I shouldn’t have had those pastries. I am getting fat. The Dukes sitting across from me are certainly fat…well, they are bigger than me, so they are fat.
Duke Wannerlin has the body of a boar and the face of a rat…including the whiskers. Why my father thought this man would be someone worth promoting to Duke is really beyond me. Blackmail maybe? It’s not like my father was a god of justice. Well, the little rat has nothing on me, so time for some poisoned cheese.
Duke Kutz on the other hand just looks incompetent. There doesn’t seem to be any intelligence behind those eyes. I would bet he is just riding Wannerlin’s tail. I feel sorry for his wife. Probably should probably save her as well.
“So, from the reports, your majesty, you can see that we are getting beaten back from the expansion front, we need more people. Maybe even a Strong or two to act as rapid response.” The last statement comes out as slimy as an eel. So this is what he wants, he wants Strongs he can control. What to say, what to say.
“It is certainly worth considering Duke Wannerlin. We can review our current deployments and see if there is a way to rotate people in and out of your regions.” Heh. He will not like this. He wants someone he can corrupt. This will take time, blackmail, etc.
“Ah, rotations, yes…maybe a year or two, so they can become familiar with the area, the people.” And bullseye. Oh god, if it wasn’t for all the political fallout later, I would have the fat rat killed now. Well, let’s have them think they are winning. We will need to see where all the gold is sitting anyhow.
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“A year or so could work. I will have to talk with my force leaders and see if there are candidates out there. Maybe as a reward or incentive for good behavior.” Wannerlin smiles and Kutz…grunts? Maybe he is a boar.
Just as I was about to go through tax burdens for the Strongs and the etc, to make them think this is a legitimate negotiation, Carter comes striding through the door. This is not normal. Carter does not enter without asking, and certainly without bringing something with him…beverage, sweets, or lovely ladies for distraction.
It seems the Dukes have noticed this subtle break of protocol as well. They both stare solidly at my attendant.
Carter rounds the sitting area and comes up beside me.
“Excuse me your majesty, but your daughter has come across something amazing and is asking for your input directly. She insists firmly.”
This is not good. My daughter is 32, and average is every visible way…she is however, the head of my information retrieval organization for the Seat. Nothing. But nothing, ever comes across her desk that requires my direct input. My facial expression is unchanged, but I can’t keep it much longer. I need to get rid of Duke Rat and Duke Boar quickly…I just need a reason.
“Oh, did she finally get someone to find a shadow cat location? I know she has been wanting one for quite some time. Excuse me gentleman, I am sorry this has come up today, but you understand…the heir to the Seat must not be kept waiting.” Laughing out the last bit, we all stand up. I go through the motions of shaking hands and accepting the bows and well wishes.
The entire time, Carter is rapidly tapping his foot. This is bad. Carter does not get flustered, that is primarily why he is my attendant.
As the last of the fatty sludge leaves the room, I turn to Carter and ask, “What is going on, and get them followed now. We need to see what their reaction to this interruption will do for their plans.”
“Yes, your majesty. We already have a crew setup for observation. They will report tonight. We must move now though, we have a possible avatar beast.”
If the statement was a joke, it was a poor one. One look at Carter tells me it’s not. My legs go a little weak and the days sweets feel a little less balanced in my stomach.
“Avatar, Carter? Huh, let’s move then. Damm this day.”