Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 38
News reached Queen Aglaia that one of her ships had been impositioned on its return journey from the Northern Kingdom. It had been boarded by force, and though the crew had been left unharmed, its cargo had been confiscated. The value wasn't enormous, it mainly being just wools and furs, along with a few other goods. However, the message was clear, and though it gave the appearance of a random act of sea piracy it was obvious that it was meant as a shot across the bows. Pressuring Queen Aglaia into acquiescing a little more readily.
Unsurprisingly her reaction was one of anger and indignation. It was perfectly expected that the mainland would try to turn the screw in this way, but even still, the infringement was considered an absolute outrage by her. Her dogs - four, five and six - normally yappy and noisy little things, had sensed this change in temperament, and were now scampering around and nestling themselves behind table legs, and under the folds of gold-cloth hanging from her throne.
Her advisers couldn't hide themselves so readily, and had to contend full-on with her outrage. They knew it was inevitable that she would eventually take a considered approach to the problem. In fact, even in mid-rage they knew it was highly likely that she was pondering a rational response at that very moment - if she hadn't already planned one in advance. However, she liked the theatre and drama of an angry performance. Feeling it set the tone. Keeping everyone on their toes, and putting on a bold display for any mainland spy that may be watching or that word may get back to. It was good for her to get the ire and fury out too. She was indeed angry and indignant, and a volcanic production helped her to work through the ire.
"To acquiesce or to act of war," she said out loud more than once. Illustrating the general fork in the road the issue presented her with. To cede to the demand for ships and men, or to perhaps put those men and ships to her own proper use. Of course, there was a third option too, and that was to simply wait some more and play for time. The Queen's favourite strategy, and the likely course of action. Would they push more and apprehend more ships? It was likely, but at the same time the mainland powers would be aware that further incursions may have the opposing effect. Pushing Queen Aglaia into outright rage-driven retaliation, instead of cooperation. Or just plain insouciance, masked by anger. So, understanding this, she was especially tempted to just let the mainland make the next move. Hoping the incursion would be a one-off, and that the issue might just disappear under the rubble of other unfolding events.
The one problem with this strategy was that it risked inflaming tensions between the Maiden Lands and the mainland kingdoms in a way that would grow beyond her control. If merchant ships kept getting accosted, especially if lives were also lost during such attacks, then her loving public would become increasingly angry too. Making it in turn more difficult for her to send ships and men to the western war front (or pox-ridden hotbed, as most of the public would see it) if she did indeed decide to follow that route.
As the dogs pattered around her feet, albeit quietly, she paused mid-performance and pondered for a bit. Sitting down on the edge of her throne as she did so. When she stopped speaking like this it was always the cue for her advisers to step in and offer their various opinions and solutions, which they obligingly did. Some urging a course of peace. Arguing that it was sensible to send a few ships to the western arena. Others, slightly more hawkish, suggesting a show of strength, by increasing the presence of their own vessels in the north-eastern seas.
Unsurprisingly her reaction was one of anger and indignation. It was perfectly expected that the mainland would try to turn the screw in this way, but even still, the infringement was considered an absolute outrage by her. Her dogs - four, five and six - normally yappy and noisy little things, had sensed this change in temperament, and were now scampering around and nestling themselves behind table legs, and under the folds of gold-cloth hanging from her throne.
Her advisers couldn't hide themselves so readily, and had to contend full-on with her outrage. They knew it was inevitable that she would eventually take a considered approach to the problem. In fact, even in mid-rage they knew it was highly likely that she was pondering a rational response at that very moment - if she hadn't already planned one in advance. However, she liked the theatre and drama of an angry performance. Feeling it set the tone. Keeping everyone on their toes, and putting on a bold display for any mainland spy that may be watching or that word may get back to. It was good for her to get the ire and fury out too. She was indeed angry and indignant, and a volcanic production helped her to work through the ire.
"To acquiesce or to act of war," she said out loud more than once. Illustrating the general fork in the road the issue presented her with. To cede to the demand for ships and men, or to perhaps put those men and ships to her own proper use. Of course, there was a third option too, and that was to simply wait some more and play for time. The Queen's favourite strategy, and the likely course of action. Would they push more and apprehend more ships? It was likely, but at the same time the mainland powers would be aware that further incursions may have the opposing effect. Pushing Queen Aglaia into outright rage-driven retaliation, instead of cooperation. Or just plain insouciance, masked by anger. So, understanding this, she was especially tempted to just let the mainland make the next move. Hoping the incursion would be a one-off, and that the issue might just disappear under the rubble of other unfolding events.
The one problem with this strategy was that it risked inflaming tensions between the Maiden Lands and the mainland kingdoms in a way that would grow beyond her control. If merchant ships kept getting accosted, especially if lives were also lost during such attacks, then her loving public would become increasingly angry too. Making it in turn more difficult for her to send ships and men to the western war front (or pox-ridden hotbed, as most of the public would see it) if she did indeed decide to follow that route.
As the dogs pattered around her feet, albeit quietly, she paused mid-performance and pondered for a bit. Sitting down on the edge of her throne as she did so. When she stopped speaking like this it was always the cue for her advisers to step in and offer their various opinions and solutions, which they obligingly did. Some urging a course of peace. Arguing that it was sensible to send a few ships to the western arena. Others, slightly more hawkish, suggesting a show of strength, by increasing the presence of their own vessels in the north-eastern seas.
Aglaia listened to all these opinions with studied intent, asking the odd question to tease out some finer points. Finally, after each had given their opinion, she stood up and gave her course of action.
"We'll wait."
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