"You must broaden your views, your highnesses," Martinez said slowly. His finger reached out across the map, pointing at first to a duchy on the border with Danbar in Anastaria, and then to a seaside province upon Loidi's shores. They were the areas through which most commerce between the two and Danbar traversed. He tapped twice on both locations before drawing his hand back towards his chin.<br/><br/>"A new route upsets the lords of both lands there. They are, accustomed to certain practices which are the normal in business. They become rich and more powerful off the trade, becoming accustomed to a certain level of respect and wealth." He spoke with an even tone, a slow cadance that would have given him time to pick his words as he spoke.<br/><br/>"A sudden change would, upset them. Cooler heads do not always prevail, and the spoiled child often sneaks behind the parent's back to get the treat now withheld. Thier wealth threatened, you cannot predict what will occur. It has not been unknown for desperate nobles to resort to raiding and piracy."<br/><br/>He reached out slowly again with his right hand, tapping on the pass that Prince Gavin had pointed out. "And there, is your answer to that problem. Increase the garrison. Draw men from those provinces, limit thier ability to cause trouble. And perhaps, promise them new, lucrative practices."<br/><br/>"Draw an equal number of men from other lands, ones not used to such practices. They will balance out the corrupt ones, with a good leader. A larger garrison keeps, opportunists at bay. Secure, quick, free from the usual, customs. You will easily get back the minor costs of growth at the garrisons."