Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-24510587-20170621000455/@comment-17114085-20170622013225

~1st of Morning Star, 4E 269

As was customary with the first day of each month in Hegathe, the King held council with his courtiers.

The council room was dominated by the half-moon table, with the King sitting right at the center and his courtiers sitting at either side.

To Arthago's right was his younger brother Sir Sameq, and to his left was his Magister, Lady Makela. She read off the news from the taxes from the previous month.

"It seems that Dragon Grove has followed in Craester's Arm's example and refused to pay tribute to the crown of Hegathe, declaring themselves autonimous from your grace." She said.

"The nerve of those fools." Sameq snapped. "They owe their allegiance to Hegathe, both of them."

Arthago scowled, this news didn't make him happy in the least. The more these minor towns refused to pay tribute to him the weaker it made him look to the other Kings.

"This is all the fault of the weak Forebear government." argued his Master of Laws, Lord Kalam. Like Arthago he was true follower of the old Yokudan ways, a member of the Crown faction. "The Consul gives too much freedom to the lesser Lords and this is how they act. The Emperors of Yokuda weep for their descendants, I am sure."

Arthago agreed, but he always listened more than he spoke in these meetings. His father always said that a good King listened to his advisors.

"For once I agree with Lord Kalam." Said the old woman at the far end of the left side of the table. Cegila, the Court Wizard of Hegathe. "We will need to make a show of force soon or we will completely lose face with the rest of the Commonwealth."

The other courtiers nodded.

"And you, Rok'dun?" Arthago asked when the masked man at the end of the right side of the table remained quiet. Rok'dun was a curious fellow, a famous thief that was caught trying to steal from the Palace in Hegathe and instead of being punished he was offered the position of Master of Whispers.

At first people questioned why Arthago wanted a failed thief as a spymaster but the King realized that Rok'dun had in fact visited the Palace three times already without anyone noticing, each time stealing numerous items. With each item he grew bolder and bolder until he tried to steal from the King's earing and was caught when Arthago awoke as he tried to take it off. The fact that he was able to do all that and make it inside his room without his guards realizing impressed Arthago and he gave the thief the option to join his court instead of face the death penalty.

"It is as Cegila says. If you ever mean to become Consul you must not be weak and as such need to seem strong to the other Elector-Kings. Only then will your ambitions be realized." The masked thief said.

Arthago grinned and turned to his brother. "Then you will have to start training the troops to get them ready for a demonstration of force in the future."

Sameq hit his chest in a salute. "Of course, your grace."