[center][h2][color=lime]Kingdom of Shenra[/color][/h2]
[b]The Frozen Cliffs, The Holy Summit[/b]
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Within the vast and freezing mountain range in the southern reaches of the Emerald Empire’s continental holdings resided the last bastion of the Kingdom of Shenra, a nation the Dreaming Forest had brought to its knees scant 50 years past. The capital of this rump of a kingdom was the Holy Summit, a rather ancient monastery that had been adapted to the argenism faith some 250 years ago. 

This monastery sat at the end of a long treacherous staircase that carved into the side of the mountain itself. This attempt at civil engineering alone indicating its importance in the region when it was compared to the foot worn paths that were most of the Frozen Clif’s equivalents of roads. At the end of the climb sat the Holly Summit, a temple resting against, and sometimes carved out of, the mountainous peak itself. Its entrance was a pair of massive wooden doors, reinforced with iron studs and decorated with carved murals of the primordial gods. To either side sat two large braziers and next to these were stationed the lion headdress wearing guards of the royal court, standing attention to with their halberds. At the sight of the approaching Vitium envoys one Guardswoman slipped inside to inform the guard captain. 

The insides of the temple where a reprieve from the cold outside, heated by a system of hot water pipes running beneath the floor and through the walls. From the insides it became clear that the structures were built of a stone not local to the region, including some spots of marble and obsidian used to create displays of duality for the carvings that covered almost every surface of the interior, some ancient and worn while others, often featuring the prophetess, had been carved in the last decade. The royal court itself was housed in one of the buildings adjacent to the temple proper, located in a converted dormitory that was focused around a large map table, upon which scrolls of intelligence reports, supplied by spies and informants still loyal to the crown, were arranged around depictions of various regions of the Kingdom's former territory.

Upon a simple throne on the far end of this table sat the Queen herself, a mastercrafted bejeweled golden crown sitting just a little to loosely on her head. She was wearing an expensive dress that looked like it was probably older than her, and beside her throne her sat her enchanted twin elemental axe. To either side of her stood her robbed godfather Lord Solgarand and the armored Knight Sir Glenway, her trusted advisor and defender. Next to them where the two harpy mages: Hajnal, who wore a dress that struggled to cooperate with his 4 wings and Faizya, whose body seems to be covered with a layer of eternity cooling lava and little else. Further out along the table and around the walls of the room where a small number lesser nobles and knights, here primarily to observe the proceedings rather than get involved. The entire setup had been carefully designed to display both the kingdoms strength and regal dignity to the soon to arrive Vitium envoys, to visually back up the Kingdom’s value as a strong and reliable ally.

Gathered after a harpy huntress spotted the expedition as it was making its final assent, the mood in the court was a tense one, as all congregated knew full well that they were in the weak bargaining position. There was concern that the delegation was here to force stricter terms upon them in person than had been agreed upon via the correspondence that had set up the meeting. The sound of hushed conversation whispering through the room was brought to an abrupt conclusion as the door at the end of the hall was pushed open suddenly as Captain Tempkin, head of the royal guards, stepped inside and announced the arrival of the diplomatic party. As the party stepped into the room the Queen spoke, her toan formal and regal.

[color=Gold]“Welcome, Marshall Design and company. Please, take a seat.”[/color]

After food was brought in and the expedition was allowed some time to rest, the diplomatic endeavor began in earnest. The negotiations went well for the Shenran Court, surprisingly so in the opinion of some of the more senior lords. All the previously agreed upon terms were reaffirmed. Those namly being that The Kingdom would assist Vitium in conquering the Glacial Marshes up to the Coastline, that being all the regions south of the rivers that flowed out from Lake Sem. In return for this assistance Shenra would receive favorable trade stipulations with Vitium, get exclusive rights to the spoils of war, and reassurance that none of the land currently under control of the kingdom, namly the Frozen Cliffs, would not be claimed by the empire in the process. Of most interest to the Kingdom was the stipulation that once the Kingdom was in position to make an attempt to reclaim the northern territories they had once held, they would receive support from the Empire. 

Any changes to the deal suggested by the Kingdom, such as Sir Glenway’s suggestion that they attempt to take the two cities Fenreforst and Crinwaley that were just north of the river line, where quickly shot down. As a result of this rigidity the Queen became convinced, incorrectly, that the Marshall had only been sent as a glorified messenger capable of rubber stamping the deal. Her opinion of the man changed somewhat when it became apparent that he was expecting to be staying with the royal court with his party to facilitate better cooperation with the Empresses main force, something they readily accepted. The internal security of Vitium was infamous, anything to expedite getting massages though it, such as messengers sent by the authority of the Marshal himself in hand, was greatly appreciated. As was the possibility to use any bonds formed over the man’s stay to tighten the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

After discussions have run their course and the delegations have been shown to quarters for the night most of the court that have gathered round the table went on their way. Those reaming where the Queen’s inner circle: Lord Solgarand, Sir Glenway, Captain Tempkin and the two Harpy mages: Hajnal and Faizya. A few notable additions to the room where gifts brought by the Delegation: an Agate Spider silk cloak, light yet strong as steel, that was draped across the Queens shoulders, a Mithral headed spear now held in the hands of Sir Glenway, supporting him as he remained standing, and a small bottle, that the Vitiums claimed contained pure starlight, which sat in the center of the table as a paperweight because nobody knew what to do with it. 

[color=Gold]“So. That went well”[/color], began the Queen who was visibly relaxed now that she was in the presence of her trusted associates rather than beholden to important guests or the court in its entirety.

[color=RoyalBlue]“Perhaps too well, there was an opportunity for them to force us to back down on some of our requests, to demand concessions or perhaps even to force a degree of vaselation. That there was no attempt at any maneuvering to benefit themselves concerns me. What underhanded plans might they have that we are unaware of I wonder? ”[/color] Lord Solgarand respond, his hand running through is finely groomed mustache. The old man was well versed in the art of diplomacy and court intrigue, he believed, somewhat paranoidly, that there must be more to the empire’s plans than me the eye.

[color=DarkOrange]“They clearly know that we are indispensable, and that no empire, be it Emerald or Vitium, can take these mountains”[/color] Sir Glenway interjected boastfully

[color=RoyalBlue]“The threat is still there, either to use force against us or leave us out of their conquest.”[/color]  

[color=NavajoWhite]“Their war will be won or lost depending on how well they adapted to fighting foes not made of flesh and blood. No amount of strength on our part will save them if they are not prepared, and if they are, then their numbers will surely carry the day. All we can do is make a victory easier. This alliance is, unfortunately, not a deciding factor in the war. If it where we would have considerably more bargaining power.”[/color] The guard captain, well versed in the Kingdom’s actual military capacity, explained calmly.

[color=Gold]“In joining the fighting we will save lives, both those of their soldiers and those of our kinsman forced to serve under the Forest’s banners. When they see us join the fight my people will turn on their masters, and be spared from the war machines of Andromache”[/color]

[color=PaleTurquoise]“Yet those same people are going to be put into the chains, as are the citizens of the lands they will conquer. This is no liberation, not as you desire it, it is but a new form of oppression, a new slavery.”[/color] Hajnal finally spoke, bringing to the forefront the issue the court in its entirety had been skirting around. That not only were their countrymen to be conquered by slavers, but they were assisting in that conquest. There was a sullen silence loomed large over the group until at last Faizya, who was really only here because the queen like her rather than because of any hierarchical importance, could stand it no longer and burst out with.

[color=DarkOrange]“We had to do something. There’s no way we could have stopped it, so we have to go out there, kick some wooden ass and try and make the best of it!”[/color]

[color=Gold]“Your... Your right. We have no choice. It was either sit here and let it happen or take advantage of the situation. With the resources we plunder, most notably Magic Wood, we can strengthen the treasury. With Vitium acting as a buffer we have breathing room to build up our own forces unmolested using our newly acquired wealth, and with Andromache’s support we might subsequently have a chance at taking back the north. I don’t like what will happen to those in the lands they will conquer. None of us do. But this is a chase we have to take. For the sake of the many, the few will have to suffer. But we will not ignore their sacrifice, they will not be forgotten as we strive to move forwards.”[/color]

This last part struck a chord with the Harpy, for their religion put a lot of emphasis on remembrance of the dead. The center’s of harpy villages contained great stone monuments upon which all that came before them where commemorated, be it by name, eulogy or depiction.

[color=PaleTurquoise]“I apologies for my comment your highness. I did not wish to infer that you had forgotten them.”[/color]

[color=Gold]“You are forgiven. You were right to bring it up, we can't go on without considering the fate of those in the Glacial Marshes”[/color]

[color=RoyalBlue]“With luck, the Vitium ownership of that land may not be permanent. The empress is old, and she has no heir. Whether her empire can withstand her passing remains to bee seen.”[/color]  

[color=NavajoWhite]“They might even sell it back to us, I don't much like the odds of getting a navy running when the Emerald Empire controls the way out of the Sea of Lights. Nor do I like their supply route to Dreich port, far to exposed in my opinion, running right past two fortified enemy positions.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrange]“Exactly why I suggested taking them!”[/color]

[color=NavajoWhite]“Though perhaps their engineers have plans of how to make the roads safer or the rout shorter. At any rate, if I were them I would like any southern ports far more than the one they intend to take up here. They might well abandon it, if the costs are to high and the benefits to low.”[/color]

[color=Gold]“Perhaps. But I think we are straying into long term planning here, something I suggest we leave till the morning?”[/color]

There was a general course of agreement, what little light breached the cloud layer of the mountains had long since dimmed. Night had set in and the candles were burning low, it was time for them all to retire. 

[color=Gold]“Then I bid you all goodnight.”[/color]

The group rapidly broke up after that, the members of the Queens inner circle each going their separate ways. The Queen then retired to her quarters, thankful to finally be able to finally be free of her uncomfortable formal dress.