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Post by saoshyant on Apr 3, 2015 15:03:11 GMT
Casomir would be lying if he said he hadn't underestimated the Queen of Elon. Though how she explained her and her husband's scheme, Casomir probably received a hint of who might be the true power on the Elonese throne.
"I'm not entirely sure what the Firetooth would think of such an arrangement, they might cancel their agreement with Hessnya all together" Casomir told the Elonese royals. "If I build my trade port in Dovwynn city, the orc merchants will simply sail to Wyvern's Landing anyway and dock on the beaches and coves around it and walk in with their goods" Casomir told them more bluntly than he would of liked. Bretka looked at him while sipping at her tea in social caution.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 3, 2015 18:56:17 GMT
Chello smiled slightly seeming amused by his description of the orcs. She took a sip of tea, then spoke, "While the Firetooth are very proud, trade is still important to them. I expect they shall be able to find it with in themselves to be reasonable about this. However, if you feel this plan would be too much of a slight against them, Elon will understand if you wish to build your rout as normal. We simply wished to explain our situation and put the option on the table."
Azlyn took a pear from the bowl of fruit on the table and rolled it in his hands, testing the ripeness. "I'm sure things will work out either way you decide, Your Majesty," he said, ready to drop the topic, "We will be brothers in arms after all. When nations have ridden together in battle and hold common faith and loyalties, the details of trade routing and the copper counting of tolls, should do little to weaken the bonds of friendship." There was a slight hint of bitterness in his tone, though it was clearly not directed toward anyone at the table.
He believed in his words, but the conflicts Elon had with the Firetooth had belied his faith and disappointed his exceptions of the Orc's honor. He was a warrior and cared little for the details of commerce and trade. The fact that the orcs had been willing to betray previously loyalty and trust and threaten war over a silly little bridge toll was nearly unbelievable to him and had injured him in a way that was unlikely to heal soon.
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 4, 2015 17:01:57 GMT
"I think it best that we not make any assumptions and just establish the route as normal. Though if the merchant fleet were to make stops at Dovwynn as they go up and down the Ryn then the Firetooth would probably be dissuaded from doing anything reckless" Casomir told the Elonese royals. He felt he was being reassuring, but maybe he wasn't the best at it.
"Indeed so though, you could almost say it would be like water under the bridge" Casomir joked and offered another of his smiles.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 5, 2015 19:55:27 GMT
Chello gave a slight smile in return, though she didn't look particularly amused. "Yes. At any rate, Your Majesty, thank you for listening to our proposal even if you don't feel it wise to accept."
"Will you be in New Byrnis this season training the Husaria?" Azlyn asked, changing the subject.
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 7, 2015 10:10:30 GMT
"I won't I'm afraid to say, but my cousin Alphred Veholsh will oversee the training along with the imperial trainers" Casomir told the King, Bretka took up a quick opportunity to help the subject change along.
"Alphred Veholsh has been named champion of the Husaria, I'm sure you'll be in good hands with him" Bretka brought a reassuring grin after a polite sip of her tea.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 8, 2015 5:30:37 GMT
"Yes, I'm sure," Azlyn said smiling back brightly. He had a nice smile free and almost roguish in a way that made him seem even younger than his 25 years and caused him seem more like a dashing artist than a king. "I road against Alphred in the jousting two years ago and was very impressed." Azlyn had come in second to Alphred's first in the Grand Tournament, but didn't seem to hold any bitter feeling about being beaten. "I look forward to getting to know him better."
Chello finished her wine. "Excuse us if we don't stay much longer. Our ship leaves with the early tide tomorrow and we need to see that everything is in order." She smiled politely to both Casomir and Bretka. "Thank you very much for seeing us. it was a pleasure to finally meet you face to face, King Casomir and and honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Bretka."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 25, 2015 22:52:06 GMT
*****
King Azlyn arrived in Wyvern's landing on a small ship. His personal guard had insisted on accompanying him, but no other troops from Elon were with him. He send word ahead that he wished to meet with King Casomir II immediately in a diplomatic venue and was willing to leave his armed guard on the ship if the King would prefer.
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 27, 2015 11:29:27 GMT
Lord Premier Volkyn Strekiir walked along the quayside with a compliment of retainers to meet the Elonese king, regardless of whether the Elonese guards came or not it didn't matter.
"Your majesty, Kin... Casomir Holsh isn't here, the Imperial city of Wyvern's Landing is no longer a part of the realm of Hessnya since our Surv-akur commander seized the city" Volkyn bowed quickly and didn't delay with explanations.
"Ki... Casomir did make certain preparations however if any vassal lords did try to stop the..." The Lord Premier looked over his shoulder's as retainers started moving nearby people further away from their meeting than they would normally. With closer inspection, the retainers weren't dressed like the normal Hessnyan garrison or rather Surv-akur troops, but plainclothes citizens. If King Azlyn saw well enough, he spotted Hekst, the smuggler who was Lord Volkyn's bannerman leading them. Perhaps these retainers were actually ex-smugglers or pirates themselves?
"Or should I say, to stop the Vaekir from spreading more lies and eroding the vassal kingdoms authority no less" Volkyn spoke more openly to the Elonese royal.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 27, 2015 17:26:24 GMT
Azlyn pushed his hair from his face as the sea wind whipped around them. He glanced at Hekst then back at Volkyn. He hadn't expected the Empire to move so quickly on Wyvern's Landing and the furtiveness in Volkyn's voice was further implication of how dangerous the situation had become for the lords and people of Hessnya. He felt terrible knowing Volkyn and everyone else in the nation were having to choose between their loyalty to Casomir and their safety and loyalty to the Empire and their faith.
"It's not like that Volkyn," Azlyn said, "Or at least I hope not. Whatever plans King Casomir made before hand, make use of them so that I may reach him." He turned to the captain of his guard, "Joao, you and the rest will stay here in Wyvern's Landing. Report to the Surv-Akur commander and put youself and your men at his service until I return."
"But your Majesty-" protested Joao Baramias, but Azlyn interrupted.
"You and your men are more than just my guard, you're also Northern Husaria. At this point, we can't be perceived as coming to Casomir's aid and you owe as much loyalty to the Empire as you do to me. Stay in the city and do what you can to help the people here, Aed willing all this will be but a temporary foray and Hessnya will return to peace and security again soon."
Joao looked like he wanted to argue more. He's spent his whole life as a faithful follower of the Veakirate and, while he was unendingly loyal to Azlyn, he didn't approve of his king's decision to come here and he certainly didn't like Azlyn going alone with some suspicious looking characters into the arms of a desperate man declared by both the Church and the Empire to be an enemy to all the faithful. However, he already argued enough with Azlyn in private and knew the King wasn't likely to change his mind now. Shutting his mouth he nodded to Azlyn then turned a burning glare to Volkyn. If Azlyn didn't return Joao Baramias was going to see to it that the someone paid for it.
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 27, 2015 19:48:58 GMT
Volkyn had little time for the guardsman, the Hessnyans weren't about to cut off one of the few avenues of diplomacy they had left.
"You don't know how wise that move was for yourself and us" Volkyn began offering a brief smile.
"Casomir left me some words for you, repeat these only to those you trust. Darkness is another light, crows are for foes and doves are for loves, we only seek redress for blood and honor are priceless" Volkyn finished, a few moments passed and the silence filled with distant boots and seagulls calls. "Casomir wasn't much of a poet" Volkyn gave a shrug of the shoulders.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Apr 27, 2015 20:31:25 GMT
Azlyn blinked slightly trying to remember the words. He mentally put it to a tune in his head, making it easier. Casomir might not have been much of a poet, but Azlyn was and he had a good mind for remembering verse, even poorly composed verses.
"I understand," he said, "I'll do whatever I can to help."
Following the instructions Volkyn and Hekst gave him, Azlyn left the city, taking only his own horse and sword up to Keir's Climb.
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