Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Mar 10, 2023 23:55:00 GMT
“Sir, I need an answer. What should be done about the arrangements?” Councilor Retorus had worried about telling the boy of the revelation uncovered when his office finally got around to rifling through all those boxes of Sadaler documents. Ultimately he had decided it was best if the boy heard the news from a trusted source. Florin’s far away gaze and heaving chest made him second guess that decision. Perhaps it was too much. Just as Theris strode over to the door, prying it open with his one good hand to call for a physician, the emperor spoke.
“Fine.” The tone was clipped. Sharper and more hollow than usual, and wholly unlike the emperor usually spoke. A bit too much like his mother. All eyes stayed on him waiting as he sucked in a few more rattling breaths.
“Divinium first. Always. I need to be sure any imperial consort won’t hurt our standing. Regardless of…”, he trailed off. “Tell them that the engagement needs to be put on hold. If they ask why tell them the truth. Isabel isn’t a fool. She’ll likely give me time. Carolina isn’t of proper age yet anyhow.” Despite the decided words, Florin lacked any conviction in his voice.
“Another war in Ostrea, with the Moderali making things worse, of course. My own allies proving untrustworthy. There truly isn’t anyone honorable in politics is there?”
Though he addressed a room full of politicians, they nodded in agreement. Theris spoke up. “I’d say you could only trust your people, but I’ve worked among the people all my life. They aren’t very trustworthy either. At least in the military though men are instilled with a sense of order. That’s the closest to trust I’ve ever had in a man.”
Florins clenched hand flicked a pen across the surface of his desk. It fell to the floor with a clatter. “We need alliances then, with people who will operate out of necessity. Not some sense of shared lineage necessarily, but those who have just as much to lose as we do when the balance of power is in free fall. Suggestions?”
Estrana spoke up at that. “Why not the Tholes? My sister, and your cousin are members of their royal family. Surely if they’re as strong as they are, it would be wise to deepen ties with them.”
Theris laughed mockingly at the suggestion. “Yes powerful friends are great until they overpower you. The Tholes are likely to gain hegemony in Ostrea. And then? What stands between them and Placidia. They’ve already sunk their Barbarian claws into Acielon. Or tried to. I wonder how that will play out now.”
“Acielon. Sadalen. Dunwik. States that have just as much to worry about if the Tholes become too grand. Sure the latter two are… diminished in power, but then Divinium isn’t in the position to fight either. We all need to gain strength. And our military surplus would allow for a decent expansion yet,” Zephyrus chimed in from his perch on the windowsill. “We can engage in some military action while the rest of the world is looking at that piece of nothing over in the Ringsea. Train up some more legions. Get some proper military reforms. Let Divinium be a sight not just for cultural trinkets of a bygone day, but a symbol of might and splendor for the future.”
Florin considered. “And if they disapprove of us? These outsiders?”
Phrixos responded quickly. “Then let them come. Friend or traitor. Let them gaze upon the walls of Latium and tremble.”
“So you’d make enemies of the Tholes over what? A hypothetical scenario?” Estrana was tense in his delivery. Clearly the idea of becoming estranged with his family didn’t sit well.
Theris interjected. “We aren’t stupid. There is no reason to antagonize them further. But we do need to consider all possibilities. The Tholes are, after all, not exactly fond of us. Whatever they may claim. It is best to be prepared for anything.”
“I have been forced to cast aside my bride. I will not cast aside my sworn brother also! This whole damnable conflict makes no sense and I don’t know who wants what nor who sees us as a threat. Retorus, write to the Magdali. Be magnanimous about it though. Retorus, see to it we’ve mobilized enough men in the event we need to defend ourselves. Phrixos, make sure our trade agreements fall in line with the Eternal City. We need the Neutrality agreement to hold so our shipping is secure. And Estrana see if we can’t schedule a trip to Acielon. If this issue is about to combust I’d prefer it not be on our soil. Now get out.”
“Fine.” The tone was clipped. Sharper and more hollow than usual, and wholly unlike the emperor usually spoke. A bit too much like his mother. All eyes stayed on him waiting as he sucked in a few more rattling breaths.
“Divinium first. Always. I need to be sure any imperial consort won’t hurt our standing. Regardless of…”, he trailed off. “Tell them that the engagement needs to be put on hold. If they ask why tell them the truth. Isabel isn’t a fool. She’ll likely give me time. Carolina isn’t of proper age yet anyhow.” Despite the decided words, Florin lacked any conviction in his voice.
“Another war in Ostrea, with the Moderali making things worse, of course. My own allies proving untrustworthy. There truly isn’t anyone honorable in politics is there?”
Though he addressed a room full of politicians, they nodded in agreement. Theris spoke up. “I’d say you could only trust your people, but I’ve worked among the people all my life. They aren’t very trustworthy either. At least in the military though men are instilled with a sense of order. That’s the closest to trust I’ve ever had in a man.”
Florins clenched hand flicked a pen across the surface of his desk. It fell to the floor with a clatter. “We need alliances then, with people who will operate out of necessity. Not some sense of shared lineage necessarily, but those who have just as much to lose as we do when the balance of power is in free fall. Suggestions?”
Estrana spoke up at that. “Why not the Tholes? My sister, and your cousin are members of their royal family. Surely if they’re as strong as they are, it would be wise to deepen ties with them.”
Theris laughed mockingly at the suggestion. “Yes powerful friends are great until they overpower you. The Tholes are likely to gain hegemony in Ostrea. And then? What stands between them and Placidia. They’ve already sunk their Barbarian claws into Acielon. Or tried to. I wonder how that will play out now.”
“Acielon. Sadalen. Dunwik. States that have just as much to worry about if the Tholes become too grand. Sure the latter two are… diminished in power, but then Divinium isn’t in the position to fight either. We all need to gain strength. And our military surplus would allow for a decent expansion yet,” Zephyrus chimed in from his perch on the windowsill. “We can engage in some military action while the rest of the world is looking at that piece of nothing over in the Ringsea. Train up some more legions. Get some proper military reforms. Let Divinium be a sight not just for cultural trinkets of a bygone day, but a symbol of might and splendor for the future.”
Florin considered. “And if they disapprove of us? These outsiders?”
Phrixos responded quickly. “Then let them come. Friend or traitor. Let them gaze upon the walls of Latium and tremble.”
“So you’d make enemies of the Tholes over what? A hypothetical scenario?” Estrana was tense in his delivery. Clearly the idea of becoming estranged with his family didn’t sit well.
Theris interjected. “We aren’t stupid. There is no reason to antagonize them further. But we do need to consider all possibilities. The Tholes are, after all, not exactly fond of us. Whatever they may claim. It is best to be prepared for anything.”
“I have been forced to cast aside my bride. I will not cast aside my sworn brother also! This whole damnable conflict makes no sense and I don’t know who wants what nor who sees us as a threat. Retorus, write to the Magdali. Be magnanimous about it though. Retorus, see to it we’ve mobilized enough men in the event we need to defend ourselves. Phrixos, make sure our trade agreements fall in line with the Eternal City. We need the Neutrality agreement to hold so our shipping is secure. And Estrana see if we can’t schedule a trip to Acielon. If this issue is about to combust I’d prefer it not be on our soil. Now get out.”