[center][h1]The Sokkon Conference[/h1][/center]
[center][h2]11 July 1906,  Imperial Palace of Foedinei[/h2][/center]

Though announced early in 1905, the Sokkon Conference took quite a while to plan, and it was the next summer before the Southern delegations finally assembled in Foedinei.  Thankfully, the climate in North Survaek was still rather temperate.

For a meeting of this scale, Emperor Shayaer Khaitis had arranged for the monarchs of Sarelia and Serranthia and their entourages to meet in the Grand Council Chamber rather than the Throne Room.  His Imperial Majesty was seated at the head of the table, rather than on the small throne he used during normal meetings, for today he was at least nominally among equals.  As always, Grand Vizier Ayan Sujjid stood by his side in opulent red and blue and gold, along with two Byrnian Guardsmen in dress uniform.

"Welcome, fellow high lords of the South," he began jovially.  "I sincerely hope today will mark an historic occasion for Serranthia, Sarelia, and the world.  I believe each of us knows who the others are, but for the sake of custom I would have it that we introduce ourselves.  I am Shayaer Khaitis, Sword of Aed and Grand Survaek Emperor.  What noble souls do I have the great honor of hosting here today?"


Princess Ratu II was the spitting image of her great-grandmother and namesake. She maintained the same sharp, wandering eyes and firm yet collected expression. Bedecked in a royal gown of green and embroidered gold, she fit in surprisingly well among the elaborate opulence of the Survaekom.

"A Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Emperor." She spoke. "Princess Ratu II; I am here at my mother's behest to represent the Sumayan Malikate."

Tarik Aman Melku Seydonkal sat in his allotted seat in all the finery expected of an Akir ruler; that is to say, very little. Dark brown robes that nearly shone midnight in hue lined with red-dyed fur hung over his shoulders whilst the simplistic golden crown sat on his curly-haired head. The archtypical cultural garment, the senay, was properly folded and wrapped along his midrif and hung over his shoulder, now held tightly against him by the robes over them. Most evident of all was the thick leather sheath holding the religious and cultural blade of the Akir, the kassa.

"I am thinking this is a day of great importance," spoke the Tarik in his thick Akurr accented form of Survaekom, "And am most pleased to have been brought here by your call. I am Tarik of the Akir, the Yeab'Sra, and the Coast-peoples, Aman Melku Sydonkal. It is being good to have been meeting you all."

Emperor Shayaer was noticeably pleased that both of his guests spoke the language of the Imperial Court, Classical Survaekom.  He was less pleased when the single, simply-dressed delegate from Usmyae wordlessly deposited a scroll on the table and left the room.  One of his Byrnian Guardsmen picked it up and brought it to his liege.  Shayaer Khaitis' face tightened into a disgusted frown for a brief moment, but once he finished reading he was back to his jovial tone.

"The Usmyaeen will not be joining us today.  It is a shame."  The Emperor shook his head and chuckled softly.  "Now, allow me to express my great joy and honor in meeting your Grace and your Valiance.  We have much to discuss for the betterment of our peoples and our Empires.

"Firstly, the issue of Varian colonialism.  Rightful lands of each of our Empires is currently held by the invaders from the North.  Murenheidt continues to hold the important lands around Dyujik, which by all accounts should be under Tarikhate suzerainty.  Kalpia continues to oppress the rightful subjects of Sumaya in what should be its core lands, not to mention the Varian presence in surrounding isles.  And a host of nations refuse to recognize the ancient claims of the Grand Survaek Empire to the Hauthkaj Desert and Northwestern Serranthia.  I propose that we Southern nations must present a united front against the West Varian barbarians.  And I believe the Imperial Restoration via the Declaration of World Renewal is the best means of achieving this end.  What say you, my esteemed fellow monarchs?"

"What you are be saying holds much weight, it is true," responded the Tarik once again, his tone changing with the knowledge that Usmyae had refused to one of well-restrained glee, "The Varians are not thinking of us or anyone but themselves. We are being the only ones who can be saving ourselves. But what of Usmyae, hiding from responsibility and honor? The Kabals of Akurr are being ready to take what should be ours from them, what are you saying about it?"

"Usmyae has made their position clear by their absence," the Emperor replied flatly.  "The Grand Survaek Empire recognizes the Tarikhate's claims to their lands, as well as to the aforementioned territory in Murenheidtian Serranthia.  

"The issue between Usmyae and the Tarikhate is one for them to settle between themselves." The Princess stated flatly.

"The Akir are not needing the aid of others to win their battles for them," Aman retorted quickly, "I am asking for the knowledge that you will not be coming to Usmyae's aid."

"Then I shall be more clear: The Sumayan Malikate has no interest in the dispute, nor any intention to get involved in Serranthia. We see it as an issue for your two nations to settle between you, without outside interference."

"This is more than acceptable and is expected. The Akir have always fought their battles and settled things in such manners. However, we were not called to be having simple discussions about my people's war. We are to be dealing with the Varians, yes?"

"Yes, indeed," the Emperor replied.  "Are the Tarikhate of Akurr and the Malikate of Sumaya in agreement on the proposal of a united front against the colonizers who threaten us?"

"Sumaya is not an ancient power. Before my great-grandmother's time the island was little more than a patchwork of tribes. Our goal is to establish a strong kingdom. If Survaek and the Tarikhate will assist in that, we might have an agreement."

"This is exactly what I have in mind.  For us to establish, or re-establish, our rightful strength by cooperating against our common foes.  This is the very purpose of the Imperial Restoration, at its essence."

"That is all very good in theory. What I desire are specifics. Sumaya does not have an especially bad relation with Societatem, joining the Imperial Restoration is a great risk for us."

"Specifics, in your case, would involve rule over the rest of the Island of Sumaya, currently held by the Republic of Kalpia, as well as Soroyan Sarelia.  When the war comes, Sumaya may have the freest hand of all, commanding a front against enemy colonies far from their homeland.  In return, we would expect that your fleet, insofar as available given the needs of the Sarelian Front, would bolster our presence in the Varian Sea."

"We could likely purchase our remaining lands from Kalpia." Ratu II reminded the emperor. "Mutual security is our primary concern, not conquest. Can the Imperial Restoration ensure Sumaya's integrity?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow.  "I believe Sumaya can assure Sumaya's own integrity, at a basic level.  But the Imperial Restoration can assure its expansion beyond its current borders, strength to match colonialist 'Societatem' intervention for Sumaya daring to have ambitions, and ultimately the liberation of Sarelia from all West Varians.  However, if you simply mean to ask if the Restoration will send forces to your defense when you are in need, then of course the answer is yes."

Ratu II ignored the emperor's expression. She and her mother did not altogether agree on policy, but the need was clear. Sumaya could respectably take on any other power in the world and at least hold its own - their victory over Zellonia had proven that. The threat now came from the ever-increasing likelihood of facing a large alliance of powers.

"That is sufficient." She replied, ever to the point.

"Then are we in agreement?  Shall the Tarikhate of Akurr and the Malikate of Sumaya see fit to sign the Declaration of World Renewal?  Or, noble Tarik, are there more specifics you wish to talk through as well?"

"There is nothing that I am needing to be hearing," proclaimed the Tarik matter-of-factly, "This discussion between you two has been eye opening. You shall have the backing of the Tarikhate and the Akir."

"This brings me joy and confidence to hear."  The Emperor grinned as he eyed his two allies warmly.  "The Grand Survaek Empire will once again fight alongside the Akir, but now as equals rather than lords and vassals.  And with the aid of a strong Serranthia, there will be a strong Sarelia under the wise guidance of the Sumayan Malikate.

"Now, the subsequent topics of discussion I had in mind for this meeting are of a more precise, strategic nature.  Let us begin..."

__________

-- The Malikate of Sumaya and the Akir Tarikhate of Akurr join the Imperial Restoration.
-- Survaek agrees not to interfere with Tarikhate ambitions against Usmyae.
-- Survaek and Sumaya and Akurr agree to common front against West Varian colonialism.

[center][i]Collaboration between AspenIvan, Talis, and Zurajai[/i][/center]

((OOC Note: Zurajai has returned to the forum to play the Tarikhate.  He says IC posts will be rare, but he will do budgets and war orders.  Welcome back Zur!))