Of Kings and Pawns

Chapter 10 - The New World

The cold winds swept across the stone walls of Ashington Fort, the ancestral seat of House Merrick, nestled in the heart of the northern New World. Lord Theodore Merrick sat at the head of the long table in the Great Hall, surrounded by his bannermen and vassals, each representing a powerful house that had risen from the ashes of their old ties to the Brighton lineage. Though their blood traced back to the Old World, their spirit and focus had long shifted across the vast sea.

The lords and ladies gathered for an important discussion, one that concerned an invitation from the Old World. It was a call to attend the Great Council, where the rulers of the central kingdoms would be decided-a matter of urgency, requested by none other than King Brighton himself.

Lord Ross Ranger of Wildland Watch, a grizzled veteran with deep-set eyes and a permanent frown, was the first to speak. "I disagree with this," he said, his voice gruff and forceful. "The Old World only seeks to drag us back into their endless wars. I wouldn't waste one man of mine fighting on foreign soil, not after the peace we've built here."

A murmur of agreement rose among some of the lords, but it was quickly countered by Lord Jack Valtimore of Valtimore, a younger man with a hunger for battle in his eyes. "You say that, Lord Ranger, but our soldiers have not seen war in decades. They are restless, eager for glory. Let us not turn our backs on opportunity. If we go, we go as mercenaries, and we side with whoever pays the most."

His words were met with raised eyebrows, but before anyone could respond, Lady Jelena Weston of Goldbeach chimed in, her tone calculating. "There is more to this than just fighting, Lord Valtimore. Why commit to one side when we can trade with both? War breeds opportunity, yes, but not only on the battlefield. By trading with two warring powers, we reap the benefits without shedding our blood."

Lady Van Newark of Newark, always a voice of pragmatism, nodded in agreement. "Lady Jelena speaks truth. The New World has prospered by staying out of the Old World's conflicts. Our focus should be on economic growth, not getting entangled in wars that have nothing to do with us."

Lord Marcus Florence of The Everglades, ever the adventurer, scoffed at this. "Growth? What of expanding our influence? The Southern New World is ripe for the taking, especially House Rico. They grow weak while we grow strong. We could conquer them and add more land to our dominion."

His suggestion was met with immediate dismissal from most of the council, who saw his ambitions as reckless. Yet, amidst the arguments, young Robin Rode, heir to Rode Isle, sat quietly at the far end of the table, his eyes wide as he listened carefully. His advisors jotted down notes, recording the council's debate at the request of his father.

As the lords and ladies continued to argue, Lord Theodore Merrick remained silent, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the table. Finally, with a heavy thud of his fist, the hall fell silent. Every head turned toward him as he stood, his presence commanding immediate attention.

"The New World will not be dragged into the Old World's quarrels," Theodore declared, his voice firm but calm. "I see what this invitation truly is: a trap, set by King Brighton to bind us once more to their wars, to their endless squabbles. We left those customs behind for a reason, and we will not go back."

The lords and ladies exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared interrupt him. Theodore continued, his eyes scanning the room. "We built this land on growth, exploration, and prosperity. Our focus has always been on what we can achieve here, not on the distant disputes of the Old World. While Brighton is kin, we owe them no allegiance in their struggle for crowns that mean nothing to our future."

He paused, his words sinking into the silence that followed. "The New World is about opportunity and progress, not the endless cycles of discord that plague the Old World. We will not go to the council. We will not be drawn into their games of power. We will stand neutral."

For a moment, the room was so quiet that the sound of the wind outside the fort was almost deafening. Then, a soft clapping broke the silence. Young Robin Rode had begun to clap, slow but steady, his admiration for Lord Theodore clear in his bright eyes. Soon, others followed, and the hall erupted in applause.

Theodore felt a sense of pride as he looked around the room. He had made the right choice. He had declared New World neutrality in the conflict, and the lords and ladies had accepted it. For now, at least, their focus would remain where it belonged... on the growth and future of their land.

As the council adjourned, Lord Theodore excused himself to his private chambers, retreating from the applause and praise. The moment he stepped inside, however, his eyes fell on a letter waiting on his desk, its seal marked with the crest of King Manuel from their outposts in the Kingdom of Manilla.

The contents were unsettling. King Manuel spoke of the Empire of Nihon's growing expansion... particularly their rapid conquest in Zhong... and the increasing number of Nihon foreigners in Manilla. Manuel feared they were not merchants or travelers, but spies, watching and waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Theodore frowned deeply as he read the letter. The Empire of Nihon was a force that could not be ignored, and while they were far from his lands now, their ambitions were becoming clearer with each passing day. If they were pushing into Manilla, it was only a matter of time before their influence spread further.

He sat at his desk and began drafting a letter to their outpost on the island of Wai, where the bulk of House Merrick's fleet was stationed. The New World would remain neutral in the affairs of the Old World, but the East was a different matter entirely.

After sealing the letter, Theodore sent for a raven. He watched as the bird flew off into the sky, carrying his orders to Wai. As he stood by the window of his chambers, looking out over the far northern territories, he couldn't help but wonder what House Hudson was up to. Those territories were vast, and though they shared blood, their histories had diverged long ago.

The New World was expansive with more room to be explored and filled with potential, but even here, threats loomed. Theodore knew that neutrality in the Old World's conflicts was necessary...
but the East was rising, and they could not afford to turn a blind eye forever.