NationStates

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
We laughed at the tale of the Battle of Bersenich - it was exactly that lack of cooperation and coordination, which had broken many army's backs before they had even met the enemy. And, let's be honest, Professor Socheo could probably tell about similar tales from all over the general area we were in.
At the second point, we nodded.
"Some cheese with the rations sounds like a fine idea...", I said and felt my mouth watering - Buan with a few cheese sprinkles... delicious... I did not notice Ceili looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
She shook her head and turned back to the people in the carriage. "The Sharulsi make cheese from horse milk, right? I have yet to try theirs, but it does sound delicious."
We approached a bend in the road.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Both Fi and I nodded - we were aware, that Heiderich had studied quite a few systems of state before he proposed his own. It was still an impressive work.
"For us, an Elder serves until his or her last day.", I explained, "Granted, rumours, and sometimes even historical fact, say, that from time to time, that last day arrived sooner then the Gods intended with a bit of outside help, but at the end of the day, an Elder is elected until death." I let a beat pass. "With the longer life spans and medical options of the Modern Age, though, there have been discussions about maybe amending a bit, that an Elder too sick to fulfill the demands of the office can step down."

Lillorainen wrote:As they approached a bend in the road, Donny seemed to think about cheese a bit - the topic went on to embarrassing historical moments like Bersenich over Mangudai tactics to the particularities of Sharulsi cuisine.
"Not only, but mainly, yes" - Lena said, nodding. "Although it does depend on where you are a bit. In areas where the vast majority of people is already settled, cheese from horse milk has established itself as a main staple food, although cheese from cow milk, as it's prevalent around our parts as well, can be found there, too, and agricultural advancements have made it possible to grow soy beans on the larger scale in the eastern, coastal areas as well. Beyond the frontier, where there are huge steppes with little permanent habitation and more nomadic lifestyle prevailing, even though on a steady decline, milk is gained from literally everything nature provides, for the choice is naturally more limited."

The mounted Lillos nodded. That the end of an Elder's term had, historically, come with some surprise and outside help quite a couple of times, this was well-known, making the one case of an assassinated Lillorainian President, so far, much more of a singular case. Although Lillorainian history quite knew many cases of this as well, especially with members of City-Councils during the Städtebund Era.
"It would certainly be a logical thing to do" - Flemming said. "After all, Heiderich stepped back in 1984 due to health concerns as well, and he indeed died in 1986. For us, it's normal, and has always been, to not expect anyone to serve until the ride to Helheim."
"Which might be an advantage we have, and historically always had" - Annika Seelscheid said, "compared to the Free Lands, or to monarchies like Kyrenaia or Shikonjima, where the only way out is death as well. Heiderich implemented the option to quit any day into his model of governance from the get-go, not only for logical reasons, but also because it fits Lillorainian tradition."

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
Ceili nodded. "So a bit like here.", she said.
In front of us, the formation began to take a bend in the road, soon, it would be our turn.
"Granted, we use both cow milk, horse milk, sheep milk and goat milk for cheese production, depending on where you are.", she continued, "You'll find a lot of cows in the Trossach!"
I nodded, "Aye!", I added with enthusiasm, "The cheese they make is very delicious!"
"You'll have..."
And that was the moment, when we made the bend and before us, a panorama opened up...

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
We nodded.
"It sounds practical, to be honest.", I agreed, "Especially with the mentioned advances in technology and medicine. Though, monarchies have a number of unfair advantages, one of them being the head of state being able to shove duties off to children and successors - Razia-Sultana, for example, rarely goes on foreign visits anymore. She mostly let Prince Damir and Princess Aurelia do that for him."
"And the two are quite the power-couple!", Fi added with a grin, having lively memories of either of the two.
And then, we made the bend ourselves, the panorama opening up as we left the hills, our road now on a small ridge, maybe two or three meters above the wide, grassy plain. The retaining wall, which also served as the foundation of a simple and sturdy wooden fence, was above a field of large, mighty cows, a couple of young men and women sitting on said wall, their horses grazing closeby. Around five kilometers down the road, a road led off to a farm house with a few outbuildings and a small wall around it, the chimney smoking merrily, sitting near the shore of Lake Mór.
As we made the turn, we went alongside the mighty lake, which glistened in the evening sun and distance, a few boats sailing on it in sight. Down towards the lake, the plain sloped down, the cows happily munching on the lush, green grass offered to them. The shoreline was free for the most part, safe for a small pier, a motor boat and a sailing boat sitting there peacefully, with a small boat house nearby. The motor boat flew the SDF-Army's Sapper Corps' Flag.
The cowherders, dressed lightly and armed with bows and arrows, quivers and bow cases hanging from the saddles of the nearby horses, looked up as we came around, grinned and threw us a playful salute, the others watching us with some levels of interest.
It was a stunning view, at least to us.
"Over there it is!", Fi said with a nod into the general direction of the small farm, "Cnockan House - the House on the Hill."
"Bonus points for not actually being on a hill.", I added with a hint of humour.

Lillorainen wrote:Speaking of cows ...
As they made the bend, a panorama would open up, offering the view on a wide, grassy plain, a stone wall supporting a wooden fence as a foundation, near the shore of Lake Mór, where cows were munching on the green grass; a young men and women were sitting on the wall, the cowherders, dressed lightly and armed with bows, arrows, and quivers, letting their horses graze, were looking up as the convoy passed. The Lillorainian visitors saluted back towards them, as well as to the motor boat on the lake flying the SDF-Army's Sapper Corps' Flag. From here, one could see a road leading off to a farm house, around five kilometers ahead, which was most likely to be Cnockan House, maybe even though the Gentlemen and Lena would have expected a house name 'House on the Hill' kind of ... closer to the hilltop.
"The cows in here seem to be a solid start!" - Friedhelm Marquardt said.

Flemming nodded, remembering 14-year-old Princess Shiko getting sent ahead by her Father Shinji back in 2009 - who had done a surprisingly good job back then, albeit less surprising from the perspective of today, where she was a member of her older sister's advisory board and accompanying her at almost any official occasion. Then again, this advantage wasn't only made use of in monarchies, though, as he could also have told from vivid memories of arriving at the airport of the Distrito Federal, expecting his fellow colleague wearing his iconic uniform and sunglasses, and instead being welcomed by two teenage girls in cocktail dresses introducing themselves as Paca Torrejón Costilla and Graciela Torrejón Hidalgo - yes, El Presidente had decided to make his two nieces lead the welcoming committee. But Carlotina quite did share Lillorainen's fate of being perceived as a very special place abroad, so ...
His thoughts were interrupted as they made the bend - he wasn't the only one enjoying the panorama.
Ceyda had to laugh. "Well, it's still close enough to a hill, eh?" - she said.

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
I grinned and returned the lax salute of the red-headed cow herder, who grinned back and let Ceili answer Mister Marquardt's comment: "Yeah, they indeed are. Cows are apparently good almost everywhere: In plains, in mountains, in near-deserts... everywhere, where there is grass to eat and water to drink, you'll find cows. Of course, specialized breeds, some for meat, some for milk, some for both..."
I looked at her with a bit of surprise.
"Mister Lách and some of the others talked shop about cows and I caught a few things...", she admitted sheepishly.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
I was sure, that both Fiona and Felicia would have enough stories about similar ocurrances to tell, if they would have known, what Flemming was thinking about - and I would, in time, too. It was a thing of experience.
Thing was, we didn't and thus, we didn't share.
I smiled slightly, though: "Fun fact, this is actually not the 'original' Cnockan House.", I said and pointed down the road, "A few more kilometers ahead is a turn to the left, up the hills, where you will find the remains of a ruin, the original Cnockan House. That, over there, is the spiritual successor. The previous owners liked the name, so they kept it for the new one."

Lillorainen wrote:"Having grown up in the countrysides, I can certainly relate!" - Ole Klingebiel now said. "If you spend your High School years picking your Dad up from the pubs in the villages surrounding your own hometown in an area roughly looking like these parts, only with fewer lakes and more mountains, you'll get a lot of expertise to hear, especially when said cowherders aren't exactly that sober anymore."
Lena grinned. "You make sound Marrania a bit like Teressien!" - she said.
Klingebiel shrugged. "They aren't too dissimilar in some regards" - he said.

Ceyda nodded. This explained it all.
"Sounds a bit like the Bellerup Gate in Lysköping" - she said, "which, indeed, used to be one of the city gates of Bellerup in times of the Storöer-League, when Bellerup was its own city. When it got torn down during a rebellion, the people in the nearby village of Vaerde found it too iconic to end up on the dumpyard of history, so they rebuilt it near their own village, five kilometers away from where it used to be, and also kept the name. As Lysköping grew as a city, both Vaerde and Bellerup were incorporated and became districts of Greater Lysköping." She let a beat pass. "This is what we have to explain to everyone who wonders why the Bellerup Gate in Lysköping isn't located in Lysköping-Bellerup."
"Which now gives you an advantage, should you ever get to visiting Lillorainen" - Friederike Golkrath said. "Should Prince Damir and Princess Aurelia be around, they will likely wonder about this - whereas you already know!"

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
Ceili and I smiled.
"Well, Mister Lách and the others were sober, but drinking water...", she said and shrugged, "I think, that you'll like the Mór Land, though." She looked around. "During the summers, it's all so alive and green and flourishing and... warm." She smiled a wide, shining smile. "And the night is dark!"
That might be something, that was not readily known to people not from North of the Northern Polar Circle (or south of the southern one), but a night, which wasn't a night during the summer because the sun was up, was not fun. You made do, but at times, you just wished, that you could see the stars during the night - and during the polar night, you just wished, that you could see the sun.
Rua regularly broke kids from the Mainland.
"And all the best tournaments are here, too.", I said with huge certainty. Ceili burst out laughing. I was confused as I looked over to her, my horse turning its head as well. "What?"

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
We laughed with the Lillorainian Riders.
"Indeed, they'd be clueless!", I said, imagining Princess Aurelia carefully raising a hand like she was still in a class room and carefully asking that question. Apparently, Fi thought something similar by how hard she was laughing.
Still grinning, I added: "Though I'd doubt, that they'd be clueless for long - surely, someone would have mercy with the curious Little Desert Mouse that is Aurelia and explain it to her."
Fi looked at me with a raised eyebrow: "Curious Little Desert Mouse?", she quoted, asking me, "Where did you get that one from?"
"Berkant was our man at the Qalat-al-Jabal before he was made my partner.", I replied, quite sure, that the Lillos knew, that the Qalat-al-Jabal, the Citadel on the Mountain, was where all the Embassies were, a centralized location so that the embassies didn't have to move with every new Sultan. "And my test-journey was to Kyrenaia."
"Next you're going to tell us, how you danced with Prince Damir...", Fi added with a grin at the Lillos.
"I did, but actually, I enjoyed Khan Adil more.", I said with a grin of my own. Womanizer of not, the Khan of Bakhdi was a good dancer.

Lillorainen wrote:It took Lena and the Gentlemen but a moment to make sense of the first point - of course, beyond the Polar Circles, there were days around Summer Solstice, where the sun wouldn't set below the horizon, whereas around Winter Solstice, the sun was permanently below the horizon, thus wouldn't rise. Polar days and nights lasted the longer, the closer one came to the Poles, where light and darkness really just changed twice a year, not twice a day like on this side of the Polar Circles. This was because the Poles were always located on either side of the terminator, the border between day and night, due to the obliquity of the earth's axis. Fifth grade Geography, but oftentimes well beyond the awareness of the people, 99-point-something per-cent of whom lived well between Arctic and Antarctic Circle.
Why Ceili was bursting of laughter, however, this was something they didn't get immediately.
"Well, the tournament part seems to be kind of a controversial opinion ...?" - Lena said, having to grin.

Lilly wasn't the only one who was amused by the imagination of Aurelia carefully asking about this like a schoolgirl. And indeed, someone would definitely have mercy with her.
That embassies didn't move along everytime the government seat changed due to a new Sultan or Sultana ascending to the throne, but had their fixed location at the Qalat-al-Jabal, this was well known to everyone in here.
"So if we make it to Kyrenaia in the foreseeable time" - Flemming began, "it would be prudent to have a good dancer around for Prince Damir and Khan Adil to enjoy a dance or two with." He looked at Ceyda. "Ceyda, take notes!"
Ceyda grinned. "Saved!" - she said.
"We'll need someone for Aurelia as well, don't for get that" - Golkrath interjected.
Ceyda didn't need very long to think of someone. "Ole."
Golkrath laughed. "Remind me of informing him once we've arrived!"

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
Ceili shook her head and took a moment or two to calm down.
"Absolutely not.", she said, still grinning, "The best tournaments are indeed here, in the Mainland - the Northern Islands Cup just doesn't hold a candle. Still..." She smiled at me, a certain fondness in her eyes. "That was just a very Donny answer!"
I looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Why am I an adjective now?"
Ceili looked to Lena and rolled with her eyes - who knew, what she was trying to communicate, but I was confused.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
We laughed with Mister Golkrath, but then I added: "Don't forget the Sultana or Prince Okan - though, the latter does not require a good dancer, but a good conversationalist." I shrugged. "I am not sure, if he enjoyed our conversation, but I am sure, that I enjoyed it."
"That's a start for the day, I'd say.", Fi said with a sagely nod, then advised: "But seriously, if you ever travel to Kyrenaia, be careful. The Court is full of Hyenas and your status as guests of the Sultana and the Sultanate will only protect you so much... when in doubt, always go dancing. And try to avoid people trying to marry their children off to you." She let a beat pass. "That might not be a more immediate concern for you, but there will surely be enough idiots trying it."
"Speaking from experience?", I asked.
Fi only nodded. "Don't get me wrong, Khalid is a nice guy... Beyeha Fadwa Faris, however..." She winced. "Not so much."

Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official Press Release

---

March 12, 2018.

Concerning the matter of the entrance and occupation of the Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao by the fleet group of the Royal Kyrenaian Navy led by the cruiser RKN Nazar under the command of Admiral Shirin Mawja under the order of Sultana Razia Umm Albilad last night, this message will be published in the name of President Silas Flemming, the Meritocratic Council and the Chamber of States, as well as the people of the Federation of Lillorainen.
The Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao has been in a state of political upheaval and instability for a remarkable period of time as we speak, which is not, nor has ever been, a matter concerning nationals of Va'a Mamao only, but also formed a danger for foreign nationals and assets within the state, especially Kyrenaian, which must not be underestimated and cannot be emphasized enough times. The vast economic and political dependence of the Socialist Republic on the Sultanate ever since its formal independence, which historically went as far as a reliance on Kyrenaian aid during the 1965 famine and continued after opening its market up in 2000, does, in our eyes, suffice well to justify this occupation. The Socialist Republic has sufficiently proven, that it cannot meaningfully sustain without foreign, in particular, Kyrenaian investments, and the power gained by political forces steadily radicalizing themselves in terms of their opposition against foreign economic activity within the country would, in the long, perhaps even short run, have become an immediate danger for Kyrenaian businesses and people alike without this intervention. The incidents in 1929, with rebels committing what "ethnic cleansing" would be more than a euphemism for against Kyrenaians in the islands are well-known, and it is beyond us, how anybody could possibly oppose the Sultanate's government taking action in preventing such atrocities, no matter the complicated history they were justified with, from occurring again.
Since we are not aware of any citizens of the Federation of Lillorainen residing in the islands as of currently, we do not demand any efforts of searching out for any. Should, however, citizens of the Federation be in the islands without our knowledge, we ask them to follow the orders given by the Kyrenaian military officials, so that they can be brought to the Utica International Airport, and ultimately home, safely.
On the footage of Kyrenaian soldiers allegedly taking violent action against locals, we wish to make clear, that for us, these videos are not presented within the rightful context, but ripped out of it entirely, which, unfortunately, is everything else but an uncommon practice in this day and age, and unless any evidence beyond reasonable doubt makes us believe otherwise, we will remain in good faith.
We hereby wish to make clear, that the Federation of Lillorainen recognizes the newly restored Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa as existing and as a part of the Sultanate of Kyrenaia, the Sultanate of Kyrenaia therefore in its current borders, which include the Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa. For us, the Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao diplomatically ceased to exist.

For any responses, we will be available permanently. In order to ensure maximum efficiency, we ask you to make sure to send your messages to the appropriate recipient address.

For all official state communication: Bundesaussenministerium der Föderation Lillorainen, 1000 Lillamala 1, Federation of Lillorainen.
For all non-state and press communication: Bundespressestelle, Pontrather Platz 4, 5300 Kerkenich 27, Federation of Lillorainen.

Lillorainen wrote:While the Gentlemen weren't completely sure as to what Ceili was trying to communicate as well, Lena grinned and shrugged. "Well, I get to hear similar answers back home as well" - she said. "For instance on the question where the best tournaments are in our parts."
"The West, of course!" - Ole Klingebiel said.
Lena raised an eyebrow. "I'm pretty confident, that we have some good ones in the East as well."
"Pretty good ones, I won't deny" - Klingebiel countered, "but neither Laerdonk, nor Nienhagen-Düvenich, Lauenwerth, Suerscheid, Meerhof, Theenbuerschap, or Lexingerhof were located in the East last time I checked."
Lena looked at Ceili, grinned, and rolled her eyes as well. Boys ...

The mounted Lillos listened carefully, nodding along.
"We're giving our best" - Lykke Nörvenich now said. "Even though there are certainly Princes I wouldn't downright reject, it would probably be a wise decision to stay away from some arranged marriage, for the sake of diplomacy."
"Although having descendants of Kyrenaian Royalty in the Federation can also be useful for diplomacy" - Seelscheid said. "At least at times."
"... I think, that Lillorainen and Kyrenaia have quite fruitful relations without that - Kyrenaians aren't Sharulsi, after all" - Nörvenich countered, referring to the well-known fact, that there was a nine-figure number of people all over the world who had Sharulsi Ancestors, thanks to some old habit the Sharulsi had once been infamous for. "There are other ways to improve on them."
"Like a certain press release from a bit more than two years ago?" - Golkrath interjected, grinning.
A beat passed.
"Oh yeah, that one!" Seelscheid had to laugh. "If I were the Sultana, I'd have printed it out and put it over my bed."

(Image)
Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official Press Release

---

March 12, 2018.

Concerning the matter of the entrance and occupation of the Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao by the fleet group of the Royal Kyrenaian Navy led by the cruiser RKN Nazar under the command of Admiral Shirin Mawja under the order of Sultana Razia Umm Albilad last night, this message will be published in the name of President Silas Flemming, the Meritocratic Council and the Chamber of States, as well as the people of the Federation of Lillorainen.
The Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao has been in a state of political upheaval and instability for a remarkable period of time as we speak, which is not, nor has ever been, a matter concerning nationals of Va'a Mamao only, but also formed a danger for foreign nationals and assets within the state, especially Kyrenaian, which must not be underestimated and cannot be emphasized enough times. The vast economic and political dependence of the Socialist Republic on the Sultanate ever since its formal independence, which historically went as far as a reliance on Kyrenaian aid during the 1965 famine and continued after opening its market up in 2000, does, in our eyes, suffice well to justify this occupation. The Socialist Republic has sufficiently proven, that it cannot meaningfully sustain without foreign, in particular, Kyrenaian investments, and the power gained by political forces steadily radicalizing themselves in terms of their opposition against foreign economic activity within the country would, in the long, perhaps even short run, have become an immediate danger for Kyrenaian businesses and people alike without this intervention. The incidents in 1929, with rebels committing what "ethnic cleansing" would be more than a euphemism for against Kyrenaians in the islands are well-known, and it is beyond us, how anybody could possibly oppose the Sultanate's government taking action in preventing such atrocities, no matter the complicated history they were justified with, from occurring again.
Since we are not aware of any citizens of the Federation of Lillorainen residing in the islands as of currently, we do not demand any efforts of searching out for any. Should, however, citizens of the Federation be in the islands without our knowledge, we ask them to follow the orders given by the Kyrenaian military officials, so that they can be brought to the Utica International Airport, and ultimately home, safely.
On the footage of Kyrenaian soldiers allegedly taking violent action against locals, we wish to make clear, that for us, these videos are not presented within the rightful context, but ripped out of it entirely, which, unfortunately, is everything else but an uncommon practice in this day and age, and unless any evidence beyond reasonable doubt makes us believe otherwise, we will remain in good faith.
We hereby wish to make clear, that the Federation of Lillorainen recognizes the newly restored Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa as existing and as a part of the Sultanate of Kyrenaia, the Sultanate of Kyrenaia therefore in its current borders, which include the Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa. For us, the Socialist Republic of Va'a Mamao diplomatically ceased to exist.

For any responses, we will be available permanently. In order to ensure maximum efficiency, we ask you to make sure to send your messages to the appropriate recipient address.

For all official state communication: Bundesaussenministerium der Föderation Lillorainen, 1000 Lillamala 1, Federation of Lillorainen.
For all non-state and press communication: Bundespressestelle, Pontrather Platz 4, 5300 Kerkenich 27, Federation of Lillorainen.

The Selkie wrote:Ceili Báigh of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Allow me to, for but a moment, take over and tell you: Yes. Boys.
Mam has warned me about the perils of them, but did I listen?
Apparently not... I snorted in amusement.

Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
I grinned.
"That is what I am talking about.", I said with a firm nod as Ceili snorted in amusement at whatever antics she and Lena were up to. "I mean..."
"Donny.", Miss Cróimiam suddenly said, riding up to my right.
"Yes, Ma'am?", I asked and bowed my head lightly to the people in the carriage as if to say, Sorry, but duty calls.
"It's time to announce our peaceful intentions.", she said and motioned to my horn, then looked at the people in the carriage, "I'll borrow him for a moment."
Without awaiting a reply, she motioned for me to follow her, towards the front of the Main Force, Ceili remaining behind explaining, that we had to announce our peaceful intent to Cnockan House and its inhabitants - otherwise, they might mistake us for enemies or something... generally, it was very rude not to do, what I was about to do.
Raising my horn to my lips, I looked towards the house a few kilometers away - and blew my horn.
The sound was two short ones, one long, followed by a short.
Ceili would explain, that this was the signal for a friendly force approaching and asking for open gates, as we had guests.
We perked up our ears and, a minute later, heard a return signal: Two long and a short. Received and welcomed.
I looked to Miss Cróimiam, grinned, especially as she placed her hand on my head and tapped it twice. "Go back to your position, lad!", she commanded.
"Aye, Ma'am!", I replied with a huge grin and turned by horse around, well aware of the older Marcach grinning at me as I passed. I returned to my position and told them with a grin: "Mission accomplished!"
"We heard it!", Ceili said with a smiled, which shone like the sun itself.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Both Fi and I nodded as Marla rode past us with Donny in tow. We knew, which press release they were talking about.
I raised a hand to ask them for a moment, listened for Donny's signal, then nodded.
"Right, sorry.", I said and nodded, "I don't know, if she has that one over her bed...", I began, "...but I know, that it hangs in a gallery in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." I shrugged. "Ours doesn't."
"Really?", Fi asked, I hummed in agreement. "Huh..." She shook her head. "Anyway. Crass change of topic, but something important... as you are going to attend the Tournament for the Elders' Trophy, you might need these." Fi reached into one of her belt bags and took out four bundles of ribbons, two per bundle, both in one colour, all of fine silk. "One for each lass." One for Annika, one for Ceyda, one for Lykke and one for Friederike. "You are not only allowed to pick a Champion, but, among us, lassies, it's basically a requirement for any woman of high standing, who is watching. Ceili's going to give Miss Ammerup hers. One for you, one for your chosen lad - or lass."
She winked at the last sentence.

Lillorainen wrote:As Donny wanted to add something to the conversation, Miss Cróimiam approached, noting, that it was time for Donny to fulfil his duty. Which he immediately did, following her to the front of the Main Force, blowing his horn.
Two short sounds, followed by one long and another short one.
The response - two long sounds, one short one - came immediately.
Ceili explained the meaning of the sounds, the first one basically meaning, Oya dere, friendly force approachin'!, the second one basically meaning, Got it, yae can move on!
For the Lillos, it was interesting, that in an era, where Naval Intelligence and satellite-based surveillance would make it impossible for a foreign, enemy force to get anywhere close to Cnockan House without getting noticed, this way of signalling was still a thing - a good old tradition from a completely different era, alive and kicking. Then again, similar traditions were alive in some Lillorainian cities as well.
As Donny returned, the passengers of the carriage had to smile, too.
"We should introduce this practice in our parts, too!" - Marquardt said.
Ole Klingebiel laughed. "If you find a horn loud enough to drown all the car horns in Lillamala out, we can easily do that!"

The mounted group hung on for a moment, in order to wait for Donny's signal.
It was interesting to know, that the Lillorainian press release made it into a gallery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whereas the one from the Free Lands had not. Reading the press releases from back then was always amusing - the Shamsiyyan one had basically been a carbon copy of the Lillorainian one, with the most important difference, that the middle part had said, We are not going to dignify fake news by commenting on them. Shikonjima had solemnly congratulated Kyrenaia for their successful and quick action, and the Carlotinian one had read like a typical El Presidente speech, emphasizing the Kyrenaian strength and power.
Flemming, Golkrath, and Seelscheid could have told from their vivid memories of the emergency meeting back then, how some officials had been torn out of sleep and had been slowly walking into the room like they were zombies with coffee cups in the hand - but in this moment, something more important had to be done. The ladies received bundles of ribbons, two per bundle, all of fine silk. The ladies were allowed, or rather strongly urged, to pick their Champion at the Tournament for the Elders' Trophy.
"Thank you!" - Ceyda said. "And yeah, if it's customary to pick one, we're definitely going to do so! And not only for diplomatic reasons!"
The others nodded.

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
We laughed with them, but when that was over, I told the Lillos in the carriage: "We don't always do it - it is customary when approaching a larger house in the countryside, especially in more ceremonial circumstances, as a bit of a doorbell, if you will, but not when I go to my friend's house down the street to play video games." Ceili nodded at my explanation, then I continued. "It's also a good warning for those at the house that they should refresh a bit, fix the tie, take a breath, because you're nearly there!"
Then Ceili snapped her fingers.
"Oh, right, I nearly forgot!", she said and grinned, reaching into one of her belt's bags, taking out a small bundle, two silken ribbons wrapped around each other. She carefully threw it at Lena so that it would land in her lap. "You're going to need those in two days, when you watch the Tournament for the Elders' Trophy. It is customary for women of high standing to select a Champion to fight in their name and you certainly fit the bill nicely. One is for you, one is for your chosen Marcach."

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Fi and I smiled.
"Very good. Mother's going to pick one, too.", Fi explained and then added: "Though I know of two, who are already taken..."
"Donny Urdhún and Mara Festas.", I explained with a smile, then nodded to the Lillos: "They are both experts of the sword, Donny having a girlfriend and Mara having a girl, which might as well be her girlfriend once the two of them could make up their bloody minds!"
The last was yelled forward, causing a round of chuckles a bit further towards the Vanguard, while a purple-haired horsewoman pulled her head in a bit and, unseen by us, blushed, because that was about her and her closest friend.
She did not voice any objections, though.

Lillorainen wrote:Like her mounted colleagues, Lena took the bundle of silken ribbons landing in her lap with surgical precision, receiving her explanation as to what they meant and when to use them and what for.
She nodded. "Thank you!" - she said. "We'll see who's gonna receive one. Preferably the winner, but it's impossible to tell who will be ..."
"Oh, like you aren't already calculating probabilities ...!" - Estrup said, grinning.
"I'll laugh later" - she said. "In any case, the practice of using a horn to announce oneself isn't entirely unheard of in our parts, either. It might not necessarily root from the same tradition, but it's known as a practical means - namely, the car horn. Especially if people don't want to get out of the car to go to the doorbell, or also if they know, that there simply is none, many use their horns to make the residents aware of their arrival. Using it for telling them goodbye is common, too. Even when people see someone they know in oncoming traffic, it does appear, although in that case, most prefer flashing at one another as a more silent way of greeting." She let a beat pass. "It's technically not allowed, but tolerated."

The Lillos were chuckling, too.
That there were rumors along the lines of a woman having a best friend who should become their girlfriend, or even definitive evidence of such a possibility, this wasn't a surprise to anybody around. In the Lillorainian scene, there were quite a few similar examples - Saran Kiyat and Maria Ramm, for instance, both top-tier riders and known as best friends, were not rarely alleged to become a couple in the foreseeable future as well, once they could make up their bloody minds! - even though both, so far, insisted on being besties. Needless to mention, that both had appeared on a certain model photo for a magazine a while ago, which prompted people to add more kerosine to the fire.
The Lillos waited for any objections more Mara's end.
There were none.
"Which leaves but thirty remaining options" - Lykke Nörvenich said, with a tone of irony. "I hope, that we won't need to fight!" Of course, she was joking, which could be told from her grin.
"Perhaps, we should arrange that beforehand?" - Ceyda said.

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
For a moment, I thought, that they meant another kind of flashing, but then I realized, that they were talking about driving, so they most likely only meant flashing the headlights.
Still...
"That sounds better for the eardrums.", I said with a firm nod, "We also depart with a horn signal at times, though that is usually done for fun."
"Yeah - like when we departed to come here.", Ceili added with a smile, "It was early in the morning, too, so..." She smiled a bit deviously. "...we might not have made too many friends."
I giggled, too.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
"Might be prudent, yes.", I replied with a smile, "Two of the contestant the day after tomorrow will be present during the dinner tonight, too, so..." I shrugged. It should be known to them, that it was custom for the Elder with whom they would have dinner to invite famed members of his Tribe, in number equal to the guests, for the dinner. It would be a fun and interesting affair, I was certain of it. "...might be a good time to scout out possibilities."
I accompanied that with a wink.

Lillorainen wrote:Indeed, it was about flashing like flashing one's headlights - also known as Lichthupe in German.
The passengers of the carriage had to snort as well, picturing a few houses next to each other, the sun just rising, Ceili asking Donny to take his horn out and blow it like it was a good idea to do so atthis time of the day, and hearing people drowsily complaining from all of the houses.
"Well, using the car horn early in the morning and getting caught while doing so, can get quite expensive where we're from" - Estrup said, "but it's part of the fun if you just do it and, like it's in most cases, get away with it."
Lena nodded. "If you're not keen on making friends, this is more than a solid option!" - she said.

That it was customary for Elders to also invite famous members of their respective Tribe to occasions like this one, this was something everyone in here was aware of - and the Tribe of Antrim did quite provide options, and not the worst ones.
"Well" - Flemming now began, grinning, "it does look like I will not be on the same mission tonight as some others in here are, although it's the same occasion. There's one question I have, though - if, say ..." - he thought for a moment, "... Rike's Champion wins, what exactly will happen that Rike might need to be aware of? Excuse my lack of knowledge on the proceedings ..."
Friederike Golkrath, who, up to now, just had thought of the fun, raised her eyebrows for a moment and nodded.

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
It had actually been Madame Báigh, Ceili's Mam, who had asked me, but it was the same difference.
Anyway, I shrugged. "Might be. Still, traditions need to be honoured!", I said with a grin.
"That, and you promised Alaina, that you would make her aware of you departing.", Ceili added, smiling slightly, then turning to the Lillos: "Alaina is a classmate of ours."
I nodded. "I made good on my promise."
Ceili looked at me for a moment with a similar expression as she sometimes regarded Barrógi with - Barrógi, the Jalid White Wolf of her mother, that is - when he did something good.
I still beamed with joy.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
I shook my head. No problem about the lack of knowledge - that's what we are there for!, I wanted to say with that.
Fi replied out loud: "No problem.", she said and then continued: "If, or rather when..." She winked at Rike. "...your Champion wins, it's customary for the sponsor to come onto the field and receive the Trophy from her Champion. She is then obliged to kiss him or her." She raised a hand to forestall any misunderstandings. "Don't worry, you don't have to snog the living daylights out of him or her. A kiss on the cheek or something is completely sufficient - my Mother usually kisses her Champion on the forehead, no matter his or her age, for example."
I nodded, having been on the receiving end once.

Lillorainen wrote:While the passengers on the carriage were unaware of Ceili's family having a canine member as well, she quite did look at Donny as if to praise a dog, which made them smile for a moment.
"Looks like it" - Lena said. "So it's more like, rather lose many friends for being loud early in the morning than lose one friend for not observing and honoring the tradition, I take?"
"Well ..." - Klingebiel interjected, "... it's also not necessarily normal to put a fireplace up in the middle of a city, and normally it's also a good reason to call the fire brigade. But twice a year, this is exactly what you'll see anywhere in Lillorainen, wherever you go."
"And on these two days a year, no one will complain about noise, either" - Estrup added.

Flemming nodded, grinning.
"Luckily, there are yet two days left" - he said, "so the time should suffice for our Ladies to get to some agreement on who picks whom. I imagine, that there's a lot of tactical moving around, like in some chess game!"
Golkrath laughed. "You bet!" - she said. "We should start checking the list of perticipants as soon as possible!"
Ceyda grinned. "Sounds like someone's a bit impatient, eh?" - she said.
Golkrath shrugged. "Maybe?"

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
We approached the bend, which would lead us down to Cnockan House.
"A bit like it, yes.", I admitted, "Besides, I apologized to everyone in the street in advance, so it should be alright!"
"Apologizing is easier then asking for permission.", Ceili agreed with a grin, "Though, your midsummer festivals sound fun. Mam wanted to take us to one last year, but it didn't work out with school and everything, so we hope, that we can manage it one of these years."
I nodded. "I heard lots about light cider made in Lillorainen, but you only get the export brands around here.", I added, "Time for the real deal!"
Ceili agreed.

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
Fi and I grinned at the competitive spirit being displayed already.
"I'll try to get you a list of participants as soon as possible.", Fi said, "With some luck, before dinner." She looked at me. "Do you have a sponsor already, Lilly?"
I shook my head. "Nope. I'd be free.", I said with a small smile, then winked at the Lillo-Ladies. "And I am a good kisser!"
Fi nodded. She knew.

Lillorainen wrote:As they approached the last bend, the small talk on traditions and how they oftentimes broke with everyday life normalcy went on to plans for attending the merry ol' Mittsommerfest - which, unfortunately, could collide with schooltime in here.
Estrup nodded. "Indeed" - he said, "the export brands you might know are but a small fraction of light ciders and other light beverages made in Lillorainen - in fact, some say, the choice of drinks in Lillorainen is overwhelming, that you don't need to drink anymore, because the sheer number of brands already makes you struggle around like you're fully juiced."
Lena nodded. "Some say so, indeed ..." - she said, grinning.

Friederike Golkrath smiled back, raised her eyebrows, and looked into the round of Lillorainian Ladies, from Nörvenich over Seelscheid to Ceyda - this special glance, which could mean everything, or also nothing, but always meant everything in her case.
Ceyda looked back. "Looks like you're smelling opportunities, eh?" - she said, grinning.
Now, Flemming had to laugh. "I don't think, that you will have trouble finding a sponsor!" - he told Lilly.

The Selkie wrote:Donnchadh Saineolaí of the Tribe of Clonmel.
I nodded, too.
"Sounds familiar, though for us, it's also depending on the region.", I said, "We have a lot of apple juices, fruit juices and berry juices all over the place, from small juiceries all over the place, who all do it a smidgen differently, not to mention the many different blends of tea... the only thing you really get everywhere is the lemonade from Bogannamoc."
"I like the one with less sugar.", Ceili said with a small smile.
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, ice cold it's the best!"

Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
I smiled.
"I don't think so neither.", I said with a grin, "We can make it official after we arrived. Should take..." I looked forward to the actually quite large farm house in the small complex. "...call it five minutes."
The gate was already open, but one would be hard pressed to see that with the amount of armored and armed horsemen in front of us, so it was a bit of a relief when the vanguard turned off to the right not even ten seconds after I had finished.
Then, many of the Lances around us turned away, leaving our group of six and Marla's to approach the house. I gave the Lillos a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, all according to plan.", I said, "There's not enough space on the main courtyard for everyone and their horses, so we need to reduce the numbers a bit. That, and someone needs to prepare the camp for tonight."
Yep, we would be camping outside tonight, but I knew, that there would be enough stew cooking right now to make it a lot easier.

Lillorainen wrote:"Mhm." Lena nodded in agreement. "So it's a bit like with us, although most sorts of juice and lemonade are available all over the country - of the latter, Munnweiler's Beste is the most famous one." She let a beat pass. "Especially among tooth doctors."
"It could really use a bit less sugar" - Klingebiel agreed. "There are also good ones that don't ruin your teeth, though."
Estrup now said, "You see, there once, in a faraway country, there was a statesman named de Gaulle. Aside from defending his country from a foreign occupation in a war, he was also known for his work on a new constitution years later - so basically what Siegfried Heiderich was for us. And aside from all this, he was also known for saying, How do you want to govern a country that has 246 sorts of cheese?" He let a beat pass. "I'm imagining how he tries to run a country like Lillorainen, with its four thousand brands of beer, a similar number of sorts of bread, four to five hundred brands of soda, as well as one particular state with five hundred producers of light and less light cider. It would seem entirely ungovernable for him!" He had to laugh.

As they approached Cnockan House, no one was sure if the gate was open or not, with all the armored and armed horsemen in front, but it ultimately turned out to be indeed open. The lances around the group turned away, leaving only the group of six and Marla's group to approach the house. Lilly reassured them, that this was part of the protocol for the sake of space management on the rather small courtyard - especially since the camps for the night would need to be prepared as well.
Ceyda nodded. "No worries!" - she said. "Camping will be fine. At least for those of us with sufficient festival experience!"
The joke caused a round of chuckes.

The Selkie wrote:Liliane Lile of the Tribe of Fermanagh.
I smiled too, but raised a hand. "Just so you know, you'll be offered rooms and beds by the Elder. We wouldn't want you to camp outside after enjoying an Elder's hospitality, now would we?", I said with a smile, "Though if you want to camp outside with us, I am sure, that something can be arranged."
Before Fi could add anything, or before Donny and Ceili could reply to the latest joke from the carriage, Marla called over her shoulder, in Selkie: "Look sharp, people!"
We assumed a position of attention, straightening up and raising the lances a bit so that it looked sharp as we rode through the gate into the courtyard.
It was a rather sizable complex, all in all, the wall doing little to hide the fact, that it was also a ranch still mostly in operation. There was a Main Building right in front of us, with an attached stable, two barns and a building for the helping hands of the ranch to the side, like the cowherders we had seen before. A remise was behind the house.
The Main Building was of three storeys above ground, the ground floor being of stone bricks with the two above being of timber and clay bricks, which had been plastered. The building stood on a solid stone base, three small stairs leading upwards to the main entrance on a slight pedestal. All of the building was crowned by a roof of shingles. Sticking high into the air was the chimney.
The right wing of the building was a stable, a few stablehands already standing at the ready, with the floor above it serving as guest quarters. The idea was, that the warmth of the animals would help in heating the floor above it, the guest quarters.
The other buildings were grouped around the Main Building, the house for the agricultural helpers to the left, barns and the remise, with its small smithy, behind the Main Building. The ground was paved in large flagstones.
Windows, the majority dark, but some illuminated, were decorated with flower pots with colourful flowers, one such pot being tended to by an elder woman, who smiled as she watched the two Lances and the guests arrive, putting her watering can onto the windowsill. In general, quite a few people were watching as they arrived, first and foremost a young woman, not much older then Donny, with a white-furred small vulpine on her shoulder.
She was maybe seventeen, her Geansai in Red and Dark Blue emphasizing her curves, which were not as generous as the curves of other women, who the Lillos would meet during their visit. Still, she cut a good figure, her orange eyes shining, her short, orange hair open and reaching her shoulders.
Next to her stood a woman in her mid-forties (although it would be not only impolite, but also very, very dangerous to mention that to her), her long, flaming red hair bound into a braid. Her green eyes shone like emeralds as she beheld the group of horsemen, while she herself wore a Geansai in what only could be the natural colours of the fur of the animal used to make it, the black and grey being a good indicator, that it had once been a Grey Wolf. She had the curves of a mature woman.
"Who requests entry?", the orange-haired girl asked in Selkie.
"Silas Flemming, a Son of Distant Shores and a Friend of these Lands.", Marla replied seriously, "With him, men and women of peace and understanding traveled to meet with the Elders - and to know the hospitality of Cnockan House."
The young woman bowed her head, then switched to English: "Then may they be welcome.", she said and smiled, placing her hand over her heart and bowing her head. "Please, dismount and allow me to properly greet you."
The stablehands rushed forwards to help with the police horses and the carriage, while us Marcach dismounted ourselves quite easily once we got the lances out of our hands - in my case, Fi took mine, then I took both mine and hers as she dismounted.
"Good luck!", I whispered to Flemming with a grin.

Lillorainen wrote:Fi didn't get to add add anything to Lilly's remark, just like Donny and Ceili couldn't respond to the little joke - they all heard an order from Marla, and while it was in Selkie, they could guess what it meant, especially when the Marcach straightened up and lifted the lances.
Cnockan House turned out to not only be a house succeeding another house that once had been on a hill in name, but also a ranch, which a stable, two barns, a remise behind the main house the other buildings were group around, and an additional house certainly hosting everyone helping out in here. The house itself looked fairly stable, on a solid stone base, with the ground floor from stone bricks, and the two floors above of timber and clay bricks. The roof was from shingles, and the chimney stuck out high enough to serve as an orientation point for passing gliders. The right wing of the house served as a stable.
The windows were decorated with flower pots containing differently colored flowers, one of which an elder woman behind the window had just given water to. The group was welcomed by an orange-haired and orange-eyed girl around sixteen or seventeen, on whose shoulders a white-furred vulpine was sitting; next to her a red-haired, green-eyed woman around Annika's age, wearing Geansai in a color suggesting, that it was a former Grey Wolf.
The girl and Marla talked to each other, in Selkie, obviously clarifying whom they had the pleasure with. The girl switched to English, asking the guests to dismount, so they could be greeted properly.
As Lilly grinned and wished Flemming good luck, he grinned back to her and whispered, "Appetite I have - luck, well, we'll see!"
Then, he dismounted from his horse, like Ceyda, Seelscheid, Nörvenich, and Golkrath did. Meanwhile, Lena, Estrup, Marquardt, and Klingebiel got off the carriage.

The Selkie wrote:Quinn Tarra of the Tribe of Antrim.
Allow me to take over the narration from Lilly and Donny, please. I know, especially Donny is a cute lad, his view of the world untarnished by puberty, but for now, the two of them, and the rest of the Marcach, will vanish from the picture.
Donny helped the Lillos with dismounting from the carriage, it would soon continue until it was in the remise, the horses safe in the stables, but the ones mounted on horses were quite good at dismounting.
I smiled - I knew, how Flemming looked and who was who in the delegation. Felicia had made sure of that.
He and Lilly had a short talk, then he, too, was with both feet on the ground. A stablehand took the horse with a small bow. The stablehands would clean the horses and water, feed and check them.
With the older woman, Belana Cracráil of the Tribe of Antrim, the Grand Captain of the Axemaidens, at my side, I stepped forward, towards Flemming, and one we stood face to face, I placed a hand over my heart and bowed my head. It was a gesture usually used to greet an Elder like my Grandfather. Madame Cracráil did the same.
"Welcome to Cnockan House, Mister Flemming.", I began, raised my head again, "I am Quinn Tarra of the Tribe of Antrim, the Cúramóiri to my Grandfather, the Elder of the Tribe of Antrim, and, just for tonight, Lady of the House in stead of my ailing Grandmother." I motioned to my side. "If I may introduce, Belana Cracráil of the Tribe of Antrim, the Grand Captain of the Axemaidens and Priestess of Gavida."
"It is a great honour to meet such an esteemed guest of our fair lands.", she spoke. "May the craftsmen in Lillorainen be blessed - and the forests thick and healthy."