Politics

Over the next few weeks - Roche, Ves and Eve helped train-up a decent enough group of Blue Stripes soldiers. Needless to say, they weren't Roche' old group - but they would do for the time. Especially with a Third Nilfgaard-Northern War on the horizon.

At the current moment, they had been summoned back to the Capital in Vizima. Namely to deal with Natalis and the other nobility - whom were currently discussing in the main hall of the Royal Palace.

A noble spoke up. "But what of Radovid! Surely he will see this moment as a sign of weakness! The man is mad and already drives the mages and non-humans from his lands." He seemed to advocate for defeat Radovid first to unite the north.

Another spoke up. "Nonsense we should join him and ally ourselves, show him we support the Eternal Fire as well and he might dedicate ships and gold to us. Together we could repel the south and stop the black ones in there path!"

A third, a noble lady spoke now. "What we should do is realize that right now we are in position to do neither. We must strengthen our armies secure our borders then decide if march to war north or south." She grumbled giving Eve a slight nod, as if to say she respected the woman - whom stood amongst the other men in blue uniforms. Namely the bodyguards of this meeting - to prevent any upstart noble from shattering what fragile peace remained in Temeria.

"Enough!" blared Natalis, silencing the nobles for a moment. "I believe we can all be in an agreement, that we trust Radovid or Emhyr as far as we can throw them. Either one would eat us alive, should we give them that chance. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Loc Muinne - where Radovid was willing to let our country tear itself apart or come begging to him for aid."

"As of this moment, he is moving on Kaedwen - the largest country in the North, with the simplest notion of absorbing its divided forces into his nation. Don't believe for a second, he won't do that to Temeria. If we are to survive - then I am saddened to admit, we must engage in the same policy for the moment," started Natalis - stepping forward a few steps and laying out a map, so the nobles and the Blue Stripes formed a circle around eachother. All of them, able to hear Natalis speak.

"Aedirn is in turmoil. With the **** of both King Demavend and Prince Stannis - we have ****, but to declare Aedirn a protectorate of Temeria. To get to Redania, Nilfgaard has to go through us - and I don't believe for a second, that Radovid won't jump at us, once Nilfgaard has been defeated. So, we must strengthen our position in Temeria. What say you do that?"

The nobles chanted together. "Aye lord regent!" They bowed and moved away to give him time to speak while they set up things and contacted their own soldiers.

Roche whistled. "So should I take the Blue stripes and start cause trouble for Radovid?" He asked with a smile happy to mess with that rat bastard. The man deserved far worse than what was coming to him, he would be sure of that.

"Not yet, as much I despite that rat-kid myself, we have the issue with Nilfgaard," spoke Natalis. "While I don't trust neither - I can atleast trust in the fact, that Radovid would not be in the mood to bend the knee to a Black either."

"You are good, when you are used independently - I am giving you the Regent' Seal. Used it well - prepare Temeria for the war to come. Use or take what you need, but ensure that Temeria and its Queen Anais will survive. Everything else is expendable."