The Rise of the Second Kingdom of Osteria
Duke James Conrad & Duke Conrad Sforza
James had recieved word from conrad a week prior to his visit, Conrad was admitted inside the city with a small escort and was sent before the Duke to convince him. The city was as mobile as ever however the people were still thin and not nearly as well looking as those from Lussex, the road construction was already underway as well and people had spent no time delying it for the sooner it was made they hoped the sooner food was brought in.
Conrad was brought before James inside his rather large meeting room, not much had changed from before when Conrad sat on James council, except the map on the table had been marked in several locations specifically the southern reaches, the capital and the forests of the elves. James turned from looking over the map and to Conrad "Bar- Duke Conrad, congradulations my friend and welcome to the Summit, it has been some time since we were both here hasn't it. Even brings back memories." James said as he trailed off.
The march up the mountainside had been slow and tedious, with Duke Sforza ordering his men to halt at several points and rest to become accustomed to the altitude. The slow pace of the march allowed Sforza time to take in the sights, it seemed as if the Duke was investing in a new road network. Hundreds of scrawny peasents toiled and stared at the wagons with hollow eyes. While the wretch’s seemed scrawny, Duke Sforza could find no evidence the peasantry were in fact starving.
The response from Duke James hadn’t been violence as Sforza had been fearing. There was no charging knights on the narrow path or the whistle of arrows, instead only the howling of the wind pursued the lonely column. The Summit spread out before Sforza in all its glory. The newly proclaimed Duke had always been impressed with the sights and sounds of the Summit, though he always detested how wheezy the damn climb left him. The Duke proceeded into the city with an armed escort of a hundred knights, a handful of wagons accompanying the Duke.
'' King Alaric sends his greetings! '' The wagonmaster shouted, as burly men began unloading the sacks of grain. Duke Sforza had ordered their immediate distribution upon their entrance to the city. It was merely a token of the grain that the King had sent him but it would spread amongst a hungry populace.
'' Your Grace. '' Sforza said with a bow befitting an equal, removing his helm to reveal that scarred and pockmarked visage. '' I thank you for your hospitality my lord, as always. '' He said, easing himself into a seat opposite James with the creak of bones. '' I still don't understand how you can live up here. '' He said with a hacking cough that was supposed to have been a chuckle.
'' As you stated the immediate need aid to His Majesty, I have arrived with a supply of grain. '' Though both men knew at this point that the need had been overstated.
'' You read my letter then Your Majesty? You know why I have come? ''
James nodded slowly "I simply love the weather up here. As for why you have came, I am well aware. While I know the King is upset about the taxes I too was upset having been lied too and my position given to some half-elven whore." He chuckled to himself before continuing "And while I'm aware my people aren't exactly starving I was infact hoping the king himself would be brave enough to meet me in person and clearly you can see my people aren't in the best condition they'll make do."
James sighed for a moment once more glancing at his map of the kingdom "Well, I suppose I should see what the King's Royal summons is about unless you've read it and wish to tell me?" James said looking at his old friend
'' James. '' Conrad said speaking as a friend, not as vassal to lord. '' The King is the man we swore fealty to. '' His voice was quiet but firm. '' He is the lord and master of Osteria and I swore an oath before God to serve the Throne. We cannot presume to summon His Majesty before us. Nor does this petulant sulking sound like the man I know and call a friend. '' He said, fingertps tapping hard on the table. '' You were given an unfair deal, while I was promoted as your equal. It has cost me sleepless nights but what frightens me more is the prospet of our kingdom falling to pieces while the Orc theat remains. You are better then this. '' Sforza said rising, with the King's summons in his hands. He threw it onto the center of the table for him to examine.
'' You are to return with me and explain to the King why you have not paid your taxes and are not fulfilling your duty as a lord of this realm. The King made his choice and while we may not agree with them, spewings insults from hundreds of miles away will do nothing to endear you to your peers. Return with me and show them that they are wrong. Please do not turn me away, it will bring you nothing but trouble. '' He said, finishing his plea. Now how would James react?
James once more sighed and nodded he stood up and walked around pacing thinking about his course of action "You say there is nothing we can do, I mean there are severals things, revolt is of course an option and when you think of it aside from the possibility of death isn't the worst idea, of course I could go back with some gold and ask for forgiveness but then I look like a dog with no bite as I had before when I was lied too. Instead, what if we requested the King summons here and not at my own request but yours as well, I could even set something up with the dwarves that live near by, see if the king wishes to apologize for his mistreatment or if he thinks of us as lesser men who know nothing and can't be treated with respect?" James smiled as he turned towards Conrad wondering what his reaction might be.
'' You've made your point, you can withold taxes and valuable trade revenue. If you wish, you could stop the Dwarven trade routes in its tracks. But you know that the King will not come here, it would be an admission of weakness when the King holds all the cards. You are committing an act of rebellion. If the King wishes, he can starve you out. It will take time, it will be painful, and many will die. And for what? Your pride? If you continue to pull this stunt of political theater, you are giving the King all the leverage he requires to remove you and at worst brand you as a traitor when this nation desperately seeks unity. Let this elven whore as you call her hang herself with her own ineptitude. She lacks your experience and her only skill is warming the Kings bed....and when he tires of her..and she fails..he will remember who he turned his back on... It is at that moment, you will hold all the cards. '' He wouldn't put it beyond James to try and engineer his rivals downfall through his own underhanded means.
James nodded "Of course, of course. I will go to the king, but I wish for you to join us. You can speak on my behalf in case anything goes down. But tonight let us drink, feast and retell stroies of old tomorrow we'll go to the capital and keep everything in order." James sat down and clapped his hands the servants had oddly enough already prepared a feast and James seemed rather easy going and ready to submit.
'' You have my word, as your friend, i will speka to His Majesty on your behalf and seek to heal the divisions between you both. '' Sforza said, becoming relieved at the turn of events. He did not want a civil war to begin here, in this chamber. Not between men whom had known eachother all their lives. The Duke clapped his hands for the servants to bring him more food and drink. It had been a hard march after all though Sforza would abstain from too much drink. They had a long climb back down the mountain after all all tomorrow.
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