It was easier to merely relocate the useless ones to calm, insignificant provinces, instead of deposing them and giving his nobles a cause to unite against him.It was easier to merely relocate the useless ones to calm, insignificant provinces, instead of deposing them and giving his nobles a cause to unite against him. They kept their pretty titles and trappings, but held no real power and fatal accidents could always be arranged if he needed to replace them quickly. Rima was such a sleepy province, and although blessed with the princess for whom it was named, a prince, and Duke Zuberbier as well, the real power rested in the hands of the admiralty, headed by Rima's husband, Paloken, a man who had spent most of his life on the sea before his age caught up with him. This new campaign promised to make Rima more significant, and although Duke Zuberbier commanded only a single legion, he would need briefing as much as the more competent dukes who commanded five or six. General Cartwright, another of his senior officers entered chatting with General Garza. |