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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 4:26:43 GMT
At the end of the tournament, Queen Chello invited Daimyo Ikegami Naozumi and his daughter and heir, Ikegami Sayoko to Christallo manner for a diplomatic meeting and an afternoon lunch. The flowers and decorations were still up from the tournament feasts and the large doors of the long hall were open, allowing a fresh breeze to pass through.
Wine, grapes, fresh caught fish and olive bread with a herb and oil spread were served for lunch, along with lemon water and honey baked figs for dessert.
Chello and a handful of other Elonese advisors met the Ikegami graciously and allowed them to eat, discuss casual topics and exchange pleasantries, before turning the discussion to business.
"As we discussed at the tournament feasts, Elon is more than willing to establish trade with the Ikegami," Chello said, "And it has come to my attention, Lady Sayoko that you wish to take one of the Elonese children here in Dovwynn under your apprenticeship. Is that so?"
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 4:37:00 GMT
Naozumi smiled and nodded, taking a sip of the wine before turning his attention fully to Chello.
"I am open to the idea of trade between our nations Your Majesty, for too long the Ikegami have sat in isolation in our mountain home, trade with Elon would allow us to interact more freely with other peoples."
He nodded to Sayoko and gestured for her to speak, her desire to take on one of the Elonese children as an apprentice was a bit strange but he'd accepted her reasoning well enough.
"Indeed Your Majesty, young Mabel has the drive and conviction to go through with the apprenticeship and considering her lack of opportunity in that regard if she stays here, I would like to give her the opportunity." |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 5:22:11 GMT
"I understand she is the daughter of a fisherman living in Donahue District," Chello said, "It's a strange choice, but Sir Bronsyn told me the same as you: that the child is bright and determined and of your generous wish to expand the horizons of a person with very few before her. Your intentions are noble and after speaking with the king and Mabel's parents, my husband and we decided to help you support the child, by sending two human tutors and a child companion from Elon with her."
Chello waved to a slender Elonese woman with dark hair and copper skin sitting close at hand, "Mara Egati is a scholar here and can teach her lessens in history and Elonese tradition, so that she will not forget her human heritage, even as Mabel embraces the the traditions and ways of the Ikegami." Chello then waved to a middle aged man with tinning hair and large brown eyes. He was dressed simply, but has an honest face, "Lewis Saint is a sword-master and a good man. He is willing to take on the roll of mentor and servant, so as to lessen the burden upon you and your people. Finally, one of her friends from the city has requested to go with her, a boy named Cecil Hollen. Mabel has approved of all this and while, I'm sure she will make plenty of friends among her elven peers in your country, those friends will mature and age differently and will not share the language and culture Mabel has known all her life. We feel that allowing her friend to accompany her would be in her best interest, as well as sending Mara and Lewis to support her learning and well being."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 5:35:10 GMT
Sayoko nodded, she didn't want to completely cut off Mabel from her culture and this would work fine. They had plenty of space in Kegosu or Shimaga-jo for these newcomers and further integration with Elonese culture would work well for them both.
"I would not object to them coming along, it would be good for Mabel to have people she could relate to more easily." she looked to the obi of her yukata, where her katana rested alongside the new one forged by Quinn, she hadn't unsheathed it yet but she could tell it was of good make and design and would be perfect for Mabel.
"Where is Mabel, Quinn has finished her katana and I'm sure she's excited to see it."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 5:38:20 GMT
"I spoke with her parents and her this mourning," Chello explained, "They are with Sir Bronsyn out in the courtyard. I can invite them in, or if you like you, Mara and Lewis can go out to them, while your father and I discuss trade negotiations in further detail."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 5:41:38 GMT
Sayoko nodded and stood, bowing once to her father then to Queen Chello before excusing herself to head outside to see Mabel, Bron and Mabel's family, they would be departing for home soon and she was not at all shy about admitting to herself that she wanted to spend more time with Bron before she left.
Naozumi watched her go before taking a sip of his wine and nodding to himself.
"I've given your offer some consideration and I feel inclined to accept." |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 5:47:05 GMT
"I'm glad you are so inclined," Chello said, taking a drink from her own goblet, "Shall we discuss amounts? How much gunpowder can you provide us with and how much will the powdermill your are constructing cost?"
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 5:51:18 GMT
Naozumi paused to double-check the calculations he had made for the costs needed before speaking.
"I believe it would cost fourteen thousand jian in gold to build the powdermill plus food for the workers coming into the city, I think that perhaps four thousand jian in exchange for twenty percent of the production?"
It was a fair bargain all things considered. |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 6:03:01 GMT
"It's a gracious offer and on behalf of my husband and Elon I am willing to accept these terms. We can even send you some of food resources for the time being. Elon has had a bountiful summer and harvest and I hear winters can be harsh in your country. Eventually, we may need to conserve our harvests more carefully, since our population is rapidly increasing, but I can guarantee food through two more seasons at the very least."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 15, 2014 6:08:34 GMT
Naozumi nodded, the harvests in his land were bountiful but winters were always harsh and having a bit of relief if even for a little bit would be welcome, he drank the last of his wine and extended a hand to shake with Chello.
"Your offer is most gracious, and humbly accepted." |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 6:36:31 GMT
Chello nodded her head. "I will have the paperwork drawn up then," she said and smiled, "It is good for our kingdoms to build up friendship. I hope we can use this friendship as a foundation for trust and many more agreements in the future. As for traditional and regular trade, Elon should be able to build a trading station by next spring."
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(( Elon provides the set amount of 4 gold, as well a a contract to provide 1 food slot up through turn 14 in exchange for two gunpowder slots from the Ikegami Clans.))
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Post by ravigen on Mar 17, 2015 20:17:13 GMT
In the aftermath of the battle for Thundercrown, Ikegami Naozumi sought out King Azlyn of Elon, the Elonese were the only trade partners the Ikegami had and their renowned rangers and espionage skill would be useful for the plans that Naozumi had been coming up with, the Wastelanders were beaten, the war was essentially over but the orcs were still out there.
The Ikegami had the manpower to seek out wastelander villages and the like but they did not have the expert trackers that the Elonese had.
As such it was mid afternoon when Naozumi sent a runner ahead to the Elonese camp and made his way there. |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 17, 2015 20:30:33 GMT
The Elonese camp was stationed south of Thundercrown and was relatively small. Horses and knights stood about tents and squires were busy repairing armor weapons dented from the battle. Save for the banner on out front, King Azlyn's tent din't stand out much from the others.
The King had had enough time to wash up and organize his tent somewhat, after getting news from the runner, but it was still rather small for receiving guests. Azlyn, however, was as friendly and warm welcoming as ever.
"Daimyo Ikegami," he greeted, meeting Naozumi outside and giving him a small bow and a large smile. "You are most welcome. I was about to go for a ride around the camps and down the river. Would you care to join me and we can discuss maters as we ride, or would you prefer a meeting in the tent?"
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Post by ravigen on Mar 17, 2015 20:35:34 GMT
Naozumi smiled and returned the bow, ever respectful to the human king who had been so friendly to his people.
"Greetings King Azlyn, it as a pleasure and an honor to see you once again, I would be honored to ride with you, I have an important matter I would like to discuss with you."
One of his aides was hanging back a respectful distance but he waved him forward and sent him off to retrieve his horse from the camp. He turned back to the Elonese King and smiled graciously.
"So the battle is won and won well, are your people in good health from the fighting." |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 17, 2015 20:54:11 GMT
"We came out of it better than could have been expected," Azlyn said, though there was a slight strain on his face, which showed that the losses of the battle had effected him more than he wanted to let on. He was a young king and the battles against Waistlanders had been his first true experience with war. The shock and horror of it all was like an invisible weight and strain upon him and something he was doing his best not to reveal to Naozumi.
"Please share some wine with me, while we wait for your horse," he offered, motioning to a servant to bring a wine skin and some goblets, "What is it you wish to speak of?"
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