Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 56

Eartaria, frustrated and disappointed that Colm would even consider an accord with the King of Tunid, was not content to just sit back and accept the possibility. As he arrived, in the dead of night, upon the shores of the Northern Kingdom, he was clear in his intention. Journeying by boat, he'd travelled with just a few co-conspirators, with the sole aim of sowing as much discord as possible.

His plan was simple. He would inform all three mainland kings of the secret compact that had been offered on the King of Tunid's behalf. Causing chaos, and making any dream of secrecy impossible. Whether it forced a wedge between the mainland and Tunida, or just ended up forcing them closer together, he simply didn't care. He just wanted honest chaos. Fearing that his information wouldn't be believed though he'd also brought Coulema Galina along, bound and chained, stolen away in the dark hours, as a token of his veracity.

King Brijsk, the Northern King, was far from happy when he was awakened at such an early hour. Slowly plodding down the stone steps that led from his chamber he chastised his footman for not waiting until daylight. As he entered the room to find Eartaria, along with the captive Galina, his scepticism shifted little. Eartaria felt a slight doubt in his stomach as he witnessed the mood of the king, but quickly proceeded to explain what had occurred in explicit detail - not failing to leave out any of his own angry feelings about the situation. As he reached the part about capturing the King of Tunid's son - noting how they'd taken the boy on the very coast of Tunida - the sleepiness of  the king dissipated somewhat.

"You have the king's son?"

Up until now Eartaria had simply assumed that it was commonly known that the king's son was missing, so the disbelief in the question back slightly surprised him too. The evident surprise in his own reaction adding to the credibility of his story. Brijsk turned to Coulema Galina to seek some sort of confirmation.

"Is this true? The king's son captured?"

Galina remained silent.

"He's loyal to his king and prince," noted Eartaria, guardedly, with a touch of condemnation. He then pulled out a short dagger from his belt and prodded Galina gently below the rib to get a response. Again, silence. His grumpiness shifting, King Brijsk laughed as he watched the scruffy and agitated Brynnyfirdian try to force some words of speech. "Leave him. He looks like a Tunidan guard, I'll take your word for it."

Eartaria then continued to describe the offer made in the negotiations, along with the female treasurer that had come to do the negotiating. Her black boots, blouse and trousers. Her fur coat and hat. Her confident and assertive attitude.

"That certainly sounds like Maleeva, too," laughed the king, aloud, now confident he could at least somewhat believe the scenario being relayed to him.

"Personally, I would happily take a period of peace," he then went on, "I'm too old and too lazy for these wars - black powder or no black powder. We'll have rebellion here soon too if our losses continue."

"Why don't you rebel against the Tunidans? They play you for fools."

King Brijsk laughed again.

"They don't play us for fools. Our biggest problem is your islands, and their endless rebellions and anarchies. If that disorder spreads here, especially with that damn black powder, then my head will be for the noose. That's why I'm fighting this war. No other reason. I'm surprised the King of Tunid would be stupid enough to think that any sort of orderly agreement could ever be arranged with you lot. He struggles enough with us. His missing son must be playing with his judgement - if indeed he is missing. And don't get me wrong. I admire your fighting spirit and free-spirited ways. I do ..I have it myself a touch ..but it leads to nothing but blood and drama."

Eartaria liked the straight-talking nature of the king, who proceeded to lower himself down into a large, comfortable chair as he kept on speaking.

"Peace would be welcome, for a time, but we need this black powder you have if there's ever going to be a lasting peace. If you and the Tunidans have it and we don't, we can't sleep safely. We can tolerate your independence if we all have it. Maybe ..but nothing less than that."

The king then stopped talking as he felt an ache of hunger in his stomach. He called his courtier and ordered breakfast be brought in. As he did so the early morning light began to pierce through the window, illuminating the dust in the room. "This information you've given, it's useful - if it's true. Still, I'd rather spread the worry around than leave it on our doorstep here. I'll arrange passage for you to head south, to take it to the other idiot kings. At least if you're lying they'll be lied to too. I'll sit here, fill my stomach, and wait to see what they make of it."