52450 is there trouble or illusion

 

I nodded. “I have learned who a few of the flags belong to now and a some I know the history of. Records of this time are few so most I can only verify back to the years before the third war. Still that is more than I had. Some I can be sure of.” I looked at the painting and smiled a bit. Then touched four of the flags. “These are Fay, and have been in all, just not flown their family flags. Likely that will be the same this time. These banners are seldom brought to the field. It says a lot about this battle that they are here. That might be the case with others.” I shrugged and moved to my favorite.

Archer said. “So you found that one at last. Any Idea why it pulls you?”

I nodded. “It is Westier, it is from there Ryder came. A larger part of their army is unbounded dragons. However this,” I moved to the next flag, “is all unboned dragons, it is Nexton, a fully dragon Nation. They do not have humans in their land and only limited contact with the Fay. It is shocking that they are here. Wstier have said they will come, and some of the dragons there are talking to Nexton, but as of yet they will not promise aid. Still they are not going to be working with Darkness, even if they do not come to our aid.” These here I know have changed hands but are friendly.” I point out a few on both sides. “These like wise have changed but are hostile to all including Darkeness so might be a help, but can’t be trusted.” I point them out. “Then these are ones I know are working with Darkness.” I moved threw them stopping on Graceland. “If you look you will see this is the emblem on the cover of the book. Graceland is one that has never changed flags nor alliances as far as we know. We have been trying to identify all their trade patens, but it is not easy. Seeing who deals with them here will help, for all I am disturbed to learn that he is bringing them. I fear that is going to mean another unit is coming. For I have found daggers with that crest in my room. Emporium is going to want some specialist here.”

Steven said. “That’s not a problem I am going to ask you and few others to bring more troops in.  We have the eyes so we should use them and put on a bigger show than the normal games. It is an anniversary year after all. We are to scaled down. Harney has a lot of space ready that is not yet full, and some that can be ready fast. A reason can be found why one them joins you in the house.”

I said. “That helps, and it will be no problem finding people willing to come. I thought recognized this flag on seeing the painting again, but was hoping I was wrong. Yet Rick and Max also knew it when I showed them the print. As you know it is common for agreements that included lands not in the Alliance to be sent to our records, the divide did not stop it. One of those is named the Casimure accords. The oldest record is just after the tired war, it was renewed just three years ago. It stands out to me as all that was sent is the list and signatures of the members, not the detail of the agreement. Or that is all that is to be found now. All others have at least a summary of the agreement, most the agreement. I wasn’t overly consered, just thought it odd. Now though. Of course I have no idea if it is just chance they took that symbol. However another said that there are recodes of them, using the same name, having been in the third war on Darknesses side, but they vanished around the middle of it.” Steven was frowning I do hope he doesn’t think I am jumping at shadows. “Jordan, Flint, and Cole are on the list as are four that are asking to join, one with Alantian sponsor and one we support but is being brought by Flint with the two we know nothing off. Cole has long kept the records of troops each member fields, for they were found the best base. There has never been a reason to question that or them. However we have not watched them as we have others. They do not cause trouble so go unnoticed, now that seems a bigger danger.”

Steven said. “I don’t think there is a nation my Father wasn’t spying on. I haven’t looked at much of it, but I will get someone to pull the files on those three, and see if he has anything references Casimure. Now though I have been here almost too long for a talk of clothing goods. So quickly can you open your borders to our cotton in exchange for what?”

I said. “Fay silk and wool, those are the cloth goods that are our common stock, but you never see the wool and only the highest grades of the silk. What about clothes and bedding would there be a market here? I want gloves belts as well as the cotton fabric. You have better leather for gloves and belts, but finished products will sale better. So if you can send cotton clothes as well as fabric you will see better profit.”

Steven smiled a bit. “The bedding I know will do well, and you can bring clothes and try. That is starting to catch on, but more do still go for fabric than finished clothes. However I can indeed send gloves and belts, and will see that word of the clothes market gets to the right people. My wife will be delighted to learn that the Fay silk wasn’t just a rumor. I hope the rest of your day is quite.” He stood and left the room, leaving the door open.

I smiled a bit as I sat down next to Rick, but had to look at Daren. Daren said. “This isn’t a state diner so there is no real high table. Therefore it looks best of I am mingling, but well this is the best I can do.”

I smiled. “Just do try and join some of locals after meal. You are in place here to get more of the gossip. I need to know what is being said, that way I will have some idea before the meetings. You missed supper last night. Did the others tell you of the request?”

Rick smiled a bit.”The troops?” I nodded, smiling a bit “I was a bit distracted so didn’t get all the details, but yes I heard that you were asked to have more come. Do you know how many units?”

I shook my head. “There is a bit more. I would seem that Graceland has an office delegation on the way, that includes Harrold.” Rick froze. “I have not yet had a chance to tell Roland, as I found out just before lunch. Now then at this time Roland is having two air and four ground come. Emporium is sending four more air and two ground for the games, as well as two more units to join you and Max in the rooms, one with special skills.  You need to know Emporium is considering that he might need to come. He was going to consult with Max directly, so likely there will be some requests for you.” I should have known something was up when he sent one of his personal units with me.

Rick shook his head. “Likely so, and one of them is going to be that I ask you again. His Majesty is going to order that as well, and tell me to keep at it. I do not know how much I will be able to put it off.” He stopped and looked at Dev as he sat then went on. “More so when feel it is needed as well. I do not like this at all they do not send delegations of that type without backing. Therefore do you want Daren to warn his Father?”

I said. “No, it needs to be me, and I am going to tell him after lunch. It can’t look like a threat or attack. So needs to be publicly known fast.”

Dev said. “Do I want to know?”

I said. “No more than I do, but you need to know as it might mean a change to the makeup of your friends party should it come. First though Graceland now has a formal delegation on the way that includes at least one powerful dark mage, the heir to their throne. That is not to be talked of. It is not something we should know.” Dev frowned, and nodded. “Next, the fact that I am soon going to make public is that Emporium is now considering coming. What I am not going to say is that means he doesn’t think we have much time.”

Dev nodded. “Thank you, that will indeed necessitate changes. I do hope that your guards will be increasing. Now we need to change the subject. There is too much whispering in here as it is.” He leaned over and kissed Daren, then raised his voice. “You know you could have told me before this morning that you were involved with Anna. I do not care to have my lover tell me that waking up in my arms fell a lot like waking up in my sisters!”