A new peace

The party of horses raced south, torches in hand to light their way through the withered trees under the dark sky. The group of men was led by Otillia, one of the kings of Vasalda, and he was heading to meet with one of his counterparts across the river in the realms of the Othiea. A peace had been settled 5 years previously but recently the validity of it had been put into question with a series of raids performed by Vovdoi performed more a multitude of reasons, mostly for the kings to remove powerful opponents to their control. When the men reached the river, a group of Othiea guides waited on the other side, watching as the nomads crossed the river on their horses and would lead them to a nearby city to meet with lords and re-make the peace treaty.

Arriving at the city the low walls and prepared defences shocked the Vasadlans, with rumours of the rat army arriving in the south having made their way north but they hadn’t expected the norther cities to be anywhere near this well defended. Inside the city was another matter, silent streets met them as people rested inside, away from the cold caused by the lack of sun. Long trails of white smoke whisped from the many chimneys of the city but other than that it may as well have been empty. The central palace rose above the skyline however and was endowed with many fanciful carvings to show the wealth of the city. Inside was once again lit with fire, casting dancing shadows across the many walls and hallways as the dis-mounted Vasadlans made their way to the lords and his council.

The council rooms doors where opened and an announcer introduced the rugged nomads;

“My lords, King Otillia of Vasadla and his envoy.”

The well dressed men inside the room all stood from their table, catered in a small amount of exotic food, possibly in an attempt to showcase their wealth even more, before inviting the king to sit, which he would do in time with the lords. An olde man with light grey hair and a rich red sash would speak out first, officially started the dialogue.

“And to what do we owe this pleasure, of a King and Conqueror visiting us in peace?”

“I am here, as you already know, to disgust a permanent end to the hostilities between our peoples” Otillia fired back.

“We know what a peace with your people looks like, why would we accept it this time?”

“If you believe this to be another poor attempt at peace, and I promise you it isn’t, why would you agree to meet me here in the first place.”

The old man paused for a second, collecting his words and collecting himself and checking the notes he had made prior to the meeting.

“Because we too share your desire for a peaceful border, starting with a payment, several tons of rare and precious metals in exchange for a peace.”

Otillia was surprised, just for a second, at this deal, before then adding himself, “And any man who should attempt to break the peace will be dealt with as any other enemy would be in Vasadla, his head taken and lands returned to the crowns. I’m sure this would be more than acceptable for you”

The man noted down something on the paper, showing it between his advisors before carrying on, “We would prefer the heads be sent to us, along with any stolen goods taken and a part of the criminals property, perhaps a share of their horses, as I am aware your people don’t have much else to give”

The Vasaldans would share disgruntled looks at this snide remark, with Otillia once again replying, “That is more than acceptable. I also have a final request, much less… official, I suppose.”

“That is?”

“I would like to send a group of observers to see the war with the rats, I have heard myths of the carnage they cause and would wish to have my own reports on whether or not they should be allowed through Vasadla.”

The Othiea men would speak among themselves in hushed tones for a while, the Vasadlans being non the wiser to what was being said before eventually they returned an answer; “That would be more than acceptable, we can deal with the specifics later, however.”

The room would go silent, with the crackling of firewood filling the air, quickly being broken by the Othiea man again “Might we propose the restoration of House Asikl to their homelands? In exchange for a sizable donation from the imperial treasury, of course, and the lands being returned to us, but becoming a tributary state, of sorts, to you.”

The Vasadlans once again sat surprised at the offer. Otillia would elect to continue as though it had never been said, “When will this treaty be ready to sign? I have some scribes here who will write the decree in Vaslasje and I have my seals here ready to sign it”

“Did you not-“ The man was cut off by his companions, then changing tune and saying “The papers should be written up in a few days, we will hash out the details as it goes. It has been an honour talking to you and I hope we are able to form a better relationship over these next days”

The Vasadlans rose from the table, ride the lords farewell and where lead to their quarters, quite a bit more glamorous than the Yurts they where used to. The men uneasily set up the beds and furs quietly, minds all focused on one thing.

“Ok ill say it, that deal is too good” a scribe, Arohade, said, breaking the silence.

“I know” Otillia struck back, “They are planning something, I can feel it”

“Yeah, and what was that business with the Asikls too.” Another man said

“Im not sure but I want one of you to return to Sigadanret next morning and report back to Bacillo. I have a clue what they are after and im not about to be caught flat footed”

“I will do my Lord” Said a younger man, a trainee scribe.

“Good man” the king replied

With the room fell silent, with the setting up of quiet games and then the mens light sleeping filling the room.