Harsh Terms
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 9369
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Fred was allowed to remain present during the discussion. His father
might need to send him
on an errand - after all, that was what pages were for. And as the son
of a diplomat, he could be trusted to keep a secret. He found it hard to
take
his eyes away from the flame-haired Astra, whom he estimated was only two
to three
years older
than his own age of fifteen.
"As you I'm sure already know," Astra began, "MalBoncton, Salmonshire and Califie on our western border have joined in an alliance against us. They have invaded our land through the wide gap between the Goth Mountains and Lake Tol Nostra. I'm sure that your country's spies will have told you that the war is going badly for us. We need an alliance of our own, and Allaria is the only candidate. I know that our countries have not had much to do with one another in the past, but I'm sure that we can offer trade deals that will make it worth your while to help us." "We will help you," Charles D'Honaire said, "but only on one condition, that you marry our King's eldest son. You will remain ruler of Aqualaria, but the eldest child of the union will become monarch of Aqualaria when you die, thus joining the two countries." The Queen looked both shocked and miserable, as well she might. However it might be dressed up, this effectively meant a take-over of her country by Allaria, if not now then on her own death. And once she produced an heir, her own life expectancy might not be great. Added to this, she would be forced into a marriage with someone whom she hardly knew. Fred wondered if she would accept Allaria's terms. If the rumours he had heard about how badly the war was going were correct, she might have little choice. What made it even worse was that Prince Henri, the King's eldest son:
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JH (inspired by medieval history)
5/12/2000 2:23:53 PM
Extending Enabled
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