�Our peoples have lived in peace for the last twenty-nine moons, and it was peace hard bought, on both sides!� His pupils dilated and a vein was now visibly throbbing in his temple. �This was not the �solution� originally put forth from your Lord! This extortion of his is getting expensive! This draws attention, more than our original problem!� He began to pace the inside of the mound, much to the young pages relief.
�This is not�� He started to sputter, agitation and anger turning into a slow boil of rage. He took a moment to gather his mental reserves to stay calm, and breathed deeply. After a second of deliberate thought and concentration, �I�m afraid I�m going to have to refuse the �proposition� of your Lord. His price is nearly as great a threat as that posed by the revelation of our secret.�
The page bit his lip. �I�m very sorry, sir, but I don�t think that was an option my Lord had provided for.� He fumbled with his fingers nervously, seemingly uncomfortable with the ultimatum that everyone in the hovel knew was coming. The broad man, facing him, strode across the room in three paces, coming within an inch of the young man�s face.
�What do you mean, whelp?� The broad man did not like receiving a veiled threat, especially by a third party, and especially from a young lad, who barely could grow his beard.
�I mean� the young man stammered, �That in a situation of negotiation like this, you have a small amount of� leverage. You have been harboring the beast, and my Lord knows. Things could turn very ugly for your �nation� if that information fell into the wrong hands. And I don�t mean our King Azalin,� he gulped, �the third.� The Woad-man pulled back at this new variable, abandoning his boiling rage. The confused guards took a moment of reflection, eyes widening at the point of realizing exactly what pair of wrong hands the youth implied. The page straitened himself, regaining his footing both literally and figuratively.
�I see.� The broad warrior retreated, lowering himself back onto his pile of hay. �So this is the kind of man your master is.� He paused, looking straight ahead, focusing on nothing. �Then it will be done. No one can afford that twice. You may advise your master.� The young man bowed in a sarcastic manner that made the guards snort and the blonde put a hand across the chest of his red haired companion, who had taken a step forward. A smile broke out across the youth�s face so crooked, it was nearly sideways. He swept out of the mound with a flourish, a little theatrical effect for good measure. He made his way out of the camp, whistling while he walked out of the settlement waving and smiling at each clueless member of the tribe.
After the youth had gone, the broad warrior addressed the other of his guards, a tall man, red of beard, with a large war-hammer hanging beside his axe. In the smooth rolling Gaelic of his own tongue he instructed him.
�Cy�Nyr, have Ariella report to me. I do not know enough about this man. He approached us regarding the Beast. Knowledge he should not be privy to, and this negotiation makes no sense for a man who should have his resources. This man claims he is royalty; I want to know where he stands in that family line. I want to know who his enemies and allies are and what kind of resources he has. There�s no reason he needs us and these underhanded dealings. And find our shaman. He has been in the hills too long. We will need both of them and their talents soon.�
�Yes, Barton.� Cy�Nyr bowed, adding, �I will alert Ariella to her mission at once. I will be done before nightfall.� Cy�Nyr strode out of the mound and made his way to the western woods.