The Grand Feast of Bawe-Arode [OPEN, PT] [IC]

[Taimansia]

Invitation to all Lords and Ladies of the World

The High Chancellor of the Qeudkoka of Taimansia
is commended by
Qeud Raladev of Taimansia
to invite any Lords and Ladies of the world who wish to attend a feast for expanding diplomacy and good relations to the Selmruka in the Royal Capital of Bawe-Arode.
There, all in attendance will be treated to a grand feast at the expense of the Qeudkoka of Taimansia.
We encourage any who receive this letter to accept this invitation if possible, and we shall look forward to seeing you,
Best regards,

Kaiqeud Edob Revoka of Revoba,
High Chancellor of the Qeudkoka of Taimansia

---

The city of Bawe-Arode was beginning to set up for the influx of foreign dignitaries, lords and assorted other guests. The normally busy streets leading up to the Selmruka, itself built largely into the side of the White Mountain, had become ever busier with the bustling crowds of peasants, city officials and low-ranking lords who had come both to see the setup for the feast, but also to assist in setting up Bawe-Arode to be a city fit for foreign visitation.

The winding city streets of grey stone stood in stark contrast to the wooden buildings as one approached the highest points of the city. Shrines to the god Rerm lined the streets approaching the topmost levels. Not only was Bawe-Arode a prominent city in Taimansia, it was also a centre of worship for the Kaevi faith, as well as being the place of residence of the Raesain Kesmal, the head of the faith.

The various councillors of Taimansia, amongst them some of the most prominent men and women in the Qeudkoka, filed into the vast valley of Kawarka through the massive red gate, the Kodamas, which stood as the only entrance through the 50-foot tall walls lying directly to the North of Bawe-Arode.

Within the Selmruka, the Qeud, Raladev Rokqeud Talenred, stood awaiting the various lords and ladies he had invited. The city lay sprawled below him, the people in its streets as small and numerous as ants, and as the servants decorated his castle, he realised this truly would be a great feast. This would be a feast for the ages.

[Upper and Lower Egypt-]

Darinda, Middle of The Night

The beating of oars ceased as the horn was blown by the captain of the Thalamegos as it approached the harbor of Darinda in this land called Taimansia. The Great Royal Wife, Anna Sophia, woke with a furor from her bed and came to the fore of the ship, where servants were preparing for disembarkation. The columns of the temple built into the Thalamegos glittered and danced like the streamers above them in the moonlight. Moonlight. It was still nighttime. Darinda's fires still flickered in the distance as its inhabitants slept. Anna Sophia was already dressed when she saw this, having assumed it was morning, but as she truly awoke she realized it was still dark and became even more angry. She stalked the ship looking for someone to berate, but ceased as soon as she him leaning on the right bow of the ship, gazing into the harbor in front of them.

Her brother and husband, Pelagios XI*, was already dressed and smiling as he saw her face and irritation at being woken up in the middle of the night. Anna Sophia was a vision of Greek perfection. Olive skinned and aquiline like all their ancestors, she was proud of this heritage, and only wore Greek garb whenever she could. Some said she was the Empress Theodora come again, and she dressed as such. The pearl encrusted coronet was fused with the Egyptian style hairnet/crown, and her superhumeral collar too was embedded with pearls and lapis lazuli. Pelagios merely wore a tunic for the moment. As his own day's clothing was still being prepared and blessed.

"Brother, why have you waken us in the middle of the damned evening?" Anna said with venom. "I get that we've arrived, but this ship literally is a palace. We could sleep until morning, you know."

"My sister, there is a certain amount of symbolism required for events of this magnitude." Pelagios said cryptically, looking out on the eastern horizon. "We will be late if we stay here any longer."

"Fine." She said and walked away yawning. Over the next hour or so the royal canoes were prepared and made their way to shore. The advance contingent of the royal guard provided their identification and quickly assuaged any threat from the rest of the guard, alerting the kingdom and its government to their arrival. The agreed upon guests and transportation vehicles were stuffed on to canoes of their own before being sent to the city. The rest of the servants, priests, and guards stayed aboard the Thalamegos and were left to entertain themselves in any way they pleased, but forbidden from going ashore or otherwise irritating the locals. The Egyptian Entourage did not tarry at all in Darinda, and quickly went through the city without waking its inhabitants.

The Kodamas, Sunrise

When the rosy fingers of dawn touched the sky for the first time, as Amun-Re's sky barge came awakening from the underworld again, the royal entourage arrived at the massive gates of the great city. The Egyptians and Greeks in the caravan marveled at a the skill of these people, who's great works rival their own. Not even the Pyramid complexes of Mithridates I or the renewed Temple of Luxor matched the scale of the walls around this place. The centurion of the fourteen guards blew his horn to announce the arrival of the pharaoh, requesting that the gates be opened so that he may visit and feast in peace with their leaders.

When (and if) they did open, a great procession would bring marvel and novelty before the people of the city. The Primoscutarii* guards, all fourteen of them, headed the procession. They marched in traditional Roman lockstep. Behind them were the six belly dancers, laying out garlands of Egyptian lotuses. Behind them were three men on horseback. Two were the government attaches, Nomarch Narses of Krete (Marshal) and Nomarch Kallinikos of Aswan (Steward/Architect). Between them was the Paragon Xroj, Prince Mithridates. He wore traditional armor with a cheetah skin sash, but was vested in a long golden Chlamys. Atop his head was The Death Mask of Thoth, a solid gold helmet of attributed great mystical power. It hangs over his forehead, like that of more ancient Greek statues of the gods, but it can be drawn down completely to cover the face and neck in order to commune 'directly with the gods'.

As the great men passed, the servants of the kingdom bore two palanquins. Four of their servants bore them while one read aloud from a scroll in the common speech known to all men. These palanquins bore the Pharaoh and his Great Royal Wife. She still wore the same 'conservative' dress as she did on the ship, but Pelagios was in a starkly different arrangement to his wife. Pelagios wore a very traditional garb(second from left). He was pharaoh, and he made it known as such. While Anna Sophia gently waved to the crowds and even blew some kisses, Pelagios sat stoic and looked ahead, bearing the crook and flail across his breast, his eyes darkened by the kohl. The white crown of Upper Egypt gleamed in the light of the rising sun. His astronomers had indeed correctly calculated. Pharoah, the living god, had arrived exactly at dawn. The herald announced just who had come in such an elaborate, nigh obnoxious, and completely necessary way.

"Behold, Pharoah Pelagios! He of the Two Ladies, He of Sedge and Bee! Behold, Pelagios, The Son of Ra! Behold, Pelagios, God Amun Incarnate! Behold, Pelagios, The God Horus Incarnate! Behold, Pelagios, King of Egypt and Her Dominions!"

The herald repeated this three times before they arrived at the palace. After the procession past came the maidservants, and with them the Pharoah and the Queen's naked children of whom the maidservants cared for, who handed out small gifts to the crowd as a recompense for taking up their day. The procession made its way through the city and stopped at the palace. The palanquins were lowered and the Pharoah and Great Royal Wife awaited their next instructions from their hosts. The servants were allowed to take a needed rest, and the maidservants washed the children from the dirt of the streets. Pelagios handed off the crook and flail to one of them, as well as his double crown. The thing was heavy, and he could not bear to wear it a moment more. It was replaced with a radiant coronet, a smaller simpler crown who's spikes resembled the rays of the sun. Today was to be a great day, and Pelagios looked forward to the meal ahead. Pomposity was exhausting.

(OOC: *This history is being now provided for by a WTWSMS mod playthrough, and I had to adjust the regnal numeration. The Primoscutarii seemed more appropriate for a Byzantine Egypt than old kingdom medjay)

[Taimansia]

Entrance to Kawarka Valley,
THE KODAMAS
and
BAWE-ARODE

As the Egyptian delegation arrived at the Kodamas, the Red Gate, the gatekeeper observed as a centurion blew his horn, as an annoncer announced the arrival of the Egyptian procession, and finally, the gatekeeper ordered for the massive horns on either side of the gate to be blown, sending out a deep rumbling sound akin to that of thunder from far away, as the gates were pulled open thanks to the engineering prowess of the Taimansi and the strength of forty men deep inside the walls.

The delegation passed through some miles of countryside within the valley, harsh stone mountainsides along each side, before finally coming to Bawe-Arode, the jewel of Taimansia. Peasants fawned over the exotic nature of these 'Egyptians' and the gifts they carried with them. Some wondered if their dress would be suitable for a cold region such as the foot of the mountains in Kawarka, but many seemed to think, as the great levels of opulence might even suggest, as well as the herald at the front of the delegation, that they were akin to Rerm himself of the Kaevi, and perhaps the cold did not bother these foreigners the same as it might any other Southerner. Those of the peasants that understood the speech relayed it with awe to those who did not, and the crowd shouted with glee for the Qeud's new guests.

Approaching the palace stood many soldiers, perhaps thousands along the sides of the road, each one wearing heavy steel armour, around which was a cloak of dark pink, known to those who traded in such things as 'Stag Red', made from a dye found only in the Valley of Kawarka and allowed to be used only by the Royal Dynasty of Talenred and the professional military forces loyal to the Qeud. Each soldier held a long pike, with a short Stag Red pennant attached to its tip.

As they entered the Selmruka, the residence of the Qeud To, the great entrance hall, a massive hall of marble and obsidian mined from Mansarka and Wamiharka respectively, stood to greet them, its high arched roof and paintings showing off the opulence of the Qeud To of Taimansia. The hall was filled with yet more soldiers, this time with even more resplendent robes. They were Men-at-Arms of Taimansia. The Pharaoh and his other guests were acknowledged by the Chancellor of Taimansia, Kaiqeud Edob Revoka of Revoba, who entered and bowed to the Pharaoh, dipping low to the ground and holding his clenched fist to his chest, as was Taimansi custom. He wore a long and elegant green gown, with white trimming and small red flowers embroidered into it. A crown, tall and fairly resplendent, was on his head. It was evident that this man was a major and high ranking lord of the realm from his appearance. He spoke in the common tongue, with a veiled Toãoka accent underneath.

"Pharoah Pelagios, tales of your greatness have travelled before you. I welcome you to the city of Bawe-Arode, capital of the Qeudkoka Taimans and home of our religion and our Qeud To, Raladev." He bowed low once again, before acknowledging the two guests alongside the Pharaoh, Paragon Xroj Mithridates and The Great Royal Wife, Anna Sophia. He gestured to the large marble staircase that approached the even larger and more resplendent Grand Hall, in which the feast would be taking place, "My Qeud is awaiting your arrival in the Grand Hall, if my lords and lady wish to join him. I can send some servants of my own to assist yours with your residence. The Qeud had a residence completed for you near to the palace grounds for the duration of your stay. I hope you will find it to your liking."

[Diarcesia]

Off the coast of Darinda

The lengthy voyage of the merchant galley Vimaera had come to an end as its occupants beheld the lights of the coastal city of Darinda and the extravagant Egyptian royal barge that arrived an hour earlier. It was a stark contrast: the Diarcesian ship paled in size and majesty to the Thalamegos, a reflection of the current state of affairs of both kingdoms. Arkess, the founder of the fledging Monarchy Diarcesian, made it clear that he will travel light so that the resources can be directed to more pressing matters, such as watching the cities of the Pronotus Peninsula who still grumble about the loss of their sovereignty. The Vimaera served a dual purpose for the trip. It would transport the Monarch to Taimansia and back, and the merchants aboard were to enter Darinda to prospect for lucrative exchanges in the next few days.

The delegation of Arkess delayed not and began unloading their items and horses for the ride to The Kodamas, where they were awaited.

---

The Delegation

Arkess, Monarch Diarcesian
A Diarcesus from a city he refused to divulge, Arkess of Arkess (Arcesius de Arcesius) was almost killed years ago. Only a lynx prevented that from being a certainty by taking an arrow that was meant for the would-be monarch, allowing his escape. He took refuge in a city of outcasts away from the Pronotus Peninsula, eventually becoming its leader and conquering the lands of the Diarcesi, a feat unheard of in centuries.

Titian (appearance)
Titian (Titianus) descended from a group of Romans who settled in Diarcesia. An intelligent young man, he accompanies Arkess to help in matters diplomatic.

Slaanesh the Odrioyan (appearance)
A former mercenary and skilled swordswoman from distant Odrioya who found permanent employment as Arkess's personal bodyguard. As someone known to be taciturn and often meditates alone, Arkess mentioned that "disquiet offends Slaanesh".

Pandora (Similar appearance)
A cataphracta assigned as Titian's bodyguard who had already seen several battles.

---

The Kodamas

The four Diarcesians had approached the gates just as the Egyptian procession is winding down. The city was unlike anything they saw before, their ancestors' tales of grand cities given breath and standing the test of time. Arkess, donning leather armor, a red cloak, and wearing a helm with a lynx's head attached, raised his hand to signal his companions to pause. He looked at the surrounding people, the walls, and the buildings to glance at Taimansia's architecture and everyday life.

Once he is satisfied, the Monarch bade to proceed and introduced himself with a loud voice in the Common Speech.

"Arkess! The Monarch Diarcesian and Uniter of the Seven Cities."

The Four riding abreast continued on their way to the palace to meet the hosts.

[The Selkie]

Three miles from the entrance into the Kawarka Valley and the Kodamas.
Unlike their 'Egyptian' Colleagues, who relished in their splendor and decadence, the ten-people strong delegation led by the man historians of later centuries would come to call the Plougher of Forfar did not demonstrate as much of their richness.
Five guards, two handmaidens, a scribe and two delegates, who would participate in the feast, all of them horse mounted, all of them having come on the Tarraing-Type vessel Siorradh, which rested in the harbour of Qeynelm. All of them were mounted, although the two handmaidens were seated behind two of the guards on their steeds.
One would never guess, that the white-haired, old-looking man with the sharply cut and angular face was a Warlord of the Selkie, a taoiseach cogaidh. He was not dressed for the part either, wearing a black tunic as an undershirt, above it a green coat and a grey cloak (his saddlebags contained a few changes of clothing). His dark eyes looked at the city - he was impressed, he would freely admit. He had never seen such a large and grand city, nor one of this architectual style. His people still thatched their roofs with dried hay, here they did not.
At his side, her hood pulled down, rode a woman in her twneties, green hair, green eyes, both the colour of emeralds, her own grey coat hiding the light set of armour she wore underneath, the sword and the quiver with the unstrung bow. Her lance, which would make her famous, was in her hand, though, open and visible.
The breeze played with Mailina's hair for a moment as she surveyed the city as well.
"A thousand warriors.", she suddenly stated in Selkie, making her father raise an eyebrow, "Intruding into the city by day, sneaking in, a dozen men, then six murdering the night shift and opening the gates from the inside. The other half-dozen sets a few things on fire. While it will alert the people, they will be occupied elsewhere and will not see the attack coming as such."
The old man nodded. "Indeed.", he said, using the same language, "However, I do not wish to hear such talk from this point. We are here as guests, not as plunderers. Not to plough their fields with the bones of their dead, but to talk about peace and trade. We were invited here."
"We do not completely trust them, do we?", the younger woman said, glancing at her lance.
"We trust our gracious host and we will behave in a manner befitting their station." A small pause. "It's the other guests I do not trust. Besides, I only need ten to conquer the city."
"How, Father?"
"Nine to escort your sister here, she charming a local Prince until he can't live without her, marry her off, wait for the bloodbath she would be inciting and then be the proud father visiting his daughter.", he said with a grin.
His daughter snorted in amusement, then kicked the flanks of her horse. Their entrance into Kawarka Valley and through the Kodamas would not be as large, loud or glamorous as that of the other delegations, but it would be a an entrance: Six armed Selkie-Horsemen, two with beautiful women behind them, a scribe and an old, wise man - who knew, what would come from that?

[Taimansia]

Entrance to Kawarka Valley,
THE KODAMAS
and
BAWE-ARODE

~snip~

As the Diarcesian delegation approached the Red Gate, yet again, the horns blew loud and deep like thunder, signalling throughout the valley that yet another delegation had arrived. The gates slowly swung open, creaking as they did so, and the delegation moved through on horses, riding four abreast. As they approached the city itself within the walls of Kawarka Valley, the remnants of what was once a wall around the city became apparent as a marble wall inside of it. Markets lined the streets, and peasants, though evidently wound up by the Egyptian delegation, still enjoyed the arrival of this, the far more modest but still interesting and foreign Diarcesians.

As they ascended towards the Palace, many cheered for them. Climbing the steps to the palace, some men came for their horses. They would be taken to the Royal stables, where they would be fed and watered with only the finest Taimansi horse food, which very often consisted of good fruits and vegetables. Just fresh from discussing with the Pharaoh, Kaiqeud Edob Revoka once again stood forward to engage in talks with these new guests. He bowed low again, clenched fist to chest, surrounded by men-at-arms.

"Arkess, the Monarch Diarcesian. Your reputation, uniter of Seven Cities, precedes you. Be welcomed to the Selmruka of Bawe-Arode, residence of the Qeud To, Raladev Talenred," He bowed again, having revised his courtesy to the letter. He acknowledged the other three - Titian, Slaanesh and Pandora, before again addressing the Monarch Diarcesian. "My Qeud shall await you with other guests - Pharaoh Pelagios and his entourage specifically - within the Grand Hall. We can organise servants to remove your possessions to your mansion within the Royal Village, outside of palace grounds," He bowed once more.

~snip~

Once again, the red gate swung open, but without a herald to announce them, and a very minor procession to accompany them, it was believed that they could simply be peasants attempting to enter the Valley for the feast, in which case, the Red Gate would not be their entrance point, and any peasant of Taimansia would know it.

"Ra kutlu Kawarka wil Kodamas! Kod ké reuq qão hál!"

The voice echoed over the landscape. Another voice followed it, speaking in Common Tongue for any there to hear.

"The valley of Kawarka and its Red Gate! Enter if local or worthy! Declare your name and intention!"

[The Selkie]

Entrance to Kawarka Valley,
THE KODAMAS
and
BAWE-ARODE

~snip~

As the Diarcesian delegation approached the Red Gate, yet again, the horns blew loud and deep like thunder, signalling throughout the valley that yet another delegation had arrived. The gates slowly swung open, creaking as they did so, and the delegation moved through on horses, riding four abreast. As they approached the city itself within the walls of Kawarka Valley, the remnants of what was once a wall around the city became apparent as a marble wall inside of it. Markets lined the streets, and peasants, though evidently wound up by the Egyptian delegation, still enjoyed the arrival of this, the far more modest but still interesting and foreign Diarcesians.

As they ascended towards the Palace, many cheered for them. Climbing the steps to the palace, some men came for their horses. They would be taken to the Royal stables, where they would be fed and watered with only the finest Taimansi horse food, which very often consisted of good fruits and vegetables. Just fresh from discussing with the Pharaoh, Kaiqeud Edob Revoka once again stood forward to engage in talks with these new guests. He bowed low again, clenched fist to chest, surrounded by men-at-arms.

"Arkess, the Monarch Diarcesian. Your reputation, uniter of Seven Cities, precedes you. Be welcomed to the Selmruka of Bawe-Arode, residence of the Qeud To, Raladev Talenred," He bowed again, having revised his courtesy to the letter. He acknowledged the other three - Titian, Slaanesh and Pandora, before again addressing the Monarch Diarcesian. "My Qeud shall await you with other guests - Pharaoh Pelagios and his entourage specifically - within the Grand Hall. We can organise servants to remove your possessions to your mansion within the Royal Village, outside of palace grounds," He bowed once more.

~snip~

Once again, the red gate swung open, but without a herald to announce them, and a very minor procession to accompany them, it was believed that they could simply be peasants attempting to enter the Valley for the feast, in which case, the Red Gate would not be their entrance point, and any peasant of Taimansia would know it.

"Ra kutlu Kawarka wil Kodamas! Kod ké reuq qão hál!"

The voice echoed over the landscape. Another voice followed it, speaking in Common Tongue for any there to hear.

"The valley of Kawarka and its Red Gate! Enter if local or worthy! Declare your name and intention!"

The old man laughed silently to himself before he replied in Common Tongue, his accent, soft vowels and rolling Rs shining through, as well as his natural inclination to make every sentence he spoke sound like he would sing a song: "Good Day to you, too - lovely weather innit?", he asked politely before he introduced himself, "I am Ruaidhrí Fiaghruagach, of Clonmel-Descent, travelled the high seas from the Lands of the Selkie to come here on invitation by High Chancellor Kaiqeud Edob Revoka of Revoba."
There was pride in his voice, before he made a small pause and looked to his daughter. With one move, she turned her lance around, the tip now pointing downwards, the counterweight into the air - with a few quick moves of her hand, she affixed a banner to it, showing the profile of a Star Lynx, an animal living in the Lands they hailed from and animal on the coat of arms of the Plougher of Forfar. It was white, on a red background.
The flag shown was a symbol of peace amongst the Selkie, hopefully understood by their gracious hosts.
"We come in peace.", he added, speaking loudly again.

[Shwe Tu Colony]

Entrance to the Royal Capital of Bawe-Arode
"Ah, hopefully I'm not late," Ir'a Tar'rama said to himself as he sat in the coach that he hired to take him to the capital, although he wouldn't have minded walking. Still, there was that mild issue with his red skin, horns, & his aflame head, although he thankfully found a way to not have his head be on fire. However, the other abnormal parts of him stayed, although thankfully the covered windows, doors, & opacity of the walls would hide him while he traveled to the feast's location. On the other hand, his driver was completely human & on the outside of the vehicle, while the two horses had a chestnut red color that seemed natural enough covered by a short fiery red caparison, although their ferocious eyes were more of a light brown & they seemed to have a lone horn on the front of their faces.

It was certainly a bit strange, although the horns seemed to be attached on by some method rather than part of the creatures themselves. However, the horses seemed a bit belligerent & aggressive, glaring at anyone who didn't get out of the way in time. Considering their horns & loud clopping, though, the number for those who didn't get out of the way in time was few, even with the horses' faster than average pace for a carriage. Still, they were fearsome animals, & one might feel that they may not have been any normal horse, with their seemingly angered gait & the power they radiated with each step they took. In sharp contrast to these beasts, the driver had a calming expression & pleasant smile that balanced out the horses' ferocious presence.

Eventually, the horses would come to a stop by the gates or whatever entrance for the building where the feast was occurring, with Ir'a stepping out of the carriage moments later, wearing a khaki-colored doublet with a damask pattern & plain peach trousers (both of which looked medieval enough) going down to his knees while his neck was decorated with a necklace of turquoise jewelry shaped to look like either an eye or a lotus flower, depending on how one viewed it, although it was more like the latter. Connected by a single string looping through all of the parts, the jewelry seemed a bit roughhewn, looking more like a set of turquoise jewels of varying sizes & cuts connected together. Still, it seemed like it needed some talent, but it wasn't made by some master artisan.

As for the horses, their glare would remain, & anyone who came up to them would find the horses inching away from their touch, or if not possible, loudly snort & slowly move their horns closer to whoever it was, as though threatening to use it. If a person was idiotic enough to continue trying to get near the horse, even past it waving its horn, the horse would make a deep, hoarse groaning sound that would probably send a sinister chill down their spine with how unnatural it sounded. Fortunately, the driver was still there to manage them, & if anyone did come up to the horses, he would say, "Don't touch them, they're fearsome beasts. Allow me to care for them." If there was nobody, the driver would ask the nearest person where the stables were to put away the horses, at which point he would stay with the horses for the rest of their time here, as though nobody else could handle them.

[Diarcesia]

snip

Arkess returned the Kaiqeud's gesture, clenching his own fist to the chest and bowing his head per the Diarcesian tradition, with the others following his lead. "Your hospitality is most appreciated, and we welcome your offer to bring our possessions to our quarters." (Uttering mansions was too foreign for his sensibilities, and was still getting used to it).

As soon as the servants arrived to attend to them, the Diarcesians unfastened and handed their cloaks. Pandora, the cataphract, gave her lance for safekeeping, while she and the others presented their respective swords and daggers to the men-at-arms that they will bring to the Great Hall as a sign of goodwill. Once everything is arranged regarding their possessions, they made their way to the Great Hall, under the watchful gaze of the soldiers who will protect the Qeud To with their lives. Upon taking their places in the Hall, Arkess took notice of Pharaoh Pelagios when he saw the latter. A distant brother of the Greek heritage. I wonder what are the goings-on in his land, he thought.

[Upper and Lower Egypt-]

"I grow cold in this. This place is no Alexandria." Pelagios said with annoyance in Pontic to Anna Sophia. "Horemheb, get the Greek garb please."

Horemheb, one of the palanquin bearers, detached a large box from the palanquins and opened it. Inside was a set of tunics as well as a loros overcoat. Not knowing where to change, Pelagios shrugged his shoulders and stripped right there in the courtyard. Quickly putting on the tunic, shoes, superhumeral collar, and clasping the loros over his shoulder with a large jeweled broach. The radiant crown on his read remained. Pelagios looked radically different from before. Whereas he arrived as a vision of Pharonic power and old Egypt, he had now shifted into the bureaucratic, diplomatic, shrewd and powerful vision of his ancestors roots, of Pontus and of Byzantium, from Ptolemy to Justinian. He bowed before the kaiqued and handed over his possessions and baubles to the servants for transport, and followed him into the grand hall.

"Dear brother, you've honored these delegates with a vision of your pure divinity." Anna Sophia said with a chuckle. "I will follow soon, but I wish to see these other peoples a bit more. Mithridates can attend on me for now."

Pelagios bowed and went inside with his entourage. The maidservants went with the others to the mansion, but Anna Sophia kept her children about her. How they weren't freezing right now was a mystery, but such are the machinations and ephemera of the gods. Of whom spoke through Mithridates, who came to her side quickly. Mithridates was her older brother, and formerly second in line to the throne before their son was born. It was a well known fact that they had a long lasting affair among the nobility. There's was a story of yearning and disappointment. They had grown up together in the golden house, and Anna Sophia had always promised to marry Mithridates, but their father (Pharoah Nikodemos III) had forced her marriage to Pelagios as he was the heir. They remained lovers throughout the marriage, and Pelagios allowed this to continue, for he wished to keep unity and prevent any dynastic conflicts from occurring. She watched as the Diarkesion and Selkion entourages approached and declared their intentions. They made her feel strange. They were both familiar, yet utterly alien.

"Mithridates, paramour, what do our cartographers say about these peoples? The Diarkesion are definitely Greek and roman," She said curiously "And the Selkion strongly remind me of the Britannian Celts as well as the Galatians."

"Oh great lovely sister, I know not of their lands. Perhaps they are long lost relatives from across the seas." Mithridates replied. "The gods have not seen fit to tell me of them."

"Odd." Anna Sophia said. "Perhaps we'll find out later on, then."

"What in the damdnest of the duat-?" Mithridates said suddenly. The arrival of the Parfuhmerien delegation had come, and the Egyptians still outside were in awe of Ir'a Tar'rama when he exited his carriage. His horned visage was both strange and familiar to them, as most of the gods of Egypt were depicted as animal headed humans. A few of the native Egyptian servants bowed in reverence to the delegate, thinking he was a servant or embodiment of Khnum, the god who created man and pottery from clay. Anna Sophia and Mithridates were incensed by this, and kicked the servants.

"Get up, you fool, that is not Khnum!" Anna Sophia harshly whispered in Old Egpytian. "I may be the goddess Mut on Earth, but I can rage like Sekhment all the same."

"I know he is no god, and more likely a servant of Seth." Mithridates said in Old Egyptian as well. He pulled own his helmet over his face, which began to amplify his voice. "He is a demon, and demons must be slain."

"Do not even think of it." Anna Sophia replied. "He is a delegate of his own land, and I will have no incidents caused here. Remember, lover, you said the gods had hidden peoples across the seas. Why must they all look like us?"

"Fine." Mithridates said, changed. "The helmet must remain on, now, and I must commune with the gods."

Turning towards the great hall, Mithridates followed the Primoscutarii inside. Anna Sophia followed, curtsying to the demon-man and apologizing for the theatrics from her people. As all this ended he looked befuddled, at least that's what Anna Sophia thought. She really couldn't tell. Her son, Prince Mithridates, laughed at all of this and hugged the demon-man's leg. Anna Sophia apologized again and led the rest of the entourage inside, completely mortified and embarrassed.