Petitions to the Vaekir

Staas pressed his chin into his open palm as he watched the young King bow before him. Staas was not one to hold a grudge yet this boy was hardly deserving of his benevolence. He was, however, quite accurate with his claims about the land granted to the Ikagami, given to them by the Vizier of the North with no attempts made by Imperial Forces to quell the problem themselves. That and the recent Jotun raids had certainly put the Vizier in a certain light for the Chief Priest. But he could not simply bless such an action so readily. It would not due to allow a state taken in a war viewed as unjust by the Vaekirate to simply wage another war.

"Your motives seem noble, King Aeron, but I must speak plainly. The Vaekirate and the Commonwealth have never had any terms. This is the first we have spoken with such a "Commonwealth". Do not forget that but a year ago there was no such unified nation. Our Vaekir, His Holiness Koen I, was strictly opposed to the actions of your father; the majority of the Chief Priests as well, myself included. But, as you say, you are not your father. Though Waentaer was punished for his brutality, his son Yvor was given the chance of redemption: so to will you. You will build a temple in the city of Cerdigon to prove your faith to the Vaekir; upon it's completion you shall raise a force in the name of Aed, accompanied by forces of the Vaekirate provided by your local Kerk. You shall take as much of the previously Sultanate land in defense of the faithful there. If this is done in an acceptable manner, these lands will need a guardian to protect them as they are brought back into the fold. Are these terms acceptable?"

Lord Carawyn had been waiting at the court of Chief Priest Staas since the army had marched on it's grand crusade. His fingers eagerly unwrapped the message that the raven had brought. The city had fallen and the Commonwealth was firmly in control of it. Well, at least until the Vizier and his Legions arrived. It was with these tidings that Carawyn found himself infront of Staas to discuss the fate of Mog Bhelnom (after of course waiting to be allowed inside for his audience).

'' Many glad tidings Your Holiness. The heritecs city has fallen and the blasphemous Nazram Golmor has been brought low. '' Carawyn said, beaming. '' Now that the city has fallen, the King wishes for me to act as his envoy in discussions for its future. '' There were still ten thousand heavily armed Commonwealth soldiers within the city walls whom had suffered enormously for it. '' King Aeron has proposed the following: Mog Bhelnom will belong to the Vaekirate and fly under it's banner. In exchange, the King would request that in order to further the Commonwealth's commercial reach that he be granted one district in the city that will fall under his control. '' Lord Carawyn paused, attempting to gauge Staas on his receptiveness. The Vaekirate could be cruel. Aeron was under no illusions that the Vizier would not allow him to keep control of the city, it would make the Commonwealth far too powerful...but if it could be turned into a bastion of the Faith then both the Vaekirate and the Commonwealth could achieve their objectives quite nicely.

'' As you know, many thousands of Commonwealth soldiers were martyred taking the city. The King would request monetary compensation to replace his losses or the rights to Mog Bhelnom, in addition to the bounty for Nazram Golomor. '' The last bit might prove controversial but Staas had proved himself a reasonable man in the past and Carawyn was hoping that the Chief Priest would have no reason to alienate his newfound ally now that they both had achieved their objective.

"Lord Carawyn, it is good that you have come. On the matter I have already received proper warrant from the Vaekir. The city will belong to the Vaekirate with one district modified to be a seat for a High Priest to watch over. A second district will be offered to the Commonwealth not as property but as a tool to rebuild the economy of the region. Do with it what you will. Finally, a third district is to be offered to the Empire as a military outpost so the defense and security of the region might be accomplished by both powers working together. As per your request for an additional payment I, sadly, am unable to help you. The Vaekir has already dispensed an extra five thousand jien to all lords who participated in this Holy War for their quick and decisive action. Added to the extra district and the three thousand jien you are receiving for the Warlord's capture the Vaekirate cannot give anymore. The forces of Juturna suffered a great deal as well, as you know."

---

The reaction to Azlyn's request was swift. Without even speaking with the Chief Priest the King was provided with an escort immediately accompanied by five Tovenaar trained in the ways of medicine and healing lead by a Beg Gurhim Master Tovenaar by the name of Abdur-Rashid. 

"Take me to her, King of Elon, we shall not let your wife die under our watch."

Chief Garlog, Elder Ukhmar, and Elder Rugmar arrived in Karmozijn Kerk with relatively little fanfare. They came with an escort of twenty or so retainers and very few courtiers. They came armed, for sure; no Firetooth leader was worthy of respect if he could not hold his own in battle and defend himself. It would have been odd for them to roll in with a great court for their petition, but it was equally strange to see three of the most influential leaders of a nation arrive at the mission without any pomp and ceremony.

They came to the Chief Priest's antechamber the next day without weapons or armor. Instead, they wore fur hides and linen cloth, clothes meant for peace rather than war. With them was a single orc carrying a bound wood-and-iron box.

The three bowed together to Staas, two somewhat awkwardly. Garlog had not bowed to anyone since becoming chief, and Elder Rugmar disliked doing anything in unison with Garlog. This was, however, no time for internal politics. The decision had been made, all that remained was to carry it out.

"Greetings your holiness." Garlog began, again somewhat more tame than his usual diatribes which were so full of calculated aggression. "It is an honor to visit your presence for the first time. We have brought with us a small gift, a fraction of the tithe the emperor demands every season. It is the least amount we can offer." The forth orc stepped forward, placing the bound chest upon the ground and opening it. Hundreds of gold coins glittered inside (1 Gold)."

"Elder Ukhmar, Elder Rugmar and I come with a petition for your judgement. Aedekom has grown greatly in our lands and become central to our laws and traditions, binding us together into a strong whole. In order to recognize this we wish to host a High Priest for our nation, to pass judgments and dispensations among us. As an impartial lawspeaker and mouthpiece of Aed he would gain a permanent position among the Council of Elders, with all the rights and privileges included. We would of course build a suitable seat for the High Priest - a great cathedral in the heart of Thundercrown."

"It is our privilege to bring glory to Aed." Garlog said, regaining a little of his aggressive, triumphal twinge. Not towards Staas of course, but hosting a High Priest would be a major political win for the Firetooth. "We expect the cathedral to be complete in three seasons.

"As a welcome to the new High Priest we would like to throw a grand festival on the summer solstice. It would be a time to celebrate the speak of Aed's word and consecrate the cathedral in his name. We would be honored if you were to accept our invitation to attend the festival as an honored guest."

Before returning home after the Grand Tournament Jarl Tholarg made a slight detour to the holy city. He sent a messenger ahead to ask for the high priest's indulgence and requested an audience. The letter stated he would wait at the docks for the answer.