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It had been several days since Renna had read through Jester's plan. It was risky, a little desperate, and relied on some useful happenstance which might or might not happen.
So, it was actually better than a lot of their plans. They'd probably even get about halfway through before they needed to improvise this time. In the meantime, there was ice cream.
The Baroness Clara de Cardona was a wonderful host and an ardent supporter of her people. Of course, since the King demanded such large tributes from his subjects, and she refused to take more than her people could spare, that meant that the fiefdom was basically broke. They had their needs met, though, and in the summer heat a frozen treat made from local cows was the best thing any of them could ask for. Conversation passed idly, until a messenger burst through the door.
"My lady! A visitor from the King requests an audience!"
"So soon after their last inspection? Very well, show them in." As the messenger bowed his way out, she turned to Renna and Jester. "My apologies ser knight, good fool, but I must attend this matter."
Renna cleared her throat. "My Lady, pray, let me accompany you. If the King has words for you, I would hear them, and I would be remiss in my duties if I were to leave your side."
The Baroness looked surprised. "Oh! Well, I can hardly refuse such a request. Let us away."
Renna and Jester shared a look on the way out. Ah, happenstance.
The visitor was a rather pompous person, dressed in fine fabrics and with much gold jewelry. "My Lady, you must understand, the last set of tribute you sent back to the capital was simply... lacking."
Renna's eyes sized them up while the queen spoke. "I don't know what you mean, good fellow. I gave the King all that he asked for. I can give no more than my people have!" She was starting to sweat, and Renna didn't think it had anything to do with the heat. She waited patiently by the Baroness's side.
"Ah, but have you really been collecting properly from your peasants? Along my travels here I saw what seemed to be plenty of the fruits of their labor." The Baroness's hands tightened on the throne's arms. "If you require additional guards to take the King's due, I'm certain HANGED_MAN would be willing to provide." The visitor positively leered at the Baroness, and Renna's fists itched.
The Baroness made to reply, but Renna didn't hear it, because the signal she'd been waiting for flashed in the corner of her vision: "Isolated! Do it now!"
Before the visitor could blink, Renna was across the room and bouncing their head off the stone floor. The Baroness shouted in alarm, but Renna didn't stop, making sure they were knocked out, then quickly frisking them and handing the few electronic devices on their person to Jester, who had materialized at her side.
"Alright, one King's Hand, all trussed up for you."
"Aw, you do love me."
"What is the meaning of this?!" The Baroness stood behind both of them, her face a mixture of shock and awe.
Renna turned to the Baroness. "Sorry, my Lady, but we've drafted you into our plan."
Jester grinned. "On the plus side, you won't have to worry about tribute for much longer!"
