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Post by ravigen on Nov 9, 2014 3:56:26 GMT
Early in the season a small band of riders made their way into Hessnya, at their head was a tall woman in lamellar armor. Ikegami Sayoko had travelled for weeks now to reach the Hessnyan capital, prepared to meet with whoever she needed to arrange trade between the Ikegami and Hessnyans.
Her party stopped a fair distance from the gates of the city and approached at a slow, measured pace. |
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 14, 2014 11:46:45 GMT
On the other side of the north gate of Wyvern's Landing, a party was being assembled, peasants who were coming into the city alerted the guardsman on the gate and the commander to a group of elves from the north who were approaching the city. A party of men in plate breastplates and halberds were assembled and once two dozen of them were assembled did the gate commander emerge from the bunkhouse built up against the gate house.
"Stay behind me gentleman, prepare to form a square if these knife ears give us any trouble, the district commander is being informed as we speak so help will be on the way soon" The gate commander said as the gates opened and the column turned to march out of the gates, following their commander as they marched out the gate and past the earth rampart that it sat between.
The commander had his right hand on the hilt of his sword and his left on the hilt of his dagger as they approached the party of elves. Unsure exactly of what they wanted or how they marched through most of Hessnya without much news ahead of time.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 14, 2014 18:31:18 GMT
Sayoko raised one armored fist, stopping her party in place as she dismounted from her horse, handing the reins to one of her attendants and walking forward slowly to the human soldiers, one hands resting on the hilt of the katana at her belt, not gripping it but in a relaxed pose, as she stops a small distance from the soldiers.
"Greetings soldiers of Hessnya, I am Ikegami Sayoko, I come from the North and wish to meet with your commander"
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 18, 2014 18:52:05 GMT
The gate commander looked the foreign elves up and down, their armor and armaments were either a reflection of their insecurities or a reputation of Hessnya.
"What purpose brings you here Ikegami Sayoko?" The gate commander told the she-elf, the soldiers around him glanced between the elves as they stood behind their leader in grim discipline and contained apprehension.
"If you're here to talk, the Lord Premier or one of his men would be more suitable for... foreigners like yourselves" The commander continued as they stood on the dirt road between the elves and the gatehouse.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 19, 2014 2:08:17 GMT
Sayoko nodded slowly, looking from one human to another, noting their apprehension, perhaps coming armed would have been a mistake but the Ikegami never went unarmed if they could help it, to their martial tradition it was as if leaving a piece of themselves behind.
"My father, Lord Naozumi wishes to discuss the possibility of trade between our two nations for mutual prosperity." |
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 20, 2014 21:42:19 GMT
"Well then Ikegami Sayoko, you would want to speak to his majesty up in Wyverncliff" The gate commander informed the she-elf, his eyes glanced to the strange blade that she kept in her scabbard.
"If you wish to do that, then I am required by the laws of Wyvern's Landing to keep your weapons until you leave the city. That and me and my men will have to escort you up to the district, do you comply?" The commander asked in the authoritative tone he used to anyone regardless of race or gender.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 21, 2014 4:30:55 GMT
Sayoko nodded, pulling her katana from her belt and handing it to the guard, gesturing for the rest of her party to do so, they didn't like going unarmed but if that's what it took to get this trade deal going then they would do so, their duty to the Ikegami overriding any discomfort they might have felt.
"Of course, if that is what your custom demands." |
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 24, 2014 0:17:26 GMT
"Thank you Ikegami Sayoko, if you'd like to follow me and my men up to the palace" The gate commander told the she elf as they all handed their weapons to the garrison troops and walked under the stone gatehouse, wooden portcullis and between the heavy gates.
They walked the cobblestone streets of Wyvern's Landing with a few changes of the guards escorting them and malice filled stares from certain commoners from their windows or from within alleys between the buildings. Eventually though, as the people and the buildings became more affluent, so did the stigma of their presence and any ill thought become more hushed and their stares became glances.
Then in the courtyard of the palace, an immense structure of numerous circular towers dotted along the flanks of a half dozen halls, did the elves see a tired King in a linen shirt, leggings and knee high boots with a cloak wrapped around him. Beside him stood a clean shaven man, a young man, with features not too distinctly different from that of the King's.
"Greetings elves of the Ikegami clan, what brings you to Wyvern's Landing?" Casomir said not with his most convincing smile, but still some sincerity perhaps in his eyes, depending on how well you could read someone by their body language.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 24, 2014 3:02:53 GMT
Ikegami Sayoko was good enough at reading body language to get a feel for the King's mood, as the heir to the Ikegami she had been trained extensively in combat, really every member of the noble clans was required to have extensive martial knowledge and serve ten years military service, she had enough training and experience in reading the body language of the people she faced in combat.
Still etiquette demanded she give the King a respectful bow, and as she did she reached into her pouch for the letter her father had written. She held it out for him to take, deciding that getting the negotiations over with as soon as possible would be best for both parties.
"Your Majesty, I am most grateful that you would meet with me to discuss this. For centuries the Ikegami have been content with isolation in the north but due to recent events my father has decided that we can no longer stay isolated from the other kingdoms that surround us. In an effort to break this isolation my father wishes to seek trade with Hessnya for the benefit of both our peoples, both economically and politically."
Slowly they would break out of their isolation, let the people get used to the idea and gradually be more proactive in the wider political scene.
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 27, 2014 7:56:31 GMT
Casomir read the letter with limited grasp on the calligraphy used by the Lord of the Ikegami elves.
"I would like to trade with your people, however we do not have a customs house to facilitate trade over land. So unless you are willing to sail down the Saskia river past New Brynis and then dock in our port, I don't foresee an easier way of getting our merchants to each other's markets?" Casomir told the she-elf honestly.
"Your Lord also writes of political benefits for our peoples, do you know if he had anything specific in mind?" Casomir the second continued, glancing at the letter again before looking back up at the tall she-elf.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 28, 2014 19:01:34 GMT
Sayoko nodded, having expected as much from the answer though still prepared. In all honestly this was going better than she'd expected.
"Such things can be built and developed over time, my father is in no hurry to rush these developments, preferring to let things develop gradually as they may. As for political benefits, many of the other Vassal kingdoms are seeking closer alliances and friendships in an increasing divide between the North, it is my father's wish to make alliances where possible or if nothing else a common understanding of peace."
The Commonwealth on their border was always a worry and if they could find allies or at least ensure that they would not need to worry about being attacked from multiple directions were hostilities to break out it would be all the better. |
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Post by saoshyant on Nov 29, 2014 10:57:38 GMT
Casomir was only too worried about how Hessnya didn't really have many friends in the North, with a history like their's how could they. Out of all the races of the North, The Ikegami elves were the least of the potential threats the King could imagine or fathom. They needed friends just as much as Hessnya did.
"I would like to speak to your... leader, Daimyo is it? On such matters, I would like to speak with him myself so that we can... tailor it to suit our needs better" Casomir began, wanting the Daimyo to know how serious he was about this political agreement of theirs.
"If you could take a message to your father for me. Tell him after the tournament I will be glad to travel North to your capital to discuss this matter with him personally" Casomir relayed to the she-elf.
"Now though you must be worn out from your journey, we would be more than delighted to feed you and your horses before you leave us" King Casomir offered to the Elves.
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