Interlude #1 - Becoming the barony
On her way out the liaison met Steelfloor.
"Greetings Steelfloor! And congratulations of becoming a barony! I tell you, the promoting was earned!"
Steelfloor halted, staring at the liaison.
"Barony? What? When? Who?"
"Ah, I see that the mayor hasn't informed you about it yet. Your master stone crafter, Whiptools, has been promoted to the position of baron!"
"WHAT?"
"Yes, the queen saw that it was time to make your fortress the official part of the kingdom and so she gave me the leave of making one of your dwarves a baron. Whiptool was the best candidates, the wealth of this fortress is mostly formed by his masterful work. And the mayor agreed with me."
Steelfloor muttered something which liaison didn't understand. Several dwarves had begunn gathering around the two, curious of what was going on.
"What did you say Steelfloor? I didn't understand a word about your mutterings."
Steelfloor face was darkening as he replied.
"I said that son-of-bitch! She never consulted me about this promotion!"
"Ah, I see. Well, he is the mayor and so he doesn't have to consult anyone one the decisions like this. In fact, I heard that YOU have ignored him in all decisions made in this fortress."
"Yes but because that he is ignorant, self-centered dwarf who has no idea of how to rule this fortress properly! The only reason he is the mayor here is because he has more friends than I do, and those so-called friends of him doesn't know what's best for them!"
"Stop that before you say something you regret! Besides, who would have been better candidate to become a baron? Give me a name and I MAY reconsider."
"Well, any of my fellow brothers or sisters! We are the hearth of this fortress, so we should be the ones who are ruling here, not some random crafter who has happened to become legendary in working with stone!"
"Ah, but you don't understand, it was the will of the queen to promote someone who is NOT member of your religion. And from that list Whiptools was the best candidate."
"But why? This is our fortress? Why not promote any of the true leaders this place?"
"Don't you know that the atmosphere back in mountain home is against your cult? How would the citizens react if they heard that there is a fortress ruled by the dwarves they hate so much? Do you really think that they would accept that? No, don't answer, as both of us know it. They wouldn't. It is best for all of us that this fortress is officially ruled by someone who does not belong your religion. Otherwise all the caravans planning to travel here would be either jailed, or in worst case, killed outright. Do you really want to take things to that point?. And besides, your religion has sworn to stay away from politics. So the ruler must be someone else."
"But this isn't any ordinary fortress! This is The Abbey of Ancients, the holy fortress of Armok! Of course this place should be ran by the holy members of the church! I established this fortress, and I have ruled it from the beginning! I should be in charge here!"
"So you are just jealous? Forget it, you are not going to run this place, never! If the citizens of yours decide to follow your orders instead of official mayor or baron, then it's their headache, but officially this place shall never been ruled by any member of your cult! And that decision is final!"
With that the liaison departed, leaving angry Steelfloor standing where he was, surrounded by dozens of confused and scared dwarves. It was known that Steelfloor was not always the most stable dwarf, but he had been good leader so far. Would he do something that he would regret later? Or would things return to normal? No, the later was impossible, as The Abbey of Ancients was barony now, and thus nothing would return to normal. One the other hand, what was normal in a place like this? In a place where spilling of blood was considered as one of the most holiest thing that could be done, where the cathedrals were made from gold alone and where archers' favorite past-time was wounding wild animals, making a competition from it?
Even though there were dozens of question waiting for an answer, one thing was sure: the queen, through the liaison, had just undermined the authority of Steelfloor, and he would not take it lightly. Blood will be spilled, but whose blood that is was still mystery.