to let that pitiful backwater sink into the swamp from whence it came." He emptied his wine and placed it down on the table. "That madman can decree all he wants, but their country has some sort of council that must approve them. Some sort of nonsense pretend polical system. But a few months ago, we began to get these." He made another slight gesutre with his hands, and one of the ragged men at his side placed a large missive in his hand with the seal long broken. He extracted the letter and placed it down on the map. "It seems the Dutchess has very different feelings about Her Excellency's Empire than Duke Ulvuin."
Markus picked up the letter and eyed it over. It was an offical letter, clearly penned by a scribe but signed and sealed by the Dutchess. Markus had only a few moments to look over the missive before the Chancellor snatched it from his hands, but he clearly saw the words "assistance," "dimentia," and "alliance."
"The Dutchess of Therindar has been appealing to the Empress for official assistance despite the Duke's decree." He folded the letter once more. "And we intend to honor her request, to a point."
Markus' eyes went wide. "You don't mean--"
"Yes. We would like you to be Her Grace's representitive in Therindar."
The young knight was aghast. That was just about the farthest place on the continent he coult be sent apart from complete Imperial exile. He was struggling for words, one of his biggest faults.
"Is there a problem, Sir Markus?" The Chancellor said. "Do you question our Lady's decision to send aid?"
"No, not at all." Markus said quickly. "But... but this would the be a task for a diplomat, or a spy, but why me?"
The Chancellor smiled, taking another sip from his wine. "Because, as we said, you are unexeptional." He gently patted his lip with a cloth and then returned to his sick grin. "As per the Duke's decree, we are forbidden to send soldiers into Therindar. However, as an Imperial Knight, you are also a formal representitive of our Lady's government. Therefore, we may legally send you into Therindar without violating any of our standing agreements."
Markus did his best not to stammer or shift in his seat. "To what end? I mean, with all respect, Sir Chancellor, but what am I supposed to do that would help Duke Ulvuin?"
The sick grin returned to the Chancellor's face. "You are not to help the Duke. The Duke has requested none, and would likely refuse any we would send."
Markus picked up the letter and eyed it over. It was an offical letter, clearly penned by a scribe but signed and sealed by the Dutchess. Markus had only a few moments to look over the missive before the Chancellor snatched it from his hands, but he clearly saw the words "assistance," "dimentia," and "alliance."
"The Dutchess of Therindar has been appealing to the Empress for official assistance despite the Duke's decree." He folded the letter once more. "And we intend to honor her request, to a point."
Markus' eyes went wide. "You don't mean--"
"Yes. We would like you to be Her Grace's representitive in Therindar."
The young knight was aghast. That was just about the farthest place on the continent he coult be sent apart from complete Imperial exile. He was struggling for words, one of his biggest faults.
"Is there a problem, Sir Markus?" The Chancellor said. "Do you question our Lady's decision to send aid?"
"No, not at all." Markus said quickly. "But... but this would the be a task for a diplomat, or a spy, but why me?"
The Chancellor smiled, taking another sip from his wine. "Because, as we said, you are unexeptional." He gently patted his lip with a cloth and then returned to his sick grin. "As per the Duke's decree, we are forbidden to send soldiers into Therindar. However, as an Imperial Knight, you are also a formal representitive of our Lady's government. Therefore, we may legally send you into Therindar without violating any of our standing agreements."
Markus did his best not to stammer or shift in his seat. "To what end? I mean, with all respect, Sir Chancellor, but what am I supposed to do that would help Duke Ulvuin?"
The sick grin returned to the Chancellor's face. "You are not to help the Duke. The Duke has requested none, and would likely refuse any we would send."
