That's Not A Word

Marshack sat back in his chair, feeling rather pleased after the activities between the Rogues and the Demai, for once revelling in the fact that someone else had made it their business to deal with the folly wrought by the Demai.  As Marshack thought to himself, his faith in others slowly rose, before the bleeping of his communications link flashed in front of him.  The name of the sender of the comm. link instantly erased what little pleasure he had gained from the proceedings, causing him to answer the call with a displeased scowl.

“What do you want?”  He inquired, causing the recipient of the message to flash a rather pleased smile.

“Marsh, Marsh, Marsh… is that any way to greet an old friend?  I’d figure, since we haven’t chatted in a while, that I’d receive a warmer salutation.”  The recipient answered.

“I ask again, why do you disturb me?”  He reiterated.

“You were never fun…”  The man sighed.  “Come to think of it, neither was that queen of yours… no wonder I had her killed.”  He laughed lightly, drawing a growl from Marshack.

“You didn’t have her killed you fiend… you killed her… do not mix matters Rayad, now for the last time; what do you want?”  Marshack retorted, preparing to end the link.

“Fine fine, let’s get down to business.”  Rayad started, as the view panned out, showing all of Rayad’s office.  This drew Marshack’s attention to the world map on the wall behind his opponent, the location of France blinking red as Rayad now continued.  “As you well know, the interests of The Order in Italy have quickly dwindled to a state on inconsequentiality.”  He started, causing Marshack to raise an eyebrow.

“That’s not a word Rayad.”  He retorted sharply, causing Rayad to smirk.

“Regardless, you get the message; clearly this would be the time to renegotiate our stances on the France situation.”  Rayad now sounded, causing Marshack to smirk.

“Renegotiate?  I was not aware that this was necessary.”  He reasoned now, causing the amusement which Rayad exhibited to quickly disappear.

“I don’t need to remind you that out political and military influences in France are equal… as such, it would be impossible for you to maintain the resources which you have captured within the last few weeks, if I were to… assert my military might… there’s no telling the countless lives that would be lost in our petty squabble.”  Rayad explained now, causing Marshack to scoff.

“We both know that that would be disadvantageous to us both… you may be heartless, but I know that you aren’t stupid.”  Marshack continued, causing Rayad to grin broadly.

“But that’s where you’re wrong Marshack.  You see, it doesn’t serve my purposes to lose to you at anything… so you see, a few hundred soldiers and a few thousands innocents are simply an acceptable lost on my side.  What you need to consider, is whether or not it would be an acceptable lost on your side, Marshack.”  Rayad continued to reason, seemingly unfazed by this whole thing.

“You should know by now that your threats hold no weight with me.  Attack me if you dare… I will crush you.  Rest assured that my knights will meet your advances stride for stride… I will not let France become your bargaining chip; my homeland deserves to be more than that.”  Marshack replied, simply not entertaining Rayad’s folly.

“Clearly you’re being unreasonable.”  Rayad replied with the most devious of grins.  “Maybe we should discuss this over dinner… I assume you’ll be attending the President’s banquet tonight.”  Rayad started, pausing briefly as if to wait for Marshack’s reply, before continuing.  “He’s already told me that he is looking forward to your presence there, so I’m assuming you’ll be in attendance.”  Rayad laughed.  “As such, I’ve made a sizeable contribution to the trust fund of the manager of seating arrangement’s daughter to ensure that we’ll be sitting together.”  Rayad smiled.  “That way, we’ll have four hours to work this out, and come to a reasonable conclusion, in which poor France does not become the victim.”

“You are unconscionable…” Marshack scoffed before sighing and continuing.  “Well, seeing that you’ve ensured that I’ll have to deal with you for the entirety of this event, I see no time why more of my day should be wasted with these unpleasantries.”  Marshack sighed, causing Rayad to laugh lightly.

“Now that isn’t a word.”  He laughed, before Marshack just scoffed and ended the link, causing Rayad to smile to himself.  “I feel so much better…”