inside the tent

*Archos listened in his tent to the radio transmission, it seemed by his analysis that van dresden had been the victor, but only slightly, and he probably lost as much support as he had gained. There wasn't much more they were likely to say without repeating themselves and degenerating into vapid slogans, it was politics at its most disgusting to Archos. the servant turned off the transmission as the debate ended* Milord, what shall we do?

*Archos's first instinct was to tell the servant nothing, but he had a use for rumor. he favored the policies of dresden and dreadslay, they could be understood and predicted and he could regard them as reliable allies. and by converse, he was not sure about this other faction. They were as like to turn out to be reliable allies as they were pussient enemies. He did not care to let the status quo change in such a way that was not to his kingdom's advantage. Besides, what if they should win, and oppose his return to Galen Thal? So he turned to the servant and said, "Threat of war is everpresent in those chaotic lands, both civil and international, and the confederation stands upon a knife edge. I do nae believe anyone a pacificst may rule well. Besides, when the invasion comes, they need be united.*

*Archos smiled inside his head after he dismissed the servant. servants gossip worse than old women and soldiers, within a few nights word would spread that Archos knew for a fact that there would be an invasion of the confederation, by the time the vote came, the word would be that the enemy was at the gates or some other such foolishness, and when people panic or are enraged in patriotic fervor, they clamor to the existing banner, van dresden should have no problem being reelected in that chaos, and cypress would be quite capable of putting down or circumventing the chaos that would rise in galen thall at the thought of a second occupation.

Archos had quietly played the cats paw himself, in the hopes of aiding them, indirectly. Not much there to do but wait, his agents in Galen Thal had already been given their instructions on the lowest levels. talks of old glories and prosperity, the slow building of a feeling of optimism as a foundation, things would be ready when he came back. The destruction of so much of his ancient capital was enough to enrage archos, but he kept his emotions on tight reign, still his concubines would bear the brunt of it, it was after all, their place to ease their Master.