Danceria wrote:Phaerix, Talon Harbor
Two ships, both alike in dignity, amidst the dingy waters of Talon Harbour is where we lay the scene. Yet neither ship was alike in content nor conduct, for one flew the red aquila of Archades, while the other flew the blue dragon around a white tree. One ship was largely human, while the other held a motley mix of species great and small, and all relatively humanoid. The ship from Archades was indistinguishable from those in Phaenix, the Byzantine spirit proudly borne and enduring. Those from Dunseron were less uniform, hailing from many kingdoms, one of Man, one of Dwarf, and one of Beastfolk. Both nations held proud mariner traditions stretching back to their foundations, yet pleasantries were terse and exchanges were kept painfully curt and short. As the two marched notably apart from one another, many onlookers felt and feared a fight may break out between the two parties here and now. Especially when the tall, dark haired ambassador decided to personally size up the diminutive Dunseron.
“Well, well, well.” Came the Hellene’s haughty introduction. “A Barbaroi’s boat came into harbour, Providence does not favour you.”
“Providence has placed us both in the same harbour and upon the same path.” Came the Dunseron’s succinct reply, and an extension of his hand. “For the sake of Arda, I hope we both make an impression upon this “Emperor”.”
A barking laugh and a few words were exchanged between the Grecian generalissimo and his entourage, “ “For the sake of “Arda”.” he mimicked and mocked the tone of the young, pale skinned and pale-haired knight. “For the sake of Hesperos-” A subtle linguistic correction, between the native Dunserons and the Byzantines who colonized in the east, naming the vast continents that they dwelt upon “-and my cousin the Basileus I am here to display goodly might. I’m certain there is a court for pages to preen their petitions.” From the bowels of the Dunseron ship came the growled chirping telltale of a Dancerian Dragon. Now these beings came in varying sizes-usually the older and more powerful growing in accordance, but most kept smaller sizes. This one in particular had a marble grey coat, slightly larger than a cow but with the nimbleness of a cat, as she gently pawed her way from the depths to the mast and narrowed her eyes at the braggart who belittled her master. Calling back in the secret tongue of the Riders-carried in by the folk of Berk and Old Valkarth, the dragoness slinked down from mast to deck, before skulking off into the waters by the side of their ship. Sea-cat, being the name of the beast, was aptly called for she was as powerful in the ocean as she was in the skies. A young dragoness, she had not formally gone through the ceremony of being bonded to her master, and the two had only trained for a year, yet they were quick and deep companions.
“Beasts hearken unto beasts.” Came further insult from the Doux, who was answered by a cudgel being flung from the deck square into the back of the Grecian’s head. The culprit, a fiery haired and blazing tempered young She-Dwarf, garbed in the metal-woven robes befitting any Lady of Durin’s Folk. What may occur afterwards was a harsh treatsie in Sindarin, politely informing the Doux that his lineage was of catamites, and other persons of loose morals regarding sex and wealth. The silver haired Dunseron representative hushed her, before a full fight broke out between the crews of the vessels.
“...I apologize on behalf of my fiancee.” Came the Dunseron’s words, a respectful bow. “I look forward to our cooperation for the sake of our motherlands, Princeps.”
Whether out of fearlessness or arrogance, the olive skinned Archadean kept his pace up, smugly smirking at the Dunseron heathens. “Try to keep up, milk-boy. You and your circus.” Once more, the She-Dwarf rushed down, now with her axe in order to show her opinion to the Princeps’ pontificating. Once more, the Dunseron held her back. Now was not the time to shed blood in the house of another, and the crew kept their work of unloading their cargo and gifts to lay upon the Lord of the Realm...
High General Iulianus led the thirty legionaries toward the harbor, accompanied by three archmagi. Upon seeing the two foreign ships, he ordered the column to halt as he dismounted and stepped forward. His red and gold plate clinking as he walked, he stopped a few feet away from the doux and the lord-viscount and bowed his head.
"Your Grace, Your Lordship. I am High General Iulianus. Apologies for the large contingent, but I have been given orders to leave fifteen of my legionaries with your ships as the commoners have been riled lately. If you will accompany me to the Imperial Palace?"
Iulianus waited for a reply as his men began to take up positions around the ships.