Snippet #2349742

Maul dragged his tired body up the steps of Boison House, the large stone fortress on the outskirts of Langsmerth that has been part of the family for more than a century. "If there is one thing I hate, it is long rides on horseback!"
Bann Liutus grinned that sly grin of his and opened the door for Maul. "I arranged that you see the Lady White Whisper, she has important information to share with you my Lord."
"Excellent, I always enjoyed her company while I stayed here, if only she wasn't so damn secretive and elusive! Can you also inform Declan that I want him to report either tonight, or tomorrow morning first thing, so I can inspect the ledger with all the names and their locations.
"As you wish my Lord"

Shrugging off his heavy fur coat Maul dropped onto a large chair in the solar. It had been a long day filled with bad weather and even worse roads! He made a mental note to do something about the state of Highland roads. Maul's eyes caught the huge tapestry that decorated one side of the large room. The history of the Theongor's unfolded on the beautifully embroidered cloth starting with Cortuan the Great about two hundred years ago. Cortuan Theongor led the Highland Banns in a revolt against the Martican seafarers who were extracting tribute from Penumbria. They had invaded and set up fortresses along the coast, the largest being Arv Stormkeer, from which they contolled most of Penumbria. Cortuan's attack on Arv Stormkeer was the catalyst which ignited the whole of Penumbria into revolt and enabled them to drive the Marticans away. The Marticans fled to Hightower Island and it took many months to finally get rid of them which required a concerted effort of the Highlanders, Lowlanders, and Marsh people. It brought the people together and strengthened the crown in Langsmerth including the house of De Hugh, to the dismay of Cortuan. He wanted the Highlanders to become independent from the monarchy. "I don't look anything like him!" Maul thought.

A figure appeared in front of the fireplace and pulled Maul from his reverie. A nice figure. Always dressed in a way to show off her figure the Lady White Whisper sat down in the chair opposite Maul. "How nice to see that the boy has become a man! We shall have to wait for the hourglass to pass before a judgement can be made on his worth."
"My Lady, it is a pleasure. Please enlighten me, what information do you bring?"
"Silly boy!! All hasty and to the point. Please, indulge me, how is the Kingdom of the Clouds? Where have you led the realm? To strength, or to weakness? Oh, and how was your journey? Full of sweetness, or bitter as the poison from the marshes? Did you skirt the ocean on your way, and see its creatures have their say?"
"Please, I have no time or strength for your games and riddles! What have you to share? Speak plainly so a man can understand"
The woman removed her veil to reveal her astounding beauty. Eyes in shades of brown so pure and deep a man cannot help but drown in them. A perfect face crowned with rich black hair that flowed over her exquisite shoulders and beautiful arms. Maul was speechless, and she knew it. "My Lord, the throne is in jeopardy, the Hightower Pirate has a fleet ready to fight and an ambition to match. Some of my clients inform me that he has stationed armed men along the coast, but some have been intercepted by the Ice Queen. But, more disconcerting, Lord Sundregn is building an army at an alarming rate. It appears they both have war in mind."
"This is the information you have for me? I knew before I left home!"
"My Lord is perceptive, but still needs to learn discretion and patience...I fear both of those threats are containable in comparison to the Ice Queen. The pirate can never rule Penumbria, the people will never stand for it. We all tolerate his outrageous behaviour so long as it stays in Hightower, that is as far as it goes. Lord Sundregn might be building a larger and in the process weaker army, but he can never sustain one for a long enough time to tame Penumbria into submission. The Ice Queen is in command of the best equipped forces and rules over most of the food produced in the Isles. She has direct access to the young King, and can easily remove him from power. She has an extensive spy network with tentacles in almost every Bannship, including yours. Her family history enables her to step into the role of Queen of Penumbria without causing any scandal or calls of illegitimacy.
I wish to caution you my Lord, do not trust her. In the next few days we shall know what plans the Pirate and Lord Sundregn have, if possible we should not alienate them. Do not commit yourself to any cause yet. In the meantime, support the young King, maybe he can surprise us all."