Divinian-Theocracy Relations

The captain aboard the Keythong ordered the signal to be sent back “Emperor Catherine of the Imperium Divinium and her representatives wish to formally open relations with the Theocracy. We request the right to dock and treat with your people.”

“Oh for God's sake!” was the only response the captain could come to upon hearing the request to search diplomatic vessels. Orders were given to the group to turn about, to ease the boarding process.

Catherine however, simply smiled and ordered the group to give their new friends “full honors”. As the vessels of the Theocracy neared, a full salvo from the Divinian vessels fired off, saluting them. “If they wanted to see what we have, they certainly have now, eh. Now man the rails!”

The full complement of the Keythong stood manning the rails begrudgingly as these strange men had the audacity to board their ship and rifle through their possessions. Had it not been for direct orders from the empress, they would never have allowed such a thing to transpire. But for fear of disobeying orders, they held their posts.

The Captain of the Keythong however, feigned pleasantness for the sake of their mission, greeting the men with a salute and a smile.
“Gentlemen welcome aboard. I’m not entirely certain what you hope to find aboard a vessel like this, our cargo and hold are fairly standard. But as we have nothing to hide, we will happily allow you to search her. The diplomats, including the Emperor herself, are aboard the Conium. Though if you insist on searching it as well, I ask you tread lightly in her quarters. I’m told she’s brought something of great importance to your shores. Aside from her mere presence that is.”

The man collected himself for a moment, more to recall the appropriate phrasing in High Latin than anything else.

    “I sir, am Captain Felix Salacia, of the Divinian Navy. As I’ve already said, we are on a diplomatic mission from our Emperor. The details of said mission were simply to bring the emperor safely to your shores and contact suitable authorities with which to discuss the possibility of diplomatic relations. The remainder of those diplomatic plans were not divulged to me, nor would I inform you of them if I knew, as I know nothing of your rank or privilege.”

    Salacia let a beat pass before continuing. “Furthermore I know nothing of this Lord Ironfin, nor any lord in your nation. Your people have not been in contact with the rest of Latium for quite some time. I cannot answer for our emperor any further than I have already.”

Felix, composure slipping, responded in turn.
“Well, Sir Aedan Tarus, I have already acquiesced to your request to search the vessels. If we were any more forthcoming with the contents of our ship you’d need to strip her down to the waterline and look at her frame. Search as you please! The only vessel removing any of her goods is the Conium, and as you can quite clearly see, she is unarmed.”

The remainder of the trip to port was uneventful for most. Though perhaps not reciprocated, Captain Salacia thoroughly enjoyed having someone new aboard his vessel, to whom he could show off his pride and joy, perhaps moreso than the Council of Arms would have been comfortable with. He even offered to allow Sir Tarus to blow the ship's horn, though luckily he didn’t notice the man’s reaction.

The Keythong did not make port until after the other ships in her group, struggling to find an accommodating space as evening set in. By the time the men disembarked, the Divinian delegation, a small contingent of the Imperial guard, and a fair bit of luggage had already been offloaded. Felix directed Sir Tarus vaguely toward the emperor with a gesture while he busied himself with ensuring his ship was restocked, waving off toward an odd trio standing amidst the luggage.

Of note was the towering woman, over seven feet tall, barefoot yet adorned with a golden headdress, chains, and gilded robes. She muttered, swinging a thurible of incense, whose perfumed smoke was wiped away quickly in the ocean breeze. Next to her was an older man, stout and red faced sitting on a crate and heaving from seasickness. His scarlet clothing easily identified him as a cardinal. Lastly, was a short woman in a simple green traveling gown, fiddling with a pendant around her neck while examining the contents of one of the smaller offloaded crates. The cardinal, seeing the man approach, whispered something to the two women, who turned expectantly toward the approaching stranger.

The group looked from one to the other, unsure who should speak first. At last, the man responded. “I am Cardinal Joseph Bartone, Legate to his Holiness. This-“ he directed toward the taller woman, “ is Lady Anthiese, High Priestess or the Vernal Druids”. “And of course, Her Ephemeral Majesty, the Emperor Catherine von Marcum”.

With that Catherine stepped forward, nodding slightly to him. She made no attempt at subtlety as she eyed the man up and down, lips pursed slightly. “I suppose it was foolish of me to expect a more Divinian appearance after so many generations. But my aren’t you dashing! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance sir”. She smiled sincerely up at him, content to see the person she was meeting clearly for once.

Oh yes… terse is one way of putting it. Though I think uncharitable and blatantly hostile would be a better reflection on the actions of my predecessors. You will find, I hope, Divinium much changed since your people left our shores. I doubt your history has been kind to us, but I hope to rectify that. I wouldn’t have personally made the journey here otherwise. We are ready to set off just as soon as we are allowed.”

“My delicate constitution will manage well enough thank you. Truthfully I came here with single minded purpose, and sightseeing is not an option. I am needed back home as soon as possible. I fear what my ministers would do while I am away.”