Teiming nervously rubbed his fingers together. The diplomatic relations were really spiralling out of control. As General Commander he held a seat on the current war council. The quite old Roku of House Sindarith held the second seat while the third military seat belonged to his elder brother Shin.

Aside of the three military seats and the king of Antalia himself, there were three seats for the trader council. While they held no real military power, their influence was of the utmost importance, especially in diplomatic relations.

Usually Antalia sent around four to five diplomats to the three neighbouring countries of Markan, Khamur and Seirin. In the past the military power of Antalia held all three in check. This was due to the fact that only Antalia alone possessed access to Aggratit mines.

The ability to store mana in crystals and prepare pure and unrefined power for future events was a cornerstone of Antalias power. In the last forty years of peace Antalia suffered through famine more than a few times and these problems had often been handled simply by selling Aggratit for food.

Now, the countries that gathered up a significant amount of Aggratit planned to wage war against Antalia. That was especially apparent, since all diplomatic reports somehow ended with nobles or state officials denying discussions or even contact.

Not that that was evidence, but even spy reports stated that the state officials were meeting, most likely forming alliances and raising both funds and troops. Teiming’s older brother Shin was already planning for the off chance that a sudden invasion was successful too.

“...and the eastern horse farmers sold 612 horses to the Seirin Kingdom. All that adds more and more suspicion against them. That concludes my report. Thank you. Your grace. Generals.” After the spy finished speaking, he bowed and left the hall.

Silence started to linger in war councils room. Teiming looked around. Solid marble and gold plated wall ornaments. The whole palace was world wonder of riches and expensive materials, far too wasteful for what the country possesed nowadays. Antalia’s former kings had all been famous for their after war spendings. Sadly hardly ever on reasonable improvements…

Teiming was just carefully scratching around his now missing right eye when his father stood up in silence. The wound really itched extremely. Zuran the First of his Name slowly strutted around the room. The old man really was a fear inducing entity. Every step demanded respect, the room brimmed with power itself. A saint level cleric was indeed a rare and powerful being.

The first to disturb the thought drowned king was Teiming’s older brother. “Father?” Immediately the king shifted his attention towards Shin. “Yes. Radkosh, you will recall all diplomats and instruct them based on the current issues. Then send them out again with some spies. Disguise them as guards.” The trade council member the king had spoken to, stood up and bowed. “Yes, your grace.”

The king dismissed the other two merchants with instructions on trade sanctions and focused his attention towards the generals. With the less important members out of the picture the king was finally able to speak freely. “Thoughts?” Teiming held back with his suggestions, proper manners were to let his brother and the family head of the Sindarith family speak first.

Shin was the first to speak. “Father, we need to make allies. Our defences are quite weak at the moment, stalling out a possible war until the next year or two would be the best thing to do. Although I doubt they will leave us with that much time. We can win the war, no doubt but the result would cripple our economy for years to come. While our enemies can just try to build their own. We may win the battles but lose the war…”

Teiming agreed to this sentiment. Roku spoke next. “My king, I believe your son is right.” Teiming nearly bit his tongue. The old fool usually did not agree with being weak. In no matter. Even one against a thousand he would fight, thinking he was superior. “Why sit back and wait for them to come? We should take our troops and CRUSH them right at the border, while they prepare! Send them back into their shabby homes and build defenses for the upcoming years, like his highness, Shin, suggested before.”

Shin looked at Teiming with an encouraging look. He wanted him to back the idea. It was a rather stupid idea to just assume superiority in the open field, but there were factors that could make this work… “Father, I too believe we should take a first, preemptive strike over a weak defensive position.” Teiming paused for a bit. “But, we need allies. Or at least a considerable war chest to build up a strong army for this military strike. If we throw away too much in the battlefield, we won’t have lasting infrastructure to support military training or border control.”

Roku nodded. “My king, please. Let me form a swift strike force, cavalry and mercenaries will be best. In addition to your son’s leading the rest of our troops on your side we will be able to crush any attempt of conquer these puny little countries could send against us. We have military advantage in the field. Both in experience and in gear. And how often have I, myself, won against greater odds?”

The king walked around the room some more. “Hm. Shin, please set up all the merchants to donate some money for this cause. Then set up a special invasion tax for all noble houses and the city and village markets. Not too high, let's say 30%. Roku, please use up all the funds of the Sindarith family, the kingdom will repay it in the years to come.”

Roku smiled viciously. “My king, may I suggest another alternative? My family is not exactly known to give away their wealth for free, as you well know. If we shift the possession of one of the Aggratit mines to our-” Shin laughed out loud. “Old man, are you serious? Do you know how much the mines are wor-” The king stepped on the stone floor hard. “ENOUGH.” His gaze shook Shin to his core and immediately the first son fell silent again.

“Roku, I will reward your families loyalty with a Aggratit mine. You have my word. Please use every means necessary to gain funds, without selling Aggratit, we don’t want to weaken our military position more than we already have.”

Roku stood up, away from the table and fell to his knees. “Yes, your grace. I shall do so right away.” Immediately the old fool stormed out of the room. Teiming did not like where this was going. The Sindarith family already had such influence on the royal affairs, giving them even more wealth was dangerous. “Are you sure father?”

“Yes. For now we need to keep everything together. What comes after we will deal with later. Now, another matter. Teiming.” Surprised he looked up to his father. “Yes?” - “I will have you step back as general for the time being. You have a considerable amount of debt, I do not know how you managed to waste that much money, but I had to pay the blood suckers back, the roumors that you would waste away the royal funds and we are too poor to pay with our own money would have been disastrous at the current time.”

Teiming stood up and bowed. “Hereby, I, Teiming, second in line to the throne step away from my military position as General Commander. How can I help in the upcoming times?” It was expected that his father found out about that sooner or later. Keeping secrets from the old man was hard and obviously he would lash out for his disgrace son, that studied the dark arts.

“You will stay as officer under the command of your brother. Help with the new recruits. You know how to find good leaders, we will need some for the battles to come. I will give away your seat to the Zhratall family. They will be so thankful, it should bring in more funds. Dismissed.” Then the king left to room.

“What did you do with all that money. Father doesn’t want to know, but I bloody do. Your expenses are higher than a small military corps over the course of a year…” Shin looked concerned. “Are you planning to overthrow me already? Necromancer.”

Teiming smiled. “If I was planning to overthrow you, you would never suspect anything, brother. I will show you what I got for that money later… It is… quite interesting.”

Laughing madly, to annoy and scare his older brother he left the war council room as well.