these artist were done, the posters would be sent to the next row of tables where more artists would turn out hundreds of copies. These would then be sent to every major city and even some of the larger villages where they would be hung in all the usual conspicuous places.
If all went as planned, people would come to love the monarch in Shienhin and reject the one hiding in the Outlands as a fraud. Without that claim, Balinor would be unable to garner the support needed to survive, even if Reigns didn’t crush them. It would be a pleasant diversion reclaiming the Outlands. Until now, he hadn’t placed much value in the sparsely populated region. As soon as the rebellion was crushed, he would be appointing landmasters to manage the Outlands. The people should also pay for having supported a rebel in their midst. Perhaps a doubling of their taxes as an example would help ensure the proper loyalty from the rest of the regions.
***
Enthack had just delivered a copy of the dispatch that he carried to Fenar and was leaving when he had the misfortune of running into a belligerent Ildroth. Tusul’s forged seals were identical to the originals allowing the under captain to read the private communications of the Chancellor with impunity. This one was to be delivered to the Inarack residence and handed to the person of the noble leading the house. Enthack knew of two other missives that were even now being carried to the other two northern Noble families.
“Under captain, what brings you to Warton?” Ildroth held the rank of a first lieutenant and outranked Enthack by a couple levels.
“Imperial business. You Lieutenant?” Ildroth noted the medallion that dangled on Enthack’s chest and suppressed a scowl. Why Fenar would let one of these traitors under the roof of her establishment was beyond him. He failed to remember that an identical medallion hanging around his own neck putting him in no place to judge others.
“My own business.” Ildroth’s cold reply would have caused a lesser man than Enthack to excuse himself.
“There is a war on up north. Shouldn’t you be preparing to join it?”
“Mind your tongue under captain. I'm stationed here for the time being.” Ildroth haughtily cautioned Enthack who smiled irritatingly in return.
“That might well change Lieutenant. I'm delivering a dispatch to house Inarack now.” Ildroth sneered in reply.
“I'm Ildroth of house Inarack. You can give me the dispatch and save yourself a trip.”
“My orders were to deliver it to the head of the house Inarack. I doubt that he would be stationed here in Warton, even if the accommodations were this comfortable.” Ildroth nearly failed in restraining himself from following the urge to choke the life out of the insolent under captain.
“I will escort you to my home then.” Ildroth’s offer was seated in his desire to know what was inside the dispatch as soon as possible.
“I think not. You are stationed here. I do hope that it isn’t too comfortable. Would be a shame if you got sent to the lines up north.” Enthack turned and left Ildroth fuming in the hallway. Fenar came upon him a moment later as he resolved to have his stallion saddled and take the fast way home. He wanted to relish the satisfaction of refusing the courier’s entrance to his family estate. He was within his right to deliver the dispatch himself seeing as he outranked the courier.
“I must have my horse saddled at once. That courier had a dispatch for my father concerning the war.”
“Do I look like Danryn? Go get your own horse saddled, but it won’t be necessary… I have the dispatch and in the spirit of cooperation, I was willing to let you read it here. Although, the fresh air might help if you instead rode to the Inarack estate to read the dispatch.” Fenar began folding the dispatch as Ildroth spluttered.
“Do you spy on all your allies?” Ildroth waited impatiently as Fenar slowly unfolded it again.
“Trust but verify.” Fenar finally handed the dispatch to Ildroth who read it twice. He was a little shaken when he handed it back absently.
“He is calling up an army and sending it right at them.”
“How soon can you get this information to the royals?” Fenar slid the folded dispatch into a pocket on her blouse.
“Nearly a week but maybe longer if my courier has trouble getting around the blockade. Our last supply wagons have been seized.”