[h2][color=Maroon]Some Miles North of Kalendri: Marius Panayi, Konrad Louffen, Ariana Hasikos & [/color][color=SlateGray]Momin Assinger[/color][/h2]

"I don't know why we don't simply hang the man and be done with it," Payani grumbled to Louffen as the privateer approached the tent, flanked by several guards.  They had the look of people from the South of the Circle Sea or, perhaps even Iktani.  Either way, Marius did not like the way the man strutted as he approached the tent they had set up for their Queen.  He was an imposing figure and looked like he thought he owned the camp.

"Now, now," Louffen whispered back, "If we hang him and, somehow, we lose the forthcoming battle, then his mistress will seek vengeance on all of us... hanging an emissary is not the done thing."

"He's a damned pirate," Payani shot back, though they left the exchange at that as by then the pirate was within earshot.

To their rear, still seated sat Ariana on a nice, carved wooden chair.  It wasn't quite a throne, but it did give some semblance of regality to the girl.

The pirate stopped, sweeping off his hat in a well-practiced bow, "M'Lady Hasikos, it is an honour to meet you.  General Momin Assinger, at your service."  Addonian, Payani decided, though he still wasn't sure about the guards.  They had an exotic look to them.

Ariana smiled, reacting instinctively to the man's courtesy and without thought for the likelihood of bloodshed in the near future, "The pleasure is all mine General Assinger."  There was a moment's silence, that stretched on for perhaps a moment too long while both parties seemed to expect the other to say something, before Ariana realised he was waiting for her to speak first, "To what do we owe this honour?" she asked, a lot too politely for Payani's taste.

"The Empress Coralie sends her regards to her cousin and asks why you come to these lands with armed men?  The Empress wishes it to be known that she has no quarrel with you, M'Lady.  Haltian forces still oppress the good people of Inbur, forcing them to work as slaves in the fields and mines.  Haltian Lords and merchants keep the profit of their endeavors.  The lands you enter are already liberated from the Empire."  He paused, though not long enough for anyone else to start speaking, "The Empress suggests that you go North.  Save our people there."

Ariana started to open her moth, but Payani got there faster, feeling his cheeks redden at the gall of the Addonian pirate, "Coralie D'Ambois is no Empress; she is a damnable pirate.  We march to put an end to her raids on the coast and her ludicrous claims to the Crown of Inbur.  Her head is far more suited to adorn a spike atop the walls of that fair city than to wear its crown.  What is worse, she openly dines and makes deals and arrangements with the very same Haltians she claims to be liberating us from!  For shame, the hypocrisy!"

Assinger looked a little taken aback by the tirade, the corner of his oiled beard twitching as if he sought to grimace or form a smirk - it was hard to tell which.  He paused for a few moments, before responding, his tone perfectly level, "The [i][b]Empress[/b][/i]," he said, emphasising the title, "Has a treaty with the local Imperial Commander to ensure that peace is preserved on the coast and to ensure the Calarian menace is kept in check.  This is not a Treaty with the Haltian Emperor, just one man and it has prevented the Calarians from constructing their own Empire in the rubble of the Haltian one."

"You are pirates, nothing more," Payani declared dismissively.

Assinger's dark eyes flicked from him, to Ariana and back.  There was a faint gleam there that Payani did not much like, "In that case, M'Lady," he addressed Ariana, "I fear we have very little more to discuss.  If we must to battle, then to battle we will go and may God favour the righteous."

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[h2][color=Gold]The Palace at Alveby: Arel Elmys &[/color] [color=WhiteSmoke]Andronika Hasikos[/color][/h2]

The young princess was not at all what Arel had expected.  Not only was she headstrong, and clear that she was in command, but she received his note asking her to meet him on a balcony overlooking the rose garden and came without bringing backup, though he noticed a dirk in a prettily decorated white scabbard, nestled amongst the skirts of her prettily embroidered white dress.

He allowed his eyes to take her in, the dark intelligent eyes, the sun-kissed Inburian complexion, the low cut of her dress.  On a warm summer's night, with the heady sweet scent of roses wafting up from below, it was always a pleasure to be in the presence of a beautiful woman. 

"Good evening Sir," she greeted politely, moving to lean over the balcony next to Arel, almost daring him to try to push her.  Though if she expected that treachery, she did not know him that well... or understand the value her Alliance brought to the Court in the West.

"Good evening M'Lady," he replied, moving to stand next to her, "It is beautiful is it not?  Perhaps a sign of Imperial decadence, but beautiful nonetheless."

She laughed dryly, "I sometimes find a little decadence can be fun, though don't tell your Emperor that!"

Arel paused a moment, then laughed with her, shaking his head, "I guess you need to get out of the saddle sometimes... listen, I know you'll be meeting the Emperor in person together.  There will be pageantry and bluster, but I wanted to be sure you know what, under all of that, is being offered."

"You don't want me to give a knee jerk reaction to being asked to bend the knee?" she asked, turning to face Arel, one eyebrow coolly arched, "And throw a match into the proverbial powder store.  You needn't worry.  Perhaps surprisingly, given I'm styling myself a royal, pride is not my sin."

The comment drew another laugh from Arel, "Well that is good to hear.  Yes, that is what I was concerned about, truth be told... but since I have you here, I'll give you the details of what is on offer anyway.  Mitteland is yours.  Inbur is yours.  We will keep the old Empire and Krain.  You will acknowledge the suzerainty of Emperor Orrian and pay us some nominal amount in gold which will increase once the war is over.  We will give you arms and a war chest to start your campaign and we hope you will raise a significant force in Mitteland... enough for us to pursue a joint campaign against Voron in Inbur, once he is driven out of Mitteland.  Our spies suggest he is considering moving his court to that city if this summer's campaign does not go in his favour."

"You think the Mittelvolk will flock to the banner of a liberator?" she queried.  

Arel nodded in confirmation, "And, truth be told, we have no desire to rule the human lands either.  Yes, conquest is glorious, but managing these territories has degraded the Elgafolk way of life.  We are becoming something we were not meant to be."

Andronika nodded slowly, thoughtfully, "So we both win?  I just need to curtsey and kiss Orrian's ring," she smirked slightly, "I think I can manage."

"We'll also need your army to meet up with ours on the march to Elvesland to face the pretender," Arel added, "I know your force is currently small and won't make a huge difference, but it is symbolically important your forces are there."

"I'll get Kreznik to send work back to get moving immediately," she said, raising her voice a little, for some reason.

"And I fully expect that, in ten years time, when your Kingdom is properly established, you'll refuse to pay us the gold you agree to pay tomorrow and we'll end up meeting on the battlefield where either we'll win, and impose an even greater tribute or you'll win and declare yourself Empress."

It was Andronika's turn to laugh, "Is that right?" she asked, though the hint of amusement in her voice suggested she had already planned to do exactly that.