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

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The sudden knocking on the door echoed through the small room, and Leonardo Serra jumped slightly, taken by surprise. Turning towards the door, he called out for the knocker to enter, and visibly relaxed as the smiling face of Gaspar Abreu leaned around the door. Beckoning his old friend in, he smiled wearily. 

[i][b]"It's good to see you, Gaspar. Please, join me."[/b][/i]

Gaspar took the invitation, stepping inside the sparsely decorated chamber, and closing the door behind him as he strode over to where Leonardo sat. Pulling out the spare chair, the broad-shouldered man sank down into it, sighing slightly as he shifted to get comfortable. 

[i][b]"And it's good to see you too, Líder do Conselho."[/b][/i]

Leonardo waved his hand dismissively, putting down his steel nib pen as he turned to properly face Gaspar. 

[i][b]"You know there's no need for those formalities, Gaspar. We've known each other for years after all."[/b][/i]

The other man smiled, his teeth flashing slightly in the flickering light cast by the room's lamp. 

[i][b]"I remember it well. We were young men back then, and now look at us. You stand at the head of the Republic!"[/b][/i]

The Lidor do Conselho frowned slightly, shaking his head.

[b][i]"The Conselho leads Toubres, not one man, and certainly not me. Don't let the others hear you saying things like that."[/i][/b]

Gaspar shrugged unapologetically, the smile never fading from his face. He held his hands out, leaning back slightly in his chair. 

[b][i]"You might be right. But it's still you that everyone looks too, even the rest of the council. Even Luiz cares about your opinion, although that old bastard would rather die than admit it. Unfortunately, Leonardo, I'm not just here on a social call. The next Conselho meeting is tomorrow, and I thought I'd inquire as to what your thoughts are, so that I can prepare myself, so to speak..."[/i][/b]

The smile faded from Leonardo's face, and he rose to his feet, moving to stand before the narrow window. The Palácio do Conselho stood on the banks of the River Amzor, and through the window, Leonardo could look out over the docks. Proud warships of the Toubrian Navy rocked slightly, the lamps almost looking like stars against the darkness of the night. He squared his jaw for an instant before he spoke. 

[b][i]"I feared as much. Truth be told, I'm not sure myself. War is consuming Europe, and it seems with every passing day another nation pledges its loyalty to one side or the other. It seems the conflict has become a wildfire, threatening to consume even the most rational and peaceful. I can't allow Toubres to be dragged into it against our will, although I'm sure some of our fellow Conselho members will do their best to try and lead us astray. For now, we must focus on the most pressing issue, the Kingdom of Aontas. I know we have long been rivals, but I'd hoped King Matthias wouldn't succumb to this warmongering natures of those further south. I hope that we can ensure we do not clash in the colonies, I truly do. The New World offers such great opportunities, and I want to ensure we are creating new paradises, not new battlefields"[/i][/b]