IC:
Mesairien, Island of Mesa, Capital City of Osiria, Royal Palace
6:41am - Jaruven 2nd 1271 S.Y.
The Sun began to rise over the plains of Mesairien without a single cloud in the sky. As the shades of black and grey were pushed back by the light, birds began to fly all throughout the city and sang out in delight. Children, Mothers and workers all began to rise from their deep slumbers to great the magnificent new day.
In the Royal Palace today was to be yet another truely busy and bothersome day for Queen Akemi who had been aroused from her dreams by the baking sun flashing through the windows and onto her face. She groaned angrily as her eyes slowly began to slide open "Could I not just have five more minutes" she thought to herself and slammed her eyes shut once more and rolled back over to face away from the window and the sunlight.
"No you cannot have five minutes, you have alot of work to do Faráleane" Came a soft and calming voice from across the room, it immediatly caused Akemi to spark awake, throw up her Regal purple covers and sit up in the bed with a marvelous grin on her face. The voice had come from none other than her love, Princess-Consort Ireth.
"But I'd still much rather spend the day with you, here, my love" Akemi winked at Ireth and motioned with her finger for Ireth to come to the bed. However, as alway, Ireth was not moved and simply smiled, shook her head, and began to walk to across the cold stone floor to the large, Gold-Trimmed, Ornately painted Oak Double-Door that sat in the center of the leftern wall of the room.
"With the sorry state it's in, Mesairien needs you now more than ever, so go out that door and work or you won't get any tonight either." Akemi simply pouted and nodded like a small child being told off by her mother. Ireth had always used her the fact that she was over a hundred years older and far more mature to keep Akemi in line and working as hard as she could to help rebuild the war-torn realm they called home. With that, Akemi jumped out of her large double bed and onto the pristine Red carpet that ran alongside it. She quickly walked over to her large wardrobe and changed from her simple, plain, nighty and into a Blue Ornate Dress with a silver trim, topped off by her usual Golden tiara which had several Diamons and Emeralds fitted into the metal work.
"That's better, now are you coming? Thorpe has called a meeting of the four Blades, he's probably already in the Throne room waiting for us." Ireth smiled and held out her hand. Akemi's eyes lit up and she immediatly began walking over to Ireth who was now standing by the door.
"Oh God, it's been weeks since he last visited and now he's called Nelson and Kai to rally on him, I swear that boy never rests." Akemi said as she grabbed Ireth's hand and gripped it tightly and giggled slightly. The latter used her other hand to push open one of the two large doors and began the pair began to walk out into the wide stone corridoor which was covered in portraits, hanging flowers as well as the floor also being covered by a similar Ornate red rug that lies next to Akemi's bed. The two Keirin, who were dressed in their usual Aesthetically pleasing, Grey and Gold trimmed Heavy plate armor with a longsword and shield, eitherside of the doorway, quickly stood at attention and saluted.
"You know he wants to help Mesairien rebuild again so we can protect the Aluvean and all that. Talis said he's become deeply concerned with the Holy Empire of Constannia and their Elven allies." As Akemi and Ireth passed the left Keirin he left his post and began following behind the two women, as was protocal whenever the Queen travelled within the Palace.
"Do you think he'll be speaking of war?" Ireth sighed and looked over her shoulder into Akemi's eyes.
"I doubt it, you know he's not a fan of full scale warfare. He's probably just going to complain about how we stand by and do nothing while several small Island states have been conquered by the the Holy Empire and Elven Imperium and I hear their new grip on the shipping lanes is allowing them to bully other Nations into giving them monthly tributes in exchange for protection." Akemi simply sighed and looked down, no doubt Thorpe would demand she allowed him a tribute force to alleviate the problems for other Nations in the Aluvean, but Mesairien was not as strong as she once was. Oddly, unlike their usual morning routine, Akemi and Ireth carried on to the Throne room in absolute silence, both lost in thought.
Palace Throne Room - 6:52am
"All stand at attention as her honerable and Holy Majesty, Queen Akemi and her honerable Princess-Consort Ireth enter the Court!" The announcer shouted as Akemi and Ireth entered through the huge double doors leading into the throne room.
Oddly, it was completely devoid of any people bar the standard 12 Keirin Guards scattered throughout the room and the four Blades who stood in pairs either side of the two Thrones at the back of the room: Grandmaster Matthew Thorpe, the Master swordsman, commander of the Rangers and all round Hero of Mesairien, a 32 year old soldier who had fallen through the Void from another Universe into Mesairien, apparantly due to him not exisitng in the Dimension of time in our Universe he has achieved an almost Elven lifespan and never aged a day past 25 because of this, and the severe burn scars he has up the left side of his face, some have nicknamed him the 'Baby faced monster'.
Commander Kai Faron, the leader of the Queen's Keirin, a 32 year old and incredibly nervous man, the scars on his lip, eyes and across his forhead tell of a life of intense fighting which has almost broken his confidence despite this cowardly exterior, in battle his will and bravery are almost unmatched by any Human.
General Lu Osborne, head of the Mesairien Knights. A 46 year old veteran, he had served the Royal Family since his early teens and rose to fame during one of the final assaults on Effenmont to steal Materika Shards. Despite this, the old and bald General showed no clear signs of anger nor hatred towards Princess-Consort Ireth, although it's likely he simply hides his racism from fear of Akemi, Kai and Thorpe.
And finally, Admiral Charles Nelson, the 38 year old genius tactician of the Mesairien Royal Navy. This man always kept a calm exterior and tone, which was aided by his Aqua blue eyes and Auburn hair that gave him an air of gentleness, while on the inside he was simply yet another cold and calculating man, Nelson's job in Mesairien had become almost none existant now that his ships had been landlocked by Queen Akemi's fear of losing control of Mesairien.
Akemi and Ireth walked along the beautifully hand crafted Purple and Gold rug which ran from the doorway over to the two Silver etched thrones. Either side of the two thrones stood two massive statues of Goddess Kleira, the Deity of both the Elven people and the Rangers of Mesairien. Behind the thrones on the wall sat a portrait in a Golden frame, of Akemi, Ireth and their adopted daughter, Lessien. As they approached their thrones the four Blades placed their left hands on their chests in a fist and bowed as the pair walked past them.
Akemi and Ireth took their respective seats, Akemi on the right and Ireth on the left. The four men rose from their bows and it was revealed that all had intense and stern looks on their faces which naturally uneased Akemi slightly as it was rare the four of them would come together in one place, let alone have such a serious aura about them all.
"Gentleman, it's wonderful to see you all once more, especially altogether. Under what pretences, may I ask, have you called this meeting of Blades Grandmaster Thorpe." She said, looking over the four of them before turning her head to face Thorpe and looked right into his eyes.
Unphased and in his usual disrespectful yet friendly manner, Thorpe took a step forward and began to speak.
"You know what we're here about Akemi. The Holy Empire of Constannia is becoming a major threat to not just us but the entire Aluvean Ocean, they have a stranglehold on multiple Nations, if they aren't paid a 'respectable donation' they fire on and sink all trade ships that travel along the shipping lanes. We have to do something." Akemi sighed and shook her head, Thorpe was always speaking of Mesairien being the hero and helping everyone with their problems despite the fact that Mesairien had major problems of it's own, such as the massively increased crime rate since the end of the Civil War.
"And what do you expect us to do about it Matthew? We're struggling to keep order in our lands." Ireth responded. With that, Admiral Nelson stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Thorpe.
"Our lands do not require the Navy, it is our sacred duty to sail the Aluvean and protect any and all passing trade and passanger ships that require it. Some Island Nations are having such trouble surviving that they are considering just laying down and allowing their lands to be swallowed by the Empire and Imperium. The threat is becoming grave." Without even letting the Queen nor Ireth respond, General Osborne also stepped forward and concured with his fellow.
"Not to mention, the Knights are being restricted to defending Urban settlements such as the fortress Cities and towns, which has been working. But crime is now on the rise in our Rural settlements, Farmers are being pushed out of their land not just by mobs of rifraff but a new rise of the Elkoss, we're losing control because you're not giving us room to do our jobs and no other Nation will help us because we refuse to help them." Ireth sat forward but remained silent to allow Akemi a chance to talk, a few seconds of pondering later Akemi also sat forward in her chair and looked over to Commander Kai who had stood right at the back of the group and attempted to hide from her gaze.
"Kai, what say you?" Kai's entire body shook like a rabbit caught in a hunter's view. His eyes darted around his fellow Blades before Thorpe turned around, nodded with a smirk and motioned with his left hand for him to speak.
"Uh... I-I, agree. We must do something, th-the situation is too, uh, dangerous for us to sit back and allow Constania to grow even... even more powerful."
"You still didn't answer my question boys. What do you expect US to do?!" Ireth said, raising her voice and slamming her arm against it's rest on her throne. She was clearly becoming greatly annoyed by yet another push from Thorpe for Akemi to put Mesairien in jeapordy just to help foreigners.
"Call a Summit of the more powerful and friendly Nations in the Aluvean, offer them Mesairien ships for protection. They'll come." Thorpe quickly responded. Akemi was slightly taken aback by this suggestion and looked down at the floor, simply thinking about what had been suggested but Ireth, in her usual cold manner, simply stated:
"And what would that create besides happy international feelings. What exactly do you intend to ask of these Nations?" While turning her head up sand to the left lightly and looking upon the four Blades with an air of mistrust.
"We inform them that if they give Mesairien aid, be it in form of monetary or Military, we will have Mesairien ships begin sailing the shipping lanes that their vessels use and protect their ships from both Constannia and pirates alike. The Nations we invite will accept because it is unlikely Constannia is willing to engage us in open warfare just yet." Osborne answered.
Ireth thought for a moment before responding. "Do you really believe they would accept our terms?"
"If they do not then the fools will soon find that within a few months, they will have no choice but to beg other Nations like us for help. Constannia and the Elves are vile beings, they will try to take over the Aluvean with war sooner or later. Any man with sense will see that." Again Osborne responded quickly and without a single pause for thought. Ireth glared at Osborne as he spoke, his clear distaste of Elves seeping through with his comment on Constannia and, not of the Imperium, but Elves in general.
She opened her mouth to speak but Akemi raised her hand in a motion for her to remain silent and Ireth backed down, slumping back into her seat. Finally, after several more moments of thinking, Akemi looked back up at the men and nodded.
"Alright then it's decided. We shall call a summit and invite all of the friendliest and strongest Nations in the Aluvean under the pretenses of discussing the Constannian threat and a request for aid in rebuilding. Errant Lief, some paper and a quill would be a very nice gift." She said as she smiled and looked over to Errant Lief, a Queen's Kierin who was standing guard to the right of the left statue of Kleira.
"Nelson, go and prepare some ships to deliver these messages, Frigates and Sloops of War I think. Just in case."
Without a word the Admiral placed his hand to his chest, bowed and practically ran out of the throne room with his quick walking pace. Soon after Lief returned and handed the Queen a quill, a pot of ink and a sheet of paper to write on.
"Everyone else, what do you think of this..."
IMPORTANT DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENT
FOR YOUR EYES ONLYTo all whom recieve this message. Greetings from the Isles of Mesairien. This message regards two things, 1: The situation here in Mesairien and 2: The Holy Empire of Constannia who, I have no doubt, have been, for lack of a better word, bullying Nations such as yours into giving them donations of food, money and weaponry in return for safe voyages for your trading and passanger ships.
As you most likely recall, in years since past, Mesairien was once the dominant force here in the Aluvean Ocean, our Naval vessels were our pride and heroes to many others, they defended all of the shipping lanes throughout the ocean from attacks by pirates and other nefarious miscreants. Sadly, as you have also probably been informed, we recently fell into a state of Civil War with the old Noble Houses, who have since been either executed or excommunicated.
Since then, our internatonal position has declined as civil unrest has increased dramatically thanks to my reforms and the fact that so many towns and villages were laid to waste during the armed conflict leaving many homeless and jobless. Now, the Holy Empire of Constannia and their ally, The Elven Imperium, have begun seizing upon this opportunity. They dare to not only force their way into the esteemed role of defender of the seas, but even have the ordacity to demand payment for doing so.
Now, I offer to you a mutuallly beneficial option to battle against these wreches. Mesairien is calling a summit of our closest friends and the strongest of Nations here in the Aluvean Ocean. We wish to invite either your esteemded self, or an authorized representative to my Palace, here in the capital city of Osiria, where we shall discuss, a trade of sorts. Mesairien wishes to offer our protection of your Nations trade and passanger ships just as Constannia is now, as well as small patrols into your waters to scare off any would-be pirates. However, we only ask, not demand, something in return.
In return for us accepting this position back, we ask that you help us by giving us either monitary or military aid in rebuilding our Nation and forcing back the tide of increasing crime. The reason for the summit is for so that your voices, wishes and fears can be heard amongst friends and you can also ask anything of Mesairien or negotiate different terms for the utilization of our Naval power.
I will not pretend that accepting our offer will not be dengerous for both you and my Queendom, Constannia has proved herself very volitile of late with the invasion of multiple small Nations that presented no real threat and may take Mesairien vessels retaking their roles as an act of aggression, reacting accordingly. As such, if you decline to attend the summit, rest assured, I will not take it as a personal insult nor offence.
If you wish to sieze upon this opportunity then please send a message back at earliest convenience outlining who will be attending and wether or not you would like Mesairien to send a token force of a single battle group, two Frigates, three Sloops of War and three Brigs, to protect your Nations represntative on their voyage here to our shores.
Yours sincerely,Signed,
Queen Akemi
Her Holy Majesty of Mesairien
