Small lessons

Though the celebrations go late into the night, Kael and Ria have to make their way back to the palace the next morning, and find the streets have returned to relative normalcy. Upon arriving at the audience chamber they find Lord Greyheart waiting with several advisors , and he greets them with a nod. Everyone seems to have been waiting for them to arrive, because Lord Greyheart wastes no time with preliminaries.

“Now that everyone is here, we can begin. I’ve gathered you this morning to resolve an issue. Rastus Malen. He has shut himself away in his estate, and refuses to comply with our new laws. Suggestions?”

First to speak is a military man, older and scarred. Kael doesn’t recognize him, so he must be from one of the other countries absorbed into the new kingdom. “Simple solution, my liege. Cordon off the estate, and demand his surrender.”

Lord Greyheart nods. “Simple. Just besiege him. Except, that punishes his staff far more than him. And overt use of the army is not how I’d like to handle this.”

The man nods. “I understand, sire.”

Another person, a well dressed woman, likely a representative for the nobility, speaks up. “Could you send in a negotiator? Someone to figure out what his game is? He cannot possibly expect to stand against the whole nation.”

Lord Greyheart thinks for a moment. “A better idea, but how to assure their safety? Not to mention the fact that I’m not making concessions to this man.”

He sighs, looking over at Kael and Ria. After a moment, he smiles. “Unless. Unless the negotiation was carried out by someone who no one would dare cross.”

Kael blinks in surprise. “Me, my lord?”

Lord Greyheart nods. “Both of you. Between you, you make a very formidable ****, but not the sort that comes across as an overt threat.”

He raises an eyebrow. “In addition, you’re both smart enough to know what needs to be done. Consider it a learning experience.”

Ria nods. “I see. And if he isn’t receptive?”

Lord Greyheart’s smile fades. “I trust your judgment on that. Just remember, you would be my representative. Act accordingly.”

Kael grimaces, but nods. “As you wish, my lord. We can deal with this for you.”

Lord Greyheart smiles again. “Excellent. Then it’s decided. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the quick response. We will discuss this further upon my champion’s success.”

The others file out of the room, quietly discussing various things. Lord Greyheart gestures for Kael and Ria to stay. Once they are alone, he sighs.

“I apologize for dumping this on you two, but it’s truly the best course of action.”

Kael shrugs. “Your reasoning seems sound, my lord.”

Lord Greyheart chuckles. “The real question is, did you catch the lessons I wished to share?”

Kael and Ria share a glance, then shake their heads. Lord Greyheart smiles. “I thought not. First, listen to your advisors, but don’t simply accept their opinion. Have a plan going in, and use their ideas to refine that plan.”

He gestures towards them. “I always planned to use the champions to break this stalemate, but as negotiators makes the most sense.”

He smiles. “That’s the other lesson, by the way. Always seek out the least amount of **** needed. Both because it saves resources, and because it shows the people you understand restraint. No one loves a tyrant.”

Lord Greyheart reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small crystal sphere. He hands it to Kael. “Also, always have a contingency plan. If things go south, smash this. It will summon aid.”

Kael nods, pocketing the orb. “Understood, my lord.”

Ria crosses her arms. “So…when do we start? And what are our options?”

Lord Greyheart shakes his head. “You start as soon as you can. And as for your options…I leave that to you. I trust your judgement. Do as you see fit, but this needs to be done, and soon. I await your resolution of this issue.”

Both Kael and Ria bow, understanding that this, too, is meant to be a lesson. The two of them share a glance as they turn and leave the audience chamber.