Re: MP Game - Yarnspinners
Machaka: Turn 11
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Cetewayo had many concerns. Primary among these, expanding his territory and with it his power. The recent search for magic in the plains had mixed results. No new source of magic was found. However, a valuable, if mundane, gem mine was found at the edge of the plains. In the short term, this was actually good news. Increased income would quickly result in improved ability to purchase weapons and recruit new units for the army. But would it be enough? During his... illness... squabbling and power plays among the various factions of the Priesthood had resulted in very little progress. The army was too small, there weren't enough people in the research cabals... So many demands.
Well, he was making progress, the army would soon be large enough to consider further territorial expansion. Now, to reassert control WITHIN his empire. This was a thorny problem. He had to assert his power, to seem unassailable. He could not, however, afford to become the rabid lion which would motivate the various factions of the priesthood to unite against him. Especially difficult was the possibility that one or another of these factions was responsible for his "illness". They had a great deal of magical ability and power... but that much? He had to drive home the point that they were HIS priests - that much of their power had its source in HIM. To that end...
At that moment the young priest, Babu, entered. "Master, you summoned me." the priest humbly stated.
Cetewayo smiled and said, "Yes, indeed, I want you to know that I am very pleased and impressed with you." He then hesitated to see what the young man's response would be. To his great pleasure there was no visible response. "Yes, this one would do quite well." he thought to himself. Aloud, he continued, "You are to return to the capital, and be promoted to senior Voice of the Lord."
Shocked, Babu objected, "Master, the leadership will be extremely unhappy - they will not allow me to assume such authority. I am not even a full priest yet. How can I leap from such a low position to one of the highest?"
Cetewayo responded, "You will assume the position on MY authority. The priesthood will be notified of my wishes in their dreams. You will use all of your talents to observe the reactions of your fellow priests. You will find any of your fellows who are... untrustworthy and report them to me."
"Yes, master," Babu tremulously replied. He realized that the next weeks could be the most difficult of his life, as well as possibly his Last. "Master I have further news." Travelers from across the river have arrived in camp. They claim that the ice fairies have come down from their mountains and occupied their homeland."
"They cannot be allowed to cross the river. Babu, after achieving rank, you will assume control of the army and march on the river province west of the capital. I will meet you there. We must cut off the ice fairies approach to the capital." Cetewayo forcefully stated.
After Babu was dismissed Cetewayo again pondered the current state of the world. He was in a deep hole. The presence of Caelum on the border was the worst piece of news he had received since emerging from the crypt. The cold that Caelum brought with them would be very difficult to deal with, and make even a temporary alliance... difficult for both sides. Well, they would have to stay on the other side of the river or they would face the heat of Machaka. On the other front, if Babu survived the dangers of both the capital and the battlefield, he would be a good candidate to become the official Prophet of the Lord. THAT would send a message to the priests. Of course, if he died at the capital Cetewayo would learn a great deal from what happened and from what quarter. Either way, his ends would be served.
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