Rangertale, Ch.6: Samnic Intrigue
#7 of Rangertale
Rumelis and Mels arrive at the Samnic states, but will they be able to find support in the Council? And where will Tull fit in to their plans?
Rangertale Ch.6- Samnic Intrigue
The Samnic States are an oddity of the world, a "nation" comprised of mainly independent states. They convene in a council to determine international affairs, rather than referring to a king. As a world power, they are slow to act, but naturally stable through their unique separation.
With such a divided nation, items of importance like shards of the Blades of Eulas would likely be held by the council, kept separate from the power of the states. Mels and Rumelis, while traveling towards the first major city of the Samnic States, had yet to create a plan for reaching any shards the States may hold. Rumelis was the first to create anything substantial that would allow them to leave as allies, rather than enemies, important when they were essentially Arlen representatives.
"If we were to ally with a majority of the States, we could convince them in council to give us the shards. I don't think there's any other way about it, unless Tull provides an opening."
Mels, ever quick to disagree, interjected. "I do not doubt your skill in statecraft, Rumelis, but wouldn't that take too long? Going for a peaceful solution could just leave Tull time to regroup his mercenaries and attack wherever they're holding the shards."
"We represent a nation, Mels. We can't just brute force our way in and disregard their laws. It could start a war between our people!"
Mels paused to think. Such matters were unfamiliar to her, a maiden of battle and survival. "I suppose. I am not used to representing a nation, except as one of its warriors."
They moved on in silence for a while, reflecting on past weeks of travel. They had stopped briefly in the closest mountain town to the Samnic States, a mercantile town named Lichten, to learn that they had never kept a shard of the Blades, as the town was recently built. It seemed a good town, and free of crime, atypical of mercantile towns. They had stopped at the Trailway Inn afterwards, then moved on to where they were now, approaching the largest of the states, Zanus.
As they approached the capital of Zanus, the lay of the land changed from busy, large rice farms to what seemed to be a small town all its own, a large residential area just out of the town. Builders were common in the area, working on what seemed to be a second wall for the city as well as new homes and stores. Alchemists were there as well, mixing large vats of some foul-smelling adhesive to hold stone blocks together. The hustle and bustle helped Rumelis and Mels stay mostly ignored, despite the strangeness of Ursine visitors to a primarily Vulpine state.
After a couple minutes of walking down the busy thoroughfare that connected the residential areas to the city proper, the two Rangers finally reached the walls of the city proper. No carvings adorned these walls, unlike the mountain towns, and they were well stocked with large ballistae. The watchmen at the doors let Rumelis and Mels through without question, odd for their type. With such defenses on the walls, Mels noted, it was unlikely they expected any attack. This seemed unreasonable to Mels, who wondered if the menacing weapons were just a deterrent, a bluff backed by a weak army.
Rumelis was the first to look upwards at the towering buildings of stone that adorned the city's center. Alchemists were common in the Samnic States, which used much of the strange adhesive they used, that set better than any mortar. Of course, observing the architecture was not the two Ranger's goal, and they moved quickly onwards to the city hall.
They were not accepted into the Hall. Much like Uricht, trained guards would not allow an unscheduled audience. Rumelis once again tried to talk his way in.
"Good sirs, we must have an audience with the Councilor. A mission from our nation requires us to correspond with them to-"
"Excuse me, Ursans, but anyone without an audience isn't getting in here. Alright? I can put you on the waitlist, you'll be here for a week, maybe two, or more if a major threat takes Councilor Mercan out of town. Now please, do not force me to use violence."
Not wanting to wait for weeks on end, Rumelis and Mels kept their visit brief, and moved on to the next state, Nern. Nern was much smaller and weaker, and had but a small town as its capital. Here they could speak to the Councilor, Lenon. Rumelis brought forth their request.
"We have come to try to gather the shards of the Blades of Eulas. They must be gathered to keep them from our foe, Tull, who has already led a dreadful attack on Uricht in the mountains. Would you champion our request?" Rumelis hoped that this would finally be a shard won without blood.
"I... I can accommodate that request. I do not hold much power in the Council, but I will bring up the idea, and we will see. As the smallest state I doubt I would be seen as grabbing power, and the rivalries in the Council could give your proposal an edge."
Mels spoke up, confused. "How could rivalry improve our odds? I doubt any would allow what amounts to a national treasure to be given simply because they despise an ally."
"You do not know Samnic intrigue, then. Plots within plots, schemes hidden from view, hidden intentions... A war is waged in that Council room, though one without blood shed.
Rumelis interjected. "Is that not preferable to a bloody, costly war? Another battle, paved with good intentions?"
The Councilor sighed. "If only this war of words was not so tiresome. Come, we have rooms prepared for you. You should rest until the Council meets, it should be happening within the week."
With that they all retired, apprehensive of that war of words that they would face.
AUTHOR NOTES
Opinions? Suggestions? Typos? Tell me, please. I am by no means a professional writer, and even they make mistakes every now and again.
The whole Samnic Intrigue title was too good to pass up, but I had trouble fitting it until the end. It was implied to be the barrier from Zanus, which, like any major power, would not accept any radical proposal like giving up the shards. Nern is more open to it as a power with nothing to lose.
Councilor Lenon might become a recurring character. Maybe. I have no idea.
TL;DR EDITION
Finally reaching the Samnic States, Rumelis and Mels are first rejected from Zanus, the largest state, and find a supporter in Councilor Lenon of the tiny state of Nern.
Wondering why I call Tull a Lupine, Rumelis an Ursan, etc.? Read the note at the end of the 1st chapter, it explains my reasoning.