Firetooth / Vinaya

The afternoon sun glinted off silver helms and played upon the manes which billowed behind them as the patrol of Dragoons approached the Orcish delegation. The metal clad hooves of their steeds slapping against the cobblestone road, the men of Vinaya were clad in navy blue uniforms fringed and collared by tufts of silver thread whilst cavalry sabers sat at their sides from white belts adorned with golden buckles, their signature dragon muskets hanging freely from leather straps tied to their saddles. After a brief moment a rider approached closer, evidently the officer of the troop as identified by the red sash across the man's chest and the dotted pelt of some feline from far-off lands adorning the visor and wrap of the man's helm. 

"Troop Commander Lorenzo de Calvis, serving at your pleasure." The commander spoke from atop his horse, the soldier in him drawing his eyes to the arms and equipment of the central orc's bodyguards before settling on the Elder. Assuming this to be the diplomatic delegation of the Orclands he'd been briefed on, the commander relaxed slightly in his saddle before embarking upon the questioning the orcs before him would no doubt expect. Such was his duty. 

"State your business for travelling through the lands of the Serene Republics." Lorenzo questioned, expecting these to be the delegates. Regardless of his own thoughts however his was a necessary task, and though the border regiments had no doubt been thorough, it would not be on his watch that something was to go astray this close to the capital. 

The Troop Commander inclined his head towards the Elder and after a brief exchange of further words, the troop of Dragoons would fall in with the Orcish host, serving as their escort on the roads towards Vinayapolis. Much had changed in the past years, the realm had changed and grown as a new age of enlightenment and technology had washed over the continent. While some might still reject the change of this new world, Vinaya had welcomed it with an open heart and a welcoming embrace. 

Sprawling across the coast before them lay the capital city of the merchant republic as it stretched across the plains and seashore. Here was a city which had embraced the new age of technology and enlightenment. A great many ships basked in the azure of the middle sea by the ports and canals of the city as merchants unloaded their cargo, as sailors went to spend their pay and as great Vinayan ships of war sat idle in their drydocks, hosts of men working to maintain them for when the time came that they would have to answer their calling. Cobblestone and brick streets gave way to the new dawn of smoke belching manufactories and workshops, to places of learning, faith and art, and the jibber of merchants and stalls in places of gathering. The ensemble of the Firetooth orcs atop wargs and their Vinayan escort drew gazes and gasps at the sight of wargs from those they passed as they trundled through the heart of the nation towards the home of it's administration.

As it always had, the Magistrate's Palace sat atop a slight rise like an imperious overseer over the docklands. A great building of finely chiseled stone and great yawning windows of glass, the Firetooth delegate like those before him were led up a broad flight of stone steps and towards the great oaken doors where beyond lay the nation's administrative heart. Upon it's oaken surface, metal reinforcement and inlaid metalwork depicting the griffon of Vinaya caught the sun as the great portal parted to allow the Orcish party admission into it's great confines. Here the Troop Commander who had accompanied Megrim thus far departed after ensuring the Elder's bodyguards intending to enter the Palace were disarmed of their weapons, either to be left with the Foot Guards who flanked the portal or with any Firetooth remaining outside. Following this matter of protocol, a man clad in a simple black frock coat and a white high-collared shirt approached the Elder with words upon his lips and an offer of his hand in a more casual greeting. 

"Megrim Silverhand, I presume?" The man spoke concisely, pausing to allow the Elder to answer before moving on. "Very good. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Magistrate's Palace my Lord. If you would follow me." The aide continued with a nod before leading Megrim and any of the entourage the Firetooth Elder might have insisted upon further within the Palace. Formally the home of the Survaekom governor assigned to the province before Vinaya had established her independence, the Palace was a grand building. Standing amidst the bustling docks in full view, it was a splendid building though perhaps not as splendid as the garden which stood at the heart of the Palace with an open roof out to the bright sky. It was here that the aide would lead the Elder. Amidst vibrant green hedgerows and the flourishing colour of various plants and flowers taken from across the continent and some even rarer from beyond, they found the Serene Doge. 

Seated on a bench amongst the fauna, Sigismund looked up at their approach and was drawn quickly from his reveries as the aide moved to stand beside him and utter a few words before moving away a respectful distance. 

"Ah, Megrim. Please join me." The Doge spoke with an indication of his hand to the space beside him on the bench. "Forgive me for the locale, I'm afraid this place has become something of a haunt to me." Sigismund spoke as he regarded the garden around them. "You bring word from Thundercrown I presume? Let us talk." The Doge ventured. 

Sigismund took the offered box with a sense of reverence. "You honour me." He spoke as he regarded the fine pistol upon it's resting place of silk. One hand moving to hold the box, his other moved to take out the pistol of bronze and ivory. Silently marveling at the weapon, it felt natural within his grip as he held it close to inspect the undeniably beautiful weapon. "This is a wondrous gift my friend. My deepest compliments to the High Chief and the smiths responsible for such an artifact, I will bear it with pride." Sigismund spoke as he returned the pistol to it's silken embrace and closed the box. "I'm afraid you find me however without a gift of my own to return. It would be my honour to accept such a fine gift and I will ensure the favor is returned, of that you have my word."  The Doge promised as he set the box aside on a side table which stood besides the bench.

"We of Vinaya share the Chief's desire for peace and friendship in the west. And expanded trade between our two states is something which can easily be accomplished, I shall bring the matter to the Council of reaffirming the trade routes of old." The Serene Doge answered before turning to a question of his own. "Would there be anything else you would ask of me? We might retire to the parlor for dinner if you wish, I understand it was a long journey here and it would be my pleasure to host you."