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Post by lloydturquoise on Jul 17, 2017 21:39:40 GMT
The sound of horseshoes clopped and clattered against the stone bridge. Over the edge, Caastana could see the Long Water flow westwards, with Keva on her north bank and the Ecclesiocracy. Very few Subetmen had the opportunity to cross the Long Water, so Caastana Koosyunna relished the opportunity and took in the view. Unlike other waterways, usual filled with ships and lighter craft, the Long Water here was relatively quiet. No doubt a side effect of the Craithian north and the Kalmari south.
It was not devoid of watercraft, there were the occasional smaller vessels that clung along their respective banks. But nothing to draw her attention away, from the land beyond the bridge. Caastana could spot mortals and devils alike on the riverbank below, going about their chores and leisures before the Viikhalaks were spotted no doubt. A chaincoat, his lance replaced with a banner, cantered ahead of the diplomatic party. The red helm on blue waving their coming to the peoples on the other side.
It had seen Caastana and her party well, through Kaersch and Keva anyway. Though the reception on the other side of the Long Water was a subject of apprehension. If she wasn't wearing her rank-sashes and her finest half-cloak, she'd of thrown up into the Long Water on the Kevan bank.
There weren't many Viikhalaks, retainers and witnesses to the exchange, though all subservient to Caastana. As she was to represent both Bureaucracy and Dynasty with whoever awaited them on the other side.
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Post by Tylonius on Jul 17, 2017 21:59:21 GMT
Rajatua Lari hurried through the streets, her honor guard of warriors keeping close step behind her. She had been dispatched to greet their visitors almost as soon as word of their arrival been received. It was rare indeed to get visitors from a Dydorist nation here in Kalmar, but what little they did get were traders and merchants, and usually Radiant. A party of Viikjalakan soldiers was a most unusual event to say the least. But Rajatue was good at her job, and as such slowed to a walk as she neared the bridge. It would not do to appear flustered before a diplomatic party, if that was indeed what they were.
She regulated her breathing and settled her clothes better on her from where they had shifted during her run. She made sure the star badge still sat perfectly upon her chest, marking her as a representative of Antal Kalmar. She gave her guard a quick check over to make sure they were also presentable, but these warriors had performed enough diplomatic duties that they seemed to know the drill. The musketmen had already fixed their black on red uniforms, made sure their talwar hung perfectly at their sides, and held their muskets at parade precision. Good.
Rajatua rounded the corner and came into view of the bridge. The party was waiting there, carrying the banner of their nation high to make sure all knew who they were. A small crowd had gathered to look at the new arrivals, but they went about their way when they saw Rajatua. After the excitement of Almur passing through, some Viikhalakan's were rather blase. Rajatua gave a nod to the guardsmen who had kept watch over the diplomats while she was summoned, and they departed to return to their posts along the bridge.
The Orc artisan gave a short bow to the assembled party before introducing herself.
"Greetings. I am Rajatua Lari, member of the Artisan guild and chosen representative of Antal Kalmar. May I ask what your name is, and what business you have in Kalmar?"
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Post by lloydturquoise on Jul 18, 2017 18:13:04 GMT
None of the Viikhalaks dismounted, their horses huffed and stamped as the crowd gathered. The armed riders and chaincoats stood to match guard for guard, with Caastana and her retinue still hovering and waiting patiently.
The Subetman held as neutral a face as possible for the Kalmari's representative.
"I am Subetman Caastana Koosyunna of the Imperial Bureaucracy and representative of Varakeisari Gavrilako IX" Caastana stated so that all could hear clearly. Caastana waved a hand forward and a retainer, leading a second horse by the reins, packed with satchels filled with tobacco wrapped in fine cotton cloth.
"The Varakeisari and the dynasty wish to offer these gifts. As amends for wrongdoings that any rogue fellows of the bureaucracy have committed in recent times against your officials. Be sure this reaches his highness the Antal Kalmar" Caastana leaned in her saddle to the orc diplomat.
"I also bear messages that both the dynasty and the bureaucracy wish to convey to your... superiors" Caastana was unsure if this artisan was to be the highest authority she was going to be speaking with.
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Post by Tylonius on Jul 18, 2017 20:53:27 GMT
Rajatua nodded to one of the warriors and they stepped forward to take the reigns of the horse. Tobacco was a good gift, the brown leaves were rare this far south, preferring the climbs of the north. It was often in high demand among the populace. This at least showed the Viikhalakan's were serious about making amends to her nation. No doubt he was talking about the raise in violent Dydorist activity to the north. One diplomatic party had already been attacked, through thankfully they had managed to overcome their attackers without much issue. The messages were of more interest however. She turned to more fully address the Subetman.
"I have been chosen to be your primary point of contact with Kalmar. I can take your message and pass it up to the Acting Governor and Antal Kalmar. If it is important and urgent enough I am empowered to grant you a meeting with the Acting Governor. If you will follow me, there is a small compound nearby that we put aside to allow diplomatic parties to rest. We can talk further there."
Rajatue turned and started to walk off, leading the way for the foreigners.
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Post by lloydturquoise on Jul 19, 2017 19:07:34 GMT
"It is not of too great an importance, although it should be discussed in private certainly" Caastana told the artisan, before tilting back in her saddle and following her through the settlement. The stone walls echoed the sound of horseshoes and the rattling of the chaincoats as they proceeded. Caastana glanced at the denizens looking from their windows or peering from their doorways. Mortals of Dydor and devils alike.
The Viikhalaks followed the orc down streets and Caastana pondered on their gift to the Kalmar. She'd hoped that it would of been sufficient for any perceived slights, but she'd hoped that it would soften up the Kalmar to what messages she'd been sent to deliver.
"I hear a lot has happened in recent years in the Ecclesicracy? Is it true that you've an enclave of easterlings in the province? Does your Antal Kalmar make progress against the Tolani yet?" Caastana had questions, as she wasn't sure when she'd be asking a Kalmari again after this day.
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Post by Tylonius on Jul 20, 2017 20:13:53 GMT
Rajatua turned slightly so she could address the Subetman's questions more properly while still walking.
"Yes, we have had an eventful year. Much has changed with the East's incursions into the west. I am sure news of it will soon reach the Varakeisari's court, but we have made contact with a nation of Almur from the east, and that has been cause for much celebration here in Kalmar. It has been many centuries since a new Almur was seen in these lands, and an entire nation of them is something none had dared dream of. It is they who are constructing the enclave, just outside the outskirts of this very town in fact. We hope it will foster stronger ties and relationships with the United Kingdom.
As for the Tolani. Well, our conflict with them remains as it has ever done since the war ended. Tola can do little but sit across the River Hiska and fume as his agents are uncovered and his plots dismantled. If the Traitor wants to deal with us, he will need to march his armies openly against us. But he has yet to draw up the courage to do so in a century and a half, and I do not think he will do so anytime soon.
Anyway, we have arrived."
Rajatua turned as they rounded a corner and came upon a small compound. It was built with the ubiquitous silvery stone of the Vadhadha mountains, as was much of Kalmar. A low set of walls surrounded the compound, just tall enough to discourage any eavesdropping, but not so tall as to act as any true protection against attack. Through a set of solid wooden gates was the inside of the compound, consisting of a two story house and a small stable to set horses. The house was built in the traditional Kalmari style, with arched windows and domed roofs.
Rajatua allowed the party to dismount their horses and for some of their party to lead them to the stables while she lead the rest inside the building. The interior was richly decorated in deep reds and grays, from the crimson wall hangings to the off-brown grey color of the stone-wood flooring, crafted from a very strange breed of tree found only on the slopes of the Vadhadha mountains. Rajatua motioned for the party to settle into the various armchairs and chairs of the lounge before taking a seat herself. She addressed the leader of the party once more.
"Now we have privacy. What is the message you wished to convey?"
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Post by lloydturquoise on Jul 21, 2017 9:13:56 GMT
"Oh, interesting" Caastana had not known what the easterlings were, so the news that they were Almur was certainly a development. The subetman was trying to be positive with the kalmari, hoping to be encouraging. "Well, if that's the strategy, so be it" Caastana continued towards the compound.
Eventually, once they had arrived and dismounted. The subetman and her retinue followed into the house and took the available seats.
"The imperial bureaucracy, with the blessing of the Dynasty, seeks trade with the merchants here in kalmar and with kalmari markets" Caastana stated, to the representative.
"The dynasty would also like to make clear, that the Viikhalakan empire will keep it's efforts and ambitions away from the kalmari. Should the ecclesiocracy give the same courtesy for us" Caastana told the artisan with a sterner tone than she'd used before. "Especially in regards to the usurper Mogui"
"Many in the empire are concerned about the expansionist usurpers. He recently heard news that they've declared war on Firouz and seek to place another usurper on another throne" Caastana moved into a more comfortable spot in her chair.
"The Varakeisari does not want the kalmari to be dragged into unwanted conflicts by usurper falsehoods"
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Post by Tylonius on Aug 14, 2017 0:55:25 GMT
"My people have no interests in getting involved in the internal matter of your claimant's war. We have no problem extending the asked for courtesy. Provided that The Varakeisari see's fit to recognize our own claim to the Multewari Riverlands to the west. If this is fitting to you and your superiors, I see no reason we cannot engage in trade."
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