NationStates Jolt Archive

The Island of Hera. A grand palace stretched over half the island, shining in the light of dawn's first rays. A virtual village of support buildings, all built so as not to disrupt the elegance of the sprawling palace itself, surrounded the imperial residence. The palace even had its own docks, filled with narrow, white-winged ships, archaic but graceful and possessing a lovely quality often lost to the modern world.

North of the palace, the grounds lay open, breathtaking countryside of rolling hills and light woods. One such hill, a fresh, green hillside towering over the surrounding grounds, had been marked with a circle of stones. They were not specially cut. They were simply grantie stones, each only about thrice the size of a football, arranged in a circle around an area where the grass had been pulled up, revealing dirt.

Agwene and Aiwyn stood on the hilltop, wearing to wide strips heavy green cloth all the way from their waists to their ankles in front and back. The strips were bound together over the hip, leaving the outside of their legs bare. On their feet, they both wore light, classical sandals. Each woman wore a sleeveless tunic of the same cloth over her upper body and bore a naked silver sword on her waist, despite the dangers of naked blades around such largely unprotected skin. They turned their eyes to the docks and waited, for Aiwyn's husband and ally, Phaeton Draconis, and his vassals and guests, as well as for those very few allies they had deemed it appropriate to invite.

The sky ship carrying Emperor Phaeton Draconis was a departure from normal Akatoni style. It lacked the gothic arches and spires common amongst such ships, and though it carried several turrets, it was obviously not a military vessel. The curved bow plating was covered in golden ornamentation, with the rest of the hull being a smooth steel gray. It was quiet and efficient, with filtered exhausts and long maneuvering fins.

The ship gracefully slid into the docks, the roar of its grav engines quieting to a soft hum. A few minutes passed before the hatches open and boarding ramps extend. Draconis was amongst the first to disembark from the sleek craft, along with several dozen servants, lesser nobles, and courtiers. He wore a black short sleeved shirt made of an unidentifiable fabric. His pants were gray and loose fitting, made of similar material as his shirt. At the moment, he carried no sword, another departure from his usual style.

As the servants busied themselves with their meaningless tasks, Draconis surveyed the area. He was awe struck by the beauty of this place, a dramatic contrast to the barren landscape of his homeland. His elvish eyes took in every detail of the green landscape. He smiled as his gaze finally came to rest on the distant hill and the two figures standing upon it.

The two women smiled as they saw the skyship approaching. They remained standing on the hill, awaiting Phaeton's arrivel. Aiwyn grinned a little as she traced the approach of the Akatoni party over the grounds. Agwene nudged her a little. "You really are in love, aren't you?"

Aiwyn smiled, nodding simply. "I really am. And how about you, little sister?"

Agwene shook her head. "No long term prospects, if that's what your asking. I have been...well...there's...someone I've been with several times and...I do really like her, I'll be honest. But...she's..." Agwene blushed a little, though she couldn't help but grin fondly at the thought.

Aiwyn laughed a little. "It's alright, dear. I'll find someone just right for you to marry and you can keep seeing whoever you want."

Agwene arched a brow a little. "You say that like you already have someone in mind?"

Aiwyn just looked away in silence, winking.

Most of Draconis's retinue of guests remained at the palace, walking around the massive structure. They were a parasitic lot. Low ranking nobles with no chance for personal glory, they simply followed the Emperor around, enjoying the luxury that tended to accompany him. Living up to their opportunity, the group quickly dispersed. It was as Draconis wanted it, he preferred the company of those few whom he knew well.

And so it was that Draconis made his way across the grounds to the base of the hill. He wasted no time in getting to the top, enjoying the climb in a way only one who rarely has such opportunities does. Hills were a not particularly common in Akaton, partly from development, but partly due to the generally boring topography.

Upon reaching the crest of the hill, Draconis moved to the more familiar of the two sidhe, lightly kissing Aiwyn.
"Hello, love."

Aiwyn returned the kiss and smiled faintly. "Hello, dearest." She pulled back, looking to him expectantly a moment.

Agwene stood quietly, clasping both her hands behind her back and smiling slightly as she looked off towards the docks. She rocked slightly, studying the horizon intently, eagerly.

Noticing Aiwyn's expression, Draconis took a moment to take in the view from atop the hill before speaking.

"Magnificent, simply magnificent. To think that I considered the old Imperial Palace to be so grand. I can scarcely remember ever seeing so beautiful a place as this."

Aiwyn allowed her gaze to wander over the grounds, smiling lightly. "Yes, love, it is quite beautiful." She then gave him another look, as that evidentally wasn't what she was hinting at. She looked from him to Agwene once or twice, frowning ever so lightly.

Draconis slowly turned to Agwene, a slightly pained expression on his face. He had taken the betrayal of his most trusted advisor and friend rather badly, and he found the Queen's presence inextricably entwined with memories of that unpleasantly.

"It is good to see you as well. I'm sorry, it's just that..."
He trailed off, sighing.

"I trust things have been going better for you since the war came to an end."

Agwene nodded. "It is good to see you as well. Things have been going well enough, I suppose."

Aiwyn peered at her husband, tilting her head. "It's just that what, honey?"

"Oh, it's nothing much, just memories. In two centuries, Akaton had not had a single civil war, or even a major protest. I really hadn't seen it coming, especially not from Count Yuri. We may have had disagreements, but he had always been the one who could always be trusted to remain loyal."

He paused a moment, the grim expression fading from his face.

"What's done is done, and we are still here, aren't we? Let us not darken this day on my account."

Aiwyn frowned a little, kissing her husband gently. "I'm sorry, love. I know that must have hurt you a lot."

She then nodded. "Yes, let's move on." Aiwyn cast one final glance to the horizon before looking to Agwene. "I don't thnk any of your friends are coming, dear."

Agwene shrugged. "Nor any of yours."

Space seemed to explode as the singularity point formed. A ship, 600 meters long and one third as wide in a delta wing formation with only the nose and tail ruining the perfect triangle emerged. As soon as it cleared the singularity the phenominon closed behind it and it began to broadcast as it dove for the atmosphere.

"This is KC-1033 to any who can receive. I am a central worlds exploration vessel and am unarmed. I carry the Queen of Dragonsreach and the King of Highport. I repeat, I am unarmed." The voice was soft and feminine that carried the message. It waited two minutes before repeating and continued it's cycle.

The Central Worlds vessel received clearance to land.

Meanwhile, Aiwayn shrugged lightly. "They'll be here. You know how travel is, though. After what Lauralin and I have been through together...there's a certain bond, you know? In the meantime, why don't you tell Phaeton and I more about this young lady?"

Agwene blushed fiercely and turned her head. "Aiwyn..."

Carialle sent an acknowledgement and thank you and set the coordinates landeding with great finesse. Keff got up from the pilots seat and walked over to the locker, opening the tan painted gold door. He took out a contact button and put it on his suit. "Atmospheric?"

"Atmosphere checks out", Carialle replied, "you may want to meet whoever greets us, the King and Queen will be a few minutes."

"Primping are they?", Alex said grinning.

"Well she's dealing with him and he's being rather embarrassed at the moment and cleaning his armor. I'm afraid he didn't take singularity very well, he's still a bit green."

Keff winced, "You know, I got the sick the first few runs."

"Really?"

Keff nodded and headed toward the ramp. He strode down, looking about him for some kind of reception party.

A young sidhe man in green and silver, looking to be twelve or thirteen, approached the recently landed ship, peering up at Keff. "The ceremony is due north of here, on the highest hill. Their Majesties are expected to proceed on foot."

The man stood at attention, awaiting the departure of the king and queen proper. The absence of the usual fanfare was both conspicuous and intentional. No one made a grand or pompous entrance to this ceremony. Even Aiwyn had abstained and it was "her show" so to speak. It was more of a solemn, primeval ritual, dating from the most ancient days of sidhe power, before rank or pomp or imperial regalia had ever been invented.

Keff nodded, "They'll be along shortly. The mode of travel was a bit hard on the king I'm afraid. He's well", Keff added hastily, "just a bit shaken from the experience. Once they're ready, should I remain here?"

The boy shook his head. "You're free to go entertain yourself as you see fit, sir. Just be here to pick them up." He smiled lightly. "The Empress wants to keep things as simple as possible, like the ancients would have done this ceremony."

The boy stood at attention, awaiting the king and queen with well-trained patience.

Keff nodded. "We're to wait here", he said to no one in particular. A second later he nodded again, "They're coming", and he turned toward the ramp.

Turquine and Lauralin came down the ramp, the king holding his helm under his arm. He wore his old familiar battle armor, though now it seemed to have a rent in the side and traces of dried blood could still be seen. He looked a bit pale with a slight greenish tint but held his head high and his back straight, his iron grey hair tussling slightly.

Lauralin changed into a soft blue, surcoat and leather pants and boots. They were comfortable and easy to move in. She, like her father, carried only one weapon. His on his side, the holy blade, "Retribution's Voice" in a leather scabbard. Hers on her back, "Silverlief" written along the red dragonscale scabbard that held the defender.

The two stopped as the got to the bottom of the ramp and faced Keff. "I thank you, and the Lady Carialle, for your kindness."

"The Lady and I shall be here upon your return, so that you can meet with the President of Central Worlds for our first talks."

Turquine was silent a moment, considering how sick the first trip was and knowing that at least two more were to come. He forced a smile, "You're both kind."

A tinny voice, definitely female's though, came from the speaker of the small button on Keff's flight suit, "It was an honor to have you, and it will be an honor to serve you again."

"Thank you", Lauralin replied, "you are a gracious hostess. And host", she added to Alex who bowed.

They then turned to the boy who was waiting for them, "Thank you for your patience", Laura said as she took her father's arm and looked at the boy smiling.

Draconis seemed as though about to say something, when out of the corner of his eye, he saw the movement of the ship. He turned, watching it as it came in to land. Looking back to Aiwyn, he smiled.

"Well, it seems you were right about your friends arriving. I was beginning to think they weren't coming. Still, the company of friends will make this day more interesting. Out of curiosity, exactly what is it that will transpire here today?"

Aiwyn smiled a little. "We do a blood ritual binding us to the land. Then you and Agwene sign a pact. Oaths are sworn. That sort of thing."

Agwene nodded a little, watching the ship from a distance.

The page bowed deeply to Lauralin and Turquine. "Your Majesties."

The page bowed deeply to Lauralin and Turquine. "Your Majesties."

Lauralin curtseyed and Turquine bowed, "If you would be so kind as to show us the way?" Lauralin asked.

Keff walked back up the ramp to wait out the ceremonies.

The page blinked, frowning. "It's on a hill to the north, Your Majesties. You really can't miss it."

The page blinked, frowning. "It's on a hill to the north, Your Majesties. You really can't miss it."

The two set off northward, looking for the hill the page spoke of.

*bump for Akaton*

((Ack! Curse my unreliable internet! When I press post, I mean "post this message", not "bring up an error message and delete my post". :( Sorry for the delay/anti-computer rant, technical problems have been making about half of my posts disappear.))
_________________________________________________________________

Aiwyn smiled a little. "We do a blood ritual binding us to the land. Then you and Agwene sign a pact. Oaths are sworn. That sort of thing."

Draconis nodded, looking out at the two figures moving across the field. It took him a moment to recognize them, having only seen them once before. Once he had, however, he turned to Aiwyn, smiling.

"If I am not mistaken, I believe that is Queen Silverlief heading towards us. I don't believe I have seen her since your courtship ball."

"If I am not mistaken, I believe that is Queen Silverlief heading towards us. I don't believe I have seen her since your courtship ball."

Lauralin's hair, normally hanging to just an inch above the ground, floated about her as she strode forward. Her bright, emerald green eyes were easily visible in her pale face. She was dressed casually in a light blue tunic that set of her flame red hair and brilliantly colored eyes. Her pants were leather, dyed a light blue as were her soft boots. Though she strode forward she left little evidence of her passage and only the sharpest ears could hear her step.

Her father, Turquine Buccannah, King of Highport, walked at her side. His iron grey hair seemed to resist the breeze and his ice blue eyes met each of those on the hill. He also dressed casually, very much against Ferranifer's insistance. His attire was a worn, course, wool shirt that was open a third of the way down and old, worn, leather pants and boots. They did nothing to hide the thick, corded muscles of his body. His face, chest and upper arms were terribly scarred, as though the flesh melted and run. Two scars formed a sort of V on the left side of his face. One ran from just behind the temple to the jaw and the other from just behind his ear to his jaw. Almost everywhere, as if like a spider's web, were shallow fine scars from over two centuries of conflicts.

Both walked with confident firm steps. Laura's sword was on her back, the hilt protruding from over her left shoulder, her father's on his right hip, both for left hand draws. Both flashed an easy smile as they reached the waiting trio, both showed proper respect, except for Laura in regards to Aiwyn. Laura couldn't resist stepping forward and hugging her, "I am glad to see you are well."

Both showed so many traits in common, yet the irony wasn't lost on those who knew them both. The man, a Holy Knight, an Avatar of his god and she, an undead, a vampiress, a creature of nightmares. Yet both fought to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

Laura curtseyed to Agwene respectfully and then to Draconis while Turquine stood back. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Emporer Draconis, our conversation having been cut so short."

Aiwyn nodded. "It is indeed. I hope you do not mind that I invited her. We went through a lot together in Aoibhell's dungeons."

Agwene returned Lauralin's curtsey with one of her own, smiling politely at the woman even as one eye remained steadfastly fixed on the horizon.

Aiwyn grinned, hugging Lauralin tightly for a long moment. "You as well. You as well. I'm so glad to have you here. How have things been?"

Aiwyn arched a brow faintly at being left out of Lauralin's greeting, letting her arm slip into her husband's.

OOC - Maybe you missed this part of the post:

Both flashed an easy smile as they reached the waiting trio, both showed proper respect, except for Laura in regards to Aiwyn. Laura couldn't resist stepping forward and hugging her, "I am glad to see you are well."

OOC - Or maybe I worded it poorly. It was meant to show familiarity for shared hardships.

OOC: I just missed it. Anyway, I edited.

Aiwyn grinned, hugging Lauralin tightly for a long moment. "You as well. You as well. I'm so glad to have you here. How have things been?"

Once they finished hugging Turquine bowed respectfully.

"Still busy", Lauralin replied to Aiwyn's question, "The situation concerning the vampires is done with at least. We will be going to a nation called Central Worlds to open negotiations. It is strange, this nation, at least from what I have seen so far, but interested none the less. And you? How have things been with you?"

Aiwyn laughed a little. "I've spent a lot of it healing and resting, actually. I don't know what they did to you when we were separated in the dreaming but they gave me the works."

Aiwyn laughed a little. "I've spent a lot of it healing and resting, actually. I don't know what they did to you when we were separated in the dreaming but they gave me the works."

"Well I think they knew that physical torture would have made little difference in my case. So they offered the torture of temptation. I am not sure which I would prefer, pain from without or pain from within." The last was said barely above a whisper with her eyes downcast. After a moment she looked up at Aiwyn again and smiled at her, "But I am glad to see you doing better."

(Aiwyn nodded. "It is indeed. I hope you do not mind that I invited her. We went through a lot together in Aoibhell's dungeons.")

Draconis smiled.
"I don't mind at all. As far as guests go, I can't think of anyone more welcome."

(Laura curtseyed to Agwene respectfully and then to Draconis while Turquine stood back. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Emperor Draconis, our conversation having been cut so short.")

Draconis bowed first to Lauralin, then to Turquine. Turning back to Laura, he replied.

"You as well, it has been quite some time since we last met. I had been so hoping to get a chance to finish that conversation of ours."

Draconis bowed first to Lauralin, then to Turquine. Turning back to Laura, he replied.

"You as well, it has been quite some time since we last met. I had been so hoping to get a chance to finish that conversation of ours."

Turquine returned the Draconis bow.

"Indeed", Laura replied, "Perhaps we shall get a chance to while we're here."

Aiwyn smiled a little. "What conversation might this be?"

Agwene shrugged and turned back to the small group, shaking her head slightly about something or other.

Aiwyn smiled a little. "What conversation might this be?"

"The Emporer was fasinated by my psionic defense. I was trained by the Princess Ariel. She is Deryn, a race of psionics and considered one of the most powerful among them. It makes the mind invisible, you see. guiding thoughts around my own mind, in essence, masking it.

I was interested in the heritage of his name. Draconis. Of you course you know about the dragons of dragonsreach, you would understand my interest in that matter."

Aiwyn nodded slightly. "The people of Dragonsreach sound very diverse. And, yes, I know all about the dragons. I rather owe my life to a couple of them."

Agwene glanced over. "It sounds like a most interesting technique your Princess Ariel has."

Aiwyn grinned a little, looking back to Draconis. "As no one else seems to be coming, perhaps we should begin?"

Agwene glanced over. "It sounds like a most interesting technique your Princess Ariel has."

Lauralin nodded. "She is a Princess of the Deryn, though she serves as advisor to my father. Her people could be quite an adversary if they chose to be." She looked at Aiwyn, "We could ask our pilot if she sees anyone else around."

Aiwyn shook her head. "I doubt that'll be necessary."

Agwene shrugged elegantly. "It couldn't hurt to ask, could it?"

Lauralin walked back into the ship and returned after only a few moments. "She says that she ..." Lauralin halted a moment in thought, "that she 'scanned' the 'spatial area' and found no one."

"The Emperor was fascinated by my psionic defense. I was trained by the Princess Ariel. She is Deryn, a race of psionics and considered one of the most powerful among them. It makes the mind invisible, you see. guiding thoughts around my own mind, in essence, masking it.

I was interested in the heritage of his name. Draconis. Of you course you know about the dragons of dragonsreach, you would understand my interest in that matter."

Draconis thought a moment.
"That seems like a good summary of things. I will make a point of explaining my heritage if it interests you. But that can wait until later, it would be a shame to keep everyone waiting on our account."

(Aiwyn grinned a little, looking back to Draconis. "As no one else seems to be coming, perhaps we should begin?")

The Emperor nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, if it is to be just the five of us, we ought to begin."

Laura stepped back, taking her father's arm, "We're ready", she said, smiling at Aiwyn. She looked at Draconis, "We will have to finish that conversation, though it seems it may be some time before we can.

Aiwyn nodded and drew her sword without a further word. She positions the sword vertically so that the pommel pointed up and the tip downwards. She then began to squeeze the sharp edges of the blade tightly, blood pouring from her hands and dripping down into the cleared area of soil. "I, Aiwyn ni Gwydion, swear my life and my love to Akaton and to the Islands of Mists and to this Island of Hera, bound forever. I swear my service to my land and my people for so long as I live." She then looked to Draconis next.

Draconis approached, taking the blade in his hand and squeezing. As the edge bit into the flesh of his hand, his eyes flashed bright blue at the pain, in a moment returning to normal. With blood dripping from his hand, Draconis intoned the oath as Aiwyn had.

"I, Phaeton Draconis, swear my life and my love to the Resurgent Dream and to the Islands of Mists and to this Island of Hera, bound forever. I swear my service to my land and my people for so long as I live."

"I, Phaeton Draconis, swear my life and my love to the Res..."

Agwene frowned rather forbiddingly at this point and Aiwyn shook her head a little, leaning forward and cutting Draconis off with a light kiss. "Love, you're actually supposed to say exactly what I said. We probably should have rehearsed this some for you. It's my fault."

Draconis sighed, looking rather embarrassed. Usually he would not be terribly concerned, but the presence of guests made him self-conscious.

"Don’t blame yourself, dearest. It’s hardly your fault that I make a fool out of myself."

After a momentary glance at the bloody sword, he continued.

"Shall I start again?"

Aiwyn shook her head. "Yes, start again. You were stealing my sister's lines. I swore to Akaton because I'm marrying into the Akatoni royal family and leaving my old throne behind."

Draconis nodded in understanding.

"Ah, I see. A matter of family rather than of heritage. Sorry for the confusion."

He clenched his hand into a fist, causing a bit more blood to drip upon the earth as he began again.

"I, Phaeton Draconis, swear my life and my love to Akaton and to the Islands of Mists and to this Island of Hera, bound forever. I swear my service to my land and my people for so long as I live."

Agwene placed her hands on the sword, clenching her hands around it. Blood dripped down the blade to sink into the ground. "I, Agwene ni Gwydion, swear my life and my love to the Resurgent Dream and to the Islands of Mists and to this Island of Hera, bound forever. I swear my service to my land and my people for so long as I live."

Aiwyn then looked towards Lauralin and Turquine. "Now the witnesses?"

The two stepped forward. "What are we to say?" Lauralin asked. "And what blade do we use?"

Agwene smiled a little. "The same one we're holding. Say that you bear witness to the ceremony."

Aiwyn grinned a little. "What my sister said. Once you bear formal witness, the ritual should consummate itself."

Turquine stepped forward and wrapped a scarred hand around the blade. He slid his hand down then pulled it off and made a fist, letting the blood flow. "I, Turquine Buccannah, do bear witness to the oaths of these two before the eyes of the gods."

When he finished he stepped back and Lauralin stepped forward. She wrapped her hand around the blade and slid it down then pulled it away, making a fist. Little blood was on the blade from her and what was glistened with a slight golden hue. No blood flowed from the wound as it healed up immediatly. "I, Lauralin Silverlief, do bear witness to the oaths of these two before the eyes of the gods."

Then they both stood back, looking at Aiwyn.

As the blood dripped onto the ground, the blood seemed to form a glowing pool on the ground. The light grew brighter and brighters, illuminating the small group. Aiwyn and Agwene both smiled gently. Aiwyn nodded once, firmly. "It is done."

Both sidhe removed their hands from the sword, Aiwyn wiping it and tucking it back under her belt. "That should be the end of storms when you're in a good mood, my love." She leaned forward and kissed Draconis lightly.

Agwene smiled a little. "Shall we attend to the treaty now?"

Draconis returned the kiss.
"Excellent."

He turned to Agwene.
"But of course. I am ready to finalize the terms as soon as you are. It is something I have a bit more experience with."

Pact of Hera

Section 1
Article 1.1: All Akatoni titles of nobility are fully recognized in the Resurgent Dream.
Article 1.2: All Danaan titles of nobility are fully recognized in Akaton.

Section 2
Article 2.1 The Akatoni-Danaan border shall remain open.
Article 2.2: Akaton shall place no limit upon immigration and naturalization from the Resurgent Dream.
Article 2.3: The Resurgent Dream shall place no limit upon immigration and naturalization from Akaton.

Section 3
Article 3.1: Should Akaton be attacked by a foreign aggressor, the Resurgent Dream shall aid in the defense of Akaton as able.
Article 3.2: Should the Resurgent Dream be attacked by a foreign aggressor, Akaton shall aid in the defense of the Resurgent Dream as able.

Section 4
Article 4.1: The Resurgent Dream shall extradite anyone wanted on criminal charged in Akaton.
Article 4.2: Akaton shall extradite anyone wanted on criminal charged in the Resurgent Dream.

Section 5
Article 5.1: Involuntary servitude, excepting of those convicted of a crime, shall remain prohibited in both Akaton and the Resurgent Dream.
Article 5.2: The arrest or other persecution of any person based on race shall remain prohibited in both Akaton and the Resurgent Dream.

Section 6
Article 6.1: Akaton and the Resurgent Dream shall collectively be known as the Empire of Mists.
Article 6.2: Akaton and the Resurgent Dream shall remain entirely sovereign nations.
Article 6.3: The Empire of Mists shall command two fleets in its own name to provide for the common defense.
Article 6.4: The Empire of Mists shall rule the Island of Hera directly, in its own name.
Article 6.5: The Empire of Mists, to the extent that it acts outside the member governments, shall act under the orders of the Emperor and Empress of Mists.
Article 6.6: The Emperor of Mists shall be Phaeton Draconis and the Empress of Mists shall be Aiwyn ni Gwydion.
Article 6.7: Upon the death of either the Emperor of Mists or the Empress of Mists, this treaty is subject to immediate renegotiation.

Section 7
Article 7.1: Akaton will place no restrictions on trade with the Resurgent Dream.
Article 7.2: The Resurgent Dream will place no restrictions on trade with Akaton.
Article 7.3: The Empire of Mists, in as much as is possible, will protect shipping routes between Akaton and the Resurgent Dream from piracy or foreign aggression.