NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc: Kazecistan is now both PT and FT! Yea! Anyway, it may take another post or two before the Messenger gets to your nation, please be patient. Also, I exist in a Roman/LotR/whatever-I-feel-like* time period, please only reply with similar tech levels.

* it will all have about that tech level, but I incorporate Asian aspects and a few of my own design. (Nothing will exceed that level, but other cultures and my own mind are included.)

And now for the Glory!

Ic: Lucius awoke after only four hours of sleep, the room was dark and the hall was silent. It must be just before dawn, he thought, because the usual din from the dining room has been hushed. Slowly he rolled out of bed, four hours of sleep in 2 days was far too little, even for him. He already wore his tunic, and now slipped into his riding gear.

The boy at the stables was slumped in a chair, apparently fallen asleep during the late shift. Lucius didn't bother to wake him, but passed silently to his horse. It wasn't his, per-se, it was the state's, but he always liked the black ones and messengers had leave to take any state horse of their choosing. It rubbed its nose on his shoulder as he saddled it up. He repaid its gesture with a sugar cube, partially to win its affection and partially to get the mayor perky for the day's ride.

The pair stepped out onto the thick, moist grass. When the sun came up in an hour, it would burn away the fog, 'till then he would have to go by memory. He mounted and they walked. The town they left behind was a far cry from the Capitol he left three days ago. Its walls were wood and clay, they couldn't hold a candle to the massive stone battlements of the city, nor was it even close to the same size. Either way, he was headed back out into the country. It was beautiful out there, the trees, the grass, every thing about it was attractive to him.

By the time the sun's fiery rays shown upon the land, the town was out of sight. A light breeze caressed his face and sent a ripple through the horse's hair. He kicked her into a gallop from her former lope and they sped across the country. There were great roads throughout the Dominion, but none went direct to his destination. His destination, heh, he didn't know where he was going, and neither did any one else in the Dominion. But two things were certain, it was important that he arrive and once he did Kazecistan would never be the same. Since its founding, Kazecistan had had no contact with any other civilization, this would not be allowed continue. He rode hard all day, stopping only briefly for lunch and to trade horses at another post, this one out in the middle of nowhere, passed only by the unpaved grass road by which he traveled.

It was dark when he reached the boarder post, but once again, the moon was bright. He could make out the outline of the post, a fat tower or tiny castle, whichever one preferred. It was made of stone and held a military garrison at all times. It had two pyres atop it, one much smaller and above the other. "Whoa" he gently whispered to the horse as he leaned slightly back and touched on the breaks. He dismounted and pounded his fist against the door.

"What?" replied a rather peeved watchman.
"I am The Messenger. I am on my way beyond our boarders and request board and a fresh horse."
"You bear the seal of a messenger," He responded skeptically before accepting his position. "So I guess that means the motion passed the Council?"
"Four days ago now."
"You best be getting in then, you can leave in the morning. There's bread and wine in the pantry, try to keep quiet for the others." He ushered him into the torch lit room that served as the kitchen and common area before returning to his post.

The smaller, upper pyre was lit to signal the arrival of the messenger, and the message went down the line between the many stations back to the capitol in rapid succession.

"Friends, senators, Taledonians!" the deep voice of the master of debate reverberated against the thick marble walls and the up the rows of benches where the whispering senators sat, quietly finishing their discussions before turning their attention to the front. "Let us stand to take the oath." They all stood, and all of them spoke as if one as they repeated the words the master of debate spoke as he read the oath aloud. When it was finished, a quick glance over the crowd made them all sit once again.

"Very well. Senators, I am pleased to announce that Latium is now firmly under the control of the Taledonian people. However, we have yet to organise the legions to protect and keep order within the cities. Currently, we have a full legion positioned at the Campus Martius outside Taledon, another in the south at Antium, and two more in the north. The allied cities surrounding our lands have donated two full auxiliary legions, which are currently a day's march from the city.
"The legion fort on the northern frontier is almost finished, and it has been suggested that we move one of the northern legions into the fort, with the other to be stationed in Veii to keep order within the central regions of the north. Both our auxiliary legions should be moved to the south to join up with the legion at Antium, so that we can further our progress in conquering the southern part of the peninsuala."

A murmure rose from the crowd as the senators spoke amongst themselves, but when the vote was called, they all relunctantly agreed. Gaius let out a sigh and slouched over. It would be another boring meeting, with the simple discussion of tax assessments and how the funds should be spent. How he craved the dismissal of the meeting so that he could return to his villa on the outskirts of the city, and relax in his garden with a cool glass of wine and his wife, while his daughters giggled and gossiped about what they had heard that day and his son went about his studies under the large oak in the middle of the yard. It was to be a hot day.

ooc: How close is Taledonia to being Rome in terms of history and culture? Do you plan to depart from that?

Ic: The Messenger, like all of the others, departed from the boarder post in the early morning. From here it was uncharted territory, and he could very well be away from civilization for many days. He took a raeda ((Roman carriage)) specially equipped with extra provisions, a team of horses, and the ability to be converted into a shelter at night. Their pace was quick on the first day, in hopes that if another race was near-by they wouldn't need to spend the night in the open. No such luck. On the third day he spotted a building. Definitely not Kazeci. Lucius 'parked' the vehicle and dismounted, approaching the door. He was well-armed with a sward, bow, dagger, and spear, but his job required it. He gave a polite but powerful knock. Hopefully they spoke Kazin*.

ooc: * Kazin is very close to Latin, but there are a few differences. One who speaks Latin can understand Kazin and vise-verse.

(OOC: For my PT Taledonia, it's basically just my city is in the place Rome would be, and you know my culture already, and how even in FT we haven't really changed it. We are basically Rome, with a few changes.)

IC:

Rufio looked up from his meal and stared questioningly at his family who sat around the dinner table. It was odd for somebody to be calling at this time of day, especially since their small little farm was far from any settlements. He pushed back his chair and stood up. He grabbed his pitchfork that had been leening against the wall and went to the door, opening it a crack to see who it was and then a bit more to reveal his face to the stranger.

"Why do you disturb the peace of my home at this hour when you are unknown to me or my kinsmen?"

He bowed his head apologetically and respectfully. "My apologies for the disturbance, kind sir, but I am a messenger from another land, Kazecistan, and I seek your nation's leaders. Might you be able to point me in their direction and give me the name of this land?"

(Well I'm guessing I'm welcome, but I'm not sure)

ooc: More than! Just assume that Lucius has a twin brother named Lucius who does exactly the same in your nation up to this point.

(okay then)

((Well?))

Planting the end of his pitch fork against the floor, Rufio opened the door fully. He looked the messanger up and down as if sizing him up, trying to determine if what he said was true, or if it was just a common thief trying to steal some of his modest crops. He shrugged as he decided to believe the mans story, and pointed to the south.

"The Taledonians have recently taken control of these lands. I haven't been to town recently, but I believe that Veii is where their northern based legions are stationed at the moment. Under Vitellus I believe. Have a good day stranger."

And he shut the door.

The man was rude, but helpful. It was a good thing he wasn't a Taledonian, a whole civilization of people like that and he had no point in continuing. He climbed into the raeda once again and headed south as fast as the team of horses could run while dragging him and the state's possessions. Once again he set up camp in the open, converting the raeda into a shelter and making a basic dinner while the horses grazed.

In the morning he set out again, they made good time and were at the town before noon. He slowed the team and sought the largest building or someone dressed as military personnel. It wasn't long before he found both, slowing to a stop and getting out once again.

"Hello, sir, and good morning." He bowed his head and swept has arms back. Looking up, he continued. "I am a messenger from another land, Kazecistan, and I bear greetings and gifts for your land's leaders."

Veii was a bustling sea side town on the east side of the peninsuala, and it just so happened that it was the market day within the busy port town. The town square was filled with stalls and screaming merchants, and the people going about in the mob trying to barter and buy what they wanted, and attempting not to lose their coin purses to the little boys who like the thrill of thievery.

At almost every street corner, a group of legionaries stood talking amongst themselves, and watching attentively for anyone who broke the law. The man in the cart looked like just another merchant on his way to set up shop, a little late in the morning, but he could still make a few denarii before night came.

Two legionaries stood unmoving near the gates of the governor's villa, almost like identicle statues. They were new recruits, and that was evident as they drew their gladius' as the man approached them, more experienced men would have kept still and let the man say what he wanted before he returned to the throng of the market. As the man introduced himself, the two guards turned to each other, and then the first replied.

"I don't know, I'd have to check with my superior to admit you within the gates. Hold your position here." he nodded to the other legionary, who took up a position directly infront of the gate to continue to bar the way as his comrade went inside.

A few minutes later, the guard returned with another, who was dressed in more expensive armour and had a red horsehair crest on his helmet. His gladius sat in its scabbard at his side, and his hands were crossed behind his back. He looked at the man and then turned to the legionaries. "Check the cargo."

Of what could be gotten to, they found wood, large sheets of papyrus with writings and drawings, and food provisions. The makings of a bed were built into it as well. He had a small sum of gold coins in a sack, hidden from sight behind a stack of wood. A larger sum was impossible to get at without a key, and both the key hole and the door were well hidden beneath the raeda. All of his weapons were on him, with the exception of the spear, which was lain across the inside of the covered carriage.

"There is little for you in terms of material possessions, and I have nothing to hide. What I offer is of interest to your leaders. Pardon, I understand you to be a leader, but not not the kind I had hoped. I was told that there was a new empire building, Taledonia, and came here in search of its capitol and highest authorities."

He made no effort to seem concerned with the inspection, but he was very worried. Kazeci horses were very fine, akin to the best of Arabian stock, and the team that lead him were the finest in two day's walk of their stable. If they wanted to take something, they would be it. Their harness was high quality leather as well.

The centurion returned the nod of his men after the inspection was completed, and then turned back to the traveler. "You have come to the wrong place. Turn around, and follow the road south. It will take you to Taledon. Wait a moment." The centurion disapeered into the complex for a few moments, and then returned with a scroll. "Give this to the gate guards. It has my stamp on it, and they will know to let you pass through. The senate is probably in session this afternoon at the curia, which is in the middle of the city. Ask the locals if you get lost, but if you still haven't found what you are looking for, or you find that they are not in session, do not sleep in your cart. The gangs of raptures patrol the dark streets and alleys of the city at night, and will rob you blind if not cut your throat, and they'll take your pretty ponies if you don't put them in a stable." He then nodded to the legionaries, who once again took their positions as gate statues, and turned to go back inside the gate.

He nodded his head and thanked the man, despite what he had said being somewhat offencive and frightening. Such gangs did not exist for long in Kazecistan, there was no motive and a policing military. He once again mounted and set off, from what he had been told, the city was within the remaining day's journey and he could be there before late noon if he hurried.

He pulled into Taledon, flashing the scroll at any questioning guards and asking for directions to the 'senate' every few blocks. It wasn't long before he found the large building and sought entry, entrusting his possessions to the guards at the front. Soon he hoped to be a state guest.

*cough*