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Post by zurajai on Aug 14, 2017 1:23:31 GMT
Kharok stood on the deck of the riverboat with his arms crossed behind him; it had been long since he himself had left the borders of his home to enter into foreign soil but he and the Orzag had deemed the current events volatile enough to require his presence. The Orzag, during a special convening of the representatives, had voted to give the Naryur full diplomatic freedom during the extent of the discussions. Kharok had left swiftly with a small detachment of his personal guard and the remaining forces of the Sultan's Own Sipahi. This mixed force of Almur and Gurhim Dwarves would serve as his honor guard into the lands of Ontare but his true battlefield companions would be the number of diplomats and emissaries sent alongside him.
"My Sultan," called the Sipahi captain, currently standing in for his indisposed comrade and close confidant Osman Origm, "We are nearing the harbor of Haven. All will be ready upon our arrival, Your Valiance."
Kharok gave a grateful nod to the dwarf guardsmen before turning and facing towards the city; many years before, much earlier in his life, he had explored the city after its annexation by the Berrandans. A strange time it was that the Ontarans and their Berrandan rulers were now both unleashed from the Empire. The Naryur vowed to see the event to its completion, for better or for worse, and hoped for a quick end to these most dangerous of times.
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Post by aspenivan on Aug 19, 2017 21:12:57 GMT
Kharok would find himself greeted into the city of Haven with warmth and enthusiasm by the noble knights who met him. Any self-respecting noble knew the deference due to a King, even more so when Ontare was in need of international recognition. He and his entourage were escorted without delay into the Royal Palace, a rather medieval-looking stone structure smaller and more modest than those that hosted most Northern sovereigns. Such was the character of the city even before the union with Berranda, unassuming and even provincial in its architecture despite its wealth.
Inside, the King of Ontare made a point of standing up from his throne in respect to the most esteemed royal visitor. Two colorfully-clad heralds sounded horns to mark the occasion, after which a third announced,
"All hail his Highness Ardan Hyland, King of Ontare, Duke of Rockfort, First Among Lords of the Land!" The horns sounded again: the members of the court and assembled visiting nobles stood, turned to face their liege, and bowed before him. He was neither particularly tall nor particularly strong in build, but his posture held a certain dignity and authority none could question. From between his full head of hair and his pointed beard - both grey - looked out two blue eyes full of confidence.
King Ardan took it upon himself to greet the visitor. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Ontare and the City of Haven, good and noble Naryur Kharok Szaboyar-Szekeres of the United Kingdoms of Almuria and Beg Gurhim," he spoke before sitting down in his throne. The man struggled with pronouncing Almuric terms, but spoke them nonetheless rather than falling back on Ontarean or Lucentian equivalents. "You honor me and my people with your visit, your Valiance. To what end of yours do I owe the pleasure?"
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Post by zurajai on Aug 19, 2017 22:13:29 GMT
"You do me a great honor, Your Majesty," rumbled Kharok, bowing low before the human lord, "The hospitality and good nature of Ontare and its people have been known to me ever since I walked the streets of Haven a century ago; it pleases me to see that over such passages of time your people have continued to maintain such qualities."
"I come on behalf of my people and the Orzag that represents them to speak on masters of grave. Your secession from the Esharan Empire is of great consequence to you, your fellow Esharans, and to the world. I would seek to hear your reasons, spoken from your lips, as to why you have chosen this path. My father Yurok, may he rest with Aed and his ancestors for all eternity, made a oath of friendship to King Francisco, the very same man who brought Ontare and Berranda together. Though the Oath does not apply to me, I would appreciate to know that it is for reasons beyond his legacy that see you claim sovereignty.
Beyond this, the Orzag and I convened on the matter and wish to offer our assistance; no people should be held beneath a ruler they do not wish to have. My father rid the Gurhim dwarves of the thugs of the Juturna Corps at the Dwarves' behest and was elected their ruler and Sultan by their word. Through our discussions here, as two rulers who care for their people, we will find the best path that the United Kingdoms might assist with for Ontare and her people. That is, at least, my hope."
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Post by aspenivan on Aug 19, 2017 23:27:13 GMT
"It brings me joy to hear of your good faith in approaching me directly on such matters," King Ardan replied to his guest, forced to look up even atop his raised throne to meet the eyes of his exeedingly tall guest. "The matter of secession is indeed a grave one, which was the result of much deliberation and discernment in prayer to Aed among the nobles of Ontare. I hope you will understand our reasoning as I explain, noble fellow monarch.
"First I will address the matter of legality. Rhodri Sefti is the legal heir to the Duchy of Berranda; the line of succession has always been clear in this regard. However, the Prince is not of House Rodrigo," Ardan gave a smile and raised his finger, "the Crown has legally passed to House Sefti." He raised his other hand and began to gesticulate in rhythm with his words. "The nobles of Ontare agreed to swear fealty to House Rodrigo, not to a title or a Crown. Indeed, we insisted that Ontare would become the primary title of the great King Francisco, theretofore a Duke. His heirs saw fit to end their own line, but nowhere in our original agreement was it stipulated that our Kingdom would follow their self-erasing path. Nor did the nobility of Ontare ever ratify any amendment that would have us beholden to House Sefti. Now, of course, Francisco's more distant relatives' descendants seek to nullify the whole situation, claiming a cadet branch as the true line of Rodrigos ruling Berranda. We do not object to their independence, but nor do we see them as Francisco's heirs.
"Second, there is the matter of greater principles of faith. Duty, Dignity, and Mastery. The lords of Ontare must Master their Duty to defend the Dignity of their subjects. Under King Aeron, who calls himself "Emperor," we would not be assured our ability to do so. He is well known as a master of rakes, who would surely silence any noble who stray too far from his personal vision of right and wrong. He may allow his nobility much power, but he recognizes no national distinctions among them, concentrating all kingdoms in his own hands. Just as there is no longer Nevaran law apart from Commonwealth law, nor Sefti law apart from Cerdigonian, there would be no longer any Ontarean law, no Ontarean institutions except that Ontarean nobles would happen to hold fiefdoms. His solution to the Sefti-Cerdigonian divide may have been appropriate for such circumstances, but we of Ontare know that our own laws, traditions, and freedoms are essential to our functions under Aed. We will not see our peasants become serfs, our burgher guilds dismantled, the great city of Haven become a mere military outpost for the Fae Tyrant's ambitions. As you said, no people should be held beneath a ruler they do not wish to have.
"Third, there is the matter of History. Though we have much respect for our late former rulers of House Rodrigo, sadly none can say that Haven prospered more under their rule than under our home kings. Before Survaek, and during our moment of freedom after Survaek, we were the Great Gateway of the Red River and the Great Host of caravans and refugees. We would dearly that we raise again the torch of our legacy, a light to our fellow Aedakom not only in the North, but across the world."
The King finally allowed his hands to rest and his expression to settle. "Do you understand, good and noble Naryur?"
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Post by zurajai on Aug 20, 2017 0:48:10 GMT
Kharok nodded and leaned in and slightly to the side, a technique he had developed to reduce his imposing height and express a sense of interest in what smaller folks were discussing with him. Though he truly was deeply curious regarding the King's reply, he knew that often Almur emotions were as hard to read as they were tall. Ardan proved to be a deeply motivated individual, one that Kharok knew he'd come to respect with time, and one he thought he could work with well.
"I believe I do, Your Majesty," came Kharok's great, resounding response, "and I believe I sympathize; by what you say, it seems we have much in common. Though you would not know this, by no fault of your own, my garb is a mix of traditional Almur garments and the attire of Mog Bhelnom. Since my father's election by the Gurhimic peoples to the title of Sultan, I have had to balance the twin Kingdoms and their peoples' identities. With the original Charter, as written by my the great lawful minded scholars of their time, a great deal of focus was put on maintaining the culture and identity of our two peoples. A century has passed and my people remain unique and distinct even with the influx of the Vaigayars and the Talgayars.
I wish to make an offer, here, to be discussed; by the permission of the Orzag and by the authority my people have invested in me as their Kiraly and Sultan, I would offer the people of Ontare a place as equals within the United Kingdoms. Not as vassals or a lesser third, but as equals the same as Almuria or Beg Gurhim. As with the Charter and the current constitution, your peoples' rights, laws, traditions and identity would be upheld just as each of the peoples now in the Union remain so.
You see a light blazing before you, my friend, and that could be our shared future. There is only two nations in all the North who do not trade with the United Kingdoms, the founding of the Auric Bank opens up a whole new world of growth and prosperity, and even the Far West and North open to our colonies. If you and the people of Ontare wish it, the Orzag and my people have offered an equal place of security, liberty, and prosperity. Does that at all interest you, my friend?"
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 1, 2017 0:50:48 GMT
The Almur Naryur's offer, once translated by the appropriate officials, provoked a bustle of commentary and even a few shouts from the assembled courtiers of King Ardan.
"Just another conqueror!"
"It's a golden deal! Take it, your Highness!"
"This is an insult!"
The mumbles only grew louder until the King himself, head in palm and eyes lowered as he reflected for a long moment, raised his hand. He lifted his head and re-directed his gaze to his guest.
"The United Kingdoms are indeed a shining light in the North, a beacon of a Just Order, a realm much to be envied, a great political embodiment of the Three Principles of Aedak. There is much to admire in the polity you rule, not least in its accomplishment of truly being many kingdoms - each of their own character - united in a system of just laws and a ruling dynasty of great virtue. However," Hyland raised a finger and tilted his head, "it is not our system. The history of the Gurihm and the Almur is the essential history of your realm; Mog Bhelnom has always been part of its core since it was called Gospodaria. This is a bond of shared toil and blood and heritage, not merely a legal success. And Ontare has no such shared heritage with any of your constituent peoples.
"The August Duke of Berranda once promised us co-equal partnership, participation in a great realm with both autonomy and glory. He even agreed to assume our kingdom's title as his First and Highest Title. And for a time, he and his successors were true, but even then Ontare lost something of its former status. What assurance have I that your, seemingly similar, proposal will end differently? For instance, would not union with the United Kingdoms force the Parliament of Ontarean nobles to rescind what it has so recently declared - the election of a King? For there is no Sultan of Beg Guhrim or King of Haiho apart from the Naryur of Almuria, is there?
"Do not misunderstand me, good and noble Kharok. I understand that there is much to gain from what you ask. But by the same token, there is much at stake, and much that could be lost - it is a proposal with immense weight in considerations."
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Post by zurajai on Sept 8, 2017 21:11:44 GMT
"Your worries are worthy of any King who wishes to keep safe his people and their traditions, that much is more than clear," spoke Kharok with a smile, looking to the translator in hopes that he imparted the same feelings Kharok did, "So let me set your worries to rest, as a ruler who feels the same."
"What I offer you is much the same as my father's righteous oath-brother, may he rest beside Aed always and forever. Though by no fault of your own, as you do not speak Old Szekeren, my primary title is not that of Kiraly, King. My title, Naryur, better translates to Emperor. Kiraly and Sultan, both equal to King, are titles from Almuria and Beg Gurhim respectively. I am King of Almuria by right of Almuric law and Sultan of Beg Gurhim by the vote of the people; they were welcome to elect another in my father's place. When the time came, the dwarves of Beg Gurhim saw fit to elect my esteemed father for all the good he had done them.
By the laws of the original compact that bound the nations into the United Holds over a century ago, the monarch of the United Kingdoms is he who holds the highest title but nowhere does it say there cannot be more. My greatest friend in this life, Osman Saraskar, holds a similar title as granted unto his father by mine. If Ontare were to join the United Kingdoms, the election of the Ontarean King would not be pushed aside. You would be King of Ontare, a member of the United Kingdoms. Your nation would be equal to the other Kingdoms, with equal representation in the Orzag and equal freedom within their lands to self-govern and keep their traditions alive. You and your nobles, those people in your nation who still keep to feudalism, would owe me fealty but your people would not be subject to me as their master. The only master they must serve is democracy and the will of the many, to which they would belong."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 21, 2017 22:02:41 GMT
King Ardan Hyland raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. "Only democracy and the will of the people? So, am I to understand that while the nobles of Ontare retain their titles, they lose their subjects? What meaning holds the former without the latter, good Kharok? Such would be an even greater and -dare I say- more insulting reversal of our traditions than merely removing me as King."
While before there had been disagreement among the courtiers, now all murmurs rang in support of Hyland. What may have been an obvious legal standard to the Naryur was serious, if not mortal challenge to the Ontarean lords and their representatives.
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Post by zurajai on Sept 21, 2017 22:28:57 GMT
"So, perhaps I was unclear on the matter," Kharok spoke, this time in a choppy but serviceable Ontarean while stepping forward with a raised hand; it was clear he was displeased with the misunderstanding, "The Feudal system continues, to an extent, within the United Kingdoms. For instance, I hold Feudal title and have feudal vassals below me, though admittedly not as numerous due to the nature of the current constituent kingdoms. Within YOUR Kingdom, a member of our Union, Feudalism would continue. Within the united whole, as your people would be citizens, there would be representatives to the Orzag to represent their interests. It should be added that there remains an upper house of the Orzag to represent the interest of those landed lords who yet rule in the United Kingdoms and, if it should be the case, in Ontare.
Those peasants who work your land do so by legal precedent and I do not seek to dismantle such an organization. Despite this, I am sure there are a great many free men who work in the industries and portions of your economy not traditionally tied to that of the feudal system. Representation would be given to the individual communities, as per their population, as it has been since the founding. If this is unacceptable to you, then we are at odds; I had understood, by your own word, that you cared most for your people, King Hyland; all your people.
We are brothers in faith, you and I. I believe our peoples share a love for Aed rooted in enlightenment and peace rather than those found in more warlike minds. I yet lived when King Ennan Kath the Devout blessed this world with his piety. Throughout my life I have known Ontare to be the home of true Aedakom, of those who keep to the three pillars set forth by the Ancient Messarom and the Prophet-Emperor Raegar. I urge you, then, to consider one most closely; Dignity unto all things, Your Majesty, and unto all people no matter who they are, what faith they follow, or what crown they wear be it of gold or of straw."
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Post by aspenivan on Sept 25, 2017 0:41:39 GMT
King Hyland leaned back into his throne. "Pray, do not misunderstand my words, noble Naryur. The cities and great towns of Ontare, and their burghers, are tied to no lord but the King, or the Emperor in former days. They have their own mayors and assemblies and traditional freedoms, whose defense was one of the many reasons we would not chain ourselves to the Sefti Emperor. However, they do pay taxes to the Crown. Likewise, freeholders and their steads and villages in the countryside are not bonded to a lord, but still do owe loyalty and rents to the Crown. If Ontare were to become a realm of the United Kingdoms, would such taxes and fealty be transferred entirely to their central assemblies and the Naryur? Might such not de-fund the Ontarean Crown beyond its capacity to function as a state? Would only bonded serfs provide any income to lords? For there are none in Ontare; serfdom was abolished upon our independence. Much as you expect, I and my fellow Ontareans of high blood know the meaning of Dignity.
"Most peasants, of course, are neither bonded serfs nor freeholders, but rather free tenants: They owe rents to those who own the land on which they are settled - lords, as well as taxes to the Crown, but are not in bondage to their lords. Their representation as citizens in a central body would be no necessary threat to the rights of our nobility, but only if this could never function as a means for them to claim noble property as their own - nor for them to deny the rents due their lord protectors. In other words, what is fundamental is the defense of not only titles, but their associated property. Would this be protected under the laws of the United Kingdoms?"
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Post by zurajai on Sept 30, 2017 2:08:20 GMT
Kharok smiled animalistically, as was the nature of his bestial race, in response to King Hyland's words; they were exactly what he wanted to hear.
"It pleases me to hear that you have rid your nation of that vile practice; truly, it is one of the few behaviors I have found entirely detestable among Southerners. Your people, all of them, would have representation within the legislative body of your own making as well as the Royal Orzag within the United Kingdom. Your nobles sound to me like land-owners, as many of the magnates in my homeland are; to have those who work for them pay them rent is simply a form of landownership. As long as it is not illegal for citizens of your nation to own land if they are not noble, then nothing is different. Your people who owe any dues or rents to their land owner, be they Noble or otherwise, and taxes to their King and local government. Their King, you as it were, and your government would direct a portion of these taxes not used to pay wages or upkeep on your government's lands and holdings to the Orzag to be spent on state necessities like public works, in an ordinary situation. But, your situation is not ordinary."
Kharok turned away from Hyland then, only briefly, to let his black-mane framed face drift across the crowds of nobles and courtiers with his great horns bared with gold rings jingling from the movement. There was a clear look of benevolent gregariousness in his posture and his visage, showing a sense of relaxed calm as if he was about to impart some news that would make even those ancient gods who held the world a top their shoulders feel the weight lessen.
"Your nation has just found freedom for the first time in over a century, a blessing my own people have enjoyed for the same length of time by which you've been denied. In order to secure for these coming generations of Ontareans the support and assistance they deserve as free citizens of the United Kingdoms, the Orzag and I have decided to make an addendum to your Kingdom's joining. No monetary taxes of any kind will be due to the Orzag and the United Kingdom for a period of twenty years. All the taxes received by the Ontarean government shall be hers to redirect towards the public good; universities, commercial ports, increased military spending if you should so desire. The Orzag would simply request the right to send economic advisers to observe tax-periods to make sure no wealth is falling through the cracks and finding its way into the pockets of those who wish to benefit unduly from these happy tidings. Beyond this, the direction of that wealth shall be up to Ontare and her rulers, be they the King or perhaps a legislative body of its own should you decide there to be one. It is YOUR Kingdom, my friends, and you should see it grow from hard work and dedication; let us, then, be your family in this great endeavor for the better of us all."
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Post by aspenivan on Oct 19, 2017 2:56:45 GMT
"You do much to assuage my worries," Ardan Hyland commented with a smile to the Naryur. "I believe the only points of possible contention are those which are essential to the notion of integration into the United Kingdoms. That is, the renunciation of full political sovereignty, and the disbandment of Ontare's military as the Kingdom's own force to command. These points will require no small deliberation in the Royal Parliament, no doubt over the course many meetings over the months to come.
"In the meantime," the King stood up, "I invite you to attend the feast tonight, to be held in honor of your visit. And, naturally, you are free to stay in the Palace as my most esteemed guest for however long your Valiance wishes."
____
Some two months later, Naryur Kharok was invited to return to Ontare. There, he was informed that the Royal Parliament of Ontare was willing to accept integration into the United Kingdoms, but only with additional caveats.
Firstly, the Kingdom would possess a special right of veto over certain decisions: appointment of bureaucrats overseeing Ontarean territories by the Orzag, stationing of non-garrison military forces in the land, centrally-mandated construction and demolition projects in the Kingdom's settlements, any stripping or granting of titles in Ontare except in cases of criminal prosecution, and the implementation in Ontare of any increase in taxes or internal duties beyond the standard when the Kingdom joins. This last condition, naturally, would not be taken to negate the promised 20-year tax grace period proposed by the Naryur.
Secondly, all subjects of the Kingdom would enjoy freedom from conscription, except to defend the United Kingdoms' non-colonial territory from active invasion.
Third and finally, a sum of 40,000 jiien (40 Gold) would be granted to the Parliament of Ontare to improve the Kingdom according to the body's own designs.
Should the proposal be rejected, King Ardan Hyland and the Parliament behind him would nonetheless assure their friendship to the United Kingdoms. Trade and a defensive alliance would be proposed, and plans for integration would remain on the table to be revisited at a future date.
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Post by zurajai on Nov 9, 2017 2:26:38 GMT
"A most agreeable decision. The Royal Orzag of the United Kingdoms shall provide these rights of veto to the democratic body of your Kingdom, however it is organized. Long may the United Kingdoms prosper, together."
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