Jonten Tribes - Ezrian Empire

Thuli Blackspear had been sent north to act as emissary to the people of Ezrian Empire. He had landed near the coast of Mokissos a month ago and from there he'd made his way to the capital of Lygos with an escort of forty men alongside a trade caravan. They were all members of Tholarg's Huscarls, the best and most impressive warriors the Jonten produced. He wore striped wool trousers and a black sleeveless jerkin. His arms were bound in Iron rings and a dark green cloak was draped across his shoulders. He had come to a guard and made his slave who spoke the Ezrian tongue ask for a captain, who was then asked to lead them to someone with authority to speak for the empire. Thuli had enjoyed towering over the man and the discomfort he'd shown in presence of 'barbarians'. He couldn't blame the man, even the shortest of his company stood a head taller than the captain.

The barbarians were brought to the Imperial Palace, a massive and grand structure. Huge gates shuddered open, fountains spewed fresh, clean water that was channeled in from aqueducts from miles away, statutes of past Ezrian Emperor's dominated courtyards, while servants attended to lush gardens. If the building itself wasn't enough to overwhelm the senses of the Emperor's guests, then the massive Varangian Guardsman with their cruel axes might be. The Varangian's wore the Imperial purple of the Emperor's household guard, the Varangian's generally weren't ethnic Ezrian's but barbarian tribesman that had settled within Ezria on the frontier. If one looked closely, they could even see a few burly Jonten amongst their ranks. The lucrative clank of Ezrian gold was more than enough for most men to abandon ties to family and kin in order to serve a new master that was generous. When the Emperor couldn't depend on his regular troops, then he relied on his palace guard to keep order.

Thuli Blackspear was met by Harald Godrikson, a barrel chested tribesmen who looked like he had tree trunks for arms and legs. The visible flesh of his arms were heavily tattooed, and he was missing part of his left earlobe. No doubt chopped off in a fight, or by a lively wench as Harald was more likely to tell it.

'' The Autokrator will see you now. You may take two men with you. '' Harald said cooly, motioning a pair of Guardsman to open the gilded doors that lead to the throne room. The Autokrator sat on a raised dais, purple robes and a jeweled crown decorating his brow. A shield wall of Varangian's stood between Thuli and their employer.

'' You have traveled a long way. '' It was obvious that the Emperor was a blunt man, prone to getting straight to the point. '' Enlighten me as to why you have come to my shores. ''

"My Jarl has sent me to inform you that if you provide fifty chests of gold (50 Gold), He will ensure that no raiding parties of the Jonten will trouble your shores for the next two years." He gave the man a wide smile of blackened teeth. He watched the fighters that surrounded the Emperor. It was strange that while they feared those they called 'barbarians' it was the same men who protected the leader of their people.

'' Seize him for this insult! '' He heard Harold shout, blades cleared sheath's and a line of steel began to creep towards the three men before the Autokrator smashed his hand onto the arm of his throne. A silence settled across the throne room as the Varangian's paused, retreating at their Emperor's unspoken command.

'' I have a better offer to make for you. '' He said when a mixture of calm had returned to the chamber. '' My army prepares to reclaim the lost province of Surud. I will pay you a hundred gold to raid their shores to rape and pillage their villages and farms, with as much booty as you can carry away. If the performance of your warriors pleases my generals, then the rewards that will follow will be many. The Empire has many enemies and Ezria will greet them all with the sword. I would not want your people to be under our knives. As a token of good faith, I will pay you 15 chests of gold (15 gold), with the rest to follow when the job is complete to my..satisfaction. Do we have terms? ''

Thuli kept his face wooden for a few moments. His own men hadn't moved at Harold's outburst. They'd expected the offer to be taken poorly, but this was something else entirely. On the whole raider captains went where they pleased, unless the Jarl commanded them to a purpose. The man on the throne had salt, Thuli wouldn't deny that and the offer was too good to pass up. "On behalf of Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin, I accept your offer. Surud will wail under our care." Thuli waited to be dismissed before turning to leave.