The 2 Guards look up as you approach Where you from? Ain't seen ya before.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 894):

"Nope. You would not have. I am a merchant from up north. Is the Count in?"

Nay, The Count be up in Zila... You lost? The Baron be nay feeling well, but mayhap 'is son 'll talk wi' ye.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 896):

"Like I said, I am not local. The baron is not well? Sad to hear, but it is what it is. Ok then, the son will have to do."

He looks around at the other guards, noting weapons carried and armour.

Well now ye best be respectful or ye can be making little rocks out big ones. Ser Yamlid deserves no crap... got it?

Both Guards seem to tense up a bit at your response.

Both are equipped as medium Infantry and while middle aged, both seem fit.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 898):

"Yes sir. He is a good leader, is he then? I have not heard words quite like that from soldiers from other Barons."

He has been kinder 'an most and does 'is best to keep the Count from takin' everthin'. Treat 'em fair and honest an' he'll do you the same.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 900):

"Good to know. Thank you for that...he does not seem like the typical noble then."

He moves on as directed to meet the lad.

Nay from what we 'ear...

The Young Lord comes down the steps with a bit of bounce and seems rather normal... long blonde hair tied back and nice, but not fancy clothes. He's a strapping Big one too! A fathom tall anyway and well over a half fathom across the shoulders.

Good Day my man, How may we help You?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 902):

"Good Sir, I am from across the seas, and I wish to discuss with you trade. Perhaps somewhere private?"

Across the Sea? ... come with me and let's talk...

He leads you into the castly and to an office on this first floor, he shoos the clerk out and closes the door.

Across the sea here can mean bad or even worse, consorting with the enemy, watch your words. Are you an Arab or from Catheran?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 904):

Mustafa follows quietly.

"Well, both actually. I am from Catheran, but I speak Arabic, so for others, I can be either. But I am here on behalf of the former."

On their behalf? And who might “their” be?

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 906):

"The Grand Duke. He treats his subjects well, and had not aspirations to invade the south, but the south was behind the attempt to overthrow him and abuse his subjects. But he has defeated numerous armies conscripted and send. I have spoken to many of those we captured from these lands, and they report few just and good men amoung the nobles. But I hear you are one such exception."

He Nods, Well My father, tries, although he assailed on every side for not squeezing out all the wealth the peasants hide from him,  and of course forward it to his liege Lords.  They can be so blind ... but we are far from where the Duke's men can succor us, and even with the Armies sent, the count can still bring a force of 200 to 300 men here if we seem the least inclined to change sides. I expect Baron's Frump and Fauntleroy would join that effort like flies on a dung pile.  Just you being here is an issue, we expect the recruiters any day now.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 908):

"Really? That is good to know. I have a few men here with allegiance to the Grand Duke that may be able to help. We wear Frumps colours, so as to not attract attention to ourselves, but if we can help you, we will.

Oh, wait, those recruiters...I think they may have run into Frumps men already. They may be somewhat...delayed."

He smiles.

"But if not, I am sure we can delay their return somewhat. I would not ask for open rebellion, but if we know we can trust each other, we can seek to improve the oversight of these lands, by turning oppressor against oppressor. What do you think?"

The Young man pauses, obviously thinking ... Actually, given their natures, that might indeed work; But we cannot openly support this. Under the tablewe can provide knowledge and perhaps some ideas, but openly we can do nothing. Should you be able to land a sizable force, we may be able to be a bit more open, as we know the King has bled the lands white of able bodied soldiers. But not now. Bring items you would sell ... not too much, lest you arouse questions, and we can exchange words then.  My scouts have seen that Fauntleroy builds a stockade in the Forests of Frump southern lands, the idea is to hide as many soldiers from the recruiters as he can. Right now we think he can field some 250 men, which would out number Frumps men and ours ... together we might be able to equal that number and the Count can likely better it, but with older men who are less good fighters. So Fauntleroy is the concern at this point, but neither the Count or Frump seem to be aware.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 910):

"Excellent to know. We will make sure the Count finds out. What would you call a sizable force? If we get enough, can we land them using your port? Also, would you object to some smaller fishing vessels to your port to bolster food supplies?"

How many can we transport at once with our current fleet?

Thank you for the offer, our boats do well enough I suppose, although we only have old men to run them and their catches are smaller as a result. New Boats would immediately raise questions, which seem to travel to the Counts ears very quickly indeed. As for a sizable force? once it would have been thousands, now 500 men is a significant force.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 912):

"Ok, we will let you know when we get those numbers."

Unless he has other matters, Mustafa will prepare to leave discreetly.

OK, But do bring things to sell, so we can talk with out raising questions ... any sort of food item or wood products, cloth, some metal things.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 914):

"Naturally. Fish sells well here?"

Not so much as we have our own boats, as I said.

In reply to Finger of Fate (msg # 916):

"Understand. Other items will take longer. Unless we can source them from not so nice neighbours...any suggestions in that regard? Raid ideas that would see them fighting each other?"

Just to let Frump see what Fauntleroy is doing ... which will irritate the Count as well... I'll loan you a scout to show you where the stockade is being built if you like.