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Post by aspenivan on Sept 7, 2014 19:07:36 GMT
Every season, the Vizier of the North Ishui Seldu publicly receives representatives of the vassal-kingdoms to respond to their requests on behalf of the Emperor. These grand receptions, located in the Imperial Fortress of New Byrnis, have a few rules:
- Dignitaries must make their cases promptly and one at a time. If one hesitates too long or interrupts before the Vizier has replied to the previous dignitary, their petition will be automatically rejected.
- The Vizier's decision to accept or reject a petition is final, unless the dignitary declares an appeal to the Emperor. Appeals may take years to go through, and the Emperor may not take kindly to being asked to resolve trivial disputes.
- Preposterous or treasonous petitions may result in explusion from the Court for any number of years, and the Vizier may report such petitions to the Emperor.
- The Vizier may declare the reception to be over whenever he deems necessary. Not every dignitary will always have a chance to speak, but those who don't will get priority at the next year's reception.
- The Vizier appreciates not being flooded with dignitaries. He will look more favorably on a kingdom whose representative he hasn't seen in a long time than one who bothers him every single year.
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 21, 2014 2:35:51 GMT
It was a rare thing for a Sylph to make a journey to the Vizier's court. The Sylph's were prone to isolationism, xenophobic when it came to outsiders, and wary of Aedek and it's religion. Unlike their Sefti cousins whom eagerly embraced the New Order, the Sylph's clung to tradition that was only a few centuries old since crossing over from the Fae Realm. For Lord Carawyn, it was a dangerous visit. Both Sefti and Cerdigon were on the brink of war, numerous times Sefti spies had brazenly attempted to bring harm to the Crown. The King had finally responded and responded decisively but in the aftermath of that bloody event, the Emperor's blessing was needed for the next stage of Cadoc's plan. He waited patiently outside the ornate doors where the Vizier would receive him, the Sylph inspecting the impeccably polished armor of the Survaekom Guardsman that lingered outside.
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 21, 2014 2:59:53 GMT
The Vizier of the North didn't keep the sylphs waiting too long. He had heard all sorts of rumors about secret wars and bloodshed in the region, and he was eager to better understand the goings about of this corner of the Empire. Not to mention, it had been a long time since Cerdigon had sent him a representatives.
The grand doors opened to reveal a hall of Survaekom red marble, illuminated by patterned openings in a dome high above. Ishui Seldu's gold and black robed form and dark, curious eyes stared at the winged fey creatures from atop a golden throne. It was simple compared to the rest of his New Byrnis estate, but regal nonetheless, a throne room but not one to rival the Emperor or any vassal-lords.
"Greetings, Lord Carawyn. It is an honor to receive you on behalf of his Majesty, Emperor Vokoryn II. What brings you to my hall this fine afternoon?"
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 22, 2014 3:33:51 GMT
'' Vizier, it is both a pleasure and an honor. '' The diplomats voice was silky smooth as he bowed low. The great doors shut, leaving the Sylph delegation outside and Sir Carawyn alone. After the pleasentries were exchanged, that tone changed. '' Troubling events have been unfolding between both Sefti and Cerdigon. Long has King Jotheim refused to acknowledge Prince Aeron's claim to his crown. He has kept King Cadoc's wife away from, despite holy vows that were exchanged years ago. My Lord approached Jotheim to ask him once more to reinstate Prince Aeron as his heir. He refused, instead sending spies and saboteurs into Sylph lands. Factions within the court responded. King Jotheim is dead, as is the Prince. Prince Aeron remains as the only legitimate heir to the crown of Sefti. We would ask the Emperor's support in our efforts to claim Aeron's right to his throne now that his grandfather has passed. '' Of course, the diplomat was keen to spin as much blame away from his sovereign as possible. Openly admitting to assasinating another monarch would not be 'Kingly'.
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 22, 2014 4:32:21 GMT
Ishui Seldu's wrinkled eyebrows rose gradually as Lord Carawyn explained his mission. He had succeeded in piquing the Vizier's interest.
"There are many rumors circling around these incidents, some quite vile," he began, lips curling into a slight smile. "Of course, it is not my business to take seriously the idle talk of barkeeps and upstart courtiers." They both knew he was lying, at least to some extent. But Seldu's choice not to pursue that side of the matter demonstrated something, a certain understanding that King Cadoc would be indebted to the Empire for overlooking the possibility of state-sponsored regicide.
"What is certain, in any case, are reports of forces mobilizing in your region. While Aeron clearly has a strong claim to the succession, the decision to go to war so soon is a grave one. The Empire can respect the young prince's claims as a valid cassus belli, and we will not interfere with your right to use force in the matter. But the Princess Athinea, by her own people's law, has a valid claim as well. As such, if you seek the direct support of the Imperial administration, let alone the Surv-Akur, you will need convincing evidence that only Prince Aeron is deserving of the his Majesty's blessing."
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 22, 2014 11:42:42 GMT
'' I'm sure the Vizier can understand as a wise man himself that time is of the essence. With war now in the air, my sovereign must mobilize his own forces to respond to Sefti aggressions. The longer we wait, the stronger the false Queen's forces grow. Already the Sefti have shown little desire for negotiation, instead crowning Athina. What evidence would the Emperor require? '' The diplomat was walking a tight rope, the advantage in the war would go to whomever struck first.
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 22, 2014 20:57:15 GMT
"As I said," the Vizier reminded politely, "the young prince's claim is just cause for the use of force, if other settlements are unfeasible. Your liege is free to go to war, if he and his son both see fit to. However, as representative of Imperial Law in the North, I cannot publicly support Aeron over Athinea while both have valid claims to the Sefti throne. For that, I would require very convincing evidence that Prince Aeron's right to inherit the crown supersedes that of the recently-named queen or her sister, who was legally designated heir by the late King if I am not mistaken.
"Without such evidence, I am afraid the Empire will have to let the battlefield be arbiter of whose claim is the strongest and most righteous."
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 23, 2014 6:26:21 GMT
'' I just hope that this false Queen Athina is as sympatheytic to the Crown as my sovereign is. She is quite devout I hear, very loyal to the Church. Aed, the one true religion, has spread like wildfire throughout the lands of Sefti. She may be more content to build temples and monuments to God then aid in the construction of Imperial forts and mines. '' His face remained perfectly blank as he stared at the Vizier, his underlying message lurking within those words. '' Of course, I understand the Imperial position on this. ''
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 23, 2014 22:18:36 GMT
Vizier Ishui Seldu stared Lord Carawyn for a long moment, eyes narrowing and neck craning forward as he examined the Sylph carefully. The noble dignitary's demeanor seemed innocuous enough, but his statement had rather bold implications...too bold for the Vizier of the North to endorse publicly.
"If Queen Athinea is truly as faithful as they say, and if the fields of honor rule in her favor, she will doubtless prove loyal to both the Mouthpiece and the Sword of Aed. I have made my decision: I recognize Prince Aeron's claim to the Sefti Throne as valid cause for King Cadoc to declare war. However, I hereby declare that the Grand Survaek Empire will remain neutral in the dispute, except as subject to overrule by his Majesty Emperor Vokoryn II. I am honored to have received you, Lord Carawyn. One of my guards will escort you out."
_________
-- Kingdom of Cerdigon has valid cassus belli on Kingdom of Sefti to bring Aeron to the throne. The Empire will not seek to prevent hostilities.
-- The Empire will remain neutral in the war; its troops will not participate in the conflict unless attacked by either party.
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Post by ravigen on Sept 23, 2014 22:39:14 GMT
Some time after the visit of the Sylph representative, a party of elves arrived at New Byrnis. The elves checked in at the gate and requested an audience with the Vizier and were quickly led to wait outside the hall to meet with the Vizier.
The lead elf, clad in heavy cloak, lowered the hood and looked around. Queen Athinea had been here once before, when her father officially swore fealty to the Emperor. It still looked just as grand now as it did then, she would have marveled at the beautiful architecture were she not here on grave business. Cadoc had to be dealt with if possible, the Vizier would hopefully be able to help in that regard.
She patiently waited for the Vizier to grant her audience. |
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 23, 2014 22:50:38 GMT
Awaiting her arrival, a party of Khaitis knights in full scale armor awaited the elven Queen. They bowed low, but not for too long, and led her through the wide doors of the Palace as they creaked open to receive her.
Once she reached the throne room, Vizier of the North Ishui Seldu greeted her with a warm smile. "Welcome to the Palace of New Byrnis, your Highness. It was not so long ago that you accompanied your father here to receive his crown from the Emperor, if I am not mistaken. It is a great honor to receive you again, albeit under much more somber circumstances. Tell me, what brings you before me today?"
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Post by ravigen on Sept 23, 2014 22:56:11 GMT
Athinea smiled though it did not quite reach her eyes and stepped forward to regard the Vizier.
"Your Excellency, it is indeed a pleasure to see you again and I wish it were better circumstances, I know that Cerdigon has already sent a representative, but I am also confident that they did not tell you the full details, specifically that my father and younger brother were murdered on order of Cadoc."
With that statement she produced a small stack of papers from her robes and offered them to the Vizier.
"These are copies of the letters diligently made by our scribes, the originals are with Chief Priest Staas and you may verify with him their authenticity if you wish. They prove that the traitor who murdered my father and brother was in contact with Cadoc and under orders." |
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 23, 2014 23:10:57 GMT
The black-and-gold robed Vizier lifted his hand out sideways, and a scribe quickly but quietly proceeded to carry the documents over to him. Seldu took several minutes to carefully read over the correspondence, visage growing more pained with every sentence. Finally, his gaze looked back up to meet the Queen's.
"We in New Byrnis hear all sorts of rumors from every corner of the North, but it is rare that we receive any evidence to confirm one, let alone one so scandalous as this. However, this vile act does not seem to exist in isolation: We have good reason to believe that agents of King Jotheim waged a war of rakes on Cerdigon in multiple unseemly secret maneuvers. Is this true?"
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Post by ravigen on Sept 23, 2014 23:17:05 GMT
Athinea nods, not wanting to lie to the Vizier and not really proud or happy with her father's actions in any event, especially considering they had gotten her younger brother killed.
"Sadly yes, my father was a man ruled by his hatreds, our conflict with Cerdigon goes back many years. But he did these actions on his own initiative, I only became aware of them after his death."
She resisted the urge to pace, admitting to her fathers misdeeds was the honorable and noble path to take but she feared it would bring the Empire down on her head.
"What my father did was wrong, I acknowledge that, but in the same vein Cadoc took justice into his own hands, he didn't even limit his retribution to my father either, Jolinar was innocent, an adolescent who did not deserve to be murdered." she paused, closing her eyes as a memory of teaching Jolinar to read flashed through her mind, she steadied herself and continued.
"My father paid for his actions though he should have been brought to task by Imperial law, and Jolinar was innocent of any wrongdoing, the fact that Cadoc went through with this on his own initiative shows what he thinks of Imperial law." |
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 23, 2014 23:27:16 GMT
"The correspondence proves only that the dishonorable traitor poisoned a bottle of the king's favorite wine, under orders to murder Jotheim." The Vizier's eyebrows pressed together in an expression half-quizzical and half-conclusive. "The young boy, however tragic and cruel his death, does not seem to have been the target." He paused for a long moment.
"Then again, the methods employed were certainly indiscriminate, even careless. If your mention of Imperial Law implies that you wish to bring King Cadoc to trial, I would assent to preside over it in temporary capacity as Imperial justice. What charges, exactly, would you be leveling against the Sylphan lord?"
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