Otrygg pulls his snowy beard softly as he listens to Eyildr.

"Wisdom I have come to expect from your lips find my ears once again, Jarless of the Vale. Indeed, seeking a closeness with The Tooth of Highathar, though bringing us wealth, may very well find us in a debt needing repayment. What of the Elves? Though some measure of wealth may be obtained in league with their kind, I agree that no debt would be sought. Still though, the treasury is in need of replenishment, perhaps an alignment with the richer of the two is prudent."

Otrygg's eyes darkened.

"Yet we cannot forget our history, our culture. Some would say that either of the two would make ripe targets for raids, rich in plunder and thralls. Could this be the path to Odin's grace, to find our worth behind the hilt of blade and oar of a ship? What say you Jarls, my King?"

King Henrik of the Kingdom of Norsia

With the Jarl decided, and Henrik formally coronated weeks later -- there was much to business to handle before the next meeting of the Jarl's.

Spy-Master: Ragnar Wolfsbane, Jarl of Coldmarch. Younger than his peers, Ragnar's cold demeanor seemed right for the position.

Steward: The Merchant-Jarl, Bertil Reenburg, though not of a formal lineage that the likes of Henrik preferred, his auspicious eye for coin was undeniable. Bertil was sure to be surprised when the rider came to his door carrying such news.

Marshal: Even stranger still would be the look across the face of the Jarl of the Frozen North, Koval Brute-Blade, when the scroll carrying the commandments of the King of Norsia that he was to be the Marshal -- a highly coveted and most important position in the kingdom. Koval's prowess of war was not ill placed, and he would be a fine leader of armies, if the time came.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

King Henrik sat atop his seat and took each envoy with the measured and meticulous look that the Havarr family had long adhered to. Following their kind words and departure, Eyildr was the first to speak -- obviously in a manner befitting her political guile with the Elves. Henrik heeded the wise, albeit sometimes archaic words of Eyildr before speaking.

" I would hear the other Jarls and those among my council speak on this matter. Long has my Jarldom held the Gothran dog in check, but rarely have I crossed path with either Dwarf or Elf."

Bertil Reenburg was attired in the finest silks of the very country the Moot's Elven guest hailed from. He was a rainbow of colours, and his fine leather boots only added to the grandeur of his wardrobe. Drinking from a silver goblet of Galadrian wine, the wily Merchant-Jarl of Escgor stroked at his goatee with ringed fingers. He was displeased to have been recalled so quickly to the country's needs, as the Merchant Council was in dire need of his guidance back at Highhammer. The black ships had driven down the confidence of investors, and Bertil's incompetent Arls were haemorrhaging gold like it was blood from a stuck pig. Such was the price, he figured, for allowing men of commerce to oversee matters of steel.

Standing from his chair, and swaying slightly with wine, Bertil bowed courteously to King Henrick, and then gave Jarless Eyildr an unusually warm smile. Placing his goblet upon the small table aside his seat, Bertil clasped his hands and rubbed them together.

Looking at Ortygg, Bertil shook his head. "Raids and plunder; unless you wish for us live this way a thousand years from now, Master Ortygg, I would ask you to question what of the greater good will come from constant barbarianism. The world is leaving us behind, I have said it a dozen times, and I will say it again. Longships and axes will only take us so far before we awake a sleeping monster our half-hearted adventures will be ill-equipped to guard against."

Turning from Ortygg, Bertil glanced over each of the assembled Jarls, before his eyes finally fell upon Eylidr. "Why choose one friend over another, my dear Jarless, as wise as you are," began Bertil. His words verged on slurs, but he fought back against the sweetness of the Elfkin wine with a mind of hardened rock. "We, the Norsians, should refrain from favouring one person over another... now, now, hear me out before you all start glaring at me," he said, chuckling.

Turning so that all his peers could see him. "It is true what Jarless Eylidr says of the Dwarves. They have a reputation for breaking promises, missing deadlines and cancelling contracts. My ledgers in Escgor are full of such examples, I assure you - however - they are indeed a wealthy peoples. Though I have lost hoards of revenue from their slimy traders over the years, I have also gained entire fortunes by carefully navigating their character flaws. Why, my Jarlship is in part down to the many deals I cut with them in the past. I would say greet them as friends, but allow room for shrewdness, harsh words and hidden eyes. We could benefit, us Norsians, with keeping the Dwarves in a warm embrace. No. We WILL benefit. Between myself and our beloved Eylidr of the Vale, we could easily manage the little folk's dishonesty. As for their assistance in times of war? Why my Lords,' he paused to bow slightly to the King, 'my King. Escgor and the Vale could fill enough coffers to afford ourselves plenty of home-grown axes, and then some for whatever cut throat would bolster us for a fair penny."

Unable to gauge the mood of either the King or the Jarls, Bertil drew suddenly nervous, and mumbled his way onto the topic of the Elves.

"The Elves are steady partners. Fair enough, and everything is always agreed before it is finalised. They do not undercut, nor can they be over-sold. Honourable, though they are, as a merchant they offer little opportunity for commercial innovation. I estimate that we Norsians account for a quarter of their imported goods, and the same again for exports - this is unlikely to change. The Elves love nothing more than balance and organisation; if we sell a lot one day, it is because they planned for it, and if we sell little the next, it is again because they made it so. A wily people, but as I mentioned, they provide a steady partnership. So in conclusion, my King, my Lords, I say we draw both as close to us as we can, but only so far as their own dislikes for each other allow."

Bowing for a final time, Bertil made his way back to his chair, and clambered into it.

Since his appointment as Spy-Master had gone through Ragnar had worn the council robes of his predecessors who had also formerly held the post on any state occasion. The attire included a pair of fine dark brown leather boots, followed by black cloth trousers tucked into the boots. His chest and arms were coated in a similar black cloth shirt that carried gold buttons. The crowning jewel of the outfit was the jacket, it was made from the finest of black bear pelts and then highlighted with a greyish ink. Finally he wore a pair of black leather gloves that two were highlighted in the same grey dye. This made the whole outfit appear slightly ghostly (despite the gold buttons) and that was the feeling he was after. Listening to each of the Jarls as they spoke he thought carefully. Coldmarch was a great distance from both the Elves and the Dwarves and so he would be little help in commenting on their temperament and previous encounters however this also made him quite valuable. He wouldn't be blinded by pretenses and apparent good will. He could look at each individual on what they said and how they sold themselves. The other Jarls may have been focusing on the two kingdoms however as Otrygg had said there seemed to be pirates in the north and that was something that affected Colmarch immediately and he had experience in that area.

"Jarls."

Ragnar raised his hand before speaking.

"We all know that the history between the elves and the dwarves is not a pretty one but one painted in blood. There is distrust between the two nations and we cannot be drawn into this. Offering friendship with one could easily be seen the same as forming a coalition against the other. We cannot afford to insult either yet we can't simply not say anything as that would insult both. We are stuck at an impasse that requires further thought. Perhaps we should attempt to seek further diplomatic meetings with each nation? And try to discover what each nation desires of us as well as increase the possibility of trade and, on a slightly darker note, scout out their land a little. If circumstances were to come that war were declared it could provide an insight into some of their terrain and the struggles we would face. On more pressing issues we have all been told of the pirate sails in the north seas. These will hurt all of us and need to be dealt with before it can hamstring us, the treasury is already next to empty and we cannot afford to either buy the ships off or engage in a full scale conflict. We must find a way to protect our interests and insure those of nations invested in us. Does anyone have any ideas in regards to that?"

Ragnar sipped at some wine before looking from face to face. He had some ideas himself however he wished to know what the other Jarls, who seemed to have skipped over the event, had on the issue.

At the conclusion of the Henrik’s succession to the throne, Jarl Koval and his contingent left the Pale and began the long and arduous journey north to their frozen province. Though it was not the harshness of the bitter cold, nor the treachery of the Hold Mountain pass, that concerned Koval the Greater. Instead, it was the reception his countrymen would have for him upon his return. He had known that some of the other clans of Arda’Njor were expecting a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Gothra, and failing that an open revolt.

Koval had secured neither of those expectations, and had in fact offered his and his people’s loyalty to the new King, Henrik of Havarr. But Koval would not tear the country apart in a civil war that would only serve to strengthen the enemies of Norsia. He would rather face down the wrath of his countrymen, than see what he considered the sacred lands of his ancestors desecrated by the boots of foreign enemies.

However, Koval was confident that he could maintain the cooperation of his people, so long as his close friend and advisor, Toral, remained as so. For as long as the Brute-Blade and Stone-Fist clans remained allies, the other clans would fall in line; and Toral had reassured Koval of his support on the journey North, happy with the manner in which Koval conducted himself at the moot. He understood the need for the country to remain together, and put aside his own desire for vengeance against the Kingdom of Gothra.

Still, upon his return to the ever frozen city of Frostmourne, Koval issued a call to heads of the clans of Arda'Njor to meet, and discuss the position they would take in wake of the succession.

So it was that on the second week of the first month following the Jarlmoot, a conference was held in Frostmourne at the Castle of Unyielding Winter. It was during this conference that the Gray-Mane, Storm-Sword, and Rock-Back clans withdrew their open support of Koval as Jarl. They would continue to serve him as their leader, but when the time came for an heir to be named, they would not support the continuation of the Brute-Blade clan’s dominance. The Stone-Fists and Broad-Trunks remained faithful to Koval’s clan, but the Black-Bloods declared indifference; which meant that the right of Kord could be invoked.

If invoked, the right of Kord made it impossible for the current Jarl to name his own successor to the Jarldom. This meant that Koval couldn’t name either Koval the Lesser, or Toral Stone-Fist; instead the clans would meet, and decide their successor much the same way the Jarls chose their king. However, it carried with it the ominous threat that Arda’Njor could be plunged into it’s own civil war. The Jarl’s right to name his successor had kept the Province united, but now that unity was threatened.

Angered by what he considered a betrayal, Koval the Greater sought the guidance of the Ancient Tombs of Arda’Njor, hoping to find peace. Instead, he was found by the summons of the new High King of Norsia, Henrik, to take the position of Marshal of Norsia. The surprise that Koval felt was genuine when he read the scroll, then read it as second time to ensure that his eyes hadn’t deceived him.

However unsure of Henrik’s motivations he was, Koval was positive that the offer of being named Marshall would be enough to reassure the clans of Arda’Njor, and prevent the right of Kord from being invoked. He presented the scroll before the conference, and the loyalty of all the clans was reaffirmed. The right of Kord would not be invoked. King Henrik had inadvertently prevented a civil war in Arda’Njor, and Koval knew that he at least owed it to the King to accept his offer, and assume the title of Marshall of Norsia.

Correspondence was dispatched immediately from Frostmourne with Koval’s endorsement to accept the title. He would serve King Henrik.

- - -

As the summer sun thawed the southern Provinces, it did little to warm the inescapable cold of Arda’Njor. Only the white plains region would know the immediate benefit, as the longer days would serve to sun the sturdy crops that somehow managed to grow in the frigid north. The crops that supplied a good portion of sustenance to the hardy people.

Yet as the summer drew on, the next Jarlmoot approached, and Koval that his need to attend was far greater now that he held the title of Marshall. Leaving from his frozen city in the north, Koval and his contingent made their way back to the Pale. However, whereas all previous treks made from the north were plagued with trouble, this journey was without issue. In fact, it was made in three shorter days than had ever been previously done. Something Koval and his men took as a sign of good will by the Gods.

Prior to the beginning of the Jarlmoot, Koval paid his due respects to the Monk Otrygg, whom he respected greatly, and even to the new King, whom he wondered if he had misjudged at the previous moot. It took a particular man to offer a position of power to a rival, and Henrik had done just that. Regardless, Koval was committed to give the new King his best advice, and to serve him as best as he could. However, he remembered his solemn promise, and knew he would still keep it, but Koval was feeling better that he wouldn’t have to.

Taking his seat at the far end of the table, Koval looked over the Spy Master, and the Steward. The both wore some form of wardrobe to signify their new position, and Koval was amused. He had refused to wear anything that made him stand apart from his fellow Jarls, just as he refused to wear anything that made him stand apart from his countrymen in Arda’Njor. He would let his actions speak to his merit, not a piece of cloth, or fine jewelry.

Koval watched with interest as the slender Elf Therayn addressed the King and the Jarlmoot, listening to the soft spoken words with careful reproach. He knew that the Elves desired peace in Norsia, not because of a devotion to it as an ideal, but rather as a means to prevent the Nordic people from ever truly being powerful. The Elves hoped that the scraps of food they tossed at the Nords would keep them in check, and prevent them from securing their safety. He saw through their ruse, and knew that they wanted a weak Norsia, because they feared a strong Norsia.

Next was the Dwarf envoy from the High Kingdom of Highathar, as stout a dwarf as any that Koval had seen in the past. He admired the strong and sturdy people for the harsh conditions they endured above and under their mountains; a sort of kinship with the people of Arda’Njor, given the harsh living conditions of the province. But as the Dwarf spoke of tribute in exchange for friendship, Koval wasn’t impressed. He viewed bribes as disingenuous, and the sign of future betrayal.

As the Dwarf left, Koval sighed heavily at the disappointment he felt at the presentations of the two envoys. He had hoped one of the two great Kingdoms would show signs of honor, and be worthy of the friendship of the people of Norsia, but they both had obvious ulterior motives. The Elves sought to stymie the growth of power in Norsia, while the Dwarves sought to grow it in exchange for support against the Elves.

Koval listened to the words of Eyildr, and wasn’t surprised to hear her offer support in favor of the Elves, whom her province bordered with. The trade that travelled through her province was a great source of her people’s influence on the rest of Norsia. But he wasn’t impressed with her attempts to quell the concerns that might have arisen regarding the Elves offers. However, he echoed the sentiments she made in terms of the Dwarves gold tribute.

Our history, contemplated Koval as he listened to Otrygg speak of raiding parties. He knew that the old ways of Norsia were gone, and needed to stay gone. If the country were to ever truly grow strong, they would need to a people of honor, not a people of pillagers and plunderers. No, he would not support this, and he would let that be known.

Though, as Bertil, the Steward spoke drunkenly about the matter of raiding parties, Koval found himself genuinely amused, as well as surprised by the man. He spoke words of wisdom, words that Koval hadn’t thought he knew. In fact, what Bertil offered in terms of how to deal with the Elves and Dwarves made a great deal of sense to Koval. He wondered if he too had misjudged the man, at least for a very short moment.

Then the Spy-Master spoke, and Koval listened with interest. He liked the signs of temperance from the young Jarl, the Elves and Dwarves weren’t enemies of Norsia, even if they were enemies of each other. To play one, was to play against the other, and Koval knew that would lead to calamity within the Kingdom, especially with the threat of the Gothra to the East. As well as the lingering issue of the pirate sails in the Shivering Sea.

Having heard enough, Koval waited for a moment, then stood to take the floor. He showed due respect to his fellow Jarls, to Otrygg, and even the King before speaking. ”The Elves only seek to bring peace to our land, as a means to prevent us from truly becoming great. The Dwarves only seek to bring gold to our land, as a means to see us become great allies in their struggles against the Elves. Both of them have their ulterior motives, and both fail to seek an honorable and genuine accord between our lands, and theirs.”

Taking a moment to wet his lips with a sip of ale, Koval then continues. ”To play one, is to play against the other; and with the lingering threat of the Gothran to the east, and the tales of these pirates in the Shivering Sea, we can ill afford an enemy in the form of the Dwarves of Highathar, or the Elves of Galadriel. Though I disfavor the intrusiveness of the Elves into matters of our security, I disfavor the bribes of the Dwarves. I recommend an equal approach to both Kingdoms.”

Jarless Myriane Ashgold,
of Ashfall

---

Throughout the entirety of the proceedings, the Jarless of Ashfall did little more than drink from her goblet and observe the proceedings with obvious, unadulterated curiosity. Her mood was undeniably cheerful, as one could easily tell just by looking at her face, which was already turning red from the drink. She listened to the Elf, the Dwarf and the Old Witch each talk in turn, wavering a little as she sat but otherwise watching with great contentment. As it came time for the others to speak, the she was sure to make a few tipsy nods here and there, in order to quietly voice her approval. When it finally came to Koval's turn to speak, however, even Myriane was a little surprised to hear herself clapping her hands together in assent-

"Well spoken, Jarl Koval! I fear your reputation has given no great justice to your wisdom, as I have had the pleasure of seeing here today. Now..."

She stands up, only with the slightest air of unsteadiness as she slowly rises from her seat. By now, there was no mistaking the drunkenness in her face, but when she spoke again it was in her usual clear, song like tones.

"I have heard everything that has been said today, and I thought I might give my take on matters. The Elves... they talk of peace, and of prosperity between our races without the shadow of war. They think we should leave the Gothran mutt where it sits. They fear we will betray their trusts on the ashes of our enemies, once more sailing on Galadriel with greed and bloodlust in our hearts. However, who are they to speak of peace with the Gothrans? They drink and laugh in their glades, far across the land from the smouldering menace that sits just at the threshold of our homes."

"About the Dwarves, I have little to say that hasn't already been said by my peers. They might be of some help if we were to ever march on Gothra, if they could ever quit squabbling amongst eachother and the elves."

At this point, Myriane pauses and looks around at each of the Jarls (and the one other Jarless). Finally, her eyes settle on one man, Ragnar Wolfsbane. The expression shared between them was curious, to say the least. Myriane seemed to look at him with great interest, a catlike smile stretched playfully across her face. Something else was hidden in that smile, however, something that she knew only the Crow of Coldmarch would notice. I know what you are, and this is my answer. She gives a slight, nearly unnoticeable wink in his direction, before continuing-

"Out of everything that has been said here at this Moot, however, the words that stand out to me the most are those of Pirates. I am a close neighbour to both Escgor and Coldmarch, anything that affects them is bound to impact me, and this is no exception. It is not just my or their ships that will be struck, but everybody who wishes to trade through our home seas might find their shipments plundered, stolen through violence by some lowly brigands. Is this the fate of the men and women once called Lords of the Sea? To be preyed upon by these foolhardy rogues, right here in our own territory? I think that, even more pressing than the treachery of Dwarves and Gothrans, are the matters we must tend to within our own realm. These leeches must be crushed, before they can grow fat on the very lifeblood of our Kingdom."

Myriane lets out a breathe with these final words, as if the speech had taken a lot out of her. She seems a bit dizzy on her feet now, but her expression remains one of good cheer. She lowers herself back down into her seat carefully and reaches for her goblet, but seems to think better of it. Perhaps it would be best not to get too drunk, she thinks to herself. I might start glowing.

High King Henrik Havarr, Jarl of Tyr, Kingdom of Norsia

The King sat in silence as the Jarl's took their time to speak and deliberate. A budding statesman, Henrik understood the precedent of these decisions. There was often a very blurry line between what everybody wanted and what truly was right. Sometimes these ideals coincided, often times they did not. Henrik thought of the kingdom at large while the Jarl's spoke. He refrained from drink, despite the continued offering of servants nearby. He wished to have a clear head.

"Alas, the Jarless of Ashfall has let the drink warm her bones and her words have found my ears. While we will decide a course of action between the High Elves and the Dwarves under the mountain, I have long thought of the piracy that blankets our coasts. As a boy I remember the tales of Norsian longships ruling the waves, and I think it is time to return to mastery of our own seas." His eyes seemed to wander, until they found Koval. Henrik's eyes commanded a stern resolution that had come with the weight of a crown.

"Every Jarldom will submit three of their longships to the service of the King, including my own, the Jarldom of Tyr. Marshal Koval, you have been charged with the destruction of the pirates off Norsian shores, the continued protection of our shores and the discovery and .. eradication of whatever sickly harbor these pirates continue to call home to strike our shores. It is with a trusting word that I send Marshal Koval, for I know not a better man in these lands to carry out the destruction of those who would see Norsia weakened."

Henrik's eyes turned now away from Koval, to find softer, more remarkable features of the other Jarl's assembled as well. "The emissaries of the Dwarves intrigue me. With the wisdom of the wise and coin hardened prowess of our Lord Steward, I would ask him -- and those assembled here -- what great commodities of need might we export to the Dwarves in exchange for their rare ores? Speak freely, Jarls."

Uncharted Lands of Rheagonn
by
High Moth Otrygg the Wise
1996 D.F.


King Beron the Bard finds the Fuma Free Holds

There can be no denying of Norse mastery of the sea. The raiders and sea patrons of Norsia are the only kind to have mapped and catalogued the coasts of all of Nirn. It is well known that within every holdfast from Thane to Jarl, there are detailed maps of the continent. No where else will you find this, not in Dwarve Mountainhomes who hide underground, nor the Elve treeforts who claim to know all. Despite our gift for setting oar like no other, there are lands of Rheagonn that elude Moth cartographers still.

Fuma Land
It was the Nord exile Fuma who discovered this land mass when he served as a captain, early in King Hrirrar the Old's reign. The man, notorious for his greed, mapped a sea lane, through treacherous currents in the Sunrise Sea and kept such maps carefully hidden. For years he raided the coasts of the land, bringing back exotic thralls of short, stunted Elves. Fuma soon lost favour with the king, and after a failed rebellion, retreated to settle the land along with his exile followers.

Nigh on sixty years later, the odd merchant sails into the ports of Norsia, holding the same exotics in stow, and speaking news of the land. We know that Fuma Land is divided into three island city-states, and is known by those who have been there as the Fuma Free Holds. It is known to be a haven for those of upstarts and exiles, banished from their realms looking to rule once again.

Early in his reign, King Beron the Bard set out to find Fuma Land, however his cartographer, along with his crew and himself, were said to be heavily inebriated after days of raiding the wine coasts of Gothra. After finding the land, Beron and his crew were unable to recall the way back, though Beron's songs of the bawdy houses of the Free Holds are a mead hall favourite even today.

Elyswyr
Rumoured to be a vast continent far across the Sunset Sea, Elysyr is the fabled home of the Elves. Elvish heresies depict their people being born from "Light" in this land across the Sea. In the limited relations we have with the Theraynships of Galadriel, we ascertained that Elves live their still, though their complexion has turned dark, said to be so for falling to evil. Beyond that, little else is known of this land.

Everwinter
In the northern realm of Norsegard was the seat of the mighty Thor, who led mortal men to Odin's glory. As Dreagonn rised to steal the power of the Gods, Loki and Thor, with their combined might, ripped the land asunder, flooding a great divide with the Shivering Sea. Yet even that would not deter the heretic and his vast army. Across the sea they travelled, where the final battle was fought, and through the sky, Thor used his hammer to strike a rift into the nether-realm, and escape into Valhalla, along with Loki and the lesser Gods.

Dreagonn stole the powers of Thor and returned to Norsia an immortal, and ruled with an iron fist. His savagery soon turned his followers against him, and fought him back to Everwinter, where he lays entombed for eternity.

Though no one has returned to Everwinter in a thousand years, it is said that vast wealth in mines lay there, beneath the frozen landscape, as well as dozens of shrines to the Gods. Beron the Bard, Himself, vows to go there one day, to build a colony and find Thor's rift and see the Gods returned.

Upon his King's request for his council, Bertil Reenburg mustered his sobriety for another brazen attack on the Moot. Standing from his chair, this time gracefully and with steadied feet, he clicked his tongue thoughtfully.

"The Dwarves are an industrial nation. Mines scar their land, from border to border. They are rich in metals, and gemstones - so much so that our Norsian iron or steel will be of little worth to them," he began. "However, from what I know of their country, and from what I am told by my Merchant Council back home in Escgor, they are suffering food shortages. Their love of digging deep for riches has brought neglect on their sparse farmland, and many of the lower folk go without nourishment for days. There is talk of rebellion in some of the outer fringes of the Dwarven holds, and King Goldgrin rightly fears such things. Even now his army scours the population for dissenters, but this is only a short term solution, and he knows it so.

"Since the freezing of Dwarven-Elven relations, Galadriel has withheld several grain shipments and other food goods from Highathar. Attempts between the two races have been made to rekindle such trade deals, but so far nothing substantial has become of this. Therefore, if we truly wish to earn Dwarven gold, I propose we use our reserves of fish and grain to bolster Highathar's faltering agriculture. King Goldgrin would likely be most willing to lap up this offer, as it would certainly remove the threat of hunger-driven revolts. However, it is only a matter of time before the Dwarves begin to reinvest in their farmland, so I am unsure of how long lasting this agreement would be. Short term however, we stand to benefit.

"Though, Galadriel may see our attempts to supplant them as Highathar's main food exporter. We must tread lightly, though I'm sure that with enough kind words, and perhaps a few superficial deals such as recognising the Elven Kingdom's claim to the waters immediately off their coastline will be enough to keep their frowns at bay."

Bertil bowed to the King. "Before I return to my chair, I would ask Jarless Eyildr's thoughts on the matter. I may be the Steward, and graciously so, but foolish is the merchant to ignore the insight of his peers."

Temperance. Deliberation. The young continued to suggest their blessed middle road, as though it would solve all problems and cause none. When Eyildr rose she did so with more severity than before, and when she spoke her voice was more frosty than it had been before.

"I must first caution all here than working dually with the Elves and the Dwarves will be entirely detrimental. Neither nation will entertain this once they discover that we are working with one behind the backs of the other - and it will only serve to anger both factions rather than one. Likewise, abstaining from working with either will isolate us and weaken us, as well as making us look very weak in the eyes of those who seek to destroy us,"

She paused, point apparently raised. "I thank Jarl Bertil for seeking my opinion," Her voice softened as she nodded her gratitude. "You are correct. The Dwarves are wealthy when it comes to gems, jewels and metals. He is also right in suggesting that the nation suffers from dissent. I am no great expert on the Dwarves, but from my correspondence with those around that area and within it I can confirm that dissent is increasingly common amongst the populace. This, coupled with those creature's characteristic cowardice, does not make for strong allies,"

"The Elves are steady and dependable. Their sense of morality, in my very experienced opinion and the scrolls of my family, is almost impeccable. Nearly all wars with them have been Norsian wars of aggression. They cannot offer us a wealth of material goods - silver, gold and the like - but what they can offer is, in my opinion, altogether more valuable in the long term and I urge all of you to stow away your love for gold for a moment to consider it thusly. The Elves can offer knowledge, and they can offer experience. When my ancestress Thaerina the Undulating first met with the Elves they granted us new agricultural technologies and chronicles that have documented much of the knowledge of Rheagonn for which, before this, we were unaware. These chronicles are stored here, now, in this capital city, amongst the scholarly Orders. These are an insular peoples, and their security can only be breached legitimately, through trust. My Jarldom has come a long way, but I can tell you here and now that the Elves possess knowledge and secrets in regards to technological innovation, history, divinity and even knowledge of the magical and arcane," An observant Jarless of Ashfall might question whether Eyildr eyed her for a moment when she said this. "These, in the long term, a thousand times more useful than any shining metals, swords or baubles the Dwarves can offer us,"

Otrygg leaned heavily upon the table as he rose to speak...

"There is a reason the Elves and Dwarves treat with us now, and as you all know, it is not to offer mere condolences for a fallen king, and to impart blessings on a new one. No, no! The resolve of the Nords is as stone, hard and unyielding. Tell me, pray, what will they think of our resolve if we support both? Indeed it is the safe choice, for now, but the time will come when we must choose.

"And as for these black sails, these men without honour, these... pirates? Much and more do we not know of them. I advise we set the task to the Spy-Master to learn their origins - that they raid when the Shivering is warm suggest to me of them being outlanders. In the Orc Realm of Vorduun, along the west coast is the port of Brazehome, infamous for harbouring pirates and all sorts of villainy. Dispatch agents there, and answers we may find. At the very least, should the good Marshal sink the ships before origins can be found, we will have a plan in place to find answers to vexing questions."

Bertil scowled at the Jarless, his momentary warmth towards her extinguished in an instant. "I expected higher wisdo- no, I guess you have spoke the way I imagined. Praise the Elves, the almighty Elves, whose gifts and excellence in matters of... grace? Have allowed them to lay claim to the whole world. OH, how we, the men of the North, tremble before their conquering armies!" His lips, quivering in anger, smoothed and he sighed. "Apologies, those were hasty words, Jarless Eyildr."

Kneeling before the Jarls, but facing the King directly, Bertil threw in his lot. "The Elves are weak, they are frightened of us, from a military standpoint. Just look at the few settlements that dot the Galadrian coast line, and the sorry state of their naval assets. We may be men, crude and unfashioned in the eyes of the Elderborn, but we have comprehensively beaten them at sea. Their magic was not there to save them, nor was their wisdom; I see little use in these commodities then. Trust not in the Elves to make Norsia strong, but as Jarl Koval said, my King, to keep it tame - to keep it weak. The Middle Way, as I have proposed, and yes, it is a selfish way too, will be our best bet of rising above those who would see us wither and die."

Standing, Bertil cast the last of his dice. "Escgor's chief concern is the pirate menace plaguing our trade routes. I have lost much because of it, and my people suffer with me. I will stake eight longships of my mercantile fleet to the cause, but must withhold two to patrol the Icevein Inlet. My sailors may not be courageous warriors, but they are well organised, well equipped and will stand in battle." Turning to Otrygg, the Merchant-Jarl nodded his approval, "I am with you on this, we must cut the serpent off at the head. The King be praised, this darkness will be resolved in months, not years."

Having made himself an enemy of the hag, donated most of his trade fleet and cemented his dislike for the Elves, Bertil decided to call it a day as far as his input was concerned. Bowing once more and with a slight ache in his lower spine, he noticed, the Merchant-Jarl of Escgor retreated to the safety of his chair with the aim of aquiring more Galadrian wine.

Eyildr simply gave a small smile at Bertil's words. She raised a wrinkled hand pre-emptively, and the shadows that had begun to stir behind her with agitation ceased immediately. The Jarless paused for a moment, smoothing down the front of her robe. "I am glad that we find each other so predictable, Jarl Bertil. Your theatrics are most amusing," She noted as he made a display of kneeling and devoting his fleet to the king. "Here as they were at the moot where we selected our new King. Very amusing indeed,"

"But you have a lot to learn. I do not judge you - men not born to this life cannot possibly hope to fully comprehend the complexities of the existence of the Jarl," She smiled sweetly. "The Elves are weaker than us in a naval sense. However, if you believe that the only way to prove a nation's weight is its army and its navy then you are not just an oiled snake in this room but you are a fool,"

The old woman took a small swig of mead. "I will not stand by and let this kingdom be drawn to and fro by the wants of men concerned only with lining their own pockets. We must deal with the pirates, aye, and I will devote all coastal resources to this issue. Firsthold will keep a constant watch for pirates along our coast,"

"The other matter, however, I will not bend on. There is no 'middle ground'. You cannot play both the Elves and the Dwarves. To attempt to use them as if they were commodities is to anger both and incur the wroth of both. I will not let my people suffer and die from Elven fletched arrows because the men in this room could see nothing but the glint of gold," Her words hung heavily in the air, almost a threat. "I have served this kingdom duly my whole life, and I will not stand by now as it is torn asunder by the greedy hearts of new men. Gold is worthless when your cities burn and your people starve,"

Ragnar had been almost amused by the antics of Jarless Myriane. However the message he had sent her pricked at his interest. He would bite, but later when other ears were not around. During the the verbal jousting between the other Jarless at the table and the Steward Betil, Ragnar continued to refine and rethink his own a opinion, since it was a fool who held only a narrow view and did not adapt to suit the situation. However nobody truly put the killing argument into place. Of course Eyildr supported the elves. She had been suckilng at that teat for as long as he knew and she had, in fairness, been treated fairly and well. The dwarves were still an unknown faction to them. However Eyildr was blinded by her loyalty to the elves. This was no longer about what seemed to be the 'safest' choice for each of the holds but what could put the realm into a position of power. And still the problem of the pirates loomed with only a dedication of ships the precaution taken. The Moth priest had been correct in seeking his skill however he had wanted to wait for the king to ask.

"Jarless Eyildr, you speak of us attempting to curry favour with both realms, and in all honesty that was my first thought. However you are correct that this would only anger both for being used and lead to more trouble than siding with only one. However you are blinded by your loyalty to the elves to see that they are not all peaceful and friendly. You said so yourself that their barbed arrows would fly and that is not a friend you want to make essential. This is why if we must pick, we side with the dwarves. We are not going to swear fealty or make any sort of pact that leaves us open to their assaults and betrayal. And personally I would prefer to be independent from both. But we need to gold these stumps possess. The coffers are only now with gold only because of the gift they have bestowed on our king. You may be reliant on the elves and that is your own business but you are only one fief and cannot be allowed to dictate the entire nation on your own whim of safety. The nation needs gold right now to prepare for war, strengthen our economy and deal with these damn pirates. You are correct to say that gold is worthless in times of war, but during times of peace you need gold to prepare for war. If we were to side with the dwarves and your realm were to be attacked I would wholeheartedly swear my entire navy and army to your defense. You are not alone in this world and to think that by not siding with the elves would mean we would let you burn is a mistake. We must become a superpower again and that means exploiting the most valuable that we can find as well as protecting our own. I now ask that we take a break from our meeting. A certain individual may have let the wine get the better of her and I wish to discuss matters of the pirates in privacy with the council."

Ragnar stood to make his notion known.