Chapter IX: Diplomacy at Kalmar

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It was a cold March morning when Pomerlane rode with his bodyguards into Kalmar. He had already dispatched the rest of his army under Pomupius to take Tsunami and then invest the rest of Atalanta from land, and had named his cousin, Pomeclius, as his heir in the event he would be killed at Kalmar by Magnus. Pomerlane did not expect that Magnus would actually accept negotiations at all, and still believed he was under danger as journeyed to Kalmar. Still, he placed his faith in Pomu that this was the right course of action.

As he entered the gate, the populace looked at him coldly and he would be soon hailed by a guard, who told him "His Royal Majesty wishes you to meet him at once at his palace. Make haste and do not waste his time." Pomerlane did as instructed and entered the Palace, where he was directed to the throne room.

Entering the throne room, he kneeled before Magnus stating "It is an honor to be before you, Royal Highness, forgive me for my tardiness as the roads are quite-"

Magnus cuts him off stating "Enough with the pretentious talk, Prince of Greifswald, follow us... We have much to discuss about this problem you have created for us."

Magnus and Pomerlane enter the Royal Dining room, where a feast has been prepared for both of them.
"Sit please and enjoy the food." said Magnus

Pomerlane sits down as sips from the wine, nodding his head to show thanks for the hospitality. Magnus, after taking a drink, states "So... a displaced Prince who murdered one of our vassals, and has turned our tributary state into ruin thinks he can come to my palace and negotiate with us does he?"

Pomerlane states "You would have had me killed if you were not willing, your Highness."

"Correct" Magnus replies "Indeed, you would have been killed as soon as you entered our lands. But there is a good reason we did not do such a thing..."
standing up and walking "The vassal you murdered, was an ass. And you brought us his lands by killing him...That tributary state...They are nothing but fools who operate not out of wisdom, but out of fear and greed... We would be pleased to see them destroyed..." Stops and looks at the fireplace
"Pomerlane, you have impressed upon us that you are a military genius through your victories... a man of action... a man of both great cruelty and benelovence.... We respect and value such a man as being that of highest esteem."

"I am glad that you feel that way about me your majesty" said Pomerlane

"Good good, because we believe we can be good friends with you... Should you be willing to accept our offer..." Magnus says while sitting back down.

"What are you offering, Highness"

"You will continue to rid us of these greedy pigs as you are doing now in Feeshland... but what we desire after for you to take care of Eliria as well... You see, Pomerlane. We desire to rule over Eliria and use its great riches to subdue the rest of these petty kingdoms into our own... The problem is that.. well, we cannot invade Eliria and take over its throne because of the outrage it will cause...That's where you come in. You are the first cousin of Archduchess Emylia and have a claim upon the throne of Eliria yourself...Something we do not have...So long as you do not destroy like a savage Eliria like you have Feeshland, We will support you with weapons and gold...Does this sound like a fair offer to you? You will be our vassal King of Feeshland and Eliria as well."

Pomerlane looks down for a moment. He knows this is the best offer he could hope for
"I accept under one condition, that my rightful Principality of Griefswald be returned to me."

"Then it is a deal, We will see you in the future... Pomerlane."

Pomerlane did not waste time, he got up, thanked Magnus and then immediately gathered his men and left, heading back for Feeshland. He never expected this to happen, but it was a deal he just had to accept. He thought to himself "Too bad, that Magnus does not know I have no intention of honoring my end of the deal."