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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 0:37:08 GMT
Councilor Agal Someiu let his head rest sideways in his palm, bobbing up and down with the carriage. Which wasn't all that much, seeing as he was being pulled by eight horses in what only barely qualified as a "carriage" at all. More like a War Wagon. His head tilted further, pressing his elbow into the soft velvet of his seat. He let his eyes slide slowly along the figures before him, three large muscled men sheathed in steel scales that caught only the occasional glint of sunlight through their respective gun-ports. It reminded him of his long days at sea, ocean swells lifting the world up and down as he lay between rows of cannons. Though he had to admit, the velvet-cushioned chair had improved the experience.
Someiu twitched as he heard a shout outside. "Khaiek...DRAD!" The wagon came to a gradual stop, pulling his back uncomfortably forward. What he wouldn't have given for another minute of rest. But this was his cue.
The Councilor chuckled under his breath. Surv-Akur fools shouting like we're some sort of battle column...Then again, it's the only Classical Survaekom most of them know, and Aed will carry my soul to eternal rest before the helmets give up that tradition.
And suddenly he was out in the open air of the Middle Plains, mountains and settlements before him but nothing but flatness behind, all covered in a great celestial blanket of silver-grey. Back straight and hands clasped politely behind his back, Agal Someiu took one last look to his right to appreciate the wagon. For all the comfort he enjoyed inside, from the outside the swivel gun-barrels poking out of thick wooden walls couldn't help but seem imposing, even without the tall Imperial Flag and the scattering of knights positioned around it. It was designed like a miniature fort, perfect for holding off wandering orcish raiders from the Far West. Of course, a proper Firetooth volley or two would make short work of it...and that was exactly why he had chosen it.
It wasn't long of a walk before Someiu spotted the musket-laden patrol group across the road, moving to intercept him. Surprise visits were always his favorites.
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 1:07:42 GMT
"You're a long way from home, friend." Garlog smiled without malice, but it was hard to not look like a thug as he was: still in blood-splattered armor, with a red-nosed warg and half a dozen armed retainers at his back. They had been on wolfback since the night before and had felt no hurry on the return trip. Garlog assumed that he smelled something like sweat and guts. Not that he minded. He could think of no better setting to meet with one of the distant emperor's mouthpieces; surely it would remind the human that for all their obsequies, the Firetooth were still a powerful clan that had accepted the emperor's rule out of convenience rather than subservience.
"Ulgmar, get one of the horses for our friend to ride into town." He hopped off his wolf with a light step and offered a gloved hand to the man. "Chief Garlog Whiteshot of the Firetooth." He introduced himself, feigning ignorance about the man's identity and purpose. "And who do I have the honor of speaking to?"
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 2:59:30 GMT
"My home is a Surv-Akur fort, I think I prefer taking my chances here," the human joked back. After shaking the orc's hand, he bowed as per imperial custom. "Councilor Agal Someiu of the Imperial Bureaucracy," the Survaekom stated without pomp, hoping redundancy would suffice to reciprocate feigned ignorance. "It is an honor to meet you, Chief." Someiu returned Chief Garlog's smile earnestly, though with a hint of wryness as if to acknowledge the underlying game being played. His dark copper eyes surveyed Whiteshot's rather imposing armored figure. Certainly something of a warrior and a commander, with the tongue of a fine manipulator who knew his way around the rougher edges of town. Someone unafraid to get their hands dirty in both war and politics... Aed save me. Admiral Selman Reyid has an orcish cousin.
After mounting the horse offered to him, the Councilor maintained a respectful silence. He preferred to take in the sights and sounds of a town rather than gabble about it, and so he did on the ride through the bustling orcish town even as the inhabitants stared right back with suspicious gazes. No doubt the sight of a figure draped in the black robes and headdress of the Imperial Bureaucracy -with the gold embroidery and trimmings of a Councilor no less- was not a reassuring one.
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 3:18:37 GMT
Garlog's warg slowed to a steady stride next to the councilor's horse, who struggled skittishly in fear of the enormous predator. The bandits hadn't trained their mounts to be used to wolves, and the beast seemed ready to bolt if its rider gave it a moment's chance. Graciously Garlog kept a tight reign on his Warg so that the horse wouldn't startle at least.
"So what brings a councilor of the Emperor to Thundercrown?" He asked casually. They were in no hurry and he felt no need to ride in silence until they got to the great hall. "It's rare to see someone of your rank travelling this far from New Byrnis."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 3:51:04 GMT
For all the horse's obvious discomfort, Councilor Someiu didn't seem to mind the bumpiness. Just more waves on the sea, waves that couldn't touch him if they wanted to keep their life and fief intact.
"Interest," he replied with another smile, this one more clearly playful. Almost seamlessly, he switched from Survaekom to fluent East Orcish in the Firetooth Court dialect. "Curiosity. Fascination. Passion for the accomplishments of Firetooth civilization. Burning desire to carry on my people's long tradition of self-improvement via cultural education. The usual." Of course, none of these replies were technically false...just not the one Whiteshot was looking for.
And then the punchline. "I daresay, it seems as if you aren't happy to see me."
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 4:06:58 GMT
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why don't you wait here while I go wash all the blood off my armor and lay out the red carpet for you." Chief Gorlag sneered in sarcasm. "I've been in the saddle for almost two days without rest, crossed a dozen leagues out and back here, killed more than a dozen incompetent bandits and haven't eaten anything but hardtack and saddle rations." He glanced over at the little man in his fancy gold dress. Some of us don't get to ride in an armored wagon, councilor."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 4:32:13 GMT
The Survaekom Councilor, taken aback, dropped his smile and widened his eyes. In all his years, he had not received such treatment from a supposed host. Fortunately, he was able to collect himself before too long. This is good...not a cousin of Selman after all. Would have taken hours to break through his persona.
Agal Someiu recollected his smile and even widened it further, facing the armor-clad orc a fully warm-hearted visage. "Good to finally meet you, Chief Gorlag Whiteshot." He bowed his head without any hint of mockery. "Agal Someiu, son of Geladee and Majar Someiu. Born in the city of Rjjin, raised in New Byrnis, joined the bureaucracy eight years ago, assigned to the Twin Forts three years ago.
"Do not think that because I am here unannounced and on routine business, that I do not take the honor of your audience seriously. I will state my business when we sit as equals at the negotiating table, not on the road while surrounded by wolves."
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 4:53:21 GMT
"Suite yourself." Garlog grumbled, visibly disappointed that he would not be able to finish things quickly. Despite his grumbling, he honestly preferred his wolf and armor to the meddling of court. Thank Aed he was Chief of the Firetooth, who still had fire in their bellies, rather than some sniveling southern nation.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, through the streets of great Thundercrown. The new temple to Aed was nearly complete already. It was a grand, stone structure, although built in the usual method of Firetooth architecture. The shale tiling kept the rain out and the stone walls could hold more than a hundred orcs. Garlog knew that there was no small excitement over the Chief Priest's visit to bless the structure, although he cared little himself. The Councilor was given a room and meal of his own, since it would a day or so before he could be met formally. Garlog was in no shape to host an audience until he had had a good meal, a bath and a night's sleep. Besides, at least a couple of the elders would need to be present.
It was bright and early the next morning when Someiu was invited to the longhall. Garlog looked significantly more chiefly sitting upon his great chair, clothed in thick furs. Around him was a circle of smaller wooden chairs, of which only two were occupied - the seats for Firetooth's elders. They held much of the real power in the Clan. After all, the Chief was only one Orc, but each elder was head of a great House.
"Councilor Agal Someiu." Garlog greeted the man again, not half as enthusiastically. "Welcome to my hall. What business brings you among the Firetooth?"
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 5:28:11 GMT
The Imperial Councilor was clearly pleased to have a proper audience, and he bowed deeply to each noble orc before speaking.
"I arrive before you at the behest of his Excellency Ishui Seldu, Vizier of the North." A geographically closer authority than the Emperor, they would no doubt realize. "He has duly noted the absence of the expected Firetooth royal caravan in New Byrnis, and he asks if such hardship has befallen your people that you will be petitioning for relief from your tribute obligations under the Northern Contract. He also wishes to convey his understanding that the burdens of the Western Border are great, with the ever-present struggle against Wasteland Orcish raiders. Thusly, the Vizier of the North in his benevolence has prepared a decree to relieve you of tribute burdens until such time as the Surv-Akur may bolster your defenses with a new pair of fortresses, relieving your treasury of undue strain. That is, if you wish to sign."
There was no mistaking the challenge here. The Firetooth had been traditional guardians against the Wasteland Orcs since time immemorial, and here the Grand Empire was offering "relief" from this "burden" as a way of calling the orcs' bluff.
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 5:49:48 GMT
"That won't be necessary." Garlog said. "Your money is coming if you'll be patient."
One of the elders now leaned forward and spoke up. "Perhaps we should explain, Garlog. The Vaekirate recently began construction of a new mission to the south and requested our assistance. Since it was a matter of haste, almost all of this season's treasury was sent into the care of the Chief Priest. We will of course make up the payment next season."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 17:50:16 GMT
Councilor Someiu listened attentively to the Chief and the Elder, taking in their words before formulating his reply.
"The noble Firetooth must be praised for their piety. Rare is the vassal who would volunteer so much, and so quickly. However, what concerns me is an underlying presumption, that the Northern Contract is treated more like a guideline than the law. Would your gift have been sapped of all meaning were it smaller by one or two thousand jiien? Or are your lands in such hardship and turmoil that this donation was truly all your treasury could bear?"
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 18:09:26 GMT
Elder Urag glanced sidelong at the Chief. The younger Orc said nothing.
"We weighed the issue carefully before our decision, councilor." Urag explained. "The mission was in urgent need of assistance, while the tribute would hardly be missed for a season."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 18:19:22 GMT
The Byrnian raised an eyebrow, looking quizzically at the Elder.
"That is quite a presumption to make on behalf of his Majesty Vokoryn II," Someiu stated flatly. "Furthermore, I was under the impression that Mission constructions, however much they do honor to Aed, tend to be long projects that can encompass over a year. On what grounds did you deem the situation urgent?"
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Post by talis on Sept 19, 2014 18:27:50 GMT
"Are you saying that his majesty, ruler of two continents and master of the known world, cannot spare a thousand jien for a season?" Garlog rumbled in obvious sarcasm. The elders let him speak. "Or that the Sword of Aed thinks it's more important to buy a few more jewels for his palace than to spread the word of Aed?"
"Chief Garlog's point is crudely made." Urag clarified, "but his reasoning is sound. We were acting in the interest of the empire by assisting in the spread of Aedekom. Can the emperor forgive a small bit of tardiness in the name of his god, from whom he derives his authority?"
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 19, 2014 18:39:48 GMT
The bureaucrat's eyes shifted from orc to orc as he considered the arguments laid out before him. Slowly, his stern gaze softened into something more understanding.
"Your reasoning is indeed sound," Someiu finally declared. "The spread of the faith is the noblest of all causes. However, know that his Excellency Ishui Seldu fears for the precedent this might set. Remember that the Sword and the Mouthpiece are both vital elements of Aedak. The vocations of one or the other are not interchangeable, nor contributions to one or the other fungible. The Vizier of the North will expect full and timely payment from now on, lest his concerns require him to make a report to the Emperor.
"Is this understood, and may I report to my master your solemn pledge to abide fully by the terms of the Northern Contract?"
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