IC:
The Situation
Over a year has passed since the fall of the nation known as 'Cat's Keep', a shadow nation that fit snugly in mountainous terrain between the Empires of Tarlachia and Tanaara. The small nation, ruled by Lady Shalamar, has collapsed for no apparent reason to the vast majority of the world, but the truth speaks otherwise. On January 17th of the last year, there was a final message sent to all executive offices of the Fatal Terrain region bearing solemn news for those audiences.
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My Dear Friends,
The world is calm, and the journey together has been long. The years; the eons; have worn my soul to exhaustion, and it is now that I must tell you that my presence here is no longer needed. You are each strong in your own right, and I urge you to seek the common ground despite your differences. You are a region unlike any other, and you will prosper.
"Cause there's one truth I have found, And it's never let me down
When you stock up on joy, there's enough to go ‘round."
I wish for you my friends, and family,
May joy find you, fill you and turn your life upside down in the best sort of way!
Kindly Your Friend Forever,
Lady Shalamar
Cat's Keep
It was on that day that any Keepians in any nation of Fatal Terrain had vanished, leaving behind a void and only a memory of their presence. But, strangely the 'collapse' of Cat's Keep had a much greater international effect than any could have predicted. The regional economy was rocked with economical quakes so great that several other regional nations collapsed in the wake. But, those who persevered now can have faith, for the clouds of the changing world around them have cleared, and the sun is shining again... A new hope has risen from the ashes of a gone but not forgotten wise ruler...
Currently in Tarlachia
The morning sun was strong today, for the winter was slowly coming to an end here in Tarlachia. The mountains trapped much of the cooler weather between its eastern and western fronts, funneling the brisk cold air of the northern lands down into the southern lands and ultimately into the Upper Indonen Sea. In Turath, the capital city of Tarlachia, a gathering had been called of all available regional rulers to kick start the lethargy and evict the bleak political atmosphere that had plagued the region for the past year since the collapse of Cat's Keep.
Aeris, the empress of Tarlachia, stood in front of an open window facing the outer courtyard of her castle. Her children, Avanya and Thomas were in their rooms getting ready for presenting themselves as they were. Children of Royalty. Her husband, the Archon of Tanaara, was on a flight to here from his nation, but he wouldn't be here for a few hours at the least. It was fine, for the clandestine meeting of the region's greatest would not happen until later on tonight, after the sun had set.
Aeris found herself wishing she could speak to Lady Shalamar, asking her of her opinion and advice of the situation in Fatal Terrain. The economy had sank noticeably, but the heart of the regional economy was still beating, though it was weakened. Turning her eyes now to the heavens where the clouds were sparse on this day, she could see the last of the stars in the east still stubbornly refusing to be washed away in the glare of the morning sun. That star, she had named after Lady Shalamar in a fashion; known by astrologists and citizens throughout the region as the Phoenixa. Coincidentally, it had shown up only a month after Lady Shalamar's last message to all of Fatal Terrain, and Aeris had a feeling it was Shalamar's work in providing something for her friends to remember her by.
And then, the sun rose completely over the horizon and the sky brightened exponentially, and the Pheonixa star was at long last, washed from the black velvet of the night sky. It would return again the next night, but for now it would rest from the searching eyes of Fatal Terrain.
"It's time." Aeris said quietly as she blinked her eyes at the sun's glare and turned her back on the eastern window. She strode down the hall, and down the wide stairs, turned the corner, and entered the dining hall where she found her children already eating.
Avanya's eyes lit up brightly as she saw her mother, and she spoke between bites, "It's still there, isn't it?" Avanya knew of the star, and so did her brother, Thomas. Thomas ceased eating his eggs benedict meal to look up at his mother as well.
Aeris smiled slightly, "Of course it is. And it will always be there for us to remember the wise reign of a woman whose influence was far and wide in the best way possible."
Aeris seated herself across from her children, right as one of the servants set down a plate of steaming hot breakfast food in front of her. A pitcher each of water,orange juice sat in front of them, next to hot tea in its own container. She helped herself to a cup of tea first, savoring its warmth and flavor.
"Now, children, I don't need to remind you that today's meeting is important. Once the initial greetings are over, you two are to go off on your own and stay out of trouble. Understood?" Aeris said with a stern motherly tone at the end of her small speech. Both of the children nodded, "Yes Mother."
"Good. Today is going to be a good day." Aeris replied at last. It was a day long waited for, and overdue.