In nature there are predators and there are prey. Our vocabulary cuts a very clear distinction here but with humans it’s not always so easy to delineate. But no matter our sensibilities, no matter our civility or aversion or disgust, no matter our appeals to justice or fairness, or morality, nature favors the predators.

  -Harald Erling, as dictated to Leif Olander

  ***

  SIX MONTHS LATER

  Leif was chilled and weary from the morning’s training. A frost had covered the ground in the night so he’d worn his cloak for most of the work. He was quite pleased with himself though, at the progress he was making.

  Pangs of hunger gnawed at his stomach but he and Vigo had skipped breakfast to change into suitable attire and make it to the meeting.

  Leif still didn’t know Vigo’s full power or speed. He felt that he’d barely scratched the surface himself. He also began to feel that Vigo was thoroughly enjoying having someone to teach and train with. Leif’s own magic came to him far easier than it had when he’d first started with Vigo. It returned far sooner as well.

  Following this gathering of the League, he was to hunt with Hestan in the south woods. Hestan sat next to Harald. He hadn’t spoken so far, which surprised Leif, but he was sharply attentive to the conversation.

  Leif appreciated the invitation to join the gathering although he found himself wishing he was walking through the gardens with Karalee. He hadn’t been altogether surprised by Harald’s invitation - he’d now been scribing for the king for many weeks now and in Leif’s estimation, Harald had taken a liking to him.

  Seated at four long tables in a square facing each other were forty men. They were the lords of Danaria and several other kingdoms. Many of them were the men who had helped Harald take the throne. Most of the major commerce on the continent was controlled by them.

  The power and wealth in the room was palpable. They were kings and other nobles from across Aren, but they were not just the aristocracy, most were Harald’s close personal friends. They had so far spoken of shipping routes, the prices of grain and livestock, the status of the war games, and the problem of Penth. These men spoke of taking Penth back from the wyrm with the same casual tones as one would when discussing going for a walk, or shearing the sheep.

  Harald then turned to Leif, “Gentlemen, this is Leif Olander of Maedelund. Leif is Vigo’s apprentice.” Leif met their eyes in turn. Mages were rare these days, and seeing a new one was a novelty. Leif also noted perhaps, in some of them, a hint of wariness.

  “Indulge me in a brief presentation. I’ve asked Leif to bring some Maedish silver sovereigns.” Harald waved him over.

  On the table before Harald and Kenard was a scale with two suspended plates. Leif drew the pouch from his belt and stacked five of the silver coins on the left plate.

  “And where did these coins come from Leif? And how old are they?”

  “I withdrew these from the family vault at the Olander estate before I departed. These particular sovereigns were likely there for several years but almost certainly not less than one year.”

  “Kenard.” Kenard drew his coins out and placed five on the right plate of the scale. He spoke to the room as he counted the coins out, “Last month I was in Maedelund trading wool and tobacco. Harald had asked me to collect some Maedish currency so after I received my payment, in Danarian marks, I exchanged some for silver and gold Maedish sovereigns”

  Kenard looked up at Harald who nodded. Kenard released the pin from the currency scale and the plate with Leif’s coins dropped immediately, bouncing off the base of the scale until settling flatly on the table, while Kenard’s coins hung suspended. Disapproving grunts and murmurs came from the group.

  Harald cleared his throat, “As we’ve discussed. The wealth on display by the Maedish royals is inconsistent with the imports and exports that my ships tabulate and transport. A new palace and new fleet are no small expense and yet they continue spending and flaunting their supposed riches. Boe would never have let this happen.”

  Leif didn’t understand. Both sets of coins were silver sovereigns. They should have been identical in weight.

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  “My ships have now collected several recent samples of the Maedish silver sovereigns. By measuring the density of the coins using a water displacement technique, the Danarian coinmasters estimate that most of them at this point are only fifty percent silver. The more recent silver sovereigns we have are at most, a mere twenty percent. The rest is some admixture of other metals that pass as silver.”

  Vigo spoke up, “How could this be? Without anyone, without at least the Maedish money changers noticing?” There was an edge of sarcasm in his tone but no humor or amusement on his features.

  “The Maedish changers are employed by the crown and are likely part of the scheme. They exchange sovereigns for Danarian marks for our transactions so we haven’t been alerted to the issue until recently.”

  Leif turned to Kenard and asked relatively quietly as the rest of the group continued discussing, “I don’t understand, what happened to the rest of the silver?”

  Harald responded, loudly, before Kenard could, “They made new coins. Your cousin and aunt are counterfeiting their currency. And rapidly devaluing it in the process.”

  “Forgive me your majesty but why? To what end?” Leif spoke directly to Harald this time.

  “Why does anyone counterfeit currency? To enrich themselves. It’s theft. What they are doing is evil. I don’t believe Isabella does it so much out of malice as stupidity but that makes it no less of a theft.” Harald then paused in thought for a moment.

  The gathered members had quieted to listen to their conversation as a bell chimed signaling that their meal was prepared and ready to be served. The sound of that bell conjured images in Leif's mind that caused his mouth to water. His hunger pangs became painful aches.

  Harald snuffed a lamp and poured the oil into a clear glass that all could see. “Lamp oil is valuable. It would be nice to have more of it.”

  He then took a water glass and poured the water into the oil. “And like magic, more oil. You may have noticed however, that it has become diluted, ineffective, and therefore, less valuable.

  Harald continued, “The Maedish royals are destroying their currency, their people’s wealth, and Boe’s legacy. Maedelund’s currency crashing will devastate trade across the Kilden. None of you will be unaffected. At least for a time.”

  Harald paused and let the room breathe for a moment. It was mostly quiet as they waited for Harald to continue.

  “So we move to take Maedelund then?” Vigo spoke up boldly over the quiet chatter that had begun. There were some breathy chuckles in response, as if hoping the wizard was being facetious. All eyes looked to Harald.

  “Maedelund has doomed themselves. The kingdom will be brought back into the fold. One way or another.” Harald said it to the group but his eyes settled on Leif as he finished.

  “Harald, does your loyalty mean so little? The late king of Maedelund aided you in your coup. Now that he is gone you move against his wife and son? Without even an attempt at diplomacy?” It was Brockdorff who spoke.

  An edge crept into Harald’s voice, “Loyalty is everything,” he paused and picked up one of the partially silver coins from the table, “Boe’s death was unfortunate indeed. He was a good man and a friend and he would not appreciate my decision. But I also can’t believe he would be so stupid as to counterfeit his own money. Again, Maedelund has doomed themselves,” he tossed the coin back to the table. It clattered and bounced off the wood and onto the floor where it rolled until it disappeared into a crack between the stones. “Their money is fake. With every coin they duplicate they are stealing the wealth from the Maedish people. I see no point in letting them continue to destroy the wealth of their kingdom before stepping in. Boe is gone. The kingdom is sinking, it’s time we give it a push.

  “I’d also have you know I do not intend to sit the throne of Maedelund. The fortunate heritage of Vigo’s apprentice has bolstered our cause. Leif here is Boe’s nephew and his blood. Magnus and Isabella have attempted to have him killed several times for just this reason.”

  Murmurs of surprise and anger arose through the room but Brockdorff pushed again, “So you would play kingmaker with your dead friend’s throne. Would you do the same to me? You just get to decide who loses their lands based on your whim?”

  “That is my right and my responsibility," said Harald, "The man who had my loyalty, my friend who I would have died for, is gone. His family have discarded his mantle, have shunned the League, and are destroying his legacy.” At the strength of Harald’s words, Brockdorff quieted though frustration still showed on his face. Harald continued, “The throne you speak of is worthless or soon will be if I don’t act. I will not give up another kingdom to the wyrm. Maedelund will not become Penth.

  “By counterfeiting their currency they have shown themselves unfit for leadership. So yes, I’m taking their kingdom from them and yes, I’d do the same to any of you who would do something so foolish. If you do something that disrupts the League, that threatens our countries, our commerce, and ultimately my kingdom? Yes, I will conquer the whole world if I have to.”

  “But should we not try a diplomatic solution first? Have you spoken to Isabella about this?” It was king Aalders of Daedelund.

  “Isabella is a disease. She has corrupted her kingdom just as she has corrupted her son. It is time she was removed. When we realized the extent of the dilution, I had missives sent to the Maedish Treasurer as well as Isabella herself. They know we are aware of the problem and that we will take action to correct it. We have received no response and I expect they will only serve to entrench themselves further into their scheme.”

  Harald paused, his gaze sweeping the room. Leif observed them as well. Some faces were blank. Others were faces of acceptance. There was defiance in the eyes of some but he expected no less. Harald continued, “This is not a request. I am not asking. My decision is final and I will not justify myself further. Isabella disgusts me, and if for no other reason, that is enough. I am taking Maedelund from the Bakkens.” He met each of their eyes, as if daring any to challenge him. When none spoke Harald continued, his voice slightly less severe, “I would not call you to a war of arms quite yet. Our strategy is simple - we replace the Maedish sovereign with the Danarian mark. Not only will Kilden trade take place with Danarian marks, but we will introduce it into the local Maedish commerce. Every shop and tavern and inn will use Danarian currency. We will squeeze Magnus and Isabella until no one uses their chips of metal and they become truly worthless.

  “It has not escaped us, Harald, that several of us now have replaced our sovereign currencies for the Danarian mark,” it was Aalders who spoke again.

  Harald fired back immediately, “It should give you comfort then, knowing that the Danarian mark will never be corrupted.”

  “When would you have us begin?”

  “My ships and merchants have already begun. For several weeks. Now unless there are any other thoughts, it is time to eat. I have my steward coming to give us the latest update on the games. I’m sure you are all eager for news of your sons.”