12-10-2003, 14:57
As a magnificently bright, orange sun rose over the horizon, and as birds throughout the countryside awoke and began the new day with a chipper song, the Kingdom of Epilyseus began to bustle with activity. The roadways immediately filled up with various types of cars, and the streets filled with blue collar workers, businessmen, and politicians, all hurrying off to their radically different jobs. The great stone buildings of the capitol city New Parleus shone brightly in the radiant sun, as if they were just newly built, and the dozens of marketplaces that littered the tall and luminous buildings of Epilyseus opened their gates, immediately flooded with hundreds of women and men looking to purchase some groceries for their families. It was certainly a beautiful day, there was no doubt about it. But it was also a day of significance. For in the House of Ages in the capitol of New Parleus, the mighty King Orso finally decided to open Epilyseus to trade, and end the hundred year isolation that the kingdom had been thrust into long ago.
As the day began, the aging yet wise King stood at the balcony of his throne room in the House of Ages, his pale gray eyes washing over the glorious kingdom he had helped to build, a crown of white hair perched upon his peach-colored head. He stroked his short white beard thoughtfully as he stood in the open air, wearing a sleek black business suit and an expensive, custom-made watch given to him by the best watch-makers in Epilyseus, and as his mind wandered to the vast world stretched out before Epilyseus, he smiled warmly. King Orso's nation had come a far way since the beginning days-to think it had once been populated by toga-wearing Greeks! To think it had once been a primitive, bitter nation, isolated from the world! Now it was a shining pearl, a demonstration of all that is right, all that is innocent. And now it would be opened up to the world once more. As King Orso continued to observe the great city of New Parleus in deep thought, the huge double doors that led into Orso's throne room opened, and in came two gentlemen wearing suits similar to the King's, flanked by four dark-clothed security guards.
Though King Orso was a firm believer in diplomacy and peace, one could never be too careful. Throughout the House of Ages were dozens of highly-trained security guards, always on the lookout for trouble. There were always at least two at every door in the old and historically vital building, and stationed outside the king's throne room were four. There were even security guards hidden from view in the King's throne room, just in case any would-be assassins decided to show up. Of course the two men who had been escorted in the throne room were anything but assassins. On the right was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Felix Agough, a handsome man with jet black hair slicked back in an orderly fashion and pale white skin. He was a fellow in his late thirties, and was the youngest man ever to serve on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To the left was the older and much more appreciated Allan Parkoh, the balding 56-year-old Minister of Trade. He wore thick-rimmed glasses and had rather goofy looking ears that stuck out on either side, your typical nerdy looking fellow. Of course, when it came down to respect, Mr. Parkoh had attained much more than Agough with his age alone, and was considered a more vital part of the House of Ages.
"Allan; Felix," the King said simply, nodding his head in their direction. With the King's approval of the two guests, the guards left, closing the huge double doors they had entered behind them.
"Have the arrangements been made?" King Orso continued as before, his eyes bathing his two ministers with curiosity. Felix simply nodded, adjusting his tie before running a pale hand through his smooth black hair.
"But of course, your majesty," he replied in a strong and convincing voice. "Every major world leader has received a letter of invitation to the Ceremony of New Beginnings. It is only a matter of time before the replies start pouring in." Orso nodded before turning his eyes to Minister Parkoh.
"And how goes your luck establishing a trading alliance?" he asked in his gentle yet firm tone of voice. "Are any nations interested in forming trade routes with us?" Parkoh merely shrugged, showing he was much more relaxed around the king than Felix was.
"Not yet, sir. But once the word gets out that the Kingdom of Epilyseus is no longer a nation of isolation, I'm sure bigger nations will come knocking on our doors looking for trade. After all, we do make some of the finest silks and clothing the world has to offer. And where else can someone find chocolates as rich and sweet as ours?" King Orso smiled warmly and placed a hand on his Trade Minister's shoulder.
"Your assurance brings me relief," said the King, as he turned his head to Felix. "Continue to send out invitations to the world leaders. I shouldn't have to remind you of the importance of the Ceremony of New Beginnings. It marks the beginning of a new Epilyseus! A proud Epilyseus! Hopefully diplomatic relations with other countries will open, and our nation will soon become stronger."
With that, the King turned from them, resuming his position on the balcony. The ministers had been dismissed, and Orso returned his mind to deep thought.
***********************************************
Subject: The Ceremony of New Beginnings
To: The World Community
From: The House of Ages, New Parleus, The Kingdom of Epilyseus
Greetings, leaders of the world. I am Felix Agough, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Epilyseus, writing to invite you to the Ceremony of New Beginnings in our capitol city of New Parleus, which is being held in the Hall of Ceremonies in the House of Ages. For over a hundred years the Kingdom of Epilyseus has been isolated from the rest of the world. We have kept to ourselves to avoid war and hatred and plagues, and have been protected from the vast armies of other nations for some time now. But just recently our leader, King Orso, has decided we can no longer stay hidden from the world. We must open up in order to bloom any further, which is why this ceremony is being held. The King wishes to open diplomatic relations and trade routes with the numerous countries of the world, and hopes by throwing this ceremony and giving world leaders a brief tour of our nation that these two things will happen. We are a peaceful nation with little use for war and a knack for diplomacy, and we hope you will all decide to attend, or at least send a representative to the Ceremony to show your good will. If you plan on attending, please send a reply back. Private planes will be sent to pick up any that decide to come, in order to save time and money, and heavy security will also be provided. Please reply soon.
-Felix Agough, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Epilyseus
As the day began, the aging yet wise King stood at the balcony of his throne room in the House of Ages, his pale gray eyes washing over the glorious kingdom he had helped to build, a crown of white hair perched upon his peach-colored head. He stroked his short white beard thoughtfully as he stood in the open air, wearing a sleek black business suit and an expensive, custom-made watch given to him by the best watch-makers in Epilyseus, and as his mind wandered to the vast world stretched out before Epilyseus, he smiled warmly. King Orso's nation had come a far way since the beginning days-to think it had once been populated by toga-wearing Greeks! To think it had once been a primitive, bitter nation, isolated from the world! Now it was a shining pearl, a demonstration of all that is right, all that is innocent. And now it would be opened up to the world once more. As King Orso continued to observe the great city of New Parleus in deep thought, the huge double doors that led into Orso's throne room opened, and in came two gentlemen wearing suits similar to the King's, flanked by four dark-clothed security guards.
Though King Orso was a firm believer in diplomacy and peace, one could never be too careful. Throughout the House of Ages were dozens of highly-trained security guards, always on the lookout for trouble. There were always at least two at every door in the old and historically vital building, and stationed outside the king's throne room were four. There were even security guards hidden from view in the King's throne room, just in case any would-be assassins decided to show up. Of course the two men who had been escorted in the throne room were anything but assassins. On the right was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Felix Agough, a handsome man with jet black hair slicked back in an orderly fashion and pale white skin. He was a fellow in his late thirties, and was the youngest man ever to serve on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To the left was the older and much more appreciated Allan Parkoh, the balding 56-year-old Minister of Trade. He wore thick-rimmed glasses and had rather goofy looking ears that stuck out on either side, your typical nerdy looking fellow. Of course, when it came down to respect, Mr. Parkoh had attained much more than Agough with his age alone, and was considered a more vital part of the House of Ages.
"Allan; Felix," the King said simply, nodding his head in their direction. With the King's approval of the two guests, the guards left, closing the huge double doors they had entered behind them.
"Have the arrangements been made?" King Orso continued as before, his eyes bathing his two ministers with curiosity. Felix simply nodded, adjusting his tie before running a pale hand through his smooth black hair.
"But of course, your majesty," he replied in a strong and convincing voice. "Every major world leader has received a letter of invitation to the Ceremony of New Beginnings. It is only a matter of time before the replies start pouring in." Orso nodded before turning his eyes to Minister Parkoh.
"And how goes your luck establishing a trading alliance?" he asked in his gentle yet firm tone of voice. "Are any nations interested in forming trade routes with us?" Parkoh merely shrugged, showing he was much more relaxed around the king than Felix was.
"Not yet, sir. But once the word gets out that the Kingdom of Epilyseus is no longer a nation of isolation, I'm sure bigger nations will come knocking on our doors looking for trade. After all, we do make some of the finest silks and clothing the world has to offer. And where else can someone find chocolates as rich and sweet as ours?" King Orso smiled warmly and placed a hand on his Trade Minister's shoulder.
"Your assurance brings me relief," said the King, as he turned his head to Felix. "Continue to send out invitations to the world leaders. I shouldn't have to remind you of the importance of the Ceremony of New Beginnings. It marks the beginning of a new Epilyseus! A proud Epilyseus! Hopefully diplomatic relations with other countries will open, and our nation will soon become stronger."
With that, the King turned from them, resuming his position on the balcony. The ministers had been dismissed, and Orso returned his mind to deep thought.
***********************************************
Subject: The Ceremony of New Beginnings
To: The World Community
From: The House of Ages, New Parleus, The Kingdom of Epilyseus
Greetings, leaders of the world. I am Felix Agough, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Epilyseus, writing to invite you to the Ceremony of New Beginnings in our capitol city of New Parleus, which is being held in the Hall of Ceremonies in the House of Ages. For over a hundred years the Kingdom of Epilyseus has been isolated from the rest of the world. We have kept to ourselves to avoid war and hatred and plagues, and have been protected from the vast armies of other nations for some time now. But just recently our leader, King Orso, has decided we can no longer stay hidden from the world. We must open up in order to bloom any further, which is why this ceremony is being held. The King wishes to open diplomatic relations and trade routes with the numerous countries of the world, and hopes by throwing this ceremony and giving world leaders a brief tour of our nation that these two things will happen. We are a peaceful nation with little use for war and a knack for diplomacy, and we hope you will all decide to attend, or at least send a representative to the Ceremony to show your good will. If you plan on attending, please send a reply back. Private planes will be sent to pick up any that decide to come, in order to save time and money, and heavy security will also be provided. Please reply soon.
-Felix Agough, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Epilyseus