NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC I Enjoy suming things so if no one wants to read lines of plot filler just scroll down to the letter at the bottom that states pretty much everything for those with little time.

“…An unlawful annexation, constituting a threat to Waldenburg. and it’s Empire. Your majesty, the Senate and Church demand that something be done, we will not stand idol as our Empire collapses around our head. Jagaro has gone to far, I am sure that this is intended as a direct affront to Waldenburg, we will have nothing less then Groddenburg and an apology. (Our name for the Annex Norwegian Province.) Senator and Bishop Ramsfield stepped down from the podium all around him members of the Serene Senate were jumping to their feet and calling for immediate action. Hundreds of rather old men rasping out calls for war. Usually the senate was divided on such issue and with such division the Empire had been allowed to run smoothly.

“Imminences please, quiet, we will vote on the matter shortly, but now I need silence!” Bellowed the speaker a young nervous man who wore a robe trailing behind several feet more then necessary. “The Emperor and Crown Prince have come to discuss the mater, they assure us that we can find a logical solution that will benefit all parties.” He smashed his hand against the speaker’s chair and again shouted for the cacophony, which had changed to more random shouting to stop. After awhile it did, with the senators carefully returning to their seats.

“An Excellent Display Gentleman,” Wyatt Von Waldenburg III, the Emperor hobbled out of a public viewing box and up a small set of stairs to a heavily embellished box bearing the Imperial Seal and more gold then was strictly necessary. “All of this over a little friendly competition? The fact of the matter is that it is perfectly legal…” he paused waiting for the uproar, but apparently none was forth coming. “We will be alone if we must challenge this, if not indeed against every nation of the world. By international law their annexation though rude is perfectly legal, we must accept that sometimes plans must be altered and bloodshed is not the easiest way to achieve our goals. My Son Felix also wishes to address this body.”

“Indeed I do.” The voice came from across the room, in what was originally intended to be the opposition box provided there was any, now they kept the voting boxes there when they weren’t in use. “Surely our Empire will not be foiled by a island, which must search for their navy? We are the greatest Empire on Earth,” Felix Von Waldenburg said this quite assuredly, no one would contradict him openly on the Senate floor in front of the entire Empire. “We will act like it. War alone brings up to their highest tension all human energies and imposes the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to make it. No one can question our nobility, no one can question our power, it is our divine duty to steer all nations onto the one true path. One nation, one God, all peoples of the world acting as one!” he waved his hands to several Cardinals who began to murmur amongst themselves, and Felix voices grew in power and it became a deep rich gold filling the room, almost flowing through the air.

“This is what the future holds, this is how the dice shall fall, Waldenburg gentlemen, the Great Empire, from horizon to horizon and in to heaven. We cannot stop, this is our fight, either we back down and stab destiny in the back our accept responsibility for the world. And we begin here, here at home, hopefully bloodshed will not be necessary but we shall answer with whatever means to ensure the continuation of the world, under one glorious Empire.” The room could no longer take the patriotic fervor and exploded again, the Emperor forgotten, and their cheers directed to the incredible lies that were being rained upon them form the Opposition stand.

As one the Bishops chanted for the vote though in the end it would come down to Imperial approval. Wyatt Von Waldenburg could not fight it though still in silence he watched the rows of holy men with war in their eyes. The only people who looked mildly worried in the room was the speaker and two marines on the side of him, both parties would really be the ones to deal with the stresses of war.

The vote took time, two fights broke out, a Bishops index finger was taken off when the marines tried to separate the groups, bayonets still drawn.

“Before I read the votes does his Majesty have something to say at this point?” The Speaker enquired hopefully hinting with his eyes that the word “Glorious” should be mentioned as many times as possible.

“At ninety years old, I have said my entire life that we shall be consumed by war in the end. Not by an aggressor but in our own house, by our own children. Not far away on an island paradise but in the frigid waters of the north, where the blood will fertilize our crops. Vote now if you must, I will sign your will, but remember how by conversation you ended the world I knew and created another one. It seems that my place is already being filled.” His words were not quite the plan the Speaker had been hoping for, and his eyes darkened as the Emperor fell back into a chair the marines had rushed forward.
“This Divine Senate, in presence of the Royal family, and his Majesty the Emperor, has decreed by a vote of 614 to 91 that the Nation of Jagaro shall be dealt with and concurs that it’s annexation is illegal. The province shall at least be partially turned over to the Empire by whatever means His Majesty sees fit. The Speaker finished adding power to his voice in the way of the High court Judges. This time the cheering was much more refined, all the Senators standing and clapping politely, they bowed to the Emperor, his son then the speaker and departed with a wave of the speaker.

Official Imperial Declaration: As Directed by the Divine Senate of Waldenburg

The Principality of Jagaro, has recently annexed, a slice of territory on one of the Scandinavian Peninsula, consisting of a Norwegian province. The Waldenburg Empire views this annexation as a willful attempt to subvert our authority in the region, and change the balance of power to more hostile foreign powers. The Senate has thus concluded that the territory annexed shall be handed over to Waldenburg, through any means to stop the expansion of foreign powers in this region. We are not unreasonable in this matter and would be happy, to exchange the Norwegian provinces for one of our Canadian or American colonies. Several points must be maintained to prevent the start of hostilities between our nations:

I. The Norwegian Province shall be turned over to the Waldenburg Empire, terms are negotiable but, we are not willing to waste time make them fast and reasonable.
II. No Military build up shall take place in Norway, or it shall constitute an act of war between our nations.
III. Your navies shall retire from the area with the consequences similar to clause III.
IV. You shall sign an alliance treaty between us, we shall ensure that your Empire can expand further; in exchange you will promise never to attempt expansion in Scandinavia. We shall also support each other in wartime as well as in peace.
V. Your Nation Joins the EFTA to reduce any tariffs between Waldenburg and Jagaro.

These terms will be accepted with limited negotiation or punitive action shall be taken against Jagaro as, it is deemed necessary by the Imperial armed forces.
Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III Emperor of Waldenburg, Margrave of Blunderbürg and head of the most Serene Senate of Waldenburg.


Imperial Seal:
http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s30/lordmango3/?action=view&current=waldenburg25.gif

Kansiov is fine with this more and does no threaten Waldenburg 's port in Kansiov to be removed

"Good morning, Tyrant."
"Ah, morning James, what's new in the world of foreign policy?"
"Well, you know Jagaro annexed part of Norway? What am I saying, of course you do."
"Indeed. Well, I suppose Waldenburg have done something in response, eh?"
"Yes, they've issued a list of demands that amounts to an ultimatum, demanding the province be turned over to them, no military build-up, no naval movements nearby, and that Jagaro join the EFTA."
"Interesting. Would we accept Jagaro into the EFTA? In fact, do we still want Waldenburg in it? I understand that the inspectors weren't too pleased with their compliance with openness to the goods of other members."
"Well...they had some gripes about every member, Waldenburg was somewhat the worst offender, but not by overmuch."
"Might be worth it nonetheless, pour encourager les autres."
"Well, it would probably push them all-out into the German camp though, given that they're now uneasy fence-sitters. The Anj wouldn't be too happy with us if we managed that."
"Very true, alas. We must tread somewhat carefully. So, do you have any recommendations for our official response?"
"Yes, I'd suggest we say that Waldenburg has reasonable cause to consider...what did they call it? Well, the province."
"Groddenburg."
"Yes, reasonable cause to consider it as theirs; and thus we call on them to reach an amicable agreement with Jagaro. While we do not consider Jagaro's actions to have been illegal or improper, they were ill-advised, and should accept the deal Waldenburg has offered."
"I hate having to deal with them thus; they've always been pompous and over-inflated, and their arrogance surpasses itself in this affair."
"However, it doesn't do to make a Power feel threatened - that can shake the balance of the continent."
"Indeed. We gently back Waldenburg and urge a friendly negotiated solution."

To: The Emperor of Waldenburg
From: The Tyrant
We have seen the actions of Jagaro, and your response. We consider that you have reasonable cause to see Groddenburg as in your sphere of influence, and fully support a negotiated solution that sees Groddenburg become a part of Waldenburg.

Imperial Statement:

We thank the nations of Kasinov and Igonita for their neutrality or acceptance of our situation. We too hope that this can be over soon without any hostilities breaking out. Diplomacy shall have it's day.

Signed:
The Rt Honorable Rupert Fry (OIH) Minister of Foreign Affairs Waldenburg

An Exerpt from the Times:

During the question period today in Parliament Prime Minister Walters was asked about his response to the Waldenburg ultimatum to Jagaro. In response the Prime Minister said the following:
"The sovereign and myself view Jagaro's claim as completely legitimate and are currently seeking mediation between them and Waldenburg. Unfortunately thats all the information I have for you at this moment as we are currently awaiting Waldenburgs response to our latest diplomatic note. However, I can tell you that neither myself, or the sovereign will stand for Waldenburg bullying a smaller nation out of a completely legitimate claim."

Letter to Emperor Wyatt Von Waldenburg III:
From King James III, sovereign of Bautzen:
Hail to you my friend, I'm sure that you could divine why this note was sent to you even before you received it, in your infinite wisdom. However, I ask you to indulge me for a moment while I explain. My fellow Lord, I ask you to drop this ludicrous ultimatum against Jagaro in the name of European peace, we both know that they pose no threat to you or your government and that you have no legitimate causus belli if (God forbid) Jagaro should decline (as I believe they should) to yeild to your ultimatum. My friend your nation has no reason to be jealous of such a small nation as you, in your infinite wisdom must understand. Surely you are a compassionate man who would not wish to be remembered as a prosecuter, or bully of smaller nations legitimate activities. My Lord the precedents of international law favor Jagaro here, I would ask, no beg you to allow Jagaro their claim in the interests of peace. Europe does not need to be consumed by war and if you do the right thing (as I am sure you will) you will be forever remembered as a wise and just monarch who did not seek to make jealous war.

I Thank You for Your Time;
King James III, by the Grace of God King of Bautzen and Her Domains

Imperial Respose From: Rupert Fry Foreign Ministry Waldenburg
To: His Majesty King James of Bautzen

Unfortunately we cannot back down once our position is set. And My infinitely wise Senate has decreed that it shall be a territory of Waldenburg. It is by no means an unfair trade we, should the Prince of Jagaro accept hand over a Canadian province, creating a more unified state for Jagaro and Waldenburg. We realize it is abrupt and demanding prospect but I should hardly call it bullying, we are merely steering Jagaro away from becoming a puppet of another regime, a regime with intereasts in the Baltic. The threat is apparent to us at least, and no sooner shall we turn our backs then find a knife in it should they be allowed to keep their Norwegian provinces. War is only one final outcome and an easy one to avoid provided Jagaro stays true to our 5 points.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III

Imperial Respose From: Rupert Fry Foreign Ministry Waldenburg
To: His Majesty King James of Bautzen

Unfortunately we cannot back down once our position is set. And My infinitely wise Senate has decreed that it shall be a territory of Waldenburg. It is by no means an unfair trade we, should the Prince of Jagaro accept hand over a Canadian province, creating a more unified state for Jagaro and Waldenburg. We realize it is abrupt and demanding prospect but I should hardly call it bullying, we are merely steering Jagaro away from becoming a puppet of another regime, a regime with intereasts in the Baltic. The threat is apparent to us at least, and no sooner shall we turn our backs then find a knife in it should they be allowed to keep their Norwegian provinces. War is only one final outcome and an easy one to avoid provided Jagaro stays true to our 5 points.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III

To His Imerial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III:
From His Majesty King James III of Bautzen, and Walter Higgens Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bautzen:

My Lord, you claim that you are steering Jagaro away from becoming the puppet of another regime with interests in the Baltic. May I inquire as to who you believe "persuaded" the Jagaran government to claim an unclaimed, and unoccupied territory. Because, to put it quite bluntly, it looks rather like you are the one trying to manipulate Jagaro into becoming your puppet. If we look at these terms you ask of them nothing more than the complete surrender of their honor, you are informing them that you do not believe that they can have any honorable intentions mearly because they claimed a territory on your border. It truely looks to us here in Bautzen as if you are being unduely paranoid, and that your terms are asking Jagaro to give up everything but its sovereignty to you. Indeed, who know what rediculous claims you will make now.

We here in Bautzen feel the need to inform you that any attempt to remove Jagaro from territory which it is their right by international law to occupy will be seen as an act of war by Bautzen against Jagaro, and Bautzen will be more than happy to show you the mettle of her armed forces. While negotiated settlement is always preferrable we will not stand here while a small nation is steamrolled over by the demands of the second largest nation in the world. Here is our proposal, we would invite representatives from Jagaro and Waldenburg to discuss the possibilty, and only that, of them handing over their own sovereign territory in an exchange, this would be held in the province which you so seek (assuming Jagaro consents) and would be mediated by Bautzen and any other nation which see's fit to help ensure fair negotiating tactics are used. We inform you that your ultimatum is a joke which no leader with any sense of national pride can accept and that it will not be used as the basis of the begining of negotiations, and that it is Jagaro's choice whether or not to hand over her own territory to you and we will not stand for any bullying of smaller nations by larger ones with threats of groundless war.

Signed;
His Majesty King James III of Bautzen; Walter Higgens, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bautzen

OOC: Jagaro assume I sent you a message asking if you would agree to our mediation of a conference between you and Waldenburg in your newly claimed territory

Incognitia will assist in mediating any conference. While our stated position is, and remains, that Waldenburg has a legitimate claim to the territory, we believe that this would be balanced by Bautzen's position as the other mediating power.

We are, and remain, certain that an agreement can be reached amicably, rather than with armed force.
In fact, we strongly advise all interested parties to refrain from inflaming an already delicate situation.

Finally we suggest that the conference take place in Nescia, rather than Groddenburg. Removing those concerned from the cause of the disagreement will, we think, foster a cool appraisal of the realities, permitting a mature and amicable agreement.

(OOC: Bautzen, mate, you want to have a bit of intrigue over the territories between us? Not necessarily ending with either of us in control, just a bit of fun on the side...)

OOC Am I the Second largest? I oculd have sworn Incognita had a much bigger population.

Imperial Response To: His Majesty King James III of Bautzen
From: His Highness Felix Von Waldenburg

We would dare not pen the entirety of our beliefs on who attempts to control Jagaro, it should only cause yet more inccidents which we perfer not incite, as it is of course only speculation. Waldenburg, plainly only wishes for unity, we are prepared to negotiate but we are not prepared to surrender our claims. There are honor, we could not say about, this annexation has severly damaged ours and, most here push for war as a first step. Honor must be sacraficied in this case be one of our nations, Waldenburg will not be the first to do so.

As for military action we understand your concern, and truely hope that it shall not come to that, but we truely wish to ask what your military plans to do? Your armies are quite respectable, but your navy cannot compare to our own, what will Bautzen's armies do seperated by over a thousand miles from the front? Such threats though amusing are baseless, and it would be Bautzen that suffers should it declare war on Waldenburg.

In the interesets of harmony between nations we accept your invitation to mediation, if the transfer can be done legally then there should be little for Bautzen to complain about. As acting commander of Imperial Forces I should aslo like to say that if war breaks out our only offensive will be in Norway. war is not something we relish and by chance should it break out we will attempt to keep casualties to a minimum.

Signed:
His Highness Felix Von Waldenburg

SIC
The Submarine Fleet is put on high alert.

OOC Am I the Second largest? I oculd have sworn Incognita had a much bigger population.

OOC: Yup. I have 50% more population than you, and Germany is the same size as me. Add to that, Wolfy is back and is bigger than me.

EDIT: I assume that in this case you'll accept Incognitia assisting with mediation, as in my post that must have gone up while you were writing yours?

OOC Yes Your Mediation's will be good.

OOC: First I find it funny we're making threats back and forth and the instiggator of this hasnt even posted here yet. Second Intrigue works for me Incognitia, always makes things interesting.

And O well, I'm sure you have more territory than either Germany or Incognitia if you count colonies too, I wasnt really going off of population.

IC: Bautzen will accept both Incognitia's assistance in mediation, and the movement to a neutral location. However, we would reapeat our declaration that the ultimatum is to be disregarded, and negotiations will begin without the threat of war hanging over our heads.

OOC2: I was going to propose moving it out of Incognitia, but I couldnt come up with a valid excuse. lol.

"Everyone accepted our little plan? Excellent."
"Well, everyone except Jagaro."
"I think their agreement can be assumed, as it's that or the ultimatum."
"I suppose."
"Well, make preparations! One of the old palaces will do I suppose. Suitable accommodations, facilities for meeting, all that."
"Indeed. The one north of Nescia, I always forget the name. We can get an airship to land everyone on the lawn...much more stylish way to arrive."
"That, dear boy, is why I hired you. You handle this detail so much better than I ever could."

OOC: Assume that your ruler/relevant minister takes a specially rescheduled IA airship and arrives direct at the palace. Small protection details are permitted (after the unfortunate incident of the Kaiser, hehe). Observers appearing to see fair play are permitted, but will be permitted no official voice at the talks, and may be requested to leave by either of the mediating powers, or both parties to the talks.

"This is not good." Said newly appointed senator Christopher Johnson "we expeceted some distain, but not for them to take it so harshly we should pull out at once."

"Yes but should we not have forseen such, afterall Waldenburg is perhaps the most prideful nation in Europe if not the on earth." This time it was Kenith Camren former ambasator to The Confederacy Warsaw and long severing senator who spoke. "Indeed we have long wished to occupy the Ravenland and now that we finaly have annexed it the last thing we should do is back away, we have many allies that will surely back us should it come to war. I implore you my prince we must continue our occupation of the Ravenland, Jagaro must show the world that we are not afraid of anything."

Senator Samuel Mackenzie who had been silent until now spoke "Look the fact is that if Jagaro goes to war with Waldenburg it will be most catastrophic for both sides which can use to our advantage. The Jagaron people have never been afraid of war but such a large nation would not want to look like a bully or take heavy losses, my prince you should go to the negotiations and take as much of Waldenburg's Canadian colonies as possible."

So far Senator Mackenzie was making the most sense that was one flaw with the Jagaron parliment was that it tended to be the people with the most extreme opinions that ended up as senators. The next thing for Prince Edward to consiter was just what he would want in excahnge for the Ravenland. As the Senators continued to argue he looked at maps and read reports untill he at last setteled on one area known as Newfoundland and Labrador however he knew if he opened with such a small substitute other nations would walk all over Jagaro and more importantly the people of Jagaro would stop supporting him.

The next day he he made his public anouncement that he would go to the negotiations and force Waldenburg to surrunder Quebec, Newfoundland, and Labrador or Jagaro will not surrender the Ravenland.

OOC: sorry about the slow responce had lots to do all day.

"Good men! Are we to tamely accept this? This act of blatant imperialism? Waldenburg has long threatened us with their actions and words. Should we tolerate them acting against us once again?"

Six Imperial Councillors, the Minister for War, the Minister for Defense, two admirals, and two generals, had gathered, to speak on the matter. With the Empire's army being improved, and new ships laid down, they had never been more ready for a war at sea than they were now. And the admirals showed it - belligerent, angry, and aggressive.

"Admiral, nonetheless, Waldenburg represents a solid counterweight to Germany's ambitions in the area. Furthermore, if they annex that region of Scandinavia, their industrial strength will be improved by a significant reduce the size their fleet closer to home. No, Waldenburg's expansion is a gain for us, despite their hostility. They are no great threat to Illar, but they are useful to us because of their attitude, and their location."

The Minister for Defence, Alham Kandvar. A somewhat peace-orientated man, as was most of the cabinet nowadays.

"Alham, we are facing a crisis. If we do not act, Waldenburg will effectively have flouted Illar diplomatic authority, and we will be seen as diminished. No, we should send aid."

"What aid, damnit? We can mobilize twenty thousand men at most within two days, and that along will not hold the Waldenburger's off. And we are not prepared for a major land war, especially not in the freezing north."

"With all due respect, Alham, neither is Waldenburg. If they are met with force, they will retreat. And Jagaro is another useful nation to us - they are small, and relatively weak. Having them as an ally on Scandinavia would equally prevent the Waldenburgers from building up their fleet over-much."

It was an hour later when they met the Emperor. They presented their arguments, and the Emperor looked at them, and laughed. "Ah, my cabinet. Waldenburg will not be permitted to go ahead with this, let me assure you. Rather, I suspect the deployment of a few more dreadnoughts into the English Channel will dissuade them, at the very least. I have already written up our reply."

Letter to Emperor Wyatt Von Waldenburg III
Your acts of aggression and naval provocation have been noticed, time and time again. Let it be known that any attempt to take over the province of Ravenland without the explicit agreement and consent of Jagaro will be regarded as an act of war.

Let it be known that the entire fleet of the Illar is prepared, and that, unlike our neighbours to the south and east, we are able to send your ragged excuse for a fleet to the bottom of the ocean at the first sign of trouble.

However, as always, we are willing to negotiate an agreement, one where Waldenburg could show their good faith, in one way or another.
Marquis Marias, Lord Envoy to Waldenburg

Letter to Jagaro
We stand ready to protect your sovereignity, and, furthermore, have mobilized our fleet in order to do so. Do not fear repercussions from Waldenburg, we have more than enough power to stop a blockade occuring, or an invasion, likewise.
Garran Brown, Lord Envoy to Jagaro


The Empire. Their first course of action, war. It was unnatural to the Illar Empire, that they would threaten and intimidate so easily. No, the Illar were a nation of merchants. They bartered and bargained for their ends, and it had served them well. But the Emperor could not be disobeyed. Not in this. Not in anything.

Dreadnoughts were rousted from port, destroyers, and submarines - even the few seaplane carriers the Empire possessed were being prepared. The Waldenburg navy presented one of the few threats to their northern border, and, as such, they were to be treated with extreme prejudice. It was sad, Alham concluded. War should not be resorted to so simply. It did not make the Empire seem any more frightening - merely more pugnacious, and they had enough enemies as it was.

"My Leige," the Prime Minister cried as he flew through the Kings study's door, "our sources in the Empire have repoted in, finally." "Our sources in Waldenburg?" "No My Lord, our sources in Illar." "Ah, so what is their response?" "My Lord it appears that they have mobilized their fleet, and detachments have started redeploying, presumeably to the north." "Hmm, so it appears that they're taking just as badly as we expected, though this response is extreme even for them." "Well, my Lord, this could play into our hands, if it does come to war then we have solved our means of reaching Ravenland with our army. I suppose we should compose a note to send to Illar assuring them that we will help them provide whatever assitance they may require in support of Jagaro. Incidentaly, has Walter borded the zeppelin to reach the Treaty conference in Incognitia?" " Yes, my Lord," the PM replyed. "Well then, lets get to work on that note, shall we?"

Official note to Illar Empire:
From King James III of Bautzen:
To my Lord in Illar. I would like to inform you that it has come to my attention that you are as worried about the current conflict between Jagaro and Waldenburg as I, and my government are. I would like to inform my Leige that we in Bautzen are willing to assist you in defending Jagaro should the current negotiations come to naught. While my meagre navy might not be as great as your own, both my naval forces and my army are at your command should it come to war. I thank you for taking the time to consider my message and hope that you will continue to hold the ensurement of the sovereignty of small nations as I will.
~His Royal Highness King James III of Bautzen

ooc: Bautzen, you do realize that in the wording of that you just declared yourself a vassal state of the Illar Empire? or at the very least that the one writing it was one of the Emperor of Illar's men.

OOC: I also noticed that. Liege, my lord...it's all very submissive wording and does technically make you his vassal.

IC: "This is...unexpected, to say the least."
"Well, Illar and Waldenburg are not the best of friends, and Waldenburg are the more arrogant. What is important is that they are persuaded not to posture in response. They must come to the conference; they must negotiate a settlement. Jagaro will be bold enough to force a good deal with the backing they now have; let them not now grow too greedy, in demanding things Waldenburg will never accept.
This is Jagaro's one big chance, their day in the sun. They have to live with Waldenburg as a neighbour when this is all over, and Illar's fleet won't always be available to hang over Waldenburg."
"Precisely. A little outbreak of sense on both sides, and they'll see a deal is in their best interests."
"Oh, the Bautzonian has arrived for the conference."
"I'll go down myself once the Waldenburger and Jagaran arrive. Please keep me updated."

James Foreman, Foreign Secretary to the Tyrant, agreed and left the room. Of course, he dealt with wars and disasters whenever they occurred. They had, in fact, planned wars and disasters, on occasion. That was, perhaps the difference he felt this time. This time it wasn't on the plan, it didn't fit into the plan, it had never been allowed for or expected within the plan. There must be no war! The core plan held good within this, but it messed up some of the contingencies irretrievably if Illar was at war with Waldenburg.
Damnit!
Waldenburg would see sense; they would see the way out Illar had left them, of a negotiated settlement; they WOULD. Otherwise...well, he didn't really know.

Given your stated interest we are assuming you will want to observe the coming conference; how else may you judge whether the 'explicit agreement and consent' of Jagaro have been given?
Accommodations have been prepared for a small party of Illarians; you can arrive at any time.

Albert Lux, Reichgone and ultimate ruler of the Anj Reich, for all that his people had much say in the decisions of government, was worried. not paniced, or confused, or any other such negative trait often associated with worry, but worried none the less.

this thing with waldenburg was shaping up in the worst possible way at the worst possible time. anything but the perfect outcome, and all the carefully balanced alliances and pacts, all the secret scheams suggested in the most discrete manner to all the various plotters, all the development, training, planing....

all would be worth so much tropical rain.

'so,' he thought, 'how to turn this to an advantage?

a more powerful Illar is bad, so anything that makes them stronger in any way is to be discouraged

but an unfriendly Illar is no better.'

he was pacing now, in his office. soon there would be a council sesion. Someone would ask about this, he knew.

'a more powerful Waldenburg is tolerable, so long as their interests lie elsewhere. a hostile Waldenburg cannot be tolerated. we need their support too much, and they actually border us...

and that pitiful little island that started this mess.... if it weren't' for the implications and need for secrecy, I'd order the leviathans to attack it as a test run. that'd teach it to raise tensions we didn't like'

this thought, at least, had a sort of grim cheer to it.

' and, of course, there's always the damnable Germans to consider. their new Kaiser could be more reasonable than the last, or worse. could be after the swiss, or, like his father, after us....

invade the twits responsible? no, that would be a disaster even greater than what this is already....

we can't do nothing, and we can't act.'

he paced some more, and then suddenly stopped

"or perhaps we can! Rini, get me the Illar ambassador. i have a proposal for him!"

"Things certainly have taken a turn for the confrontational on the continent, haven't they?" asked His Majesty, King Alphonse II.

"Quite so, Your Majesty. This situation with the Waldenburgers appears to grow more serious by the hour. I am far more concerned by the fact that the Empire appears to be mobilizing in reponse to the situation," replied Gilbert Dumont, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Immyr.

"Bah," grunted the king with a dismissive wave of the hand, "our ex-masters in Illar are always looking for an excuse to put their beloved fleet on display. No, I see this growing conflict as more of an opportunity." Prime Minister Dumont shifted in his seat, his hands coming to rest on the ornate table top before him. He knew exactly what the king was talking about but chose to keep his counsel to himself.

"How so Your Majesty?" he queried. The king's answering chuckle was genuine.

"Come now Gilbert. You know exactly what it is I am talking about. The populace grows restless. Many turn a covetous eye north, to the sea. There is no government in place in the north province. It needs to be pacified. If we gain the long awaited access to the sea then so much the better," he stated, watching his prime minister carefully. Dumont considered carefully. It was true that the government of the Kingdom of Immyr has been discussing the north province for some time now and it was true, this did appear to be a good opportunity.

"What Your Majesty says makes sense of course. There would be risks however."

"When are there not risks? You must risk much to gain much. With our neighbors all focused on Waldenburg, no one will notice if we assume control of the area along our northern border. The governments around us will awaken to find the Immyr has grown and will think nothing of it." He paused for a moment, hands clasped and forefingers steepled. "Now is our chance to give the people of Immyr what they so richly deserve. Their place on the world stage. Make it happen Gilbert. For Immyr."

Three days later, forward elements of the 3rd Immyrian Rifles were moving north. Nearly seven hundred men were moving to take control of two main crossings into the north province. No units crossed the border. Not yet. Over the next several days, they would be joined by nearly twenty-five hundred more soldiers. With most eyes looking elsewhere, Immyr's imperialistic ambitions suddenly became much more apparent.

OOC Firstly I’d like to apologize for two things, one if I miss any communications sent to me, the other I have a 5000 word report due on Wednesday that I have just learned of so after this nothing till Wednesday evening

IC
Imperial Response From: His Highness Prince Felix Von Waldenburg
To: The Illarian Empire

We truly hope that this can be resolved legally without hostilities breaking out. However we will also not stand for this challenge to our authority and expansion in the area, by what we consider a non-regional government. A conference is to be held on the situation in Incognita, we as a party of the talks invite a delegate from the Ilar Empire to watch the proceedings. A war between our nations would be unfortunate; something to be avoided at all costs.

Signed:
His Highness Prince Felix Von Waldenburg

Imperial Response From: His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III
To: His Highness the Prince of Jagaro

Our demands stand we offer one Canadian or American colony for your newly acquired Norwegian possessions. You may choose this but only one; we are not prepared to be humbled by your nation, but also are not willing to say we are not reasonable. We suggest that a emissary of your nation attend the conference in Incognita, where the matter shall be discussed further.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Wyatt Von Waldenburg III

The pen dipped slowly and splattered lightly as the Emperor shakily signed another message he had gotten out of the habit of reading them years ago and you just signed what ever was pushed in front of him.

“What time is it Simon?” he asked yawning as he rubbed his eyes and slid out of his office chair and knocking his withering knees into the hard wood of the desk.

“About 2:00 AM sir, the Empress has asked if your coming to bed or working again?” Simon Hurrzur was the speaker of the Senate and had gravitated into the Emperors advisory council. He stood swaying gently, now clad in his old naval uniform, which was custom for retired officers.

“Bed I think tonight,” the Emperor said and began walking out of the double doors towards one of the palaces innumerably, long passage ways. As he walked through the door the gas lamps on either side flickered, electricity had never been installed in the Imperial palace, it would simply be to hard to run electric cables through thousands of tons of marble and precious artwork without damaging the building.

“Herbert what do you thing of my son’s intentions? How will Waldenburg stand should war break out?” The Emperor asked as he mounted the first tier of stairs leading to the Imperial apartments. A very small entourage had gathered behind him Simon, Herbert Venner of the foreign Office Heinrich Albemier minister of Intelligence.

“I really could not say, Europe looks fairly well divided, no neighbor will challenge the great powers. Germany would certainly dare not attack us it colonies would starve, their famous armies incapable of reaching us. If there is to be a war it will be fairly easy for us to maintain ground. Our army is well dug in, and the navy prepared to repel any attacks. Our colonies I am afraid for though we’d need most of the fleet operating here. At this moment it could go wither way.” Venner like many in the Waldenburg government had developed a paunch at about the age of 21, and was wheezing heavily by the time they reach the final floor.

The Emperor saluted a group of Divine Legionaries who were patrolling up and down the corridor. “Well this is apparently my stop, good evening to you, sleep well.” He turned his back way from the group and hobbled for the door, fumbling with the handle already, it never seemed to open but this time it seemed as though it was locked. When he stopped rattling the door knob, and started to listen he caught the last end of what be a grunt or what simply might have been a intake of breathe. He turned sharply, by sheer luck his walking stick caught the fall of a rifle butt towards his fragile head.

Albemier of Information was already lying in a pool of blood which spread out from his body and began leafing down the stairs. The other two advisors had also been bayoneted and were either dead or dying. Wyatt Von Waldenburg stayed on this for only a second, his mind wandered back to his days taking fencing, practically at saber point (*Twitch*) he pulled one lesson from at this point and brought his metal sheaved cane to across the man’s face ending with brutal tip brining bruising and blood up almost instantly. He spun to meet the next one who had slowly moved into a decorative alcove. A mad thrust was blocked with a rifle butt, and the Emperor’s vision blurred as the third man bashed his head in with a statue of St. Paul

His Majesty woke one last time he was being dragged towards the stairs from under the arms, which before he fell unconscious again noticed were sweating, he hadn’t broke a sweat for years.

“Well that’s done. 10,000 well earned, shall we yell for help now?”

“No, we have orders that the Empress goes to. No drama for her though just slit her throat.”


The Zeppelin flowed gracefully towards the ground, it’s tail bearing the Imperial Eagle of Waldenburg and it’s basket the Royal Arms. Incognita had offered a Airship but Felix Von Waldenburg had shunned that idea and instead landed in fully armed military airship. Technically fully armed the bombs hadn’t been brought with and the two machine guns were in he storage locker, but it still was an act of defiance. Felix Waldenburg had never been very popular, he acts of high handedness had one him the same passion for hate that his father received in love.

The Zeppelin’s stairs swung down and the Imperial Prince stepped off daintily onto foreign soil, his escort followed, they were like him dark eyed and cruel looking. “I have arrived we may begin the Conference.”

OOC Our Rep has arrived In Incognita. Oh and I killed Von Waldenburg III if you couldn't figure that out.

"I suppose you would be Crown Prince Felix, the Waldenburger" the aide sniffed, his disdain too practiced to be effectively pinned down, and thus nigh-impossible to act against "well I am afraid the Conference cannot begin, as we have no Jagaran representative present."
"They have agreed to come, but have not yet arrived."
As uniformed men swarmed towards the airship, though they were unarmed, he gestured towards them "Since you've brought your own airship, we are afraid we must make certain of fair play."
After all, gestures could be made in both directions; the prideful gesture of bringing their own airship matched easily with a demonstration of whose turf this conference was on.
"Now, I'll show you to your apartments."

It was increasingly feared, for all the claimed willingness of both sides to negotiate, that the conference would be bypassed by events, or alternatively fail to reach a resolution and result in war in any case.
As such, it was necessary to plan for other contingencies, and that was the job of the men in the Studies Assumptions Group. A mixed group of military, naval and various civilian specialists working for the Tyrant, their job was to come up with the best strategy for Incognitia for any eventuality in foreign policy. He had set them up in frustration at the incompetence and narrow-mindedness of the Army Planning Staff, and they were instructed to consider every possibility, as fully as time allowed.
Their most improbable scenarios included Incognitia facing all the world in arms; being invaded by Martians; and maintaining stability in the face of the prophecies of Revelation.
Right now their focus was closer to home; considering the best course of action in case of a war between Illar and Waldenburg. As was their wont, they came up with several possible strategies and passed them to the Tyrant. He considered them all carefully. A balance must be maintained, but more than one valid balance could be struck...

Prince Edward had always made a point of doing things himself and so when a conference in Incognitia was aranged he had made sure to go in person rather then send an emisary. He knew he had the support of the Illar Empire and Bautzen which would work well as leverage however most other countries had yet to show a position on the subject which did make him uneasy. He doubted that things would esclate but the potential was not lost on him and so his last corse of action before leaving the island was to order an the readying of a reserve force, an extra 15,000 fighting men would not be hard to rummage up as well they would be quick to train since most Jagarons are trained by their farthers to fight as soon as they can hold a gun.

He reviwed his notes and the maps one last time as his airship began it's finnal approach this was going to be tough but he would pull it off, he tuched the blade of his rapier it was as always unneededly sharp he could only hope that the officials would not try to confiscate it.

With both mediators and both interested parties present, the time had come to call them together.
The Tyrant made the short trip up from Nescia, to open proceedings.
"Gentlemen! This is a most important moment. We have the chance here, now, to solve this problem without bloodshed."
He paused for a moment.
"It is perfectly understandable that Jagaro, needing room to expand, lighted upon the nearest land not part of a sovereign nation.
It is equally natural that Waldenburg should consider the territory to be their own, given how long they have controlled Scandinavia, though they have never laid claim to it til now."
Here he looked at both the Jagaran Crown Prince, and the Waldenburger.
"We will not have this childish squabble over a frozen northern wasteland bringing war to this continent.
War is a vital tool in statecraft, of that there is no doubt; but pursuing it over aims that are not worthwhile is rank stupidity and will swiftly bankrupt your nations.
Waldenburg we know to be on the verge of bankruptcy in any case - what interest rates are being demanded on your bonds now? Do you even know, or do you leave that to your lackeys?
Jagaro, your state finances will swiftly be stretched by even limited conflict, and you do not wish to rely too heavily on larger 'friends', for they often demand a high price for their assistance."
McGrath now felt that he had said almost enough. He was expecting that being spoken to in this way would drive Felix to explode, and saw no reason that Edward would be any different. Problem with royalty, they tended to get this inflated sense of themselves...
"So, neither of you wants a war, no matter what you think; you have no idea what consequences will follow, but I can guarantee they are not favourable to either of you.
As a result, Waldenburg will have to offer more than one territory in North America for the province you want; but Jagaro will have to be less greedy in demanding almost the entire territory established by Waldenburg's sweat and toil in the New World."
"And now gentlemen, I will leave you to your discussions. I trust they will be swiftly fruitful."

OOC: Such scorn, for an Imperial line! I imagine Felix is going to blow his top, when Waldenburg gets back, and don't expect Edward to be any different; for all that what's been said is true.
In fact, I'd not be surprised if Felix declared war on the spot, hehehe. That's not the aim, but it would be quite funny.

ooc: Bautzen, you do realize that in the wording of that you just declared yourself a vassal state of the Illar Empire? or at the very least that the one writing it was one of the Emperor of Illar's men.

OOC: That was my goal, the whole playing into Imerpial vanity thing. Considering if it does come to war with Waldenburg then I'm going to need him, I'm willing to sacrifice a little prestige in private for insurence.

Walter Higgens, the Bautzonian Minister of Foreign relations and representative to the peace conference stands upon the conclusion of the Tyrants speech.
He begins his speech with the following, "Welcome gentlemen and I trust that your flights were all uneventful, however we must now all move to the unsavory buisness at hand. Gentlemen we are here today, as you all well know, to discuss a point which has been of terrible contention between the nations of Waldenburg, and Jagaro, namely the Jagaran claim of the province of Ravenland. Which, unknown to the rest of the representatives her today or the governments we represent, appears to believe that this new Jagaran province is theirs to do as they will with. As such they sent to Jagaro an ultimatum ordering them to renounce their claim of Ravenland, and to apologize to the Waldenburg people and government. Now this situation has moved to the brink of war and so we sit here today to try to resolve this situation peacefully, all representatives are informed that all discussion here is expected to remain cordial and to respect the authority which all the representatives carry with them. Now," he said "I believe one of the two nations involved in this dispute should move foreward with a propsition for our delgations to consider."

With that the foreign minister resumed his seat and waited for someone to stand and make an appeal.

OCC: Just for the record, despite my IC dislike of Waldenburg, I am enjoying his writing most thoroughly.

Imperial letter to King James III:
To my most favored cousin in Bautzen. Your letter is most welcome, for, although our navy is unmatched around the world, it must be admitted, our army cannot commit with the strength, nor the tenacity that yours can, and we face risk shipping troops to Ravenland, whereas the Waldenburgers have no such risk when marching their troops north. I thank you for your tenacity in this matter, and must give to you my deepest respect.

His Imperial Majesty Alutius V, King of Illar.

From monarch to monarch, letters were often written. And this was, of course, one of the few that had gone uncensored, or unedited. For one, there was but a simple title, not the half-dozen or so that the Illar Emperor held from around the world, and, secondly, it was written in a simple, plain hand, not the elegant, swirling handwriting that marked his courtiers' style so often. He'd had to sneak it out, to tell the truth - send it off by airship, ordering the best delivery money could buy - but it was better than the fuss that would be raised if he tried to send such an unadorned letter whilst also informing his courtiers.

Marquis Alutius Marias, Lord Envoy to Waldenburg. He had been taken to the conference by commercial airship, and had been told to deliver a simple message.

"This is all very well, of course. I am merely here to ensure that Jagaro is not strongarmed into giving up what is rightfully theirs. I can see an exchange between Waldenburg's colonial land and Jagaro's Scandinavian holdings as reasonable - so long as Jagaro does not lose more than it gains."

Alutius Tinodo - the question was raised then. How many Illar were named Alutius? The answer, of course, was quite a lot. Nobility sought to gain favour in the eyes of the old Emperor by naming their sons after his, and, as nobility were the most likely to be appointed to a diplomatic station, almost a full third of the higher-ups in the Illar Diplomatic Corps were named Alutius.

"Reichgone Albert Lux wished to speak with me", he asked politely, as he entered through the door..

(OOC: RP my character going and sitting down, or whatever, Anj. Just assume I'm in a position where you can begin a'talkin'.)

ooc: it should be noted that the Details of this are ... very SIC.

IC:

"ahh, Alutius, come in, come in, sit down. i have a proposition for your emperor, and i suspect he may like it. of course, i also suspect he'll be resistant to the idea at first, but that's another matter.

it is, simply put, a plan to deal with this headache developing in the north" Lux closed the heavy door to his office behind the two men about then, meaning even his secretary would not be able to hear what was said next.

"this is, you understand, very hush hush. I'm afraid, diplomatic immunity or no, i'll have to have you quietly got rid of if you leak it to Anyone. only the emperor himself is to hear of it. you understand?"

he didn't really give the man a chance to respond, before continuing

"of course you do. if not, you'll be dead within a week, i suspect, and undeserving of this position in the first place. i trust that shall not be the case.

at any rate, suppose, just suppose, the Empire, by which i mean the Illar Empire, you understand, and the Reich were to declare the disputed territory in the north a joint protectorate. what would happen?

why, the nations in question would object. Waldenburg might even attempt to force the issue. then we apply what i like to think of as the "sledge hammer to the face" school of diplomacy. the Empire and the Reich, in concert, hit both Waldenburg and... what's it called, little island place... Jagaro? something like that. anyway, hit them both at once. hard and fast, before they can mobilize. divvy up their colonies, cut down Waldenburg's size, split what might be left of their fleet between us... you can see how it would go if you but look at a map.

this, i wish you to propose to your emperor. i have plans for the details, but I'm keeping those even quieter than this idea it's self until the emperor agrees. but i assure you, it is eminently doable!"

"..I see. Well, Reichgone, this proposal is.. unexpected, to say the least. Illar is unprepared for a war on land, admittedly, although our navy has been rousted out of bed to prepare for a war. I have, of course, been informed that we can give all the naval support you desire - however, any actual invasion via land, especially when considering Waldenburg, will be severely stunted of Illar troops until we can raise a decent army. Of course, I speak only from what I have been told. I will return by airship to the Empire, and speak with the Emperor there."

Alutius smiled, mentally prepared himself to speak to no-one on the way home, and left.

OOC Possibly the worst 48 hours ever but I'm back.

IC

Felix Von Waldenburg leaned forward in his chair, taking in the Tyrants words with a look suggest that his counterpart was suggesting the murder and rape as the main agenda for the meeting. "How dare you sir," he said with inflections on sir, his lip had begin to twitch most noticably. "How dare you imply that we are nearly bankrupt. Our currency can hardly be counted, as our wealth lies in our citizens, citizens willing to uphold the honor of their Empire and of it's gracious line. The day they need money to defend their Empire from such unfare treatment, such acts of unprecedented corruption and greed, is the day that all men's hearts that fail. We are the greatest and most noble of people and the day the world forgets it they will be reminded most emphatically." the Crown Prince was standing now fists pressed against the table muscles from long hours of millitray training easily standing out from his pressed green jacket.

He lowered himself still looking as though pistols at dawn was not a notion far removed from his mind. "You are correct on one thing your Excellency," he nodded to the Tyrant voice again turning cold. "Their will be no petty squabble, there will be acceptance. Jagaro will remove it's claim or it will have it's claim removed along with it's pride. This meeting severely tries my patience, there is no need for such a noble council to be brought togeather to discuss the actions of one rogue nation, who actively tries to subvert and avoid our authority. Authority issued directly from God to guide his people. If this council cannot see that then I am merely wasting my time, there are infinetely more important things the Empire would have me do."

At last the Prince relaxed, wondering if the Tyrant would accept a dual, in his mind he had no doubt he would win. honor was on his side. His marines were picturing nearly the same image, Felix would win, he had built heimself a shell of honor, but he was also incrediablly pragmatic, if there was even a slight chance of losing he'd set fire to the building and surronding village.

"Jagaro will have one provine or it shall have nothing. In respect for Prince Edward, we will remove the alliance and EFTA clauses, we are unsure that we would gain from such an move." Usual at this point he would ahve stormed from the room, but he had developed a strange friendship with Rupert Fry the Foreign Minister, the sweating behemoth had rubbed off him slightly and he felt that departing in such a rush would win no support. 'Shame Fry's in hospital.' The Prince wondered for a moment, only for that moment did uncertainty flash across his face but it was soon replaced with Imperial dignity and even more Imperial irritation.

The Tyrant smiled to himself. Felix had looked as though he wanted to throw down a challenge right there and then.
Interestingly under Incognitian law that would have left him subject to the death penalty, simply for making the challenge...though that could probably have been postponed until the Tyrant, with appropriate choice of weapons, enforced it personally.
Hot-headed fool...such were easily manipulated, especially when they had a sense of honour.
And his tirade about how his citizens would save him from needing any money to fight! The boy clearly had no idea. Well, this pot would bear stirring one more time...
Having already left the room, he called over an aide, and handed him a written note, to be given to Felix von Waldenburg, and none other.

I read your face in there, and I know you were thinking of challenging me to a duel. Well boy, the great line of Waldenburg has clearly lost its virtues in you; you lack the sense required to instantly discard such a foolish option, and having thought of it you lack the balls to carry it out.
I still hope you can gather the sense to extract yourself, and your nation, from the impending catastrophe if you continue this course, but I've long since given up on expecting such a benign outcome.
If you find your sense, you'll complete the negotiations; if you find your balls, you'll complete your life in a duel. If you find neither, you'll keep seething in an ever smaller corner.
Regards,
John

IC
Upon reading the hastily scrawled note Felix slowly folded it with care tucking it into his jacket. The Tyrant was a preceptive man, but the thought had only crossed his mind for a moment, it seemed to be a major point in Waldenburg that death should follow all insualt. He carefully scratched a note as other official began a shouting match.

Your Excellency your words ashame only yourself, can you compose yourself with the dignity that your office and title demand? If I should challenge you it would be you who lack the balls sir, there is no sport in such a challenge. I would accept, however your words convince me that such a duel would prove as honorable as the slaughter of a child and slightly less challenging. In Waldenburg however such a proposal is in fact a heresy, one which the people would not stomach. We shall see what the evening brings and indeed tommorow shall be all the more glorious for the Infinite Waldenburg Empire, and of course Incognita.

His Highness Prince Felix Von Waldenburg

When he was finished he waved to one of his disarmed marines, to find the Tyrant and present the note. He ached to challenge the man, however now was not the time perhaps once Prince Edward spoke he would have his fun.

Well, the boy had more of a way with words than he'd expected. And he was also a little more capable of holding his temper....McGrath had half-expected Felix to storm out of the chamber then and there to lay down a challenge.
Interesting and perhaps useful information.

And yes, the note was slightly incoherent...how could the Tyrant, in being challenged to a duel, before answering yea or nay, lack courage?
And what proposal would be considered heresy? Well, never mind, the boy would challenge him or he wouldn't, if he did an appropriate choice of weapons would be made, and Waldenburg would be short one member of its Royal Family. Regrettable, but...if Felix made it through this experience, he'd be the better for it. Because if the negotiations didn't work out, he would be goaded until he snapped. So if he lived, that would mean a peaceful solution had been found.

OOC Possibly the worst 48 hours ever but I'm back.

IC

Felix Von Waldenburg leaned forward in his chair, taking in the Tyrants words with a look suggest that his counterpart was suggesting the murder and rape as the main agenda for the meeting. "How dare you sir," he said with inflections on sir, his lip had begin to twitch most noticably. "How dare you imply that we are nearly bankrupt. Our currency can hardly be counted, as our wealth lies in our citizens, citizens willing to uphold the honor of their Empire and of it's gracious line. The day they need money to defend their Empire from such unfare treatment, such acts of unprecedented corruption and greed, is the day that all men's hearts that fail. We are the greatest and most noble of people and the day the world forgets it they will be reminded most emphatically." the Crown Prince was standing now fists pressed against the table muscles from long hours of millitray training easily standing out from his pressed green jacket.

He lowered himself still looking as though pistols at dawn was not a notion far removed from his mind. "You are correct on one thing your Excellency," he nodded to the Tyrant voice again turning cold. "Their will be no petty squabble, there will be acceptance. Jagaro will remove it's claim or it will have it's claim removed along with it's pride. This meeting severely tries my patience, there is no need for such a noble council to be brought togeather to discuss the actions of one rogue nation, who actively tries to subvert and avoid our authority. Authority issued directly from God to guide his people. If this council cannot see that then I am merely wasting my time, there are infinetely more important things the Empire would have me do."

At last the Prince relaxed, wondering if the Tyrant would accept a dual, in his mind he had no doubt he would win. honor was on his side. His marines were picturing nearly the same image, Felix would win, he had built heimself a shell of honor, but he was also incrediablly pragmatic, if there was even a slight chance of losing he'd set fire to the building and surronding village.

"Jagaro will have one provine or it shall have nothing. In respect for Prince Edward, we will remove the alliance and EFTA clauses, we are unsure that we would gain from such an move." Usual at this point he would ahve stormed from the room, but he had developed a strange friendship with Rupert Fry the Foreign Minister, the sweating behemoth had rubbed off him slightly and he felt that departing in such a rush would win no support. 'Shame Fry's in hospital.' The Prince wondered for a moment, only for that moment did uncertainty flash across his face but it was soon replaced with Imperial dignity and even more Imperial irritation.

The Bautzonian representative, and co-moderator was shocked by the Crown Princes outburst, so shocked in fact that for a moment after he finished he just sat there dumbfounded by the stupidity of that boy.

He soon gained his wits and turned to the Prince. He cried out the following in scathing tones, "You stupid boy, you will learn diplomacy or I will personally have you escorted from the room and a diplomat with some sense can take your place! Now, you will not be making demands here, that was made clear with the invitation to a negotiation which is supposed to be going on right now. I will repeat that one more time and you will, hopefully, remember it; there will be no demands made by you to Prince Edward or any other member of this body. I wouldn't have believed it possible for someone to be as tactless as you, one would have thought that your father would have had you taught something of diplomacy; you foolish child. Or are you too spoiled to realize that you just turned the ruler of the only country represented in this body who sees your "demand" as holding legitimate value against you. Well, My Lord, I am afraid that you will have to learn tact to get your way in this body, you shall also have to learn to control your temper and treat all those in this room with you as your equals as representatives of these countries. If you cannot do that now I suggest that you leave this negotiations to those who can and will do these things and go home to play warmonger while sucking on your mothers tit!"

OOC: Walter Higgens is a member of the borgeiouse, not the aristocracy and worked his way up to where h is now, as such he has a deep rooted distaste for the spoiling of any child, especially of an aristocrat.

OOC Wow I feel insaulted myself ;), that really would push him over the edge.

If looks could kill the representative Bautzen the look of Felix Von Waldenburg usually could rivet senators in their seats, and that was friendly compared to the seven circles of hell being specially reserved for this instigator.

"My Father sir is a fool," he had been prepared for this and remained in the "correct" tense. "He believes a bicameral sentae is a delicious and mysterious delicacy from the mid east. His majesty has given me power at these romp proceedings , to hear out your baseless requests, your insinuations, and your lies. It has become apparent to me that tact is a virture long lost to this world, as you gentlemen seem indisposed to show even the smallest amount of courtesy to your guests. We stated our situation, and we were called "bullies" and "childish" for having a shread of national pride."

"It is apparent after such accustions that this body is not capable of decearning the truth when it is presented to you in manuscript form. Waldenburg withdraws from these proceedings on the grounds that this is merely a rally for Jagaro, a mere verbal bashing of Waldenburg." Rupert Fry would have hurried out of the room if he had been there, he would have noticed political suicide, and would have distanced himself. The Prince nearly spat at the moderators, and hands began to convulse as he looked for something to disembowl Walter Higgens with.

"Sirs the honor of Waldenburg has been blatantly srmeared, there will be retribution. Firstly against the man who would bring such filth into the presence of such noble lords and kings." He turned to Walter Higgens now almost shaking with rage. "Sir in the face of all the world I challenge you to combat to regain the honor of Waldenburg, to defeat the villany which so befouls the world sir. I challenge you to die on my blade. Will you accept and die as a man or will you hide behind your taunts and insaults disgracing your nation as well as yourself?"

OOC As for a heresy posted earlier the Imperial family is head of the Waldenburger church, I know heresy isn'tthe right word but it escapes me at the moment what is.

OOC Wow I feel insaulted myself ;), that really would push him over the edge.

If looks could kill the representative Bautzen the look of Felix Von Waldenburg usually could rivet senators in their seats, and that was friendly compared to the seven circles of hell being specially reserved for this instigator.

"My Father sir is a fool," he had been prepared for this and remained in the "correct" tense. "He believes a bicameral sentae is a delicious and mysterious delicacy from the mid east. His majesty has given me power at these romp proceedings , to hear out your baseless requests, your insinuations, and your lies. It has become apparent to me that tact is a virture long lost to this world, as you gentlemen seem indisposed to show even the smallest amount of courtesy to your guests. We stated our situation, and we were called "bullies" and "childish" for having a shread of national pride."

"It is apparent after such accustions that this body is not capable of decearning the truth when it is presented to you in manuscript form. Waldenburg withdraws from these proceedings on the grounds that this is merely a rally for Jagaro, a mere verbal bashing of Waldenburg." Rupert Fry would have hurried out of the room if he had been there, he would have noticed political suicide, and would have distanced himself. The Prince nearly spat at the moderators, and hands began to convulse as he looked for something to disembowl Walter Higgens with.

"Sirs the honor of Waldenburg has been blatantly srmeared, there will be retribution. Firstly against the man who would bring such filth into the presence of such noble lords and kings." He turned to Walter Higgens now almost shaking with rage. "Sir in the face of all the world I challenge you to combat to regain the honor of Waldenburg, to defeat the villany which so befouls the world sir. I challenge you to die on my blade. Will you accept and die as a man or will you hide behind your taunts and insaults disgracing your nation as well as yourself?"

OOC As for a heresy posted earlier the Imperial family is head of the Waldenburger church, I know heresy isn'tthe right word but it escapes me at the moment what is.

It was all that Minister Higgens could do to not laugh in the face of such a man, man being quite an incorrect term in reference to his maturity level even if he had technically come of age.

His response was perhaps more condescending and sarcastic than before, but it was still very much scathing.

"You pompous fool. You foolish little bastard. Im sure that you have no idea that you just broke the laws of Incognitia, and technically the sentance for such a crime is death. You, My Lord (a phrase which he almost spat at the young man it was so filled with loathing), are a pompous fool who has no desire to do what is good for his people but merely attempts to expand his influence by means of war, all for the sake of 'honor.' Your father may be a fool, but if he is a fool then you sir, have the intelligence of a rather stupid rock. I do hope that the authorities apprehend you as your nation truely could live without your thickheaded stupidity. So I decline your 'noble' (again filled with loathing) request for a duel on the grounds that surely I a mere upstart peasant could never think to engage you in battle. Now I Prince I believe you should go, and should your father wish to continue these negotiations he can send a diplomat and not his stupid, spoiled brat of a son. "

From the noises inside, the Tyrant deduced that things weren't going well...
An aide came rushing out and said that Waldenburg had challenged Bautzen's representative to a duel!
Well, that wasn't on the plan. Evidently he should not have left the chamber. He had a plan; Higgens did not.
Never mind. He gestured to the guards standing beside the doors, and they flung them open so he could stride back in. He was no theatrical politician, but the odd theatrical gesture could be appropriate.
So hard on the heels of the *bang* as the doors were flung open, he came striding back into the chamber he had left only moments before.
The guards followed, two of them, and another ran off to fetch more.

"Felix von Waldenburg, Crown Prince of Waldenburg! Were you not a diplomat, you would now stand charged with conspiracy to murder under the Duelling (Prohibition Of) Act of 1805. That charge would carry the ultimate penalty, being hanged by the neck until dead.
All present are called to stand witness to such.
Within the law, there are two ways to avoid this.
One - retract your challenge, apologise fully and completely for making it, and complete your legitimate business - in this case the negotiations.
Two - I may choose to take up the position of the challenged party, or name a proxy to do so, select weapons and name a time and place."
Let that sink in for a moment, then hit him with it.
"Now, despite any personal feelings I might have, I still believe Waldenburg has a fair case to be heard by this body. If you will apologise to Mr. Higgens, then we can continue the negotiations.
If not, well, you must challenge me or leave this country forthwith. You may be assured in the case of a duel, I will instruct the government to let your prosecution slip, but I will be unable to force obedience to my will if I die.
You may equally be assured the choice of weapons will not favour you."

And even as he spoke, he thought...what absurd little touches could bend the fate of nations! After all, on this duel - for he was confident Felix would choose that, rather than an apology to a man he clearly considered as less than the dust beneath his feet - would hang a lot. Not least the potential removal of the heir to the Waldenburg Empire (and, he admitted to himself, the removal of the ruler of Incognitia, leaving his people facing a period of turmoil before a clear successor emerged.)
And when he was challenged, according to the law, in front of witnesses, he would name his weapon, to be used at dawn the following day.

"I must protest, sir. Do ambassadors to Incognitia not enjoy the diplomatic immunity afforded to Incognitians by the rest of the world? Despite our ties, and our opposition to Waldenburg, I must protest most heartily. The Empire will not stand for this blatant breaking of the diplomatic codes of conduct within the world."

Alutius took a breath. "And I can damn well assure you that the Emperor will not stand for this, either. If such a thing goes ahead, rest assured that Incognitia will not have diplomatic relations with the Empire - nor trade, even. There is propriety to be observed. Honour to consider. If you would trade that in so easily to execute an ambassador to your nation, the Illar will not treat with you. Expel the man, perhaps. But execute him? Punish him for a ridiculous law that he could not hope of knowing?"

Another breath, red-faced now, Alutius stood. "Excuse me, gentlemen. It seems my original opinion of you, and your nations, was, perhaps, too generous. You will release the Crown Prince from this ultimatimum, and withdraw this offer of a duel, or I will confer with my government, and we will take appropriate action."

"Sir, diplomats do carry immunity. I apologise if I did not make it clear - the Prince may choose to leave, with his party, and they will be guaranteed safe passage out of Incognitia. We might even accept other diplomatic representation from Waldenburg after they had departed, though that would be a decision for a later point and cooler heads.

If the Prince chooses not to leave having been declared persona non grata, he has the two choices I laid out - apologise or challenge myself or my named representative.

And this is, if highly irregular, in accord with the codes of conduct between nations - a diplomat may either comply with the law, or be compelled to depart.

So, Alutius. For yourself, and as a representative of the Empire, whose relations we hold in high esteem and would not wilfully damage, answer me this. Is the clarified position of my government acceptable to yours? If Felix chooses to challenge me, will you accept this? Or am I going to have to expel him to maintain relations with your Empire?"

"Ah. I see, sir. Well, then. I can, perhaps, agree to that - however reluctantly. Perhaps I spoke too soon - but such things must be defended, lest they fall away, and all of civilized society with them. I find this acceptable. Crown Prince Felix may apologize to the representative of Bautzen - but, furthermore, it must be noted that said representative was most careful to provoke the Crown Prince. Perhaps to invoke the said law he so gleefully spoke about? No, I believe an exchange of apologies, and a promise to maintain civility and courtesy, as unneeded as it should be among diplomats, will suffice. If neither party can acquisce to such a thing, then perhaps your... other options may be explored."

"There is no need at all to expel an ambassador to remain in the good graces of the Illar - however, should Felix choose to challenge you, which, I must hope, he will not, it will be his choice entirely, and, despite the irregularity, is a man's right - and one I shall so accept."

"Ah. I see, sir. Well, then. I can, perhaps, agree to that - however reluctantly. Perhaps I spoke too soon - but such things must be defended, lest they fall away, and all of civilized society with them. I find this acceptable. Crown Prince Felix may apologize to the representative of Bautzen - but, furthermore, it must be noted that said representative was most careful to provoke the Crown Prince. Perhaps to invoke the said law he so gleefully spoke about? No, I believe an exchange of apologies, and a promise to maintain civility and courtesy, as unneeded as it should be among diplomats, will suffice. If neither party can acquisce to such a thing, then perhaps your... other options may be explored."

"There is no need at all to expel an ambassador to remain in the good graces of the Illar - however, should Felix choose to challenge you, which, I must hope, he will not, it will be his choice entirely, and, despite the irregularity, is a man's right - and one I shall so accept."

"While the insolence of this boy is incredible only for its sheer limitless size, I am willing to apalogize to the government of Waldenburg for the harshness of my words." The foreign minister declared, even if the boy accepts the apology and issues one himself, quite unlikely a prospect, he knows that he has made a powerful enemy today.

"I thank you, Alutius. As a gesture of good-will, if Prince Felix and Mr. Higgens are prepared to exchange personal apologies, I will apologise also. For while not calculated to do so, I believe my earlier actions have helped in leading the Prince into this challenge.
I express myself willing to apologise, willing regretfully to accept a challenge should Felix so choose, and last of all, also as an act of good faith, willing to accept other diplomatic representation from Waldenburg should Prince Felix decide he would rather leave."

"So, gentlemen, the choice is yours. If you wish to consider the matter, all you need do is leave this room now, and return within the next few hours to make your decision clear."

Felix sat now, a sneer coming into his voice, "Excellecny you have your laws, and Waldenburg has their own. Once a challenge is made I shall have blood or honor, it is the law and I cannot ignore such accusations. An apology would hardly suffice as this point, and even though it pains me to continue I must. Either the representative of Bautzen withdraws from these proceedings which I may hardly request, or I will continue with my chalenge." There was a tiredness now one that hadn't been there before, not sadness but as if he had seen to many people die without giving him much pleasure.

"It indeed seems that the world is against me here," he reached into his jacket and pulled out the Tyrant's earlier note, "Carefully worded but to me intent is clear. Someone's death must mark the day as I have already been challenged twice, honor will be maintained."

OOC sorry once again for the delay

This was turrunig out to be quite the adventful day the negotiations had not even started yet and already Felix been challenged twice. Maby Felix would get himself killed and this whole mess would be over with, that thought brought a slight smile to his face. It occurred to him however that his death would if anything serve to inflame the situation more and that his lack of action would do no good. He got up and said what had to be said.

"Please gentlmen can we not settle this with out bloodshead, after all is that not what this conference about. Felix as a fellow prince I share your distain for the Tyrant's words, however I also know that maintaining a public good image is an important thing for a prince or any member of the ruling class to do. So now I ask you, all of you, can we not put our petty differences aside and get on with the busisness at hand."

If nothing else that would at least make him look like the bigger man which was always important, but with luck they would see the reason in his words. He sat down and readied himself for the the sorn of the others but he that was always part of being of importance.

OOC sorry once again for the delay

This was turrunig out to be quite the adventful day the negotiations had not even started yet and already Felix been challenged twice. Maby Felix would get himself killed and this whole mess would be over with, that thought brought a slight smile to his face. It occurred to him however that his death would if anything serve to inflame the situation more and that his lack of action would do no good. He got up and said what had to be said.

"Please gentlmen can we not settle this with out bloodshead, after all is that not what this conference about. Felix as a fellow prince I share your distain for the Tyrant's words, however I also know that maintaining a public good image is an important thing for a prince or any member of the ruling class to do. So now I ask you, all of you, can we not put our petty differences aside and get on with the busisness at hand."

If nothing else that would at least make him look like the bigger man which was always important, but with luck they would see the reason in his words. He sat down and readied himself for the the sorn of the others but he that was always part of being of importance.

OOC: Dont worry about it, its now gotten more interesting anyway.

IC: Minister Higgens stood following Prince Edwards declaration and turned to speak directly to Prince Felix once again. He said the following, this time in sympathetic one might have even said fatherly tone. "Felix, stop this madness we should not have bloodshed here today for a sense of honor that most would agree is antiquated surely you can accept an apology by myself and issue one to my government, if you find apolagizing to me to be distasteful. Why, My Lord, must you seek blood here today, let us return to the negotiating table, so as to avoid bloodshed on a massive scale."

"You fail to understand. Legally I will not be allowed to ascend the throne if I have backed down from a duel. Only if Mr Higgens resigns his post, apologises and leaves this room immediately surrendering his honor, only then can the duel be aborted." He was inventing quickly, it was essentially true, he would be humilated, but still in perfect capacity to take the throne.

"It goes back several hundred years, and cannot be overridden. A proxy may be fought, but at this moment I must issue a blanket challenge to all who smear the name of Waldenburg." He bowed slightly, to them before turning to Prince Edward. "Also there is little to be done if Jagaro does not accept the offer made to them then Waldenburg shall take it, and Jagaro will get nothing. Your colonies have extended into Canada as well as our homeland we will not suffer such intrusions.

"My challenges stand to Jagaro, and your Excellencies here today. Should Mr Higgens declien I shall fight the Tyrant as according to law."

"You fail to understand. Legally I will not be allowed to ascend the throne if I have backed down from a duel. Only if Mr Higgens resigns his post, apologises and leaves this room immediately surrendering his honor, only then can the duel be aborted." He was inventing quickly, it was essentially true, he would be humilated, but still in perfect capacity to take the throne.

"It goes back several hundred years, and cannot be overridden. A proxy may be fought, but at this moment I must issue a blanket challenge to all who smear the name of Waldenburg." He bowed slightly, to them before turning to Prince Edward. "Also there is little to be done if Jagaro does not accept the offer made to them then Waldenburg shall take it, and Jagaro will get nothing. Your colonies have extended into Canada as well as our homeland we will not suffer such intrusions.

"My challenges stand to Jagaro, and your Excellencies here today. Should Mr Higgens declien I shall fight the Tyrant as according to law."

"My Lord if that is the case then I must apolagize to the Tyrant as my country, supporters in Parliament, Prime Minister, and King will never allow my participation in such a duel. If that Law is such in your country then it is something which I believe is outdated and should be changed, but I must call on the Tyrant for I shall neither fight the duel, nor resign my post and leave this chamber shamed by you."

"My Lord if that is the case then I must apolagize to the Tyrant as my country, supporters in Parliament, Prime Minister, and King will never allow my participation in such a duel. If that Law is such in your country then it is something which I believe is outdated and should be changed, but I must call on the Tyrant for I shall neither fight the duel, nor resign my post and leave this chamber shamed by you."

"Well gentlemen, this is most unfortunate. I hope that Waldenburg will not take it's lack of a Crown Prince too hard.
I admit my knowledge of the succession is patchy; who is the heir on your death, Felix?"
"In any case, as you have given forth the challenge, and having exercised my prerogative, granted in the Duelling Act of 1805, I believe by immemorial tradition I have choice of weapons.
I choose halberds."
At this he grinned wolfishly; the one thing he was likely to have more experience of than Felix, and a weapon that depended more on technique than raw speed. And just about up-close-and-personal enough that Felix wouldn't decline it as not fit for a real man.
"As my second, I name Major Hines, of my personal guard.
I ask the Illarian Ambassador to act as referee, if he is agreeable, as I believe he is best suited to the position.
If you will choose a second, they can commence choosing a time and a place."

OOC: Hines will argue for fighting right now, on the lawn outside the Palace.

"Well gentlemen, this is most unfortunate. I hope that Waldenburg will not take it's lack of a Crown Prince too hard.
I admit my knowledge of the succession is patchy; who is the heir on your death, Felix?"
"In any case, as you have given forth the challenge, and having exercised my prerogative, granted in the Duelling Act of 1805, I believe by immemorial tradition I have choice of weapons.
I choose halberds."
At this he grinned wolfishly; the one thing he was likely to have more experience of than Felix, and a weapon that depended more on technique than raw speed. And just about up-close-and-personal enough that Felix wouldn't decline it as not fit for a real man.
"As my second, I name Major Hines, of my personal guard.
I ask the Illarian Ambassador to act as referee, if he is agreeable, as I believe he is best suited to the position.
If you will choose a second, they can commence choosing a time and a place."

OOC: Hines will argue for fighting right now, on the lawn outside the Palace.

OOC: Well that was... shocking? Halberds that is quite an unfortunate turn of events for the good Crown Prince.

OOC: Well that was... shocking? Halberds that is quite an unfortunate turn of events for the good Crown Prince.

OOC: Well, the obvious epee, foil or sabre, Felix is most likely to win on physical grounds of being a good 20 years younger.
The other traditional weapon, pistol, is all too likely to kill neither or both.
I was thinking of various outlandish things (mortars, shotguns, long rifles, anything as long as you're fighting in a maze....) then I realised Felix would reject it out of hand as dishonourable, and in this sense he'd be damn nearly right.
Halberd strikes the balance about right. Up-close and personal enough that honour is satisfied, and enough technique that the Tyrant might win.
Also, I find I quite like the idea of forcing Felix to fight with a "peasant" weapon.

OOC Strangely enough I am a fencer Rl and was hoping to drive it that way, get some better phrases in sort of thing. This should be intereasting though.

IC

"Halbalbards?" he asked mispronoucing it intetionally well laughing uproriously. "But surely sir that is not a weapon of gentlemen? It is not a weapon of Imperial merit, indeed I believe the only weapons for an Imperial duel are swords, and again owing to ancient cutom 10 fold warrior of the liege's choosing." He laughed again, remebering the old text, and it's clauses on bloodletting and prayers. "I think however we can wave that here, I can still achieve my deinged position in life, without comprominisg honor in this case."

He hadn't trained with a halberd ever and thought the idea rather crude, and unfitting for such highborns, but as always the Prince could not win. "Well as this is rather suprising I choose Captain Hanner of my marine gaurd as my double." Once when he was young he threw the ceremonial spears of the Gaurds, and was always said to have a wicked accuracy, but other then that pikes had never been that much of a standby in Waldenburg.

"As for succesion my brother Andre would take the Heir apparent position, he is a man of little ambition, more intereasted in liesure then statesmanship." he pasued momentarily, losing his train of thought before returning to his sneer of disdain. "My I suggest a neutral territory for our duel, I believe in the circumstances," he moved his eyes to the carefully worded challenge of the Tyrant still on the table, "that would be best for both parties. However as the challenged party it is your choice where our blood shall be spilled."

OOC Strangely enough I am a fencer Rl and was hoping to drive it that way, get some better phrases in sort of thing. This should be intereasting though.

IC

"Halbalbards?" he asked mispronoucing it intetionally well laughing uproriously. "But surely sir that is not a weapon of gentlemen? It is not a weapon of Imperial merit, indeed I believe the only weapons for an Imperial duel are swords, and again owing to ancient cutom 10 fold warrior of the liege's choosing." He laughed again, remebering the old text, and it's clauses on bloodletting and prayers. "I think however we can wave that here, I can still achieve my deinged position in life, without comprominisg honor in this case."

He hadn't trained with a halberd ever and thought the idea rather crude, and unfitting for such highborns, but as always the Prince could not win. "Well as this is rather suprising I choose Captain Hanner of my marine gaurd as my double." Once when he was young he threw the ceremonial spears of the Gaurds, and was always said to have a wicked accuracy, but other then that pikes had never been that much of a standby in Waldenburg.

"As for succesion my brother Andre would take the Heir apparent position, he is a man of little ambition, more intereasted in liesure then statesmanship." he pasued momentarily, losing his train of thought before returning to his sneer of disdain. "My I suggest a neutral territory for our duel, I believe in the circumstances," he moved his eyes to the carefully worded challenge of the Tyrant still on the table, "that would be best for both parties. However as the challenged party it is your choice where our blood shall be spilled."

Minister Higgens watched the spectacle unfolding before him with a strange mix of fear, interest, and amusement. "Such a fascinating man, the Tyrant," he thought. "I do very much hope he survives simply for the cunning of his decision, indeed this shall be quite interesting to observe."

"Gentlemen, I wish both of you the best of luck, though I must petition the Crown Prince to drop this lunacy quickly in the interests of peace. Surely you do not want thousands of your subjects killed in war? It is certainly your perogative to carry out this act, My Lord, I just wish you would back down from this brash and thoughtless act."

ooc: woo! halberds!... or however it's spelled, i can never get it to look, be, and sound right at the same time. worry not, i know at least a Bit about this weapon [actually, it was one of my less crazy ideas when Incognitia was bouncing things around]. if you know anything about staffs [staves?] most of that carries over in one on one fighting. formations are, of course, a different story. oh, and somewhere along the way, threads need date/time stamps. this is a long ooc bit, i know, but i just thought i'd be a bit... active... again.

i'm still here.

"I will serve as referee, Tyrant, as it seems you are both intent on taking the life of one ruler this day. I would ask you once more to stop, but it seems that such a thing would be futile. Decide on the time and place amongst yourselves - if you cannot, I will decide for you."

Alutius sighed. And handed a folded piece of paper to another member of the Illarian embassy - a underling, not a dignitary, and whispered a few words in her ear. By the end of the day, the Emperor would've heard of this..

"I will serve as referee, Tyrant, as it seems you are both intent on taking the life of one ruler this day. I would ask you once more to stop, but it seems that such a thing would be futile. Decide on the time and place amongst yourselves - if you cannot, I will decide for you."

Alutius sighed. And handed a folded piece of paper to another member of the Illarian embassy - a underling, not a dignitary, and whispered a few words in her ear. By the end of the day, the Emperor would've heard of this..

"I said before, and I will say again, I am prepared to apologise fully and completely for my part in this. But if I must fight, I will indeed fight to win. And unless I am very much mistaken and Felix will be satisfied to fight to first blood, well, that means I must aim to at least incapacitate him.

As to the idea of swords being the weapon for an Imperial duel, Felix, I dare say you are quite correct. But I am not an Emperor, Incognitia is not an Empire, and so t'would be quite inappropriate for me to fight thus.
By long tradition I am by right and dignity an ordinary man; I merely wield power, and it is my effectiveness in such that maintains my position. As such it is the most appropriate for me to fight with the weapon of an ordinary man.

I was under the impression that seconds selected the field of honour, but if you do not wish to lay that heavy responsibility on your officer's shoulders, I choose the lawn outside.
I do not believe that a duel there, with witnesses from many and several nations, including yours and mine, on level and open ground, can be bettered for neutrality without going out to sea in a neutral boat, going into the air on a neutral airship, or travelling some several hundred miles to leave the country."

"I must take your honor somehow today, or be bloodied in the attempt. As for the wound to be incited it is my perogative to choose, should a be satisfied with a knick, or if I demand a head shall be taken. Either way we will have satisfaction and give Prince Edward time enough for his delibirations. In Waldenburg it is the challenged party who chooses the location, perhaps it is better done is the face of the world." He paused something obviously catching his mind, "If his Excellency would allow 1 hour for which I could change into something more suiting for the occasion?" He waved his hand rather showily at the rows of medals and ribbons that came attached to every Crown Prince.

There were also a few preperations he needed to take in his airship, stretching maybe write a letter or two, see if the machine guns were still in their storage locker. If Felix could possibly lose, he automatically raised the playing field, to something a little more compatible for his resources.

"Of course. I would not have it said that my more comfortable attire gave me an unfair advantage."

<And after all, what could the boy do in an hour? At least, that could not be rectified as swiftly?
No treachery would suffice:
He would have no access to the weapons, with two identical even now being searched out and sharpened from amongst the Palace's extensive collection of old weaponry.
He could do nothing to affect the field covertly, as that too was being prepared; ensured as level, and as fair as possible.
And, after all, any intervention from off the field would undermine the very 'honour' he fought to preserve.>
Suddenly, however, there occurred a nasty thought to John McGrath. There were many armed guards on the premises, Incognitian all.
They were, of course, trusted men. But that did not preclude the possibility that one or more had been bought, merely made it less probable. And...any violence coming from an Incognitian guard would instantly be believed to be at the Tyrant's orders. It would take much to recover from such carnage as that could cause.
The Anj would stand by them; they could never trust Germany, against which Incognitia was the strongest bulwark. But anyone else? If the incident were sufficiently severe, they could be left an utter pariah.
As Felix left to do his business, whatever that may be, McGrath called upon his Captain of the Guard, John Tyrell. It was a brief conversation; he merely told his Captain to keep a group of men he trusted above all others with him at all times, to trust no-one but the Tyrant himself, and to keep himself in the spot where he could do most good.
The Captain, being supremely good at his job, merely nodded in assent and left to do his work.

OOC: Basically, if Felix is going to raise his game, I look forward to RPing it out and seeing how it transpires.
Oh, and a way of saying that I will accept one or two of the guards on the Palace grounds being in the pay of a foreign government, possibly Waldenburg, and see where that might lead.

The pricne's jacket had changed going from the fripperies of office to a somber black coat over traditional white shirt. Though hid did not plan for anything like this to happen the jacket would protect him slightly and allow to tangle his opponents weapon should he have a bungled lunge, he severely doubted the Tyrant would miss once in the flow of his attacks. Anyway as he fluffed down the frilly sleeves of his jacket he slowly flipped through a martial book on the use of long handle weapons. Like most things in Waldenburg it was incrediablly out of date, it's main use taught how to pull a man off a horse and delimb him in under ten seconds.

"Captain Hanner are you prepared?" The Prince Inquired mildily as he started advancing fencing style across the suite in the ariship.

"Yes Majesty," he was privy to the information dinied to the rest of the country, Felix was already Emperor. "A gaurd of honor will escort you to dueling grounds with sabres only, that should allow for the rouse to work more effectively. And two riflemen have been placed nearby, there are gaps in security but really it is quite tight, it will be a one in ten chance they hit but it will probably be enough. Another riflemen is in the airship, along with the machine gun crew though both are to remain out of sight." Hanner waited to see if this efected the Prince, it seemed not to have as he finished a rather complicated advancec and lunge combination.

"Oh yes that will be excellent, should something go wrong." He appeaerd satisfied at his condition and signalled for Hanner to leave, when he had donse so, the Prince reach for a Cigar boc, and flipping open the lid revomed a pair of silver embossed pistols, both tiny, but capable of firing the nearest equivilant to grapeshot. He carefully tucked them into his sleeves, after closing the door he was handed his sabre which he owuld carry for ceremonial purposes and it would look better if he "disarmed" in front of the Tyrant.

Of all the weapons in the Zeppelin the machine guns were the most peculiar, one was a cheap knock off and mounted on the Zeppelin, the other was a sleek work of art, something obviously made by people who assumed machinery made more then noise. One machine gun, hopefully with subtle changes in design could be exactly identical to a machine gun of Bautzen's famous industry. It wouldn't be enough to start, a war in seconds but it would raise believeable doubts especially as a representive was here. Only five people knew of the Prince's, or at least what he liked to call, Plan C, three of those men were not even Waldenburgers, but they still waited pateintly for the duel to start. While it would take sometime to set up once removed form it's hiding place, no ones attention would be called to some gaurds who rushed off on the words of an officer when the duel of the century was taking place feet away.

OOC If oyu could describe the duleing grounds that could be helpful, as you may have figured from above.

OOC: The immediate surroundings for the duel take the form of a large lawn, suitable for an extensive game of croquet. So, flat as a pancake, carefully maintained, and totally open.
Somewhat larger than a standard croquet lawn, so call it 30 metres by 25.
Beyond the edges of the lawn are, on the four sides of it: a large Palladian building, being the Palace itself (north); a carefully cultivated small grove leading off a little way (east); a rose garden (south); and a patch of open ground leading up to a folly (west).
The duel itself will commence in the centre of the lawn; any spectators will presumably be congregated towards its edges, to avoid becoming embroiled in it. Around them will be the closest guards, few in number given the layers of security between them and this place. (Half a dozen, max).
Any more, I need to know what you're aiming at, to be able to pick out what you need to know. IM good, TG ok, but tell me your plan so we can hammer it out properly...

OOC: Damn, you had to choose me to try to make the bad guy didn't you.

IC:
Bautzen's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Walter Higgens, and one might say the instigator, however unwilling, of this whole affair walked grimely out to the field where the duel would take place. Surveying the grounds he apeared to be as serene as possible, in reality he was tearing himself up. 'What a fool I am', he thought. 'Was it not for my own remarks to that stupid Princethis whole affair could have been avoided'.

So it continued as he stood waiting for the combatants to appear, for Mr. Higgens was a pacifist in all meanings of the word, he was a believer in diplomacy, not war and hated violence of any kind. So he stood there tearing himself apart on the inside knowing that he would certainly be the cause of at least one death here today, and possibly the deaths of thousands. Of course the newspapers would never admit that, they would claim that he was just trying to restore order to a chaotic affair, and had no idea what effect his words would have. However, what really scared him was the thought that perhaps it wasn't a spur of the moment affair and perhaps he truely did mean for this outcome.

However, he was a smart man and he knew that the Prince would not allow the regent, nor likely himself to walk free from this place today. He quietly called for his personal gaurd and handed them a note, this note was sent to Bautzen's source inside the Tyrants gaurd telling him to start spreading the word amongst the gaurds that there would be an attempt on the Tyrants life by the Crown Prince's entourage, in the event of the Tyrant's success. A thought then occured to him, Bautzonian weapons are easy to come about, and it would make perfect sense for Waldenburg to have at least one example of modern Bautzonian rifles, etc. Especially the weapons made for the military by their neighbor Warsaw. He made an addition to the note, he wanted his source(s, though the first one to get the message wouldnt realize that there are several) which said that the attempt might be made by Bautzonian rifles. The thought occured to him that there would be a better chance of success if they had a machine gun, but was promptly discarded for, how could they have thought to bring a Bautzonian machine gun in advance, unless they were planning on killing everyone in the conference. No, he decided the attempt would be made using a rifle, he then sent his guards back to the Zeppelin, they were not to leave under any circumstances. Then, Minister Higgens prepared to die.

OOC I sent you a Telegram TC, though I should have some sort of IM by the end of the day it's basic and you probably could have guessed from all the hints I've put in IC.

IC

Felix gently stepped down from Zeppelin his honor Gaurd had already formed around him, each carrying one of the Imperial flags, eagles blazing on a field of green, in different stages of crushing enemies. There were six gaurds, Captain Hanner, still in uniform and Felix, the group made a defensive ring around the Prince and approched at what was known as procession speed, each one keeping timed footsteps. It Once the lawn was reached, Felix laid down his sabre on the edge of the lawn carefully he motioned his gaurds to take up poisition behind him, he had carefully planned it so his victory would be made facign north towards Waldenburg. "Are we prepared, I believe the time is upon us?"

John McGrath had also changed, out of his suit and into something altogether more suitable for fighting. He was now dressed in black trousers and shirt that fit snugly but not tightly, and boots likewise.
He knew Tyrell was close by, with a small party; because no matter how it looked, this simply did not *feel* safe. What was he saying? Of course a duel wasn't safe. But...it felt as though there was more to it than that.
The guards not specifically posted to Tyrell were either guarding the lawn itself, fully under the eyes of Tyrell, or further away and (hopefully) able to prevent entry and exit, without being able to affect events at the centre.
Well, hopefully he wouldn't have to see if the preparations were adequate...

He saw Higgens sweating it with the main party, and felt sorry for the man. This clearly was politics at a lower and more sordid level than he liked to deal with. He was intelligent, and able; if he lost a bit of his squeamishness without losing his scruples he would better serve his country.
Seeing him pass on a note, he momentarily wondered what was going on there...but it would show soon enough. The Tyrant had to plan for himself, and let others' plans shatter and break on his own.

And here...here was Felix. The pompous twat had surrounded himself with six slightly different flags, all showing some proud scene of battle. He really did belong in the Middle Ages, when his predeliction for violence and obsession with honour would have fit; rather than in this day of strategic imperative and realpolitik.
Never mind. Today, he would either gain his lesson, or he would die. John knew that he himself could die, but that would not happen without Felix getting severely hurt.
Mix Higgens and Felix, and you would have one excellent leader of men, and one awful one, rather than two with talents and also deep, deep flaws.

In any case, the time had come. He signalled two of the guards, who were holding the halberds; their blades now wickedly sharp, the two identical weapons were offered to Captain Hanner and Major Hines to compare.
Once they were satisfied the two were equal, Hanner would take one to give to Felix; Hines passed the other to the Tyrant, who hefted it gently.

OOC: Got the TG. Quick question of how you expect to get the machine-gun there - needs to get out of the airship, a wee way through the grounds, and then into position to fire unseen. For all that the spectators might miss it, none of the guards are expecting to see a machine gun in the grounds, so they'll be fairly suspicious. (well, and who you expect to take out with it? Just Felix's guard, or all of the men stood around?)
Oh, and whether you *really* expect to get away with this, or just expect the ruse to work for a little while and then be seen through.
Finally, if the, ahem, interruption comes early on, I don't expect either man to be too cut up...the Tyrant will begin cautiously, as suits him, so if Felix isn't too reckless, they'll have effectively just been sparring. Seems likely, anyway.

Minister Higgens stood watching as the two duelists prepared to begin. How their retinues sum up their personalities he thought. The arrogant Crown Prince with his retinue of swordsman, and the Tyrant with his far more egolitarian retinue, who at least appeared to be fully ready for anything. In the passed hour he had redied himself to die, his guard had been moved back to the Zeppelin with orders not to leave. The only guard he had remaining was Cpt. O'Tool, who had steadfastly refused to leave his charge. Well far be it from me to keep the man from going to his death, a shame too the Captain had such a wonderful family.

As the Tyrant emerged he approached him, and said the following. "My Lord, I wish you the best of luck and I dearly hope you emerge from this day unscarred for your nation could hardly do so well without your excellent leadership."

Then, Minister Higgens, who also happened to head Bautzens foreign intelligence agency, and was considered the best Diplomat to ever come from intelligence, watched and waited. Waited for the bullet he was sure would come for him. He stood proud and erect, and waited for it to begin...

OOC If you recall I brought my own Zeppelin As uniformed men swarmed towards the airship, though they were unarmed, he gestured towards them "Since you've brought your own airship, we are afraid we must make certain of fair play." As you stated earlier, you also said that I could have a few men in the Tyrant's security, an ideal time a think for them to remove the machine gun. I've been planning my retaliation before the orginal insault actually, rather handy in a tight spot that. The attack will happen soon into the duel but not immediately.

IC
Felix fingered the long shaft and tested the edge gently, it was indeed a weapon of honor if it was that sharp. He prepared himeslf in the way the book has suggested, pike facing down held under arm like a hunting rifle. If the Tyrant suddendly felt inclined to fight the duel from horseback Felix would be laughing. As it was he licked his dry lips and looked towards his Zeppelin, and it's reassuring banners of Imperial finery. He probably looked a fool but it was indeed him who would be laughing at the end of the day.

"Mr. Alutius are we prepared? Everyone seems to be here and our weapons are indellibly sharp, on your word."

ooc: it would do to remember that pikes and halberds are VERY different things, for all that the heads are so similar. a pike is between 14 and 18 feet long, if i remember rightly. good for killing cavalry, or formation fighting. crap in close in infantry work. a halberd, the shaft is slightly shorter than the man using it, and only the head makes it taller than him. well, in ideal circumstances. any difference in hight will make "identical" weapons slightly different compared to their wielder. designed to be Able to do the job of a pike, though more easily defeated by lancers, but more importantly well designed for close in infantry work, in formation or otherwise.

OOC I call anything that's two handed and shafted a pike, i don't really know why.

OOC I guess I'll do it

IC

The starting word seemed to fill the silent green as the two combatants faced one another prepared for their last battles. On all sides, at a respective distance, spectators made a loose line as they settled in for a pleseant event. Gaurds stood picketed around the ground with a heavy concetration around the two combatants.

Felix took the oppertunity of the last syllable of "Commence" to bring his halberd down in a wide arc atttemping to to remove a good deal of the Tyrant's hips. The parry was lazy and well practiced with the Tyrant smiling absent mindedly as he perfectly blocked another three wild and fast attacks. The old man's creaky body made the perfect contrast to his arms as they blurred around forcing Felix back.

Though the Crown Prince was no halberd expert he was a natural born fighter and for the circumstances was holding quite well. Felix was only 3 meters from his gaurds before the Tyrant made his attack, till now it had merely been a game, a swift hack across the neck from the Tyrant changed all that as Felix's clumsy parry brought the tip of the Tyrant's halberd into his arm where it drew a light line of blood. "Not yet Excellecny honor demands more," he answered to a bemused look of old man.

As the battle raged in the green another body hit the ground in the rosebeds, three gaurds had been lurking in the flowers, each had been expecting attack but they had not been expecting a knife in the back, their bodies falling onto benches pillars and the Posies respectivly. Now three men, slightly bloodied, had taken there place all standing around one small clump of ground as close to the duel as possible.

"That ought to about do it pass over the bipod." One of them said as he remained standing and spoke out of the corner of the mouth. "Right well we only need the sign and we've made ourselves a fortune, and a titles." He chuckled as he finished and smiled towards the battle, he never really enjoyed his job, perhaps it was time to find one in Waldenburg.

The halberd had lost some speed, both of them had this was going on uch longer then either side had supposed. Felix lost control of his weapon and smashed it low against the ground sparks flashed all around the fighters. The Crown Pricne rolled dodging a thrust and came back wheezing, "You'll have me by fatigue or by blood soon your Excellecny!" He wheezed joivially smiling at his enemy hopefully putting the icing on the cake which still was in the making.

There was no shout from the flower bed there was no exalation of breath, there was however a rain of bullets which began to tear Waldenburger flag bearers who had their backs turned to the machine gun. Captain Hanner who was leaning against his spare halberd took seven bullets to the chest and collapsed spurting blood onto Mr Higgens. The other gaurds had similar fates each taking a multitude of bullets that otherwise would have hit the Prince and the Tyrant. Felix was already on the ground, bullets racing over his head, he could hear the sickly sucking of metal hitting flesh and the screams of the observers who had been in the way of the fire.

After around thirty seconds the machine gun stopped and there were several retorts of rifle cracking the death rattles of the wounded. One lone Waldenburg riflemen was laying out inaccurate fire as three figures streaked away from the rosebeds pistols killing anyone they came across, they ran east towrads the trees, supposedly where Waldenburgers would hide them, there would be no such luck. Felix rose and looked the carnage, the Prince clutching at his own shirt which was now covered in blood where a stray bullet had hit him. "Kill the bastards Waldenburgers kill them! They have injured your Prince, they Have injured his Honor Kill them!" The infuriated prince yelled at his Zeppelin, and gave quite meaningful looks to the other nationalities gaurds. He then rushed to the Tyrant to see if his honor would need saving any more.

OOC: I'll let that thirty seconds pass as a mistake by someone to whom time was passing extremely quickly indeed.
It doesn't take nearly thirty seconds for nearby guards to fling everyone on the floor, and start flinging bullets back from their rifles.
Anyway, just to keep things moving...

IC: Felix clearly thought of him as an old man; that would be his undoing, as McGrath moved no faster than he had to, saving himself a little, in the hope that blocking a whirl of attacks from Felix would leave Felix tired...
Siezing the occasional opportunity, like *now*, that was different...
He'd expected it to be blocked, but Felix was now bleeding. Interesting indeed.

And then fire ripped out of the rose garden.
Instinctually, he hit the deck, and rolled a little. Now just to keep his head down, as guards were still falling, and wait for Tyrell to do his job.
Where the hell was Tyrell!?

Captain of the Guard John Tyrell, the very same that the Tyrant and ultimate power in Incognitia wanted right there, right then, was cursing.
Once the duel started, he had decided to go off on a little patrol of the area. Leaving a couple of his men to look after things, he was some distance away when he heard shots fired.
"Fuck! Fuck! Whichever fucker that is, whoever he's firing at, is going to get what's coming to him!"
He ran, dragging the three men with him in his wake.
And as he ran, he headed for the treeline; the closest thing any assailant here had to a chance of escape.
What do you know? As they came that way, he saw three armed men running away.
"Right boys, go prone and drop them. Non-fatal if you can. On my word"
Every one of the Tyrant's Guard could use their rifle well, in addition to being adept in unarmed combat; it was part of the selection criteria.
And so, Privates Smith, Sharples and Nichols went to ground. Caught their breath for a moment. Readied their rifles. Waited for the word of their Captain, which soon came, a whispered "Fire."
Three reports rang out, almost as one. And within a second all three had opened the bolt, casting out the old case, and closed it on a new round. Ready to fire again, dependent on the result of their first shots.

Meanwhile Lt. Thomas Roberts, also of the Guard, had brought several men with him out of the Palace on hearing shots. He had sent one man to get on the wireless - alert relevant authorities to an incident.
The Foreign Office would be sending quiet word to the governments concerned that there had been an incident at the negotiations, cause and consequence unknown, and to await further word. It would not be said that Incognitia had concealed or dissembled any of this.
The remainder of the men with him...well, they first scanned for assailants, and finding none began to take control of the situation.
Their first thought was their master, the Tyrant. He, having seen the attackers run away, was now standing up, still holding his halberd, and greeted them with an instant
"Lieutenant! Come here, a quiet word, if you please."
"Sir?"
"An assault was just attempted with a machine-gun. You see the result there" pointing to Hanner and his men.
"One amongst those present used diplomatic privilege to bring the damned thing here, and I don't want any of them to leave until we get to the bottom of it.
Obviously, we can't just lock them up. So initially, we will plead security concerns; and throughout we will emphasise that all appropriate resources will be used to discover the truth, and it will be known first and clearest here.
Can you take on such a task?"
"Yes sir."
"Right, put the rest of your men on helping casualties where they can. Get a bloody doctor as well."
"Sir. Sergeant! Casualties, if you please, and get a doctor!"

It would be important to act fast...the truth must be known, else it would be buried in rumours and lies before it came to light.
And though nothing could be certain, the Tyrant had a sneaking suspicion as to who was responsible...the man with the most to lose today...Felix von Waldenburg.
What he needed, as fast as possible, was enough genuine evidence to convince the bystanders. And that was Lieutenant Roberts job.

OOC Yes it is a considerable amount of time, I want the guards to kill them, they may be shot when escaping which is more probable but I wanted to leave the chance open for you to interrogate them if you wish, I still plan on killing them though. But so long as it does keep going

IC
Felix clasped his unbleeding arm on the Tyrant’s shoulder, “I believe this counts as a win for you as I seem to be wounded. Honor has been satisfied as strangely as may have been.” He swayed slightly the wound was mostly covered but the unstoppable liquid poured slowly down his jacket. "This looks bad for both of us I'm afraid. An attack on a royal while fighting a duel, very bad especially as around 70% of my party seem to be casualties. In situations such as this we must find those responsible and make them confess to their villany." He paused changing his arms positition into a less painful position.

"We must investigate this, but I already have my suspisions as to the instigator." He smiled darkly glancing aimlessly around at the carnage. "Let us however probe the truth fully and I'm sure we shall discover it."

Mr Higgens was or possibly had been the perfect pawn, he had even helped the disguise somewhat. Not only had he moved all his guards away to his Zeppelin one of the Waldenburger's had seen him passing messages to the Incognita security. At face value everything pointed to Bautzen, if they started to probe to deep Felix might have to start another campaign. Although with all the insaults flying at the table from Bautzen earlier it wouldn't be that hard to prove.

Three figures lay on the open field between the grove and the rose garden, once they had found opposition in the forest they had changed direction and started to run backwards cursing Waldenburg, and all guards everywhere. One of the figures was obviosuly dead, his neck opened wide. The others were writhing on the ground obviously the Incognitans had been good with their rifles. Waldenburgers would probably finish the job as they advanced across the field bayonets drawn and already taking aim at the wounded. Most of this new delegation was made of the Zeppelin crew holding rifles unframiliarly but soon enough they would not have to be accurate.

OOC: Now why would I have done it only to have my man shot? Sorry this is a bit late, I just got home. Also sorry this isnt my best writing but I'm rather buysy right now but I figured that I would make this response before things progressed even further.

IC: The duel commenced and as it was carried out the Minister was creaping ever closer for several reasons. One of which was his desire to get a better view of the duel, but another was his wish to be availible to shield the Tyrant, whom he was certain would also be a target.

Then he heard the gunfire, while most fled from it and dropped to the ground Minister Higgens ran towards the gunfire right into the path of one of the bullets. The bullet tore through his leg breaking several bones and bringing him to the ground. It was only after he had collapsed on the ground that he realized that all of the dead were Waldenburg guards. His last thought as he drifted into unconsciousness while hearing gunfire was 'Brilliant, simply brilliant'. Following this he blacked out while his leg wound bled profusely.

Cpt. O'Tool found his charge on the ground several moments later and quickly set to work forming a turniquet to stop the bleeding. The turniquet was made from his own uniform out of necessity and upon completing his juryrigged bandage he started crying for help. While at the same time dreading what the PM, and King's reaction would be to this fiasco. One thing was for sure they were in for a rough few days at the least.

Although he was out of the way of the gunfire Prince Edward had seen the happenings unfold quite clearly. His first instinct was to reach for his revolver which he then rembered remembered he had not even bothered trying to take with him the the negotiations, next he grabed his rapier before he realised that it would be of no use since the gunners where to far away. "Find me a Telegtaph James." he ordered his assistint.
"Why, my prince?"
"I will tend to the wounded myself, but after that I wish to inform the defence committee to keep the armed forces ready as there will almost certainly be no peace comming from these negotiations."
With that Prince Edward went to tend to the Wladenburg flag bearers he would have liked to tend to the assailants but new that would be political suicide. Several of the flag bearers where clearly dead but others he could save he quickly started tearing up clothing for bandages and turniquets. One man had all but lost one of his hands so the prince did the only thing he could think to do he took out his rapier and using its small but sharp cutting edge and removed the poor mans hand, it had taken both of the prince's pant legs to stem the bleading but he did it and with luck the prince's actions this day would not be forgotten.

Tagged

For reading purposes, mostly.

Sitting there, adjudicating. Calmly watching, as so to make sure there was no untoward moves by either of the contestants. The Illar were, perhaps, too innocent by half. Direct violence? Foolishness, and barbaric, but sometimes required for honour. Covert violence? The refuge of the truly depraved.

And, as such, Alutius never even considered the possibility that he was in such danger. He never considered that he was such an easy target.

As bullets spat through the air, rather than throwing himself to the ground, he looked up in surprise. The first one shattered his jaw. The second, his skull. The next five or so riddled his torso with bullet-holes, and, then, the look of utter shock still on his face, he toppled over, falling to the ground.

His retinue were all at the embassy. The Illar had no ambassador at the diplomatic table any longer, it seemed. It would take time, in the chaos, to dispatch another ambassador - and more time to find one foolhardy enough to venture into a place where the previous ambassador had died.

# - Edge of the forest.
Tyrell saw the three fall. And he also saw Waldenburgers advancing on the position where the three had fallen.
And, with them no longer running, he didn't want a twitchy Waldenburger killing a suspect.
So, using his best parade-ground voice, which, coming from the bottom of his powerful lungs was quite something to hear, he cried
"HALT where you stand!"
He brought Sharples, Nichols and Smith up, and took them with him as they ran to where the three had fallen.
They weren't all that far away. The Waldenburgers had no excuse to not heed the warning, and in only a few seconds they would be there to take control of any survivors from the three downed as prisoners.

# - In the rose garden
The first of the new arrivals, superseded by medics in aiding casualties, began the investigation themselves.
The direction from which fire had come was clear, so they began in the direction of the rose garden.
Lt. Roberts suddenly stopped them.
"We may be trampling on evidence. Can anyone here track animals and such in open country? Jones, aren't you a country man?"
"I'm something of a woodsman, if that's what you mean, sir. Little rusty, but should be okay in these grounds, with tracks this fresh."
"Jones leads. Follow him closely."

"Oh shit! Sir, look, it's Rodgers! Bastards killed him, sir!"
"Bastards indeed. Well, we'll get to the bottom of this."
In due course, the bodies of Stone and Hann were also found. Before that, however, they located the machine-gun...
"Was three men, sir. They came up from that direction" gesturing further back "and ran off this way" pointing towards the treeline.
"Right. The weapon...Bautzonian, is it not?"
"Yessir."
"Well, they are one of the easiest to get on the black market. It means the culprits want to finger Bautzen, most likely. Brown, Fletcher, stay here and make sure no-one interferes with this weapon. Jones, keeps tracking them back. You other men, follow Jones with me. Corporal Lloyd, run back and report three further dead in the rose garden, that we're tracking back the culprits, and have found and secured the weapon used."

# - In the garden
A better assessment of the casualties showed three Incognitian guards downed, one of whom would probably pull through. The families of Corporal Adam Lowe and Private Samuel Byrne would, like those of James Stone, Alexander Hann, and Alistair Rodgers, be recieving a personal letter of condolence from the Tyrant, delivered by the commander of their unit. They would be pensioned, of course...it was the least of their due.
No more tragic on an individual level, but with added effects at international scale...Alutius was down, clearly dead. And Higgens was wounded.
Now, medical help was finally arriving in force, and all the casualties would be getting attention very soon, if they had not already.
And here was Felix...conceding the duel, and muttering darkly about culprits.
"I thank you. As to this foul murder, well Prince Felix, we will investigate thoroughly before leaping to conclusions. Let us see what we shall discover."

It took courage for Dai Lloyd, a mere Corporal in the Tyrant's Guard, to report to the Tyrant himself. In his favour, the adrenaline was still pumping, and he could see no-one senior to Lloyd himself was in the garden.
He blurted out what they knew, just managing to keep the Bautzonian origin of the gun to himself.
With that, John McGrath had enough to speak out.
"GENTLEMEN!" his voice cut across the lawn, drawing the attention of all those capable of it. The doctors ignored him and kept working.
"Thank you. Now, I am sure we are all shocked by this murder most foul. I implore you to keep cool heads, and permit the investigation to run it's course.
Now, I will give you what we know. Ambassador Alutius is dead, along with five of my personal guard and most of Prince Felix's guard.
They were killed by three men using a machine gun set up in the rose garden, which has been found and secured. Their tracks are being followed back to see where they lead as we speak; meanwhile the culprits have fled towards the treeline, where Captain Tyrell and his men will most likely intercept them.
Many others have been wounded, including Ambassador Higgens, and they are now recieving medical attention.
So, the immediate crisis...is past. We now need cool heads, to ensure that the consequences of this foul deed fall upon the correct culprits. Interrogation of the murderers will speed things radically, at which point - if they live - they will be given to the Illar Empire to administer justice as they see fit."

Ambassador Alutius, along with multiple guards and others have been murdered at the Sandstone Palace outside Nescia.
Three men used a machine-gun on the party watching the duel between Tyrant John McGrath and Crown Prince Felix of Waldenburg.
The three murderers are being pursued, and may be apprehended by the time you read this.
Meantime the investigation into who is responsible is ongoing, and is at too early a stage to speculate. We will keep you updated with any developments, expect word within the day.
This was sent a few minutes after the following message, given to Illar alone.
We are very sorry to have to inform you that Ambassador Alutius was killed in the attack that took place at the negotiations. The direct murderers are being pursued, and if you wish may be handed over to Imperial justice once they have been suitably interrogated.
This breach in security shames us, and you may be assured the investigation will be pursued, in contrast, with all vigour.

"Indeed question them, and ascertain the truth however I think the instigators of this murderous act will blame someone, they're play will be clever.." Felix stopped for a dramatic effect and stooped down to ask his only remaining guard how he felt. "I apologize, Frederick has been a friend of mine since we were children, they all were." This was quite true all of Felix's followers had been so when they were children Wyatt Von Waldenburg had encouraged "stimulating young minds" and had force Felix nearly at knife point to socialize with the children of the Palace.

"However they will not be that clever as I believe that I have already found our murders and such clever ones. I believe that Bautzen is behind this trechery," he paused a well tuned tone of doubt entering his voice, "Minister Higgens, I am not sure about, he may have very well simply been acting under orders, and not realized his fate. As is he acted rather strangely before the inccident. Frederick, and indeed if you questioned your own security, would probably agree that Mr Higgens passed at least one document to Incognitan security before the inccident, a carefully coded order is my belief. Excellency, I need not even see your face to reads it's shock, but think of the situation, Mr Higgens clearly was baiting myself for a confrontation, one that as it happens he need not fight in he being a man of words, happily the law was on his side.

Two of Bautzen's enemies already prepared to die. Though I doubt he had a major role in the direct killing he carried out orders with an astonishing effeciancy. Ask what would happen if I had died in Incognita, if you doubt for a second that you would have suffered the wrath of the Waldenburger Governemnt then be reassured a Crown Prince dying questionablly in your country would be ample evidence for a fleet to be here within a month. He obviously "Read me" as you were so able to, I'm afraid we have all played our part in this slaughter. Politically we understand Bautzen and Incognita are not of the best of relations, and this would severely weakened Incognita." He stopped surely this was to far for anyone without questioning of the prisoners ? Not however for the Crown Prince.

"Other then that there is the obvious evidence, of the machine guns make, and the fact that Minister Higgens sent a majority of his guards back to the Zeppelin before the duel. Can you imagine what they were plotting with that ample time and armaments? For the moment this is only my perosnnal feelings, I shall keep Waldenburg's word for a moment until we have heard the response of the assailants, however they shall no doubt say they were under the employ of Illar or some power of vast imaginable resources. Keep this in mind Tyrant, rember who has the most to gain here, and" he motioned behind him where the dead were being removed, "who has lost the most."

He walked away slowly to a medic not allowing for the Tyrant to give his response, oh he had no doubt that at leat the Tyrant balmed Felix but would have a very difficult time proving so to his people with all the evidence, that if neccesary Felix would leak. "Marines leave the priosners they are to be interrogated!" He yelled at the figures moving across the lawn who immediately came to attention and dragged the strugglin figures upright and over to an Incognitan detachment.

"What!!"

"Mr. Prime Minister, sir, I was just informed to tell you that Minister Higgens has been shot, apparently it isnt fatal but it is bad." The poor unfortunate man who had been tasked with delivering news of the attack to the Prime Minister said. "I am sorry, sir, but I do not know anything more than that Minister Higgens was wounded and Ambassador Alutius was killed along with several of Crown Prince Felix's men."

"Damn, I need to know everything we can get, and I needed it yesterday man! And ready a Zeppelin for me I am going to Incognitia after I have been briefed and have brought the King up to speed. Inform Incognitia that I request permission to fly to the site of the attack in an unarmed civillian Zeppelin to check on the well being of my Foreign Minister and to occupy his place at the conference for as long as necessary. Damnit, I need that info now! And while your at it bring me what intelligence has on this Crown Prince Felix."

"Yessir, right away sir, I'll get everyone working on it now." The man replied while scurrying out of the Prime Minister's presence.
__________________

'Poor guy,' the PM of Bautzen thought as he left, more like fled really, from the room. 'I really am going to have to think up some way of breaking this to the King nicely, he responds so poorly to bad news, and that is certainly what this is....'

OOC: And so begins the witchhunt.

OOC: Waldenburg, you dug yourself a BIG hole there :p
Oh, and what gives you the idea I have bad relations with Bautzen? The only low spot in a basically good relationship was a disagreement over this very issue...

IC: Felix had walked off...but no matter. This was not to be missed.
"CROWN PRINCE FELIX!"
Wait for the man to look around. Then continue at a tone audible to the entire gathering.
"Please explain how you know the machine gun used is of Bautzonian origin, when none of your men have been near it, and none of my men have passed that information on?"

###

Meanwhile Tyrell had secured his two prisoners, and was having them given medical attention. It looked as though they would both pull through...for questioning.

You will be most welcome, and your presence may be quite helpful, especially as it will leave Bautzen still represented and permit Mr. Higgens time to recuperate.

OOC: Waldenburg, you dug yourself a BIG hole there :p
Oh, and what gives you the idea I have bad relations with Bautzen? The only low spot in a basically good relationship was a disagreement over this very issue...

IC: Felix had walked off...but no matter. This was not to be missed.
"CROWN PRINCE FELIX!"
Wait for the man to look around. Then continue at a tone audible to the entire gathering.
"Please explain how you know the machine gun used is of Bautzonian origin, when none of your men have been near it, and none of my men have passed that information on?"

###

Meanwhile Tyrell had secured his two prisoners, and was having them given medical attention. It looked as though they would both pull through...for questioning.

OOC: I'll have the PM arrive tommorrow in game time giving you the oppertunity to play this little incident out. Ahh, justice is sweet.:p

OOC "He blurted out what they knew, just managing to keep the Bautzonian origin of the gun to himself." I believe the correct term is poor reading from my part, ah this could make it slightly sticky.

IC

"My riflemen from the Zeppelin has made a verbal and somewhat hasty report on the subject, although that is not what I base my assumption off, my assumption is still just speculation tell me if it is not." He stopped mildly vexed, "I may be over estimating the mental prowess of myself but I believe after this attack, you and probably a good deal of others at least secretly in the privacy of your head blame Waldenburg. I'd ask why but apparently I am easily read. Your mind no doubt jumped to the fact that Bautzonian weapons are easy to come by, yes I'm cacapble of reading expressions as well, then they are just as easy to come by in Bautzen." This time he stayed not walking away to inspect the damage, he had slipped although really it didn't matter to him at the moment it was easy enough to tell the gun didn't come from Waldenburg where "they were scrapping the bottom of the barrel" and couldn't afford a major spy ring inside the Tyrant's palace. Yes there was deffinately plausible deniablity, in many many things.

He stooped down again, Frederick had only been mildy wounded as a bullet fractured his wrist which was kindly removed by Prince Edward, apparently his Highness did not know of the old axium of it is better to die whole then live another day but Felix really could not summon the energy to fight again.

OOC That classic Scooby Doo mistake could just speed things up a bit.

Terror you can feel free to interrogate them and have them give whatever answer they like, I have some testing coming up and can't really spend time posting, on the reactions of your most sadistic tortures.

OOC: Ok, the interrogation will commence once the little scene on the grass is over...I want some of the international lot as observers, so that all know the prisoners have not been instructed on what to say.

IC: "Prince Felix, I have it on good authority that not one man went near the weapon between the assailants fleeing for the woods and it's discovery by men of my guard.
It is within the realm of possibility that they were wrong...let us see how many improbabilities rack up in the course of this investigation.

In any case, I must ask your permission for my Guard, accompanied by men of yours, to search your airship...for machine-gun sized holes, as it were.
I have it on good authority that no other delegate arrived with sufficient luggage to carry such a thing, and so a search of your airship, in tandem with seeing if it can be traced coming into the Palace any other way, will help the investigation.
And I know you will react with shock to the very idea, understandably; but regardless of any involvement on your part, men of your airship crew may be proven traitors and murderers, as men of my Guard already have been."

"Indeed, but Micheal is somewhat of a firearm enthusiast," he motioned towards his Zepplelin, "He also has a scopped rifle, I'll believe him in this instance." He laughed slightly forgetting for the moment about the gore splattering the ground around him. Pride was easily one of his vices and he enjoyed waving his success however silently in front of the Tyrant's face. He had no doubt that everyone at the proceedings believe it was Waldenburg responsible but they would have a difficult time proving it, so for the moment he could enjoy his victory, while keeping a mostly somber demenour.

"My Zeppelin shall of course be searched, an international squad may be established if that can be arranged now. If there are any persons responsible for this action, they shall explain such at length to the Waldenburger Church," this was the ultimate threat and Frederick on the ground winced when he heard it, of all the things in the Empire the Church was by far the most 'advanced.' "After of course you are finished with the instigators. Micheal take the squad that is formed and escort them through our zeppelin, do whatever is aksed of you." He gave an ingraciating smile, they wouldn't find anything, the gun locker was just a box and there was no second mount for a machine gun.

"Prince Edward I believe we await a response to Waldenburg's demand, though your bravery and regality have proved you a man above even your station I must have an answer now or there shall be action.

"Indeed, but Micheal is somewhat of a firearm enthusiast," he motioned towards his Zepplelin, "He also has a scopped rifle, I'll believe him in this instance." He laughed slightly forgetting for the moment about the gore splattering the ground around him. Pride was easily one of his vices and he enjoyed waving his success however silently in front of the Tyrant's face. He had no doubt that everyone at the proceedings believe it was Waldenburg responsible but they would have a difficult time proving it, so for the moment he could enjoy his victory, while keeping a mostly somber demenour.

"My Zeppelin shall of course be searched, an international squad may be established if that can be arranged now. If there are any persons responsible for this action, they shall explain such at length to the Waldenburger Church," this was the ultimate threat and Frederick on the ground winced when he heard it, of all the things in the Empire the Church was by far the most 'advanced.' "After of course you are finished with the instigators. Micheal take the squad that is formed and escort them through our zeppelin, do whatever is aksed of you." He gave an ingraciating smile, they wouldn't find anything, the gun locker was just a box and there was no second mount for a machine gun.

"Prince Edward I believe we await a response to Waldenburg's demand, though your bravery and regality have proved you a man above even your station I must have an answer now or there shall be action.

OOC: Whoa there, you just had half a dozen people murdered and your already trying to get your way surely it is not the "honorable" thing to do, take advantage of chaos.

"Why surely you must agree that this is hardly the time or place to resume negotiations, although I may tell you now that I disagree with your offer but, you shall have a proper answer at a time when all the moderators are present and we are better dressed for the occasion." For the first time Edward was truly shocked by Felix how could one of a noble up bringing believe that important international disputes could be settaled at a place where blood on the ground is still warm. At this His assistant James gave him an affirming look.
"Now If you will excuse me I must inform the officials back in Jagaro of what has heppened hear." With that Prince Edward left the cortyard to give the news and orders to the homefront.

OOC: this was written this under the impression that Waldenburg's post took place in the cortyard still minuets after the masscure please let me know if I am wrong.

OOC: Yup. Still on the lawn where the duel took place. About to move, however.

IC: "Gentlemen...if we can stand the sight of a little more violence being done this day, I believe it expedient that as many as possible should witness the immediate interrogation of the prisoners captured attempting to flee the scene."

"So, if you would follow me, we will search them out and see what they can impart."

The Tyrant wanted this to be done with witnesses...but if the prisoners held out, it would either take more time, or more violence. And some here had clearly seen enough violence in one day.

"Prince Edward you attended this metting as a representative of Jagaro, we assuemd with powers to negotiate,: Felix said coldly at the retreating back of Edward, "Waldenburg will not tolerate such delays, if you are incappable of making a choice perhaps your presence here was unneccesary. But by all means telegram home, we expect an answer soon or we shall create one." Felix picked up his saber from where he had thrown it on the field before the duel.

"Let us listen to these priosners, let us hear what they say, let us listen to their programmed lies. I doubt we shall find much from them but perhaps we may discern the truth from their lies." He motioned to a crewmen, "Ensign Hellfurson shall accompany me and take down what was said once we have begin." He motioned to another crewmen and said slightly louder then was strickly neccesary, "Wire the report to Minister Albemier," the Prince passed over a scrap of paper he had scribbled furiously while he had been speaking to Prince Edward. On it was the official report and there were also the details of the crime the mitigating circumstances for Bautzen, their insaults their proximity. Possibly the only reason the Tyrant suspected Felix was that the Prince was a cold heartred bastard, the nations of the world would not have that prespective and would instead be provided a very large stack of evidence against Bautzen, slight exxagerated, and a very slime pile against the other nations involved.

"Shall we Excellency?"

Recantly during a duel between Waldenburg's Prince Felix and Incognitia's Tyrant an there was an attack claiming several lives including that of the Ilar ambassador, as well as injuring many more. It would seem that there are outside forces trying to extract war from this peaceful assembly and as such I am ordering that an incress in the number of troops ready for battle to be doubled as soon as possible.

That should do it Prince Edward thought as he finished his Telegram to the defence committee, next up was to write a statment regaurding prince Felix's comments.

Your Highness do not mistake my reluctance to engage in important International affairs by shouting across the scene of a massacre as incompatance. However if it is an answer that you want than it is that your offer one territory is rejected on the grounds that a single territory is not equal to one the costs and the loss of face that would come with the withdrawal. I do however realise that my preveious offer was unreasonible and thus give you a new offer to consiter; Wladenburg shall hand over control of the island of Newfoundland and the cost of Labrador in exchange for the Jagaron occupied Scandinavian territory. Over all I beleve that this is a fair exchange and would advise you except it.

Felix waited for the answer, it didn't seem forthcoming, he was happy for the moment that the world could forget him, they would be along shortly and perhaps it was better if he was not present at the prisoners interrogation. A crew member rushed forward though, he was slightly blood stained from caring for the wounded, and in his trembling hand he grasped two telegrams, both had come through Incognita so they couldn't be that secrative.

"I seem to smell the stench of appeasement in the air," he mumbled to himself as he read through the letter twice, "Too much to give for such a small favor." He began composing a response in his mind, how many times could he use the word honor? Then his faced dropped visablly, his pale green eyes dilating in horror. He then folded the paper and handed in to the crewmen gesturing he read it.

"His Majesty Wyatt von Waldenburg III has died, several nights ago from apparent treachery. I'm Afraid I must depart now, Waldenburg has a new Emperor one who now must attend to his people!" He had shouted it parade ground style, inflecting somberness into every word. His marines and crew slowly took up a chant of "God Bless The Emperor" growing louder and louder till they too were shouting. The others in the area were forgotten Waldenburgers cared little about what foriegners thought, less so now, "Your Excellecny once your men have finished searching my Zeppelin I must ask permission to leave, should you have need of me you know where I live." He gestured towards his men who delegated off what they were doing to another nationalities guard and followed to Emperor to his airship.


Prince Edward, though I do not believe you an incompotent man, but your delays are unseemly for a man of such power, if you are incapable of negotiations then who in Jagaro is? As you have denied our claims we must inform you that though no papers have been signed a state of war exsist between the Two Nations of Waldenburg and Jagaro. There shall be no compromise Highness there will be acceptance, cotemplate your surrender Edward for you shall surely need it.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Emperor Felix Von Waldenburg

Soon enough, word had been received. Word of the murderers, word of the death of Alutius, the ambassador. Word of the new Emperor. There was great suspicion in the Illar Empire. There was no proof, but Emperor Alutius did not need it. Incognitia? Why would they do such a thing? Bautzen? Jagaro? None of them seemed likely culprits. And in a situation such as this, likelihood was all one had to rely on.

Emperor Felix Von Waldenburg. I congratulate you on your ascension to the throne of Waldenburg. But I fear you intend to misuse your power. We have been most diplomatic. And our diplomat has been killed, by some chaotic interference within the negotiations. Although we do not seek to blame you, we must be aware of all possibilities.

And thus, I deliver this ultimatum. Should a single Waldenburger move in attack against Jagaro, against Ravenland, there will exist between the Illar Empire and the Waldenburg Empire a state of war. Your cities will be ground into dust, your ships made wrecks, burnt-out hulks, and your people will be scattered to the winds for such an insult. Waldenburg will face the wrath of the Illar Empire, the greatest fleet in the world, and all the wrath of her allies.

I advise only this. Seek peace. Should you come to an agreement with Jagaro, even now, after these negotiations have failed, an agreement satisfactory to both, we shall not make war against you. But we will not suffer lightly the aggression of Waldenburg - nor that of any other nation, and we will halt it where we see fit.

Should you wish to discuss the matter with me, I will be most willing to meet with you so that we may solve this conflict peacefully. The Empire will tolerate nothing less than peace, no matter the ends we must go to in order to achieve it.

- His Most Glorious Imperial Majesty Emperor Alutius, Lord of Illus, King of Illar, Emperor of Africa, Marshal of the Illar, Emperor of Mexico, Regent of South America, Prince of India, Lord of Delhi, and Viceroy of Suez.


Another message was penned quickly, and sent to Jagaro.




My friends in Jagaro. Know that should war come to you, we will stand by you, and keep you from falling against the nefarious aims of the Waldenburg Empire.

- Emperor Alutius.

Imperial Response To: His Majesty King Alutius of the Illarain Empire
From: His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Felix Von Waldenburg

Indeed it is a most difficult time to lead, but my birth has prepared me, the Empire has taught me, I believe that the World shall be better for having me. we also wish to extend our sorrow for the lose of your ambassador, but would remind you that six of my men are dead today, diplomacy has failed all of us.

Your ultimatum though dissapointing to us, will be ignored until it is withdrawn our becomes active. Do you honestly believe your ships can enter the Baltic and remain an effective force? Illar's fleet maybe powerful, the most powerful, but once it enters Waldenburger domains it's size and prowess will be it's undoing. Though I believe personally I can not dissaude you from your cause, you would be wise to remeber this note in future. Waldenburg seeks only peace, Jagaro has become a roadblock to peace, it will be dealt with. Perhaps though something may still be done our foreign Department is working frantically with Jagaro, while we will not back down Waldenburg prays they will see sense.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Felix Von Waldenburg

Jagaro desires only peace, and the right to exercise their rights over their own lands. And, let us be honest. Does the Illar navy particularly need to enter the Baltic? We can strip Waldenburg of her colonies, take from her the ability to move through the seas, apart from the Baltic, which she may keep. Yours is not a nation that can grow all that it needs. In the event of war, we need only wait, and see which lasts longer - our willingness to starve you, or your willingness to starve.

Jagaro remains guaranteed by Our command. Although we do not seek war, nor will we allow you to take what you wish in order to sustain peace. Peace is preferable to war, war is preferable to meek appeasement. The Illar will not take the third route, not ever.

- Emperor Alutius

"Felix, you may leave at once. In fact, I insist upon it. I will no longer accept your presence in Incognitia; you are declared persona non grata, and called upon to leave Incognitia by the fastest available route.

This would obviously, in this case, be your airship."

"Certain things I was prepared to accept, but this declaration of war against Jagaro is beyond the pale.
Initially I was inclined to support Waldenburg, but the situation has changed.

You may expect no assistance whatever from Incognitia, and I warn you that aggression against Jagaro may lead us to consider ourselves in a state of war against you.
A definitive declaration of our stance, in the form of a guarantee or ultimatum, will be issued once I have discussed it with my Cabinet."

OOC Incognita I haven't yet said outside of letters that we are declaring war on Jagaro the only people who know are Illar and Jagaro.

IC

Imperial Response To: His Majesty Emperor Alutius of the Illarian Empire
From: His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Felix Von Waldenburg

It is very true that you could strip of us our colonies, it may prove slightly more difficult then you imagine but I believe that in time should your heart hardened enough to kill the innocent then by all means sweep them into the sea. Waldenburger people have practice at starving, and those who don't, it is an easy thing to pick up. However should our colonies be attacked we shall responded with total war, and Scandanavia is very self suffcient and it's people prepared to defend against injustice, attacking our colonies would only enrage them more so and bring even more death.

Perhaps our diplomats shall have their way and this can be resolved presently we shall know within the week.

Signed:
His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty felix Von Waldenburg

He paused then dragged out another piece of paper, this would probably be more inflammatory then anything he could spit up at Illar. It was simply a list , a mere statement of facts so far.

"The Events of the Peace Conference Between Waldenburg and Jagaro, as mediated by representatives of the Incognitan, Bautzonian, and Illarian Governemnt:

In response to Jagaro's annexation of a province in Scandanavia, Waldenburg issued an ultimatum demanding the province in exchange for a Canadian province of Jagaro's choice. The peace conference convened with all representatives present. It opened quickly with, Felix making high handed declarations and demanding more then good be given the matter of debate was soon forgotten as Minister Higgens of Bautzen launched several verbal attacks against Prince Felix, not only degrading his governemnt but the Prince himself.


"You stupid boy, you will learn diplomacy or I will personally have you escorted from the room and a diplomat with some sense can take your place! Now, you will not be making demands here, that was made clear with the invitation to a negotiation which is supposed to be going on right now. I will repeat that one more time and you will, hopefully, remember it; there will be no demands made by you to Prince Edward or any other member of this body. I wouldn't have believed it possible for someone to be as tactless as you, one would have thought that your father would have had you taught something of diplomacy; you foolish child. Or are you too spoiled to realize that you just turned the ruler of the only country represented in this body who sees your "demand" as holding legitimate value against you. Well, My Lord, I am afraid that you will have to learn tact to get your way in this body, you shall also have to learn to control your temper and treat all those in this room with you as your equals as representatives of these countries. If you cannot do that now I suggest that you leave this negotiations to those who can and will do these things and go home to play warmonger while sucking on your mothers tit!"

Prince Felix, being a bit of a Ass in my opinion, challenged him to a duel immediately, quoting many times honorable intentions.

"You pompous fool. You foolish little bastard. Im sure that you have no idea that you just broke the laws of Incognitia, and technically the sentance for such a crime is death. You, My Lord (a phrase which he almost spat at the young man it was so filled with loathing), are a pompous fool who has no desire to do what is good for his people but merely attempts to expand his influence by means of war, all for the sake of 'honor.' Your father may be a fool, but if he is a fool then you sir, have the intelligence of a rather stupid rock. I do hope that the authorities apprehend you as your nation truely could live without your thickheaded stupidity. So I decline your 'noble' (again filled with loathing) request for a duel on the grounds that surely I a mere upstart peasant could never think to engage you in battle. Now I Prince I believe you should go, and should your father wish to continue these negotiations he can send a diplomat and not his stupid, spoiled brat of a son. "

Unknown to his highness, dueling in the host country of Incognita is illegal, and the Tyrant delived upon him his own ultimatum, either fight the duel with myself, and be arrested or leave the country. Felix chose honor above sense and accepted a duel with halberds on the lawn of the palace. I Perosanlly from my position somewhat far away patrolling the greens could not see the battle, however the Tyrant must not have been thinking, his opponent was a good 25 years younger, and by his dress a military man. The battle proceeded for a time before, an event that shook the lawn and ended the duel instantly.

A machine gun manned by a trio of men masquerading as Incognitan guards launched a violent attack on the party surronding the duel and the combatants themselves. At least 5 Waldenburger guards were hit in the back, and Prince Felix of Waldenburg was also injured. Mr Allutius of the Illarain Empire was killed along with Mr Higgens of Bautzen. Other casualties were numerous, bystanders and at least two guards in the rose bed from which the assualt was laucnched were killed. The attack took place from a flower bed directly behind Pricne Felix of Waldenburg. Those are the facts of the event, the dule itself was repleaced by a frantic effort to capture the escaping assailants, who were captured and handed over to security forces by Waldenburg marines.

My speculation though leads to many more ideas that enter my head at this late hour, ones implicating a represented governemnt in the attack. the governemnt that has the most to gain in the situation, is none other then the event's moderator Bautzen.

1. Mr Higgens lauched several verbal attacks on Prince Felix, this in itself would hardly be enough but considering that the Prince had already been challenged to a duel by my own Tyrant, through a carefully worded note, one which the Prince looked as though he would have agreed with. With such an attack anyone quite as foolsih as Felix would have challenged Mr Higgens to a duel.

2 The Machine Gun used at the attack was of Bautzonian Orgin.

3 Before the attack Mr Higgens removed the majority of his guard from the field of combat sending them back to the Zeppelin in which he had arrived. no doubtedly to retirve the weapon for it's deadly purpose.

4 Mr Higgens was spotted by myself and several other members of the Incognitan guard to be handing a letter to one of our officers. Though I myself was not allowed to read it's contents.

5 Bautzen had no place at the conference, it is unknown to me who asked them there, they seem to have merely appeared and have been accepted.

6 Bautzen has the most to gain from removing Prince inside Incognitan territory, not only would it have sparked a war but the Illarians and several other nationalities would have lost high ranking dipplomats. Incognita would have been humilitaed and possbily destroyed, Bautzen would naturally take the two provinces between our two countries, Felix and our Tyrant have been played for fools, Mr Higgens prepared himself perfectly, though was probably unknowing of his promised death.

Prince Felix is preparing to depart the country, the Tyrant already spitting curses at him, Felix is humilited and war seems ready to loom, who you wonder shall be on top?"


The letter rambled on for page after page, listing more and more facts about Bautzen, it porbably wouldn't be enough to fool governments but the average ignorant pesant would probably eat this up, Felix smiled lightly as he penned even further. There really was nothing but feeling against Waldenburg, it seemed every person with half a mind suspected Waldenburg but away from the Conference it would fade with so much dust in the wind. He stopped on the fifteenth page, just finishing about the ease on which a Bautzonian agent could enter Incognita. He signed it "A Poor Old Soldier" and would have ordered copies made but considering where he was he might just as well make them himself, he did so. Every major newspaper in Europe would have them soon enough, they would be telegramed from agents across Europe to newspapers, they would be very difficult to trace.

Felix stopped writing after the sixth copy, his writing was becoming smeared he should stop. He let his eyes drift out of a tiny window in his Zeppelin apparently they were in the air.

"Didn't even hear us take off?" He mumbled groggily before falling asleep peacfully in a plush armchair suspended undreds of feet in the air, drifitn slowly to his coronation.

OOC Seeing As I don't have much time Rl, and Incognita asked Felix to leave he will do so. Consider liquid time in effect answer the whole newspaper thingy at your liesure.

OOC: A couple things. First Higgens isnt dead he took a bullet in the leg but he wasnt killed, though I notice that you ignre the fact that he was shot moving towards the gunfire. Another thing is that if someone was to check the facts it becomes even less plausible. The reason you said that Mr. Higgens shot is because he had "no idea" of what was approaching. This is a stupid though, as he is also head of Bautzens foreign intelligence service (I thought I mentioned it here but it is in one of the numerous threads related to diplomacy, maybe my factbook not enough time to check now). So I can understand why you are making this accusation but there are major inconsitancies in your case against me.

IC:
Several hours after the Crown Prince-well soon to be Emperor- left another Zeppelin set down. This one was unarmed and carried the national seal of Bautzen. upon its arrival Bautzens Prime Minister did two things. First he sent a letter to the Tyrant asking for an audience. Then he called for Cpt. O'Tool to update him on the situation as it has evolved in the past several hours. And the maelstrom begins...

OOc Admittedly there are, but again most mindless citizens will have no idea of this, and considering it is coming out sooner then the official governemnt report is published, across europe it really could go either way. And Higgens being alive helps us more then not, I just assumed he had died, probably becasue of his readiness to do so earlier. Again poor reading.

OOc Admittedly there are, but again most mindless citizens will have no idea of this, and considering it is coming out sooner then the official governemnt report is published, across europe it really could go either way. And Higgens being alive helps us more then not, I just assumed he had died, probably becasue of his readiness to do so earlier. Again poor reading.

OOC: I haven't really decided whether or not he is going to die but, for now, he is, though in critical condition.

Several hours after the Crown Prince-well soon to be Emperor- left another Zeppelin set down. This one was unarmed and carried the national seal of Bautzen. upon its arrival Bautzens Prime Minister did two things. First he sent a letter to the Tyrant asking for an audience. Then he called for Cpt. O'Tool to update him on the situation as it has evolved in the past several hours. And the maelstrom begins...

OOC: Ok, possibly my bad on the declaration of war against Jagaro. I assume he will announce it soon, however, to gather support...at which point my response will be the same.

IC:"Uh, sir. Bautzen's Prime Minister has arrived, and wishes to meet with you."
"Of course. Always a pleasure. Please ask him to come at his earliest convenience...I believe we have much to discuss."

"Also the Morning Post has been in touch. They've had a...statement from 'A Poor Old Soldier' and want our comment on it."
"What is the substance of this statement?"
"Claims to be written by a member of the Guard about events here at the Palace."
"Read it carefully. Refute anything you have to. Make sure whatever you say is ready for the morning edition. This is your most urgent job right now...make sure that someone else is dealing with Bautzen's PM, then get on with it."
"Right away sir."

It has come to our awareness that a letter has been written by 'A Poor Old Soldier' and given to several newspapers.
Quite apart from the fact that no loyal member of the Tyrant's Guard would write such a letter, we find it deficient in several respects.
It quotes private communications between members of various governments, which no guard at any time had access to.
The duel was going in the Tyrant's favour before it was interrupted; it doesn't take an excellent soldier to realise the way a fight is tending. Not least, Prince Felix was bleeding; John McGrath is still intact.
The murderers were captured by Tyrant's Guards under Captain John Tyrell. Waldenburgers' only part in this was in being warned away from the captives so they could be taken alive and interrogated. The results of this questioning are still eagerly awaited.
The Tyrant did not challenge Prince Felix to a duel. The only individual to have thought so was Prince Felix himself. While the Tyrant's words were inflammatory, this was a tactic in the ongoing negotiations, and were neither calculated, nor sufficient, to amount to a challenge.
Mr. Higgens was representing his government's opinion, as a diplomat properly should.
Mr. Higgens was severely injured and is still in a serious condition in the attack.
The weapon used was Bautzonian in origin. However, Prince Felix was aware of this before it had been announced to anyone other than the Guard; and Bautzonian weapons are amongst the easiest to obtain of any worldwide.
Higgens' guard were absent for no longer than Felix's, and at a time closer to the attack, giving less time for preparation.
Mr. Higgens' letter was an entirely legitimate message he wished to have delivered to the Tyrant, and so naturally handed to Incognitian personnel to pass on. It's contents are, unfortunately, sensitive.
Bautzen was invited to co-mediate the conference with Incognitia, as initially our two nations took opposite views on the issue and were thus considered to offer a balance.

Further comment would be inappropriate in the context of the ongoing investigation; however, you may be assured that any facts uncovered in the investigation will swiftly see the light of day.

We are uncertain as to who is responsible for this missive, but we have our suspicions, and are able and willing to demonstrate to any that it was not written by any member of the Tyrant's Guard, and thus is fundamentally a lie.

After being updated on Minister Higgens condition and brought up to speed on everything that Incognitia had released to Bautzonian officials including government communique's and the recently released inflammatory statement Prime Minister George Walters awaited the Tyrants response. After being informed of the Tyrants willingness to a meeting between the Prime Misiter and himself George set out with Cpt. O'Tool for the Tyrants location. All the while the Prime Minister thought over this new statement by 'A Poor Old Soldier' eventually comming to the conclusion that this had to be manipulated by whomever instigated the assasination attempt; that is, if it was one.

After a short time he entered the room where he found the Tyrant waiting for him. He advanced with his arm outstretched and said the following, "My Lord it is a pleasure to meet you again, if not necessarily the most enjoyable situation for either of us. I would first like to thank you for not doing what I am sure the perpatrator of this event most assuredly wated you to do, by undertaking an investigation without working under the belief- misguided as I'm sure you'll find- that we instigated this terrible trajedy. My government would also like to thank you for your quick response regarding this document by 'A Poor Old Soldier' and in assuring the press that this inflammatory statement would not-as I'm sure it has not been-written by any loyal Incognitian soldier present. You will find that your investigation will have my governments unending support."

OOC:
EDIT: I'm under the impression that the statement from 'A Poor Old Soldier' has been released by now, if not I'll modify my post because I obviously wouldnt know about it.

"Mr. Walters, it is indeed a pleasure in these dark times. And what have I told you about this 'my lord' crap? I am John, or if you prefer Mr. McGrath, or even Tyrant...not a Lord."

"Ahh, to business I suppose. Mr. Walters, it seems clear that war is coming, largely due to this 'incident'.
It was clear from the off that the appearance of Bautzonian involvement was a red herring, and I've already commended the officer responsible for keeping the machine gun under wraps for a while.
Not least because it gave me the only evidence - so far - against the likely perpetrator, Felix."
"I have much more supposition to lead me to that conclusion, but need more hard facts. Hopefully the captured men will help there, as will the lead-following of my security service."

"One more thing, which adds to my suspicions - Felix ascending the throne so suddenly. The fact that Wyatt's death went unannounced for several days. It stinks of foul play, and Felix is the most likely culprit again. I don't doubt he thinks he's on top of the world right now."
A gentle sigh, in exasperation at the arrogance and over-reaching of youth.

"In any case, war now appears inevitable; even while Felix remained at the negotiations chances were slim. With him departed, and now Emperor..."
"So, what will be our response? You will, I assume, declare war...but how actively will you prosecute it? Will you confine yourself to attempting to destroy Waldenburg's Black Sea Squadron, or attempt to join the general invasion effort?
For my part, I must consider whether it is in our best interests to actively join this conflict, or whether we should send 'volunteers' or 'advisors' to the Anj."

"I'm quite sorry John, but you know the maxim about old habits dying hard," he replied.

"However, you are right enough with the pleasantries and to buisness.this still won. Again thank you for not jumping to conclusions, and I do believe you regarding this little incident about the machine gun. Unfortunately this is the price we pay for allowing our weapons to be sold to other nations, though we still will not cease as it is the perogative of our buisnesses with whom the trade. Besides it really wouldnt do much good in the long run, as they -whoever they are- well know. So I trust your ability to find damning evidence to expose the perpetrator."

"Now I must say we have found ourselves most wary of the circumstances surrounding the good Emperor's death. A shame too if I am to be truely honest I always liked the old Emperor whenever a state visit came round I was more than happy to sit down and chat with the old man. Quite unusual considering he is part of the Waldenburger nobility. It is also likely that he would remain committed to the peace process, and would not have, willingly, sent such a fool as his own son to diplomatic talks.

"Finally, you have asked about our plans for the war which is now all but inevitable. Well, yes we do plan on destroying that pathetic Baltic squadron of theirs, however we are also currently trying to get Illar, to ensure convoy protection of our forces in the event of war so we can back up the necessarily small Jagaran army. However Illar has yet to respond to our diplomatic note so, for now, all we can do is make sure that Baltic squadron of theirs doesnt make it back home. As we speak Bautzens fleet, including the force which had been sent to the Baltic anti-piracy squadron, has sortied out under orders to prepare itself for battle in all aspects, though it is not to engage but continue with excersizes until such a time as war is declared."

OOC: Illar hasn't responded to PM so I dont know yet.

The sound of the coffins sliding off rails barely broke the rhythmic drone of the Bishops shriving every corner of the Aerodrome, their incense obviously enough to drive away any demons as it nearly broke the Divine Legion guards who stood guard over the late Emperor. The other six coffins were of the Waldenburgers so recently killed, after the ‘Poor Old Soldier’ letters the new Emperor had insisted on open caskets, the blood still caked on their jackets the gore only slightly tucked back in. Felix himself was talking with an Archbishop his arm bandaged so thoroughly it probably could have withstood another bullet. Marines lined the edges of the aerodrome, the funerals were being held jointly and thousands had turned up to watch.


“Honor Guard slow march!” A drill sergeant screamed, but in a tone reflecting of the moment, two hundred horse guard began a slow gallop following the ornate coffin of Wyatt Von Waldenburg. The coffin itself could hardly be seen through the multitude of flags and Imperial banners draped across the simple gun carriage, it entered the cobbled street of Strienlikstern, it’s avenues flanked by magnolia trees who slowly wept their blossoms to the ground in a slight breeze. Equestrian feet pawed the flowers wafting up a aroma, that would always remind those present of death. Thousands watched in silence their only sound the occasional sob of the impressionable, their Emperor was off to heaven.

“Damn it!” Felix yelled from the managers office of the Aerodrome as he flung down the paper he held between to outstretched hands. “Incognita is far better at this game then I expected.” He had moved up here sighting sorrow, over his father’s, and now sat in cold silence with several new ministers of government.

“Perhaps, and perhaps not Incognita is a Democracy, however diluted and we cannot judge the effect on the people. Will they be happy to except that their neighbor wished to kill two heads of state in a duel? It seems more likely then anyone else doing it but really it’s far fetched.” Rupert Fry was finally back from East Asia, he had lost nearly seventy pounds, and now sweated much less, but looked much older, the foreign minister and everyone else in the room was in the select circle of eight men now running the country “Everyone in Europe can feel war in the air, it crackles from head to head, though I may add not here. Our citizens will support you, but others of the world will not we are surrounded and alone.” Rupert Fry, was by far a more powerful man then Felix, the difference being that Fry knew all of the Prince’s secrets.

“You are correct minister and the intelligence of our enemies,” Felix waved absent mindedly towards the paper, “The world is up in arms against us, it looks rather one sided.” He gave a grin that normally would have been associated with the sort then sent entire battalions of inquisitors down on a village, “The difference is we will not play fair. The difference is we are right and they are the loathsome heathens and we stand in the light. Gentlemen rest safely we have friends in unexpected places.”

Again he gave the smile, Fry alone was not cowed, “But for the moment I shall prepare his majesties response to the Tyrant’s. And may I suggest that Waldenburg prepare itself for war?”

“Do so, I must prepare for the eulogy, and the photos. I trust you gentlemen prepare my empire.” The Prince strode out of the heavy door connecting the office to the aerodrome, the services here were dying down and only the Priests remained. They’d be more useful then any number of dead soldiers.


Imperial Response: To the World
From: His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Felix Von Waldenburg

Though the letters of the “Poor Old Soldier” shock me as being inappropriate, as the funerals of several of the members involved, including six of my friends and comrades are taking place, they are fundamentally true if somewhat biased. Firstly, perhaps no loyal guard of the Palace would pen this, but as it is proven by the attack that not all guards are loyal, not all Palaces unbreakable. This was proven most tragically with the death of six of my men, and many other casualties sustained by other countries. As for the duel between myself and the Tyrant, I believe it could have gone either way, even though I had been wounded it merely was a cut, I have received from rose bushes. As for being challenged originally I was presented a note signed by the Tyrant, though not a direct challenge it was thrown to the table at one point and a man out of the diplomatic circle could have perceived it to be a challenge.

“I read your face in there, and I know you were thinking of challenging me to a duel. Well boy, the great line of Waldenburg has clearly lost its virtues in you; you lack the sense required to instantly discard such a foolish option, and having thought of it you lack the balls to carry it out.
I still hope you can gather the sense to extract yourself, and your nation, from the impending catastrophe if you continue this course, but I've long since given up on expecting such a benign outcome.
If you find your sense, you'll complete the negotiations; if you find your balls, you'll complete your life in a duel. If you find neither, you'll keep seething in an ever smaller corner.
Regards,
John”

As a representative of Waldenburg I was verbally attacked by both moderating parties, hardly the banter of diplomacy. All of this lead to the duel as most could have foreseen. During the duel we were attacked by at least three assailants from the flower beds, not 150 meters to my south. Sadly my guards soaked up many of the bullets, meant most likely for me, but could have been directed at any member of the crowd. After the assailants had fled and my still conscious marines took chase on my orders to bring justice on them, the remainder of my crew along with many others began in assisting with the casualties. At this time one of my riflemen who had been surveying the duel from my airship with a scoped rifle reported to me the origin of the machine. I am By no means was I a weapons expert but, even I could see from maybe 90 meters, and my riflemen confirmed this fact.

He is willing to testify to this, along with several members of my crew in any courtroom in Europe. The rest I am not to sure on not be privy to all information, but my marines were in fact the first to lay hands on the assailants, though the Incognitans were only a very few paces behind and would have apprehended them shortly.

Lastly I should like to point out that all communications quoted in the poor old soldiers happened inside the conferencing pavilion, anyone could have listened in, and indeed the supposed note of challenge was even open to others eyes. And unlike my counterparts in Incognita, my ministry of information shall answer all questions to the incident that are currently available. We will not hide behind inappropriate, as it seems no other nation present would contain itself to appropriate during the conference, and we shall not after. Waldenburg shall spread all available knowledge, if our counterparts will not.
Signed:
Emperor Felix Von Waldenburg"

Felix laughed as he read the letter, he had to begun finding life more and more enjoyable, "Well done Rupert, very well done." The paper was flipped to a clerk who scurried out, "When will my armies be prepared."

OOC: Should I take it that your are severing diplomatic ties? That is removing your ambassador from Bautzen.

IC:

Prime Minister Walters had left; however, the King was more than capable of responding to this new letter in lieu of any Minister of the government. After reading over what Walters thought his reply should be phrased as King James set down to write. His results were distributed to whichever paper would accept it both inside and out of Bautzen. Special care was paid to getting the letter into major publications in Illar, Incognitia, Anj, and Bautzen herself; as these countries would most likely be Bautzen's allies in any war.

"Official Bautzonian Response; From: His Royal Majesty King James III of Bautzen
To: The People of the World

I write to you, people of the world on a sad day. This is a sad day not just for Bautzen, but for the free world. As many of you know there was an attack yesterday on the peace conference being held in Incognitia, and being co-moderated by ourselves and Incognitia, with the Illar as observers. Due to the release of this letter from, "A Poor Old Soldier" many of you undoubtedly believe that you know the story of the events. However, as the author of that note admits he did not see much, if not most of the conference.

The truth, my friends across the world, is that Crown Prince Felix started the 'negotiations' with attacks on Incognitia, and Jagaro. Treated my own Ambassador contemptously and unfortunately made it quite clear that he had no patience for the peace process. This angered our own representative at the conference so that he over-reacted and, unfortunately lowered himself to the Prince's level, decrying him as 'a spoiled little warmonger' among other things.

This is regretful, and Bautzen is now issuing an apology for the tone of Minister Higgens words, and that they were said. Though, this is not to say that we dont agree with at least some of what he did say. However, no matter what the Crown Prince said Minister Higgens never should have reacted that way.

But, I digress my friends. After Mr. Higgens attack on the Crown Prince he was promptly challenged to a duel. He, as is expected by him as a minister of Bautzen, refused to participate in the duel and as law commands in Incognitia the Tyrant took up. Minister Higgens, ordered his troops back to the Zeppelin, and many have interpreted this as a clear sign of Bautzen's own guilt in the assaination attempt which occured during the duel. It has even been suggested that Minister Higgens had no idea that some sect of our government was plotting an assasination attempt.

With all due respect to anyone who espoused either of these views they are completely false, and amount to little more than jumping to unwarranted conclusions. The first of these two theories says that Minister Higgens ordered his guard to return to the Zeppelin in the hope that they would be able to retrieve a machine gun from the Zeppelin Bautzen took to the ceremony. This is despite the fact that no machine guns were contained within the Zeppelin. Not only that but once entering the Zeppelin a soldier did not emerge until after the shooting had occured when they were called for by Minister Higgens personal bodyguard, after he had been shot.

The second view seeks to push aside the fact that Minister Higgens was shot in this attack, by saying that he reacted honorably because he had no previous knowledge of an attack. While this was true had it been planned by Bautzen he would have certainly been appraised of any such attempt as he heads Bautzens intelligence service as well. How would one propose that we keep this secret from him?

Regarding the letter that Minister Higgens passed to Incognitian guards I can not comment. Other then confirming that Incognitia knows exactly what the contents of this letter were and have found nothing devious in the letter.

So people of the world I call on you to stand up for Justice! I call on you to realize that Bautzen could never, and would never attempt such a dastardly act! People of the World I ask you to pray for Minister Higgens recovery, and the souls of all those who were killed in this cowardly act. But above all I call on all of you to pray for a peaceful, and just conclusion to the current crisis. For, whether we are Bautzonian, Incognitian, Illarian, German, or Waldenburger peace and justice must always be our highest asparation. So my Friends go with God and fight for what is right!

Sincerely Yours,
~His Majestic Highness by the Grace of God, King James III, King of Bautzen"

"Felix is still digging."
"He will learn respect, one way or another. I suggest we leave it now, until we can begin releasing results of the investigation."
"I believe a quick response regarding the note might be in order."
"Yes...that might be worthwhile."

It should be made clear, that the Tyrant employs unconventional negotiating tactics, and in the face of intransigence from both Jagaro and Waldenburg, believed it necessary to shake both Princes out of their complacency, and out of their comfort zones, so that they could meet one another somewhere in the middle.
Unfortunately the Tyrant appears to have overestimated Prince Felix (as he then put himself forth as), and considered him more interested in a peaceful solution than he actually turned out to be.
The hope of both the Tyrant, and Incognitia, throughout, has been a negotiated settlement handing the disputed territory to Waldenburg in return for suitable recompense to Jagaro.
The Tyrant's willingness to apologise to Felix when he realised the mistake in his judgement speaks volumes for his commitment to peace in Europe. By contrast, Felix was unwilling to apologise, even privately, and demanded satisfaction in a method long since rejected by the civilised world.
We leave the rest to the judgement of the international community.

Meanwhile the investigation into the shooting proceeds well; we are naturally unwilling to pre-judge it, especially before the testimony of the captured murderers is heard. All may be assured that the findings of the investigation will be published as soon as it is complete.

Bautzen delivers a diplomatic note to Emperor Felix von Waldenburg informing him that a declaration of war by Waldenburg on Jagaro will be met in kind by Bautzen.

OOC: At the very least your Black Sea squadron will be engaged, I'm still waiting for an answer from Illar regarding any possible Army deployments which would have to be made with Illarian escorts to make sure they arrive at their destination, whatever that may be, I'm in the planning stages of this now.

Bautzen delivers a diplomatic note to Emperor Felix von Waldenburg informing him that a declaration of war by Waldenburg on Jagaro will be met in kind by Bautzen.

OOC: At the very least your Baltic squadron will be engaged, I'm still waiting for an answer from Illar regarding any possible Army deployments which would have to be made with Illarian escorts to make sure they arrive at their destination, whatever that may be, I'm in the planning stages of this now.

Um why are you attacking my baltic squadron? that is inside the Baltic there is another hundred plus ships operating in the North Atlantic, you should probably deal with them first.

OOC: Methinks he means the Black Sea. In fact, Bautzen, I think you've mixed those two up several times now.

OOC: Methinks he means the Black Sea. In fact, Bautzen, I think you've mixed those two up several times now.

OOC: Yeah I realized that a couple hours ago, but I couldnt get on so I'm gonna edit the post now, sorry. Chances are I have mixed that up several times, but given how quickly I'm writing these then going off to study and/or eat I'm suprised I haven't screwed more things up.

Prince Edward doned his royal garp and readied himself for the what at this point seemed like the most important speech of his life. He steeped onto the balcony where he gave what seemed like hundreds of speeches, waited for the croud to calm down, and with a sigh began his speech.

"People of Jagaro I come to you now with a heavy heart to tell you what you no doubt already know the peace process has failed, and now Jagaro and indead all of Europe now stands on the brink of war. Many of you have read the letter form someone calling himself 'A Poor Old Soldier' as well as those from many different governments. At this moment I will not bore you with the detils of who got the story just right and what I saw for there are more pressing matters at hand."

OOC sorry for the sniping it off like that but I had to run I will complete it later

The crowd was as silent as could be expected nothing but a few mutterings, there was morbid air about. It seemed that throughout Jagaro every one knew war was coming and some families where already making letting go of those in the armed forces or reserves. Edward knew he had to turn this uneasiness around but he could not just yet there was still more that had to be said.

"Surely you realise what these events mean for our great nation, Waldenburg has all but abandoned reasoning for fear and greed, I will make one last attempt to negotiate with them but alass I fear it shall prove fruitless. But fear not for should the worse come to pass Jagaro will stand strong and we will show the world what Jagarons are made of. People of Jagaro over the next months our nation stand or fall I will do what I can but a prince can only do so much on his own the rest is up to you, the strong, the proud, the Jagarons!"

With that The prince left his balcony he had adresed the issues and bosted the peoples spirits with a good bit of nationalism. His is next order of bissness was to orgnise the armed forces for shoud a war break out.

"James inform the defence committee that I want all those not needed for costal or coloinal defence to be ready to head to the Ravenland at a momets notice for that will be where Jagaro makes its stand agantist Waldenburg."

The crowd was as silent as could be expected nothing but a few mutterings, there was morbid air about. It seemed that throughout Jagaro every one knew war was coming and some families where already making letting go of those in the armed forces or reserves. Edward knew he had to turn this uneasiness around but he could not just yet there was still more that had to be said.

"Surely you realise what these events mean for our great nation, Waldenburg has all but abandoned reasoning for fear and greed, I will make one last attempt to negotiate with them but alass I fear it shall prove fruitless. But fear not for should the worse come to pass Jagaro will stand strong and we will show the world what Jagarons are made of. People of Jagaro over the next months our nation stand or fall I will do what I can but a prince can only do so much on his own the rest is up to you, the strong, the proud, the Jagarons!"

With that The prince left his balcony he had adresed the issues and bosted the peoples spirits with a good bit of nationalism. His is next order of bissness was to orgnise the armed forces for shoud a war break out.

"James inform the defence committee that I want all those not needed for costal or coloinal defence to be ready to head to the Ravenland at a momets notice for that will be where Jagaro makes its stand agantist Waldenburg."

OOC: Your response is needed in the 'Problems of Peace' thread, link can be found in the signup threads last page. It is the IC war page, I believe that Waldenburgs official declaration of war, and planned movements can be found there. Also foreign movements are already being reported and may require your comment.

OOC: In addition, since you're already at war with Waldenburg, I would strongly advise you against trying to move troops to Norway from Iceland.
Simply because, they will just make a total turkey-shoot for Waldenburg's Navy if you send them before other powers (viz myself, Anj, Illar) have put Waldenburg's Navy under pressure.