NationStates Jolt Archive

The moon cast a ghostly glow over the chamber, outlining the pacing form of the High Prince. With all the problems in the Principality, it was a wonder anything moved, but no worries, soon he would have an answer to his final ploy for stabilty. . . a perminate alliance with Valinon, unbreakable, and solidified within his own blood, his daughter Ami. The phone rang, and he rushed over to it, hesitating a moment, not wanting to give the impression he had been waiting. Soon, the answer he so needed would be given, and the proposed union between the Princess Ami Mizuna and Prince Rowald Alderman would become more than a fleeting dream.

his hand trembled slightly, but he composed himself and answered the phone with his ussual bravado.

"Yes Ambassador, what may I do for you tonight?"

"High Prince," comes the raspy voice of Lord Anastasius Schwartzvald, His Majesty's Ambassador to the Principality of Taka, "I must take this time to inform you that your generous proposal on behalf of Princess Ami has been considered by Crown Prince Rowald and His Majesty. Crown Prince Rowald will accept the marriage proposal, and the creation of a blood alliance between the Empire and Taka."
The ancient ambassadors voice shows no emotions, merely the calm, crisp tone of deliver a statement.
But instead of stopping he continues, "I must also inform you, Most High Prince, that Princess Ami, yourself, and what other entendants you wish to bring have been invited to the Imperial Palace in New Koln."

******

Frederick Logand, adjutant of the Ministry of External State Security to the Takan embassy, listens intently to the conversation on the tapped comm line. He taps his fingers, then cuts the line, not interested in hearing any more. Then he activates the emergency line that is connected straight to the ESS comm switch board in Valinon.
A receptionists appears, "How may I help you, Colonel?"
"Get me the Director at once."
"Yes, Major."

"Excelent" the High Prince said, letting slip more emotion than he had intended. He cursed himself silently before continueing. "We will make arrangements as soon as our schedual allows." he smiled to himself, relived that everyhing was finaly going acoarding to plan. "I assume that His Majesty will be there to finalize our alliance terms?"

* * * *

Takian security picked up the gentle spike in power over the lines, indicating an interloper. A young man turned to his commander, his black uniform seeming to absorb the already scarce light in the smoke filled room.

"sir, I think we have something. . ."

"what is it?" The commander asked, harshly pulling anouther drag from his cigarette.

"I don't know sir. . . it looks like someone was eaves dropping."

the commander shook his head "if its anything, its probobly some punk hacker, looking to make a name for himself by tapping our unsecured lines. keep an eye out on the public nets for any leaked information, the High Prince woudl be very disappointed if they broke this before he did."

"but shouldn't we run a scan to be sure? what if. . ."

"Most of these spikes are harmless spikes in the power supply, we'll run a scan in the morning."

"but. . ."

"If you want to keep your job, you'll not finish that sentance" the commander said, leaning into the light, letting it cast harsh shaddows against his many rows of scars and battle wounds.

"and if you want to keep your head, you'll drop the subject. . . understood?"

"yes sir." the intel officer said, dropping his head and going back to the monitor, "I'll keep an eye out on the public nets, but most likely it was a common powersurge."

"good, your learning. Keep it up, and you may take my job some day"

The commander leaned back, finishing his cigarette in one final drag, sending the burning butt flying towards the ashtray. It struck a wall, and sent incadecant sparks agianst the cold concrete floor.

"But of course, High Prince," Schwartzvald rasps on. "His Majesty hopes that you will join him at his retreat in the Valpreiza province to finalize alliance terms. Then you can fly onward to New Koln and preparations for the wedding ceremony can begin."

******

Logand watches as the ancient visage of Directo Jack Ziegler fills the screen, looming from the confines of his hover-chair.
"Yes, what is it," he says in harsh tones.
"This channel is secure, Director?"
The old man snorts, "Of Course."
"Then I have grave news. His Majesty has accepted the Takan offer for a blood alliance between House Alderman and House Mizuna."
"No!"
"Ambassador Schwartzvald is on the diplomatic line with the High Prince even as we speak."
"The last thing the Empire needs is some foreign princess setting on the throne. We all learned how that works out before the Outer Dominion Wars."
"Of course, Director," Logand knows most people don't, few in political office choose to remember the political havoc that caused the Outer Dominion Wars.
"Monitor the situation carefully, Major. Keep this underwraps. I have no doubt that press releases will be slipped to the presses of the Empire and Taka soon enough."
"Yes, Director."
"I will try and make sure that our new Princess does not gain too much power."

"good, I have checked my schedual and we will be able to make it out there within the next week. give my reguards to both His Majesty, and the Crown Prince, as well as my daughter's best wishes."

He hung up the phone, and turned towards the palace hallway, taking a brisk pace towards his daughter's room. He knocked, and heard his daughter's singsong voice,
"yes?"

"can I come in?"

"oh, um" *the sound of frantic clicking and typing came from it, along with the rustle of papers that would indicate her hiding the e-mail from her online lover that seh thought he was unaware of. "of course dad"

He opened the door, and strode in, smiling at her. "good news Ami" he said watching her smile back at him "I've found you a husband" her smile sank.

"A. . . you. . ."

"I've arranged for you to marry the Crowned Prince of Valinon, he's a good lad, a bit strict, but nothing you can't handle"

He let his message remain silent, and his daughter looked at him, rebelion flaring in her eyes.

"and if I refuse?"

"well then you'll drag me down to shame and ruination, and the country would burn in anarchy, and people you care about might get hurt" he said, letting the threat sink in.

she sighed, and said "let me meet him, maybe I'll like him. . ."

"good, the shuttle will be leaving tommrow, pack your bags. . . and tell your online friend that yo uwill be leaving on a long voyage and not coming back for a few weeks."

her heart stopped and her blood ran cold, but she kept her composure. "I'll let them know" she siad, her voice never faltering.

Lord Anastasius Schwartzvald watches as the ground car bearing High Prince Taka and his daughter Ami crosses the small tarmac of the embassy aerofield. Schwartzvald watches as the ground car slows to a halt and a pair of Sardaukar footmen opens the doors. The High Prince and Princess Ami get out. Schwartzvald approaches, leaning heavily on his cane, the cold air is getting to him even through his long, heavy overcoat.
"Your Majesty," he says bowing and then turns to Ami. "Your Grace," he says and kisses Ami's hand.
"Come," he says, "it is indecent of me to keep you out here in this weather. Let us go someplace warm," he leads them toward the awaiting Windjammer sonic jet.
He turns to the Sardaukar, "Get their baggage, Private."
"Yes, M'Lord."
Schwartzvald awaits for Prince Taka and Ami to ascend the boarding stairs first. Then he climbs up behind them, and lets them enter the spacious confines of the sonic jet. Its well-appointed common rooms ends in a hallway that adjoins to four seperate state rooms. The Sardaukar carrying their baggage approaches and carries it to their respective staterooms.
"Perhaps you would care for some refreshments? Tea, coffee, something else? Or retire to your rooms? After all, an hour is all we will require to reach Valpreiza, quicker than going all the way to New Koln."

OOC: Assume servants are boarding second jet.

The High Prince nodded, thinking for a moment before he said "I hear the Valinion wine is good this time of year, I will have a glass of your finest red."

"I'll take a vodka on the rocks" Ami said, being admonished by her father's gaze, she smiled and assumed a dainty air "with an umbrella in it please" she said smiling, shooting a jagged gaze at her father, who simply turned and walked to his own compartment.

"Very good," Schwartzvald moves toward a concealed bar and beings to pour an elegant, gold tipped, wineglass filled with dragonfruit wine and two high-balled glasses of vodka, one of which he garnishes with an umbrella.
"A personal favorite of mine as well, My Lady," he says as he hands Ami her glass, then the wine to High Prince Taka. He then retakes his own seat, a Sardaukar pilot enters.
"My Lords, My Lady," he bows to the trio. "We will be lifting off momentarily, if you would please keep to your seats."
"Of course, Lieutenant," Schwartzvald waves the man off.
"Next stop Valprieza, and the Empire."

Prince Taka rested his eyes, drifting into sleep as the plane rose majesticly into the chill air. Dark shapes drifted through his sleep stained mind, the souls of those he had to kill to gain power, and then the Voice. . . Adam, tormenting him in his sleep.

Ami watched her father's restless sleep, feeling a pang of pity for him. She quickly distracted herself, looking out the window and sipping on her vodka. "so tell me" she said idely to her fellow flyer, "about this place we are going to"

Schwartzvald has the glazed look of an old man who has not seen his home in many years.
"Valpreiza?" a whimsical smile touches his list. "The Golden Province, fields of wheat and crops for as far as the eye can see until they reach the sea, rustling in a gentle breeze. Really the only city of any notable size is Valpreiza itself. My home is there, and I must admit I wouldn't min seeing it again, it has been so long. But you will be going to His Majesty's retreat near the ocean, and for what it is worth, its summer there, just moved out of spring. I will say that the strawberries will be ready for harvest, you must try the stawberry wine while you are there, My Lady. It is excellent, just the right amount of sweet and tart. The most beautiful province in the Empire, but I guess all people think that of one's homeland."

"I would like to try that indeed" Ami said, smiling graciously up at him "will we be meeting the Prince there? what is he like?" She was playing him, trying to get as much as she could about the Prince, to better know him, and thus be able to tbetter control him. she sipped her vodka, waitnig is reply.

Schwartzvald focuses in on the Princess, becoming increasingly aware of the sharp mind hidden behind that graceful visage.
"Prince Rowald? I have not seen him in fifteen years, My Lady, a man can change alot in that time. He is very.....astute in his knowledge, but favors the military interests rather than the brothel of politics. He is, in a way, a return to th beginnings of House Alderman, resembling Emperor Penrod the Great a good deal. However, he is often more aware of things than he lets on," the ambassador sips his own vodka.

"I shall have to remember that" she said looking out the window absently. She saw the lights vanish into the inky darkness and was swept with a sence of grandure at the total lack of light below, vast white plains of snow illuminated by mearly the ghost moon as it waned in power. "It's beautiful, don't you agree?" she said, nodding towards the ground below, "and because we want to keep it that way. . . that is the purpous for this marriage. . . " she turned back to him "A brothel is an interesting way to describe a political environ, I pray it will be taken too hard that a Takian bloodline is being added, rather than securing anouther Valinion pureblood to the thrown, I would hate to be the cause of contriversy and unrest."

"House Alderman is not as pure as it lets on, My Lady. House Sterling originally immigrated from New Ortaga during the early days of our alliance with the Grand Duchy. But few really know of their true ethnic origin, and there were Sterlings in Valinon as well. I think you will find that the people are more determined to merely uphold the monarchy rather than try and derive where it sprouted from."
His own eyes turn out over the stark landscape, "Yes, beautiful it is. We will probably be crossing the Sea of Unity and entering Ortagan aerospace soon enough. I suspect that we will have a distant escort from the Ortagans all the way until we cross the border."

"is that so?" Ami said, taking acute intrest now. "for protection undoubtibly, but for his or ours I wonder" she looked down, noting that the plains of snow had been replaced by an ever flowing ocean. Absently she sipped her vodka, staring into the emptyness of the sea below.


* * * * *

Taka stired, locked in his dreams, the familure voice of Adam pounding relentlessly.

"You know why I am here Taka. . . "

"Adam. . . why won't you leave me alone?"

"why won't you let me free Taka, you know I am perfect, I was designed to be perfect in every way. Why will you not give me my body back?"

"you destroyed us Adam, because of you I was banished from my empire. . . because of you I had to start again. . . your torment is the least I can do to repay you."

"you don't get it do you? No NESS could be as I am. . . no Ness could be as perfect, return my body and I will give you power beyond your wildest dreams"

"you will bring death to us once again, I can not allow you to escape"

"you play with the power of God, Taka. . . be warned, God is not a power to be played with"

"the same rehtoric every night. . . why won't you just leave me be Adam?"

"because that woudl be too easy Taka. . . and if I do not get what I want. . . then I will be forced to destroy you."

"destroy me then fool, see what good it does you when you are left to wilt and wither, your tank growing stagnate and your brain dying of sufocation. . . you may fancy yourself a God, Adam, but deep down, you are as mortal as I am."

the voice tsked him, speaking agian as one would with a young child. "you fail to see my true threat. . . it would not be you that I destroyed."

The black scenery changed to a mob in the courtyard, thronging around someone screaming. Flames licked the skys and he could see his palace burning. A voice yelled out "hoist her up. . . the the entire naiton watch her die. . . " a makeshift cross was hoisted into the air, the struggling figure in the center wrapped in a blue cloth, hiding her face. Her hands and feet, cruely nailed into the sturdy wood, ornate decorations on it bet4raying it as havbing been the banister to the great staircase. The cloth fell away, and he drew back in revultion of the revelation. . . his Daughter, crucified in his own courtyard. The crowds took notice of him, moving aside, untill only one man stood between he and his struggling, screaming daughter. His massive back was turned, but his ornate silver and gold laced armor gave him away. . . Damien, the first of the NESS units, now mearly the brain known as Adam, first among mortals, at one time a walking God, now simply a withered reminder of a time best forgotten. He turned, his handsome but cruel face catching the firelight and seeming to boil with an unholy glow. In his hands, the hammer and nails, leaving no mystery as to who had murdered his daughter

"its. . . how. . . "

"don't ask questions, dear Prince. . . all you must do, is Die"
He accented the final phrase by flinging the hammer hard, the Prince ducked but could not avoid it, he tenced and closed his eyes, but the screams had stopped, the heat was gone, and the pressence of Adam had left him again. . . he looked around, seeing his daughter was safe, and breathed a heavy sigh of relife, and turned to sip his wine. A copper, metalic taste filled his mouth and he looked down, seeing his cup now filled with blood, he spit it out and threw the cup away, sending the crimson liquid accross the floor. Wildly he looked up at his host, but when he looked down, trying to show him the blood, it was mearly the wine, but the taste of fresh blood stayed on his tounge.

"sorry" he muttered, embarassed to have made a scene "must have had a nightmare."

"A little bit of both, My Lady," says Schwartzvald. "The Ortagans are a suspicous and protective lot, and it is best that we merely leave them to there ways. Besides, the won't directly interfere, just merely escort."
Taka notices that Scwartzvald's eyebrow arches as he sees the High Prince gag, "Understandable. I was just speaking with your daughter, High Prince, we will be entering Ortagan aerospace soon enough. Right now we are passing over the Sea of Unity. It will probably be another half hour before we pass into Valinon aerospace, and it won't be that far to Valpreiza."
Schwartvald calmly sips his vodka, "Is the wine not agreeing with you, High Prince? I apologize if it is not."

******

In the cockpit at the front of the Windjammer, the Sardaukar copilot studies the sensors very carefully.
"Four signatures, Lieutenant."
"What is their sensor mark?"
"Ortagan Sunfire-class interceptors. They are hanging right on the edge of sensor range. Their vector means that they probably left their aerospace base that sets on one of there islands in the Sea of Unity. Should we acknowledge?"
"No, it is best we just leave them to their business. Besides, it will be nice having an escort until we cross the Great Planet Mountains."
"Yes, sir."

"no. . . I am fine and the wine was wonderful as alway, mearly. . . not my taste right now. I wonder, what will the other nations think of this alliance? Though we have close ties to Falasymayon, the others have not been returning transmitions, we pray that they will not take this as a power play, or an attempt to gain control of the Proxima Centari region."

He calmly waited for an answer, trying to steady himself from his dream, but as he watched his daughter from the corner of his eye, he could not help but feel a twinge of terror that ADAM had not been making idle threats.

"Archduke Corrin and the Grand Duchy of New Ortaga has informed His Majesty that he stand whole-heartedly behind this marriage union. As for Crimson Sparta, I doubt that Lord Kentaka would oppose this marriage. And Ecotonia is typically neutral on matters of internal affairs. I doubt there will be much opposition, at least none that cannot not be easily dealt with, High Prince."
He moves to refill his glass, "The Empire has a history at least in this region of being content with our own holdings. Frankly, we are not interested in holding all of Proxima Centauri with our territories on the rest of the Five Worlds and in the Solar System. However, I do believe that His Majesty was considering speaking to you on the matter of allowing Takan settlements in orbit around Prometheus Centauri."
He turns back to Ami and Taka, "Would either of you like something else?"

"good, I've been wondering what. . . obsticals might attempt to hinder us, what factions within Valinon had intrests in the Prince's hand?" Ami stood, excusing herself and went to her private quarters. slowly, she sank to the bed there and shook her head. . . so much in so little time, and now, she was to be the wife of a man she had never met. . . never before had she wished so hard that she had been born a commoner, the lot they complained about was child's play when compared to runing a nation. Exhausted, she lay down, and rapidly fell asleep, the drone of the engines like a luliby.

"good, I've been wondering what. . . obsticals might attempt to hinder us, what factions within Valinon had intrests in the Prince's hand?" Ami stood, excusing herself and went to her private quarters. slowly, she sank to the bed there and shook her head. . . so much in so little time, and now, she was to be the wife of a man she had never met. . . never before had she wished so hard that she had been born a commoner, the lot they complained about was child's play when compared to runing a nation. Exhausted, she lay down, and rapidly fell asleep, the drone of the engines like a luliby.

Schwartvald watches Princess Ami leave.
"I wished she would have stayed just a few moments more," he says, half to himself and half to Taka. "She would have gotten to see Rasalhague, one of the major ports of New Ortaga. Plus, we will cross the day/night line soon enough. But I suppose I can't force all the wonderings of an old man on her. Tell me, High Prince, what troubles you?"

"dreams" he said quickly "of an old friend, long dead, but they continue to plauge me, nothing of importance." he looked out the window, stareing into the rapidly dwindling dark and the sparkles of waneing moon over the ocean.

"Memories are quite troubling sometimes," says the old ambassador. Then the pair sees Alpha Centauri A, the primary star of the Centauri system begin to rise. But still in the darkness are a flaring cluster of lights, and a chaotic maze of buildings that are a merger between Dutch and English architecture. Ships can be seen making there way out to sea.
"Ah, Rasalhague, High Prince. One of the largest ports on Alpha Centauri. Certainly a testament to Ortagan economic vitality. And also a certain amount of bizarre architecture. We will enter Valinon soon enough. I am sure His Majesty and Prince Rowald are eager to meet you."

"A beautiful city to be sure, and perhaps a sign of merger, old dutch and english in the architecture, as surly as there will be a merger of Takian and Valinion in politics. I am sure that our old allies will be more than pleased to see us, but what, I wonder, of the others. . . "

As the star rose in the sky, it sent sparkeling ripples across the ocean, flickering the city below with dappled patches of light and darkness.

"such a beautiful place, and to immagine, at one point, this was nothing but a barren wasteland."

"Yes," Schwartzvald looks on as the jet continues on past the city. "Proxima was very receptive to the Valinon and Ortagan terraforming efforts. It has become a paradise for all that choose to reside here."
Schwartzvald's eyes wander toward the corridor leading to the personal quarters.
"Pardon me if I seem a little bit bold, High Prince, but may I inquire as to how your daughter is accepting all this......errr......sudden change?"

The Prince stiffened at the question "she is. . . still getting used to the idea." he said "she is not compeltly happy that she is being told who to marry, but I belive that will change when she meets the Prince."

"It is understandable. I would find it interesting to know how the Crown Prince is taking it," suddenly the Windjammer blasts across the terminus line seperating night and day.
A voice comes over the comm, "Setting final approach vector, entering Valinon aerospace. Please prepare for final landing procedures."
Schwartvald stands and looks at the window.
"Ah, Valpreiza," says Schwartzvald. Outside the window Taka can see fields of grains waving in the wind, and fanning out majestically as the Windjammer sonic jet booms its way toward Valpreiza City, capital of the Valpreiza Province. The fields give way to the only large city in Valpreiza. The buildings are made of quarried local limestone, that has a strange white and brown swirled patterns. Still topped by bronze, or copper faded to green from weather. A mag train departs from one of the stations, accelerating with a string of freight cars toward the cities of Valinon's northern provinces. The Windjammer goes farther, approaching a goodly size aerospace port.
The Windjammer slows and begins to descend, a strange almost inaudible whir is heard.
"It looks like we have a welcome party, High Prince," Schwartzvald says. Taka can see two squads of double filed Imperial Sovereign Protectors in full crimson and gold dress uniforms, flanked by several files of Sardaukar as the jet begins to taxi down the runway. A man in a somber grey and black suit, looking very much like a butler of Old Earth, stands at the head of the line with a Sovereign Protector officer. The Windjammer comes to a halt.
Schwartzvald turns to Taka, "Shall we summon your daughter so that we may go to His Majesty's retreat?"

"no need" a female voice says from the passage, Ami stepping out as the jet taxis to a stop "I'm quite ready to meet him". Taka nodded and stood, "lead the way, I look foward to getting somwhere a bit more private. . . the good emperor has met us with full honors I see. . . I'll have to return the favor some day and greet him with the Takian Guard, this is as impressive as our own legions."

Schwartzvald watches as the hatch is swung open by a Sardaukar and a disembarking stairs descend to the ground.
"My Lady," he offers Ami his arm. As the trio desecends, the Sardaukar rear file strikes up the Takan national anthem on snare drums. The abbreviated version consisting of the chours finishes with precision as High Prince Taka, Princess Ami, and Schwartzvald step off the final stair.
The Sovereign Protector Captain snaps to rigid attention as they approach, and the suited man bows formally.
"Most High Prince," says the suited man, "I am Jerec Gehn, manservant to His Majesty. He apologizes for not being able to attend personally, his health is not cooperating this morning. I will be most glad to personally escort you to the Retreat."

The Prince bows politely, as Ami curtisies as best she can in a female officer's uniform. "I pray he is well enough to recieve us today, but let us not keep our old friend waiting."

He strode quicly towards the waiting transport.

The jet coptor transport left the aerospace port several minutes ago, now it passes over a deep forest. A stark contrast to the cultivated rolling farmland of most of Valpreiza. Then suddenly the forest breaks into a wide clearing, near the base of the Great Planet Mountains. A massive house stands surrounded by gardens. The house is made of the local limestone, but waving in a circle drive way is not the flag of the Empire, but the solemn looking lion on a crimson background trimmed in gold flying boldly in the breeze.
The coptor continues, moving to land at a pad bearing two large, concentric circles. As Schwartzvald, Taka, and Ami disembark, they notice a man approaching them from across a pebbled walkway. His appearance isn't incredible extraordinary. A simple red waistcoat with gold buttons is matched with a pair of simple black pants, ending in well-polished, but worn, jackboots. In one hand is carried a simple cane, tipped and handled in gold. The man appears to loathe even having that near his person, although it is apparent his left leg doesn't work fully.
His face though makes up for his simple dressing, high featured, with blinding white eyebrows flanking vivid blue eyes, and crowned in a mane of a shock of pure white hair that captures the light of Alpha Centauri A as he moves.
Suddenly Schwartzvald bows to one knee, "Your Majesty," he breaths.
"Rise, Lord Schwartzvald," the man says. He stops before Taka and Ami.
"Prince Taka, at long last we finally meet," then he turns to Ami.
"My Lady, a true pleasure to have you here," he takes here hand and gently kisses it. Then he faces both the Takan royals.
"I apologize for my son's absence, he has apparently been held over."

"A pleasure to meet you as well Emperor, shall we retire to finalize the agreement?" the Prince asked, watching from the corner of his eye as his gift was delicatly unloaded, the small leather case brought towards the house.

"Yes, Sir Alderman, a pleasure to meet you as well, I pray your son will be here soon enough, I look foward to seeing him for the first time" Ami said sweetly, glancing acidly at her father.

"Of course, Prince Taka," Gustav motions toward the house. "Shall we go to my study? I assure you it is most secure."
He then turns breifly to Ami, "My Lady perhaps you would like to wait in the main foyer? My staff is making sure my son's arrival is expedient as possibile," the Emperor's eyes regard the Princess carefully. But Ami notices the deadly gaze that momentarily settles on a man behind the Emperor as he turns. A look of controlled rage and venom settles on the older man, who carries himself like an instructor.
"Perhaps Master Renfred could show you the way?"
"It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty," says the man, his eyes flicking toward the ground at his Lord's gaze.

The tension between the two was not lost on Ami, but she pretended to not notice it as she followed the instructor, waiting till her father and the emperor, lost in negotiation, had wandered out of earshot. Quietly she spoke.

"Master Renfred was it? I am Princess Ami, only daughter to High Prince Taka, a pleasure to make your aquantince."

"Likewise, My Lady," he holds the door open for her as they enter the house through another entrance. His eyes scan the hall.
"And from the way you looked at the High Prince, it seems that you and the Crown Prince share many similar characteristics and ideas."

Ami allowed herself to smile at the comment.

"and how would that be?" she asked, verbaly begining her sparing match with him.

The old warrior smiles, "By the fact that if your eyes could shoot particle beams, Prince Taka would be nothing more than a rather small singed spot on the coptor landing pad."

"let us simply say that I am not acustomed to anyone pushing me around and telling me what to do. . . This time he has. . . forced my hand, you could say. But, I will do as he demands."

the unfinished "untill I can find a way to pay him back three fold" resonated in her mind, betrayed only by the squint in her eyes. Quickly she changed the subject from herself to the Prince.

"I take it the Prince is less than enthusiastic about this. . . decision."

"Crown Prince Rowald is a different man from his father, My Lady," Renfred opens yet another door. "Let us say he is a return to the older members of House Alderman. His Majesty is something of a new breed in the Empire."
Ami notices a smile touching the older man's lips, whether from her manuvering of the conversation, or from some private joke she does not know.

"is that so?" she says coyly "I may end up liking him afterall. . . though I pray he knows how to run a nation as well as an army, how do you know him? if I may be so bold as to ask, you carry yourself as far more than a simple nanny, but seem to know him better than a simple advisor."

Renfred's smile fades to something more whimsical, "I have been the Crown Prince's master in the respects of many fields. Hand to hand combat, dueling arts, martial arts, military applications, philosophy, and even on occasion politics. I think you will find that Prince Rowald does have an interest in the workings of the Empire, he just finds solace in the far more simplier world of martial studies. Personally I am glad that I can rarely leave it, the politics of the Empire these days grow ever more multi-faceted."

"oh, a military man" she said, barely hiding the disdain in her eyes, "just as well, better a man of honor than a man as sly as a Black Agrol. You are a teacher of the martial arts, I've partaken of them a few times in the past, though I much prefer the political field of battle to the martial one."

"As my instructor told me and as I have told all of my own. 'Never doubt the near limitless potential of an awaken mind.' And to be a master of the field of politics one must have a very awakened and watchful mind. And sad as it is, my days as a frontline warrior in His Majesty's service are long past," Renfred sighs. "Even the services of one of the Sovereign Protectors cannot last forever on the direct lines of battle. But I still do my duty to His Majesty by training not only the Crown Prince, but the new generation of Sovereign Protectors as well."

She smirked at his comment "a wise warrior indeed, though I should point out that a wise teacher does not always mean a wise student, nor does a wise student mane a wise teacher. Does he head his lessons well?"

"An effective conundrum, My Lady, one that in some cases holds true," Renfred judges this woman closer now. "Prince Rowald is an apt and able student. In many cases he has left the dueling floor, and several other arenas, with the pride and bravado of his opponents. Even if they are men considerably more experience and older than he is. In fact, in recent years only one man has been able to fight the Prince to a draw in many fields besides the dueling arena."

"and who would that man be?" she asked quiety, stoping to admire a straight edged Valinian longsword hanging over a mantel "for I wonder, who would have the gall, the nerve. . . perhapse even the blatent disreguard for their own safety, to not simply duel the prince, but to fight him to a draw, whether the battle be one of steel" she drew the sword, holding it before her, testing teh weight and balance as if preparing for a kata "or be they of word." she fell naturaly into a duelist's stance and eyed the old master quietly, a smirk forming at the courner of her lips, "though the second duel often leaves the deepest scars"

"It would be in both fields, My Lady," Renfred's face is suddenly crossed by an expression of loathing. "The man is Bayushi Shoju, last of the Sven Daimyos."
Renfred watches Ami carefuly, studying her easy stance he allows himself to fall into a loose stance. To most eyes it would appear as that he was merely relaxing his stance.
"Ah, the Takan dueling school stretchs across all of society still I see. If it pleases you, I would be willing to train you in the methods of Valinon."

"Indeed, though a noble must be able to defend him or herself should they ever be required to duel. . . And I belive I would like a lesson or two in the Valinon styles, as ours are all with the curved blade. This sword, while well balanced, seems more a thrusting sword with a cutting tip, than a cutting sword with a thrusting tip. . . though *she gives the blade a few practice swings* I belive I may learn to like this style. I take it that Bayushi Shoju and you have a bit of a checkered past together, as I see there is no love lost between you."

"There is no love loss between Shoju and any of the major politicos of the Empire," Renfred says gloweringly. "The only reason he is still alive is because he assisted us in finally defeating the Dominion of Outer Centauri. Although one should wonder where the loyalties of a man lie that turned against his own Fatherland during a war. He even personally killed the other six Daimyos of the Seven Great Clans of the Dominion, not to mention his assassination of Lord Hasaki. But Director Ziegler embraced him, and I suppose one snake enjoys the company of another."

"Or perhaps he belived this Shoju could be controled, dominated. A weapon is only as loyal as the hand that weilds it. . . Never forget, the thin line between a traitor and a revolutionary is marked only by success. Had my father not managed to break off from his homeland of Mizuna, he would have been executed for treason, yet he succedded, and planted the seeds that have grown to the Takian State, which, I must add, is larger and more powerful than the state of his birth, Mizuna." she watched him carefully, slowly lowering the sword to a resting stance "Though one must wonder what can drive a man like Shoju. . . or what can control him." She smiled darkly, her mind working on a thousand and one possibilities "Every man has strings, we must simply know which ones to pull, and which ones to cut."

Renfred glowers again, "Call it what you will, My Lady, even if he did help us win the Outer Dominion Wars, Bayushi Shoju is a traitor in my eyes. I will not force my opinion upon the world, but I shall maintain my own view of him and be watchful. As for Ziegler controlling him, I am sure the ESS crone wishes he could do that. However, Ziegler has proven that he can only direct or influence Shoju. He is a useful weapon in the ESS arsenal, but one that can be just as deadly to the hands that try to wield him."
Suddenly a deep thrum of a jet coptor breaks the calm quiet of the retreat. Heart beats later a Sovereign Protector appears he salutes Renfred and bows to Ami.
"My Lady, Master Renfred," the Protector gathers himself. "Crown Prince Rowald has arrived."
"In a jet coptor gunship I take it?" says Renfred, the Protector nods, Renfred's eyes momentarily skyward.
"God help me, that boy may yet be the death of both his father and me. My Lady, it seems we are headed in the wrong direction, shall we return to the helio pads?"
Renfred retraces their steps, and they exit the Retreat once more. The landed jet coptor transport that brought Ami and her father earlier is being taken down to an underground hanger via a well-conceal elevator. Now a new jet coptor gunship hovers, waiting for the transport to be moved. Through the opaqued reinforced plexi-glass, one can see the outline of a single figure in the cockpit, moving vaguely as a silloutte.

Ami looked at the gunship, unimpressed by the bravado shown by the pilot, a man whom, reguardless of wether she liked him or not, was to be her husband in a few days. . . her heart sunk and she raised an eyebrow slightly in disbelife. "that, is the prince?" she was less than enthralled by his entrance, and any hopes that he may some how, some way, be what she was looking for were dashed in an instant. "THAT is the man I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with?". her ladylike demenor vanished in a heartbeat, boiled under by the shock of his rather unorthodox entrance. She shook her head and rapidly composed herself, forcing a smile as the Prince landed and disembarked.

A figure in a full flight suit climbs down as the cockpit of the jet coptor gunship retracts. A Sovereign Protector approaches, the Protector salutes and the Prince does the same. They talk for a few moments.
Renfred clears his throat, "My Lady, allow me a few moments with the Crown Prince."
As Renfred walks toward Rowald, the Crown Prince turns and begins to walk toward him. He removes the flight helmet, revealing the Aryan background of House Alderman at once. There is no doubt that Rowald is his father's son, the same vivid blue eyes watch the world from a younger face and the Prince has blond hair, but the shape of the face and the way the two carry themselves are nearly identical. The only difference is that the Prince seems to carry himself a bit more rigidly than does the Old Emperor.
Renfred and Rowald meet at half the distance. Ami can hear their conversation, and either Renfred does not care or wishes that the Princess cna hear it.
Renfred bows, "Good morning, Crown Prince."
"Dispense with the formalities, Wilbur, I've had enough of them from Admiral Horatio."
"Yes, My Prince," Rowald sighs at Renfred's words.
"Close enough I suppose," he removes the flight gloves.
"May I ask why you decided it necessary to...procure a coptor?"
"To save time, Wilbur. You know how my father is when I am late, especially for this magnitude of an occassion. I would have been here in plenty of time but the whole raid of Yuugi's made the OSRPF nervous as hell. I had to proceed back to Proxima under full escort and at a pace that a crippled tramp freightor could have out done."
"And the jet coptor?" Renfred says obviously being persistant.
"Was a thing of necessity not of convenience. I commandeered it in New Koln so I could get here at some semblance of only moderate tardiness. I realize it is not the proper way to come, but it was better than not getting here at all today."
"Very well then, My Prince, your bride awaits."
Rowald mumbles something in a harsh guttural language at the level of an utter whisper.
"Then perhaps you can do us the good grace of being ex communicada, Wilbur?"
Renfred smiles, "Of course."
Rowald walks the remaining distance to Ami.
"Good morning, My Lady," he says in a charming voice and accepts Ami's hand and kisses it. "I hope you will forgive my....unusual entrance it is not the method I would have preferred to arrive in."
He pauses for a moment, "Perhaps you would like some breakfast?"

"unnusual, unorthadox, your entrance was many things, my dear prince. . ." she said the last three words slowly, dragging them out, but retianig her sweet tone "but it is hardly unforgivable, and I would love some breakfast, pray-tell, what is good?" though she kept her face in a perminate expression of contentment and happiness, she seethed internaly. . . though she could not go against her father's will, she was ready and willing to make his life a living hell for this.

Rowald seems to untense, just a little.
"Do you favor anything in particular? As for fruits the dragonfruits are just coming in, along with the nectarines, and actually we have something of a rare fruit here," he walks over to a tree rapidly, looks up and grabs a pair of red and deep purplse swirled fruit, roughly the size of a pare. "It is called a spice pare, from Proxima III. The old Dominion territories to be precise."
He polishes it carefully with a clean cloth drawn out of the multi-pocketed flight suit.
"It springs from the same family as the pepperflower. I believe that there have been some exports of pepperflower tea to Taka hasn't there? But perhaps you would like to go inside in a more comfortable surrounding?" Rowald gestures toward the Retreat. For the first time Ami notices the Protectors and Renfred have seen to disappeared. Although she notices a figure watching them from the closest of the four towers that form where the outer wings of the Retreat join the main portions.

******

Above in his study Gustav Alderman watches the mediocre drama playing out before him. He turns back tp Prince Taka.
"Well it is good to see that my son finally arrived. Hopefully with some explanation as to its circumstances. But I think it best if we discussed other business and left that particular side of this to the younger generation, don't you agree, High Prince?" Gustav turns back to his guest, and soon to be father-in-law.

"I'll have one" she said, relaxing within a little at his friendly demenor. "they look quite good." despite her best trys, she could not bring herself to loath this man. . . that, however, did not let her father off the hook.

* * * * *

"agreed" Taka said from his armchair, sipping his tea "though we've finalized our alliance, I have but a final propesition for you. . . a combined Valinian/Takian Fleet, crewed by both, and with both of our technologies. . . your Verner engines for regular FTL travel, and the Takian fold generators for tactical maneuvering and retreats. . . we will obviously have to keep this a PCDI project to keep the other nations from being upset, but a first responce fleet, and an excelent way to better strengthen our combined hold on Proxima."

"Then excuse me for a moment," Rowald goes back and picks several more from the tree. "Would you like to go back inside, you could wait in the breakfast room while I find a more....appropriate matter dress. I am sure that the chef can provide some sort of menu and you can find something to your liking," he has been guiding Ami back toward the Retreat.

******

"An interesting proposal, High Prince" says Gustav. "One that I find bares much merit. But I also agree that this should be used, initially at least, as a project for PCDI use. Some sort of emergency response task force or something along those lines. I would hate to aggregate relations with Ortaga, Crimson Sparta, or Ecotonia. However, might I take it a step further and say that we take this construction project to Prometheus, that way they won't be nervous that they will have that advance weaponry over their heads?"
Gustav sits down in the over-stuffed armchair across from Taka, "In fact, I have heard rumors circulating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that you may be interested in forming a colony city or two in orbit around Prometheus. Tell me, does this rumor bear any merit to it?"

She took his arm in hers softly, allowing him to escort her as protocal demanded. "I think you look fine in battle dress, my prince, it rather suits you. Tell me, what has the traitor Yuugi been up to, I had heard a mine was attacked, but news is scarce from the palace, most of my more reliable contacts are outside."

* * * * *

"All lies hold a grain of truth, and all rumors have a grain of fact. . . yes, resource ritch Prometheus has been a prize I've wanted a slice of for a while, though I would never undermine you in obtaining it. . . still, we construct the fleet around Prometheus, then I would require a place to position my workers, and over time, perhaps that could bloom into a mining colony. . . there is much around Prometheus to exploit still, I doubt that we would undercut one anouther's profit margins by sharing it." The prince swirled the wine in his glass, taking a sip before continuing "and I agree, it would be best to not antagonize Ortaga, Crimson Sparta or Econtonia, nor even our smaller but faithful allies in Fallysymayon or Dagoth-Ur. . . If that is done, then all that is required still is to send the invitations. . . and pray my daughter doesn't do anything rash."

Rowald clear his throat, "Yes, I often find that a problem myself. A mine was attacked by a raiding force consisting of ships we know were under the command of the one-time serviceman of Taka, Yuugi. A number of personnel were captured, and security forces of the United Prometheus Mining Corporation were destroyed. A force of OSRPF ships intervened, two ships were destroyed in the battle and several others damaged before the main fleet from Prometheus arrived. In the face of shall we say.....more capable opponents Yuugi fled. But not without severe damage to two of ships and to his own ship the Artemis."
He sighs, "The Mining Czar will be hounding my father and Uncle Leo for months now. The UPM Corp. has already put a substantial bounty on Yuugi's head itself, and Rear Admiral Horation will no doubt regut the OSRPF to make sure this does not happen again."
After a trip down a hall, Rowald opens a door for Ami and they enter the breakfast room. A small affair, overlooking the gardens again and with doors that can be opened to let the inside and the outside mingle.
Suddenly a man erupts from a servants door, dressed very much like Jerec Gehn.
"My Prince," the younger man says hastily and bows, "My Lady."
"Ah, Atrus," says Rowald, "Meet my devoted worrier."
Rowald smiles, "Atrus, would you please find something that resembles a menu for Ami?"
"Yes, My Lord," the manservant retreats the way he came.
Rowald turns back to Ami, "I am glad you find my dress at least moderately pleasing. If you will excuse me for just a few moments?"

She nodded to him, excusing him silenty, looking over Atrus. No need for a menu, I hear Valinion sausages are world renowned, I belive I'll try whatever you have with them."

"Of course, My Lady," says Atrus and he leaves to rouse the chef into action. Several minutes earlier a pot of pepperflower tea and a plate of breakfast pasteries have been provided while the sausages are being prepared.
A few minutes later, Rowald reappears dressed in a military-cut uniform with no rank insignia or adornments. In his hands he carries a long, simple sandalwood box. He walks toward Ami purposely.
"I hope that you will enjoy this," he smils and opns the long box. Inside is a long, curved Valinon sabre. The blade is a thing of perfection, although simple in design and relatively unadorned, it speaks of elegance and of honor.

Her eyes widened slightly in appreciation of the blade, well honed, well balanced, she could tell its craftsmanship even before lifting it.

"It is beautiful. . . I will honor and cherish it always. . . thank you" she said, picking it up slowly, testing the heft, blade, and weight. It was lighter than the Takian blades, faster, but by no means a show peice, it was a sword meant to be used.

"I am glad you like it," Rowald smiles as relief cross through his gut. "I understand that the styles of Taka and Valinon in swordmanship may be different, but I take an interestest in both. Perhaps we could teach each other? After all, it is not in the nature of either or our fatherlands to let blades lay idle and still."
The chef rolls out a small cart and lifts the silver lids off two silver serving platters. He presents them to the pair.
"Ah, sausages, you know the way to a full stomach," says Rowald as two plates are set before him and Ami. The chef backs away, Atrus appears. Before starting his own meal, Rowald dismisses the two with a wave of his hand.
He watches Ami after taking a few bites, "So tell me, is there anything you wish to know other than about the raid? Anything about Valinon?"

She thought for a moment, then decided to be daring, no sence to waste an opertunity, or to test his perception.

"yes, I've a few questions, What houses are in the Valinion senate? Ours was disbandanded several years ago, the power falling into the hands of largly puppet nobles and a few advisors. . . I hear you still have your people voting for representation, and was currious what sides there were to work with."

"Ah, good directness," the prince lays his fork down. "Something I am afraid that is hard to find from time to time."
He takes a drink of pepperflower tea, "Well, if you must know the only elected officials are the Senators of the Congress of the Commons. Their powers are limited and thier major responsibilities are to handle the civil and provinicial administrations along with managing the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Currently the Dominion Party holds a 68% majority and the Commons' First Minister is Senator Davion Foust from Valpreiza, head of the Dominion Party. But you also have some other parties as well, if I recall correctly going in number of seats it is the Outer Worlds Union, the Conservative Federation, the Fatherland Protectionists, the Laborers' Coalition, the United Libratarians, and the Nessus Consortium Party."
He takes another drink, "But most political power still rests with my father and the Congress of Lords. The Lords prime minister currently is my uncle, Leo Sterling, who is also Minister of Imperial Affairs. He heads the Coalition Government between the Crown Loyalist and the United Centrists. However their is a strong opposition front with the United Guilds on one side and the Parliamentarians on the other. The only really neutral party is the mercenary New Men Coalition. Plus there are some minor parties in the Lords who usually stray to one side or the other."
"As for houses, there really aren't any others that can be called as such besides House Alderman. There are some powerful families though, the Sterlings, the Mironenkos, the Youngs, the Kohlers, the von Studens, and the Leopolds."
He laughs, "I hope that wasn't to dry, and I hope it served as something of an answer."

"Hardly boring I would say, I find politics to be most facinating. Like verbal chess at times. Though I would say a man such as yourself would be more akin the the ancient Alexander the Great, prefering to supervise the war and let the nation supervise itself."

Rowald sighs, "I do find more comfort in matters of the military, but as the successor to the throne I must also be prepared for the power-plays and intrigues of the Imperial Diet, especially the Congress of Lords. With my father approaching the....age that he is, I have had to take an increasingly large role in the political side of the Empire."
He looks into the dregs at the bottom of his glass, "Besides, there are few major enemies for the Empire at this point. This is as the people are so fond of pointing out, the golden age of peace. And even a toned military machine like the Five Worlds were just thirteen years ago can begin to lose some of its tone if it is not challenged by a qualified foe. So I find that the political field of battle is sometimes just as straining as the martial one, and it is much more prevalent at this time. However, I will admit it is still not my best arena."

******

In Gustav's study, Jerec brings in a tray with a tea service on it.
"Ah, thank you, Jerec," says Gustav.
"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty," says the manservant as he places the service between Gustav and Taka. Then he leaves again.
"Well it seems this shall be a fruitful alliance, High Prince," Gustav says solemnly. "I was hoping that you would join me in returning to New Koln tomorrow, that way we could work over some of the more formal matters. Perhaps even discuss the matter of a combined shipbuilding effort with Lord Young and Admiral von Stuben. Now would you care for some pepperflower tea?"

Ami smiled gently "some times the political field is the more deadly of the two. . . mind you keep your head on your shoulders in both and I belive we will be able to keep you. . . our. . . nation on course."

* * * * *

"yes, please" the Prince said, taking the tea gratefully. "If it is all settled, I would indeed like to talk to your admirals on this matter, and perhaps it would be best to send the wedding invitations now, to see what nations will join us in this occasion."

"Yes, let us hope so," Rowald says. "Indeed let us hope so. But on a different note, I believe my father wanted you and your father to join us in New Koln for a few days. The final arrangements and introducing you to the Court as well. That way we can see whose feathers will need to be smoothed."

******

Gustav passes Taka a small cup of tea. he then takes a sip of his own.
"Yes, I think it would be very wise to consult the Lords of the Admiralty as soon as possible about this. And to send out the proper invitations as soon as possible as well. There is also the matter of a wedding ceremony, High Prince, and though I would hate to impose upon on you it would help the political situation if your daughter and yourself would be willing to use a traditional Catholic Mass and wedding ceremony."

Ami smiled, sipping her peperflower tea before cradeling it in her hands, concentrating on the warmth. "I can imagine quite a few feathers will need to be smoothed before all is said and done, Takian as well as Valinion, there are more than a few dissident elements in Taka, and while all of them support the Prince, quite a few see this as defiling the Takian Royal blood line. Mostly from the older generations. . . those who escaped with the Prince and still have Mizunian ideals about the purity and perfection of the Mizunian race." She looks saddly at her glass of tea for a moment, composing herself. "The die hards will not be happy, nore will those only empathized with Taka durring his time as a resistance fighter, rather than fully supporting them. The political scene right now is a mess, too many sides have sprung up, and my father is praying that an alliance with Valinon will keep the small minority of those dissatisfied from rising up. Its a bold move, and seems the best course. . . Still, I wonder at times if this might not provoke them, or act as a catalyst for something bigger." She smiles up at him and chuckled "forgive me, I'm simply thinking aloud."

* * * * *

Taka nodded,
"A Catholic Mass would be acceptable, our citizenry is not so devout as to raise arms over the type of ceramony their royals are wedded in. My wife, God rest her soul, and I were wedded in a Shinto temple when most of our population was Buddhist." He reguards the aging emperor warmly "Your son is a fine young man, I expect great things from him, both as they effect your nation and my own."

Rowald grimaces, "We have been blessed this generation by a relative calming. With the elimination of the VLF few radicals are left, other tahn the so-called "Sister" Miriam Godwinson and her Neo Reformation Movement. But Mironenko and the United Guilds are uneasy because of the whole raid situation, and the Parliamentarians consider this a betrayal by merging with what they dub an 'absolutist state.' But I think all in all the factions in the Congress of Lords can be easily subdued it is the non-politicos I worry over. Director Ziegler has strong beliefs concerning the old isolationists policies, and his viper pet Shoju is no doubt aggregating things behind the scenes. And what cannot be done with subtlety can be done with force."
A wire smile comes to Rowald face, "Which must be used at just the right time on occassion."

******

"I expect your daughter will do very well as well, High Prince," says Gustav sipping his tea. "And I hope that my son can live up to the woman he is marrying. He is the hope for the future which is getting nearer and nearer."
Gustav sighs, "I am no fool, I realize how old I am and it is getting to the point where I take things one day at a time. But I think I could go to my grave right now with peace of mind concerning Valinon and your own nation, High Prince. From this alliance we can only benefit."
He lifts his tea cup in a salute.

"at times" she agreed, "but let us never forget, a dagger need not enter a man's back to accompish its task, leverage, blackmail, intimidation, even threats can serve the same pourpous as flat out violence, and fewer people to speak to when all is said and done."

* * * * *

"I pray so, though at times I fear that they may run us both to an early grave." He raised his tea cup as well "to our alliance, and to the next generation, on whose backs the fates of two nations rest."

Rowald smirks, "Barely hear a day and you already speak the language of the Congress of Lords. It is true what one of our statesmen said many years ago. 'All nations are the same, just buried under different details.'"

*******

"A heavy burden," says Gustav. "Very heavy indeed."
He sits down his finished tea, "I suppose I must make the necessary arrangements for tomorrow, High Prince. It will be a most busy day."

"indeed, when you cut through it, all politicians see one thing, and one thing only. Power. Weild power in such a way as to make others belive they can get it, and you win." she smiled deviously "a pity such a sweet, innoncent young woman such as myself would not know of the intriquicies of the court, or the subtle powerplays of the senate."

* * * * *

Taka nodded, sipping his tea "I will not keep you, it has been a long day for me as well." He stood, bowing to the emperor "untill tommorow, may peace bless your blade."

OOC: Can we accelerate the timeline a little and move on to New Koln?

Rowald laughs out loud, "Yes, I believe you will fit in just fine, Ami, just fine. The most complex minds of the Diet may soon find themselves thrown on the defensive."
He looks at her cleared plate and then at his, "Tell me, would you like to see the grounds?"

******

"May you know no troubles in your mind. Enjoy the gardens and the Retreat, High Prince, I find this atmosphere much more pleasing than those of the Palace. It is removed from the glaring pace of the Diet and intrigues of the Court."

((OOC: I've not a problem with it, more or less done with this part. Accualy, I'm ready to start getting people invited to the wedding, might have to start a new thread for that though.))

"Yes, I would be delighted" she said, standing to join him in a tour of the gardens.

* * * * *

Taka nodded "an excelent way to remove myself from politics completly, the Zen tradition of our nation values an empty mind, I belive I shall strive for that"

OOC::: I liked your story, good rp =)