Before anyone could answer, the Lieutenant leaned over and whispered into the Captain's ear. Sterling smiled with a broad grin and said, "My second-in-command has come up with a rather novel idea that could benefit both of us! In addition to all that I have asked, I would like a royal pardon to be given to all Outworlders who decide to sign on to my unit and fight against the Orc army that is invading your land!"He hid it well, but for a brief second, Tolan's eyes lit up eagerly at the possibility of getting some of the Outworlders cleared of the charges against them, which he knew to be wrongful in the first place.
Smiling broadly, Sterling said, "From what the rumor mill has told me, I am especially interested in using the wild woman who slew a squad of the Palace Guard including the Captain of the Guard himself! Properly motivated, I could just imagine how she would fare against a squad of Orcs! And believe me when I say that I know how to PROPERLY motivate such incorrigibles as that!"
"Pah!" Drax interrupted. "That one is in the dungeons, awaiting trial and execution for her crimes! Perhaps the other Outworlders in the dungeon with her might be useful to you, but Yarfell demands swift justice against the one who murdered the palace guard!"
Toland looked distinctly uncomfortable. He, and a very few others, knew perfectly well that there were no Outworlders left in the dungeons. They'd all escaped, and frankly, he'd had a hand in it. If word got out, all his plans were done for. And if Drax ever put two and two together to realize that this Dy'var Irzen had been among those arrested, the results would be chaos. "The idea has appeal," Tolan hedged. "I will personally see to it that the Outworlders in the dungeons are offered this choice."
"So what say you, Lord Tolan? Do we have a deal as per my addendum or not?"
"We most certainly do not!" Drax snapped. "Can you not see where this will lead us? Venger had offered to leave our people in peace once he has the items he seeks! Attacking him and waving the flag of these Drow in his face will only serve to provoke him!"
"Duly noted," Tolan said flatly. "However, Lord Drax, it is not up to either you or I alone to say whether we have an agreement with this mercenary company. The Council exists so that such questions can be resolved by majority vote. Unless there is further debate, I so call for such a vote. Does anyone have anything further to add to the discussion at this time?"
As Tolan looked hopefully from Selora to Dalor to Areela, the great doors to the hall swung inward with a dull bang. A young page who could not have been more than twelve years old strode into the room with a definite swagger and announced in his biggest voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I announce Diana, Princess of the Kingdom of Yarfell!"
In strode the royal teen, draped in a gown of blue and crowned with gold, followed closely by several courtiers and ladies-in-waiting, including Lady Kirriam who, upon hearing her brother's 'code phrase' that they had worked out ahead of time, had run to inform the Princess that Tolan felt the offer of the mercenary company was legitimate and it was safe for her to join the negotiations without fear of an attempted assassination.
"Good day, Lords and Ladies," Diana greeted. "Please excuse Our tardiness. We are told that the Shadow Riders have made a most generous offer to the people of Our good city?"
