Striking A Deal|Darkthrone, New Morilanta

[Kender Bard]

Zenobe considered that carefully. He was well aware that his fellow Clears were unhappy with their 'outsider' status, feeling like barnacles on a ship instead of valued, adored pillars of society. Of course he was well aware of the dreams of grandiose his people had which weren't entirely in touch with reality. "How would you do so?" he asked.

[Devon]

Saul wanted to say he'd be the damned king, who would stop him from helping them rise up. "There is no cure-all to make Turdomin appear better in the eyes of the people, but I'm more willing to work with you than anyone else, especially if someone from the church takes power. First we'll start by having you and your people help rebuild and go from there."

[Kender Bard]

"It's a start," Zenobe agreed, beginning to warm to the thought. "What would you have us do, my lord?"

Anarchy smiled. It was always good to see a man who spotted when it was useful to be good and helpful.

[Devon]

"I'm going to gain the support of the nobles in Morilanta, but I don't feel like taking all the time that is truly needed to do it. If I plan on becoming king, I must strike now. So I'm going to throw a little party and you and several of your men will be there, hidden of course, to help me enslave the nobles and force them to support me as king."

[Kender Bard]

Zenobe nodded slowly. Then again, this could have... severe backlash if not properly handled. "Will we get to keep the nobles?" Zenobe inquired. That would be a huge boon.

[Devon]

"In a sense," Saul answered. "Of course you can't take them home with you, it'd be strange for almost an entire noble class to suddenly want to move to Turdomin, but you can use them to boost trade and revenue for your land. I must warn you though, if any of you get too ambitious there will be consequences."

[Kender Bard]

"Now why would you suspect us of a thing like that?" Zenobe asked in false innocence, and then gave a hearty laugh. "Very well. That sounds like a fair trade to me. We'll prepare things for a grand feast here in your honor and you invite the nobles."

[Devon]

"No, we do it in my home," Saul replied. "You and a few of your men will arrive the night before and hide out, during the party when I raise my glass to toast, that is when you strike. Don't worry, I'll think of a great reason to have a party in a few days." Saul rose and waited for Anarchy to do the same thing. "For some reason I just feel the need to let you know, don't strike against a helping hand.."

[Kender Bard]

"We aren't fools here," Zenobe protested. "We will follow your instructions loyally, my lord."

Anarchy rose and twined her fingers within Saul's and peered at Zenobe mistrustingly. He gave her a mild, placid look in returned.

"Let us return home," Anarchy bade Saul. "I long for a bath."

[Devon]

Saul nodded and escorted Anarchy out of the room. Teasing he said, "As long as I can join you for a bath." Once they were away from Zenobe and out of the building he asked, "So do you think I'll have to kill that man at some point?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes, but perhaps not for a long while yet," Anarchy answered quietly. "He is ambitious but so is everyone else who breathes and lives in Morilanta. It's just a matter of how shrewd he is and how compliant. And he certainly seems compliant. I think so long as we do not allow him to grow idle once in a position of actual power we should be fine. Idleness breeds treachery after all."

[Devon]

Saul nodded as they boarded the coach that was headed for his home. "True enough, I'll either have to keep him amused or get rid of him, whichever is simpler at the time to me. Now for the party when it is time for the ensnaring you shall leave the manor with Abel and get a good distance away. I don't want to run the risk of you being ensnared by anyone and we'll need to get you a few dresses. We have to celebrate the wedding I was unable to invite the nobles to since we were away."

[Kender Bard]

"Wait, what?" Anarchy stated, shopping short. She frowned, looking incredibly puzzled, then just plain surprised. "Why Saul... I don't recall agreeing to be your bride... unless this is your peculiar way of proposing to me."

[Devon]

Saul paused and turned to look at her, idly rubbing his hand underneath his chin. "Why, I suppose it is then," he replied easily. "Look, you'd hardly be accepted as a Queen if you were just by my side with no attachment to me, but as my wife it is easier for the people to grasp. Besides it'd all work out for the best."

[Kender Bard]

Anarchy regarded Saul levelly, considering his claim, mind whirling as she tried to see the situation from all sides.

He was right from a purely logical point of view, of course, but that was superficial.

The important questions were: What would she get out of it? What would he get out of it? And is there anyway either of them could use the position against one another?

As she ran the possibilities through her mind, she crossed her arms and frowned slightly at Saul. "I don't suppose that means my duty to you will be solely... domestic will it?" She did NOT want to be chained to a room and left to idle while he ran things. That was what slaves were for.