Diresong wasn’t particularly fond of being treated with disrespect. Maybe it was because he grew up as a prince, and became king at a really young age, but he was generally treated politely if not with outright deference and respect, so he had come to at least expect a modicum of niceties. But apparently this young stallion had forgotten to learn manners when he was picking up attitude, because he was blatantly disrespectful. Immediately the black ice king’s blue eyes narrowed on him and his ears flicked back against his head in displeasure. I have every authority – the Gates is my sub-kingdom, and that basically gives me complete authority over the whole kingdom and the actions of everyone in it, Diresong pointed out coldly. While he might be a pretty casual and relaxed ruler, he was generally well aware just how vast his power was, and was wiling to exercise it when it became necessary (though rarely any other time). I was aware, and I have spoken to the Chamber about it, and I hold them just as much in the wrong for it as I’m holding the Gates responsible for its reaction. But I rarely consider a single steal to be reason to hold a grudge – steals and challenges happen; deal with it rather than getting yourselves all worked up, he said firmly, still staring down the younger stallion, even though his words could be equally applied to Alona. The Gates unofficially declared war on the Tundra’s ally on the basis of a single steal – much more unacceptable than the Chamber stealing a single captive from the subkingdom of their ally.
Libel made a very big error in judgment in threatening his son. Instantly Diresong’s ice blue eyes grew furiously cold, his ears pinning even further against his head as his lips curled back to reveal his dentals in a snarl. His neck snaked out, yellowed teeth snapping at Libel’s face even as his black frame moved between Arcteryx and the other stallion. Threaten my son again and you’ll find yourself in pieces on the ground, Diresong growled, his voice level and as cold as the frozen ponds in his icy homeland.
To his credit, Arcteryx was not in the least bit scared by the older male’s threat. His grey eyes looked at Libel calmly, ignoring his father’s threat (having fully expected it) and instead concentrating on Libel. The Chamber has made no warlike moves against the Gates that could be termed an onslaught, the blue roan colt said. And to request that the Gates keep the peace with the Chamber and Tundra is hardly giving the Chamber the keys to the kingdom. If the Gates had not begun this conflict, it’s wholly conceivable that the Chamber would never have made a move beyond stealing the prince. In fact, they have done little that could be characterized as an attack – they’ve made only one challenge, in response to your challenge of a filly, and have attempted only one steal beyond the original. That pales in comparison to the attacks made by the Gates, Arcteryx said succinctly.
The black king’s temper had calmed slightly while his son calmly pointed out, the truth of the situation to Libel, though he continued to glare at the younger stallion and hold himself protectively between the stallion and his son. Alona also tells the stallion off, though in a simple manner that hardly lives up to the chastisement Diresong believes he deserves. His anger cools further when he turns his attention to deal with the queen, still fond of her despite the situation. I can understand, fully and completely, while your son being stolen would upset you, but as a queen you can’t let you personal upset dictate the entire policy of your kingdom, Diresong said, his voice sympathetic but firm. The Gates declared open season on the Chamber long before any other attempts were made, and they’ve made hardly any since then. A single steal is hardly sufficient justification to attack my ally Alona. His icy eyes narrowed on her at her insult, and his temper flared back to life like a flame delivered oxygen. The Tundra is no one’s dog, he growled. I’ve spoke to the Chamber, but how I handle my allies is not something you get to decide. YOU’re the sub-kingdom, not the Tundra; we do what we want, not what you want us to. I’m willing to extend the Tundra’s protection to the Gates if it’s attacked by another kingdom, but not for a single steal, and not when the Gates overreacted by practically declaring war. If you’d asked me to go to Set and have him return your son I would have as a favour, but I’m hardly going to jeopardize my alliance because one captive was taken. You didn’t protect the Gates Alona, you put it in danger. YOU brought it under attack – YOU’re to blame for any subsequent challenges or steals that followed your declaration of open season.
Considering the way the conversation had deteriorated, Diresong wasn’t particularly surprised by Alona’s declaration of independence. But it was Arcteryx that spoke first. You’ve never been the sole sovereign of this kingdom Queen Alona, the boy pointed out simply. The Gates is officially ruled by the Council of four, 2 Gateans and 2 Tundra brothers. Your position was a figurehead, given the constitution created when the Gates became a subkingdom. Despite his youth Arcteryx had become well versed in the details of the Tundra takeover, and he had always been a stickler for rules and regulations, liking things done by the book and always recalling the oft-forgotten minutiae that were lost in time. Just because you have acted the part does not mean the position is yours. Even Diresong blinked in surprise at his son having remembered this little detail, and his icy eyes flicked to Alona. He’s right, though I’ll be the first to say you’ve done the lion’s share of the ruling around here, and that you’ve done a good job for the most part. I would have backed you becoming officially the Queen when the Gates became independent, but you’re making it difficult, he said, sighing before he became serious again. If you and the Gates try to break away from the Tundra unilaterally, we will consider it an act of war and will respond by declaring open season on your kingdom until you either agree to return to the position of a sub-kingdom, or accept the conditions for your independence. I hardly think it’s insane for the Tundra to want a guarantee of safety once the Gates is free, and considering you basically declared war on our ally I don’t consider it out of bounds to tell you to leave off attacking them. If you’re worried about the Chamber pillaging the Gates unduly, I’ll make one concession – your agreement to leave the Chamber in peace can be breached if, and ONLY if, the Chamber makes more than one steal or challenge against the Gates in a year. If they do, I’ll consider it fair for the Gates to break the peace with the Chamber and attack them as the Gates sees fit. I’m absolutely not negotiating about the requirement that the Gates remain peaceful towards the Tundra, he said firmly.
I’m not trying to bully you Alona; these are basic terms in my opinion. No kingdom is going to give up a sub-kingdom without trying to guarantee that that kingdom isn’t going to turn around the second it’s independent and attack them. And given your declaration of unofficial war against my ally, I hardly think it’s a stretch to ask you to leave them in peace. He didn’t miss the implied threat in her words about the other kingdoms, but he was tired of being threatened, however nicely, by Alona, and so he replied in kind. Perhaps, but the Chamber also has two firm alliances, with us and the Jungle, and I doubt the Valley will go against them considering Set’s consort sits on the throne. And if you’re going to weight the strength of kingdoms, I think you’ll find the stronger ones fall on the Chamber’s side, considering the Falls was so dead the Dale nearly took it over, the Deserts have barely been heard from and even the Dale is practically dead lately, he pointed out calmly. Don’t bother trying to make veiled threats Alona. This isn’t about the Chamber – this is about the Gates and the Tundra. I’ve offered you your freedom on some pretty fair conditions, especially considering my concession. I suggest you take them rather than trying to stage some kind of rebellion for independence; there’s no sense in making enemies where you currently have friends.