A Royal Gamble

[Bay]

"Do not move Sahltie." Nirdrang ordered off-handedly.

"You overestimate those foolish cultists," he said turning to Gar, "and you overestimate yourselves. What would you do if I gave you the crown? Go back to the mad sorcerer king and hide it in his vault with the goblet?"

Nirdrang flashed his teeth again, "Oh yes, I read your thoughts as easily as words on a page."

"No, the crown will remain where it is," he said leaning back on his throne with a tone of finality, "I can think of nowhere safer."

"Now, let us speak about the slaves your friends have freed."

He stood and walked until he was a foot away from Gar, "I shall take you into my confidence half-orc: I wish to terminate the dark ore mining operation. At least for a few months. But to do so would encourage my rivals to challenge my decision. The ore has become extremely popular with the blacksmiths."

He grinned, "But should the mines collapse as a consequence of a slave uprising..."