You meet the board

Stepping inside the large courtroom you see a panel of several men and women dressed in fine clothing sitting behind the judges bench. To left and right are large boxes where similarly well dressed people are seated. Their eyes following you with curiosity as you pass between the empty seats in the court.

You are led to a small box with a stool in the center of the room and the center person on the bench bangs his gavel.

"The chairs of the board of the Eastern Trading Company call this hearing into session. Let the records show we are joined by our valued shareholders to our right and esteemed members of the board to the left."

The man looks young for such a position of authority, but his piercing gaze hints at his capability to harm those who underestimate him. Your eyes wander over to a woman sitting beside him as he continues to speak. She looks to be about your mother's age, with tanned skin and light chestnut colored eyes. With full lips, shoulder length black hair, and large breasts in her dress cause your heart to pick up a bit. She smiles a bit as her eyes catch your longing cage and you notice her name is Claudia from her name plate.

"Prince John...." The man says, bringing your attention to him. "We are quite interested in meeting with you today. The situation in your Kingdom is simply bad for business. Your Uncle refuses to pay his tariffs, the monthly duties on our goods and the situation is worse than ever before with raiders now that your troops are occupied elsewhere..."

Another man cutting him off adds, "Not to mention his war with Princess Shabana in the South is creating bands of deserters who are threatening our caravans there."

Claudia speaks up from the bench, "I feel I can speak for us all by saying that a quick end to this civil war would be good for business and trade. For us to devote troops and funds to that end a worthwhile investment."

"But nothing is ever free with you people..." You respond with a lack of enthusiasm.

"You are correct..." The Chairman says with a devious grin. "We will provide you with the backing necessary to overthrow your uncle as he battles in the South against Shabana... but we require a certain understanding in exchange."

"Yeah... and whats that?" You ask smugly.

"Our terms are simple, in exchange for...." Claudia pauses while reading the ledger of troops, "A detachment of siege engines, 500 cavalry, 1,200 crossbowmen, 4,000 infantry and a blockading fleet of 12 corvettes and 900 marines... we will require you to renegotiate the terms of our trade deal. In addition to your father's agreements we require free use of your river ways, the construction of locks to allow large vessels passage from the North, free use of your warm water ports to the south for 20 years, and a 25% increase in duties on our goods for 10 years."

You know the terms are steep, while the increase in duties is high they are financing your war. But the free use of your warm water ports should come with a cost lest you risk angering your merchant class with the increased competition. Not to mention the dockworkers could strike when their wages plummet. Lastly, your Uncle must have over 30,000 seasoned troops. The men they would loan you are enough to crush Silva's men, but the war could drag on if Shabana fails to bleed your uncle dry in the South...