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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3657858" data-attributes="member: 3448">They listened, and then held out another scroll that had arrived.“Lord Derek Brightspan has reported from the battle with the barbarians,” explained Alistair.  “I don’t think he wrote this report, or that he’s leading from the front again, but the signature on the bottom is definitely his, although shaky.  I think we can assume he’s recovering from his wounds.  But almost as important is the information in his report.  He has the barbarians bottled up in a canyon.  There are a lot of them, and if he launches an assault, the casualties will be severe.  Nonetheless, he’s basically beaten them.  He wants to know if he should negotiate with them or press the battle.”“Negotiate,” said Kit.  “We need him and his troops back here.  They could eliminate the threat from the orcs and provide us with a reserve to use against Shur.”“I agree, your grace.  What we need is a quick end to that campaign, as long as we can make sure that the barbarians will not resume raiding as soon as his troops depart.”Alistair nodded.  “So we’re all in agreement.  We’ll draw up orders for Lord Derek to reach peace with the barbarians on any reasonable terms.  I think his first offer should be vassalization of the Khan and his people.  This Khan is clearly a strong and effective leader.  I’d rather have him as a duke within Canberry than as a chronic threat on our borders.  Plus, over time that will gradually settle the barbarians and end the raiding permanently.  But the Khan may not agree to that offer, and we’ll give Lord Derek the authority to agree to any deal that stops the raiding and gives us some hostages to enforce the deal.  The Khan’s heir-apparent as a page should do nicely.”“That makes sense,” replied Dame Brionna, “but I think we may need more than one hostage.  I’m not convinced that he would have as clear an heir-apparent as a Canberran noble would--or at least should.  Also, because the barbarians practice polygamy, he will have many-- perhaps dozens-- of children.”“Hmm.  Good point.  Perhaps all of his children with his favorite wife?  And maybe the wife, as well?”“I think all of the children of his favorite wife will give us enough leverage,” said Kit.  “I’d be worried that insisting on one of his wives as a hostage would offend his honor and make him look for opportunities for revenge.”Alistair nodded.  “Very well then.  We’ll set as a minimum condition for peace a cessation of raiding and all of the children of the Khan’s favored wife as hostages.  Anything more that Lord Derek can negotiate is gravy.”“I’ll have your grace’s secretary prepare appropriate orders,” said Dame Brionna.</blockquote>

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