Consolidations

The Ramalinga lords set up camp on the border between House Paniren and House Ruhu in preparation for the planned summit. A large contingent of Paniren troops was stationed nearby. It was not long before lady Varadiya and lord Li Fu appeared with a contingent of Ramalinga troops. Lord Ramachandra convinced her to withdraw the troops to avoid offending the warring houses. Meanwhile, lord Li Fu took command of the local Paniren forces and took up the role of negotiator.

Lord Ramachandra approached the commander of the Paniren forces. According to him, Paniren troops had been killed by soldiers wearing the colors of house Ruhu. Lord Ramachandra suggested that the attackers had in fact been Asura insurgents. All agreed that any Asura threat must be elimiated, but the commander hinted that the Ruhu efforts were less than successful. Lord Naresh and Ramachandra suggested that a neutral force could perhaps be sent into the Ruhu lands to root out the Asura. Such a plan must of course be approved by by House Ruhu, but their representatives had not yet arrived.

The Lords soon received word that a small contigent of Ruhu troops had arrived. The force consisted of but a Captain and three men-at-arms. The Captain introduced himself as authorized to speak for lord Ruhu Shawar, which the Ramalinga lords knew was one of the younger Lords of the House. When questioned, he said that his force had been attacked by a smaller Paniren force. They pursued them into Paniren lands, where the Paniren forces retreated, followed by a vicious counterattack.

The Ramalinga hosts escorted the Captain to the pavillion. He seemed somewhat in awe of the assembled hosts, and admitted that he felt somewhat out of place. Lord Hazir volounteered to act as his advisor in the negotiations. When all parties were assembled, Lord Ramachandra started the proceedings, quickly establishing that Asura agitators had instigated the conflict. Magistrate Jangir ordered the leaders of House Paniren and House Ruhu to meet at the pavillion before the bodies of the slain Asura had rotted. Until that time, he proclaimed, he would live in poverty there at the battlesite.

Varadiya and Li Fu rode to meet Li Fu's father, lord Goangi Tuan, former Imperial Champion. Lord Li Fu and Lady Varadiya stated their intention to marry, and lord Goangi Tuan was much pleased, agreeing to attend the negotiations. A simple wedding was planned, to take place during the night. They then returned to the pavillion.

Meanwhile, lord Hazir and lady Darshi had left the camp with the Captain. They soon arrived in the lands of Ruhu. Bereft of leadership, anarchy and disorder reigned as they met with the troubled lord Shawar. He showed great gratitude for Lord Hazir's assistance, and as they rode to the meeting, he secretly confidided that he was the last of his house.

At the meeting lords Jangir and Ramachandra quickly explained the situation to everyone's contentment, and peace quickly followed, with few concessions. House Ruhu assumed a very humble stance, which seemed to suit Lord Goangi Tuan fine. The matter at hand concluded, the attention shifted to the sombre marriage ceremony, characterized by much spirituality and meditation.

In the days that followed, lord Shawar confided his secret to House Ramalinga, and many minions were sent to act as temporary governors of his provinces, permanently transferring the loyalty of some while loaning out others for just a season or two.