NationStates Jolt Archive

A warm breeze swept in from the ocean, making the gently rolling wheat beside the rutted road wave. The clatter of cartwheels and horse hooves was audible over the low humming of the wind. The sun shone down on the fields, glimmering like a yellow diamond.

The black wagon that trundled down the road was hung with banners that snapped in the wind, and flanked by thirty heavily armored horsemen, called Cataphractorii. Drawn by six stallions, the wagon bore the insignia of Yrale IV, King of Pharenia.

The convoy slowed to a halt as a small hill loomed ahead. A hand stuck out of the wagon, its pale flesh seeming to say “this will do.” Three of the Cataphractorii dismounted and drew aside the curtain, bowing all the while. With a sigh, the king slipped out the side of the wagon to stand on the road.

They had come all this way, leaving the paved royal roads and entering some random coastal farmer’s field, just to get to this hill. Yrale, the sun warming his simple robes, strode forward, entering the wheat, which parted in his path like so many underlings. The king’s black hair, drawn into a bun on the back of his head, glistened in the morning light as he started to climb the hill.

Although only about thirty feet high, Yrale did not even bother to reach the summit, Instead, he stood on a slight embankment next to it. Turning to face the rising sun, he began to shout. “Oh heaven!” he called, “Zeus, Athena! Your son speaks! I have a boon to ask!” He waited a moment, perhaps looking for a sign of recognition from the gods, but none was forthcoming.

Undeterred, he continued. “See how I rule your lands, your people! Grant me but this wish! Carry my name to the four corners of the earth! Bring news of me to the entire world! This I beg of you!” Again he paused. A bird chirped in a nearby field. The only other sound was the horses shifting slightly inside their elaborate headdresses. And the breeze, of course. “Grant me but this boon!” he called, finally.

Seemingly satisfied, Yrale returned to his wagon and the convoy trundled back towards the capitol.

OOC: This is my introduction thread. Don’t ask me how your nation will learn of mine. Perhaps a priest has a dream granted by the gods or something and sends an emissary, or perhaps one of your merchants abroad visits the royal palace. Whatever the case, be sure to read my factbook (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10341913#post10341913) before doing anything.

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Tomoyo finished looking over the Soviet Request for Peace Talks.

'"It looks like this war may be soon comming to an end." She said

Li Hirihito the MOF replied "Indeed milady. Also it looks like another potential freind has entered the world. Einhauser, another nation more in tune with the older world. "

"Perhaps, but many PT nations don't affiliate with Isolationists."

"We are slowly comming out of Isolationism. To a certain extent. This King, might be intrested in starting an alliance with us. We need all the help we can get."

"Yes Li. Send a message tell them we would like to meet with them. Provided they want to meet with a young princess such as my self."

"I know you are young milady, after all so am I. Just four years older than you, but still as your MOF in this I feel it would be bennefical to meet with more nations."

"Do it. You better hurry though, looks like a storm is comming."

Li wrote out the letter requesting a meeting. He hopped onto a messanger horse, and rode off to the TG point, about three miles away from the city. He almost froze to death there once, but it wouldn't happen this time. As he arrived the storm hit with full force. He pulled the rain soaked note from his coat pocket. He typed in Kurona's only way of communication within and without the nation.

Dear, Nation of Einhauser
The Principlaity of Kurona wishes to have a meeting with your leaders. We are located in the Region of Xanadou, due east of Russia, and Eurasia.

Sincerly,

Li Hirihito, Minister of Foreign Affairs

With a groan the huge oaken doors of the palace gate opened, the leering bronze mask in the center splitting in half. On both sides the sea of hoplites, resplendent with their white plumes, parted like wheat, forming a pathway through their numbers. They clicked their spears on the marble courtyard, turned in unison, and faced the messenger.

As soon as the pathway was open, the messenger bowed deeply and, keeping that position, scuttled forward and into the palace proper. Along the hallway leading to the reflection room stood one hoplite every ten feet, ready to exact justice should the messenger try anything.

Knowing that to straighten was certain death, the small man continued to bow low as he moved, until finally he reached the doors to the reflection room. The two guards beat their halberds on their bronze-painted breastplate and pulled open the door.

King Yrale IV, his black hair fallen about his shoulders, was leaning over a book from his extensive library, quietly contemplating the brilliant reflections of light off the liquid mercury pool in front of him. “Approach,” he said softly. The messenger bowed even deeper and nearly crawled towards his ruler, until he was but 100 paces from him.

“Lord, one of our merchants has reportedly received a message from the Principality of Kurona. They wish to meet with you, Majesty.” Yrale sat up from his studies and nodded.

“Send a reply. Tell them that we would be honored to meet with them, and suggest we conduct our meeting on neutral ground.”

The messenger bowed and turned away, crawling back to the door before semi-straightening. Every guard in the hall slammed the butt of their weapon into the ground three times, then shouted “Thus is the will of the king! Long live the king! Long live King Yrale IV!”

Li road back into the capital, and came back into the Palace. He was rain soaked, but he certainlly had to give the message to her excellency.

"Mi-lady."

"Good to see you're back. Oh you're soaked to the boan."

"They've replied, and want to meet us, on nutral ground."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Well it's a guess, but I suppose we could go to them or just meet at sea."

"Well prepare a message you can send out tomorrow. Ask if they wish to meat at sea, or on land. If they desire land, I suppose we could go to them."

"Yes Milady."

"Now get out of thoes clothes before you catch a cold."

"Yes milady."

By the next day the message was sent out. They could meet at sea or on land of their choice.

OOC: Interesting idea. A meeting on sea is something I had not considered. I like it!

IC: With a groan the huge oaken doors of the palace gate opened, the leering bronze mask in the center splitting in half. On both sides the sea of hoplites, resplendent with their white plumes, parted like wheat, forming a pathway through their numbers. They clicked their spears on the marble courtyard, turned in unison, and faced the messenger.

As soon as the pathway was open, the messenger bowed deeply and, keeping that position, scuttled forward and into the palace proper. Along the hallway leading to the reflection room stood one hoplite every ten feet, ready to exact justice should the messenger try anything.

Remembering that to straighten was to die, the man hurried along to the doors of the reflection room. The two guards beat their halberds on their bronze-painted breastplate and pulled open the door.

The king was standing amidst a grove of golden trees, contemplating the moonstone fruits that hung from crystal leaves. “Approach,” he said softly. The messenger bowed even deeper and nearly crawled towards his ruler, until he was once again but 100 paces from him.

“My Lord, a reply from the Principality of Kurona. They left the decision of whether to meet on land or at sea to you, Oh Transcendent Majesty.” Yrale scratched his chin and nodded,

“I see. Send a reply telling them to gather precisely fifty-two vessels, if they have them, and send them towards us. Then, wait a week to allow time for the message to reach them. After that, dispatch fifty-two of our own ships.”

“Lord, your brilliance is blinding. But, if you may permit me to ask, where on Poseidon’s sea will the fleet meet them?”

“A simple dilemma. Order our fleet to place 500 paces between themselves. Then, when the Principality’s armada is sited, have them group together.”

“Your wisdom transcends your age,” groveled the messenger. Bowing deeper, he turned and crawled back to the doors.

Every guard in the hall slammed the butt of their weapon into the ground three times, then shouted “Thus is the will of the king! Long live the king! Long live King Yrale IV!”

The Fleet got underway. Tomoyo on the H.M.S. Kurona guarded by the H.M.S. Raven

The gentle waves of the Suffolk Sea had long since fallen away, only to be replaced by the swells of the Atlantic. The steady beat of drums resonated from below the decks of the fifty-two triremes, urging the 170 rowers on each to work faster, harder. The sails of the vessels snapped in the wind as the marines on deck sang a rousing tune.

It should only be a few more days of sailing before they reached the halfway point between the two nations, where hopefully they would find the Principality’s fleet.

Kuronan Fleet 500 miles out

The fleet of ships struggled through the big waves, and blasting rain. Lightning streaked down from the grey sky. General Yasuhiko Sadamoto who was the Defense Minister stood on deck looking out to the horizon. He proceeded down bellow.

Li looked over maps along with a few others, Tomoyo drank her tea contently.

"It's getting blacker towards the horizon. That only means it will get worse before it get's better."

Tomoyo was quite calm, years of sailing the Xanadouien Sea she was well aware of the weather.

"Don't forget General, we are still in the stormy season. The time when the Xanadouiean sea is at it's roughest. Once we get to open waters, things will calm down. All storms pass in time."

Of course months ago, that seemed doubtfull when the weather just would not let up. Of course Tomoyo's predictions we're right. The weather hald calmed down. And the waters, we're still slightly choppy.

"Wind is strong Milady, we should be at the Rendezvous almost ahead of schedual, at this rate."

"Very good captain."

On the seventh day out of Nevis, archers in the bow towers spotted sails on the horizon. Sails were immediately ordered taken down, and the masts were gently lowered into the trench in the center of each vessel. The beating of the drums increased, urging the rowers forward.

The glimmering bronze rams that capped the prows shone in the fading sun as the last of the thunderstorm overhead dissipated. As the two fleets closed, the oarsmen began to row backwards, slowing the vessels until they were at a near stop.

When the Kuronan vessels pulled up next to the Pharenians, grappling lines were pitched across on both sides, drawing vessels together. Bales of hay stuffed in cloth tubes prevented the ships from crashing together as planks were slapped across the gaps between them. In no time flat a wooden island stood where once was two fleets.

Admiral Zunshei, the man in charge of this expedition, bowed to the crew of the vessel lashed to his. “Let us begin negotiations,” he said from behind his carved wooden mask.

Tomoyo emerged from bellow deck. Along with Li, and Yasuhiko. Her youth obviously was comming as a shock to many people. After all she was only 15.

She bowed and said "Hello, I'm Princess Tomoyo Mikanu, leader of Kurona."

http://www.cyandora.net/images/gallery/tsubasa_tomoyo.jpg

Spotting what appeared to be a dignitary of some sorts a few boats down the line, Zunshei and his hoplite entourage made their way across the temporary island. The swells of the sea made the boards buck, but sailors holding tightly onto grappling lines made sure the boats did not drift apart.

Bowing almost until his body was at a ninety-degree angle, the admiral silently welcomed the dignitary. Straightening with a snap, Zunshei greeted her again, this time verbally.

“Greetings. I am Admiral Zunshei of Pharenia, sent here by order of His Majesty King Yrale IV.” Seeing the look of confusion on the dignitary’s face, Zunshei came to a realization: the Kuronans did not speak Faren, and the Pharenians did not speak whatever language the Principality used.

Most inconvenient, he thought to himself.

"Oh dear, none of them seem to speak Kurma." Tomoyo said concernedly. "General?"

"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with their langauge Mi-lady. But if I'm correct it sounds like Faren. I'll try to confirm if they speak Faren. Faren yes?" He nodded up and down to try to indicate if that was indeed the langauge they we're speaking.

Zunshei nodded, relieved. "It gladdens me that you speak Faren. Now, may I introduce myself," he said to courtier next to the dignitary. "I am Admiral Zunshei of Pharenia."

"No I'm afraid I don't, but I do know someone who can. Captain!"

"Yes sir?"

"Please serve as an interperter for us."

He asked him to repeat what he just said. He says" "I am Admiral Zunshei of Pharenia"

"Tell Him..."

"General." Tomoyo interupted.

"Oh pardon me milady, of course you should talk."

Tomoyo once again bowed. "I am Tomoyo Mikanu. I am the Ruling Princess of Kurona. We are please to meet you."

The Captian relayed Tomoyo's words in Farren.

Although surprised that such a young... well, girl really, could be princess of a nation, Zunshei's thirty plus years in the service of His Majesty's fleets had steeled him against unexpected events.

"An honor to meet you," he said. "King Yrale IV wishes it be knwon that he sends his greetings."

"I realize my age must suprise you. It suprises a great deal of many people. So can you tell us, what you major trade is? Ours is farming. Trout and well regular farming. We also make fine ships, such as the one I came on."

"Pharenia specializes in commerce," said Zunshei. "If you exclude trade, then I would say wine and olive oil production."

"Very nice. Basic Political Structure, belifes?"

The admiral could see that this conversation would likely take a while, so he motioned for one of his hoplites to fetch the chairs brought on Zunshei’s trireme for just such an occasion.

Returning with one in each hand, the burly soldier placed them facing each other on the deck of the ship. Both were carved of ebony and had jade seats, armrests, and inlays. On these stones were carved scenes of Pharenian history.

“Please, take a seat,” he said to the princess. Sitting down slowly, Zunshei continued. “Pharenia is governed by either a king or an emperor, depending on which title the ruler takes for himself. This ruler is elected a maximum of two times every five years by a group of men known as Officiates. These hail from the senates of each of the seven provinces. Each senate in turn is composed of twenty citizens drawn anew each year.”

"Hmm I see. I'm not so sure we will see eye to eye on Diplomatic Relations. As I'm not elected, I'm selcted by the Raven Order, and I serve untill I retire, the Order Choses a New Person, or I die."

"Too each their own way," nodded Admiral Zunshei. Now, I was told you wished to strike an agreement with Pharenia?"

"well frankley we would love it, if you would become allies with us. Maybe even move to Xanadou. Kurona has usually not been in much ways of conflict, untill very recentally. Seeing as you are a nation very much like ours, still holding onto the past it's all the more reason we find you as a most valuable asset. Also trade would be nice, with our nice Agricultraul Business we can surley provide you with a great ammount of food. In times of international crises, we can help you. Trust me, if a nation cares enough as a freind or ally, they will help you."

OOC: Apologies for my lack of posting!

IC: Zunshei nodded slowly. “I see,” he said. “I am not qualified to handle such sensitive dealings. Perhaps, if you would be so inclined, we could sail back to Pharenia for a meeting with the king? You could send back a few of your ships to inform your people. To help your descision,” he said after a moment, “please accept the two chairs we are sitting in. together they are valued at 2,571 gold florins* on Pharenia’s open market.”

* 1 gold florin = $413 USD, making this gift $1,061,823

"Sure. Thank you very much for this gift. So I suppose we shall get underway, then." Li whispered into her ear. "Oh I'm affraid we will have to reschedual. I'm needed back in Sonomi, rather urgently."


(OOC: a much better pic of Tomoyo) http://************/d5f8u

"I see," said Zunshei, curtly. The king would be very unhappy that he had failed. "Please do visit in the future." With that, he got out of the chair and walked back to his ship. Hoplites on the Pharenian triremes disengaged grappling hooks and pulled up the boards, while the masts were raised and the oarsman set back into position.