>>6131198Baphomets are not all xenophobes like your Seneschal Hanbei. Yet you remember earlier, when the <span class="mu-i">Zama</span> was first seen off the coast of Logres, a majority of the Baphomets gleefully advocated the idea of slaughtering the crew and stealing the ship. Most cared not that the ship might contain hapless and helpless outsiders in need of help nor the pleasure of trade and neighborly goodwill, but openly fantasized using it to raid other islands.
'What do honorable and glory-seeking Baphomets care of weak and lucre-loving foreigners?' or so your vassals go around proclaiming. Not one of your higher-class Baphomets showed any interest in acquiring luxuries or goods from the Romans through trade. What need do they have of jewelry, fine clothes, silver, gold, strange foreign foods, or ivory when Logres provides?
You continue as the Roman remains silent.
"With so many loyal vassals up in arms and scouring the city for the escapee, the clamor will surely create ever greater repercussions the longer it goes on. I suggest for your own sake to appease the generous and martial Baphomets of Camelot who gifted you all that well-wrought silver and fine treasures. Just a tiny bit more than whatever you think is best, enough to not cause a rift in our friendship."
Greed is insidious. This thought dominates your mind as the nostrils and eyes of the Roman flare at the notion of losing wealth to those he regards as his lesser. Never mind that you are not personally demanding anything; he clearly cannot believe you won't materially profit from the situation.
"Gifted?! Nay, tis what is rightfully due to Roma. Surely the King of Camelot realizes her lonely island on the edge of Avalon, weak and----"
The bristling of the Baphomets increases; the mention of them being weak is enough to cause some warriors at the Longship Meep table to rise up from their seats. You place a finger on your lips and breathe a quiet 'shhhhh' to the ranting envoy, and in the silence of the Great Hall, it is heard by all. You've always been a great actress; this shushing is just too dramatic to ignore. You then point down to the floor beneath your feet.
<span class="mu-r">"Remember, you are always standing on the stones of Camelot. I am its rightful ruler, and Dagda has blessed them. My dear friend, remember that blessings can turn into curses when guests are not kind and good to the host. The Gods make glorious the generous and the brave, and they shall reward you for it, as they have always rewarded me."</span>
You wonder if you're being too subtle in the threat. The Romans witnessed your sparring with the Herald Agreste, but that doesn't mean they picked up the implications or allusions you're making.
