Snippet #2348783

"Well my Lord, it appears that the boy will be crowned King of Penumbria...which might not go down very well with many Banns. It could very likely lead to war if the situation escalates and the young King cannot build confidence among the Banns." a very worried Jode Blandor stated.

They were in the castle library. The Highlands have been under the Wardenship of the house of Theongor for over two centuries now, so the Theongors manage the region almost like a family estate. With a few large logs in the fireplace, the library was Maul's favourite place to end the day, with a report and advice from Jode. Jode wasn't sure if the twenty-eight year old loner would be able to fill the role of Lord Warden seven months ago. He has been pleasantly surprised, especially with the way in which the soldiers looked up to Maul and willed themselves to be pushed further in order to gain his recognition. They have realized that Maul fights alongside them. Even more surprising, the other Highland Banns have accepted Maul after a little nervousness at first. It has always been Maul's older brother who was getting primed to fill Isu's shoes as Warden, it had taken a lot of convincing from Jode and Bann Liutus to give the young Maul a chance to prove himself. Now they really liked him.

"So we should be getting an invitation anytime?" a pensive Maul asked.
"Yes my Lord, it has certainly been sent, it does take a while to get all the way to Arv Stormkeer, and with the weather we have been having I do not wish to be the messenger! I have a message here from Qunten Eddermarch, we received a pigeon from him this afternoon."
Maul unrolled the two small pieces of paper and quickly read the message. It was addressed to Jode. The message mentioned that invitations have been sent out to all Wardens. It further explained that the situation appears to be very fragile, with rumours that Vaino Sivareth is recruiting as many living men who can fight as possible. There is also an unconfirmed rumour that the pirate Warden of Hightower has doubled his fleet. Qunten doubts this to be possible. He pleads for calm heads and sound advice for Maul from Jode.
"This does not sound good, I am glad that Qunten is there to help the new King. We are ready for war if it comes, I personally ordered that the emergency food reserves be doubled in all the border fortresses. I gave the Banns a little of an incentive, for every bag of grain they stocked in the reserve, they received eight tenths off on that bag's price in taxes."
"I heard, quite clever, your father would have been proud!" Jode grinned. "My Lord, we are the roof of Penumbria, an attack against us would require more than a simple siege, I think for now we must focus on how we can defuse the rising tensions by way of supporting the young prince."
"Tell me about his past, what is it about him being of tainted blood..."