The sound of footsteps echoed throughout the main hall. A single, middle-aged, man walked down the hall towards an elevated, lone desk that rested at the very end of the hall. As the man approached the desk, a deep, calm voice spoke out from behind the desk "Mr. Coyle, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this winter morn?" WIlliam Coyle, the steward of the House of Wolff, continued to walk closer to the table until he could finally see the man who just spoke. William said "My Lord, I am sure that you have read the reports. Despite it being the Waiting season, it appears that much is happening in the world." Lothar Wolff nodded and said "Aye, indeed." as he eyed the scrolls of paper that laid on the desk. He picked up one of the scrolls and said "Let's talk about the first one. It appears that the pretender has finally decided to take decisive action, but know only gods knows where she might be. Although I must admit my concern, out there is a lone woman traveling in the midst of the Waiting season. That's a feat that even some of the toughest bruisers would be scared to do. Although I do not know exactly what her plans are, I do know that the status quo is a stagnant cesspool that is clogged by a pile of decaying leaves known as the Overlord. Therefore, at this point, any change is welcomed." Then Lothar looked to his side and there stood a heavily armed man. Lothar said "Sergeant, send word out to the Sentinels. I want patrols throughout our domain. If the Pretender is found, then she is to be invited to Attolia where I will be willing to shelter her and make sure that she is taken care of. At least for the Waiting season. After that... well. That's going to depend on her." The Sergeant nodded and began to whisper to a nearby servant.

Coyle responded "But, My Lord. There is a bounty on her. Surely, you will incur negative feelings from the Overlord if you do not send her back." Lothar snorted and said "the bounty wasn't placed by the Overlord. He's still sitting idle on his arse in his castle. It was his Marshal who issued the bounty. Those two are not the same. Besides, how is the Marshal going to get the funds to pay for this bounty? Last I heard, they can barely pay their levies. This is a farce as far as I can tell." William nodded, but didn't look very satisfied. Lothar then said "If you're worried about me ruining relationships with the Overlord, then don't worry. Remember our debt to them? I fully intend to pay it off, but there is the matter of getting the money to them. I want to make s principal payment of 10,000 bullions, but the Overlord's tax collectors are running loose like vagrants. They pocket small portions of the money that they collect and write off their collections. Thus, we need the debt to be paid off in a safe way. Do you have any ideas?" William responded "Well, I have heard that the Steward, Mr. Stanric, is a straight-nosed fellow who is very capable at his job. Perhaps we can establish a connection to him and have him act as the medium between us and the Overlord? I can address a letter to him and ask him to send some of his most trustworthy men here to pick up the payment and bring it back. Oh course, I will ask him to send a response with his seal just to make sure that it is him who is responding and not someone else." Lothar nodded and said "That might work. See to it."

Will responded "Very well. Then let us move on to an issue that we have on our own lands. On the topic of Lord Westfield..." Lothar said "Ahh, yes. About that, I was about to ask you. Would you mind going to Abel and offer him your skills? I have a letter addressed to him, and I want you to go an deliver it. Then help him get his act together." as he indicated to another piece of paper on the desk. William picked up the letter and began to read.

[i]
Dear Lord Westfield,

I hope you are doing well, and that you and your family are as merry as ever. Our families have long worked together to watch over these lands. However, I have received a report about the lands that you oversee. I am quite perturbed as to how unorganized everything is in the fiefs that you oversee. Your books don't balance, the roads are needing to be maintained, and the buildings of the region are supposedly falling apart. I beg of you. Do not forget of the social contract. The people serve you, but you serve the people as well. It may only be a matter of time before people begin to get fed up, and take action. I have sent my personal steward, Mr Coyle, to help you get organized. He may do somethings that you will dislike, but I assure you that he excels at what he does and that he will do everything for a good reason. Therefore, Lord Westfield, like how I do not question your unyielding loyalty to me and to your family, I do not question that you will make great progress in addressing this issue. I look forward to hearing the reports to come, and that we will be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine together as a celebration.

Signed,
Lothar Wolff
[/i]

William nodded and responded "I understand my Lord. How long am I to remain there? Lothar responded "Until you believe that Lord Abel will become capable of administering his provinces properly." William responded "I will set out as soon as I can. Is there anything you want to be done before I leave?" Lothar smiled and said "Mr. Coyle, you know me too well." He then cleared his throat and said "We live in unstable times, and thus we need trade partners, and ultimately true friends and allies. Thus, I want you to draft a letter to the Lord of Pelataria and request an economic agreement. To allow trade unimpeded from each our countries. Although he does not own much land, the land he does govern are rich and his cities prosperous. An economic partnership with them would be greatly beneficial." WIlliam smiled and said "I will have the letter drafted and sent by tomorrow at noon. Is that all, My Lord?" Lothar nodded and said "For now, yes. If something else comes to mind, then I'll let you know before you leave." William nodded and said "Very well, I will now take my leave and prepare the letter and for the journey." William began to leave, and left Lothar looking at all the papers on his desk. The instability was creating a power vacuum, and it was obvious that war was coming in the near future. The only question was how near?

Actions list:
1. The Sentinels (200) are to begin patrolling the lands of Attolia. If the pretender is found, then she is to be invited to Lothar's court and stay if she desires for the waiting season.
2. A courier is sent to the Steward of the overlord and is to be asked if he could send some of his most trustworthy men to collect a principal payment.
3. William Coyle, Lothar's steward, is sent to the court of Lord Abel in order to help him administer his lands more effectively.
4. A courier is to be sent to Pelataria that requests an economic agreement that guarantees that both nations will be able to trade with each other without reserve.