Winterfell's Trap Heir [Sallin_Kari]

[Firehead]

He nods, "Yes, I expected you would be better for connections than advice for the problem, so that won't be a problem." The siblings aren't that far, so they're quickly at hand when you call for them. The sister is the first to speak. "You called, your Highness? What can these humble servants do for the realm?" It seemed she was aware of how to be formal when she felt it was necessary. Pretty good of her considering the foreign dignitary present though it meant your own presence alone wasn't enough to trigger such behavior from her. As before, her brother seemed to leave most of the talking to her.

[Sallin_Kari]

Noting, but thinking little of the change in behavior, I explain the concern as we have discussed it so far before adding some possible solutions of my own, "I am not certain of the details but my first instinct is to perhaps have their ships sail the same routes as ours, even traveling together where possible would be an immediate remedy. Obvious it can't always be done. Perhaps we could have a crew swap? A few of our experienced sailors could help the fledgling crews be brought up to speed faster, and those that take their place in our ships could have some insight with their fresh perspective that could help us on a few points as well."

[Firehead]

The pair nod along. "Yes, we could exchange some crew in either direction. Our family doesn't have a particularly large fleet, but we could take a few dozen of their sailors on while providing our own in exchange." The brother cuts in at that point. "Would it also be possible to do some training exercises with ships lacking in goods? It doesn't matter how easy prey they are if they've got nothing worth taking." The avian shrugs his shoulders. "That's the strangest part. The ships we've been trying to prepare have only had the supplies necessary to travel. Food, lumber, only the cannonballs are even remotely valuable. The reports we've been getting imply they would need to spend more in repairs than they take from the ships."

[Sallin_Kari]

I raise my eyebrow at that... My immediate reaction is that they are gathering war materials, precluding them from being common bandits. The various options of what they could be and what they are planning flit through my mind, but I'll have to put a pin in that. It would be foolish to move before I actually know... That's what the Eyeblights are for. So much work for them beyond simply 'tidying up' as of late... Still, if this is a rebel group of some description, that might be another good target for that knight order I am working on creating. Without the need to get approval from the various military officers, we would have greater freedom, and while unlikely, if this was a traitorous element to this group, then they wouldn't have the chance to leak our plans either. Still, if they don't bring up questions about it, then I won't make an issue of it just yet, "Regardless, we'll have to increase the cost even further if we wish to stop them. I do wonder how these bandits would pirates would react if they had to deal with our ships as well... Ideally, they would leave the convoy alone... Either way, the crew exchange is a good first step. Any other ideas anyone has on solving this issue?"

[Firehead]

"Yes, convincing them to look elsewhere for prey would certainly be the best solution." The four of you sat a moment as the twins thought about any other solutions they could come up with. Finally, the brother added an option though he seemed hesitant. "It's not as good as trading crew and sailing together, but we might be able to dissuade them some with a trap. If a fleet had a few ships on the edges where the crew would put up only a minimum fight before abandoning the ship setting a fire on their way out. They might hesitate if some of the ships might burst into flames as soon as they begin boarding." Victorean thinks it over a moment. "Destroying our own ships seems rather counterproductive, but with the pirates doing so much damage, letting a few of the older models go could be an acceptable way to ward them off."

[Sallin_Kari]

"I will defer to your experience. I never was taught the fine details of tactics. Still I would like to posit the idea, that if we already have decided to sacrifice ships, would loading them with black powder so when they burn they will explode, maximizing causalities of the boarding pirates, be a viable thing? We could even steer the ship before abandoning it so that it sails towards the pirate fleet."

[Firehead]

He nods, "Yes, if we're sacrificing ships anyway, there's no reason not to cause them as much damage as possible. That should scare them off faster reducing the number of ships we'd need to sacrifice. We don't have a lot of ships to burn, but it's better than letting them get taken." He finishes off his plate of food before leaning back in his seat. "I think this has been a fruitful discussion. There're still the details to hammer out, but those can wait for later. If it's alright with you, Princess, I'll take my retire to the chambers you've so graciously provided me."

[Sallin_Kari]

It's been a productive visit. Nodding at him, "Of course. If anything else comes up, then feel free to request to speak with me at anytime before your departure home."

[Firehead]

"Yes, I will make sure to contact you when I need to discuss things further." He gives you a bow before standing up to leave. Once he and his guards are gone, the twins nod. "A little sad they'll have traders to compete with us but hurting relationships with them wouldn't help much. I guess we'll be going too. Unless you have more to discuss with us."

[Sallin_Kari]

I get up to return his bow with a curtsy. "Just because you percentage of the pie decreases, doesn't mean your share will if the itself pie grows," I point out upon hearing the twins comment, "Having traders makes a country wealthier, which in turn means they will produce and consumer more goods... and thus more trading opportunities. Besides, as a noble you two should be very aware of the advantages of having a friend inside." With that I let them leave if they wish. I do make sure that the other guests are suitably entertained before making sure there is nothing else requiring my attention. I do have to report in with the Eyeblights after all.

[Firehead]

She nods, "Yes, you do have a point there. We'll have to keep an eye out for those extra opportunities." With that, the pair take their leave. A quick check finds that everyone else seems suitably entertained, so it looks like there's no more need to keep yourself here entertaining. Heading back to your own quarters, you are surprised to see that nothing else has suddenly come up that needs your immediate attention, and soon enough, you arrive at whatever part of your quarters you wish to take your meeting with the Eyeblight agent.

[Sallin_Kari]

My personal bathroom is probably the best place for privacy... since people seem quite content to bother me in my bedroom all the time. When she arrives I curtsy to greet her, getting all the pleasantries, as little as there are with them, out of the way before first getting old business out of the way, "Were there any updates yet?"

[Firehead]

She arrives shortly after you beckon her with the appropriate keyword coming in through a window and bending over to her hands and knees before you before speaking. "We've managed to find a little on the High priestess, sir. Her main concerns seem to be around the temples feeling they aren't crowded enough. We believe she wants the upper classes to appear more devout and see that devotion spread to the people. How exactly she wants you to show extra devotion we haven't quite discerned yet."

[Sallin_Kari]

"I see... well shift that to a lower priority then..." I state as I begin focusing on other things, "No news on the situation with the Gralwinn's? Or what my sister is planning and who's she been talking to?" I inquire quickly before moving on to the core matter. "The reason for this meeting is that we have some 'pirates' raiding our Avian friends... stealing military supplies. I want to know who they are, what they are planning, and where they are hiding. Worst case they are traitors who seek to perform a coup. Ideally they are completely unrelated to our lands, but that is not something I will just assume." I pull out a map to show her the areas they have been operating and hitting our allies.

[Firehead]

"I apologize, but your sister is being more cautious than we expected. We are redoubling our efforts now while remaining cautious that she doesn't learn she's the target of spies. As for Yarus, he's told no one about his meeting with you, and we've found no evidence that anyone gave him the idea, so as best as we can tell the stunt was his own idea. We've done a little research into him, and frankly, he's embarrassed his family on more than one occasion." She listens as you tell her about your latest concerns. "This one may take some time to figure out, but we'll get right on it, your highness."

[Sallin_Kari]

"That's fine. It's more to know if she is planning something drastic," I reassure her, before moving to the other issue, "And nothing of the family itself? Nothing out of the ordinary, just him trying to redeem himself?" His use, if he is an embarrassment is more questionable. I could use it to tie him to me, if the only reason for his standing is my approval, but his proneness for mistakes might hurt me.

"Of course, of course. Besides if it does turn out to be traitors, I plan to have them eliminated by a knight order I am trying to put together. That will take some time," I explain as I muse what to do next.

[Firehead]

"His family is rather large. He has five siblings in total. In addition, Zhan prides itself as a Meritocracy. In practice, your parents give you quite an advantage, but it is not unheard of for a child to be denied any inheritance or completely disowned. There haven't been any public statements suggesting his father's considering such a move, but there are persistent rumors to that effect."

She nods, "Very well, we'll try to figure out where these pirates are, who they are, and why they're stealing these supplies. Is there anything else your highness needs of me?"

[Sallin_Kari]

"Then that is a low priority as well. Keep an ear out in case something changes, but for now it is not something we need to be concern with," I order, before sighing. It does look like this pawn is... less useful then I initially hoped. Not useless, but his position is precarious and the benefits of getting involved are also counterbalanced with risks.

"Not unless you have a list of nobles that would be eager to join a new knight order I am putting together," I let out, thinking on a problem I have not been able to create a good plan for, before shaking my head, "No that will be sufficient."

[Firehead]

Of course your majesty, we will reduce our focus on both the High Priestess and the Grawlinns while watching your sister for any big moves while investigating these pirates. If that is all, I will take my leave and begin making preparations." Soon you are alone in your bathroom.

When you leave the bathroom, you find Narissa is in the room putting away some of your recently laundered clothing. Currently, it's the middle of the afternoon, so you have some time before dinner.

[Sallin_Kari]

I nod, giving her permission to leave, before planning the rest of my day. Probably best to begin laying the groundwork for that knight order, and begin asking about if anyone has any plans to deal with those people going missing in the mountains. Besides, I need to be socializing with the nobles to keep them happy.