A blatant Alfred Packer ripoff
Brief Reprieve
Uppland, Sweden September 7, 1068
"...So I guess that's it for the day, unless anyone has anything else?"
"Wait, your Majesty!
The war's over! We won! We brought back the lords of Hälsingland, Meddlepad, and Ångermanland to surreder!
Bring the defeated in, Ake! And make sure they kneel before the Most Reverend Duke Erik!
(Ake just sighs as he leads in three more men)
"All right, everyone. Introduce yourselves so we can get these negotiations started.
"I am Kolbjörn of Medelpad, count of, er, Medelpad.
Let me just say that I will not kneel before your Grace, nor anyone else who is not man enough to fight me himself.
Instead I will demand that you let me go, and pay for the damages your army has..."
"Gustav, kill this man"
"Aye, your grace. Guards!"
"What, you can't seriously mean...
Hey wait, unhand me! Where are you taking me?!
What, No! You ca-"
"Anyone else object to surrendering to me?"
"Er, I was just about to say that I, Björn av Hälsingland, count of, well, Hälsingland, officially surrender all my land and titles unto you.
I'm going to retire to do something safer, like hunt bears as a peasant."
"Good to hear that someone in this room has some sense.
What about you?"
"Er, ah, yes. Ahem.
I am Chief Thord of Ångermanland. You can have it. Really.
I'm gonna go move to Finland or something now, just so I never have to run into you Christians again."
"Whatever, as long as I have your lands.
Well, Ake, Tolir, you both did a great job. Now, let's take a look at my new lands."
Tolir unrolls a map
"As you can see, the lands you asked us to take for you are now yours. Except, well...
I was wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Can I have one of the new provinces?
I fought really hard, and most of the pretty lasses in my own lands got married while I was away.
Please, your Exaltedness?"
"Oh very well, you may have Hälsingland, I guess.
Anyway, we need to start planning phase 2 of the operation, in which we invade Lappland and Västerbotten.
And by plan, I mean go do it while the army is still mobilized..."
"Now this sounds relevant to my interests.
Tell me, Erik. Will you be joining us this time?"
"Why, hello, your majesty! What an unexpected surprise!
Yes, of course I'll go on campaign with you!
(Erik muttered the next under his breath)
Even if it will be just to see if I can make something unfortunate happen..."
"Ah, excellent! Then we will set out at once!"