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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 9, 2021 4:28:24 GMT
Your majesty.
I had hoped that we were able to gain an alliance between our nations but in doing so I had accidentally offended you so I shall offer somthing that should help rebuild an alliance between our nations.
I request you or your farther to travel back to Duom Asderaordia and I shall reveal what is hidden at this time.
I would understand if after what has happened you do not trust me and to this end I offer Duke Aleksander as a hostage in your court until you or your farther return as insurance against betrayal.
There will be a maximum of 4 guards as there will not be space for anymore. (maximum 5 people)
I thankyou for your time and hope things will work out for the best.
Her Majesty Queen theodora
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 9, 2021 4:33:48 GMT
Your Majesty
I hope that you will be able to join me in Duom for a secret something that might help to solidify our alliance and it will also give you a chance to catch up with your brother
Her majesty Theodora
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 13, 2021 18:16:15 GMT
To the Empress Theodora,
I am intrigued, by your proposal, to say the least. I will personally visit your lands, after the dealings here at the Capital have been finished. I don't know if our relations can be fully repaired, I, as well as our people, are willing to forgive, but we won't forget.
regards,
Afonsus Henriques de Roque
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 18, 2021 0:52:57 GMT
After the 2 Leaders arrived in Predorvia A boat took them over to the northwest to the dukedom of Mehi where a secret project was being worked on. The trip was around 1 week up a massive river cutting through the dukedom until the destination was reached. The Secluded fortress was a massive complex with a massive gate on the river side that was connected to the river. The Queen offered to house the 2 guests in the fortress during their stay.
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 18, 2021 2:12:00 GMT
As Afonsus and his detachment left the transfer boat, A guard covertly dropped a coin in the ground. If any RAFIA agents were on site, they'd know the Magdal wanted to be briefed on whatever they knew. It was probably not much, the main focus had been on Tanisyra, but getting information now should be easy enough.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Nov 18, 2021 2:27:40 GMT
For the first time in her life, Catherine had felt the need to keep herself armed. A country that had been recently been in revolt was one matter (she had happily traveled around the Gankands unguarded), but this nation was another matter entirely.
Were it not for the fact that she felt securing interests between her new sister was worth it, she would not have come. Not out of distaste, but concern. As far as she knew, Duom was a free agent. Sometimes that could be more dangerous than an openly hostile enemy.
“Theodora” she opened as they moved toward the complex, “I can’t for the life of me understand what specifically required our attention here. I assume you desire negotiations of some sort, though I must admit I don’t understand the correlation between both Magdalenum and Divinium”.
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 18, 2021 4:06:19 GMT
"You find in the morning what I have to offer but for now I wish discuss an alliance between our 3 nations if that would be acceptable to the both of you." She replied
"Though now we three must get something to eat, I hope this will allow you to settle in for your stay"
She lead Group into a room around 100m^2 in the center of which was a triangular table covered in some of the finest silk and the food was Already at their noses as they were bombarded by the various scents both familiar and exotic.
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 18, 2021 4:17:21 GMT
Afonsus made his way slowly after the two young Monarchs. He raised his eyebrow at the mention on an alliance; How Theodora could even begin to think he'd agree to it after the whole marriage ordeal was beyond him. As he sat down and lit up a cigar, he made sure to greet the young Empresses.
"Good afternoon, your Highnesses. I must apologize for my lack of manners, these old bones prefer to stay seated."
Afonsus had made sure to give out an air of confidence, though in truth, he was wary of his situation. He was accompanied by an extremely small contingent of guards, inside a very large foreign military complex. Just in case, his uniform had been kited with several daggers, and at least two revolvers. The only comforting thought is that young Aleksandr was under a very grave risk of taking a permanent nap if anything happened to him, so Theodora would likely avoid outright hostility.
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 19, 2021 2:07:00 GMT
When Afonsus asked one of the servants present for an ashtray, he noticed a figure shuffling in a dark corner of the room. After concluding an RAFIA agent would never be that clumsy, he was tempted to pull his revolver and shoot the spy, though he wasn't sure if the agent was Divinan, and the last thing he wanted was to sour his relations with Catherine over pulling a gun at a meal and killing a spy. So he simply resigned to making the presence of the interloper known.
"You know, I really don't believe there is a need to have spies in the room. I assure you I have nothing to hide. Yes, I can see you. You may leave the room now."
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 19, 2021 2:26:26 GMT
The servant who was cleaning a window stepped out from behind the Curtin and apologised and bowed his head before leaving
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Nov 20, 2021 0:53:49 GMT
Catherine, who had remained standing, stepped gingerly between the aging emperor and the confused servant, laughing slightly. “Your majesty, It’s a pleasure to meet the leader of a nation who will not turn down their nose at an heir born of the gentle sex. That has been a point of contention against my reign in the past. If I were to venture a guess, that may be the basis upon which Theodora wishes to secure friendlier relations. Though I was just as shocked as you by the… unfortunate incident regarding her heir and your daughter, my people have always tried to look past those cultural quirks for the greater good. And though I will admit some of the actions taken by her agents have vexed me, I’m sure we can reach if not amiable conclusions, at least less hostile ones.”
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 20, 2021 4:43:06 GMT
Afonsus was astonished by how shrewd the young Empress was. Still, he did let himself show it.
"I can agree that our relations with Duom have been... strained, as of recent events. We are ready to forgive past events if the proper circumstances arise, but we are not so keen on forgetting. That being said, I am more than pleased to accept any agreement that might see the tensions eased. In any event, much has been accomplished between the Imperium and Magdalenum already. If the Lady would be so kind, please send the Estranas my regards."
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 22, 2021 10:37:55 GMT
After a good meal, the 2 guests were led to personal rooms for the night, both were also given a servant to attend to their needs while Theodora had received a letter that demanded her attention. The bedrooms were fairly basic with some engraved carvings on the walls showing a great battle between what could be assumed to be Duom Asderaordians engaged with what seemed to be a horde of reptilian-like humans underneath of which was an inscription in a foreign language. On the opposite side of the room was a thick tapestry showing what looked to be a family tree traveling back over a thousand years. The sheets themselves were a bright purple color with black and gold weaving of the Duom Asderaordian crest. On the Desk, there was a large book with the Asderaordian Crest on the front and titled in the unknown language from the carvings.  |
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 22, 2021 14:12:45 GMT
A man that appeared to be a servant quietly made his way across the building to the room Afonsus had been given.
"Your Royal Majesty."
"You're finally here, good. Report." said Afonsus.
"We've not been able to find out much, Theodora's more careful than we initially expected. If we just had more time to-"
"I've heard enough. How long will it take you to gather more information?"
"That is hard to say, I can take a more blunt approach, if it pleases your Majesty."
"As long as you don't get caught, do what you must."
"Understood. Veritas vos liberat."
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 22, 2021 14:12:59 GMT
The first order of business for the empress, (after stubbing her toe on the bed frame and cursing silently to herself) was to have Gabriel brought to her room.
She paced the floors, running her hand along the furniture waiting. In the past they had been close. But that was before she took the throne. She could still trust him to be on her side, if only he’d act like it.
When he entered, both stared awkwardly, brown eyes meeting amber. He seemed healthy, though the war had left a few thin scars across his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Catherine waved it away. A moment later she dropped the pretense, falling glumly onto the bed.
“You look well Gabe. Thank God for that. But it’s late and we don’t have time to chat. Not now. You know what I’m going to say.”
“Yes Cat. But there were worries about fertility, and Theodoras health. She was injured rather badly during the war with-“
“You need an heir!”, she hissed, emphasizing the point by raising her voice slightly. “Anthiese has done her part. Now you do yours. I’m sure the boy is nice enough, but he’s not your son by blood. That makes your position precarious.”
“I’ve done better than you on that score”, he lashed back , venom in his mind before he could give a second thought.
His sister fell back into the same diplomatic smile she always had when distancing herself from insults. “Goodnight Gabriel. I hope you fall on your ass on the way back to your quarters!”
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 23, 2021 3:14:26 GMT
The sun rose over the treeline projecting a thin bar of light into the rooms as the three monarchs prepared for the day. A breakfast was set in the main chamber again consisting of some strange looking "egg" that was almost 30cm tall with the 3 sharing the 1 egg, Theodora explained that it was from a large native bird that they might get to see later if they have time, known as the Quentynn Which she explained was the bird of the Duom Asderaordian crest. It grows to about 5 meters from wingtip to wingtip. and was said to be the physical representations of the gods.
After Breakfast the group moved through the halls with paintings of the previous rulers in the countries History. As they reached the end of the hallway they came to a large wooden door. On the other side was a massive room, covering the floor was a massive map of the world of Victrix with many wooden tokens representing different forces and countries. Along the far wall was a massive shelf with many more tokens ready to be used if needed. The Empress Explained that the room was used for training the officers in the military of battle tactics and how to conduct battle when necessary.
At this time there were 2 generals conducting military exercises in the mobilization of the Duom Asderoardian Army and looking at how long it would take and what should be put in place to help shorten the time to full mobilization. As the monarchs entered the room the two generals took a bow and resumed the exercise while Theodora led the other two to a door. The door opened onto a balcony overlooking a massive shipyard with three docks and at the moment there were three ships under construction.
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 23, 2021 3:28:39 GMT
Anfosus followed the Empresses carefully. He was impressed at the War room, but found the Idea of having a whole room filled exclusively with a single mão of the world a waste of resources and space. For him, the room was little more than a gimmick. Still, he pressed on, knowing exactly what he expected to see. While the Theodora and Catherine were already in the balcony, he casually walked in whilst lighting up a cigar
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 23, 2021 3:37:32 GMT
As the party passed the generals on their way toward the balcony, Catherine lagged behind, examining the rather impressive map on the floor. She couldn’t resist giving her input, and so tapped the toe of her boot on several places on the map. “Gentlemen, I would recommend updated fortifications in these locations. Any threats to your national security would come from a nation with a formidable navy. Perhaps my Coastal Defense Command has a suitable design to that end.”
She then hurried on to join her host, hiking the train of her dress so as not to knock over the tokens placed about. The wave of heat hitting her felt alien, and her eyes struggled to adjust to the morning light bouncing off the hulls of ships under construction before her. Naval expertise was not her strong suit, and so she couldn’t make much of their design. Those steel death traps were always Gabriel’s interest.
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 23, 2021 3:41:06 GMT
"They are fine vessels indeed." Said Afonsus, arriving at the edge of the balcony. "I should think about updating our nation's warships too, the turn of the century has brought many new innovations to the field of naval warfare. Hell, I'd wager they make the Morthal treaty practically obsolete!"
"It would indeed be a clever idea to place forts where Lady Catherine suggested. It would cut off most if not all of the potential routes incoming hostile ships could take. I am surprised at how knowledgeable you are in these things, my Lady." He said, turning to Catherine.
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Nov 23, 2021 3:46:14 GMT
Theodora called to one of the generals asking him to bring her the blueprints of the ship Which he did dutifully and handed the blueprints of the ships. The Empress laid them out on a bench against one of the walls and presented them to the other monarchs. She then said that this was the reason she had brought them here and that she would offer to give a ship to each of them and copies of the blueprints if they wished.
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