Anthony would rub his eyes as he felt the pressure on his mind, but would feel....odd. Anthony would look around, as if confused, as Maddox would just begin seeing....strange sequences in his mind. The images that Azurnine set up were clear, but the amount of detail was....staggering, slightly. To Maddox, it would seem like he had clear view into Anthony's head, which would explain why Anthony was slightly staggered. Azurnine, however, would see her ring glow faintly. It appeared that the self-proclaimed<i>Exile </i>was making a play, though for what purpose was unknown. What would he stand to gain from this?<br/><br/>Nevertheless, it'd feel like Maddox had won this battle- He'd<i>know </i>that<i>Anthony Mor-Hauser </i>wanted to rebuild his fortune, that their family lost when the Empire fell. As former loyalists, it was clear that the Kingdom needed to seize this as a way to settle the debt, though let the family live on as paupers. The story was that Anthony was the last member of his family, and had been slowly rebuilding over the last year, making strong contracts and trade agreements with neighboring settlements. He wasn't above cutting down his opponents to ensure his success though- He was made to seem that he'd never trust Imperials again, since they ruined his family, but he would make it back to the top at any cost, even if it meant allying with the people who robbed his family blind.<br/><br/>An Alliance of convenience. He had no desire for revenge- it was simply unprofitable. What would he gain?<br/><br/>"<b>Of course I can supply them, Lord Maddox- I have numerous people that can cut down the trees needed for spears, arrows, and javelins. I have craftsmen who can forge the weapons, workers to cut it down, miners to gather materials from underground.....I could even provide a force of soldiers to make up for your losses. You lose <i>nothing </i>in this, My Lords and Ladies, but you gain everything you could need." </b>Anthony said. Soldier recruitment was low, there were too many that were deserting in the campaign against Xyphon due to forced conscription, and there were too few that were willingly signing up for the military. Not to mention the heavy casualties that were suffered during the early days of the fighting. Tekatus couldn't afford to turn this offer down.<br/><br/>Anthony would place his cane back on the ground as he would smile towards Mirielle, before speaking. "<b>All I ask you to do, Mirielle....allow me to operate this with limited oversight." </b>He said, before holding up his hands. He had to be careful on the ruthless bit, he had to ensure that he kept up the persona as a profit-first individual, that he could be<i>exploited</i>. "<b>You'll get your resources, soldiers, weapons, and all that you could ask for.....I'll even flood your coffers with coin, call it '</b><i><b>donations for the welfare of the Kingdom'. </b></i><b>All I ask is for you.....to look the other way. <i>On any occasion I chose</i>. Do that? Xyphon will be yours at the end of the year." </b>Anthony said.<br/><br/>"<b>I cannot present my case any better.....what do you say, My Queen?"<br/>
</b><br/><a class="username" data-user-id="27" data-username="@Synn" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/27/">@Synn</a>