As Jor-Barnk had advised King Merrill would happen, Mornan invaded Grale. Grale was not completely unprepared but the initial push from Mornan had driven her armies deep into the northern Kingdom. At sea was a different matter as the two navies were comparable in size and strength. Mornan's fleet had laid siege to Port Mearsby initially but when the Gralian navy had sailed south from Eruthun, they had quickly broken through the blockade. The trading houses began retrofitting their merchant ships that were in port with extra catapults and hired men as the King of Grale had commanded that they be available as auxiliaries. At first the trading houses had refused but the King had promised financial compensation for any losses.
There would be no immediate victory at sea on either side, so both countries put their resources into the ground war. Mornan had far superior cavalry as the many noble houses kept their own horses and every nobleman was an armoured knight. Their foot soldiers were not equal to Grale. Grale's troops were all volunteers and skilled with the bow as well as the blade. Many of the newly minted sergeants were experienced caravan guards who struggled with large scale tactics but were used to the vagaries of close combat. Mornan's foot soldiers were conscripts, ordered to fight. Their officers were minor lords who viewed the foot soldier as a tool for a task. What kept them fighting was the fear of death, either from the enemy or from their own officers should they try and abandon the field.
Jor-Barnk received regular reports from his agents and it seemed at first that Mornan would win quickly. Later reports made that less certain as Grale responded to the invasion with greater strength. What worried Jor-Barnk more was the Western Kingdom. Their build up in ships and materials indicated that they were preparing for a sea war. As their closest ocean neighbors, Jor-Barnk didn't have to guess where that attack was headed. As well, although unrelated, his agent inside the Examiners had stopped reporting. From the reports of his other agents in Ehart, it seemed he was one of those the new Chief Examiner had purged from the Examiner ranks.
The arrival of the Emissary from his successful mission to the Sessailaine was the only happy news Jor-Barnk had. His agent that had gone with the Emissary reported in immediately. The five Sessailaine ships floated outside the harbour and, his agent assured him, another ten would be on their way as a more permanent attachment to the defense of the Islands. No one knew how many Sessailaine vessels there were, exactly. At any given time, they had dozens at sea engaged in trade or hired as escorts to traders. Ha! Pirates to guard against pirates! Jor-Barnk thought.
What was known was that there were a number of islands the Sessailaine called home and a number of villages on each island. His agent had caught wind that a new 'colony', as the Sessailaine called their slow but steady expansion across the southern archipelago, had been established. He was unable to find out much about it but there was something unusual. No matter. It was the matter of the Mages that gave Jor-Barnk pause. This was an unknown. The demonstration that the agent described didn't explain their role within the Sessailaine nor what their powers, if real, could actually do in a battle. Too many unknowns.
Still, having a Sessailaine fleet supporting their fleet if the Western Kingdom attacked would be a huge advantage. A single Sessailaine was worth two or even three other ships in battle. This was known. The men and women of the Sessailaine were brutal fighters, skilled at sea in a way no one else could match. Having them on side would be a huge advantage.
Jor-Barnk was due to meet the Sessailaine Ambassador as part of the king's court. He would be a minor player and stay well in the background, but the best intelligence is what you can see and hear first hand. He dismissed his agent and began the walk to the main audience hall of the king.
When he arrived, the pageantry was already at play. The Sessailaine didn't seem taken by the pomp, which made the usually dour Spymaster hide a smile behind his hand. The king greeted the Sessailaine party formally, then introduced them to each of his advisors. Barik, the Sessailaine Captain that had been given charge of this embassy, seemed nothing special. He had the usual deadly look that all Sessailaine had and Jor-Barnk was certain he could move like a cat, simply by the way he walked. The Ambassador was one of their Council members, a man named Frelav. Finally, as the king worked his way down the court, they came to Jor-Barnk.
"My Lord Frelav, Captain Barik. This is Jor-Barnk, one of my minor advisors on matters of state." Jor-Barnk bowed politely.
Barik looked at him closely, which caught Jor-Barnk off guard. He was certain they had never met but Barik's look was knowing. Damn! What am I missing? Jor-Barnk's expression didn't waver. The party moved on down the line and finally came to the end. The palace chefs had arranged tables of foodstuffs and drinks for afterwards so the various nobles and functionaries started to mingle. The King and the Ambassador were approached by a number of nobles for small talk. Jor-Barnk noted that the Sessailaine honour guard watched warily as anyone approached the Ambassador. Smart. Ally with us but don't trust us!
There was a slight clearing of a throat behind him. Jor-Barnk turned and found himself face to face with Captain Barik. He bowed politely and said, "Greetings, Captain. May I assist you?"
Barik grinned again. "Jor-Barnk, right? I have a message for you from the War Master."
"For me? There must be some mistake. I am only a minor attachment to the court, of no importance." Jor-Barnk said. Meanwhile his thoughts were racing. What the hell? Why would the Sessailaine War Master know of my or send me a message?
"No mistake," Barik said. "Biort , the War Master was quite clear. She says I am to thank you for providing us with a few new ships and that Sor-Arhan's daughter insured her father lives but only as a permanent guest of the Sessailaine. Apparently Sor-Arhan initially blamed you for his situation, but that is well past. Do you wish me to convey a message back to her?" Barik's smile was predatory and Jor-Barnk felt like he was staring into the mouth of a giant beast.
"Thank her for her kindness in allowing me to clear up that small matter. I trust there were no, shall we say, bad feelings?" Jor-Barnk said. Damn, these Sessailaine are not nearly as naive as I thought. I had better advise the king to be careful with his words around them.
"She suspected you would ask that. The Sessailaine never hold a grudge when an enemy fights fair. Of course, we don't always fight fair ourselves." Barik laughed and, bowing slightly, returned to the where the Ambassador was speaking with another of the nobles.
