Chapter 61: Negotiations and Envoys
Mariasis informed One-Eyed Logan that he required more time for consideration.
However, Logan recognized this as Mariasis's customary way of indicating that the matter was practically settled. True to form, two days later, a disheveled Mariasis, his eyes bloodshot, reappeared before Logan. He declared that he and his men were prepared to surrender, provided that Viscountess Lanwan agreed to pardon their families.
Given that Charlotte had been willing to relinquish her noble title, she would naturally have no hesitation in pardoning a few commoners. Logan pounded his chest, assuring Mariasis of Viscountess Lanwan's guarantee.
While Logan was occupied with persuading Mariasis to surrender, an unexpected visitor arrived in the Viscounty of Lanwan.
This was Matt, an elder from Little Sassinian. In the recent past, he had visited Ambratu, conducting himself with arrogance in the Ambratu Senate, flaunting his influence and reveling in the aftermath of Abo's significant battlefield victory. He had even demanded a substantial indemnity from Ambratu. At the time, the Ambratu elders had understandably been too intimidated to refuse, proceeding with caution and requesting leniency and additional time to gather the necessary funds from Little Sassinian.
This time, Matt had come to collect that indemnity.
However, upon Matt and the Little Sassinian delegation's second arrival in Ambratu, they discovered that the city-state of Ambratu was no more. In its place was the County of Ambratu, now under the governance of the Orlan Empire's Viscountess Lanwan.
Jonathan Hackman, unsure of how to manage the delegation, had them escorted across the Lanwan Isthmus to the Viscounty of Lanwan.
At the time, Charlotte was preoccupied with testing her improved orichalcum smelting furnace and was unable to meet Matt immediately. Cecilia arranged for Matt and his group to lodge at an inn in the Elm Village market, providing Matt with an opportunity to contemplate the unfolding situation.
Why had Viscountess Lanwan occupied Ambratu?
Did Viscountess Lanwan's ambitions truly extend only to Ambratu?
Was it genuinely Viscountess Lanwan who desired the occupation of Ambratu?
Matt might not have been familiar with the term "geopolitics," but as a seasoned politician, his approach to political issues possessed a far greater degree of subtlety than that of a military man like Mariasis.
Mariasis's concerns were limited to whether Viscountess Lanwan had a just cause for war, his chances of defeating her, and whether surrender was the prudent course if victory proved unattainable.
But Matt, adopting the perspective of a Sokyan city-state leader, perceived more than just Viscountess Lanwan. Behind her stood the Green Plains Duchy and the Orlan Empire.
The Sokyan Peninsula lay adjacent to the Orlan Empire, akin to a kitten beside a lion. Its prolonged existence as a collection of independent city-states was not solely attributable to the martial prowess of Sokyan mercenaries (though that played a minor role), but also because the Orlan Empire had never seriously entertained the notion of conquering them.
To the north, the Orlan Empire possessed vast, fertile plains abundant in population and resources. Expansion in that direction was far more advantageous than venturing into this southern backwater.
Yet now, this newly appointed Viscountess Lanwan had defied long-standing precedent by seizing Ambratu – an action unprecedented in centuries. Matt couldn't help but ponder: Had the Orlan Empire's strategic outlook towards the Sokyan Peninsula undergone a fundamental shift at the highest levels?
Although Charlotte's rationale for taking Ambratu was sound, and she appeared to be the aggrieved party throughout, none of that mattered to Matt. His primary concern was that the Orlan Empire's border now directly abutted Little Sassinian's territory.
If the Orlan Empire harbored intentions of conquering the Sokyan Peninsula, did the city-states stand any realistic chance of resistance?
Matt seriously doubted it.
For centuries, the Orlan Empire had not bothered with the Sokyan Peninsula, partly due to its perceived lack of value and partly because the peninsula presented no significant threat. The Green Plains Duchy alone was sufficient to contain the Sokyan people, and the Orlan Empire boasted four other duchies of comparable strength.
Meanwhile, the Sokyan Peninsula was fractured by internal conflict between the Ivy Alliance and the Delmore Alliance. Even in the event of an external invasion, their ability to unite against a common enemy was questionable. How could they possibly withstand the Orlan Empire's formidable military power?
The more Matt contemplated the situation, the more uneasy he became. Combined with the noise emanating from outside the inn, he barely slept at all. Fortunately, the following day, Charlotte finally summoned him.
"Greetings, Viscountess."
Amidst the vibrant commotion of the racetrack, Matt bowed to Charlotte.
Charlotte returned the gesture with a smile, saying, "My apologies for the delay in receiving you."
"No, no, Viscountess Lanwan is occupied with official duties. It was I who was impolite in arriving unannounced," Matt quickly responded.
"May I inquire as to the purpose of Elder Matt's visit to my humble viscounty?" Charlotte asked with a smile.
Matt knew she was feigning ignorance, but he had no choice but to play along. "Not long ago, Ambratu invaded Little Sassinian. Although our loyal and brave citizen-soldiers defeated those villains, Little Sassinian still suffered significant losses. The Ambratu Senate had agreed to compensate us, but now that Ambratu…"
His voice trailed off, but his meaning was clear.
Charlotte, however, watched the horses and riders lining up at the starting line and replied indifferently, "What does the Ambratu Senate's promise have to do with me, the Viscountess of Lanwan? If an elder agreed to your compensation, you should seek out that elder."
"Viscountess, please don't jest," Matt said with a wry smile. "The surviving elders of Ambratu are all imprisoned in your dungeons. To whom else can I turn?"
"Precisely," Charlotte said coolly, clasping her hands behind her back. "I, too, have grievances with the Ambratu Senate and Assembly. Surely you don't expect me to honor the debts of my enemies."
"You have taken Ambratu, Viscountess. All of Ambratu's accumulated wealth now belongs to you. Couldn't you spare some…?" Matt pressed.
"Elder, that's hardly reasonable," Charlotte scoffed. "You are aware that I conquered Ambratu. Why should I share my spoils with you?"
"Without Little Sassinian's citizen-soldiers fighting on the front lines, you would never have taken Ambratu so easily!"
Matt's tone grew urgent. Little Sassinian desperately needed that indemnity. Despite their victory against Ambratu, their inner city had been razed, their population decimated, and their prized wool industry nearly destroyed. If Matt returned empty-handed, Little Sassinian would face starvation in the coming year.
The moment the words left his mouth, Matt regretted them, fearing the Viscountess might retaliate.
To his surprise, Charlotte fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "You are correct. Little Sassinian's battle did indeed make things easier for me."
"You are willing to pay Ambratu's indemnity?" Matt asked, astonished.
The race began, the thunder of hooves shaking the ground as the crowd of spectators and gamblers erupted in cheers.
Charlotte shook her head with a smile. "I was not the one who invaded Little Sassinian, so why should I pay? However… I am willing to buy back the Ambratu citizen-soldiers. What are your thoughts on that?"
"Buy them back?" Matt frowned, wary. "That is not a decision I can make unilaterally."
"Then return and discuss it. I am short on slaves, and keeping those citizen-soldiers is merely a drain on your resources. Selling them to me at a fair price is a mutually beneficial arrangement," Charlotte stated.
Sokyan Peninsula, City-State of Feidi
As the oldest, most culturally and economically prosperous city-state on the Sokyan Peninsula, Feidi also boasted the most magnificent Senate among its peers. Adorned with exquisite sculptures, opulent precious metal ornaments, and priceless artworks from across the globe, it was a truly remarkable sight.
Yet, if an uninformed Feidi citizen were to observe the daily discussions, within a few days, their likely conclusion would be: Feidi is doomed.
For the past two years, the esteemed elders of Feidi had debated little else besides grim news – whether it was the Delmore advance, another defeat for the Ivy Alliance, or some city-state refusing to pay war taxes or seeking to withdraw from the alliance. Even the elders themselves had grown desensitized to it all.
"The Ivy Alliance member-state of Ambratu has been occupied by the Orlanians."
The words were read aloud by Agostino Luigi, the most senior elder of the Feidi Senate, from a recently received report.
For a moment, the chamber fell into complete silence.
After what seemed like an eternity, a hoarse voice chuckled bitterly, "Well, this is a refreshing change of topic. For the past three years, it's been nothing but 'Delmore has taken another city.' Last night, I prayed to the gods that I wouldn't have to hear it again. It seems they were listening."
"Elder Urbano, this is neither the time nor the place for levity," a young but stern-faced elder named Cleon frowned.
The white-bearded Urbano twitched his whiskers and grinned. "Spare me, young Cleon. You are far too serious for your age."
Unlike Urbano, most of the elders were not in a humorous mood.
"Orlanians? Are they bandits, mercenaries, or…?" one elder cautiously inquired.
Agostino dashed his hopes. "It is the Orlan Empire's imperially appointed Viscountess of Lanwan, a member of the Mellefield family – Charlotte Mellefield."
"Why would the Viscountess of Lanwan attack Ambratu?" another asked.
"The report lacks specifics, but it appears the Ambratuans killed her cousin," Agostino replied.
"Those Ambratuans are nothing but troublemakers!"
"Disgusting!"
"We should never have allowed that Ambratuan militia to leave!"
Several elders erupted in fury, but their anger was not directed at Charlotte. It was aimed at the Ambratuans. The memory of Ambratu's treacherous attack on Little Sassinian was still fresh in their minds.
While the alliance leader was engaged in conflict with another faction, a member-state had betrayed its ally. Was that acceptable? By any measure, no.
But the Ambratuans had done it anyway.
It set a dangerous precedent. If other city-states followed suit, how could the alliance's frontlines be maintained? The Feidi Senate had even proposed sending troops to punish Ambratu, but the motion was shelved due to the critical situation at the front.
Now the Ambratuans had done it again, killing an Orlan noble and attracting the empire's attention. Could there be a more disastrous ally?
Some elders suggested abandoning Ambratu. It was merely a small city-state, more adept at causing problems than contributing to the alliance.
"Everyone!" Cleon, the young elder, spoke up again. "Ambratu remains a member of the Ivy Alliance. Even if the Viscountess of Lanwan had just cause, we cannot ignore her occupation. If we do, the alliance will disintegrate! We must dispatch an envoy to demand answers – even to reclaim Ambratu!"
"That would be the Orlan Empire," Urbano remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"So what if it is?" Cleon retorted, jutting his chin out.
"Exactly! The Orlan Empire believes it can seize one of our city-states over the death of a noble? That is outrageous!"
"Indeed!"
Several elders rallied behind Cleon.
The Feidians and Little Sassinianans both understood the Orlan Empire's strength, but their perspectives differed. Perhaps due to Feidi's greater distance from the empire, or perhaps because its citizens were accustomed to Feidi being the peninsula's leading city-state, many Feidians lacked Little Sassinian's cautious apprehension. They faced the empire with confidence, or perhaps overconfidence.
Finally, Agostino nodded. "An envoy is necessary. If we do nothing when a city-state falls, the Ivy Alliance will indeed collapse."
"If no elder objects, I volunteer to represent Feidi and the Ivy Alliance as envoy to the Viscountess of Lanwan. I will demand the return of Ambratu!" Cleon declared.
"Are you going as well?" Urbano grinned. "Planning to visit the place where your father-in-law met his end? Paying your respects, young Cleon?"
"Elder Urbano," Cleon's frown deepened. "I respected my father-in-law, but my duty lies with Feidi. He… he taught me to prioritize the city-state's interests above all else."
"Urbano," Agostino chided softly.
"Fine, fine," Urbano shrugged. "Just a jest."
The vote commenced. With only Urbano and a few others dissenting, Cleon was chosen as the envoy to the Viscountess of Lanwan.