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Post by ravigen on Sept 22, 2014 15:51:50 GMT
Athinea nods, handing the letters to Staas, "These are the letters between Cadoc and the traitor, they prove that they were in contact and that Cadoc ordered the deed done."
Still this meeting had gone better than she could have hoped for.
"We have a copy of the letters should the Vizier come asking but I put the greatest faith in the honor of the Vaekir in these matters, I thank you for your help." |
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Post by zurajai on Sept 22, 2014 18:00:50 GMT
"I shall send this to the Vaekir post-haste. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. I hope, for Jolinar's sake and your people's, that some peaceful settlement may be found. May your day fortune you."
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Post by ravigen on Sept 26, 2014 4:31:43 GMT
In the wake of her meeting with the Vizier, Queen Athinea had returned to the capital and penned a letter to be sent to Chief Priest Staas in Karmozijn Kerk, the letter was to be delivered by Tomar-Re, the temple priest. After a long journey overland and sea, dutifully avoiding Cerdigon territory, the priest had arrived at the city, passing the guards at the gate and heading to the Chief Priest's office to await an audience.
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Post by zurajai on Sept 29, 2014 6:10:09 GMT
"Tomar-Re, I have been expecting you."
The Priest had been directed outside into the gardens surrounding the Chief Priest's estate where the Chief Priest was busy writing in a ledger whilst calmly walking the numerous pathways that crisscrossed the flowerbeds. Staas lowered the book with the arrival of Tomar-Re, handing it off to one of his dutiful scribes to be replaced back on the shelf where it came from and immediately offered a bow to the Priest.
"What may I do for you, my brother?"
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Post by ravigen on Sept 29, 2014 13:55:37 GMT
Tomar-Re bowed formally before the Chief priest, a small smile on his face, he'd finally been able to come to Karmozijn Kark and it was as glorious to behold as he expected, if only he could stay for longer.
"Chief Priest Staas, I have come with a letter from Queen Athinea, asking for aid for the faithful against the Cerdigon invasion." he offered the letter to the priest, upon opening it the letter would say.
'To Chief Priest Staas
It is with the deepest respect that I write you this letter, I only wish I could come in person but as you may have heard war has begun and I am deeply involved in the defense of my people. To that end I would ask two things of the Vaekirate. The first is any aid they could offer, I worry about the safety of my people and of my ability to defend them completely from Cerdigon forces, militarily as sad as it is to admit, I can not defend them as adequately as I should, so any aid whether it be in military might or monetary aid would be greatly appreciated no matter what it is. The second request is that the Chief Priest himself might be willing to attend the trial of King Cadoc in New Byrnis next season to stand as a honorable witness to my petition." |
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Post by talis on Oct 14, 2014 21:46:23 GMT
A letter arrived for the chief priest from the north, carried by a Firetooth merchant travelling south to Juturna:
"To Chief Priest Staas of Kamijoin Kerk
From Zwerkir Claduis, Priest in the temple of St. Eliau of Aed in Thundercrown,
First allow me to express my gratitude, Honored Brother, for my appointment in the Temple of St. Eliau. The Orcs of Firetooth are a grim and violent lot, but they have accepted me without a trace of hesitation and their devotion to Aed is exemplary. Every day the temple fills with devout seeking the guidance of Aed and I am constantly called upon to officiate weddings and funerals, or bless some enterprise. The Chieftain and Elders have requested my counsel in several legal cases, and last week two Orcs requested that I officiate a duel between them. If I have any complaint, it is the Firetooth's predisposition to superstition. They continue to celebrate several pagan festivals and seem to attribute special power to certain weapon and trinkets. Some have asked me to bless their weapons, or remove a curse. I ask for your guidance in this issue, for as glad as it makes me to see these Orcs take Aed into their lives I cannot but help feel unsettled by their insistence that I bestow my authority upon such bloodshed.
I rejoice that the war in the east is over and that peace is returning to the north. Several thousand Firetooth were involved in the fighting and now return home to their Houses. However I have heard news that more than eight hundred Firetooth remain prisoner of the newly crowned King of Cerdigon and Sefti. Negotiations to bring them home are currently under way, but if it pleases you to reunite the families of the Firetooth I ask that you encourage the king to release these prisoners, as is the normal custom of war.
Time runs short. I must depart now to officiate a wedding between two Houses. I apologize for the lateness of my letter, but my new duties have left me little time to write.
Aed's blessing upon you Brother,
Zwerkir Claduis."
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Post by zurajai on Oct 16, 2014 5:26:22 GMT
The letter was soon returned to Zwerkir Claduis baring the seal of the Chief Kerkir, Chief Priest Staas:
"To Zwerkir Claduis, Priest in the temple of St. Eliau of Aed in Thundercrown,
From Chief Priest Staas of Karmozijn Kerk,
It causes me great joy to hear of your successes with the Orcs of the Firetooth: those grim warriors of the north west hold a special place in my heart. It comes as no surprise to me to hear that they have welcomed you with open arms as it is befitting their faithful nature. The temple they constructed was no doubt one of the finest constructs I have seen, labored over with the mastery and dignity I have come to expect from their people. The blessing I performed on the Temple was completely deserved. As per their predisposition to superstition, as you have wisely put it, I shall offer some advice. Though it may seem foreign to you or I it is part of their culture and as their priest it is your duty to serve them to the best of your ability. Do not offer such assistance in matters of superstition but if they are to come to you requesting your aid, you shall give it to them. In the eyes of these faithful you have the power to grant Aed's divine protection: you and I both know this is offered to all His children so why not support their belief in His greatness?
I share in your delight with the news that the war in the east has finally come to an end yet this tale of Faithful worshipers of Aed being held captive past the conflict worries me. I shall look into solving the issue personally if it is not resolved with post haste.
I wish you the best in all your endeavors, brother, and I hope that one day we will meet in person again so that you may regale me with tales of our brother orcs.
Aed's blessing upon you Brother,
Chief Priest Staas."
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Post by talis on Oct 16, 2014 5:33:48 GMT
Elder Faaruk had ridden long and hard to reach Kamijoin Kerk upon hearing news of the Imperial Edicts. Upon reaching the great mission he stopped only to clean himself and change before requesting an audience with the Chief Priest. He paced impatiently around the audience room, considering his mission and what to say.
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Post by zurajai on Oct 16, 2014 5:41:16 GMT
"Good Elder of the Firetooth," came the voice of Chief Priest Staas as the doors to his audience room were opened by two Vaekirate Guardsmen flanking the doorways, "Come in, come in. The sons of the Firetooth are always welcome here. What may this humble Priest do for you?"
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Post by talis on Oct 16, 2014 5:51:53 GMT
"Ah... You honor me, Chief Priest Staas." Faaruk bowed deeply, his movements twinged with nervousness - or was it eagerness? "I humbly thank you for your audience. I wish that I could come on a more fortuitous day, to speak with you about more happy matters." He coughed. "I have been sent by Chief Garlog and the other Elders because we have grave concerns about the recent Imperial Edicts and the behavior of the Survaekom envoy."
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Post by zurajai on Oct 16, 2014 5:54:36 GMT
"Hmm . . ." sighed the Chief Priest as he looked with sincerity at the Elder, "I have heard rumors of such things. You must tell me more details before I can do anything on the matter, of course. Tell me of this Survaekom envoy and his behavior? I am most curious indeed to hear of such things."
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Post by talis on Oct 16, 2014 6:07:55 GMT
"Admiral Selman Reyid came to speak before us demanding that we aid in the construction of an Imperial Fortress in the northern mountains." Elder Faaruk explained. "When we refused on the grounds that the Fortress was within our traditional sphere of influence and that the Vizier had agreed to leave the Firetooth to their own volition he became incensed. The man insulted our culture, honor, and Chieftain, rejected our hospitality, mocked our heroes and threatened us if we refused. When he held firm he used deception to smuggle soldiers and craftsmen through our lands to attempt to construct the fortress despite our objections."
"I know that you cannot contravene an Imperial Order." The Elder pleaded, "But before the signing of the Northern Contract we were assured on multiple occasions that our lands would be respected and that our title as Guardians of the West would not be usurped. I beg you speak to the Vizier or the Vaekir of our situation and convince the Emperor to respect the agreements made, or at the very least to recall Admiral Reyid. It is unseemly to break such words of honor."
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Post by zurajai on Oct 16, 2014 6:56:02 GMT
"Grave tidings indeed, good Elder. As you say, it is not within my power to call an Imperial Court but I will do whatever I may to heal this wound. The Firetooth are a noble and faithful people who deserve the Dignity expected by all faithful of Aed. I shall speak with the Vizier of the North and send a letter to the Vaekir speaking on the plight of your people. Together we shall find some way to repair the damage that has been done."
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Post by cerdigon on Oct 16, 2014 17:16:10 GMT
It was telling that King Aeron came first not to the Vizier but to the Chief Priest of the Vaekirate following his coronation. The King appeared every inch the humble monarch, lacking the gold jewels or other finery that could be associated with power and position. Instead, a simple circlet of gold adorned his head to act as a crown as he waited outside the ornate doors to be received. It was a curious visit and the first known petition to the church by the Commonwealth. It was also telling of the King's current frustration with the Vizier that he was seeking satisfaction elsewhere. It seemed as if it had been only days ago that both Cadoc and the Vizer had been collaborating but now the political landscape was changing rapidly. The Ikagami incursion was a massive threat to the King's newly declared Commonwealth and he wasn't about to stand idly by and allow the samurai to pose a threat to the Commonwealth's rise to power.
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Post by zurajai on Oct 16, 2014 20:16:19 GMT
King Aeron was welcomed into the Palace with little fanfair but open arms, escorted by a patrol of Vaekirate Guardsmen and one Giant Tovenaar-Akur. As was common the doors to the meeting chamber were pushed wide open, the escort directing the King inside as the Chief Priest came into view, for once not busy with his studies as he waited patiently for the arrival of his esteemed guest. His traditional smile was replaced by a somber, mirthless grin as he stood to bow to the King as soon as he was presented to him.
"King Aeron, newly crowned monarch of the Sefti-Cerdigon Commonwealth. I will be honest, I am certainly surprised to see you here of all places. Tell me, what can this Priest do for you?"
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