The Ishranair Conference l CODN Only l IC

[Karthspirije]

The nations of Karthspire and Ephyra had, despite many differences, always enjoyed friendly relations. In their mutual neighbour of Pontus, the two had always found a common enemy. In the intereference of outside powers in their rather unique cultures and way of life, the two nations faced a common threat. A great deal of money had always been exchanged between these two nations; over the years Ephyra had grown into a hotspot for wealthier Karthspiri tourists seeking some of the vices forbidden to them in their homeland just as resources from the internationally isolated Karthspire had helped fuel Ephyra's growth - both literally and figuratively.

As the world of the CoDN grew ever more turbulent and the actions of declining powers ever more unpredictable, the Karthspiri have long sought to formalise a relationship with the Ephyral. With this backdrop growing and beginning to threaten the fragile stability of the CoDN, the Karthspiri Government has invited Ephyral representatives to the ancient heartland city of Ishranair for a round of talks, the results of which are cloaked in uncertainty. What is known is that a Karthspiri-Ephyral partnership, or even alliance, would stabilise their positions in the world and ward off outside interference in the region; a formidable partnership.

[Karthspirije]

An orange sun rose behind the mountains which shield the city of Ishranair; painting the sky with streaks of red light. Birds filled the city's skies and the morning commute of many of its inhabitants was still a few hours away.

Breaking the moment of peace a small aircraft, bearing the colours of the Karthspiri flag, touched down at Isfahan Airport - a building surprisingly well kept considering Karthspire's international isolation had dissuaded or prevented the many tourists this airport was built for from visiting. Out of the Aircraft stepped three elderly, well-dressed diplomats; two male and one female. Accompanying these diplomats were two guards both of whom carried swords and wore their dress uniform.

After making their way through the airport, the delegation entered a small convoy of domestically built, armoured cars; despite isolation, many sectors of the economy flourished and boomed regardless - Karthspire's 200,000,000 people are in need of cars and where a will exists, so does a way.

After some shuffling in the cars, the convoy set off on its way to the Xaiju Bridge where a small room built into the bridge's structure would host the delegations.

[The Land of the Ephyral]

Ishranair Airport

Having departed the Ephyral jet, the Freehold's two mission diplomats were taken to their car alongside a small detachment of the Sacred Spears - the official civil bodyguard for representatives of Ephyra - which began its journey to the Xaiju Bridge, a uniquely designed location for hosting visits.

"Decades of somewhat warm relations, and only now they've wanted to establish proper liaison?" Lemnos Genusios Arvena wondered aloud to his colleague.

"You've seen the news," Laekesos Kaesirios Iurilos replied dismissively. "Diseases, controversies regarding Afghanistan, the Soviets. They've more dilemmas than they have allies, so they may as well begin where the atmosphere is most accommodating."

Arvena flicked through the various papers he had with him. Some of importance, some there to make the pile look bigger. On some jobs it was hard to tell which was meant to be which. This was not one of them however. Talks of alliance would be bound to involve everything of relevance. The Freehold too had been largely isolated these past decades, maintaining a formality of association with the Americans if anything just as a mutual counter-Soviet position. Cordial relationships had been the policy of the archons for years now, and this year was no different.

Iurilos suddenly laughed; a thought in his head most like.

"What is it?" Arvena asked.

Iurilos continued to chuckle and shook his head slightly. "I'm just wondering if this whole thing is just to get discounts at Ephyral establishments. They don't do that sort of thing here, and by the gods are ours expensive."

The two men laughed as the bridge came within sight. Adjusting the togas popularised by the Freehold's founding fathers, they prepared to arrive and exit.

[Karthspirije]

Xaiju Bridge

The sun had risen above the mountains, colloquially known as the "city's shield", and with it, traffic had begun to trickle onto the streets like the water flowing under the bridge. A cool breeze followed the river's flow; a breeze which would ensure that the Karthspiri sun did not make negotiations uncomfortable.

The three diplomats stood, flanked by their guards, outside the entrance to the Conference Room. The female Diplomat appeared visibly aged but the most well dressed, wearing a dark blue abaya style dress with gold embroidery and a black, semi-transparent headscarf. The men were both wearing dark blue suits.

One of the male diplomats turned to the female one, "Elrunil, ma'am, I've a request for you to put forward during our negotiations..."

Elrunil looks up at him, her loose, black hijab slipping and revealing some of her hair - dark red despite her age, "Go on. Deír."

Deír gulps and musters his courage, "Well Ma'am... I'm sure you're aware that some of us have gained a particular attachment to Selian comfor..."

A look of divine fury coats Elrunil's face, "If we weren't in view of the public, I'd have ordered you flogged. We are here to represent the interests of our nation... not your loins. I did not give my sons for the revolution only to see it corrupted by Civil Servants who managed to land their prestigious positions despite lacking a shred of morality."

Deír looks down and the other male diplomat begins to chuckle quietly under his breath, "Apologies, Ma'am."

A car, shining in the morning sunlight and bearing Selian flags appeared on the right-side of the bridge and as it approached, the cool wind following the river seemed to turn.

Elrunil turns her gaze to the other Diplomat, "I'm glad you found that amusing, Arkaril, now if you two would care to go inside and amuse yourselves with the preperation of the papers outlining our negotiating position, that would be very much appreciated."

Arkaril and Deír turned and began whispering amongst themselves as they entered the Conference Room, "Is she our national animal because she doesn't half get catty sometimes?"

Elrunil adjusts her Hijab and greets the arriving Ephyral delegates, motioning the guards to ease their posture as she does so, "I'm Elrunil Maralén and I'll be heading the Karthspiri Delegation. For the more astute amongst you, you may recognise my name from those Karthspiri who negotiated the peace settlement following the Crescent War."

She pauses for a few moment, allowing the Selians to introduce themselves, before beckoning them inside the Conference Room.

[The Land of the Ephyral]

Xaiju Bridge

As Arvena and Iurilos exited the vehicle, they saw two suited men enter the conference building, leaving just an old woman in a blue dress and black hijab, and her guards. Backed by the Sacred Spears, the men approached, clad as they were in white, full length tunics sleeved to the elbow, and large white togas draped around them - both articles marked with light blue, the colour of peace - the Karthspiri guards eased position and the elderly woman spoke, introducing herself and her role, as well as dropping a hint as subtle as a hurricane about her evaluated importance.

"My name is Lemnos Genusios Arvena, I am the assigned head of this diplomatic mission." Arvena introduced himself. "This is my colleague - and for all intents and purposes equal partner on this venture, as we have worked together many times - Laekesos Kaesirios Iurilos."

The two men gave an Ephyral salute, an outstretched right arm and a clenched fist brought towards the heart.

"Your name is known madam, though the events you recall occurred when we were just children." Iurilos added. Both men were in their mid-50s, veterans of numerous missions but certainly the Crescent War was before their time. Their features showed only moderate signs of their ageing, and it was often said that the ethnic Selian disposition to silver-white hair made telling the growth of age difficult. Only Arvena possessed the purple eyes for which his race was famous however, as well as the neatly trimmed beard men of age usually sported. Iurilos, on top of being a couple inches taller, was clean-shaven, and held gaze with ice blue eyes. "The Freehold respects your nation's decision to have you represent the interests of your people in this matter. We are appetent to see what good for both our peoples may come of this session." The man gave a gesture of movement. "After you madam."

As the two men fell into step behind the Karthspiri lady, they shared a glance. Clearly their cultural reading could do with an update; Karthspire had not struck them as the type of nation to meet them with a woman. This would not deter negotiations of course, but their interlocutor's move to place a (albeit elderly) member of the fairer, yet cunning sex in talks with them belied either confidence in friendship or a move to preserve national interests, should the two younger men already in the conference room fail at their task.

[Karthspirije]

Xaiju Bridge Conference Rooms

Elrunil adopted a brisk but orderly pace, staying flanked by her guards and allowing the two foreigners to keep up. She lead them through a short but ornate corridor decorated with tiled mosaics detailing moments of Karthspiri history from the Migration to the Islamic Revolution. She pauses for a moment and addresses the guards in Karthspiri, they quickly open the door to the Conference room before taking up posts either side of the door.

She stands behind her seat, centred at the head of the delegation, with hastily assembled papers stacked before her two aides. Her green eyes widen and her voice breaks the light but audible sound of water running underneath the bridge.

"Would you care for some refreshments before we begin. It's courtesy to offer guests some before business begins and I don't imagine the journey was too enjoyable so some time to relax is probably what you both need." She smiles gently at the Selian delegation

[The Land of the Ephyral]

The ambassadors glanced briefly at the pictures lining the corridor as they passed, too quickly to determine exactly what events they depicted, before arriving in the conference room. Walking over to their own seats on the other side of the table, the elderly Karthspiri women offered them refreshment.

"That would be much appreciated madam, thank you." Iurilos responded with a smile. "We share a similar custom in our home. Hospitality is of the utmost importance to us."

Arvena set down his papers on the table and added, "If you would, please join us in your offer. Common ground for the business to come." He arranged the papers neatly, tucking in any sticking out pages. Neither man sat quite yet, waiting for indication from the Karthspiri to formally begin the meeting.

[Karthspirije]

Elrunil motions to one of the soldiers in the room, "Csaír verxeshterán."

The soldier brings a pot and places it in the centre of the table, laying ornate, decorated cups in front of the 5 seated around the table. He adds some powder and petals into the pot, stirring, before filling each delegation member's cup with a dark red, almost brown, steamy liquid.

Elrunil takes a small sip, "I hope it will be to your liking. As I'm sure you know, we have an ancient tea drinking culture but it's quite different to the West. We don't flavour our teas with milk or sugar. Instead, we prefer to use more local flavours such as milder spices and rose petals."

She takes one of the binders placed in-front of Deír and flicks through it, "So it appears as though our Government have been about as useful as a three-legged horse when outlining a negotiating position. Nevermind, we'll begin regardless. I suppose we'll be starting with the discussion of more general principles and we'll work on specific wording and implementation once we're in agreement on the framework of the whole thing. Is there anything in particular your Government wishes to be addressed before we begin or something you'd like to bring up or suggest?"