138 Pettiness (1/2)

As he looked down the hill, onto the torch-lit tents, Fadelio did his best to suppress a frown. Although he would have loved to continue their march all throughout the night, the commoners were in no state to continue. Most of them would lie asleep right now, too tired to continue, or would lie awake, too afraid to find rest. This really wasn't going how he thought it would.

”Hey, Fadi.” Under fleet steps, Brym rushed his portly figure up the hill and towards Fadelio's command tent.

”Brym. How is everyone looking?”

”The ghost warriors are fine, for the most part. We have secured the perimeter, but we only have two dozen people. For now it should be barely enough to keep the commoners under control. But this will turn into a problem as soon as we encounter any problems beyond what we've faced so far.”

While the kid was talking, he followed Fadelio into the tent. Inside, the warrior offered a seat to the merchant, who was glad to take a short rest.

”As for the commoners themselves: They are terrified. Many believe that they are doing something illegal, and a few have talked about turning back. Also-”

”Idiots!” Out of view of the people, Fadelio paced around the tent. ”Don't they understand that the law is with us? There is no precedent for a lord to hold his craftsmen inside his territory! They're free folk, they can move wherever they please! And they're from Arguna! Arguna isn't part of Pacha's territory in the first place! If we get attacked, it's Pacha breaking the law, not us!”

”Fadi, there's-”

”Plus, weren't they all ear when we offered them gold and knowledge? That's why they're here, aren't they? To work with us? Well, if they want to learn the new knowledge and get even richer, we'll have to get them through the southern border until the war starts. Why complain about that now!? So what if they're craftsmen. If they're real men, they'll tough it out a bit. Not even the peacock king would be dumb enough to go through with his threats! He wouldn't want to lose control over his own craftsmen, would he?”

”Official Fadelio!” Brym shouted. At last the warrior woke up from his anger, and looked back over to his young friend.

”I'm sorry. What did you want?” he asked, his voice already much calmer than before.

”...There is a messenger from Pacha outside of our camp. I am here to announce him. He has been waiting here for a while now as well.”

For a while, Fadelio stared at the kid, with what could only be a dumb look on his face. Soon though he regained his presence of mind. He was responsible now, so he couldn't show any weakness. A few deep breaths and he had adjusted. This wasn't something to be pushed off. Best deal with this now.

”Bring him in.”

__________________________

Minutes later, Fadelio sat opposite a man in silver armor. Not only the ornate breastplate was fancy, but the white cape and gem-encrusted axe was as well. With all the money Pacha could drain from the Pluritac territories in the empire's center, he had afforded himself an especially grandiose guard. To fit with his own self-image, King Pacha's men were as gaudy as they were fierce. After all, they had been recruited from the capital's sipyi, the most elite warriors in all of Medala.

”You're the southern king's official, Fadelio?” the rude warrior asked. Ever since they had met, the messenger hadn't spared the attendant of the Triumvirate Meeting more than a glance.

”Who wants to know?” Rather than answer, the man sneered and threw a scroll into Fadelio's lap.

”Read this, southern dog, and weep.”

Rather than engage the rude warrior and forget his good manners, Fadelio looked back over to Brym. Silent like a servant, the kid stood at the entrance to the tent, ready to support the negotiations whenever necessary.

”Warrior Caelio is here with a message from King Pachacutec,” the kid said. ”This should be the message in question.”

”And what are you? I don't need a foreigner to deal with my business,” Caelio snapped in Brym's direction. Even now he hadn't looked at either of them.

”Of course you do not, sire. This mortal will go and make some tea for our esteemed guest. Please excuse me.” Clever as always, Brym did his best to take some heat out of the meeting, before he cleared the air in the room. Satisfied with his fierce aura, the foppish warrior snorted through his nose and looked back over to Fadelio, who had since started to read the letter from King Pacha. After a few moments, he looked back up, and saw the sneer in the warrior's face.

”You can't be serious.” Fadelio said in a dry voice. The letter flew across the tent and landed in front of Caelio's feet.

”The king's orders are quite clear, so even asimpleton should be able to understand them.” Caelio's eyes narrowed. ”At once, change course and return all the servants you have taken from the king's lands unlawfully. Although our kingdoms are engaged in war at the moment, there is no reason to involve the commoners as well. However, this aggression from Official Fadelio goes beyond the common customs. If these actions do not cease right away, not even the civilians will be safe from retaliation. Stop now, and repent, and beg for the king's mercy! Defy the orders, and feel the king's wrath!”

”What orders, you dumb fuck!?” Fadelio shouted, as his eyes widened. ”He's not my king, you get that, right? Fuck me, 'his commoners'? The craftsmen are freefolk. Not only that, they are from Arguna, you moron! That's not even part of your 'king's' administration. Why would I send craftsmen to your king who up until now were ruled by the Ancestral Hall in Arguna, and have come on their own accord? How dumb do you think I am?”