A thank you to Sadalen, with invitation to send another ambassador to her court.
The invitation arrived in the court following a rather sound defeat for both the more liberal assimilationist and tolerationist factions by the conservative elements of the Raikhsgamotjing. The air in the Sluut was rife with indignation, as the liberals felt unified in their feelings that not enough was being done to either make the alien populations feel free to live their lives or to bring them into the fold properly. The messenger carrying the telegram was escorted into the throne room where the Hauhkuno was busy dealing with the outraged politicians who demanded that he take up their positions and overrule the vote that had occurred.
As the messenger waited, he was offered a change of clothes and got to enjoy the nice warmth that the building's hypocaust provided after having to endure frigid spring showers.
'We must inform you, that we tire of these demands. What is the matter with leaving things as they are? We have seen less civil disobedience in the last year than we have in over two decades since we passed the Tribal Rights Act.'
The Hauhkuno appeared calm, but his tone betrayed a growing level of irritation with the men before him.
'My Lord, there is an imminent threat upon us that can not be ignored... The people must not be allowed to have divided loyalties, as even now, more outlanders arrive on our shores, live in our cities, and eat our food, whilst plotting treachery against us, for they do not truly share in that sacred of bonds that keeps us as one, the love of your great and venerable ancestor.'
The man next to him seemed to bristle at this implication, but he squashed whatever distaste he had for his comrade and joined in.
'While I would not go as far as my right honourable friend here, I must agree that we are under imminent threat... These people, they wish to live in peace and harmony, but they can not do so truly if their rights are not set in stone and they're subject to the whims of an ever hostile Raikhsgamotjing. While we do not agree on the best course of action, we feel that this halfway point is unacceptable and can only lead to ruination.'
Taking out tube from a carrying bag, they popped it open and removed a large roll of parchment upon which stood a new and modified bill, which they both seemed to treat with a great deal of respect.
'This here is the result of much work between our factions to come to a compromise... While the last one was not suitable, we feel that you must pass something. We beg of you, please read it.'
A servant stepped forward and carried the bill to the Hauhkuno, with a desk being brought over so he might set it down. The bill was a mess of contradictory intents, with it containing very extensive lists of guaranteed rights for the lesser tribes and those without tribes, as well as containing newly proscribed activities and styles. It was calling for a total ban of some peoples, whilst also seeking to extend the right to intermarry to every tribe. The most interesting part of it all, was that it also carried within it a set of restrictions that would see the expulsion of many groups from the Raikh proper and to the colonies... This aspect was useful.
The Hauhkuno considered the situation. He could not pass this madness into law, as it would directly challenge his own policies, but there was some merit to some of the ideas in the bill... The issue of spies had been growing, with his intelligence forces now expanding operations and undertaking more active surveillance of ever increasing means of communication and persons of interest.
Shaking his head, the Hauhkuno rolled up the bill and handed it back to his servant for return to the petitioners.
'We can not pass such a thing into law, as it would be a disaster onto the generations. That said, we can address your concerns with regards to spies and settlement. We shall see to it that special measures be passed to help alleviate your concerns. Now, leave us.'
The two men bowed deeply and left the chamber without saying a word more. The messenger who had been forced to sit through all of that was called upon next, having been noted as carrying a message from a foreign land. After it was handed to the Hauhkuno, he was allowed to sit down once more and relax.
'Send the guards after those men. We will be sending them abroad soon, they are to be made an embassy to the Divinians.'
With that pronouncement made, the two men were dragged back into court and handed their fate. They would act as co-equals permanently, assigned to a foreign court to represent the interests of the Raikh. This was, as things went, a very cruel punishment for men that would otherwise be natural opponents in politics. The Hauhkuno had found a way to lash out at them for their useless noise.
The special measures passed by the Hauhkuno in response to the two petitioners:
