285 AC, Lys, Temple of God, Meeting Room…
The meeting was going on at the same pace as Aemon was talking about the politics of Volantis.
"... And that is all I know about Volantis," said Aemon with a tired expression on his face as he was exhausted because of talking too much. Even the light of the torches was dimming slightly.
Gerold was contemplating over the map while others were looking at each other and waiting for him to say something. Finally, after some time, Gerold raised his head to look at the people on the table. Aemon had an exhausted expression while Raenar had a bored expression. On the other hand, Sargoso's expression has not changed since the beginning of the meeting. And… Trios was sleeping in his chair like this was a trivial meeting.
"Aemon, thanks for the information you have provided for the cause of God. I am sure God shall reward you for your contribution. However, God would be saddened for you to do all of this just for revenge. Instead, submitting yourself to God and obeying his will would be better for you so you should go to the prayer room for redemption." Gerold advised with a slight smile on his face.
Aemon straightened and bowed his head, "Of course, Your Holiness. I will go to pray, right away" He left as soon as he finished talking.
Gerold watched his walking back and then turned towards others. He searched their eyes for thought on the matter at their hands but only found a poker face from Sargoso and a tired face from Raenar.
"Raenar, are you going to be able to continue?" asked Gerold.
Raenar shook his head to wake himself up and answered with a fake eagerness, "Yes, Your Holiness."
Gerold nodded his head and said, "You both heard what Aemon said so do you have any thought about weakening Volantis either politically or militarily?"
Sargoso rubbed his hands and looked at Gerold, "It could have been if we could have converted some Tiger Guards but the Old Blood and the demon's temple have strict rules regarding religious matters in the city."
"Yes, that would be quite impossible as they already started selling the properties of the believers. Maybe we could buy a house to hide believers in the city?" Raenar was talking with his head on clouds as he was dreaming about going to bed while talking.
Gerold's eyes shone brightly for a second when he heard Raenar, "What did you say just now?"
Raenar raised his eyebrows, "Hiding believers in the city?"
"No... no, just before that." Gerold looked at Raenar then the map of Volantis.
Raenar recalled what he said and said, "I said maybe we could buy a house."
"Yes, that one! Remember what Aemon has said about owning a property?" Gerold talked vigorously.
Sargoso thought for a while then answered, "That freeborn who owns lands can vote?"
Gerold was showing an excited face and that was unlike him as he faced Sargoso and Raenar, "This is the weakness of Volantis. They give every person the right to vote in elections and they do not care about them being foreigners. We can control the elections as long as we have people who own lands in Volantis."
Sargoso scratched his beardless face and said, "Wouldn't it be impossible as they would notice the believers buying a property in the city?"
Gerold took the winecup in his hand and swirled the wine in it as he watched the little whirlpool, "Who said that we will use our people. We will use heathens but they will never realize it is us that helps them to buy a property and help in choosing who they will vote for. All they will know is that wealthy heretics are helping their poor selves."
Raenar looked at Gerold with a confused look, "Manipulating people to vote is good but wouldn't it still be heathens that would get chosen?"
Gerold answered his question with a sly grin, "Yes, for the first year it would be as you say but remember what Aemon said, even I can get run for elections… That is what we are going to do. We will put him up for elections in the second year. And those people we shall buy property in their name will be electing Aemon for us as a Triarch."
"However, we need to be careful to not get noticed. Thus, we need to slowly buy these properties." Gerold said with a strained voice and wore a nervous face, "Though the political side of the matters is as good as planned, the military side of the matters will be a bit difficult as Volantis is the headquarters of the red demon so they will be watching out for our movements. The only thing we can do will be getting some believers in the city before the invasion as sellswords. And that is only possible because Volantis could be considered a haven for sellswords."
Raenar and Sargoso both nodded their heads as they knew putting their men in the city was impossible as much as growing a pine tree in the desert so they had to accept Gerold's plan as a last resort.
"Okay then if you both have nothing to say I think it will be good for us to retire as it is nearly night and some people can't get focus enough because of the sleep taking over their eyelids." Gerold snorted as he looked at Raenar whose eyes were swooning without any focus.
Sargoso kicked Raenar with his feet and Raenar jumped up suddenly and said, "Yes, Your Holiness. That is a good plan."
Sargoso shook his head at Raenar's reaction while Gerold looked at him stoically. While all of this was happening, a snoring sound was heard in the meeting room. All three of them turned their heads to look at the source of the voice and found Trios with a bubble on his nose growing and shrinking with each snore.
Gerold sighed and said, "Raenar, get a good sleep as we have things to do tomorrow." Then, he stood up without waiting for a reply and left the meeting room to go to his bed to sleep.