world, we can create a casus belli here with Lady Stritzel. Use her as a reason for the invasion, no heir, near the border, place her under suspicion for treason, and take her claim. We use her as a scapegoat for invading those who were inciting rebellion in our lands.”[/color]  an aged man in royal robes said as he looked at a king, moving a stick to push a tiny little flag to a plot of land out on the border. “It is en route if they take a half-days detour through her land. Kill her, make sure she and those who are around her die so that they cannot tell another story. It is cold, but I know you will wish to be extreme to close all loose ties, but that might cause strife among some of those in her lands, even if she is not the best, her family has been there a long time..”

[color=a187be]“And I do, I like it, it is brutal for you… more in line with your blood, Uncle.”[/color] the King said, looking over towards Thernous, [color=a187be]“Something that young grandson might enjoy doing; he hasn’t had a good fight, put him with the others, and they will make a fine weapon, and a good bargaining chip should we find the right opportunities.” [/color]

Shuffling was outside the room, and the two men looked at the entryway closest to them. 

[color=fff200]“The others I assume, similar group to those you used last time?” [/color]Thernous asked, [color=fff200]“good group, quality, odd choices… but effective in their roles. Are there any changes that you are making, or thinking of making before we let them in?”[/color]

[color=a187be]“Yes, you, that grandson of yours, his little friend, the young Ironside daughter that was in your recent guard and that your grandson has his eye on, and a few others that seemed to be able to hold their own worth. That seems to be the best for the occasion, I believe that you will be settled with them. Inspire wisdom, and get them to do what is needed for my kingdom.”[/color] replied the King, [color=a187be]“Feel free to use them both as tools to get what we need, we know they are both youthful, imagine if we can get several allies on the way, sealing those alliances and allegences before moving on would be worth a lot.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“I will not speak for the family of Ironside, but I can for my son. If the occasion arrises, he will do his duty, but finding allies in those lands will be hard, rivalries and hate run deep and strong, and war wlll likely settle any change of those thoughts for them. Plus, my grandson already has their permission.”  [/color]

[color=a187be]“Well, use my authority as King to do so, and we shall see if it shall come to fruition with time, if the opportunity arise use them as their bloodlines demand of it, I do not care for their personal feelings. For now, lets see if the others are ready to kill for me. I don’t care if the two have a mutual arrangement, tell your grandson to think of the throne, think of his family and his line. The Ironside family is loyal to us, we don’t need to tie down relations with them, we need fresh allies, fresh men to fight if we are to be at war. Now get the others, and let us proceed.”[/color]

With that Thernous stood, and hobbled over towards a table with a key on it, picking it up, and moving towards the door with the commotion outside, he opened it to several waiting outside, he smiled a bit and relaxed. 

[color=fff200]“Come in, come in, we were just finalizing a few things before we all set off. Just find a spot, and let’ us start this most dire of quests,”[/color] the aging man said as he picked up a piece of wood, and a lining of paper with a few names on it, lifting a quill to the paper, “Just say your name as you enter please, so I can see if we are all here. He said as he also made a few extra markings for those previously not in the party list, and putting a check by his own name.