"The game of high lord politics is a labyrinth of shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and competing powers. It is a world where words can be weapons and silence can be deadly. Those who navigate this terrain with skill and cunning may ascend the ranks of power, while those who falter or misstep may find themselves cast aside or worse. It is a world where nothing is as it seems and everything is at stake."

Lady Acacia

“Lady Acacia, why have they travelled all this way just for our support? It seems excessive, as we have not even attended court yet.” I asked. “We don’t even have a vote until we’ve been presented to the prince,” I argued.

“Well, while you do not have a vote yet, you will in the future.” She replied before switching to her lecturing tone. “The high lords' differences have their roots in historical and cultural factors. The House of Lords is split between the Landlords and the Coastal Lords, and their respective powers are based on the land and the sea. The Landlords hold power over the fertile farmlands, mines, and precious resources, while the Seafarers control the shipping lanes and trade routes.

The Landlords have traditionally been seen as more conservative and protective of their resources. At the same time, the Coastal and Island Lords are more liberal and willing to engage in trade with foreign powers. This has led to differing opinions on foreign policy and trade agreements.

Additionally, there is a sense of competition between the two sides, each seeking an advantage. The high lords see themselves as the true power behind the throne, constantly vying for more influence and control.

While it may seem like it would be in their best interest to remain neutral and engage in free trade, there are still those on both sides who are more interested in gaining power and influence than in economic gain. These individuals may see neutrality as a weakness or a missed opportunity to gain an advantage over their rivals. It will take a careful approach to navigate these differences and maintain peace and prosperity for all. They will not necessarily leave without gaining the answer they are after.” Lady Acacia reverted to lecturing, making the most of every opportunity to teach us something.

“Don’t forget the landlords are also responsible for defending the land borders with Maestro and Libeccio,” Namir added to the lesson on geopolitics.

“That's a good point.” Lady Acacia nodded in agreement. “The landlords have traditionally been responsible for defending the kingdom's borders, which can be a costly and resource-intensive endeavour. This may contribute to their conservative stance on foreign policy and trade agreements.

Additionally, the landlords may feel that their resources are more valuable and thus should be protected at all costs. This mindset could lead to a reluctance to engage in trade with foreign powers, especially if there are concerns about the security of their resources.

On the other hand, seafarers may view trade as an opportunity to expand their influence and accumulate wealth, even if it means taking on more significant risks. They may also have more experience dealing with foreign powers and negotiating trade agreements, which could give them a competitive advantage in this arena.” She added.

“Then there is the recent rise in piracy,” Arawn pointedly, looking at Captain Kashif. “It is not as if the Coastal Lords do not have their own costs.”

Lady Acacia jumped into the pause, continuing to explain the complex nature of Ponentian Politics. “Indeed, the rise of piracy from the Libeccian galleys has strained the Coastal lords and their resources. They must constantly patrol their waters and protect their trade routes, which can be costly and complicated. This naturally led to some Coastal lords seeking alliances with other sea lords to help share the defence burden. In contrast, others have advocated for more aggressive tactics against the pirates. However, these measures can also strain relationships with the Landlords and further widen the gap between the two sides.

Mercurio, the Ponentian merchant, leaned forward and addressed the group. "Gentlemen, let me explain the current situation facing the coastal lords. As you all know, the Libeccian galleys have become more aggressive in their piracy, which has led to rising costs for the coastal lords in defending their coastline. This has strained their resources and made it more difficult to maintain their trade routes."

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Aleera interjected, "But why don't they just band together and pool their resources to better defend against the pirates?"

Mercurio nods. "They have to an extent, particularly the coastal lords under High Lord Larimar. But as you know, the landlocked lords are a proud and independent lot. They, under High Lord Carnelian, are hesitant to relinquish control over their resources and funds, even for the mutual defence of the kingdom."

I said, "But surely they must realise their trade routes are at risk? The loss of trade could be catastrophic for the whole country, not just the coastal lords."

Mercurio shook his head. "They are aware of the risks, but some still believe their resources and strength are enough to protect them from the economic downturn. They are playing a dangerous game in the House of Lords with the country's fate at stake."

At this point, Captain Kashif, the Libeccian merchant, spoke up. "I understand your concerns, Mercurio, but let us remember that piracy is not just a problem for the Ponentian Merchants. It affects us all. I, too, have suffered losses at the hands of these pirates, and I believe that we should all work together to find a solution."

Mercurio regarded the Libeccian with a wary eye but nodded in agreement. "You are right, Captain Kashif. This is not a problem that affects only one country. We must work together to protect our interests and our trade routes."

The group fell silent as they considered this new threat's implications and the need for cooperation in the face of danger.

“What if we refit the Libeccian galley to defend our territorial waters from pirates,” I asked. It was already the plan, but maybe we needed to speed that up and present it to the two envoys as the reason and support for our neutrality.

Mercurio raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting we use a slave galley to defend ourselves?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes, it's a resource we have available to us. And it's not as if we'll use enslaved people to handle it. We can rehire the formerly enslaved people and mercenaries; if necessary, we'll include some of our men into service. The important thing is that we'll have a ship that's well-suited to the task of protecting our waters."

Captain Kashif looked sceptical. "A slave galley is not a warship. It's designed for rowing, not for fighting. And it's not like we have experienced soldiers to handle it."

"True," Kai conceded. "But we can retrofit it with some weaponry and defensive measures. And as for the crew, we can train them. We have some experienced sailors in our midst, and we can bring in more if necessary."

Mercurio, the Ponentian merchant, interjected, "Indeed, Lord Kai Silversea, piracy has become a scourge on the seas. However, one ship alone cannot possibly defend the vast waters. It would take a whole fleet to tackle such a problem."

Kashif, the Libeccian captain, nodded in agreement. "I have seen the might of the pirate pairs that roam these waters. They are well-armed and ruthless. No matter how well-armed, a single ship cannot match their strength."

Lord Kai Silversea listened to their concerns thoughtfully. "You are right, of course. One ship alone cannot solve the piracy problem. But we must start somewhere. And this ship, once refitted, will be better equipped to defend our territorial waters. We can also work with other coastal lords and kingdoms to pool our resources and coordinate our efforts against the pirates."

. . .

Meanwhile, two envoys had booked a private room in the Compass Edge Tavern.

High Lord Larimar's envoy, a tall man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, stood across the table from High Lord Carnelian's envoy, a stout man with a bushy beard and sharp features. They were seated in a small private room, surrounded by wooden walls and the light of two flickering lamps.

Larimar's envoy spoke first, "It's important that we establish a good relationship between our high lords. This is House Silversea’s first impression of the House of Lords. We must work together to maintain peace and prosperity in our lands."

Carnelian's envoy scoffed, "Prosperity for your coastal lords, perhaps. But what about the landlocked lords? They face their pressures and concerns."

"We understand that," replied Larimar's envoy. "But the coastal lords are also facing their own problems. The rise of Libeccian piracy has strained their resources and defences."

Carnelian's envoy leaned forward, his voice rising in frustration. "And what about our landlocked lords? They have their borders to defend and their own resources to manage."

Larimar's envoy nodded in agreement. "We understand your concerns, but we must all work together. If we are divided, we will fall. The pirates will take advantage of our weaknesses and tear us apart."

Carnelian's envoy crossed his arms. "We will not let the coastal lords dictate our policies. We have our own interests to consider, and no one will bully us."

Larimar's envoy sighed. "This is not about bullying or dominance. It's about cooperation and mutual benefit. If we work together, we can all prosper. If we fight amongst ourselves, we will all suffer."

The two envoys continued to argue back and forth, their voices growing louder as they debated the importance of their respective parties. It was clear that tensions were high and that finding a solution that satisfied everyone would be difficult.

. . .