Post by Emperor Octavius I on Jun 2, 2022 3:31:59 GMT
The Grand Vizier of the Imperial Advisory Council (the Privy Council) was seated before his prince, tension hung in the air. There was open war on the continent, Moderal faced down a mighty alliance, war on the high seas, and all the while, his Prince was coupling with the deterioration of his father, the emperor. It was certainly a mess of mighty proportions.
Octavius Arcturus was looking out the vast windows of his study, to the rolling hills and the swift Iacon, past the border to where their Latin neighbors resided.
“Your thoughts drift westwards, Highness?” Tybur asked. Distractedly, the Prince Regent refocused his attentions and gave a slight grimace.
“Yes, though matters closer to the heart plague me more than matters of state when concerning that nation,” he said. “What is more troubling is open warfare on the continent, however.”
The Grand Vizier hummed his affirmation, “the Moderali certainly are playing with fire. Given their current situation, much of the Privy Council believe that they will not be able to continue the conflict past a few months with such unstable food stores.”
“The sooner the better. I would be loath to have to get more closely involved in this conflict should it drag.” The Prince Regent looked at William, cyan eyes seemingly boring holes into the wall behind him, “I have also heard that the Westerners and the Magdali crushed a Moderali army ten times their numbers.”
“They have, Highness.”
The prince was silent for a moment, then rose from behind his desk, and turned to the vaulted windows of his private study.
“The official position of this Empire is that of support of the Divianians and their allies against Moderal. However, no Prussoian blood shall be spilled in this conflict, but that does not mean we have to remain actionless. In the morning, extensive orders will be given to northern fleet command, patrols will be reinforced by the Battlefleet Imperialis, we must maintain our supply lines to New Arondight in the north. I have deliberated with the General Staff and the Minister of War and have decided that the 23rd Infantry Division will be stationed there permanently, with siege artillery detachments and new specialized winter equipment. Vice Admiral Mossel has been instructed to penetrate further inland and secure more plentiful resources for the continuation and stability of New Arondight.”
The Grand Vizier took all this in and more, “Highness, will any action be taken in the east? Certainly, something must be done to show our continued support of the Imperium.”
The Prince Regent stood silently for a moment, then “Is my recent commitment not enough? Or do they want my heart and liver as well?”
“Highness, you know better than most that international dynastic politics are messy at the best of times and downright tragic at the worst. But, for good or bad, we must maintain all signs of our commitment to a secure northern Placidia.”
Octavius Arcturus gave a slight sigh, “So be it. Should they accept, we will begin transporting additional war materiel east. Munitions, raw material, whatever they should require, though I doubt they will accept, this is an issue between former vassal and former master, it is not our place to interfere more than we have planned to do so.”
William gave a firm nod, then hesitantly asked, “and your son, Highness? What of the Child Emperor Florin?”
A brief, but pained look shot across the regent’s expression, “…Florin is temperamental, understandable at his age, however…I do not know how to approach him. It is one thing being regent to a vast Empire of over sixty million people, but I truly believe it might be more difficult being a father. I desire to see him in the flesh, but this responsibility that has been bequeathed upon me is central priority. The boy has good counsel and regents, he is in good hands for the moment. I will continue to keep a correspondence, but he is perfectly well where he is at this time. Should he desire change, then perhaps something could be worked out with the Imperium.”
“Very good, Your Highness.” The Grand Vizier and the Prince Regent would continue to converse and plan over the course of the night, until the moon was high in the night’s sky and the majority of the Empire was resting, while the heir to their ailing Emperor was hard at work.
Octavius Arcturus was looking out the vast windows of his study, to the rolling hills and the swift Iacon, past the border to where their Latin neighbors resided.
“Your thoughts drift westwards, Highness?” Tybur asked. Distractedly, the Prince Regent refocused his attentions and gave a slight grimace.
“Yes, though matters closer to the heart plague me more than matters of state when concerning that nation,” he said. “What is more troubling is open warfare on the continent, however.”
The Grand Vizier hummed his affirmation, “the Moderali certainly are playing with fire. Given their current situation, much of the Privy Council believe that they will not be able to continue the conflict past a few months with such unstable food stores.”
“The sooner the better. I would be loath to have to get more closely involved in this conflict should it drag.” The Prince Regent looked at William, cyan eyes seemingly boring holes into the wall behind him, “I have also heard that the Westerners and the Magdali crushed a Moderali army ten times their numbers.”
“They have, Highness.”
The prince was silent for a moment, then rose from behind his desk, and turned to the vaulted windows of his private study.
“The official position of this Empire is that of support of the Divianians and their allies against Moderal. However, no Prussoian blood shall be spilled in this conflict, but that does not mean we have to remain actionless. In the morning, extensive orders will be given to northern fleet command, patrols will be reinforced by the Battlefleet Imperialis, we must maintain our supply lines to New Arondight in the north. I have deliberated with the General Staff and the Minister of War and have decided that the 23rd Infantry Division will be stationed there permanently, with siege artillery detachments and new specialized winter equipment. Vice Admiral Mossel has been instructed to penetrate further inland and secure more plentiful resources for the continuation and stability of New Arondight.”
The Grand Vizier took all this in and more, “Highness, will any action be taken in the east? Certainly, something must be done to show our continued support of the Imperium.”
The Prince Regent stood silently for a moment, then “Is my recent commitment not enough? Or do they want my heart and liver as well?”
“Highness, you know better than most that international dynastic politics are messy at the best of times and downright tragic at the worst. But, for good or bad, we must maintain all signs of our commitment to a secure northern Placidia.”
Octavius Arcturus gave a slight sigh, “So be it. Should they accept, we will begin transporting additional war materiel east. Munitions, raw material, whatever they should require, though I doubt they will accept, this is an issue between former vassal and former master, it is not our place to interfere more than we have planned to do so.”
William gave a firm nod, then hesitantly asked, “and your son, Highness? What of the Child Emperor Florin?”
A brief, but pained look shot across the regent’s expression, “…Florin is temperamental, understandable at his age, however…I do not know how to approach him. It is one thing being regent to a vast Empire of over sixty million people, but I truly believe it might be more difficult being a father. I desire to see him in the flesh, but this responsibility that has been bequeathed upon me is central priority. The boy has good counsel and regents, he is in good hands for the moment. I will continue to keep a correspondence, but he is perfectly well where he is at this time. Should he desire change, then perhaps something could be worked out with the Imperium.”
“Very good, Your Highness.” The Grand Vizier and the Prince Regent would continue to converse and plan over the course of the night, until the moon was high in the night’s sky and the majority of the Empire was resting, while the heir to their ailing Emperor was hard at work.