Conversation

After the War Council, King Roland and Duke Francis met privately, in the king's study.

"So, Will has accepted the Deputy Minister of Commerce position?" King Roland asked.

"Ha-ha, I merely reminded him that after we control the ports, the position shall become more affluent.

"You're not concerned he'll use the position too much to his advantage are you?" King Roland asked.

"Nonsense, you know as well as I that Will improves everything around him," Duke Francis said.

"You're not concerned we're pushing him too hard too fast, are you?" King Roland asked.

"No, he and Francis II need to step and start playing a greater administrative role," the Duke said.

"Was that the reason you delayed your arrival more than expected to Tirana?" King Roland asked.

"Not, the only reason. Your aunt and I found it hard to leave Camille and Edward. I guess I took advantage of your idea. But it was a good idea of yours to delay my arrival. Appointing him temporary Finance Minister was a stroke of genius," the Duke said.

"I can't take credit, father suggested it before he died. We'll need his ideas to unify this country," the king replied.

"What about Duke Ahmed vont Khan. It was smart to keep him close by. If you sent him to Vlore, he might want to claim the port for himself," Duke Francis said.

"Yes, we need to keep a watchful eye on him. It's too early to trust him. We need to find out his ulterior motives. Who among our servants serves as his spies?" King Roland asked.

"Besides the royal advisers, did you plant any more spies around him?" Duke Francis said.

"Of course, but I doubt they'll find anything," the king said.

"Between Will and Ahmed, which one worries you more?" Duke Francis asked.

"Duke Ahmed, Will has not yet set his sights on dethroning me," King Roland said

"Will should have arrived in Kukes by now. Have you thought how to award your dear avarice cousin?" the Duke laughed.

"In Korce he asked for a favor. I assume he wants a shipping company in Durres and possibly a city of two. As long as he doesn't ask for Durres, I'll most likely give it to him," the king said.

"What if he asks for Korce? You'll need that city to keep your cousin's power in check. You should move the military base outside Friendship Valley there," Duke said

"It seems you and Adviser Chen share one mind," the king laughed.

"Yes, Korce is the perfect strangle point. You know it's the reason we could never invade Albania," the king said.

"What if he asks for Western Albania, would you give it to him?" Duke Francis asked.

"It's possible," the king said.

"Nephew, you jest. Friendship Valley is already the size of a dukedom. By giving him Western Albania, he'd govern a third of the kingdom!" Duke Francis advised.

"Then uncle tell me what I should give to my cousin? By the end of this war, it's likely, Will shall liberate the western reaches, and earn a nonaggression pact with the Orca Clan, and that is after holding Korce for over half a month, and sacking Tirana," King Roland asked.

"Let's not forget, you already rewarded him with those businesses in Tirana. But his achievements also qualify for a promotion to Colonel and Earl. I would also suggest giving him the first shipping charter. Then sell the rest of the charters to increase the treasury, "the Duke suggested.

"You give him a company, but not Duress? Who shall govern such an important city?" the king asked.

"The Royal Family. You should appoint a clerk or retired general to serve as Regent," the Duke suggested.

"You offer an interesting proposition, I shall consider it?" the king said.

"Now, we turn to the big question. What to do with this palace?" the Duke asked.

"I plan to name Tirana as the new capital. I'll rebuild the castle in Yorkshire. I'm afraid if I returned to Yorkshire, Duke vont Khan may try to siege Tirana," King Roland said.

"That is a wise decision. That might be the opportunity Duke vont Khan is waiting for?" the Duke said.

"My lord a message from General vont Smith," Bryson interrupted, giving the letter to the king.

"In Durres, the rebels surrendered the city but barricaded the entrance to the port. He's requesting siege equipment and the help of an Array Master. We should have expected Durres and Vlore to use defensive arrays," the king said.

"Yes, arrays can be tricky," the Duke said.

"Bryson, send Jing the siege equipment he needs and an airship to Gadreel to solicit an Array Master. If the soldiers can't find one then move on to Guidon," the king commanded.

"And who shall you grant Vlore too?" Duke Francis asked.

"I'll give it to Retired General vont Valdez to defend. I want Vlore to become the base for the Royal Navy. That shall give us a military presence in Western Albania," the king said.

"You want to use the navy to check Duke vont Khan?" Duke Francis asked surprised.

"Yes!" the king said.

"You know your naval plans hinge on Will getting a deal with the Orca beastmen? What terms did you offer them? Or are you allowing Will to negotiate freely with them?" the Duke asked.

"I gave Will total negotiation power, I trust explicitly," King Roland said.

"How many times did your father and I warn you against such things. I don't care how long you've to know Jing, Trevor, or Will; as king, you must be suspicious of everyone. Even me!

Remember when your father offered Will a chance to build electricity in Yorkshire, and Will turned down the king," said Duke vont Khan.

"That was father's mistake, you told him the same after Elizabeth's wedding. He told me himself, you disagreed with him. I don't plan to make the same mistake," King Roland said.

"Tsk! My brother should not have talked about our disagreement," Duke Francis said.

"Two letters for his majesty," Bryson interrupted a second time.

"The first letter is from Duke vont Khan. He is already a quarter of the way through. All the towns and villagers welcomed him. Moreover, they are happy to receive support and much-needed supplies.

The second letter is from the spies. According to the spies, Duke vont Khan has claimed these victories in my name. He also provides citizens with food and water. He ordered the soldiers to bury plague victims and help fill farmland. For all these achievements he's not taken credit," the king read out loud.

"What a loyal vassal. It seems he trying to prove himself worthy to you," Duke Francis said.

"Yes. Father warned they always start out loyal. Five or ten years later is when the sabotage starts. I'm sure the dead sultan would agree," King Roland said.

"With Northern, Western, and Central Albania under my thumb; I only need to wait for Durres and Vlore to fall to make this kingdom mine!" King Roland said.

"Yes, Western Albania is not all that important of a region. After Durres falls the kingdom is yours," the Duke said.

"Yes, imagine so. And that shall begin a new headache, the redistribution of fiefs," King Roland said.

"You must call for a Congress of Nobility?" Duke vont Whitby asked.

"Yes, I imagine so. I'll use the congress to put the nobility under my thumb. With the Congress of Nobles, my reign shall be secure," the king laughed.

"You'll need to consider who you appoint Regent of Yorkshire," the Duke said.

"Francis II of course. I'm sure he can govern our ancestral fief and Yorkshire," the king said.

"No, I don't think he'll want to govern can both. Plus, you already asked him to serve as your Chancellor.

I'm getting older too and I want to retire. I told you I stay on for your to help with the transition. But this is too much work for an old man. I'll give you one more year, that's it. This time next year, if I'm not died, I'll retire.

You know I'm not sure how much time I have left in this world. And I want to spend it with my grandchildren and my great nieces and nephews. Before I die, I'd like to see you married with an heir. You are eldest oldest cousin, and the only one unmarried," the Duke said sadly.

"I've spoken to Rosalind, but I want to give here time to grieve," the king said.

"Make the wedding apart of the Congress of Nobles. That way the nobles won't have a choice but to present you gifts before you announce the new fiefs," the Duke said.

"That's a bit underhanded, isn't it?" Roland laughed.

"Not when your king," the Duke laughed back.

"What about these financial reports? King Roland stared at the reports that had continually streamed in over the last few weeks since gaining Tirana.

"Tirana is broke, everyone is asking you for money to fix their fiefs," Duke Francis advised.

"What do you recommend? Should I pay these expenses now or wait until after the Congress of Nobles?" the king asked.

"It's best to pay it now, it will assuage the aristocracy and endure them to you. Moreover, the citizens shall know it was your benevolence that help them," the Duke suggested.

"Uncle can't you stay on longer than a year?" the king asked politely.

"No! This time next year, I'll be enjoying my retirement. With such capable cousins, you have no need for an old man like me," the duke said getting up to leave and walking to back to his office.