I relaxed in the chair provided me by the Emperor, sitting across from him at the large circle table in his study.
His minister was reading my Treaty/Contract, and making notes on a small pad of vellum for the emperor.
He reached the end, made final alterations to his notes, and handed both to the Emperor, after rolling up the lengthy Scroll.
Emperor Luis the Pious read the bullet-points given to him, and nodded slowly. "I see... a reduced tax on your Canal, in return for an alliance with the Quickly Expanding North Kingdom? Protection from Scheduled Raids, pillaging... a standing legion to protect our interests in the Canal under your Harbormaster's command... I see... and you say you have already become Allies with the Russian Tsar and Russian Orthodox Church?"
"The Tsar, yes, my Mother secured his Submission. He is a King under the Empress now... as for his church, I was not given any information about that, but I'd assume that if he willingly submitted, which he did, his church would follow their Tsar's example." I nodded.
He hummed. "I think you an honorable man, Prince Maximus. And I recognize that your mother sending you here was a test of whether or not you were ready for her throne. That worries me." He said simply.
"Excuse me?" I asked slowly.
"Simply put, this was a test for you, yes? That means that your mother was prepared for either eventuality, War, or Peace, and was not afraid to take either approach. I'm positive that she planned on simply taking my Empire by force, and you asked to be a diplomatic Envoy. And, as I'm aware she is not an arrogant woman, that means that she truly believes that she will crush us in a War." He laid out his concern.
I nodded. "I see. Yes, I believe you're correct, that was her intention. And yes, my mother is a Warrior. She is prepared for war, but she would rather peace. That is why she sent me, because I am a peace-keeper, not a War-Monger."
He smiled. "And how would you describe yourself as a warrior? When you do make war, what basic tactics do you abide by?"
"I hold true to myself. My code as a warrior is to set Expectations for myself, and achieve them, whatever the cost. If my goal was war with you, I wouldn't let you know it." I shrugged.
"And how would you possibly do that?" He chuckled. "I'd notice an army marching or sailing towards me."
"Indeed. But I wouldn't march or sail my army. I would bring my men into your city, five, ten at a time, masquerading as scholars, tradesmen, have them bring their wives and children, to allay suspicion, until I had a sizable force inside your walls. Then, I would send a signal, and the children and wives would leave quietly in the night, and upon Dawn, my army would unleash hell, until your city burned, and I was king of its ashes." I replied concisely.
He blinked slowly, his pale face a reminder that the man I faced was not a Viking, nor a Warrior.
"Of course, I wish to avoid that tragic outcome. This city is a Jewel, a beautiful addition to this earth, I'd never want harm to come to its gleaming citadels." I smiled.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem... yes, of course. A wise tactic, I suppose, but not entirely honorable."
"Why is it not honorable? I am no coward. I simply don't wish a siege. I am not attacking in the night, I wouldn't attempt to unduly harm citizens. I would give warning, with my Signal. I hold Honor in my grasp so long as I do not dishonor myself, and I don't see how that tactic would dishonor me." I shrugged.
He nodded. "Perhaps. Intelligent, either way... now, one last thing is required before I sign this treaty."
"Of course, Emperor. What is it?" I asked easily.
