The Imogen Conference [Attn: Vapor]

[Vitzenburg]

Byhaussen Port
Byhaussen, Vitzenburg
March 28th, 1904
7:42 AM Local Time

It was a windy day. The Vitzburgian banners furiously whipped about, pulling at their poles. People went about their business as usual, many not paying mind to the groups of men setting up the banners. It was a few days before the first of the delegates would arrive for the first Imogen Conference and the Kaiser wanted to make sure everything was ready for their arrival. Docks were being washed and repaired. Buoys were being shined and sent back adrift to their designated spots. All preparations were being made to give Byhaussen, the eastern most port city of Vitzenburg, a sparkling appearance.

Martin Hoch wiped the sweat off his brow before picking up a mallet and driving the last few nails into a plank. He stood up and looked at his finished work. He'd been contracted to repair a few docks and this was the last one for the day. Packing up tools, he walked down, the new planks crisp and sturdy under his feet. He passed salty sailors, men who'd spent their entire lives living on the sea. His footsteps instinctively took him to the nearest pub.

The air smelled putrid, like rotten fish. No doubt it was caused by the colorful customers. Martin walked past a few occupied tables and settled down at the bar, ordering a mug of beer and some fried fish. Behind him he could hear some old geezers talking about the coming conference.

"I heard that the Kaiser wants to start his own finfangled alliance." Says one of them before spitting on the floor, "He don't trust FIN one bit, nope." There were murmurs, most of them agreeing.

"If that's true then why are they haven' this thing here? Shouldn't they be havin' it in the Capital if it's official like that?" The men started to quietly bicker among themselves but Martin's food had come by that time and he promptly began to dig in, pushing their words out of his mind.

The Kaiser had indeed called for the conference, seeing the new nations making contact after so long, she had felt it was necessary to secure good relations with as many as possible. The most important item for Vitzenburg at the Conference was certainly trade. New trade routes could make a huge impact for the country as it was pulling itself out of the depression of the late 19th century. All other things on the agenda were secondary, but the same could not be said for those coming to attend...

[Prinnia]

Vaporiz, Capital of Prinnia
March 28th 1904,

Royal Square

The air was lively with chatter inside the halls of the Imperial Prinnian palace, home of Kaiser William Trescott. Just several days ago a telegram had arrived asking Prinnia to partake in the creation of a trade alliance in Vitzenburg, the second major political trade agreement since its establishment of friendship with the desert Sarmandars to their south. Many in the delegation were discussing the pros and cons of the chance agreement and what consequences it could have on the nation. Prinnia had a vast tourism economy working on its side, people from all walks of life and from every nation made it a routine idea to visit the luxurious resorts as well as casinos on the elegant lakes and steaming springs. Thus world news, or rather rumor and conjecture, made its way easily into the ears of Prinnian officials who made it their business to know what was going on in the world around them. Yet little did the world know that Prinnia was secretly gearing up for a war in the east and north with the kingdom of Averi, though people doubted that Averi would have the male testes to invade after their defeat which allowed Prinnia to occupy the Tomekian region. Instead the focus was on the eastern expansion. For a modern army they needed money, as well as more advanced military designs, Vitzenburg was a blooming cherry tree, one that would bare sweet fruit if they played their cards right.

It was with this mentality that most of the delegation, especially those in the commerce sector encouraged an attendance to the meeting, which would allow new markets to open up. Prinnia was land locked, this would be a detriment if it were not or the extensive air fleet which she maintained, an air fleet which was as modern as any other, and it had to be as it meant Prinnia's survival.

Regardless though it had been decided that Field Marshal Bremmen Schwartz would be the Kaiser's envoy to this diplomatic mission. No sense in the Kaiser going himself if the meeting went sour and things proceeded in the wrong direction. Instead he would keep his face clean and out of it unless it was certain an agreement and success were on their way, then he would personally be there for the signing ceremony. As well as all formal obligations that would be required of him. Another man in attendance would be a mysterious Weatherby, or as the people called him, the Stupendous Weatherby. He was a handsome man with jet black hair slicked back and an arrogant smile on his charming face. Rumors had it that he was the Kaiser's illigetiment son, while others knew him as the boss of the largest and most powerful mob in the entire country. He was a classic rags to ultimate power story, his two right hand men, Clark and Cheshire known for their ruthlessness, and his girl Lily a stunning redhead. Weatherby owned a lot of the country in means of stocks and bonds, he also ran the underground, but kept it in check in exchange for Prinnian government cooperation.

Weatherby sat in a tidy white tuxedo at the end of a table stuffed with old military men, a grin plastered on his face with a cigar tucked neatly between his straight white teeth. He exhaled a gray cloud and tapped out the ashes into a golden ash tray, he exuded over confidence in an almost satirical manner. Yet he really did represent the culture of Prinnia well, selfish, arrogant, and greedy. Cheshire, a man with a cat like face and nefarious grin sat by the window bored, his black suit contrasting well with Weatherby's. One of the delegates pulled out a sheet of paper and slid it towards Weatherby and Bremmen who sat adjacent to one another.

"It’s an itinerary Mr. Weatherby," The bespectled delegate said respectfully, he knew who Weatherby was, "You and your entourage will fly on the Prinnian airship Luftstanze. You will land in the Byhaussen area of Vitzenburg, most likely put down in the Byhaussen port directly as that is where the meeting will be held. As I have been advised by the Kaiser, you are to ensure that Prinnia's interests are well kept at the forefront as well as Field Marshal Bremmen here."

Bremmen nodded in acknowledgement, he glanced at the young mobster next to him, and he had no qualms working with such a famous man. A man who escaped death in over a hundred different occasions. He also didn’t mind getting to fly with Lily either.

"Now while trade is most likely what will be discussed, you should make it known in private that Prinnia is more interested in advancing her militaristic goals. We need the most modern of weapons and Vitzenburg has a large arms manufacturing district like ourselves, but they also have unique designs which could influence our productivity in the future."

"Yes I see," Weatherby nodded slowly as he read over the dates and times of their mission, he also noted the do's and don’ts of Prinnian diplomatic policies. "I think we will have this all well-handled boys." Weatherby winked at the delegation and everyone shifted nervously.

It was with that the Prinnians would set off for the meeting with destiny. Hopefully an agreement could be made and Prinnian trade as well as her militaries armaments would increase. Only time would tell and time was quickly running like sand through ones fingers.

Weatherby boarded the ship later that night, the gigantic search lights illuminating one of the largest airships in the entire fleet, her numerous engines humming softly on standby, Bremmen was equally impressed as he lifted his ceremonial Prinnian Hussar cap, a big smile under his bushy mustache. Prinnia was an emerging power and it showed through her new found economical prowess as well as domination of her own skies. Another thing Bremmen was happy he caught a glimpse of was Lily, a delicious looking red head, whose eyes appeared a, strange, yet alarmingly alluring bronze orange tint to them. Her silky brunette hair cascaded over her shoulders into the small in her back. A modest dress which only made one wish to see it in a not so modest fashion at the foot of a bed. Yet he held his tongue and merely boarded the giant airship as the rotors began to pick up speed. His boots clanking against the metal boarding planks. The giant clamps holding the ship in place with lines tethering it to the ground like an oversized balloon.

Lily pressed herself against Weatherby who smiled at her embrace, they both gazed upon the ship in its magnificence, Lily holding down her sunhat from being tossed into the wind. Cheshire walked up to, his hand on his fedora as he puffed on a Vitzenburgian cigar, expensive shit to import. While Clark was dressed in a Prinnian officer Cadet uniform, he had joined up for the position when he had declined to work in Weatherby's business. Though he and Weatherby met up nearly everyday to share the warm comforts of being wealthy.

Yet Weatherby made it a priority that he would just be supervising to make sure he and his investors were safe from any negotiations made by the government. In return Prinnia had a curb on mob crimes and underground activites. Such was the give and take way of life.

[Altes]

S.S.A. Agathon
Imogen Ocean, March 29th, 1904

---

Thunk, Thunk, Thunk...

The sound of the engines was a low rumble below the deck of the S.S.A. Agathon. Alexis Michelakos sat on the deck, enjoying the breeze as the ship cut through the waves. The Agathon was a second hand steamship bought from the Vitzburgians. Alexis quietly chuckled to himself. It was the Vitzburgians that had thrust Altes back into the world. It was only fourty years ago the Vitzburgians had attempted an annexation of their island and the valiant Altesians had cast them back into the ocean. Now they were being begged to attend the Vitzburgian's conference. Oh how the tables had turned.

Alexis soon quit his giggling when he heard the door behind him open. Straightening up, he saw the Captain beginning inspections for the day.

"Ah, Captain Papadopoulos! Are we making good time?" Asked Alexis. The captain smiled and nodded.

"We'll be at the Vitzburgian port by tomorrow, Ambassador. The Agathon is the fastest ship in our navy. Perhaps, if you play your cards right, you can get us some more of these models?" The captain smirked.

"Perhaps, if you get me some more of that wine we had last night." The two men laughed. Altesian wine was some of the best in the world, and only now was it reentering the global markets. Altes also had large amounts of untapped mineral resources due to it's volcanic nature. If Alexis could secure trade with his contemporaries at the conference, he'd be a national hero back home. Perhaps he'd even be put in the running for Kingship when King Mavrokoulopoulos.

[Orange Provinces]

OPS Kruger
Imogen Ocean
March 28th, 1904

Gerd Hein Vaan Dal sat on his bunk, clutching his carpet bag. His face contorted as the ship was hit by another wave. Gerd had never been on a voyage for so long, the fact that they were still a few days from Vitzenburg almost made him throw up by itself. Gerd Hein Vaan Dal was the top diplomat for the Orange Provinces, although his work mostly consisted of dealing with tribal issues. The Orange Provinces sat in the middle of hundreds of tribal land, and there were always tribal wars flaring up that required coaxing when they got too violent or interfered with citizens. When he was told he was being sent to Vitzenburg, the home country, to attend an economic conference he hadn't known what to expect. Although, right now he had wished he never agreed, as another wave hit the side of the ship and caused his stomach to churn.

A knock at the door caused Gerd a slight panic. He quickly righted himself and set his bag down on the floor. The door opened and the ship cook appeared pushing a trolly.

"Here it is, Mr. Vaan Dal! Something to settle your stomach for awhile!" The chef picked the top of a tray off and revealed seared antelope.

"Oof, just set it on the table." Gerd pointed to the table in the corner. The chef nodded and set his supper down and exited. Gerd looked at it and shook his head. He didn't want to sleep in the same room as his retching filth.

[Maashinia]

I apologize for any typos, I have to leave for work so I haven't had a chance to proofread yet, but I wanted to get this posted

Royal Palace
Caledor, Maashinia
March 28th, 1904
9:00 AM Local Time

The sun had risen early that morning it felt, bringing with it bright rays of golden light and a warm spring breeze that drifted through the open doorway to the balcony of Princess Rosalina’s chambers. Outside, the air was filled with the noise of birds singing, and tree branches rustling together; it was a calm and soothing morning. Inside the room, the atmosphere was much the same as Rosalina, still wearing her white nightgown, sat in front of a large mirror brushing her long, sleek black hair that seemed to compliment her diamond shaped face so well and blended in with her olive colored skin.

“I really do wish you’d considering joining me Adelina,” Rosalina said in her soft, sweet voice to her twin sister who was gazing out upon the sea, watching as the blue waves gently caressed the shoreline. Although they were twins, they were sororal, and the differences were evident between them when they stood next to each other. While both were slender and of similar height with dark hair, that was where the similarities ceased. Adelina’s skin was paler, and her round face was surrounded by wild curls that fell down to her shoulderblades. Her voice was huskier in the more traditional Maashinian way, and she was less inclined to spend time practicing her speech to impress foreigners than Rosalina was.

“I already told you Rosa, Mother said that Florian may be visiting in the next few days from Taracinno. I would very much enjoy seeing him,” came Adelina’s annoyed response.

“How many times must I ask you to please not call me Rosa anymore? We’re no longer children, we’re sixteen now! I do not go about calling you Ade anymore now do I? I digress. I simply cannot understand why you would pass up a chance to travel to Vitzenburg just because our little brother may or may not be coming to Caledor.”

“Coming home you mean,” Adelina responded sounded more agitated, “coming home. Caledor is his home, it’s not as if he asked for Mother and Father to ship him off to Taracinno. Although I’m certain that snake Raul had a role in it.”

“Don’t speak about Ambassador Jimenez that way, he’s so lovely and helpful. Also, Florian doesn’t even call Caledor home anymore, not once during the last time was he here did he call this home. Most of the time he just sulked and appeared as if he wanted to go back to Taracinno, he appears as if he’s more of a Beladicci than a Cardozo, and Toma, not Caledor, is his home.”

“How dare you say that about your own little brother? And we both know the only reason he was even brought home at all last time was so that Mother and Father could parade him around in front of the Vitzburgian Royalty. You cannot hardly fault him for being upset about it!”

“Oh please, let’s move on from this dreary subject Adelina, it is such a splendid day outside. My point was, is that we’ve seen our brother numerous times, but we’ve never gone to Vitzenburg, and now Father and Mother finally allow us to travel, and you say no. I, for one, am extremely excited about the opportunity to leave Maashinian for awhile. I do hope that Vitzenburg is as wonderful as I’ve heard some say it is.”

“I hear it rains a lot,” said Adelina dryly.

“Always addressing the negatives Adelina, you need to be more like the sun is today outside: bright and cheerful,” replied Rosaline in the same nonchalant tone she had been using the entire conversation. Adelina simply rolled her eyes.

Rosalina started to giggle slightly, drawing Adelina’s attention to her. “What is it?” asked Adelina.

“Oh, I was just wondering if maybe I would see Prince Karl on the trip. I found him to be quite handsome when he was here,” Rosalina said through a fit of girlish giggles, “Do you think he would remember me?”

“Por favor, you seem to find any boy handsome these days.”

“Well, we aren’t children anymore Adelina. My handmaiden says it is all quite natural to find men handsome now that we are becoming women.”

“It’s also naturally known that your handmaiden would do a three-penny-upright without the pennies.”

“Adelina!” Rosalina stammered in exaggerated shock, “How dare you speak like -” A rapping on the the door cut her off. “Come in,” Rosalina said flustered.

“Lady Rosaline, Lady Adelina,” said the aforementioned handmaiden as she entered the room; she curtsied politely. “Lady Rosalina, the ship is ready to sail, the carriage is waiting at the main entrance, and Ambassador Jimenez grows impatient. You know how he is.”

“You know how he is,” mumbled Adelina under her breath, but neither of the other two women in the room heard her.

“Yes, certainly, I am just about done, could you please grab my dress,” Rosalina asked nonchalantly once more.

The handmaiden nodded as she walked over to the bed where a beautiful blue dress with sea-green embroidering was resting. Using the assistance of her handmaiden, Rosalina finished getting dressed and in that same nonchalant manner she had possessed all morning, she walked down to the front entrance where Raul Jimenez was waiting for her.

“Ah, there she is! Rosalina Seraphina, you look absolutely stunning today, if only the sun could shine so radiantly!” Raul Jimenez said thickly.

“Oh please Ambassador, you make a lady blush!” replied Rosalina giggling.

“And Adelina Iro,” the Ambassador continued, “your stare may freeze a rose this morning, but it would only to ensure the preservation of its beauty.” Adelina simply rolled her eyes, but she couldn't seem to stop the small smile that curled her lips no matter how hard she fought it.

The trio walked to the waiting carriage, the large royal emblem adorning the side, being pulled by two horses shining as black as night. Raul helped Rosalina up into the carriage before turning back and kissing Adelina on the cheek as she bid the two farewell. As the door to the carriage closed, a slight jerk was felt as the horses began to move.

“It won’t be long now Lady Rosaline, within the hour we will be setting sail to Vitzenburg,” said Raul in a voice that matched the excitement upon Rosalina’s slender face.

[Sarmandar]

S.S. Poisan du Louvars
Imogen Ocean
March 27th, 1904
9:32 P.M. Local Time

---

Quen haganden matars haganden, wayen do çindars salanden do erme?

What do mothers do, when the children leave the nest?

Arranne du Thrag stared into the flames of the ornate candle holder on the smooth oaken table as the musician in the corner of the dining room slowly strummed a Sarmand guitar. That old familiar pain tugged at her heartstrings again, like it often did when she was finally alone and her memories and thoughts could come pouring from the back of her mind like the flooding Embrásane river. Nostalgia.

It was often something trivial that triggered her old loves and old thrills; the sip of a fine aged wine, the feel of a beaten gold ring that was thought to be lost long ago. This time it was the music. The iron face, the stalwart and unbreakable grimace she had worn so long to intimidate her enemies and friends alike, the symbol of her undying strength, would slowly break into quiet contemplation, though her brows often remained ever so slightly furrowed. And then suddenly she ruled the world again; she was Empress-Regent and Autocrat of All the Sarmandars, indomitable mistress of the Imperial Serañe desert, Lady of the Sarii and Overseer of the Uriharids. Little Hectaar was still just a boy, running throughout the palace and talking to the servants, and then a teenager riding horses and hunting with his uncles, laughing and smiling eternally, still innocent, more innocent than she had ever been at that age.

She remembered her own childhood, too. Long, hot days during the wet season at one of her grandfather's many cotton plantations and vineyards along the Embrásane, learning to play music and dance from her loving abulamatar, sneaking out of the palatial estate at night to fence with her cousins, all of them wielding rough sticks. She remember how triumphant she had been the day she wacked her cousin Etwaurd right across the face and managed to break his nose, a glorious feat amongst her young compatriots. She grinned to herself.

"I hope I'm not interrupting the the great Arranne du Thrag? Shall I wait for our men or just behead myself now?" Prime Minister Alfraud Monterie said as stood in the doorway with a coy smirk. His once jet-black hair, now peppered with grey, was slicked back in contrast to his curly beard, his eyes glinting and daring, like they used to be. He was only like this around his closest confidantes, Arranne thought. Unlike her, he hadn't made a point to hold stress and true feelings inside over the years; he was notoriously hot-tempered. Then again, so was Arranne- she just hid it well.

Arranne broke into a full, bright smile and replied, "Please, it's the twentieth century now, I'll have Hectaar end you with a firing squad instead," She smirked, "More civilized."

She glanced to the musician. "Leave us," she briskly commanded, opening up another bottle of wine as Alfraud took a seat and the guitar player exited.

Alfraud examined the bottle before sipping. "Yolta Vineyards, 1843. Thinking of home I see."

"Yes," Arranne looked solemn, "Thinking about how everything was so simpler back then."

"Everything always seems simpler after the fact," Alfraud said before taking a drink. Arranne looked unconvinced.

"You know the Altesians will be at this conference tomorrow. I know our wine merchants back in the Imperial Sarmandars aren't intimidated, but I've always thought the less competition the better," she said.

"Altes is a little island who couldn't dare to produce as much wine as we do. We also have cotton, grain, copper, pearls, salt, gold, and oil, and the Bessaverian railroad runs right through our lands. We're strong because of your regency, Arranne, and your son's rule as well," He assured her, "While I find your paranoia charming, it will ruin your looks."

"You're one to talk," Arranne shot back, and they both chuckled. Arranne elaborated, "I'm not necessarily worried as much as I am annoyed. A wave of nationalism has swept the little windswept isle. They're going to behave like pompous asses."

"We've seen worse. We'll put them in line if Vitzenburg doesn't do it first."

"I'm still not sure if this all is even a good idea," Arranne voiced, half to herself, "The Imperial Sarmandars have always stood by ourselves. We've never needed any allies before, and it's made us strong, being alone. First this alliance with the nationwide brothel to the north, and now, an international conference? Dear gods," she muttered as she kissed the index and middle fingers on her right hand, the holy sign of Amauleñe.

Alfraud grew serious. "It's not your decision to make, Arranne. You're not Empress-Regent anymore. Your son rules now. The best you can do right now is represent your homeland's and your son's interests abroad with me, and trust that you raised him to make the right decisions both here and for the rest of his reign."

"I hope I have. His mother can't hold his hand forever."

"Stop pretending like you would mind that," Alfraud said, grinning again.

Arranne returned the smile. "Goodnight, Alfraud," she said, putting down her cup and leaving for her bedchambers.

"Goodnight, Dowager du Thrag."

[Vitzenburg]

Byhaussen Port
Byhaussen, Vitzenburg
March 31st, 1904

The city of Byhaussen was an old city, dating back to the time of the great King Widukind, who ruled what is now southern Vitzenburg one thousand years ago. It has grown immensely from small fishing village to massive port city. Byhaussen was build into the very cliffs that surrounded it, spilling out into the rolling hills behind them. It rivaled the importance of Vessels, as Byhaussen was the only Port on the southern Vitzburgian coast until Vessels on the far western tip. It proved to be one of the major trade hubs for Vitzenburg, it's docks able to maintain the largest ships of the age.

Due to it's unique position in Vitzenburg and as an important trade port of the world, the economic depression that had been hammering the rest of the country was not as visible in Byhaussen. Food was plentiful, unemployment was not nearly an issue compared to other cities.

All colors of people made their home in Byhaussen, it's extreme proximity to the nations border and the fact it's a major trade. Those from the interior of the country would find the city quite unsettling. Lovely ladies at the ports, salty sailors, athiests, mishmahigians. Even popery found a way to exist in Byhaussen.

It was also known to maintain Vitzenburg's only airship hangars. Byhaussen was on the edge of the terrible Vitzburgian weather. When the rest of the country was blanketed storm and fury, Byhaussen only received light sprinklings. While the rest of the country shunned airships, the inhabitants of Byhaussen saw them regularly. At times, some upstart magistrate had tried to end operations of the hangars at Byhaussen, but the Mayor had a way of dealing with these types. They always ended up leaving the city in disgrace, tails between their legs.

The Mayor Gurken was the perfect example of the quintessential Vitzburgian man. Tall and thick, a bushy beard adorning his cheeks. Strong in his faith to God and the Throne. Gurken had ruled the city of Byhaussen for sixty years, since the rule of Kaiser Felix III. As he was getting on in years, the Mayor was still quite active for his age.

However, the old man did not expect to be asked to preside over an international conference of nations in the Kaiser's stead. His brow was heavily furrowed, exacerbating his wrinkles. He was always up to a challenge, but such an honor and burden truly frightened him. He lay in bed, thinking about the consequences of any wrong move. He did not want to fail the new Kaiser. Such a deed would only degrade his lord's power even more than it already was. There was a furor about one so young taking the throne. They say he could not possibly be ready to rule, and yet the boy was already doing the work of his generals in the Black Isles.

Gurken sat up, rubbing his eyes and kicking off covers. He shuffled out of bed and over to the window, throwing open the curtains. Light poured in and momentarily blinded him. When his vision returned, he looked out at the city. His mansion was set atop the highest of all the surround cliffs, overlooking the entirety of the city.

Today, the first of the representatives would be arriving. The docks were prepared, as well as the airship landing field. Who would be the first was a mystery, but all that Gurken worried over was somehow offending any one of these foreigners.

[Prinnia]

Byhaussen Port, Vitzenburg
March 31st, 1904

Luftsanzawas the latest in the growing air fleet of Prinnia, her streamline shape glistened even as the guns stuck out like black thorns daring an enemy to get close. She was absolutely massive and while she had many modern engines she could only move half as fast as the most nimble of airships from Averi and such. Still though she was a warship, not a speedy luxury liner. On the command bridge several well-trimmed and dressed sailors were checking the gauges and switching levers every so often to keep the ship on its linear course. The captain of the massive battleship stood in the center of the command area and was gazing over a series of charts which described Vitzenburg's rather peculiar and unpredictable weather. His large white mustache and beard curling around his face as he tapped the chart while checking his ornate gold pocket watch, the hands ticking softly. The large pleasure resorts and casino baths with rowdy sinners and tourists was all a front, a front for a highly skilled and ambitious military. Luftstanza and her well trained crew were a testament to that, yet it was still not enough. The military was going to seek some help from abroad to ensure Prinnia's domination on the field in the future.

"We should be over Byhaussen sir." A sailor shouted as he turned the wheel ever so slightly so that the large compass before him pointed due west. The captain nodded and stepped over to the periscope, being a warship large windows at such high altitudes was not an encourage design, instead, like a tank the command bridge had small windows preventing enemy fire from breaching easily. At the cost of visibility of course, so the ship relied on a series of mirrors and glass magnifiers, which spun around the outside of the command bridge on a gyroscope. These magnifiers gave a clear view of the outside world peering through. As the captain did he could see the port coming out of the white clouds, he grinned happily as he peered at his watch again, and they were on time.

The guest compartments in the center of the ship, or rather the officers lounge was a luxurious series of rooms, filled with finely tailored furniture. If the many brimming guns represented the hidden side of Prinnia than the golden decor on the officers quarters showed Prinnia's extreme vanity.

Bremmen sat on a red velvet couch, his boots lined up on the foor, his feet kicked up on the couch. His fingers thumbing through pages of a rather thick book, his eyes tracing along the words as they formed imagines in his mind. Very much engrossed in what he was reading he failed to hear a woman sitting in the chair adjacent to him. He continued to read as the words enveloped him into a different world filled with fantastical creatures and other mysterious wonders which could never be plausible in this world.

"What chapter are you on?" A silky voice asked gently, Bremmen jumped alittle from shock and peered over to his new visitor. It was lily, her stunning red hair cascading over her shoulder which lead to a very desirable body, she was wearing a black dress which only seemed to complement her strangely colored eyes. Eyes which seemed to peer into a persons soul and into the darkest pits of a man's thoughts. She gave a smile, her seductive lips curving softly. She was one of the most beautiful things he had ever laid eyes on, yet she was the the steady of the largest mobster boss in all of Prinnia, that was enough to steer him away, if only barely.

"Im on chapter 43," Bremmen answered as he broke his unsightly gaze of the woman before him. He coughed softly as if clearing his throat, " You have quite a way with words Lily. I am very impressed and I know understand why this series is so popular!" He gave a polite chuckle which filled the room awkardly.

"Thank you Field Marshal, It makes me so happy that you enjoy my writing! Not very often a female author is recognized for her work. Especially a fantasy pieces such as The Lost Age series." She giggled in reply before tapping her lips with her forefinger calculatingly, her eyes narrowed in thought." Chapter 43 if I recall thats when..."

"The Queen of Parasites rises from her slumber after being sealed away at the battle of Deadplains! Magnificent really! The imagery is so clear its like im seeing it myself. I especially like these Numerian fellows. They were so well constructed and thought out...Forgive me for being so in awe, but how did you manage to think of all of this?" Bremmen asked curiously as he began reading again, the thick covered book delivering him to another realm of magic and elves. Lily's orange eyes flashed with a cool grin as she lay her head in her hands and slouched forward. The eyes now more than ever seemed to burrow into his soul, he looked around uncomfortably avoiding her serious gaze.

"Lets just say I've been there..." She whispered cryptically, her smile a wicked one. Bremmen's eyes widened, but before he could think further on the subject Cheshire walked in, his cigar clouding the lounge with an oddly purple haze which Bremmen brushed away. Though with one quick glance at Lily he swore her skin was green, but a second glance showed only her radiant slightly tan skin. He put down the book and rubbed his eyes softly, perhaps he was reading too much.

"Captin says were putting down soon Miss Lily," Cheshire said cooly as he offered his hand to lift her up.

"Good I must find Weatherby then." She winked at Bremmen as she left the room with Cheshire, leaving Bremmen slightly confused.

After a series of telegraph communications with the ground they had been directed to an airfield in which the ship could put down, as they did so the captain noted the absolute lack of other airships in the area, Vitzenburg had truly outlawed air travel, a curious thing. With a soft thud the battleship put down on the docking area and the large gray metal door slid open revealing a small group of armed sailors which quickly formed a line outside the ship. Field Marshal Bremmen in full garb disembarked, his black leather boots crunching the grass under him, a smile plastered on his face. Weatherby with Lily linked to his arm disembarked next, her black dress shimmering in the sun and he a fine tailored suit, a man of wealth no less. An officer followed suit as well as a man with a sharp scar across the bridge of his nose, cigar burning brightly in the sun.

The sailors saluted as they waited to be escorted to where ever the Vitzburgians had intended them to go.

[Vitzenburg]

Byhaussen Airship Field
Byhaussen, Vitzenburg
March 31st, 1904

The Byhaussen Airship Field was your typical, run of the mill Airship Field. A few of the massive hangars were occupied but for the most part, the field was empty. As the Luftsanzawas descended, ground crews began operations. As soon as the lines were cast off, they began tethering the massive airship to the ground. Once the beast of an airship was safely tethered, a stair truck was driven up for disembarkation. As the Prinnians stepped out of the Airship, they could see a Vitzburgian welcoming party assembled a dozen yards from the stairs.

Vitzburgian troops and City guard stood at attention. The guards uniforms were a stark contrast from the normal Vitzburgian blue, as their coats were bright yellow and their polished bronze helmets shining in the sun. Among them stood a stern looking man, dressed in an exquisite suit with a sach across his chest that signified he was a Vitzburgian diplomat. He straightened and walked forward to meet the Prinnians.

"Ah, Field Marshal Bremmen and Mr. Weatherby! So glad you could make the voyage. I am Ambassador Best of Vitzenburg! Please, just enter the car and we'll be on our way to City Hall!" The Ambassador shook hands with the two men, giving a small bow to Lily and walked back, opening the doors to the motorcar for them all. The car was the same yellow color as the coats of the city guard, and the Flag of Vitzenburg was accompanied by the city flag. The seats were a soft, and supple white leather. After the Ambassador boarded the vehicle, the driver started the car and they began to rumble off of the Airship field.

They passed large towers as they drove down the road. They were made of solid granit brick and what looked like concrete reinforcements. The top fortifications were bristling with anti-air weapons and men could be seen milling about at their stations.

"Look at those beauties," Remarked Best as they drove past one, "These towers are made specifically for shooting down any invading army that decides to use Airships. Well, if the weather doesn't get them first!" Best chuckled, "You'll find them all over the city, and in pretty much ever city in Vitzenburg." They continued down the road, eventually reaching the outskirts of the city.

"City Hall is in the heart of the Byhaussen. We should arrive in a few minutes" The driver said as he navigated the streets. Already, people were out and about, going about their daily routine. Men were headed to work at the dockyards while women were setting up carts and booths for the numerous markets. Gangs of children ran about, school did not start until the twelve o'clock bell.

The car trundled on, eventually exiting onto a wider street. From their vantage point towards the top of the street, they could see the entirety of the city proper. The towers that Best had commented on could be seen dotting the city, even on top of the cliffs. It filled the basin that was naturally formed by the cliffs and the street they were on ran the width of the city, from the docks to the outskirts on the cliffs. However, they only needed to spend a few minutes on it before they arrived at the City Hall.

The City Hall stood where the Castle Byhaussen used to sit, atop a mound in the central city. Banners fluttered in the wind in front of it, the city flag slightly lower than the Vitzburgian national flag. The building itself was well appointed, with lavish adornments all around the face of it. It had a very Rothanesque look to it, with pillars emulating a Rothian government building. They stopped at the bottom of the staircase, a group of journalists and photographers were there to greet them before some city guard pushed them back to form a clear path to the stairs. Ambassador Best got out of the car first, opening the doors for the rest.

[Maashinia]

Byhaussen Port
Byhaussen, Vitzenburg
March 31st, 1904

The port of Byhaussen loomed in the distance as the RMS Palencia sliced through the salty blue water of the Imogen Ocean. At the bow stood Princess Rosalina and Ambassador Raul Jimenez, both peering into the distance in the hope of catching a glimpse of the city.

“There! There it is!” shouted Rosalina excitedly bouncing up and down and pointing towards the shoreline. “That’s Vitzenburg!”

“Ah, yes that would be Byhaussen straight on ahead,” Raul replied with a small chuckle. Around the two, the Maashinian sailors scurried to and fro as they prepared to reach the port. Further back towards the stern, a bell could be heard echoing across the Palencia, while next to the Rosalina and Raul a sailor blew furiously into a whistle, the shrill noise leaving a dull ringing in both of their ears. With each passing moment, more and more activity began to pick up around the two travelers. “I suggest we return to our cabins Princess, we do not want to be a burden.”

“We’ve been sailing for three days though and we’re so close! I don’t want to go back inside.”

Raul’s reply was simply a stern look at the young girl.

“Oh fine,” said Rosalina somewhat defeatedly. The two turned away from the front of the ship and began walking back the towards staircase that would lead them towards their cabins. “Do you think there will be a celebration like when the Vitzburgians arrived in Maashinia? Do you think Prince Karl and the other Vitzburgian Royals will be about? Will we have plenty of time to sight-see?” Rosalina shot off each question in rapid fire succession.

“I wouldn’t be too hopeful Rosalina, this conference is much more of a business gathering than a celebration. Also, Prince Karl isn’t a prince anymore, he’s Kaiser now remember, and he’s most likely still campaigning in the Black Isles. As far as sightseeing goes, I’m sure your guards will be more than happy to escort you around the city so you can experience what Byhaussen and Vitzenburg have to offer.”

There was a look of disappointment on Rosalina’s face as the two arrived back at their separate cabins, but she made no complaints upon hearing the information. Instead she rushed to her window immediately after her door was closed, turning her head this way and that as she attempted to get the best view. In what felt like no time at all, there was a knock on her door as one of the sailors notified her they had arrived at the port. She hurried back to her room and fetched her red sun hat that matched the red and gold dress she was wearing. She slipped on a pair of white evening gloves that reached past her elbow and then made her way to the deck of the ship, all the while having to hold up the poofs of her dress to keep from tripping on the staircase.

Raul was already waiting for her near the ramp that was being set up for them to disembark, while behind her she already saw one of her guards wearing the traditional royal guard uniform of a red jacket and green pants with his polished silver helmet carrying her luggage.

“Well Princess, we have arrived, and within moments you will be the first Maashinian royal to set foot on Vitzenburg in memory.”

Despite her earlier disappointment, she felt her chest swell up with a mixture of pride and excitement at the thought. After what seemed to have been hours for her, the ramp was at last ready, and, with the assistance of Ambassador Raul, the two descended the gangplank before stepping out onto the dock; the two travelers finally able to say that they had at long last, reached Vitzenburg.