[h2][color=Gold]Arel Elmys: The The Palace at Alveby[/color][/h2]

For the first time in a long time, Arel was alone in the rooms of the palace he had taken over.  He sighed, sinking down in a chair overlooking the city as the sun began to set to the West, casting a reddish glow across the terracotta tile roofs and white walls of the inner city.  There will still signs of damage from the recent battle.  Scorch marks and blocks of ruin where fire had run rampant during the looting, but the smell of smoke had dissipated and some normality was beginning to return to the city.

He took a swig from his mug of ale, thinking back over the last few days.  Vestele Loralen had been a sensible choice of envoy from the Hasikos girl.  Yes, some of the Chieftains had raised objections about treating with an [i]elgakvinne[/i], and of course her old clan Chieftain been apoplectic with rage that she show her face in his presence again, but nobody could complain she was a human and in the end Arel's party had won the day, arguing for the pragmatic course of action in allying with the Hasikos girl to oppose Voron's forces in Mitteland then letting her deal with the problem of the Mittelvolk cities while Orrian marched on Inbur itself.

The main bone of contention had been around what title to call the Hasikos girl.  Orrian obviously couldn't admit she was his equal and after a little toing and froing, Loralen, whom he suspected had anticipated this problem, had agreed to name her 'Queen of the Humans' on the document instead.

Loralen had left as soon as she could, armed with a copy of the document for the White Court and an agreement that Andronika should travel  to Alveby in person to sign the document - a show of Imperial superiority though as she had left the meeting with the Emperor, Arel had caught her arm, getting a cool, raised eyebrow in response to the act of impropriety, "Make certain your Lady moves quickly and with as much secrecy as she can," he had muttered to her, "Voron and his people will be making their own moves.  I also realise the roads are not safe, so I'll send a squadron of Skyborn Lancers with you to ensure both speed and security from roving bandits or Voron's lackeys."

She had nodded at that.

[hider=The Treaty]
[quote][h3]The Treaty of Fellowship and Betwixt His Imperial Majesty, Orrian of the Haltian Empire, and Her Most Gracious Majesty Andronika Hasikos, Queen of the Humans, In 210th Year of the Haltian Empire.[/h3]

In the Name of the Everlasting God, whose Judgements are sure and whose Vengeance is mighty, let it be known unto all Princes, Peoples, and Powers of the world, that a solemn Compact hath been entered this day betwixt Emperor Orrian, Sovereign of the Haltian Empire, and Andronika, Queen of the Humans, rightful Ruler of her kindred, for the prevention of hostilities and the joining of arms in common cause against the usurper, rebel and vile pretender known to all as Voron Corfina.

Let it be known and declared throughout all the Empire and beyond, that Prince Voron Corfina, once heir by blood to the Imperial Throne, is now cast down in shame and is held accursed, for he hath committed the blackest of sins—the murder of his own father, the rightful Emperor, by whose hand he was raised.  Not by duel, nor by judgment, nor in the heat of battle did he strike, but by craft, cowardice, and shadowed treachery. Thus hath he become a byword for perfidy, a vessel of iniquity, and a scourge upon the earth.


[b]Articles of Agreement[/b]

I. That from this day forth, no man, soldier, Lord, or captain under either Crown shall raise blade against the other, nor shall give shelter or succour to any who do.

II. That both Sovereigns shall bind their hosts, banners, and might in solemn alliance for the purpose of bringing low the vile pretender, and shall not rest till he is driven forth beyond the lands of the Jedgorsy to the Eastern lands of Inbur.

III. That once the rebel is cast out and his strength broken, the Emperor shall not hinder nor gainsay the Queen in her subjugation of the human cities of Mitteland, provided she do so with justice and mercy to all elgafolk who live therein.

IV. That the Queen shall make solemn oath never to cross into the Western Plains, nor send army nor agent thither, nor stir the peoples there to unrest, acknowledging that land and all within it as under Imperial dominion.

V. That both parties shall send forth envoys to each other’s courts, to speak peace and friendship, and to bear tokens of the goodwill sealed on this day.

And for the sealing of this Treaty, it is sworn before the eyes of God Almighty, whose wrath doth kindle swift against oath-breakers: that if either Sovereign, or their councillors, sworn vassals, or any who act with their leave or knowledge, shall break this Covenant—by sword, deceit, or neglect — then let the curse of the Lord fall upon them. May their days be short, their houses fall into ruin, their seed be scattered, and their names be blotted from the Book of the Living.

Thus is it written. Thus is it sworn. In the presence of witnesses, under the seal of the ancient houses of Corfina and Hasikos, this Treaty is made fast.[/quote][/hider]