Wonderful Ambrose-Nand-Krozna Meeting

[Aedilred]

To follow up on our aborted chat from last round, and trying to re-meet-up after the dust has settled from the Tir Amser fiasco. While the aim here is principally IC I guess we can probably be a bit looser about it than normal for the sake of expediency.

[PepperP.]

Derris came up hurriedly from the small cabin below deck that he had shared with Belinda on the journey with the Nanda from the Aeldir lands to the port of Krozna. He pulled on his jacket, his skin covered in goosebumps where it was bare to the cool sea air. He reached down and took his wife's hand as she came above deck, long since divested of her formal masquerade gown, she was dressed casually and similarly to Derris, to show off her various tattoos of clan and status. They took a moment to take in the landscape of the bustling port and the grand, imposing city beyond.
"Come, let's find Aiman and finally meet the Kroznat leader." Derris had the intent, purposeful demeanor of when he studying something particularly interesting. Belinda knew better than to try and argue or distract him when he was in this mood, even had she wanted to.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Winter of Year 101, Krozna]

It had not been long since the Fantastic Masquerade, but some time had managed to pass and Autumn had begun to turn to Winter by the time the ships arrived. Fortunately the Wormwood's waters were fed by warm rivers, guaranteeing that the port would not freeze during this time of year. Krozna was a city both fantastic and strangely unnerving, its stone walls overgrown by swamp ivy in places and patrolled by a sparse, anemic force of guards. The city's great marina was itself walled off in part by barnacle-ridden stone, the space evidently having once been a part of the city that had sunk beneath the waves during some ancient quake or flood. More recent wooden construction had at some point repurposed this place, forming a sheltered dockway from a sunken graveyard. In drydocks to the north, new galleys could be seen under construction.

Past the seaward gates to the west, a portion of Krozna's Merchant Quarters could be seen, moving with some bustle despite most people staying indoors during the winter months. Not a speck of snow had fallen, the climate simply not cold enough for it, but a few flames could be seen by observant folks with the city's poorest huddled around.

A small body of the Al-Riku House Guard was stationed at the docks, ready to escort Foreign delegates to the Castle at their pleasure.

[PepperP.]

The modest delegation allowed themselves to be led into Krozna proper. The city that had seemed imposing from a distance was even more so close up, the worn, heavy stone draped with vines emanated an impression of age and permanence, as if the city would remain long after it's denizens, as it had outlasted the ones who had come before. Derris entered the audience of the Kroznat King and though he did not bow, he nodded his head respectfully, aware that he was in another's domain, somebody with whom he hoped to form a strong, lasting alliance. He dispensed with the usual formalities of court and, taking initiative, introduced his party.
"I am Protos Archigos Derris Asker, of Ambrose. This is my wife and Archess, Belinda." He gestured to Aiman,
"This is Queen Aiman of Sassanand. It is a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance."

[BladeofObliviom]

The House Guards did not cluster in close, instead walking on either side of the road on the labyrinthine pathway through the city. It was a quiet affair, all told, and yet with the flashing colors of the guard's garb and the twisting nature of the path, it almost seemed as the world's most apathetic parade. They served their purpose adequately, however: No thieves or riffraff dared to accost the foreign party even during the brief pass through Beggar's Row.

Krozna was not built by a madman, apparently; it was built by many madmen, each with a distaste for the previous madman's unique flavor of madness. New construction was built on top of older stone. Several times the style of stonework visibly changed as the pathway continued, even obscured by the vines. As they approached more affluent districts, the vines had long ago been cut down and trimmed back to reveal the effect much more clearly, however. Much of the city spent its time shrouded in darkness, structures built over other structures and even over streets, blotting out the sunlight from these areas. Though the paths the House Guard led the foreign parties through was well-lit, whether by the sun itself or by lamps, it was not hard to see that some places were dark at all times of day. Finally the maze of construction both old and new gave way to the topmost layers of the city, shining stone gleaming in the sunlight as if recently polished.

The Palace was a thing of beauty, a watchtower over the wicked and ugly swampland it ostensibly ruled over. No doubt it was chosen amongst the several buildings so high up for its appearance, marbled and constructed with a mixture of straight edges and curves pleasing to the eye. Two more members of the Al-Riku House Guard pulled the great wooden doors open as the party approached, the escort guards bowing to their charges before dispersing to their other assignments.

Inside, the Mirzahib was already waiting, dressed in flowing ceremonial robes and wearing his jeweled band of office. He was a young lord, a boy of only sixteen summers by all accounts, though there was a certain steely intensity in his eyes that belied his youthful appearance. His face was sharp and angular, and his hair dark. As the Queen of Sassanand and the Protos of Ambrose approached his position on the dais, he bowed respectfully to his guests of state.

"Welcome to the City of Krozna, Friends and Neighbors. I am Shou ibn Kaede Al-Riku, Mirzahib of Krozna and the Wormwood Territory, and it is in turn a pleasure to make your acquaintances. I owe both of you an apology for my abandonment of our previous meeting plans, though I hope you do understand that any slight was an unintended result of that bloody affair. Please, if there is any refreshment you desire, you merely need ask and the servants will attend to it as if it were by my own order."

The Mirzahib does not seem distressed at the Protos Archigos' flaunting of the typical rules of court. It is possible that he does not care overmuch for formal forms of address, or that he himself is tired enough to dispense with formalities.

[Aedilred]

Aiman looked up at Krozna with something between awe and wariness as they arrived. She had heard plenty about it, of course, both from the histories of the place and from her own people who had visited it over the years, but to see it with her own eyes was something else entirely. There was nothing like it in Sasanand, although that was a backhanded compliment, for, while Krozna outstripped the Nanda buildings in audacity, size, and, to a degree, splendour, there was little elegant or beautiful about it. She had prepared herself for spending some time indoors, and the Kroznat had been considerate enough to ensure the path remained well-lit but still, the sight of streets shrouded in darkness made her skin crawl slightly against her desire to show no weakness.

One positive development that had come from the abandonment of the Masquerade was that she had had the opportunity to spend time with Belinda and Derris on the journey here, and she believed that she had made friends there as well as an ally. Still, she was slightly surprised at the forwardness of the Ambrosan in making his introduction. Formalities were often a bore, but there was a purpose to them, and despite the good relations between their three kingdoms this was nevertheless the first time the rulers would meet in person. Consequently, unlike Derris she did her best to observe the niceties as she understood them, and would expect from a high-ranking visitor to her own court, without holding things up following her companion's expediting of the introduction, or indeed without seeming to make a point of doing so as if to try to show him up.

As in Tir Amser she was dressed as conservatively as she ever did: a short skirt, strophion and collection of diaphonous silks that were almost entirely transparent, together with some light jewellery including a tiara to suggest at royal status - not that her host would need reminding of that.

Looking at their young host, she was struck by an odd feeling, for she was suddenly aware she was - just - old enough to be the Mirzahib's mother, though he himself was old enough to be father to at least her youngest child. He occupied that odd generational space where he was capable of making her feel both old and yet still in touch with youth at the same time, and a brief wonderment crossed her mind at how he must see her, and Derris and Belinda for that matter.

"No apology is necessary, Mirzahib," she said. "Whatever inconvenience it may have caused, I cannot hold you to blame for your actions in leaving as soon as you saw what transpired. I should have done the same in your place, and indeed followed swiftly in your wake as soon as I learned what had happened."

[PepperP.]

"Indeed what was witnessed in the Aeldir lands was disturbing to the core, you have no need for apologies to what was a natural reaction of self-preservation and disgust at the callous disregard for life and hospitality shown by our hosts. I'm quite certain those who escaped with our lives were quite fortunate to do so. That sham of an event, the Fantastical Masquerade as they called it, further serves to highlight the importance of unity among us in the west, to serve as shield and sword for our continent, to protect those who would otherwise be at the mercy of those who have none." Derris pounded his right fist into his left hand as he spoke passionately, for emphasis on what he viewed a serious threat. Belinda stroked his back soothingly and unobtrusively, her face unconcerned by her husband's animated speech. Derris straightened and collected himself.
"Now it is I who apologizes, for I have gotten ahead of myself. It is a pleasure and an honor to meet you in your grand city, Mirzahib. We have traveled many weeks with the Nand to arrive at your presence, please forgive my excitement at our long anticipated meeting." He bowed to the young Lord, which might have been awkward given their age disparity, but Derris' mind conjured his daughter, Alessa, who was nearly the age of this young man who was entrusted by his people with their well-being, and he felt only a fatherly pride and respect for the younger man's accomplishments.

[BladeofObliviom]

"Of course.", spoke Shou with a soft smile, apparently somewhat relieved that his actions were seen as justified and not a result of some unleaderly panic.

"Ah, yes, we have business to attend to, don't we? I've had a private room set aside for the three of us, and..." He shouts to one of the servants, a very young slave girl: "Go get another mat!" He coughs once. "Apologies, I only had three sitting mats set out in advance, and would have set out a fourth if I had known you were bringing your wife, Protos Archigos. But please, it's this way. They'll likely have it laid down before we arrive; the servants are quick."

It's up a single flight of stairs and around three corners, but the conference room is well-appointed, separated from the hall by a thick curtain of cloth. A Ghul standing guard nods to the Mirzahib, drawing the curtain open until all four have passed before simply dropping it back into place. "I have heard tales of the Nanda and their preference for well-lit places, and so I picked out a room with windows.", Shou says, pulling the blinds open on the far side of the room. There's a decent view of the city from here. The conference room itself is small and slightly smoky, tiny braziers in the corners burning incense and filling the area with a pleasant, flowery scent. Four mats made from the fur of some large mammal are laid out in a triangular fashion (two are placed next to one another rather than separated), and two of the walls are laid with a pair of tapestries depicting the city, and perhaps some famed myths of its citizens.

The Mirzahib sits cross-legged on one of the mats, motioning to the servant relaxing against one of the walls, who quickly stands, bows, and moves from the room. "Now, I am given to understand that you have a proposal for me."

[PepperP.]

Belinda and Derris entered the conference room and both took a moment to gaze out at the strange, aged city that was revealed as Shou pulled back the drapes. Belinda sank gracefully onto the comfortable furred mat that was part of the pair, she took the seat furthest on the end, affording Derris the mat nearest Aiman. She busied herself with studying the colorful tapestries that hung on the walls. Derris took the mat in between his wife and Aiman, sitting cross legged as their host. He thought quuietly about what he wanted to say for a moment, as the smoke from the incense perfumed the air, it also hung low in the room, that coupled with the quiet age of the building they sat in lent an aura of misty seclusion to their meeting. It would be easy to wall yourself away from the world from here, he thought, and though it was tempting to let the seeming isolation lull him into complacency, the horrors of their recent journey were too fresh in his mind.
"Our proposal, simply, is strength through unity." He glanced at Aiman and waited for her to add her thoughts to his comment.

[Aedilred]

Aiman arranged herself carefully on the mat and ended up kneeling: sitting cross-legged in a skirt of this length was just asking for trouble, and Shou was after all only sixteen. There was no sense distracting him more than already necessary. She was slightly surprised at the brevity of Derris's comment, having been expecting something slightly more fulsome after all the time he'd had to come up with it, but did her best to mask her expressions, as usual.

"What we had in mind goes beyond a mere alliance, though certainly that would form an element of it. Our history of dealings with the Kroznat, and more recently with the Ambrosans, leads me to believe that our three kingdoms have a degree in common, but enough divergent expertise and resources that we could all benefit from each other's insight and capabilities. What we propose, therefore, is an arrangement which unifies the authority of we three across all of our lands, allowing us to magnify our strengths and minimise our weaknesses, and present a united front to the world."

[BladeofObliviom]

If he takes any offense to Queen Aiman choosing to sit differently than himself, the Mirzahib does not show it. Though in truth Derris is more his type. *invisiblesmallwink*

"That...that is indeed a radical suggestion.", Shou says after a moment of consideration. He seemed to struggle with the idea, perhaps simply trying to juggle the logistics of it. "And how would such a thing work, exactly? Who would hold authority? Whose capital would take precedence? And unless power is passed or shared in some way, how should this differ from vassalage?"

He frowns.

"I will acknowledge that the idea has some appeal. I have hoped to call Sassanand an ally regardless, and I find that my powers are more often precedent than law. Reform is eventual; I just know not what form it might take."

[PepperP.]

Belinda briefly glanced at her husband, he seemed to be struggling to form his ideas into words, which often happened when his mind was racing faster than his mouth could keep up. She fiddled with the strings that help the front of her white top closed and went back to studying the tapestries on the walls. She chewed on her lower lip as she concentrated on the intricate details of the embroidery, it wasn't her place here to speak for Derris. Though she wanted and believed in the proposed alliance, she recognized that it was up to him to help make it happen, and to rise as an equal to the other two leaders here.
"From discussions with Queen Aiman at length on the voyage over here, and from what I am hearing from you, Mizrahib, it would seem that our three realms share the similar circumstance of being in a precarious political situation. For myself, I have the full support of three of the four great clans of Ambrose. Unfortuantely, the dissenting clan happens to be the second most powerful, aside from my own. To me, the unification of our governments would grant me and my line a power and authority that even the Collins would not be able to deny, I truly believe that a stable government is in the best position to afford it's people security and progress. Already, Ambrose seeks to call her scattered clans to come under one rule. To manage and hold such a large populace, there are areas that would undoubtedly be left unattended. The unification of our governments would see to all of our peoples, thereby granting us the freedom to concentrate on issues over others, secure in the knowledge that those other issues would be attended by somebody. This unified front can only serve to strengthen not only our position in rule, but also the quality of life of all of our citizens." Derris paused, brow furrowed and concentration on articulating exactly what he wants to say,
"As for the capital, I would imagine it would be in a central location to our three coutries?" This was asked questioningly, with an eyebrow raised at Aiman for her opinion.

[Aedilred]

"There is probably no reason why each of us could not retain our own courts," Aiman said. "The arrangement would differ from vassalage in that instead of one being set above the others as suzerain, we three would form an equal partnership. The principal objective is to present a united front to foreigners, so that it might make sense for one of us to take responsibility for trade, one for foreign wars, and so on. It would probably be wise however for each of us to retain some control over the passage and enforcement of laws within our three realms, but with support from the others in case of... recalcitrant subjects. The three of us, and our successors, would form a ruling council, a triumvirate, sharing our resources and expertise. In time we might find that it becomes useful to instate a central administration at a single capital, but that is probably not something that needs to take place immediately."

[PepperP.]

Derris nodded, a subtle look of relief on his face as Aiman detailed her plan, he had not been ready to leave his post in Askerville, or the workshop of the Tinker's Guild.
"Perhaps some time in the future we would seek to consolidate a capital, but for now I agree with you Aiman, our Triad could rule from our respective courts as long as that is practical. There may come a time that our lands grow too widespread for it to be so." He glanced at to Shou to gage his reaction, and waited for his thoughts on the matter.