Movements of the Tholish Ambassador in ID

The ambassadors were ushered into the palace immediately upon their arrival. Cold eyes stared them down as they were escorted not to the Empress, but to the office of Councilor Cathal Retorus. He feigned no courtesy as he spoke.

“Gentlemen. Have you decided to return to your post? Would you care to tell me where- actually it doesn’t matter. What in blazes is happening in your homeland?”

Years of military training kept Cathal’s emotions in check. Jaw clenched, he spoke slowly.
“Your people are rattled over the marriage of a little girl to some equally little boy halfway across the globe! By God I’d have expected you lot to be made of stronger stuff! The match was arranged to avoid having the damnable emperor of Sadalen end up on the throne of Divinium. If we wanted to shut your nation out of trade, we’d have done so long ago with the DOC. But your… ministers or what have you! They insult our Empresses name in public and do nothing to hide it. The ravings of your people have reached the ears of our ministers. They’re of the impression that you intend to overthrow the whole of the Divinian Empire. If we do not get this matter settled, and quickly, we could very well be meeting in peace for the last time, sir.”

“The men of this folkmoot should be horsewhipped. By God. Will your emperor sit back as they spill poison into the minds of your people? There’s a CHILD out there doing more to prevent conflict than your damnable folkmoot!”

He finally dropped into his chair, rubbing his temples. Softly he continued. “Gentlemen, what can we do to ensure that this issue does not escalate to war? Neither of our nations would emerge unscathed.”

“I beg your pardon? We’ve done no kicking!” Then he stopped, a bent smile on his face at the realization.

“Ah. An expression. Well, your people have no right to interfere in any marriage, let alone the marriage of a monarch. I understand the concern, in theory. But the Divinians have been nothing if not cordial toward your nation in the past. I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m asking what the Imperium Divinium can do herself to… stow the fears of your folkmoot. You know them better than I.”

“But for what purpose would we cut off Tholish trade? Our nation, and by extension Drusskia. benefit immensely from the free trade of nations in the Ringsea. It goes against the very economic ideals of our people to shut the Tholish people out of trade. If anything, you should be thanking us. Catherine’s influence on Drusskia would be a stabilizing force against the Republic of Heel. They’ve already threatened to control the straits on more than one occasion.”

“And as for the trustworthiness of the Empress: what would you have her do? Learn tricks? Beg like a common dog? The lack of hostilities between our nations over centuries of history ought to be proof enough that the Divinians have no issue with your people. It seems to me, the men of your folkmoot are grasping at straws.”

“Invasion? With what troops?!? For what purpose? Were these men taught nothing of how nations function? And might I add sir, that your nation has not exactly proven itself trustworthy, nor has any I would imagine by your exacting standards. The Thosselians must see enemies around every corner.”