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You congratulate them on their successes, but tell that the Crown is unable to sponsor another expedition. The cartographers are understanding, yet a little sad.
They promise to update the royal map before end of the year.
1215 AD, Winter
5to6
T'chai leaves sold for very big profits this year! Your Treasurer celebrates a bit.
Profits from trading are further boosted by timely arrival of gold and gemstones from the Methiantese mines.
A diplomatic entourage arrives from the Sim Empire, and not a small one either - it is Mahjar Tum Brah, Mahjar Sim's son and heir! Along with plethora of servants and guards.
Prince Tum Brah makes an entrance into the capital city, riding a large war cat, one that is orange and gold and covered in black stripes. Plates of polished armor, decorated with gemstones and pearls, adorn the big feline. The Simian Prince himself is decked in a white coat, adorned with gemstones as well. People gawk at the splendor of Simian wealth and fashion; Tum Brah's entourage is similarily, if a bit more plainly, decorated.
He enters your audience hall and does not bow before you (unlike his servants). His copper skin and pointy, black beard bears a resemblance to Parsian fashion.
Prince Tum Brah opens his arms and smiles.
"Greetings, Emperor Houlandin III, son of Yoe IV, leader of Methiant-Cydwyl, magnaminous and prosperous lord and friend of Sim Empire. I've come here to ask, in the name of my great father, for a little favor."
"What would that be?"
"My father's menagerie of animals used in the army includes war cats, oliphaunts and giant lizards, but what the army needs at the moment is horses. Thousands upon thousands are required. Out of all neighbours, there's only one we can trust and are willing to ask to provide us with them. Would you agree to sell us some of Methiantese and Cydwyllian mares and stallions for next few years? My father's plans depend on your cooperation."
"Can we know what these plans are?" Prince Tum Brah grins.
"They would do nothing to endanger Methiant-Cydwyl's borders and integrity. That is all my father allowed me to say." The Marshal and the Spymaster look at each other, but its the former that approaches you.
"Sire," he whispers, the plume on his helmet bouncing funnily, "Cydwyllian plains supply plethora of horses, but I'm not sure it's still enough to supply both Simian and Methiantese armies. We could potentially face a shortage when recruiting new officers each year..." The Spymaster approaches next.
"Sire, we could divulge some plans from Prince Tum Brah's servants if we're given some time..."
You decide to...
A) Politely decline Prince Tum Brah's request, for Methiant itself needs its horses.
B) Ask Prince Tum Brah to stay at the capital for few days, so he can rest after the tiring journey.
C) Politely decline Prince Tum Brah's request, and ask whether some money, instead of horses, would be accepted by Mahjar Sim.
D) Agree to the request and promise five hundred horses each year to be sold to Sim Empire.