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Post by ravigen on Sept 17, 2014 15:34:30 GMT
In the beginning of the season, a letter was delivered by carrier to the royal court of the Cerdigion from the Kingdom of Sefti.
To King Cadoc of Morgraig, lord of Hakin.
It has been years since the war between our two nations ended, yet tensions still run high, for the continued safety of our peoples, both militarily, economically, and politically, I would like to propose a reduction of tensions between our two nations via a trade agreement to be started the next year. It is my belief that trade between our nations will ease the tensions of the people and nobility by putting some extra coin into their pockets. War is not the answer for our people, not after so long as it has been since the Empire came. I eagerly await your reply.
King Jotheim the Third, ruler of Sefti. |
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 19, 2014 3:53:34 GMT
To King Jotheim, ruler of Sefti.
It has been many years since we have last had the chance for a meeting face to face. I propose an exchange between you and I at the border between our two realms to discuss terms, but not only on matters of trade, but on the rights of my son and your grandson as both your heir and mine. I eagerly await your reply.
King Cadoc of Cerdigon.
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Post by ravigen on Sept 19, 2014 4:00:28 GMT
To King Cadoc of Cerdigion.
A meeting with you would warm this old heart dearly, the memories of the atrocities committed upon my people are still vibrant in my memory even today, it will be heartening to see your face again to rekindle the rage in my heart. But that aside, I would not be adverse to meeting at the border with you. I will be bringing my general with me as I assume you will be as well?
The reply was accompanied by a map, showing an open clearing upon their shared border. It was the sight of many past battles between their two kingdoms and also the place where they negotiated a treaty to rally against the Empire, failed as it was. The symbolism was not lost on Jotheim.
King Jotheim the Third of Sefti |
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 19, 2014 4:11:30 GMT
'' Your Grace. '' The words were said mockingly as Cadoc pinned the wizened shrunken figure of the King under his predatory gaze.
'' Have you brought my beautiful wife with you? Your still holding her hostage I see. '' The King rumbled as he surveyed the blood soaked ground. He had killed many Elves here....so long ago... Prince Aeron lurked on the Cerdigonian side, dozens of retainers on horseback milling about while the two King's strolled out into the middle of the field to talk business.
It wasn't two long ago that the two had been locked in a bloody duel on these very same fields.
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Post by ravigen on Sept 19, 2014 4:18:55 GMT
"Warlord." Jotheim replied easily, this ground had seen so much loss of life, he stepped onto a patch of grass and refused to wince as he remembered a deep cut to his leg on this very spot from the hated warlord, he prided himself that he still remembered the gash on the Sylph's arm that he'd countered with.
He looked to his left for a moment lost in a memory of their duel and the draw that had resulted so many times. He turned back to stare at his eldest daughter, Athinea had insisted she come along, if only to see her son. She was staring even now, beyond Cadoc, beyond the numerous Sylph retainers, her gaze locking onto Aeron. Beside her, his second oldest daughter, Merithea, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"She is here and I am hardly holding her hostage, she can leave to be with you whenever she wants, she has simply chosen not to." he replied evenly. |
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 19, 2014 4:31:26 GMT
'' Ah, my dear father in law, why must you keep our love apart? '' Of course, Cardoc had never loved her. She had always been a tool, a broodmare for him to claim control of Jothreim's Kingdom after the threat of the Jotun Clans had been diminished.
'' If you will not return my wife to me, then you must recognize the legality of my sons claim to your crown. Embrace him as your heir, acknowledge him as such before your court, and all will be forgiven between us. '' Of course, the King knew that hell would freeze over before the Elf recognized the legitimacy of the grandson he viewed as a bastard
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Post by ravigen on Sept 19, 2014 4:38:29 GMT
Jotheim didn't even flinch, already used to the mewling Warlord's desperate pleas, really they'd gone back and forth over these issues so many times it was like clockwork.
"I will consider it when you return the lands you stole from me, restore every elf enslaved by you to their rightful position and pay recompense for what you did to them, return my capital to me and swear your allegiance to the Sefti crown, then and only then will I even consider such a proposal."
Jotheim paused for a brief moment.
"As it stands I think we can settle on an agreement, the boy stays with you as heir to Cerdigion, your marriage to my daughter is annulled in full, the boy may come and visit his mother whenever he pleases, and we both go back to silently hating each other." |
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Post by cerdigon on Sept 19, 2014 4:43:12 GMT
'' The marriage was consummated. He has his rights and they will not be surrendered to an oath breaker such as yourself. '' The King turned and mounted his horse. '' For now, I will dispatch lower level officials to discuss terms of trade. But, this is far from finished Jotheim. '' His son would have his crown...one way or another. Aeron tossed a fleeting glimpse towards his mother before the mass of Sylph warriors and retainers turned and rode back in the direction of Cerdigon.
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Post by cerdigon on Oct 13, 2014 17:59:07 GMT
'' For what it's worth... I am sorry for your brother. '' King Cadoc the Usurper said. For the first time in decades he was looking into the eyes of his wife. Both had aged since they had been the part and Cadoc's health was failing. Once the strong proud warrior, he was now weighed down with age and sickness. The march into Sefti had been hard. The Sylph were not as long lived as their cousins after all. '' But what is important is our son and the future. '' He had dispatched a secret message to the Seftian embassy in order for a private meeting and now the two were face to face for the first time.
'' My terms for peace are this. I will abdicate the throne of Ceridgon and Aeron will inherit. You will do the same. Our realms will be reunited, strong to defend themselves against the Jotun. I will plead guilty to manslaughter and the Vizier can punish me how he sees fit. You can go to the Vaekirate or to a convent.. Aeron will give amnesty to those who fought against him....and we can put this bloodshed behind us. Your forces cannot hold out forever and I would rather save lives then continue futile fighting. ''
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Post by ravigen on Oct 13, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
Time had been kind to her body but not her mind, she had never really wanted the role of Queen, she'd hated the administrative role she had to play but she'd done so for the sake of her people.
"Your apologies are worth nothing to me, they never were. But I accept nonetheless, Send the letters out and I will do the same, I never want to see you again."
With that she left, she'd never see Cadoc again. |
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