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Post by saoshyant on Nov 24, 2014 19:53:49 GMT
"Well, I'm sure my King would like to discuss that some time in the future. Though for the time being, he'd probably just like to see what architectural style of the building you intend to use the stone for, being such a learned architect" Volkyn responded to the Elonian King with a smile and swayed the curve of his lips to the Queen, making it clear he is speaking to them both.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Nov 24, 2014 20:15:00 GMT
"Now that we have the stone, there's all kinds of projects Elon intends to put underway," Azlyn said, "The church has given us permission to build a reliquery and Chello has been discussing plans for a bridge over the Ryn River with Ishui Veliu, who's agreed to come down from New Byrnis to work with us."
"She did some work in Hessnya not so long ago, am I right?" Chello asked politely, "We heard that the new Imperial district in Wyvern's Landing is quite impressive."
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 27, 2014 15:49:21 GMT
"Uh Yes you are, though the imperial district was planned out by his majesty himself, she planned out the design of the grand palace in Wyverncliff before she left" Volkyn responded to the Queen.
"It's good to hear though that Hessnyan stone will be used to rebuild vital infrastructure to the North" The Lord Premier said to the Monarchs of Elon with an grin.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Nov 29, 2014 19:00:21 GMT
"Indeed," Azlyn said, then glanced around, "If the negotiations are all settled, we should celebrate. Let's have some wine brought out."
He went to the door and called to a servant to bring the best wine then added that they should fetch his fiddle as well.
Chello glanced at Volkyn then over at Azlyn, "The lord Premier also mentioned King's Casomir's interest in establishing a defensive pact," Chello said, "I didn't want to make any decision on such matters without consulting you."
"A defense pact?" Azlyn asked still standing over by the door, "As kingdoms under one empire, we already share the common defensive of the state," he cocked his head curiously, "But I suppose I'd be open to forming stronger alliances."
Wine was brought out. A rich red, made from the best Ayvon vines and well aged with a hint of cherry added to the mix. Azlyn took a cork screw from his pocket, as he brought it over the the table.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 29, 2015 0:31:44 GMT
On their way east to New Byrnis, King Azlyn's Queen Chello's ship stopped at the harbor of Wyvern’s Landing. The queen she sent word ahead to Kier’s Climb with a warm greetings and a request to speak with King Casomir II, or a suitable representative, before continuing on their journey.
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Post by saoshyant on Mar 29, 2015 22:46:53 GMT
Word had reached the arrival of the Elonese royals, the king of the Hessnyans was still in Wyverncliff and quickly were preparations made for their meeting. The Elonese ship was directed to Vek Harbour's royal quay, where finely crafted chairs and tables were placed out and carpets were rolled over the bare stone of the quay.
Servants who had laid the quay out were soon replaced with better dressed servants with trays of imported fruit slices, boweled collections of salad, layers of cold meats and various liquors procured from a cellar not an hour before.
Casomir paced on the fresh carpet, the usually patient king was caught up in the rush of preparation that he nearly arrived at the quay a half hour early.
"Your majesty, you're starting to carve a trench in the stone with your boots" said the young woman sitting gently on one of the half dozen chairs. Casomir turned quickly as if extracted from a distant thought, the brunette woman looked at him with a sleek smile but Casomir could only press his lips together in a worried frown.
"I think I know why they're here Bretka, that's what has got me worried" Casomir told the daughter of the newly titled Lord Ennor Vissegard of the newly built village of Snowcross on the northern border. King Casomir took a shine to the woman, offering her an apartment in the palace in Wyverncliff and relented when Bretka asked to accompany him to meet the Elonese royals.
Now though they waited for their ship to dock with the quay and disembark to have this meeting the Elonese wanted to have.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 30, 2015 2:16:35 GMT
Chello and Azlyn met him at the quay dressed in travel clothes rather than the formal attire usual for diplomatic court. their guards and attendants remained on the ship and only the King and queen disembarked to be presented to King Casomir. Azlyn bowed and Chello curtsied. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice your majesty," Azlyn said, "We hope it wasn't an inconvenience. My wife and I hope to continue on are way east by tomorrow morning."
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Post by saoshyant on Mar 30, 2015 17:52:14 GMT
Casomir and Bretka both bowed to the Elonese as well as the servants and teeth guards that stood on various points along the quay. "Think nothing of it your majesties, it's an honor to have you here while we can" Casomir grinned to both the royals. "The palace staff are preparing your accommodation for your stay in Wyverncliff by tomorrow, though for the time being we have prepared all manner of beverages and appetisers if you'd both like to take a seat" Casomir waved a hand to the laid out seats and tables.
Bretka managed to keep a polite smile across her face as they all took a seat and had their drinks poured into relevant glasses or cups. "Now though, what brings you highnesses here to Hessnya?" Casomir asked Azlyn and Chello together but expecting an answer from one or the other.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 30, 2015 19:02:56 GMT
Chello and Azlyn sat, "Thank you," Azlyn said, returning Casomir's smile. "There's actually a number of things we would like to discuss," he said, "Though if you don't mind I'd like to start with simple business. As you have probably heard the Veakirate has sent out a decree requiring nations to build temples and schools and Elon is looking to buy the stone necessary for such noble endeavors. Since we have traded with you for stone in the past it is our hope to do so again."
Queen Chello let Azlyn do the talking, as she sipped her wine. She did eye Bretka, with some curiosity taking in her dress and manner around King Casomir, but she said nothing, only giving a slight smile.
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Post by saoshyant on Mar 31, 2015 12:17:00 GMT
"I have heard the Vaekirate's stern demands for such measures" Casomir informed the Elonese royals, taking a sip of the herb liquor he had brought to the quay. "His majesty commissioned a library school to educate in all manners, hopefully just outside of the city" Bretka spoke what might of been out of place, though both she and Casomir smiled.
"Regardless, I believe we worked out a price for such exchanges a while ago. Just say how much you require and have 1,000 jien for each unit of stone once they have shipped to your port" Casomir told the Elonese royals, what was intriguing to the King was what else the King and Queen of Elon had in store in way of diplomacy for Hessnya.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 31, 2015 18:46:04 GMT
"Excellent," Azlyn said smiling widely, "We would like to purchase 5 units on stone, if you have that much available." The king took drink from the wine and then helped himself to some of the fruit that had been set out.
'I would also like to talk to you about the Northern Husaria," Azlyn said, "I'm actually on my way to New Byrnis with 2000 of my men to train there and I heard you are the Empire's first choice as leader."
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 1, 2015 15:47:09 GMT
"Your majesty, I'm up to my eyes in stone. By the time you're both back home it'll be waiting for you on the docks" Casomir chuckled as he lifted his foot up to his knee and relaxed in his chair.
"Well, I'm not only the first choice, I've already been named the Grandmaster by the late Vizier. Regardless of that though that's very good to hear, if the Emperor speaks with me at the Vizier's funeral, it'd be nice to give him some good news" Casomir would gladly take the opportunity to add a bit of good news to a generally melancholic event.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 1, 2015 17:46:51 GMT
"Congratulations on the appointment!" Azlyn said, "It will be an honor to serve under you, I'm sure. I heard the Husaria are to be modeled after the historical warriors of Hessnya. It seemed to be a worthy order and I'm eager to learn more."
Queen Chello seemed a little less enthused than her husband. She didn't really like the idea of Azlyn being under the command of a king from another nation, even if Hessnya and King Cassomir were good allies of Elon. Softly she cleared her throat. "Before you discuss the details of the Husaria, my Dear, could we speak with the King about that last matter?"
Azlyn frowned, apparently he didn't really consider the last matter something of much worth compared to the horses and war training of the Northern Husaria, but he nodded to her.
Chello leaned forward slightly. "We have heard that emissaries from the Firetooth Clan have recently visited you. Forgive us if we seem overly inquisitive, but was it over the matter of trade, your Majesty? A rout between you nation and the clan would pass through Dovwynn city so we have some interest in the matter, if only in regards to traffic management and the security of passage."
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 1, 2015 20:08:22 GMT
Casomir played humble as Azlyn congratulated him and complimented Hessnyan militant culture. Then the inquisitive pursuit of his meeting with the Firetooth delegation weeks earlier. It was only natural, Casomir thought, the tension between the Elonese and the Firetooth was felt in Hessnya like the heat of a burning building. The Elonese wanted to test him to see if he was going into the said building through the wrong door.
"Yes it was trade that they came after. In the next season Wyverncliff will see the new construction of a new trade port and then the Hessnyan merchant fleet will sail up the Ryn to their city and them the same. Your nation will still have it's trade agreement with us and no doubt you patrol your stretch of the river just as well as the Firetooth do" Casomir gave a reassuring tone as he spoke, Bretka complimented it with a warm smile of her own.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 1, 2015 22:52:20 GMT
Chello could see that Casomir sensed the tension growing between Elon and the Firetooth and that he was careful when he addressed the issue, she tried to put him more as easy by giving a pleasant smile, "Oh we had no fear for our agreement with Hessnya, your Majesty," she said, "We have always been good neighbors, Elon was actually hoping to make you an offer in regards to your planned rout with the Firetooth, which will only strength the rout between our two nations."
"You may be aware that the Great Bridge in Dovwynn is a draw bridge over the Ryn and by permission from the Empire we have been taxing trade that passes under it, for the sake of bridge maintenance and security. It isn't a very high tax, but the Firetooth have chosen to take it as a personal umbridge against their national pride that we should dare to charge commercial tariffs in our own lands. For the sake of national peace, we are considering setting this tariff temporally aside until this matter can be properly settled by the Empire or the appropriate delegates. This being the case, my husband and I feel it would be unfair of us to charge you, our good friend and ally, a tax which we aren't charging the Firetooth. But on the other hand, ignoring it twice over will only fuel the Clan's resistance to our control over the Ryn."
Chello swirled her wine contemplatively. "I hope you can understand this predicament, Your Majesty. More than money or passage of trade, this conflict boils down to dominance and the orc nation's tendency to feel the right to force its neighbors to conform to Firetooth traditions and views of justice. We can not afford to be totally overrun by their dictations, but neither can we afford to temp them to war at this point."
"Really we don't mean to drag you into any of this," Azlyn cut in looking uncomfortable and rather annoyed with Chello for making such a big deal about this with their host.
Nodding slightly Azlyn, Chello continued, "After some thought and deliberation, King Azlyn and are willing to make you an offer, which I think will solve this problem and be agreeable to all sides. You mentioned that you shall be building a new trading port in order to do business with the Firetooth. We would like to invite you to build your new port in Dovwynn City. Your merchants already do business there and your agents would be allowed complete autonomy, assuming they follow all regular Elonese laws. From the port in Dovwynn your merchants may conduct your trade up the Ryn with the FIretooth as if in your own county. We won't charge you the Bridge tariff and will even provide the food needed to upkeep the port. If you ever end your business with the Firetooth and have no more need of the port, we will be willing to buy it from you at the cost of the construction. In this way you and the Firetooth can conduct business as normal, avoiding the Bridge tariff. However, by building in Elon's capital you will support Elonese commercial interests on the southern Ryn, and strengthen the rout we already have set up between Elon and Hessnya."
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