Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 19, 2017 4:38:45 GMT
Saldon nodded in acceptance and bowed to the Daimyo. 'I am grateful to Your Esteemed Majesty for meeting with me on so short a notice and hearing all that I have to say. Grieved that I am at the commencement of this war, the Holy Union has emptied the well of speech as far as this matter is concerned. We wish Your Esteemed Majesty the very best in the coming hostilities, and we pray for Your Esteemed Majesty's safe return home.
'While it would be a privilege to send observers, His Sacred Majesty has expressed the utmost faith in Your Esteemed Majesty's honour on the battlefield. Your Esteemed Majesty's word is enough for us to rest assured that no abuses will come from the Ikegami. Moreover, the Firetooth have in the past expressed their reluctance for Holy Union observers and healers in their territories and warzones on the basis that they cannot guarantee their safety, and so we are also prohibited from sending any such observers out of respect for Firetooth objections and sovereignty.' Saldon paused for a few moments before looking up sadly at the Daimyo.
'Your Esteemed Majesty, know that I am obligated by my duties to let you know that this state of affairs may potentially result in a Holy Union military intervention in support of the defending nation. Such an intervention would only seek to defend Sacrye positions, not attack. His Sacred Majesty and the Holy Union have nothing but absolute respect for Your Esteemed Majesty and the Ikegami, and a break out of hostilities between our nations is anathema to us - but our position, as you know, may well compel us. Would it be possible, perhaps, to come to an accord that should the Holy Union intervene in defence of the Sacrye, the forces of our two nations would not engage the other in combat?' Saldon lowered his gaze respectfully and waited on the Daimyo's fateful decision.
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Post by ravigen on Aug 20, 2017 4:50:48 GMT
Sayoko considered his words for a long moment. He was asking to maintain the friendly relationship they had built, but she could not necessarily ignore the threat he would pose to her ally in the war. The Firetooth would not appreciate it if she let the armies of the Union pass unchallenged, and neither would the Union appreciate having to fight her troops as well. And therein lay the issue, but also the solution.
It was an old custom, one that had not been used by the Ikegami in some time, there had been no need for it, but she could resurrect it here.
"I am afraid that if you were to declare war against the Firetooth I would be required to honor my comradeship with them in this war... however." She paused, partially to make sure she remembered the custom well enough to recite it.
"In times of old, before the Ikegami united the scattered clans, there was a custom where armies would be represented by champions in battles." It had come about as a desire to prevent the massive loss of life between clan armies, especially when those men would be needed for the coming harvests.
It had also been widely thought, that the gods would grant their favor to the strongest and most honorable warriors, granting them victory in the conflict.
"Should the need arise where our armies cross paths, I offer you this, we shall each nominate a champion from our hosts to fight, not to the death, and the loser will needs retreat from the field. It is the best offer I can make for you."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 20, 2017 5:08:57 GMT
A surprised smile spread across Saldon's face at Sayoko's words. This Ikegami tradition was rather stunning - he had heard of champions meeting in combat before battles before, but this particular tradition was completely new to him. He liked it, and he was certain that the Recimir would approve of it also. Knowing him, he would nominate none other than himself as champion!- age be damned. Though he was now over half a century old, none denied that the Recimir was yet as full of strength and energy as he was in his youth. It was no doubt the divine blood that ran in his veins, but people still asked him what his secret was from time to time.
'Your Esteemed Majesty, we are honoured beyond measure. I wholeheartedly accept. Were it so that all disputes which overflowed into violence could be resolved in such a way. I will let His Sacred Majesty know of this noble custom, and all our future engagements, should they come about, will be resolved in accordance with it.' Though the Ikegami were naturally swordsmen of renown, and so had an advantage in close-quarter single combat of the sort this tradition entailed, a simple withdrawal and the preservation of both honour and friendship was far better than blood shed and friendship shattered. With that, Saldon finished his tea, bowed deeply, and waited to be excused. Once permission was granted, he swiftly left and - pausing only to restock for the journey back home - immediately departed for Árheimar.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 25, 2017 2:36:05 GMT
While all parties involved took a break from the stress of negotiations, Ikegami Sayoko managed to limp her way towards the Esharan tents. She was escorted only by her brother Yukimura, her healer Furutaka, and a pair of her royal guard.
Once arrived, she quickly requested a meeting with the Recimir.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 25, 2017 3:39:34 GMT
Though somewhat sick at heart, the Recimir was quick to have the Daimyo welcomed into his tent, rising to greet her. 'Your Esteemed Majesty must forgive Us, were it in Our power We would have made it so that the finest fruits and delicacies were brought forth. But we are an army on the move and the best we have is salted meat and hardened bread. Your Esteemed Majesty is welcome to join Us, we may eat and speak.' And with that the Recimir managed to walk back and seat himself on one of a few makeshift seats around what could be generously called a table with the food on it. He placed his crutch aside and waited on the Daimyo. 'To what do We owe the pleasure of Your Esteemed Majesty's visit?'
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Post by ravigen on Nov 25, 2017 3:48:28 GMT
Sayoko took the seat opposite the Recimir, twitching a little whenever her wounds acted up, she was recovering if slowly, though at least she still had all her body intact. She looked at the Recimir's wound momentarily before looking at Aulus.
"Whatever fare you have is fine, but you look terrible, if I may be frank." She reached into the pocket of her haori and pulled a flask she had stored, setting it down on the table. She looked to Yukimura and he sighed but produced a pair of sakuzuki cups. She poured sake into both cups and held one out to Aulus
"This is Koshu, well-aged sake, a personal favorite, please drink." She took a sip from her own cup and felt herself relax ever so slightly at the hint of honey.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 25, 2017 4:19:19 GMT
While spirits and alcoholic drinks were by no means foreign to Esharans, it had become the case that - largely due to the Recimir's drive for increased military discipline over the years - drinking and becoming intoxicated was now largely frowned upon. For soldiers and government officials, it was strictly prohibited to drink while on duty. But the Recimir did not wish to offend the Daimyo by refusing and reasoned that he was now technically 'off-duty' (if a monarch ever could be, that is). Without revealing his hesitation, he thanked Yukimura and picked up the small cup with two hands. Raising it to the Daimyo, he took a tentative sip before downing the cup's content in one go. He nodded approvingly and visibly relaxed also - it was clear that his initial rigidness at being in the presence of another monarch was slowly fading. And he had fought Sayoko in an honourable and exhilarating clash of warriors - these things forged bonds greater than could be dented by the fact that the Gods had seen fit to place them on opposing sides in this conflict.
'It is good,' he said with a smile as he placed the cup down. Patting what remained of his amputated leg, he continued, 'and it's not all bad. It's but a leg - better men have lost far more.' He paused and his eyes drooped slightly as he thought about what he had just said, 'better men have lost their lives.' Breaking some of the hardened bread, he tore the salted meat into smaller pieces and gestured for the Daimyo to eat. He took a bite of meat and bit into the bread.
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Post by ravigen on Nov 25, 2017 4:34:24 GMT
Sayoko took a bite of meat and bread, considering the Recimir's words for a moment before raising her cup in a toast.
"To the victorious dead, may their rest be ever peaceful." She finished the cup and poured herself another. She thought of Chinami and Tatsuharu, all the others who had died in the battles. Then she sighed and brought herself back to the present.
"It seems to me that my duty is just about done, this war should be done soon, one way or the other. I will be marching west, I have business to attend to and alliances to honor." She paused, took a sip of her sake and watched Aulus for a moment before continuing.
"Before I depart, I would see my business here concluded, and that means coming to terms with the Union. As you have said, I owe you a restitution, and will see it paid. To that effect, I have a messenger going back home to organize the new regiments raised back home. I will have him organize a payment of twenty-thousand Uryen to recompense the Union." She leaned back in her seat to wait for Aulus's response
"Would that be acceptable to you Recimir Aulus."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 25, 2017 5:02:09 GMT
'It is far more than I would have expected,' Aulus said, the surprise clear on his face. 'In all truth, I do not expect so much as an official apology from the Jotun, but you prove to me that though the Gods have placed you one beside the other in this war, you are as different to them as day is to night. Thank you, Sayoko.' In that moment, all formality was removed and he spoke to her simply as one poor mortal to another. 'But I cannot accept this payment from you while you yet have wars to wage. I am certain that you will need all the resources at your disposal - when you have returned home victorious and finally free of war, pay it only then. I will speak with Legatus Dura and have him organise a force of Esharans to join you against this horde in the West, and I will call immediately for our brightest doctors to provide all assistance to your troops - I am told that there have been some tremendous breakthroughs while I have been away from home, and I am sure a doctor will prove a boon to you as you continue your march.'
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Post by ravigen on Nov 26, 2017 4:00:10 GMT
Sayoko nodded, the gold would be good for raising more regiments to supplement her army for the long trek. His offer to send aid was a bigger surprise, though not nearly an unwelcome one. If the numbers that she had heard report of were true, then the more troops on their side the better.
"It is just of you to offer this, you have my thanks Aulus." She looked skyward, rain would be coming soon, she could feel it in her bones.
"These peace talks are good, and worthwhile, but I do not believe the Firetooth will accept them, they are too stubborn, the Sacrye likewise. I understand this perfectly well, there will be no resolution here." She considered this, she had done her duty, coming to aid them. But now what?
What were they even fighting for, a ruined city and a torn apart province, tens of thousands dead and lost on both sides. She had also heard news of discontent back in the Orcland provinces, the news having been passed up the supply lines and over trade routes.
"What shall we do then, Recimir, with our two stubborn allies in this fight?"
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 26, 2017 20:05:07 GMT
Aulus looked at Sayoko and considered her words before speaking, 'our work is done here. The both of us. I cannot say I fully understand why you chose to break with Ikegami tradition and intervene on the side of the Firetooth, but we have both steadfastly carried out our duties to our allies and shed blood and lost lives. Our duty is finished and our remaining here will only cause this war to endure longer than it has to. What do we do about our stubborn allies beyond bringing them together and having them speak peace? We can only withdraw ourselves from this war and untangle ourselves from the thousand and one rivalries and enmities that plague their relations, that is all. Shall we force peace upon them when it is anathema to them both? We certainly cannot - are certainly unable - to do that.' Aulus leaned back and rubbed his leg unconsciously, 'Perhaps the Naryur will succeed where our efforts at negotiation here have proven futile.'
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