Bad news

The matter could sound trivial at first. Cattle was being stolen from peasants in the lands of Simon von Altenburg; but this simple issue could have serious implications.

The count supposedly had made an investigation and found out who the thieves were. He claimed that it was the neighbouring tribe of orcs. If that accusation was true it could mean grave problems.

Most orcish tribes were more or less hostile towards humans, elves and, most of all, dwarves; but this one was not. Years back Laerinia had made a pact with the tribe’s chieftain, Gorlag; the drow offered the orcs land in exchange for protection of that border. The peace lasted undisturbed even when Gorlag was replaced as the chieftain by his son Yerug.

Stealing cattle was not a declaration of war by any means, but was an accident serious enough to spoil the relations. An intervention was due to sort things out between the vassals.

“I don’t know yet whether it’s serious or not” Aeriella did not want Karl to know the true weight of the problem “but it sure is strange and needs to be checked. I’m grateful you brought us the information. I’ll inquire the problem myself, but I’ll do that later. Right now I have to thank you somehow for bringing that important matter to us. Is there anything you’d want in particular?”

“Yes, you” Karl was also known for being straightforward.