Establishing the War Departments

Victor smiled. "Saruman, you know that since I became a marquis, I have many privileges I never had as a viscount, don't you?"

"I do," Saruman said. "You can mint your own coins, grant titles to lesser nobles, establish an Inner Court..."

Victor cut him off. "Exactly. Establish an Inner Court!"

For an instant, Saruman was beside himself with excitement. A marquis could indeed establish an Inner Court. It could not be a full court like the Grand Duchy's, complete with senior officials and ceremonial pageantry, but it was still an Inner Court.

A marquis could grant titles to Court Nobles through it and even appoint a senior civil official akin to a Prime Minister.

Saruman almost thought he was about to be appointed a senior adviser in Victor's Inner Court. He had heard that high-ranking nobles abroad employed senior advisers to help manage the various affairs of their domains. Political and military advisers alike wielded great power, and a lord might reward outstanding service by granting them noble titles. Was this his chance?

But Saruman quickly came to his senses. Even if Victor intended to appoint such advisers, Saruman would not be first in line. Chief Steward Powell was the obvious choice for political adviser, while several Regimental Commanders could serve as military adviser.

As Saruman puzzled over it, Victor continued, "I will formally establish an Inner Court, but my territory already has a fairly complete system of government. I'll improve it rather than make sweeping changes.

"There is, however, an urgent problem. Compared with a normal Inner Court, my territory lacks an institution to help me manage its military forces.

"The Operations Staff Department has made some of my work easier in wartime and spared me some effort, but it isn't an administrative body.

"So I intend to