In 1057 after the unsuccesful
Third Cambrian War the Reetland Council rested
control of the intelligence services from the King and the military. Although the Council refuses to answer
questions regarding the new service it was observed that shortly after this occurred, an influential 'advisor' of
Southerner descent called
Giraldo starting attending the Council's meetings.
The citizens of Reetland put two and two together (perhaps making five) and ever since then those working
in intelligence have been popularly referred to as 'Giraldo's Men'.
There were many rumours regarding Giraldo (the most boring of which was that he was not a spy at all).
Some say he was just a frontman whose lavish lifestyle was meant to draw attention from the real spymaster
who lurked in the shadows. Others say he formerly ran the Varonan spy network in Reetland and was persuaded
by a huge amount of gold to change his allegiances. Warming to this theme some say also that he was a double agent
who never really left Varonan employment. In 1078 it was noted he stopped attending the Council meetings
and a few years later disappeared from public view.
In confidence, however, many on the Council will say they are very happy with the intelligence they receive
especially as it is now not spun by the military view which was always a little too pro-war. The military, however,
did not give up the right to run intelligence gathering although their efforts are supposed to be solely
concentrated on matters outside Reetland and to focus on military matters rather than foreign policy (see
Scouts and Guides). It is widely believed that they do not always
keep to this remit leading to a certain amount of tension between the two intelligence organisations.