The disadvantaged cabal

A single Grand Parade has plunged the Kingdom into chaos, leaving Glowing Buffalo exhausted, tortured, and humiliated, so she begs Merci the Abbess to moderate her zeal. Will the rebels succeed in overthrowing the king?

A brewing empire has become the unlikely setting for a complex power struggle that now involves the Buffle Rougeyant stable, its valuable horses, and a network of shadowy financiers. Canon Adrien, the main manufacturer behind the Buffle Rougeyant operation, answers only to Archbishop Dietrich, a man who built his fortune on a lucrative brewing empire. Dietrich's influence extends far beyond the cellar, into the very heart of the stable's affairs. Meanwhile, Godefroy de Taffin, the Taïaut horse overseer, is growing increasingly annoyed by the early parades of rival stables that have co-opted his six precious steeds. “We have finally unleashed the monstrous power of purified oats,” de Taffin announces to his peers, hinting at a decisive breakthrough that could tip the scales in his favor. In the distant kingdom of the Grand Duke of Austrasia, the Count of Moncet watches Merci l'Abbesse put on a stunning display of power, leaving her opponents speechless. The harsh winter of this season has only just ended, but the count warns that the current momentum cannot last. “The Germans cheat, deceive, lie, and hide a secret as one hides a mistress,” declared the Wolf's strategist, accusing the opposition of tyranny rather than success. He reminded his audience of the four years of relentless effort to overthrow a self-proclaimed immortal king, now stripped of his crown and plotting in the shadows.

Archbishop Dietrich, refusing to admit defeat, threatened to abandon the kingdom unless divine help arrived or the wealthy benefactor Bernie intervened. “If the Good Lord refuses to help us and Bernie refuses to support us, I will leave tomorrow,” he warned.

The wealthy Bernie, ever the opportunist, asked bluntly, “What is the reward?” The archbishop replied, “Four thousand ducats, plus double that in florins.” The deal was struck, with Bernie promising to slow the German advance, which he claimed had turned passion into oppression. Godefroy de Taffin attempted to ease the growing tensions by proclaiming, “We have found a way to unleash the power of purified oats, and soon our rivals will be forced to beg Bernie to make Red Glowing Buffalo the main enemy of the oat-based formula.” ” When Canon Adrien questioned the feasibility of this project, de Taffin retorted, “That kind fellow truly believed in it! In fact, our delays have only made the situation worse, and the year now looks like an excruciating ordeal.”