[b]The Grand Te Whakahonoretia [i]Pa[/i][/b]

The bustling dirt roads were filled with various Isa, large roaming crowds of different tribal warriors explored the town-like fortress in groups. They laughed and cheered, mingled with other warriors and journeymen, visiting the brothels and the barracks. Traders and merchants gathered around the main port, dropping off a large variety of goods, ranging from fine Lythian muskets to large grain sacks from Auerbruck. There was no tension in the air for it was a day of celebration for the Union's success, the founding if their young nation and the annual meeting of the chieftains. Quisano tourists looked in wonder at the amount of Isa walking around. Their race were journeymen, people who almost never stayed in the same place for long. So to see so many of them gathered in one day, it was assaulting to the senses.

The arrival of Te Pākiki and their chieftain was announced by the sound of a deep, powerful horn, the sound of marching and of men entering the [i]pa[/i]. A great guard was gathered by Datu the Butcher, an elite force of 500 warriors with years of experience. His scarred grey eyes scanned the stunned streets as he marched with his warriors, standing tall and proud despite his old age. His great white beard hung braided, a cloak of furs and feather draped on wide shoulders. His renowned [i]mere[/i] strapped to his bare torso, a swinging flintlock pistol hung at his waist as he walked up to the hall that he would be meeting the other tribes in. He heard the whispers amongst the onlookers, looks of both hate and awe were directed towards him. He was the Butcher of Tribes, leader of the great Te Pākiki and as such, one of the most elite warrior populations, coming to the meeting of chieftains.

His mood was anything but celebratory however. Troubled thoughts flooded his mind and he was restless. This would be one of the most important annual meetings in his mind and one of the few he has been bothered to come to. Datu himself rarely came to these meetings unless he was either hosting it or there was something important enough for him to discuss with the other chieftains. He looked down at the Union as a bunch squabbling children, tribes who would want nothing more than seeing their so called "allies" fall to take their place. Sure, there was some unity amongst the people, many young ones identified more as Isa than whatever tribe they were born in but their leaders were old men. Past grievances could have never been washed away by something as petty as a trade union.

 The Butcher dismissed his elite guards, telling them to enjoy themselves in the celebrations. The surprised looks of 50 hardened warriors almost made him smile but they were quickly replaced with large smiles as they turned towards the [i]pa[/i]. The tension and silence was broken, the festival started all over again as drinks and "sweets" we're shared. Datu walked up to Te Whakahonoretia's chamber rooms on his lonesome, the great stone hall atop the hill the [i]pa[/i] was built upon. His hair blew in the wind, his hand reaching for a pipe in his cloak. As he lit the contents within, he took a long drag before blowing all the smoke away, opening the doors to the hall.

"Datu of Te Pākiki enters the hall as the last of the visiting chieftains! All stand!" Any previous conversations were interrupted by the great bellowing voice of the announcer, an old skeleton of a man sat on top of a throne in the middle of the assembled thrones. He was once a great warrior of Te Whakahonoretia, now an advisor to Chief Ramos, holding great wisdom despite his blurred memories. Murmurs from the assembled Union leaders made Datu's eye twitch with annoyance as he entered. He didn't expect his arrival to be that unexpected nor, as he listened to the small whispers, that unwanted. The hall was made up of 15 great thrones set in a large semi circle, all adorned with the symbols representing each tribe. As he sat upon his, taking his place between Ramos and Delossantos, every chief sat down and the meeting was called to start.

There was a tense silence in the air, thick enough to cut with a [i]mere[/i]. The Aquiano brothers broke it first, speaking at the same time. It was a habit that they had picked up when they were younger and it could be unnerving to those who were not used to it. [color=crimson]"Our Te Toa people expresses great concern to the happenings in the mainland. We must discuss this so called Colour for it may be a threat towards our trade and interest."[/color] Te Pākiki's Chieftain clicked his mouth in clear distaste, knowing that when these brothers referred to "us", they were merely concerned for their own business. Despite this, he knew that they acknowledged that this threat was a threat to the very Union. After all, without any drug customers, there would be no money and the economic powerhouse of the Union could collapse.

Despite this, Ramos of Te Whakahonoretia and host of this meeting, dismissed the statement with a wave and a clenching of the fist. [color=darkgray]"We should not concern ourselves with these rumours, this is a problem for the mainlanders. We still have Quiso to trade with and many of our partners still exist. It is a problem for the far future. Something we should focus on however is the wretched Albians. They continue to abuse our women in their lands, still raiding our shores despite the threat of war."[/color] Datu stroked his beard in contemplation. This well known hatred for Alba was beginning to cloud Ramos' vision, he must be replaced soon. However, Alba was beginning to annoy the warmongering chieftain as well, refusing to stop the raids upon their lands.

[color=darkgray]"I suggest sending a small group of warriors to their lands, handpicked by myself for both cunning and power. Extend a hand of friendship and peace before revealing a dagger that would strike the heart of Alba itself. Their High King, Totisson!"[/color] Protests erupted from the gathered leaders, arguing against such an aggressive action. It came to a surprise for most, for Ramos to show such incapacity to think beyond revenge and anger. If the Union was to use such underhanded tactics, it could ruin their reputation as a friendly island people and potentially break trade deals. Such a thing could restrict the money flow into their coffers.

It was obvious to the others beforehand however, that Ramos was going to suggest war. His tribe was once the greatest military power in the country, some fearing that in Te Whakahonoretia's climax in power, they would become the face of the Isang people. The sole, one and only tribe of the island. Those fears had subsided once they were put in their place by the raiding and destruction of several of their [i]pa[/i] plus the capturing of their princess. These things led to their unending hatred of all things Albian, the vast majority of their dwindling population being warriors and the development of their war-like nature.

[color=blue]"Silence!"[/color] Datu's great bellowing voice echoed throughout the room, causing most of the protesters to sit. [color=blue]"Te Toa and Te Whakahonoretia's chieftains have both given viable topics to discuss! As written in the treaty of our country's founding, we must discuss any topic that a chieftain deems worthy for our meeting. We shall start with Ramos' suggestion for the assassination of Alba's High Kind."[/color] Surprisingly, Delossantos of Te Tika was the first to speak up.

[color=yellow]"There is no reason for us to make such an open declaration of war. Such a deceitful, underhanded tactic could ruin the Union's reputation. Sure, the raids upon our shores are an annoyance but under the High King's rule, Alba has been put on a leash. No Jarl can outright raid without Totisson's permission and as such, there has been a decreasing amount of raids upon our people. In a successful assassination, we would destabilise this fragile political balance and turn Alba into it's old warmongering ways."[/color]

[color=Crimson]"We agree with Delossantos, a failed assassination would result in a war that the Union isn't ready to have. It would be a waste of resources."[/color] said the Eldest Aquiano. A wave of approval for this opinion seemed to flood the room, leaving a fuming Ramos in it's wake. Datu could sympathise with the man, after all, if his daughter was ever taken away from him he wouldn't stop until the kidnapper's head hung from his wall. Unfortunately, politics was politics and personal grievances must be put aside for the greater good. Or the wealthy coffers of he chieftains. As this topic seemed adjourned, he moved the discussion along towards the reason he came here in the first place. Although he would note much later on that the meeting's host was hardly listening after his failed attempt to rally the Union to war.

Datu cleared his throat, speaking in a grave and serious tone [color=blue]"I have come here for one reason and one reason only. The Colour is not something that should be so easily dismissed."[/color] He glanced at Ramos, accusing eyes pointing fingers at him. He didn't seem to notice. [color=blue]"I have heard from Isang journeymen that send letters from the mainland, survivors from Gattania. This Colour seemed to have come from the great asteroid some of our navigators observed to fall in the middle of the mainland. It corrupts and kills, it poisons wells and grain. It is something straight out of old mythologies, pagan religions of old. It is an affront to the Goddess herself!"[/color]

A smaller tribal chieftain whose name was of little importance to him spoke up, grey eyes clashing with grey eyes. It seemed as though that this was one of the traditionalists, as shown by the red markings on his throne, a clear sign of Te Toa influence. "What would we do about such a thing? We have all heard of this horror from the stars but we have little influence over the mainland politics other than our travelling journeymen, traders and roaming merchants."

There was some nods of agreement however the brothers Aquiano seemed to be on Datu's side with his point. [color=crimson]"That does not mean that we should stand idle against such a thing, if it truly exists. Despite the rumours and firsthand experiences we have gained through other Isa, we must send an official party to observe and record this threat."[/color] Delossantos then raised his hand and cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the room.

[color=yellow]"I have many contacts within the Rotturan Wetlands, a country which bordered the now dead Gattania. Observers can travel with Wetlanders towards their border without suspicion from the Rotturans. Our people are very common amongst them, Te Tika especially. I shall send an group of warriors and scribes to one of my Wetlanders contacts, they will do my bidding."[/color] Everyone seemed to agree with that. The Wetlanders has always been a point of contact for Isa to connect with other mainlanders, an ally that was both looked down upon but seen as worthy of alliance in their own right. They could be trusted with something as simple as escorting a bunch of Isa, something they have been doing for centuries.

Seeing the current topic finished for the time being, the meeting of chieftains began to discuss new trade agreements with the Emruen Empire. After all, business was as usual for the Isa. A thing such as the Colour could not be discussed further without any in-depth knowledge and such things were mostly problems for the mainlanders. It could not pass the great oceans, right?[hr][b]The Trading Letter to Emruen[/b]

[indent][i]Addressed to Emperor Markus Fredrikson of the Emruen Empire

We, the brothers Aquiano of the Isa, would like to draw up a new trading agreements related to the whaling industry. To create a trading alliance that would strengthen our economies and benefit both of our countries well. We would like to send an esteemed ambassador in our place to present us towards the trading outpost found on the southern tip of your peninsula. We would like to ask you to do the same. The great whales of both west and east are moving deeper and deeper into the Great Oceans and we extend a hand of friendship to deal with this problem. We are the top two whale oil producers in Dysium and we must protect our shared interests.

Praise to your esteemed wisdom and militant power,
Brothers Aquiano of Te Toa[/i][/indent]