by lilac_lemur » Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:08 pm
Count Steele,
Do you take me for a fool? To meet you in any ground that I do not control, where you bring men, allegedly for my protection would leave me open, both to predation by you and scorn for my alleged weakness in needing any such help, from those who would oppose me. Far better that, as the one looking to gain my support, you were to come alone and unguarded to meet me in my lands, on a date set by me, and to thus show that you are a man of trustworthiness and honour.
The offer, beyond this clear oversight on your part, does interest me, however. That said, it is not the only offer I have received. The Fopp, fool that he is has sent word that he bears no ill will to me, his hideous, lecherous, cloying tone so reminiscent of my father's that I took great pleasure in destroying his calligraphy in a very precise and utter manner. Even now, my neighbour on the other side, one Ezidel Mwrr, whose wandering wife's lust for greatness is such that she will sing the words of any who would wish her to, has requested a time to meet, that we may discuss matters of import. Mwrr's approach, coming by him, and not by his wife, intrigues me also, and I shall have to see what deal he wishes made.
To that end, let us lay our cards on the table and call a spoon a spoon, and not trifle with such games as "guess the cutlery", so I know what you expect, what price you ask for me to be allowed to bow my head before your banners, I tell you now that you must tell me what you want, for I do not trifle with such fripperies as offers. Resources are such a petty prize, especially for so little. And Resources are something that I may not be able to spare, so newly ensconced am I in my new realm, that was driven to the edge of destruction and dereliction by the dolt Eshu and his Count, Hanza. Ask then what you will, give unto me the price you would demand, that I may know what you seek in return for my grateful subservience. Only thus, with fore-knowledge of what you desire from me, can I fairly choose between the sundry threats and offers that may arrive on my table, only thus, that I may see your true character, whether you be a decadent fool who sees his subordinates as little more than cattle, like the Sloth would be, had he any true power, or a cruel and twisted manipulator, like Calviel, or a consumate politician like Hanza, a military man like the late Roze, or an abstract anarchist like that dreadful worm, Ru. The question you must, now, ask yourself is this: which of those fine, upstanding Counts do I, Faldrack see as being the paragon of the role, which should you try to immitate? I will answer your question: any deceit will be revealed and shall be punished in whatever way I see fit. Offer to me, ask of me what you will, but do so only as you, as yourself, not as any other might do, for no other is you.
I pray this message reaches you with haste and that you are equally swift to reply with the terms and conditions you seek.
Faldrak