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Winter of Victory: Interlude #34
Passing the Hat Grand Duke Owen of Gyruff regarded his councilmen with concern over the latest news. "So, what happened in Gorna?" Cadofyth Morgan Hazeleye cleared his throat. "A miscalculation. And we were rushing to crush the remainder of the Giant forces in the rest of Gyruff. The army was needed in twenty places at once. Since we had just taken Gorna, I believed that a skeleton garrison was sufficient to hold the city while we liberated the rest of Gyruff. Unfortunately, the trouble in the Dim, combined with the amount of time necessary to clear the rest of the Giants from Gyruff, meant that the army was unavailable to completely secure Gorna until now." "And now it's going to cost us an arm and a leg to remove the goblins." Cuthalion Cuern stared at Morgan. "You saw the report. They've infiltrated the city through the overly thin line you threw up." "If I had secured the city initially, I would have had a much harder fight at Tycha against that cleric of Memnon." Morgan growled back. "That is water under the bridge." Owen snapped. "We worked with what we had, and it wasn't enough. Losing the elves, dwarves, and Melwyn's forces hurt as well, and we've had to post patrols against Gareth's depredations. We tried to put out all the fires, and we failed. Now I want solutions. Morgan, what's the state of the Fist?" "It's in pretty good shape, even considering it's marched clear across the country three times at least. It's growing, although it's not yet big enough for everything we need. With contributions from the cantreval armies, we would have about 1800 men total. The special units would add about another 200 men, roughly, although they are considerably more able. Wolfpacks might add yet another 100, but they're elite." At that, Cuthalion jumped in. "A lot of our packs from last year have assumed duties that fill up their time. They're helping rebuild Gyruff, and their efforts are vital to the economy and well being of the Ffolk." "Without those elite adventurers, the toll on Gyruff's forces will be greater than last year, and we took plenty of losses at Gorna fighting the giants." "But this year, you're only fighting goblins. This fight won't be so difficult." Morgan sighed. "Three years ago the Gyri learned to respect hobgoblins in the Oytwood. Goblinoids are not an easy fight when they're dug in and prepared. This is city fighting, where all of our advantages are minimized. We'll need every troop we can get. I can start sending out orders today with your approval, your Grace." Morgan nodded to Owen. Now Owen sighed. "I was hoping to give the treasury a break from campaigning in the winter. Obviously, however, we have to do something, and we can't do it by half measures. Cuthalion, can the treasury handle it?" Cuthalion looked stricken. "My lord, we are hurting for coin. Most of Gyruff's funds are tied up in developing Aberglain and the Downlands. This should pay off next year with increased tax receipts and duties, but I fear that for now, Gyruff can not afford another major military expedition this year." "What about loans, private donations? I hate to borrow anymore, but this situation is desperate." "We can get loans from several wealthy nobles and moneylenders, but the interest rates are starting to become prohibitive. We're stretched too thin. As far as donations go, I'm out. I've visited most of the nobles, but their funds are invested in their cantrevi. There's very little extra money in the system right now. Next year there should be plenty, but now? No." Owen pounded the arm of his chair in frustration. "For want of a coin, the battle was lost. Is there anything that can be done?" Morgan looked like he was about to play a game of goblin finger. "Diplomacy?" For a moment, Owen's face twisted with rage. "Yes, I asked one of our more illustrious bards to try negotiating through back channels. The goblins replied that they held Gorna by the `right of conquest', and therefore there was no need for discussion. So that road is closed." Cuthalion looked a bit uncomfortable. "Then I suppose I will have to pass the hat around, so to speak." The rest of the meeting dealt with other events in and around Geoff, but Gorna hung over the men's minds the whole time. Afterwards, Morgan walked back to his office to see what could be done in the meantime, while Owen and Cuthalion lingered over a cup of wine. "In truth, your Grace, I've already talked to a couple of folks that I passed over before. I'm not terribly hopeful. I don't think there's a great deal of available cash in all of Gyruff at the moment." "What money we have is being well spent. I'll just have to contact one of the moneylenders in Keoland and see what we can do." Owen frowned as one of the Griffon Guard approached. "Yes?" "Begging your pardon, your Grace, but there are a couple of gentlemen here to see you and lord Cuthalion. They said they could come back if it wasn't a good time, but their business had to do with Gorna." Owen and Cuthalion looked at each other. Cuthalion shrugged. "It's a little early for my requests to bear fruit, but perhaps this could be something, your Grace." "Did they give their names?" Owen asked. "Yes, your Grace. Daffyd ap Morgan and Kasdan Meridian. They're here as private citizens and subjects of your Grace. Uh, their words, not mine." Owen raised an eyebrow and looked at Cuthalion. "What do you know of these men?" "Long time adventurers. It's rumored that Daffyd is the greatest trap finder in the Sheldomar, although I think that's a gross exaggeration. I mean, lots of folks claim that title. Kasdan owns a great deal of Aberglain, including a messenger service. Both donated gold during the Downlands move." "Civic minded, then. Show them in, guardsman." The guardsman bowed and walked back to the entrance. He opened the door and made a gesture. Two nondescript men walked in and stopped about halfway into the room. One of the men eased a backpack off his shoulders and set it on the ground with a thump. Then the two men bowed. The one without the backpack spoke. "Your Grace, lord Cuthalion, my name is Kasdan Meridian, and my compatriot and I recently heard about the misfortune that has struck Gyruff. Without funds, Gyruff suffers. So we're here to offer some assistance in that regard." "Gyruff appreciates your efforts in this difficult time." Owen responded. "So you wish to make a donation to the cause?" "Oh, yes, your Grace. Daffyd, please get out my contribution?" The other man flipped open the top of the backpack and pulled out a large, heavy bag that clinked slightly. He carried it over to the nearby desk, set it down, and stepped back. "Well, that looks like a good start." Cuthalion said. "Indeed. I'm donating 20,000 lions." "20,000? By Pelor's light, we can actually start to gather resources with that. Your contribution is greatly appreciated." "Actually, lord Cuthalion, we're not done yet. Daffyd?" Daffyd pulled out an even bigger bag from the backpack and set it on the desk. "Daffyd did a little better than me at adventuring. He's donating 30,000 lions."Both Owen and Cuthalion blinked. "How did you get so much?" Cuthalion asked. "I helped some fellow Gyri with a dragon in the land of Black Ice. I took care of the traps, and they killed the dragon. Fair trade, I thought." Daffyd replied. "This is mostly dragon horde cash." "Daffyd, the last bag please?" Daffyd reached into the backpack once again and pulled out a small bag, which he set next to the other two larger bags. "We actually found the limits of a Heward's Haversack for gold pieces, so the rest of the donations were consolidated for ease of transport. The small bag contains 100,000 lions worth of diamonds and other gems. Those are donations from others who feel the same as us." Cuthalion looked a bit dazed. "Well, that should take care of the operational expenses and then some." Owen looked impressed. "I thank you for this amazing gift. Your generosity will not be forgotten." Daffyd and Kasdan both bowed, and as Daffyd replaced the backpack on his shoulders, Kasdan spoke. "We have both given and received gifts over the years in the struggle against the Giants. We are always willing to give a gift to Gyruff, your Grace. We don't wish to take up anymore of your time, so with your permission, we'll be on our way." Owen waved a dismissal. "Thank you again." Once the two had left, Owen turned to Cuthalion. "Well, that was extremely interesting. I didn't know adventuring was quite that lucrative." "Well, I'll notify Morgan that we can begin mustering troops. He can start sending orders for supplies." "And I've got to think up a suitable response." "I beg your pardon, your Grace?" "You caught the gift references? They've both been to the Fey lands, and they know what a gift means there. One gives a gift when one receives a gift. What am I going to give in response to 150,000 gold lions?" "You'll think of something, your Grace." Owen smiled. "Yes I will. For now, let's get to work on this. We have unfinished business to resolve." 
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