The gears of the Imperial bureaucracy ground steadily and never ceased. Emperor Charles Gustavus Viconis the 9th was fairly certain they needed a thorough cleaning and realignment, but if they ever stopped, they would become entangled in the mounds of paperwork that surrounded them. That didn't mean Gus was happy with how things worked; to the contrary, he was almost tempted to promote a few Orc Chieftains to key positions and see what they did with it. They had a direct approach to things that he envied at times. As one lawyer, bureaucrat, or noble came forward to speak, he amused himself with thoughts of slipping away, stealing a fast horse, and bribing his alchemist into concocting a potion of transformation. Now that would be a vacation! The problem was, Darman would never be outwitted so easily. He'd have to get two potions made, and a concoction of Devil's Tongue as well.
Baronet Brownridge was the next to speak. The young man had some oratory talent, was handsome, and rugged in a way that showed he wasn't as layabout as many others of his generation. Most of the Brownridg clan had that look, spending a large amount of time on horseback and overseeing their herds. His father, Angus Macree, Baron Brownridge, had retired from life in the city and politics in general after the events of the Emperor's Birthday. Rumors were in the wind that he had narrowly avoided accusations of collaboration with both the defrocked taxmen the Inquisition had hauled from his estate, and with the Alchemarx Corporation, banished entirely from the Empire. The older Brownridge rarely left his estates, but did entertain a large number of guests. To fill the void of his presence at court, his eldest son, Jordan, had traded chaps and boots for a tailored suit of expensive black cloth and a place in the Emperor's court. He'd immediately taken his father's spot in many influential small groups and factions. Gus wondered if the young man would try to blaze his own trail or stay on the one that led his father into self-exile. He'd asked to speak on a pressing matter, with the backing of over twenty Barons and large landholders. His opening words told Gus all he needed to know about Jordan's future. He bowed politely, went through the proper words and obeisance to the Emperor, and then got to the meat of his speech.
"Some of these words have been spoken in this court before. Do not let that numb your ears. Many also warned of the threat of Winter and the Orcs when those were small problems, and now we have both to deal with. Likewise, another threat to the Empire is growing larger, right in front of us, in the open, and yet is ignored for the most part. Ignored because men like gold, and having to spend less on the goods needed for our homes seems like a good thing, and blinds us to other activities. I come to you today to speak of the dangers of Baron William of Gadobhra. It is only a few years since he appeared from nowhere, and yet he has seen unprecedented success, so much so that goodwives and sages wonder about his so-called luck. But let's put aside his predatory business practices. The true threat is that Baron William is building an army and getting ready for war. We just don't know whose side he will be on."
He paused, took a breath, and continued. "Concerned citizens have travelled to Gadobhra and can attest that it is less a city, and more a breeding ground for horrific creatures. We have documented reports from the Inquisition that demons roam the streets at night, and venturing into the woods or the ruins is risking your life. The poor of Gadobhra huddle in a shantytown while the Baron and Baroness sip wine in their tall tower, looking down on the many dungeons that provide them with wealth and a place to train their armies. What armies? I hear people mumbling. Yet we all know that adventurers are motivated by hard coin and the opportunity to kill. The Baron has hundreds in his barony, and it would just take a quest to send them marching southward. Added to that, he is training mercenaries as we speak, hundreds of men and women marching across his lands. The peasants are terrified. And that is the least of his forces."
He let his voice go lower. "It is known that he is acquiring and training monsters. Some hidden, some in the open. Monstrous mechanical golems patrol his streets. A sphinx has been seen in the woods, supplied with servants from his people who groom her hair and bring her tea. Such a creature is worth a battalion of soldiers. Wyverns and vicious goats are trained in the fields. Treants, unicorns, terrible squirrels...the list of creatures at his command is growing by the day. But these all pale in the light of recent information..."
"...Baron William is raising a Brigade of Butchers."
The young man paused to let that sink in for a moment. Two women fainted out right, and voices were raised with questions. There was growing unease in the crowd, and then Jordan continued. Gus wondered if he'd written the speech himself; it was quite good.
"And when a Baron with few ties to the Empire raises such a monstrous host, how does the Imperial bureaucracy react? By appeasement and giving him lands in the north that rightfully belong to the Baron of Northguard. I say this must stop! The stolen lands must be returned, and the Legion must march on Gadobhra to clean it out, root and branch, before things become worse! I call upon the Emperor to address this growing threat before it is too late."
Gus gave the speech a seven. A lot of it was old news, but the young man had up-to-date information. Gus wondered who in the Inquisition was leaking it to him. Then dismissed the thought. The Inquisition did what it thought was right, but each part had a different opinion. It was one of the reasons he was happy to have Inquisitor Diego sending reports directly to him, and filing a different version with the Inquisition that avoided some important details. Things were certainly happening in Gadobhra, but if Baronet Jordan Macree of Brownridge had known any of that, he'd certainly have voiced it today. It was good to learn that he didn't have half a clue about the truly dangerous things. That would make a lot of trouble for him.
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The bickering and hubbub of the crowd slowly subsided as the wardens gave out warnings and called for quiet. Everyone turned and looked at the Emperor. Gus didn't have to speak. He could simply say, 'I will take your words under advisement,' as he had done many times before. His eyes went from face to face, judging their reactions and reading the room. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. People were genuinely scared. He would need to say something.
Gustavus rose, but before he could speak, voices were heard at the entrance to the courtroom, and two guardsmen escorted an elderly man into the room. Porthos Promencium had served as Gus's major domo for two decades, and served his father for two before that. He was retired now, his nephew Jacobus had taken over and was doing an adequate job, trained since his youth to step into his uncle's shoes. Why old Porthos was here now, hobbling into the room, was a mystery to everyone, but he didn't keep them waiting. Nor did he mince words. Speaking his mind was something he relished now that he was retired. Gus often went to his quarters for a game of chess and to discuss his views on politics.
"Grave news from the southlands. The Couriers wanted to follow protocol and wait until the court was finished in two hours, and I told them they were idiots. War takes precedence over silly boys mouthing speeches and squabbling over politics. The Orcs under the command of their new Warchief, Darkest Death, have mobilized and will strike soon. We must be ready, but they are not the only threat. A host of Lizardmen from the jungles have declared war upon the Empire and attacked the village of Blackrock, which holds one of only three working teleporters in the southlands. They came with one of their huge warbeasts that shattered the outer defenses and brought thousands of warriors to take the town."
That was news to everyone, including Gustavus. He'd had a feeling in his gut that trouble was brewing in the south for ages. His links to his lands were stretched thin at the moment, and he'd assumed it was the Orcs. Plans had been made to reinforce the southlands, but they were days away from mobilizing. He stood and yelled for quiet, then started walking. "We'll mobilize the troops we have in the capital and leave immediately. Darman, take command of my personal guard, which includes anyone we can get. I can't wait to consult the council on this. We'll need to arrive at the next teleport location, march hard, and hit them before they can consolidate. Maybe we can save the teleporter, then we can..."
He noticed Porthos looking at him, and he paused. The old man had the hint of a smile on his lips. He bowed and said, "Pardon me, but I wasn't done."
Gus sat back down and leaned forward. "Please, continue."
"The troops in the village were insufficient to hold off the lizards, but reinforcements arrived in the nick of time. Four hundred veteran jungle fighters, dozens of skilled adventurers, and a brigade of shock troops that stopped the lizards in their tracks and have beaten off the lizardmen's attack."
Gus relaxed; he had time, it seemed. "Four hundred beat off thousands?"
"Details are sketchy, but it seems that a Courier from House Franklin killed the troops on the War Beast and convinced it to join the battle on their side."
"Convinced?"
"He brought a Shepherd. That's all it said in the report. But the beast charged into the lizardmen army. Faced with a berserk gargantuan war turtle in their rear, and the Butcher's Brigade chewing through them at the front, the lizardmen broke and ran, pursued for miles by our forces."
The court erupted in shouting at the mention of 'The Butcher Brigade.' Gus smiled and understood how and why Porthos had made his entrance with the news. He raised his voice. "Baron William sent his household troops to aid a village a thousand miles away from him?"
"Indeed. It seems that an emergency call was sent to Gadobhra for mana. Somehow, Baron William was able to mobilize his troops within minutes and send not only enough mana to fully charge the Blackrock stone, but also to send everyone he could there to fight. I'm told the battle was a near thing, with high casualties. But we carried the day."
Gus looked out over the room. "I apologize, but we will have to take up the discussion of Gadobhra and the threat of Baron William at another time. For now, I need to send supplies and troops south, and pen a quick letter to be sent by Courier to Gadobhra to thank Baron William for his timely aid."
Porthos bowed, then said. "I suggest sending the message to Blackrock. Baron William and Baroness Layla led the charge against the lizards with their bodyguards and were in the thick of the battle. They plan to stay there until the defenses are rebuilt and the town is resupplied."
"They fought? Were they injured?" Gus was so jealous that he wanted to scream. No one let him fight anymore.
"The report doesn't say."
"Let's hope for the best. The court is adjourned for the day, and tomorrow as well." He gestured for Porthos to accompany him out the back door and to the War Room. "Excellent timing. How did you pull that off?"
"Oh, I was in court and bored to tears. I left, only to run into the messenger arguing with a gaggle of people. They asked my advice. Silly of them, I'm retired. But when I saw the message, I knew I had to see the looks on certain faces."
Gus looked at the old man; he was certainly enjoying himself today. "And, I take it, you embellished a bit?"
"Hell no! There was more in the message that seemed absurd, and you'll have to verify for yourself. A crazed storm wizard bringing lightning from the sky and chasing the lizardmen for miles. A fire-breathing Titan, a mechanical Battle Golem, and a War Maiden of Morrigan. I have no idea how much of this is real or the imagination of some battle-fatigued messenger."
"Well, let's find out. Darmen, assemble my bodyguards, find my armor and weapons. And my pony needs some exercise. I think it's time I met the infamous Baron of Gadobhra."