Chapter XVII: Magnus's Rage

Summer 1108 VTE

Inside Dragonspeak Palace, Kalmar

King Magnus is seated at the head of a table of his advisors and council. The room has a tense atmosphere in it, which comes from the King himself. He awaits news of Pomerlane invading Eliria as he promised he would do in their last correspondence this week. Gripping his chair, he thinks to himself anxiously "That rascal better make good on his word... My patience with him is running thin after he postponements last year..." Magnus isn't listening to the droning of whatever the council is saying at all. Something about some complaints from some burgher about taxes. "Let them figure it out on their own, the big fish cares not for the squabbles of the smaller fish. Only for matters of big fish themselves."

Suddenly, A messenger arrives in the room and the room is engulfed with silence.

"Your Royal Majesty, I bring news about Pomerlane. Umm... He"
"Out with it!" Magnus snaps at the messenger. "Either hand the letter to us or state what has happened without stuttering like an imbecile"
Humiliated, the Messenger hands the letter over to the Chamberlain Sven, who then delivers the note to Magnus in turn.
Snatching the note out of the Chamberlain's hands, Magnus reads carefully over the message. His fists grow tight with every sentence and his face starts to turn red from the anger he is feeling. Before even finished it, he rips the letter up and with great rage rises to his feet trying to compose himself unsuccessfully.

"That VILE WRETCH FROM GREIFSWALD!" Magnus yells as he walks around the room furiously "I WANT HIS HEAD ON A STAKE MOUNTED AT THE FRONT GATE FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE".

A councilor neverously asks the mighty King "Sire... Wh-What happened."

Magnus slams his hands down on the table in front of him stating "That miscreant did not follow through with the plan, he did not invade Eliria. Instead of invading he is FUCKING the archduchess!"

Another councilor, older and calmer then says "Your Royal Majesty, please attempt to regain your composu-"

"Shut the fuck up you old cretin!" Magnus screams at the old man "Do you not understand, or did I mince my words?" Magnus grabs a vase and throws it against the wall. "This BASTARD has betrayed me and ruined my well thought out plans. Instead of invading Eliria, he has married the Archduchess instead" Magnus then grabs a chair and smashes it over the table, which injures one councilor and sends the others back to the wall.

Turning towards his Chamberlain, he points his finger in rage "SVEN, YOU BLOODY GOATFUCKER... you kept telling my there was a good reason why he delayed. That it was "He needed time to prepare." and "He needed to establish his own realm" and "He wanted to give his army a rest." You sucked his cock over and over and I will tell you what he was actually doing while you were making excuses, he was fucking his cousin!" grabbing Sven and pulling him towards him "For your treachery, you will be executed tomorrow. GUARDS TAKE THIS TRAITOR AWAY FROM MY SIGHT."

Sven is taken into custody and Magnus turns to face his terrified council. "Sit down." they slowly approach the table with hesitance "SIT THE FUCK DOWN." Magnus sits back into his chair, starting to calm down. Taking a deep breath, he says to his marshal, the Count Palatine of Aarstad Karl II Linderholm, "Karl, I want to invade immediately but I do want to know; What course of action do you recommend is the wisest?"

Karl states "Your Majesty, Pomerlane as you know is a brilliant commander his army has grown greatly in quality and numbers since 1102." Karl stands up with his hands behind his back "While I have no doubt in the quality of our troops or their willingness to fight, I fear that an invasion would deplete our ranks and be a long, drawn-out campaign unless we had support from Pomerania.

"Haakon, what do you make of this" the King says sternly to his brother, who is the chief diplomatic advisor.

Haakon thinks for a moment before saying "My King, I agree with Karl and furthermore do not believe now is the right time for an invasion." Standing up and walking to his brother he states "The coffers of Eliria together with Pomerlane make for a difficult operation. It is my advice to seek out the rulers of Pomerania, who no doubt is in fear over this and gather them for a war. With some well place bribes and agreements, I am sure that the Kingdom would gladly support us in destroying someone who is an extreme threat to their state of affairs."

Magnus ponders the advice; his gut wants an immediate invasion, but his council's wisdom seems to be the correct option. With a stern look, he then calls on his friend and trusted advisor Lothar. "Lothar, as much as I want to punish this renegade prince for his treachery, the council has provided me with wisdom on this matter, do you have anything to add."

Lothar springs up and says "Your Royal Majesty, patience is a virtue, and, in this instance, I agree with your brother and the Count. Let the fool enjoy pulling the wool over your eyes for now, he will regret it soon enough"

Magnus, with some reluctance in his voice says "Very well, it is agreed then. Let us make friends of the Pomeranians and prepare to strike. You are all dismissed.

As every departs the room, Magnus slouches and puts his hand on his head. He has developed a headache over this whole matter. He thinks to himself "Pomerlane, you have bitten off more than you can chew. And you can be assurded that you will choke on it soon enough."

To be continued.