In Lys, inside a vast, sprawling palace, the members of the city's Governor's Council sat around a round table in the great hall, their faces grim.
Lansono Hane, the First Governor of Lys, had graying hair. Holding both hands against the bridge of his nose, he said gravely, "Gentlemen, word has come from the Disputed Lands. The Easterner attacked without declaring war and has already led his army to seize the Outpost Tower and the Gray Hills mining area. What should we do next?"
Governor Moredo Otis, a council member, pounded the table in fury, making the silver cups ring. "That savage Eastern bastard! They desecrated Pantera and piled the heads of three thousand brave warriors of the Cat Company on the Central Heights. The cat goddess will bring down divine punishment..."
This nobleman worshipped one of the deities of Lys, Pantera, the cat goddess.
The founder of the Cat Company had also been a follower of this Lysene deity.
Treg O'Morren glanced sideways, a flicker of impatience crossing his handsome face, and interrupted Moredo. "Enough. The Cat Company has been wiped out. The greatest problem now is our estates and lands. Do not forget that besides iron ore, we also possess extensive plantations and farms in the Disputed Lands. Our wine, perfume, and carpets all come from there. If we do not want our wealth to vanish, we must defend those estates and lands."
Governor Denaco, sitting beside Governor Moredo, nodded. "Letters from the Disputed Lands three days ago indicated that the Windblown, the Broken Flag Company, the Long Spear Company, and the Maiden’s Men have all accepted our contracts and are coming from elsewhere..."
Moredo's voice suddenly rose, filled with shock and anger. "The Maiden’s Men? Damn it, Denaco, you know how foul their reputation is. If we