[hider=A Sword for a Sword] [right][h2][b] Sadatake Kanna - Nyhem[/b][/h2][/right] [hr] The shogun's daughter watched from the deck of the Storm Reaver as the vessel approached foreign shores. They had been at sea for nearly a month's time and while she was glad to see land, Kanna also felt uneasy. A crisp autumn breeze tugged at her black haori, a kimono-like overcoat that she had brought for the impending colder weather that went over the more formal kimono she wore for landfall. She should be in her cabin to protect the fabric of her clothes, but she wanted to see Nyhem for herself as soon as it came into view. Everything about this new country was different from Akaiba, even the waters they currently sailed in. As the shore drew closer, she was able to make out the city. The guide she hired for this trip, a Nyhem native woman named Meredith, had informed her on their journey about the history of the city and some of it's customs. Meredith was to serve as her guide and translator while in the country, as Kanna has some knowledge of the language, she was simply not accustomed to speaking it nor was knowledgeable about social formalities. Directly in front of the ship, and what drew her attention, was a grand cathedral that stood at the edge of the city and the mouth of the river. While still at a distance, she couldn't make out intricate details but she could tell the building had ornate windows that were nestled into white stone walls and protected by red tiled roofs with high peaks. While the people of Akaiba have their own religious practices, temples, and shrines, she found the Cathedral in comparison to be both beautiful and excessive. Behind the cathedral was the rest of the city, but she could only make out the red roofs. To it's left stood the keep that was home to their Emperor. Kanna didn't understand why such an important building would be at the front of the city unless they never planned to be assaulted here. The building had the same color scheme as the rest of the buildings of Nyhem. From her position at sea she could only see it's high reaching peaked roofs and tall crenelated outer walls. She could see no entryway from her position, so she assumed there was only one main entry in and out. [i]Only time will tell if their military might is as great as they think it is.[/i] With that final thought, Kanna turned to go back below deck to allow the men to work unhindered as the Reaver crept ever closer to the port. ----- Cerlina had arrived at the docks with a dozen Cawanorian soldiers, all of them in ceremonial armour. Alasdair had tasked Cerlina with the duty of welcoming Kanna Sadatake to the city and guiding her to the keep. While this task would normally be beneath someone of her status this guest was someone very special indeed. It wasn’t everyday that Iba Royalty visited Nyhem and Alasdair didn’t want to insult them by sending someone of low importance. Soon the golden dragon sails of Kanna’s ship could be seen making it’s way into port and before long her ship had made dock. Cerlina gestured to the cawanorian soldiers who in unison formed two lines either side of her and stood at attention. Eventually a woman who Cerlina could only assume was Kanna disembarked. She was unusually pale for a Seikatsu native, with dark raven black hair. It was here Cerlina made her move [b]“Princess Kanna”[/b] She said as she approached her, the cawanorian bodyguard following in perfect sync [b]“On behalf of the crown I welcome you to Nyhem, and by extension Formaroth”[/b] She continued with a slight curtsy. As Cerlina spoke, Kanna focused all of her attention on the woman before her. She was an attractive woman, with her pale yellow hair and dark green eyes. A color not typically found in her people. When Cerlina finished Kanna turned her head slightly to her right, where Meredith stood. The other woman's shoulder length brown hair brushed her shoulder as she leaned in to repeat what was said word for word into Kanna's ear, but she had paid Meredith to be more than a translator. [b][i]"Before you is Marchioness Cerlina Tuania, she is the Emperor’s head advisor and rules in his absence."[/i][/b] Kanna nodded and thanked her companion before responding in her native tongue to Cerlina. Meredith Translated as Kanna spoke. [b][i]"Thank you Cerlina-san for such a prestigious welcome."[/i][/b] Kanna bowed in greeting, the soft silks of her clothes whispered as she moved and the haori opened slightly to reveal the ornate kimono she wore underneath. It was mostly black in color, but would transition into red halfway through the long sleeves and body of the kimono. It was decorated with golden lined white cranes, some of which were in flight, others stood in the golden threaded waters that decorated the skirt of the kimono. The obi itself was golden and had a matching wave pattern to the robe-like dress. It was tied in a taiko drum knot, which was her current favorite style. The hiyoku and nagajuban collars that peaked underneath were more simple and only white in color. [b][i]"You have such a beautiful city, I hope I get to see more of it during my time here." [/i][/b] [b]“I hope your trip here was a pleasant one, I understand the winds between Nyhem and Seikatsu are not always the most favourable”[/b] Cerlina said as she gestured for Kanna to follow her. The carriage that Cerlina had used to get to the docks stood behind her. The carriage itself was made of finely crafted oak wood with red silk curtains on both sides to give the occupants privacy. [b][i]"The winds appeared to have been on our side for this journey, as the sail here was as pleasant as could be. Hopefully that is a foreshadowing for my visit."[/i][/b] Kanna followed Cerlina as she spoke, her wooden shoes [i]clacking[/i] against the stone streets of Nyhem. She was mindful of her footing as one wrong step would surely result in a sprained ankle and she was not going to embarrass herself so. Her own personal samurai followed suit, a dark contrast to the soldiers of the foreign king in their black armour and red demon masks. They fell in line with the plated men as their role was carefully discussed on their approach to port and didn't require her instruction. [b]“Let us hope so”[/b] Cerlina replied as she signalled to the carriage driver who opened the door for them. As he did Cerlina stepped inside and took a seat on one side of the carriage. The inside walls of the carriage were covered in green velvet while the wooden seats had an array of different cushions many of which bore the white wolf sigil of house Tuania. Cerlina got herself comfortable as she waited for Kanna to enter. The young woman took her time climbing into the carriage as her kimono restricted her movements. She took a seat across from Cerlina as her translator took the space next to her and arranged the cushions to her liking. Once comfortable, she crossed and her tucked ankles, her hands were neatly folded on her lap. Once Kanna had gotten herself comfortable Cerlina gave a tap to the roof of the carriage, signaling the driver to take them back to the keep. *** Kanna found the carriage ride to be a pleasant experience and managed to have some decent small talk with Cerlina. The ride allowed her to see the side of the keep that was previously blocked from her approach from the ocean. Her earlier assumption appeared to hold true as the keep seemingly had only one main entrance, which was further protected, or hindered depending on one’s point of view, by a drawbridge. As the carriage approached the main gate, she was able to look along the smoothed outer walls of the keep down to the unforgiving waters around it. The wagon rattled along across the bridge, through the gate, and into a main courtyard where Kanna caught the eyes of many guards as she peeked through it’s curtained windows. Some eyes were well trained and impassive, others were curious, and even fewer eyes were scrutinizing, almost as if they waited for an excuse to dismiss her. None of these things mattered to her as she was here to negotiate with their King. She didn’t need their admiration or acceptance. As the carriage pulled to a stop, the Captain of her guard approached the carriage door. While all her guard were identically dressed, she knew whom it was based solely on his gait. Toshiro-san was very adamant about being the one to assist Kanna in these circumstances. While it was well known that she was fully capable of defending herself, it was their job to guarantee her safety. If any harm would come to her, they would commit honorable suicide and that, she could not allow. Akaiba needed all of her men. As the door opened, she reached out a tender hand towards Toshiro, who took it in his own gloved grip and a slight bow at his waist. Once in his possession, she allowed herself a view of the courtyard they had pulled into. It was definitely different than the ones back home, as the people of Nyhem seemed to care more about perfection rather than the natural flow of a space. Every plant was perfectly groomed to look as identical to the next and while it was weird to her, she couldn’t deny they were beautiful. The stonework of the courtyard was well maintained, from the road slabs at their feet to the high reaching red roofs of the keep. From here she was guided to the great hall. To say it was spacious, would have been an understatement, with it’s far reaching walls and robust pillars. The men’s footsteps echoed against the white and black marbled floor of the hall, while Kanna’s were muffled by the red carpet she walked on that stretched the length of the room up to the throne that was currently empty. Her dark brown eyes took in the scene before her calmly. They would have to wait for the King to make his entrance. A short time passed before Alasdair made his entrance into the great hall followed by Lanaya and then Alex. He had purposely waited a few minutes before entering the hall, to make a subtle point that he held higher authority and as such Kanna should wait for an audience with him. He gracefully made his way up the dais to his throne; Cerlina had already taken her place to the side of the throne and had seated herself on a wooden chair placed on a lower step of the dais. Additional chairs had been placed on the dais for the other high council members. Alex took his seat nervously, this had been the first time he had sat so high on dais; normally he found himself on the bottom step and now there was much more attention focused on him. Lanaya had already perched elegantly on the seat allocated to her, casting an appraising, piercing gaze across the Akaiba princess and her guard. Two servants who until now had been standing on one side of the hall picked up a chair and brought it over to Kanna. The chair itself wasn’t ugly by any means but bore much less beauty than the chairs of the high councilors and drastically less so than the throne Alasdair sat in. Another subtle nudge from Alasdair to make sure Kanna knew who was the true royal in this room. Alasdair waited until everyone had been seated before finally speaking. [b]“Welcome to Nyhem Princess Kanna”[/b] Alasdair said with a polite smile [b]“It is quite a journey from Akaiba to Nyhem, I trust their must be great importance behind your visit for Shogun Ayeka’s to send his own flesh and blood to me”?[/b] Kanna maintained an exterior demeanor of polite calm, while internally she was annoyed. The power play was not new to Kanna, as many in seats of power at home tried to play the same game, especially within the walls of their own estates. But the gesture was unnecessary as Kanna was in a vulnerable position in this forgein land and she did not need to be reminded of it. As the scene played before her, Meredith took the time to introduce each person to her as well as noted the absence of two members of the high council. Either they were away or did not deem her arrival to be important for them to meet with her. Regardless, she had all she needed in this room. Returning his smile with one of her own, Kanna bowed towards Alasdair and his council as was customary for her people, causing her black hair to shift slightly forward as it was pulled back in a loose, but elegant ponytail. [b][i]"Thank you for such a gracious welcome to your city Emperor Alasdair-sama. I am honored that you would allow Cerlina-san to greet me and my party at the docks and serve as my escort to the castle."[/i][/b] Kanna paused, allowing Meredith to finish translating her words to her audience before continuing. [b][i]"Indeed it was a long journey from Akaiba and I would not have taken it myself unless both my father and I deemed it absolutely necessary as there is much to be done back home.”[/i][/b] Alasdair tilted his head slightly before replying. [b]"And what matters of Akaiba might concern the Lords of Formaroth"? [/b] While still maintaining her demeanor, she allowed herself to fix him with a sharper gaze. [b][i]”Are you aware of the movements of the Imperium?”[/i][/b] Alasdair paused for a moment as he dreaded what Kanna was about to say next. Ever since the Beilokias trade ships had stopped coming to Formaroth, Alasdair had been unable to get word from the spies he had implanted in the imperium. But he knew that whatever reason the imperium had for suddenly cutting off trade was unlikely to be good for Formaroth. [b]“Ever since the imperium suddenly cut off trade with us I have heard little of what the imperium has been planning, I trust you bring new information”?[/b] Kanna carefully watched Alasdair’s face as she spoke. There seemed to already be apprehension in his features.[b][I]”The Imperium intend to sail against Seikatsu with an invasion force of at least 800,000 men, possibly more.”[/i][/b] Alasdair remained silent. He knew this would inevitably happen. He had warned John when he was on the throne and yet he dismissed the threat. He had warned Helyot before him who had only laughed in his face. He had warned Andris and the other high nobles when they had met to debate the next ruler of Formaroth that dividing the kingdom in a civil war would encourage the imperium to invade. For years he had been aware of the threat the elves possessed and no one had listened. Part of him felt bitter about it, another smug that he finally proved everyone else wrong, but most of him felt fear. Formaroth was now too weak to repel the imperium and if Seikatsu fell Formaroth would soon be next. [b]“Knowing the imperium, it probably will be more”[/b] Alasdair replied with a half smile that could have meant anything. [b]“This is extremely concerning.”[/b] Lana said, keeping her voice free of fear but letting her tone convey how seriously she took the warning. [b]“Consider how many capable mages will be among their ranks as well.”[/b] Then, addressing Kanna specifically, she asked. [b]“What will Seikatsu do about this? Is your land united enough to hold?”[/b] [b][i]"What will Seikatsu do? What else is there to do when an enemy comes knocking at your door? You either fight… or you die."[/i][/b] Kanna moved her hands that were resting comfortably on the arms of her chair to fold them in her lap. It wasn’t a nervous gesture, but an anticipatory one. [b][i]"Both my father and brother are working to unite Seikatsu against this threat.”[/i][/b] [b]“Uniting Seikatsu to save it, a most noble and difficult task, as I am sure you have already discovered”[/b] Alasdair replied with a smile, while he was shaken by the announcement of the imperium’s invasion he wasn’t going to let it show [b]“So tell me if your efforts are focused on uniting Seikatsu what brings you here to formaroth?”[/b] Alasdair was pretty sure he already knew the answer. [b][i]"I sit here before you when a messenger could have easily taken my place, bringing with me the hope and trust of my people, to ask for aid against the imperial might that threatens to crash against our shores."[/i][/b] Kanna's features softened before she spoke her next words, letting the unease and pressure she felt show. [b][i]"I have come so that you may take this threat seriously and understand the lengths I am going through to come before foreign monarchs, on foreign land, to ask for alliance against an enemy that may very well end us all…"[/i][/b] [b]“I suppose the situation must be dire if the emperor of Akaiba is desperate enough to seek help from Formaroth”[/b] Alasdair replied, hinting at the way that many residents of the Iba kingdoms looked down upon the western human nations [b]“Still, you are aware Fomaroth has only just begun recovering from the civil war that the usurper Andris Manadarass started. The realm remains split and many kingdoms are in a state of rebellion. If I were to divert troops to Seikatsu what would stop my rival here from invading my lands the moment my forces left”?[/b] [b][I]”I was not, but may I first ask, if you do not assist us, will you be able to stop a war on two fronts? While I cannot guarantee your enemies won’t take advantage of your absence should they choose not to unite before a bigger threat, I can guarantee our forces should you need to reclaim what is yours.”[/i][/b] Alasdair paused for a minute, it was true that the imperium threat needed to be dealt with. As much as he wanted to wipe house Blackwell from the face of the earth his vendetta against them would have to wait. All the same he would do his best to take advantage of this situation [b]“Your offer to retake stolen land is an appreciated one, and one I will hold you to, however if I am being asked to send my men to Seikatsu while Formaroth is still in turmoil I expect something in return. What can Akaiba offer Formaroth in exchange for our assistance”?[/b] [b][i]"What would you desire from Akaiba? I can offer our military strength, negotiate more favorable trade, and exchange knowledge of magical arts. I am head of the healing order and our people are knowledgeable in many schools. So long as it is reasonable, I can offer nearly anything."[/i] [/b] Alasdair turned to his side as he consulted with Cerlina who in return offered her own advice. Once he had finished he turned back to face Kanna. [b]“If we provide you with military assistance then that is what we expect in return. After the imperium threat has been dealt with there is no doubt that the chaos that has befallen Formaroth will continue. The samurai of Seikatsu will certainly be of great assistance in aiding our efforts in stabilizing the realm”. [/b] [b]“The Mages Circle will send battlemages to aid Seikatsu as well.”[/b] Lana began, her voice proud and confident. [b]“But in return, we will expect the Runelords to accept our offer of an academic position on the faculty of the Circle. It is past time that the human realms shared our arcane knowledge with each other.”[/b] [b][i]”I am agreeable to both of these terms and will make sure they are upheld."[/i][/b] Kanna spoke with conviction. On her honor as a samurai, Madoushi, and a noblewoman, if she had to come herself to collect the heads of their enemies, she would. She would make sure her father and brother understood these terms, as they were the price of Akaiba’s continued existence in this world and she would not be forsworn. Alasdair once again mumbled to Cerlina, he didn't actually have anything to say for he had already made up his mind, he just wanted to make Kanna feel as if he was more hesitant to accept these terms than he actually was. The more reluctant he seemed with these terms, the more likely he could pressure for a better deal later. [b]"Very well Lady Kanna, these terms seem acceptable for now. Please allow me a few days to finalise this deal with my advisors. You are welcome to remain here in the keep until then".[/b] [b][i]"Will I be required to remain at the keep for finalization or can I return to assist my people with preparations?"[/i][/b] [b]"Alas you must remain here, else if changes are made before the pact is written we will have no one to negotiate with"[/b] Alasdair said with a smile [b]"but do not feel I hold you against your will. Please take this time to explore Nyhem, hopefully the beauty of our capital will help take your mind off the dread you must be feeling for your homeland". [/b] [b][i]”I understand. In the meantime, I will send a messenger hawk back to my father to bring him up to speed.”[/i][/b] Kanna stood, removing her haori as she did so not because she was hot, but because in order to give respect to another custom required it. She removed her sandals before she walked a few steps forward from her chair down the plush carpet until she was far away enough from the chair for her purposes. While her hands neatly smoothed her kimono, she knelt in one fluid motion, her knees touching the ground at the same time. The tops of her feet laid flat on the floor, pointed straight back, and her backside rested on her heels. She sat with a straight posture and placed her hands face down on her thighs, her arms relaxed at her side. She could sit this way for hours if she needed to. Kanna did not notice if the guard had moved during this time as her focus was all on the people before her. [b][i]”On behalf of my country and my people, Thank you.”[/i][/b] As she spoke, she bent forward, her back completely straight as she did so and her hands moved forward at the same time, the right leading the left to rest cupped on the ground about 7cm in front of her forming a narrow wedge with the tips of her forefingers touching. She bent slowly until her face was about 5cm from the floor, her chest touched the tops of her thighs and she kept her arms in close with her forearms touching the outside of her knees. It was all done in one practiced fluid motion and was a bow of the utmost respect her people gave. She held this bow for a few seconds before returning to the seated position. Alasdair felt a great deal of satisfaction as he watched Kanna bow before him. After serving royalty for most of his life it gave him great joy to see them bow before him. [b]"You may stand princess Kanna"[/b] Alasdair replied [b]"we will send for you when we need you again" [/b] Kanna stood and looked upon the western ruler before returning to her shoes and departing with her men. He seemed fairly pleased, but she hoped he would understand the meaning of her bow, rather than have it something to be expected moving forward. Only time would tell which would hold true. Gathering the samurai, she departed the throne room and returned to the courtyard. She had a message to send back to her father. [/hider] A collaborative post with [@TheDuncanMorgan][@Sundered Echo]