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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 3:06:57 GMT
Jarl Tholarg had sent an invitation to lord Naozumi to meet with him at one of the nicer inns in the city. The messanger indicated to jarl had a proposal to discuss with the Daimyo. A private room was set aside for the meeting with a well stocked drinks cabinet and comfortable chairs. There were also a small tray of sweets off to one side for light snacks.
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 3:12:52 GMT
Naozumi had been curious of the purpose of the meeting and had accepted, agreeing to meet the Jarl in the private room. He bowed his head in polite greeting to the Jarl as he entered and took his seat.
"Jarl Tholarg, you wished to speak with me?" |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 3:27:03 GMT
"Yes, I would like to first say how impressed I've been by your family's performance in the Tournament. Your bought with you brother was impressive. And your daughter is a fine fighter as well. I was thinking of brokering an alliance between our kingdoms." The Jarl gave a winning smile. "My brother is a fine commander and a great warrior, but he's a bit of a drawn blade if you understand my meaning. I think he'd benefit from the perspective that having a family would bring. Your daughter is a strong woman and seems to have a level head about her. I think they would be a good match."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 3:37:08 GMT
Naozumi straightened in his chair, considering the proposal, Gudrik was a skilled fighter and able commander but it was like Tholarg said, he had nothing to temper his anger, which he was sure Sayoko could do but there were doubts. Gudrik's actions against the Elonese had been offputting if nothing else and the man had shamed himself in Naozumi's opinion by crucifying the noble to the tree. Naozumi had sympathized and agreed with Gudrik's actions till then.
"It is certainly a worthwhile proposal but Gudrik's actions in his duel with Sarvo and pinning him to the Elonese's sacred tree were dishonorable if nothing else, many of my Samurai would be repulsed by such actions and I tend to agree. Marrying him to my daughter could potentially cause unrest among my men and I agree with them." |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 4:07:11 GMT
Tholarg turned towards the tray and with great care picked a single pastry and popped it into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. "There is a considerable faction in my kingdom that wanted me to attend the tournament with all my banners and burn the city to the ground. They are not pleased that my brother choose to come here to only punish one man. And if King Azlyn had handed him over for justice under Jotun law he would have been crucified, any jotun found guilty of poisoning would face the same fate.
Azlyn demanded that we either allow the man be tried under Elonese justice or that Gudrik fight him in a duel. While I agree that nailing him to that over glorified piece of timber was in poor taste I know my brother is good man. What is the saying? 'to err is mortal'. My brother made a poor decision, a gaff of some magnitude. And the King has declared him banished from these lands after the tournament for it. From what I can tell my brother will abide by that.
Duty is more important than honor sometimes. From the little my brother is willing to dicuss he thinks his duty was to see that his men's killer faced jotun justice regardless of his personal cost."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 4:21:53 GMT
Naozumi nodded, taking and eating one of the pastries, giving the matter thought, Tholarg had a point, he did understand and appreciate the idea of duty over honor. The prospect of an alliance between the Ikegami and the Jotun was a beneficial one but he still wasn't sure about accepting.
Sayoko would go along with whatever decision he made, he knew that even if she didn't like it, she would go along with it. But he wanted her to be happy, with their longevity elves would be with their partners for a long time, and while Giants didn't live as long they still had a considerable lifespan, he had no desire to send his daughter into marriage with someone she might not like and would be forced to spend decades of life with.
"I certainly see your point Jarl Tholarg, though I will need time to think on it, and to talk to my daughter about it, as my heir she has every right to be privy to what is being discussed and have her input into it." |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 5:08:53 GMT
"I understand and I appreciate your willingness to hear me out on this matter."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 4:11:31 GMT
As the days of the Tournament came to an end, Ikegami Naozumi would seek out Jarl Tholarg to speak in private.
"Jarl Tholarg I have given your offer some thought and sought the input of my daughter herself and I am afraid that at this moment it is not an agreement either of us are willing to make."
He paused to give the Giant time to take in his statement before continuing.
"However we have recently found a second saltpeter vein and if you are still interested in an alliance I would be prepared to offer you 20 percent of the saltpeter mined in exchange for an alliance between our two peoples." |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 15, 2014 4:14:14 GMT
Tholarg Scratched his chin thoughtfully at the offer. "And what would the terms of this alliance consist of?"
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 4:16:59 GMT
Naozumi would have shrugged were he a less dignified man.
"A pact of non-aggression for starters but considering the territory involved that should hardly be an issue but this pact would have to extend to trading partners and close allies, beyond that we could work out mutual defense should either require assistance. Beyond that we can negotiate more as needed." |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 15, 2014 4:50:00 GMT
"For a Mutual defense pact we would require more. Since it would seem that you wish us to act as a check to the commonwealth, who we trade with and posses no threat to us. For that i would require 40% of one mine's output." Tholarg was smiling but it was the determined smile of the bargaining table. "And we'd require it from the mine you will have open and working this coming season. In return I will be willing to reimburse you 20% of the cost to establish the powdermill you will need to build. I could have the payment on route at the first of the new year."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 4:56:25 GMT
Naozumi nodded, an agreeable transaction if nothing else, the Commonwealth would be kept in check further relations with the Jotun could be pursued later.
"Agreed, we will supply the gunpowder upon the new year if that is agreeable." |
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Post by ravigen on Apr 15, 2015 4:40:27 GMT
Early in the season, Ikegami Yukimura took a boat to the Jotun homelands, his intention was to negotiate a treaty of trade with the Ikegami allies via the Elonese, the venture would hopefully expand the economic options of both their kingdoms as well as bring them closer together as allies.
This was why as he stepped off the boat and onto the docks in the Sail Quarter, dressed lightly, the weather was slightly chilly but compared to home it was a hot summer, he made his way to the Jarl's hall. |
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Post by Vaklu on Apr 15, 2015 11:14:44 GMT
Yukimura would be presented to the Jarl in the palace throne room. "Greetings friend how can i help you this day?"
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Post by ravigen on Apr 15, 2015 18:23:07 GMT
Yukimura bowed before the Jarl, beyond the initial talks at the Tournament the Jotun and Ikegami had met little, the island's natural barrier and the Commonwealth had simply made traveling difficult but now with Elon's alliances that could change.
"Honorable Jarl, I know it is late but I bring congratulations on behalf of my family for the birth of your son, my father wishes to convey an offer of trade between our two nations. As we speak my father is in Dovwyyn to negotiate with the Elonese to build a trade port in their city for the purpose. Knowing the lack of wood plaguing the Clans, it is my father's wish to offer you two tons of good lumber in addition to whatever is necessary to facilitate easy trade." |
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