119 The Good Allies (1/2)
”I would have suggested we stop kidding around and begin immediately. But alas, we are not animals to start without introductions.” Chen suggested. He grabbed one of the torches and illuminated the faces of the newcomers. ”You must be Rickard. An honor to meet a Master of the Knights. And you… I don't really care to be honest. A squire of sorts?”
”Prefect Luther of the Whistler Cohort. Glad to meet you” the young man offered his hand.
Chen didn't bother and pointed the torch towards the Wismarine. ”His highness Skall. Rumors say that it was actually you who tried to assassinate Lucia Vanadis. If that's true, then you are the most powerful man among us. You just caused a damn civil war that threw our Kingdoms into a mess” Chen said without warmth in the tone of his voice.
If it was true that this Skall Wismar is the true cause of this civil war, then it was him who propelled Timothy into a position of great power. If not for this prince, Chen would have been relaxing his butt in Inkit. Instead he was here, fighting a war all the while preventing Timothy from getting more powerful.
”I wouldn't deny it neither would I confirm it.” Skall evaded.
Chen grunted. Not that he cares. He planted the torch in front of him. ”I am Magistrate Chen of the great Republic of Inkit.”
”And I am Marquis Sachi of the Kingdom of Canton” Sachi said who was on his right.
”And I am Marquis Qilo of Hadea” Qilo said on his left.
”Nice to meet you gentlemen. Then I will begin with an offer of alliance to the four of you” Rickard said
”That would be great” Skall replied. ”I am in fact authorized to break my alliance with King Leopold and ally with you instead. And I suggest we make haste. Timothy Castonia is getting powerful by the minute”
Chen was surprised by the willingness of the Wismarine to break alliances. He was disappointed in Skall Wismar. It seemed the prince was a little foolish.
”No” Chen dropped his absolute answer ”We will not be allies. An alliance would benefit only Tulosa while the four of us will be destroyed diplomatically. We are not even friends. We only share a common enemy, a great power we must prevent from forming”
”I agree” Marquis Qilo voiced ”In fact I don't think we should even be doing this. If King Leopold and King Timothy finds out about our secret meeting, I don't know what will happen to us.”
”Yes. Maybe we should just end our discussions here. My own King would kill me if he finds out.” Sachi said
There was then a silence as all sides gauged each other. Chen already had a solid grasp on the willingness of all sides. Skall and Rickard were bent on destroying Timothy at all cost with Skall even willing to ruin his nation's diplomacy. Qilo and Sachi were both reluctant to betray Timothy but they see that letting Timothy grow more powerful is not a good idea. Chen was actually at the middle. He wasn't willing to ruin the name of Inkit but he will do almost anything to weaken Timothy Castonia.
”I say you need to reconsider oh fine noblemen” the young Prefect beside Rickard said. ”You don't know how powerful he is because you haven't faced him in battle. If you have known, you would have bet everything you have to destroy him.”
The Prefect paused as if recalling a terrifying distant memory. He continued with a shaking voice ”I have fought him three times and three times I've tasted defeat. The first one I lost half of my cohort while he didn't lose anything. And that's just his subordinate. The next defeat was at Knightsend and my cohort was the only one that got away. I lost my uncle. The third was just recently” he looked at Chen ”And if not for your dallying, I would have been dead. We are doing the continent a great favor by eliminating Timothy. He is tamed now but who knows what will happen in the future when he had tasted power. Maybe he will crave for more and by that time even the combined forces of Inkit, Canton, Hadea, Wismar, Tulosa and even Calgari wouldn't be enough to stop him.”
There was another silence as Chen, Qilo and Sachi looked at each other. Chen could see that the two were frightened.
It was true though. King Timothy's greatest sin was getting powerful. If history teaches one thing it's that powerful people are the banes of peace. It is the difference in power that causes war. For peace to reign there must be a balance of power between nations. Timothy Castonia and Lucia Vanadis will break that balance. That was the sin Chen couldn't forgive.
”I'm sorry but we still don't want an alliance. The price to pay is just too steep. But we are committed in our partnership. We will do anything in our power to help you in secret” Chen said
”Fine. Then we must postpone our alliance for now. But what's our plan? Assassination? A knife to the back? I would be disappointed if you'll just spy for me.” Rickard said.
”I say we send a cutthroat” Skall suggested
”A cutthroat? Have you seen his guard? That big man who is a head taller than everybody? That guard is fanatically loyal to King Timothy and stays by his side all the time. Assassination wouldn't work.” Qilo said
”Sabotage then?”
”Sabotage..” Rickard shook his head ”That wouldn't be enough. Even if we destroy all their food, those Castonians would eat grass if they have to!”
”Please lower your voice Rickard”