Tales of The Princess-Regent (Closed, TG for Entry)

[Sombreland]

Galador, Sombreland

The Princess Alavaine de Cressa stood on the balcony, shivering. She was not cold, because she wore a cloak trimmed in sable wrapped around her body, as she stared out at the night skyline of the capital city. There was fear in her that ran deep in her flesh right down to her bone marrow. It was an old city, with very few tall buildings, most of them palaces and temples. It was an old fashioned capital for an old fashioned country. Lights twinkled all over it, but there was a stronger, reddish glow around once place: the building site of the Temple of Thon. Thon was a god that had become increasingly popular, and the idea of the completion of that temple filled her with dread. For the worshipers of Thon were fanatics. Those who were not willing to serve the god Thon were regarded, by its worshipers, with loathing and dread. For long centuries they had been a fringe, worshiped mostly by strange folk who muttered and gibbered, who read strange old texts and argued about interpretations, while gentler gods and philosophies had been pursued by the rulers and aristocracy, by the merchants and military caste of the country. Modern worshipers, who had convinced the Royal Ministers to permit the creation of the temple, who had in turn convinced the King, insisted that they are no longer so barbarous. And, after all, many low ranking citizens worshiped and were quite respectable. They filled the ranks of the civil servants and classes of scribes, legal experts, physicians and other such folk, it was said. Yet she felt worried about them. The implications of their scriptures were dangerous, full of envy and anger. All mere philosophy, she had been reassured. Yet she wondered...

For several years that now seemed too short though, in chambers beyond hers, the kingdom had been ruled by King Orian The Ninth, a thoughtful man who had only become king after the death of his more dynamic brothers, one in a boating accident, one because his health had always been feeble. His own line had borne only daughters and one son, Prince Halibane, who had died only a few years ago of wounds that had grown infected following a lion hunt. Now, he lay, surrounded by tubes, machines, and doctors and nurses bent over him like worshipers while his breathing had slowed to a constant sleeping pace. This was a mercy after his agonizing coughing. According to the leading physicians, it was just a matter of time now, possibly weeks. But then, who knew?

In the meantime, the Royal Ministers had urged the Great Oracle to prophesy, and then the First Prefect of the Archives to find precedent, and it was determined that there must be a Regent. And so the heir presumptive, being of the age of majority, was proclaimed the Regent for the King, till he should recover, or return to sleep in the Halls of the Ancestors to await the end of all time.

Princess Alavaine had been a few hours of sitting by the King's beside, reading to him from the tales of the Wise Monkeys when, seeing no response from her beloved grandfather after many hours, and had then gone to bed. Slipping from her day clothing and changing, with the aid of her servants, into a night gown, and then gratefully into her bed. Then she was woken up by courtiers and covered in a robe just before the arrival of ministers, including the First Minister of the Crown, the Grand Duke Pofolman, who informed her that she must be made regent.

And that was why she shivered so on her balcony. For she was only a young woman, and felt most unready to rule her kingdom. Especially with the menace of the temple of Thon growing on the horizon.

[Sombreland]

The Princess Regent was at the head of a council tasked with resolving the kingdom's financial crisis. To address the kingdom's mounting debts, the director of the treasury, Count Bolox, had greatly expanded the capacity of the kingdom's mints, an achievement for which he'd been greatly admired. When a scarcity of capital back the nation's currency, the director had proposed the idea of backing currency with other valued products of the nation.

Along with the greater abundance of currency, however, a new problem had emerged\. There was a rise in the rice of goods. Bankers were refusing to extend further credit and were demanding repayment for government debts in kind rather than in adulterated coinage. While this was troubling to the government, the consequences had been falling hardest upon the people. From grain to fuel, they found themselves straining to afford the basic commodities of survival. On top of that, a dry season had led to threat of famine. For ordinary people, luxuries were almost unheard of, and staples were costly.

Thus, the Princess-Regent was at the head of the Emergency Council. It was an unusual position of authority for a woman, but she was the Heir Presumptive, of the Royal House, and she had expressed dubiousness of Count Bolox's capabilities. The Council brought in foreign advisors on economics, who urged them to reduce government spending and raise taxes. Princess Alavaine consulted with the senior ministerial officials, especially the Chancellor, the Minister of the Right, and a new Director of the Treasury, who was called Mr. Abrey Yasher. Yasher strongly recommended the policy, which was called the Barro Policy after the economist who had proposed the theory.

Unfortunately, just before this policy had been implemented, the Grand Duke Teroth had managed to persuade the Ministry of the Right to back
buying all new vehicles, equipment, and weapons for the country's military services. So there had been over 200 billion in government spending.

"Well," Chancellor Pofolman as the council meeting was breaking up, "It's not a bad thing in a way."

"Why?" asked Princess Alavaine, astonished.

"Because if there are bread riots," said the Chancellor drily, "Then improved armed forces will come in handy."

[Sombreland]

In the middle of the week, there was a splendid celebration at the Palace of the Ouroboros in the capital city of Galador. The ordinarily gloomy windows of the ancient royal residence were brilliantly lighted, and the squares and streets adjacent, usually so solitary after the Bronze Giant had struck the hour of nine, were crowded with people, although it was past midnight.

The vast, threatening, eager, turbulent throng resembled, in the lit streets, a surging, tumbling sea, in the midst of shadows and darker alleys, each billow of which makes a roaring breaker; this sea, flowing through Shield Street, Ostrich Street, and Parade Boulevard, S and covering the Titan Quay, surged against the base of the walls of the Gray Palace, and, where people of higher class gathered, at the Diamond Hotel, which faced it on the other side.

In spite of the royal festival, and perhaps even because of the royal festival, there was something threatening in the appearance of the people, for no doubt was felt that this imposing ceremony which called them there as spectators, was only the prelude to another in which they would participate a week later as invited guests and amuse themselves with all their hearts. Many persons gathered around little idols, shrines or creches decorated with emblems and signs of the god Thon. The more learned chattered about how visions and theologies of Thon brought enlightenment, while ragged demagogues with the clothing of workers and the lips of poets talked of how Thon leveled all humanity to being humans who ate, belched, expelled flatus, copulated, worked, sweated, argued, slept, sickened and died, none better than anyone else. All were equal before Thon, praise His name...

The court was celebrating the ascension of Alavaine de Cressa, daughter of the late Prince Alinwal and Princess Galispara. and grand-daughteer of Orian the 9th, the retiring old King who had not put in a public appearance in nearly ten years. In truth, that very morning, on a stage erected at the entrance to the Temple of the Verities, the Grand Oracle and the Master of Rituals had performed the sacred, ancient, almost incomprehensible ceremonies that declared Alavaine not only Heir but Regent of the Kingdom.

This Regency had astonished many, and occasioned much surmise to certain persons who saw clearer than others. Clearly the Regency was wise, as the Heir was of age. It was rare but not unheard of for women to act as head of state. Although a form of equality existed in Sombreland, men and women were seen as being different in certain key ways. A woman, in order to hold office, must have a man to defend her honor and dignity. Speculation as who the person selected to be the Guardian of the Regent fluttered around the court, the corridors of the bureaucracy, and the people.

No one knew, furthermore, how the Princess-Regent would incline herself when it came to governing the kingdom. The old king, and many in the government, including the Chancellor, were very conservative. Change was often considered so carefully and at such length that a new policy direction often seemed to emerge only after more than a decade of such consideration had taken place. On the other hand, there were also bold people within the government who wanted new things. It was this passion for the new that had driven Grand Admiral Teroth in his desire to buy new military equipment. The Grand Admiral wished to do more than this, though. He also wished to change the way that the military was structured. He had dizzying ideas such as recruiting and training in a common pool of men from all over the kingdom, rather than by region as was ancient tradition. He might never have dared to do such things had he been born in a past age, but Prince Shalayew Kadav, who was not only Minister of the Left but also Minister of Death, was a retiring, shy man, who cared more about artwork and museums than about military matters, and often deferred such things to the Grand Admiral.

Most people, however, who were present at the celebration were keen for a good look at the new Regent, who would, for all intents and purposes, be ruling the nation from then on,

Assuredly never was any welcome, however flattering, more richly deserved than that which the new Regent was at this moment receiving. Marguerite at this period was scarcely twenty, and she was already the object of all the poets' eulogies, some of whom compared her to beauty of the dawn, others to the breathtaking wonder of the seas; she was, in truth, a beauty without rival in that court in which her mother, Princess Galispara, had assembled the loveliest women she could find, to make of them her sirens.

Alavaine had black hair and a brilliant complexion; a voluptuous eye, veiled by long lashes; delicate coral lips; a slender neck; a graceful, opulent figure, and concealed in a satin slipper a tiny foot. Even the most envious of the de Cressas were proud to see such a lovely flower flourishing in their soil, and those from the Provinces who returned home dazzled with her beauty if they had but seen her, and amazed at her knowledge if they had discoursed with her; for Alavaine was not only the loveliest, she was also the most erudite woman, having been schooled in the Royal Court by the most eminent scholars that could be obtained. She was known to be gentle in her normal manner, yet to have the quiet resolution and courage that her lineage had often possessed.

The new Regent was hailed, toasted, and she and the other ladies of the court dances till their skirts whirled like flowers and their feet pattered like so many drummers along with handsomely dressed gentlemen of the court. In the lamplight that lit the normally gloomy palace, the jewels and silks shone like stars, and all were happy and sweet within. To the acclaim of those gathered there, it was declared that the dynasty should go on another thousand years.

[Kerberos]

#15 Belmont, Grand Peaks, Capital of the USSK

"The situation in Sombreland warrants out attention, with the new Princess Regent taking the reins of power the population is unsure of the future situation. Add to that the rapidly declining economic situation and you have a very fluid situation that may need our attention..."

The Chairman slowly placed the open document on her desk, it went on and on, military spending, government stagnation, religious zealotry. It had the potential to become a serious danger to global security, to the security of the USSK. She sighed and picked up the phone on her desk, half an hour later plans for an official visit had been made, over the next two days everything had been arranged for Chairman Maria Smith's first international visit since she took her place as head of the ruling party. One thing was for certain, it was going to be an interesting trip...

[Sombreland]

Alavaine de Cressa, the Regent of Sombreland, felt helpless, like there was nothing to do to help herself. The power of the kingship was so bound up in ritual and tradition, that its power was both great and rare at the same time. So many layers of court and bureaucracy lay between her and her people. Her rising and waking, every doing, was controlled by protocol. The lifting of a pen and putting it to paper was governed by protocols that depended on the kind of ink that was used, the type of pen, the paper, and what was written upon it. Her meetings, audiences, and meals were governed by etiquette and ceremony. Even bathing was governed by protocol.

There was no way, and no person, to whom she could confide her growing sense of fear. She feared the Thonists, gathering to worship at their shrines, emptying their wallets and purses to feed the construction of the temple. She feared the specter of famine. She feared the war in Gyzantia, which had virtually been decided without her, as some kind of intrigue between the Chancellor, Pofolman, and Grand Admiral Teroth. It was difficult to control these men, for protocol barely permitted her to talk to them casually. She feared for what would happen to the force of sailors and Royal Marines that the Grand Admiral wanted to prepare to send to war in a dreadful, distant, place.

It was only with her regalia removed, her gown unlaced, her maids bowing and withdrawing, leaving her in her bedchamber, that she was simply herself. Sometimes she looked at herself in a floor length mirror, letting her robe and nightgown fall to the floor, to see herself unadorned from her toes to the top of her head, and tried to see herself just as a woman. She knew that she was a beautiful woman. Her face was piquant, oval, her eyes large and luminous. Her black hair fell down like a long mantle around her smooth shoulders, reaching the small of her back. She rubbed her arms, and would turn this way and that, studying the supple slope of her body, and wondering what others thought they saw. If she stepped into a more humble gown, let herself trade slippers with a maid, did her hair more simply and hastily, took up a basket of fruit and wandered in the streets, would people just see a beautiful woman? Was she simply the clothes, the titles, and the dignity that surrounded her, or was her leadership innate?

Sighing, she put her nightgown back on. She still was in the chambers of her father. Her mother had, with graciousness and dignity, left the adjoining chamber empty, for she was no longer consort, but a Queen Mother. In many ways, she wanted to crawl into her mother's bed and snuggle with her and tell her her troubles as she had when she was a little girl. But her mother refused to treat her that way. There was something careful about the way that her mother treated her that made her feel cautious and concerned.

Alavaine suspected that some of the maids might be spies. For which courtier, who knew, but likely the Chancellor, possibly the Minister of the Right, possibly the Grand Oracle, maybe the Grand Admiral. Who could say? As she slipped between the sheets, she wished bitterly for a true friend, not her ladies in waiting, who were all the daughters of great families and while kind and sweet, were all champions of tradition. She longed for a strong person to whom she might turn in her fear and desperation. As she fell asleep, she had an awful dream about being pursued by a monster whose face was too horrible to look at, and got all tangled in the sheets as sweat broke out all over her sweet body and her hair grew very tangled up indeed.

[Kerberos]

USSK Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To Her Majesty, Princess Alavaine de Ressa, The Ministry of the Left and The Honorable Prince Shalayew Kadav

On behalf of Party Chairman Maria Smith, we wish to arrange a formal state visit to the Great Nation of Sombreland. We share the Chairman's view that our great nations can provide great benefits to on another, and wish to pursue a closer relationship in the name of peace and prosperity. To this end, our Party Chairman wishes to meet her Royal Highness Alavaine de Ressa to discuss the nature of our mutual success and advancement.

We eagerly await your response and send our most heartfelt regards and sympathies to the new Regent Alavaine de Ressa, and her Honorable Grandfather King Orian the 9th, and will be sending several of our finest physicians to provide all possible aid to his majesty.

With warmest Regards, Party Chairman Maria Smith, and all the citizens of the USSK, may we meet soon and have a bright future.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Grand Peaks International Airport, Military Section

The TU-114 was an old bird, indeed it had been mothballed for nearly a decade, ever since Ash Friday turned five cities into radioactive glass. One of the casualties of that dark day was Party Chairman Richard Holt, killed in the first rebel strike, Maria Smith suddenly found herself taking command of an entire nation in the midst of a nuclear civil war, there had been no time to think about foreign visits. First she led her nation to victory over the rebellion over two years of brutal, vicious war, then there had been the rebuilding period, new factories, new cities, millions of citizens dead and dying, the army and airforce completely rebuilt and a million other challenges.

Now she was looking at her predecessor's official transport aircraft, mechanics scrambling all over it, checking and repairing the damage of neglect. It had started life as a civil airliner, but Chairman Holt had ordered extensive modifications, it had been equipped with a 23mm tail gun from a TU-95 bomber, the wings had attachment points for chaff and flare launchers, air to air missiles and electronic jamming pods, the interior had been heavily soundproofed to counter the unbelievable sound its four turbo-props produced. It was fast, indeed it could give many jet airliners a run for their money, but none of this was important.

What was important was the USSK was finally well enough to need a official transport for foreign visits, they were no longer surviving on their own, they were now part of a larger world. Maria felt tears at the thought, this old plane was the symbol of the future, a future so many had suffered to create.

[Sombreland]

The Regent sat in the Consort's Throne, as was customary, while the Monarch's throne was empty. She wore an embroidered gown with a fine head dress of fur and jewels, while her long hair was braided ornately as the result of two hours' work by her maids.

The Minister of Divinity, Prince Yalam Hezibo, was helped towards the supplicant's position on the carpet leading up to the thrones, and bowed as deeply as he could, leaning on a cane, with this white beard dipping, and muttered something in a voice as feeble as a pea rattling in a tin can. A younger courtier was helping him, and nodded and listened and then said, "I beg permission to speak on behalf of His Highness, the Minister of Divinity."

The Chancellor bowed and then spoke quietly to the Regent. "The Minister of Divinity craves permission to speak."

The Regent kept her face calm and serene and said, "It is granted. And let all speak to me directly here who are of suitable rank to do so."

"Most gracious of Your Majestic Highness." The Chancellor, Grand Duke Pofolman, turned to the Minister of Divinity. "Your Highness may speak to the Regent."

The ancient man bowed again, and muttered to his attendant, who said "A most vile thing has happened. A foreign leader has, in the most grotesque manner, begged to be able to have a direct audience with Your Majestic Highness. This is as though the person had come in here and fouled the carpet before Your Majestic Highness. I beg permission to order that her lips be cut off, her nose sliced away, her eyes put out, her ears torn away, and her bosom crushed between heavy stones."

At this, the Minister of the Left, Prince Shalayew Kadav, seemed to wake from a peaceful slumber where he sat on a small stool near the throne, and said, "I am advised by the Director of Foreign Relations that it may be to the benefit of the Kingdom that this savage foreign warlord be granted the permission to see the Regent, breathe the same air, and even speak with her."

The Chancellor seemed to murmur to the Regent, and the Regent nodded, and the Chancellor said, "The Regent will grant a stay of execution on the foreign savage warlord and her followers. Let us first hear what they have to say."

Following this ceremony, the Princess Regent formally requested that proper hospitality be granted to the foreigners as though they were provincial government representatives.

Once that was out of the way, bureaucrats in the different governing directorates began to meet to discuss how to handle the visit. The Regent was very excited and curious, and said so in the more private and informal meeting later. Grand Admiral Teroth smiled as she Regent clapped her hands and drummed her feet on the floor. "I believe," he said, "That Your Majestic Highness' reign shall be enlightened and innovative, and shall be the dawn of a new golden age!"

To: Party Chairman Maria Smith
From: Princess-Regent Alavaine de Cressa
Encryption: Private

---

Dear Madam Chairman,

I am very happy to have heard from you. Initial talks about closer relations between our countries sounds like a wonderful idea. If you do not mind, while there will of course be proper formalities between us initially, the main body of our talks I would like to recommend should be informal and should take place at the Gray Palace. When you arrive, I will meet you at the airport with proper greetings according to your station, and we can take a car from there to the Gray Palace. I am greatly looking forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Princess Alavaine de Cressa, Princess-Regent of Sombreland

[Kerberos]

The last few days had been filled with a flurry of activity, diplomatic messages flew between the USSK and Sombreland as a countless details were arranged. As was always the case with international matters, a mass of formalities preempted a simple informal meeting. Itineraries, gifts, landing clearances, security, the list went on and on.

The old TU-114 was restored and repainted a crisp white with red and green markings, on the tarmac it stood out among the drab and weathered warplanes of the Kerberosian Air Force. As the sun slowly peaked over the horizon Chairman Maria Smith boarded, it had been two years since she was last on a plane. That trip on a military transport, a group of rebel sympathizers had stolen a fighter and her pilot had been forced to make an emergency landing with a flaming engine. It was memorable flight. She was happy to have a plane with actual defences, though it was very unlikely any trouble would emerge this trip.

As anticipated the flight was boring, the Chairman spent the time chatting with her aides and two bodyguards, it was strangely peaceful. As they approached Galador the city's palaces and temples shone in the afternoon light, it was like a fantasy kingdom, something out of a magical tale. As they awaited landing clearance, they circled the city until finally they began their approach.

As the TU-114 rolled to a stop, the Chairman walked to the door, flanked by her guards, she took a deep breath.
"Well, here we go then"
She sighed with apprehension as the door slid open...

[Sombreland]

King Delefin National Airport

The day was a bit chilly. There was a hint of moisture in the air, and the skies were overcast. The TU-114 taxied to a stop, and then when it was motionless, the air stair emerged after the door opened. When the Chairman appeared, the national anthem of Kerberos was played by a Royal Air Force band. An honour guard of the Blue Guards Regiment stood in a line, and presented arms with shining bayonets and softly gleaming dress uniforms. The Princess-Regent, looking lovely in a red wool coat with black fur trim, waited at the end of a red carpet with some senior officials behind her. When the Chairman came to the end of the carpet, Alavaine said in her pleasant voice, "Madam Chairman, on behalf of my father, the King, welcome to Sombreland. I hope your flight was a pleasant one."

The Regent was curious about what the Chairman looked like, and sounded like. She was as fascinated by this as a child, because she so rarely met with foreigners. Nearby stood such officials as the Chancellor, Pofolman, the Minister of the Left, and the Director of Foreign Affairs. They were also curious. the Princess-Regent, more like her grandfather than her father, was very interested in foreigners and saw meeting them as a chance to escape royal protocol.

Not far off were a group of black sleek vehicles that were intended to take the Princess-Regent, the Chairman, and their respective entourages to the Gray Palace.

[Kerberos]

Chairman Maria Smith was impressed, not many knew the current national anthem, and the honour guard was a sight to behold. She knew the Regent was young but seeing her was a shock, in a way she saw some of herself in the girl before her. She shuddered when she remembered her own rise to power, a minor bureaucratic official who suddenly found herself leading a nation at war.

The Chairman was surprisingly average, average height, slender with short cropped blond hair and brown eyes. She was pale, though she was only 34 she looked like she was in her 40s. In spite of her average appearance she had an air of authority, it made a simple black leather trenchcoat and burgundy beret look like a jewelled robe... Or maybe a suit of armour...

As she approached Alavaine she bowed, again it was a simple gesture but it expressed nothing be respect. As she straightened her body she spoke, her voice was soft, yet clear.

"I am honoured your majesty, I must confess I was not expecting such a magnificent welcome."

She turned towards the figures following her. Gesturing to two hulking people, or maybe things in black greatcoats and wearing glossy black helmets with solid metal faceplates and small cameras on the each side.

"These are my most loyal guards, Magnet and Cinder, they accompany me everywhere, they were exited to meet you."

The Chairman was smiling and Magnet and Cinder both saluted is perfect unison, though unconventional it was a good fit for the increasingly unconventional times...

[Sombreland]

Princess Alavaine looked at the two strange monster people accompanying the chairman. It was one of the oddest sights she had ever seen. “How very interesting,” she said, as was her habit when confronted with something bizarre. “I can only imagine that they are commendable in their loyalty. Do they belong to some special military unit or something?”

As she spoke, she began to walk, hoping the Chairman would follow, towards the cars. She was curious about the Chairman’s reply to her question, but also desired to get to the Gray Palace. An officer of the Blue Guards saluted as he opened the door to a limousine. Inside, it was comfortable with seats that were made of fine leather.
“This is a historic moment,” explained Alavaine. “We have not had a formal state visit like this. Usually such matters are dealt with through diplomats.”

When the two leaders were in the card, the little convoy, escorted by motorcycle mounted law officers, began to move away from the airport and into the city. The Chairman might notice that it was an old city. It had curious four story apartment buildings made of bricks that had little lanes and courtyards, many small one story homes and shops, and, because the city was built on hills, streets connected to main streets by stone staircases. There were no skyscrapers. Everything looked like the newest buildings had been made a century ago. Additions like the airport were rare and had been designed as much as possible to fit in with the rest of the architecture.

They also saw the people, wearing traditional robes and long tunics, many of them falling to their knees, stopping all activity, and putting their foreheads to the ground. At one point, passing a marketplace, a few people simply stood and stared. Alavaine pretended not to see but could not help going a bit pale.

[Kerberos]

Princess Alavaine looked at the two strange monster people accompanying the chairman. It was one of the oddest sights she had ever seen. “How very interesting,” she said, as was her habit when confronted with something bizarre. “I can only imagine that they are commendable in their loyalty. Do they belong to some special military unit or something?”

The Chairman smiled. "Something like that, don't worry they're actually quite nice when you get to know them."

“This is a historic moment,” explained Alavaine. “We have not had a formal state visit like this. Usually such matters are dealt with through diplomats.”

"I understand, I like to be different, I find diplomats can complicate things and there are topics that are too sensitive for conventional channels." The easy smile was gone, suddenly the Chairman was deadly serious. Then as if nothing happened the smile was back. "This is easily the most beautiful city I have ever seen, back home the everything is less then a century old, lots of socialist brutalist architecture." Suddenly one of the guards spoke up, their voice electronically distorted. "I am recording Ma'am." The chairman smiled again. "Thank you Magnet, you can lift your visor, Alavaine wants to see what you are. She turned to the Regent. "Am I correct?"

[Sombreland]

Princess Alavaine was, indeed, feeling a bit strange having the two automatons in the limousine with her. She nodded, however, at the question by the Chairman, "Yes, that would be most interesting."

They had passed a grand plaza with a large heroic statue of a heroic figure on a rampant horse in a fountain. It was surrounded by official buildings such as court houses, temples, tax collection buildings, post offices, and banks. People in the area bowed low to the ground, touching their foreheads to the ground. The police motorcycles fanned out to control the area, alert eyes glancing around, while the vehicles drove past.

When they crossed over an ornate bridge, it might be noticed that there was no traffic or persons on either side near them. It would be easy, if necessary, for the vehicles to make a loop and change directions. The river below seemed to be smooth and rippling, as though it was deep and fast. There were stone embankments and little boat jetties around the river, as though ferrymen or fishermen plied this hill-river.

[Kerberos]

Magnet carefully raised the visor to reveal... A tanned, grey eyed young man, his features were soft, kind even. The Chairman looked at Princess Alavaine's expression and laughed. "You should see your face right now, I told you they're nice." Cinder was looking out the window, silently watching the surrounding buildings as the Chairman Smith continued. "He and Cinder are part of Project Orphan, its a think tank of sorts, geneticists, engineers, military experts, the armour they're wearing is part of it." Magnet pulled his coat open to reveal a breastplate made from the same gloss black metal as his helmet before speaking in a surprisingly pleasant voice. "Its titanium alloy over a conventional kevlar and ceramic armour set, there's a soft exoskeleton under all that to help manage the weight." The Chairman spoke up again, her smile had spread into a strangely goofy grin. "If you want we can make you a suit, it would certainly make you into a sight to behold."

[Sombreland]

Alavaine was quite astonished, and said, “Oh, what a trick! He looks quite human!” She listened to the explanation and her smile faltered. “”You…manipulated his humanity somehow? How very interesting…I do not think that could be done here.”

When the Chairman brought up the idea of making similar armour for her, though, Alavaine shook her head rapidly. “”We could not do that. My clothing, down to the smallest most unseen article, is in the Sacred Archives and cannot be altered. While that does give me a range of choice, I could never wear such apparel, splendid though it is.”

They were approaching the Gray Palace now. A grand gatehouse, like an old fashioned fortress, manned by formally dressed Blue Guards with modern rifles, along with a fortified wall, which surrounded its estate. As they drove through, guards near the entrance presented arms. A long boulevard with beautifully sculpted pine trees led to the palace itself, which was of classical design with cones, spires and great pillars.

“This is my palace, the Gray Palace. His Blessed Majesty, my grandfather, is resting in the Palace of the Ouroboros, so we are meeting here. You are most welcome! I hope that our visit will be a happy one!”

[Kerberos]

Alavaine was quite astonished, and said, “Oh, what a trick! He looks quite human!” She listened to the explanation and her smile faltered. “”You…manipulated his humanity somehow? How very interesting…I do not think that could be done here.”

Magnet spoke again. "You could if you wanted, its a simple process, Cinder and I are twenty, and they were able to make changes even then. He paused and looked out the window again. "Its not as big a manipulation as you think, our metabolism is different, we only need a couple of hours of sleep each day, and our blood is more efficient." Suddenly Cinder spoke up, with a distorted voice. "Easy Mags, you don't want to start another ethical debate on our first visit." There was a moment of awkward silence.

When the Chairman brought up the idea of making similar armour for her, though, Alavaine shook her head rapidly. “”We could not do that. My clothing, down to the smallest most unseen article, is in the Sacred Archives and cannot be altered. While that does give me a range of choice, I could never wear such apparel, splendid though it is.”

The Chairman nodded. "I understand, such a pity, a warrior queen leading from the front would be something new."

They were approaching the Gray Palace now. A grand gatehouse, like an old fashioned fortress, manned by formally dressed Blue Guards with modern rifles, along with a fortified wall, which surrounded its estate. As they drove through, guards near the entrance presented arms. A long boulevard with beautifully sculpted pine trees led to the palace itself, which was of classical design with cones, spires and great pillars.

“This is my palace, the Gray Palace. His Blessed Majesty, my grandfather, is resting in the Palace of the Ouroboros, so we are meeting here. You are most welcome! I hope that our visit will be a happy one!”

As Magnet lowered his visor, the Chairman seemed to be in awe, she was staring at the fantastic architecture of the Gray Palace, in a hushed voice she spoke almost to herself. "Thank you your majesty."

[Sombreland]

The Regent was relieved that Cinder had spoken up. She smiled bu said nothing since the other bodyguard had diverted the remarks.

When the Chairman spoke of the armour, Alavaine said, “Oh, women do not go to war in Sombreland. It would be most inappropriate. While women may do many acts of civil leadership, women are held to be sacred as mothers or potential mothers. So men go to war and risk lives with dangerous machinery, women do not.”

The cars stopped near the entrance to the palace. Along with Blue Guards presenting arms, there were several men in formal embroidered robes trimmed with fur bowing low. “Chairman, these men are my highest councillors: Grand Duke Pofolman,the Chancellor; Grand Duke Egram Zalad, the Minister of the Right; Prince Shalayew Kadav, Minister of the Left and also Minister of Death; and Prince Yalam Hezibo, Minister of Divinity.”

[Kerberos]

The Regent was relieved that Cinder had spoken up. She smiled bu said nothing since the other bodyguard had diverted the remarks.

When the Chairman spoke of the armour, Alavaine said, “Oh, women do not go to war in Sombreland. It would be most inappropriate. While women may do many acts of civil leadership, women are held to be sacred as mothers or potential mothers. So men go to war and risk lives with dangerous machinery, women do not.”

The cars stopped near the entrance to the palace. Along with Blue Guards presenting arms, there were several men in formal embroidered robes trimmed with fur bowing low. “Chairman, these men are my highest councillors: Grand Duke Pofolman,the Chancellor; Grand Duke Egram Zalad, the Minister of the Right; Prince Shalayew Kadav, Minister of the Left and also Minister of Death; and Prince Yalam Hezibo, Minister of Divinity.”

Flanked by Magnet and Cinder, Chairman Maria Smith gave a short bow. "Gentlemen, it is a pleasure, I am pleased to find the tales of Sombreland's hospitality are true."

[Sombreland]

When the Regent had come into a large hall with a long table, on her left and right sat the Chancellor, and flanking each were the Ministers of Right and left, and then facing her was the Chairman. Servants in green embroidered tunics made haste to set down dishes of huge plump grilled prawns and oysters in the shell, and broiled snails, scallops roasted and combined with water chestnuts and wrapped in crispy bacon. Along with this, large golden carafes of wine, both red and white, as well as fresh chilled spring water, along with beautifully roasted coffee and perfectly steeped tea with slices of orange and lemon were provided. Just in case the Chairman and her attendants did not like seafood, there were wonderfully steaming soybeans glistening with salt, and exquisitely carved carrots, broccoli, celery, and other vegetables disguised as bouquets but presented as foods.

"Some light refreshment as we talk," proposed the Princess-Regent. "And perhaps we can hear what you have to propose to us. Please, eat and drink, and do let us know if this is to your satisfaction. For what we consider delicious may be pure poison to you, and that would never do."

[Kerberos]

When the Regent had come into a large hall with a long table, on her left and right sat the Chancellor, and flanking each were the Ministers of Right and left, and then facing her was the Chairman. Servants in green embroidered tunics made haste to set down dishes of huge plump grilled prawns and oysters in the shell, and broiled snails, scallops roasted and combined with water chestnuts and wrapped in crispy bacon. Along with this, large golden carafes of wine, both red and white, as well as fresh chilled spring water, along with beautifully roasted coffee and perfectly steeped tea with slices of orange and lemon were provided. Just in case the Chairman and her attendants did not like seafood, there were wonderfully steaming soybeans glistening with salt, and exquisitely carved carrots, broccoli, celery, and other vegetables disguised as bouquets but presented as foods.

"Some light refreshment as we talk," proposed the Princess-Regent. "And perhaps we can hear what you have to propose to us. Please, eat and drink, and do let us know if this is to your satisfaction. For what we consider delicious may be pure poison to you, and that would never do."

The Chairman settled into her seat while Cinder carefully poured her a glass of red wine. "Call me Maria, Madam Chairman is far to formal, and this looks lovely. She glanced at Magnet And Cinder. "You can lose the buckets, doubt you need your HUD in here." The two guards carefully removed their helmets, it turned out Magnet had close cropped brown hair. Cinder was a surprise, under the helmet was a dark haired young woman with cold eyes, like Magnet, her hair was short. Disturbingly a burn scar ran across the right side of her head, she was actually missing her right ear. She noticed Alavaine staring and spoke, still preparing a plate for the Chairman. "I know what you want to ask, it was a training accident, a white phosphorus grenade went off early." She placed the plate in front of Maria. "Its how I got my name by the way."

[Sombreland]

'I was not, actually, but thank you for telling me," said Alavaine. "And really, Madam Chairman, it is not our custom to not refer to persons of importance by their important titles. In fact I am being informal by sitting with you and speaking to you in this manner. Normally, people in my country would have everyone seated according to their rank, and people would only eat by rank. We are very informal right now."

Chancellor Pofolman remarked, "Normally, for instance, addressing a personage of your rank, we would bow before every "Madam Chairman" for example." the other Ministers around the table chuckled at this.

"So, Madam Chairman," said Alavaine. "Why don't you tell me what ideas you have about our countries getting along better?"

[Kerberos]

'I was not, actually, but thank you for telling me," said Alavaine. "And really, Madam Chairman, it is not our custom to not refer to persons of importance by their important titles. In fact I am being informal by sitting with you and speaking to you in this manner. Normally, people in my country would have everyone seated according to their rank, and people would only eat by rank. We are very informal right now."

Chancellor Pofolman remarked, "Normally, for instance, addressing a personage of your rank, we would bow before every "Madam Chairman" for example." the other Ministers around the table chuckled at this.

"So, Madam Chairman," said Alavaine. "Why don't you tell me what ideas you have about our countries getting along better?"

The Chairman smiled and nodded. "An exchange of sorts, we have a surplus of food at the moment, it will literally start rotting in the warehouses in a few months. She took a sip of wine and continued. "Now during our civil war the whole nation went hungry, an entire years harvest was lost or contaminated, hell I was eating pre-packaged army rations." The smile was gone, Maria was suddenly very serious. "I propose you allow us to both ensure your people are fed and shake up the business's that are driving up the prices, Mags, would you fetch my case for me?" The armoured man nodded and put his helmet back on before leaving the room. "So what do you think?"

[Sombreland]

The Chancellor asked, “How do you propose to do what you are offering?.”

The Minister of the Left added, most languidly, “And how would this be to our mutual benefit?”

One thing they might have noticed was that the Sombrelanders ate the heads of the prawns. They munched and crunched them with obvious enjoyment and pleasure. They slurped the various shellfish with great delight, and yet did so neatly, using their utensils and napkins deftly.

[Kerberos]

The Chancellor asked, “How do you propose to do what you are offering?.”

The Minister of the Left added, most languidly, “And how would this be to our mutual benefit?”

One thing they might have noticed was that the Sombrelanders ate the heads of the prawns. They munched and crunched them with obvious enjoyment and pleasure. They slurped the various shellfish with great delight, and yet did so neatly, using their utensils and napkins deftly.

Occ: writing on my phone, been a crazy busy day at work.

Maria was enjoying the food as well, it was far better than what she had grown up with. She carefully wiped her mouth with a napkin before replying. "We would utilize our own aircraft and unarmed military personnel will distribute food supplies in areas suffering from food insecuritie." She took another sip of wine. "We're very experienced in these operations." Magnet returned into the room carrying a large briefcase. "In return we request permission to open an embassy and lease a site for use as an airbase, to aid in our global logistics network."

[Sombreland]

“An embassy seems reasonable, we would probably accept that anyway. What kind of airbase?” asked the Minister of the Left.

“And we do need food shipments,” said the Chancellor. “But how many, and for how long?”

The Princess-Regent listened quietly, and looked upon this conversation thoughtfully.