Horst Manor...
The mayor of Sapphire City, Ford Horst was having a meeting with the other members of his council which were no more than those you are already familiar with (Darryl and Marlon Edgar, and Edvard Krast) and some newcomers who were mostly those who had only recently become Blessed Families.
Anyway, the topic of the meeting at the moment was whether or not they should continue to pay Tribute to the Barony and that was an issue they were able to get past quickly as they all agreed on independence.
They did not wish to be under the Barony anymore and any further payment of Tributes would be against that cause.
Then came the other issue which was the retaliation from the Barony.
No one outside of the Barony would assist. Not even the county.