[center][h2]The Republic of Toubres[/h2][/center]

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Líder do Conselho Leonardo Serra leant back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment, as he allowed the sound of arguing to wash over him. He looked upwards, admiring the ornately carved wooden ceiling of the chamber for a moment. The room, and indeed the building itself, the Palácio do Conselho, was a grand building. What had once been the Imperial Palace, centuries before, had been transformed into the meeting place of the Conselho Provincial members, the chosen representatives of the seven provinces that now formed the Republic of Toubres. Leonardo was loathe to say that the current occupants of the Palácio were worthy of their majestic surroundings. 

A lull in the arguing caught his attention, and the Amzores-born man glanced back to the other men in the chamber, to find them all looking expectantly at him. He frowned slightly, shaking his head. 

[b][i]“I had hoped that we could avoid this arguing, my friends.”[/i][/b]

Five of the men present met him with stony gazes, but the sixth, and the man sitting closest to him, to his right at the table, smiled and laughed, the sound echoing around the small chamber. When he spoke, his voice was as booming as his laugh was. 

[b][i]“You have been at this for too long to truly expect that, Leonardo.”[/i][/b]

Leonardo shrugged, smiling slightly at Gaspar Abreu. 

[b][i]“Perhaps. But please, let us discuss the issues before us, rather than bickering like children.”[/i][/b]

It was Gaspar who spoke again, turning to meet the cold stares of the other five members of the Conselho Provincial. 

[b][i]“I agree with the ‘Lidor do Conselho’”[/i][/b]

Another of the men sneered, porcelain dentures flashing in the sunlight streaming through the narrow, stained glass windows of the chamber. The man was old, his face hard-edged. 

[b][i]“That comes as no surprise, Gaspar. We all know that the esteemed ‘Lidor’ favours Amzores, you’ve always been his lap dog because of it.”[/i][/b]

Gaspar met the gaze of the older man for a moment, before he smiled widely. 

[b][i]“Leonardo favours Toubres, and I doubt anyone would try and deny that Amzores is the beating heart of the Republic. Not even you, Luiz.”[/i][/b]

The older man sneered again, but did not respond, and Leonardo seized the opportunity of the temporary silence. 

[b][i]“Friends, I am sure we are all aware of the troubles brewing on the continent. Battle lines have been drawn not just around the Kingdom of Sescos, but also closer to our shores. The Redcliff Empire has forged an alliance with the Kingdom of Ubren, and the Hastel Dominions. I fear that war will soon come to the continent.”[/i][/b]

Another of the older men, sitting beside Luiz, shrugged slightly, his voice cracked and harsh as he spoke. 

[b][i]“It is of no concern to us what the continent does. Our navy is strong, it will protect us from anyone foolish enough to attempt to drag us into these petty wars. As it always has done.”[/i][/b]

Luiz quickly nodded his agreement, opening his mouth to say his own piece, but Leonardo held his hand up for silence. 

[b][i]“Thank you, Dario. But we cannot isolate ourselves forever. I suggest that we attend this ‘summit’, although it will only be as a spectator, and a supporter of our own interests. And with that in mind, send messengers out to the Governador of Toubrian Rilos and Toubrian Getares. The Republic will continue to expand, even while our neighbours fight amongst themselves. Unless any of you wish to protest?”[/i][/b]

Leonardo looked out across the six faces that stared back at him, but no-one spoke, and he allowed himself a slight smile. 

[b][i]“Till next time then, gentlemen.” [/i][/b]