NationStates Jolt Archive

It was sunset on Lord Halthor's estate in the Elysian Isles. As the sinking celestial orb turned the sea a beautiful range of colors, Lord Halthor was dancing. A deadwood fire had been lit in the center of his small stone courtyard, forming a large ring around the Hill Prince. He was bare to the waist, exposing the many red and black ribbon tatoos, and clutched a stick, one end of which was burning, in each hand. His movements were at once fluid and frantic, as he tossed the two sticks in the air each time his feet touched the ground.

Lord Maddock watched with interest. Among many and sundry other achievements, Lord Halthor was quite skilled at the Flame Dance. "Putting on a show for the guests?" Maddock asked.

"Never hurts to impress an opponent. And until you and they manage to figure out the details, that's what they are. Why do you think the High Emperor asked that they use my estate? So, as you said, I could put on a show for them." replied Halthor. "If I'm not mistaken, they should be arriving shortly." He stopped speaking then, grabbing another stick from the fire and dancing even faster as he juggled the three.

Maddock smiled but said nothing as he sipped at his scotch. He had reviewed all of the necessary notes already, and until the Carbandians actually arrived, he was entirely content to simply sit back and enjoy the show, whatever ulterior motives for it Lord Halthor might have.

The president, and his entourage arrived soon after this discussion took place. The foreign minister, and Sasaki, Gennady Bondarenko were the only one not to wear a military uniform, as the president felt that making a good impression couldn't hurt.

And also, technically, he still held the rank of field marshal in the Carbandian army.

"I do hope we are not intruding, sirs. I am Eduard Gurashoy, president of Carbandia, and commander in chief of her armed forces."

Lord Halthor paused in his dance, to call out "Not at all!" He leapt out of the ring of fire, dropping the sticks back into it in midair, and then landed gracefully. He extended both of his hands to the president. "Halthor. Special operations. Lord by appointment of the High Emperor. I will be serving as your host today. I aplogize for my state," he indicated his bare torso. "I was not expecting you for a few moments more. Beside me is Maddock, Wartime Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord by appointment of the High Emperor."

Eduard took both of Lord Halthor's hands in his, without hesitation, remembering Sasaki's advice from earlier. And also did not try to match strengths with the man, he had already seen plenty about his physical shape.

"A honour, your lordship. And it is also good to see you again, Lord Maddock. I do hope you have been well since we last parted?" their nations might not be, at this time at the best of relations, but that did not mean that the Carbandians were not willing to show their hosts all the courtesy that guests should show.

Lord Halthor greeted the other members of the party, and then turned to Sasaki. "You..." he said. "You are a Kolvokian?"

"Originally, Lord. I moved to Carbandia some time ago. Sasaki, Eric. Temporary cultural advisor." He had to stop himself from staring. Damn, but Halthor was impressive in person. Especially if, as someone who specialized in Kolvokian culture, you had been keeping track of all the stories about him.

Snap out of it Eric, he told himself sternly, This is not the time for a schoolboy crush.

Lord Maddock, meanwhile, was saying, "Yes, I've done alright. To begin with, Kolvokia is finally talking to someone outside of yelling at Kloandio, which means that I've actually got work to do, which is... refreshing."

"Speaking of which," said Lord Halthor smoothly. "Can I get any of you anything to drink?"

The Jannisaries, being trained in reading human emotions, or at least in as much as one could without being psycic, probably could see the reason for Sasaki's hesitation, even if no one else could, but were too polite to say anything.

After all their job was mostly to be a communication route back to the homeland.

"Scotch sounds good, for me, and Gennady, at least." answered Eduard "I know better than to offer the Jannisaries something to drink when they are on duty" he added, after all making some light hearted humour couldn't hurt one bit, could it?

"Of course," said Lord Halthor, and disappeared back into the house. Lord Maddock nodded once, curtly, and said, "Well then, let's get down to business, shall we?"

He indicated a circular conference table that had been set up in the courtyard, some distance away from the still burning ring of fire. There were six chairs set around it, one for each of the Carbandians, the Carbandian/Kolvokian, and one for Lord Maddock.

"Please, be seated," he said. "And we can get down to the serious business of ending the war."

Sasaki nodded slightly to the Carbandians, indicating that the president and the foreign minister, at least, should be seated. Lord Maddock was rather obviously waiting for them to sit before he did so himself.

Gurashoy sat down, as did Gennady, who had been silent up until this point, apart from a "Spasiba" when he got his scotch.

In this case he was there more to be a extra people reader than to help with the negotiations, although his presense couldn't hurt. The Jannisaries sat down as well, a gesture of trust towards their host, showing him that they really did belive there was no threat there. They had been drilled in what their role was on the plane over, basically to observe, but not act.

"Indeed." replied Gurashoy

"On the most basic level, you want an end to this war, we're willing to give it to you," said Lord Maddock, sitting down and nodding his thanks to Lord Halthor as he handed him another scotch and then faded into the background. "Presumably you also want the prisoners we've taken back- although I regret to inform you that you killed a good deal of them when you attacked our forward base." He produced a small piece of paper, and pushed it across the table to the Carbandian president.

"With the help of the survivors, we've compiled a mostly complete list of the dead and wounded from that incident. Kolvokian troops will leave Carbandian territory, and all will be as it was before the war. Except, of course, that you'll be keeping a better idea on your unpredictably belligerent next door neighbor, of course." He chuckled. "Am I missing anything?"

Eduard shook his head "That is about the gist of it, I belive. Although we would like to have the bodies returned to Carbandia, when possible. After all it is easier for those families that have lost people to bury their dead when they actually have someone in the coffin, is it not?"

While the fact that their own missle strike had killed some of their pow's was not pleasant news to have, they had known that they were running this risk when they launched that strike, and the president, as the man who ordered it, was going to have to live with that fact.

"We will, of course, do the same, with any Kolvokian kia's we find, if you should request it."

Lord Maddock nodded. "Naturally," he said. "In turn I have a request to make of you. Given that we've now fought you, and seem very likely to come to a peaceful agreement, the High Emperor would like to maintain a Kolvokian embassy in Carbandia. We would extend the same courtesy to you, of course, and you would have our assurances that it would not be used for military actions against your nation."

"This is acceptable to us. After all this way we would have a direct way of contacting each other, if we should need it" so far there was nothing that really surprising in the requests being made by both sides, and certainly nothing unreasonable.

"Well then, if there's nothing else?" Lord Maddock stood up. This was going rather easier than he had expected. The Carbandians had certainly seemed unhappy to have this war thrust on them, and he had rather expected that they might push for some compensation. But then, having a war they didn't especially want thrust on them, and having a Kolvokian emigree- one who appeared rather besotted with Lord Halthor. He'd have to note that for future use in his report- who had told them how that would probably turn out, perhaps they were just as happy to end it as soon as possible.

He extended his hands across the table. People had been amazed before that the Kolvokians were willing to make treaties on the strength of a handshake. For his part, Lord Maddock wondered how, if they couldn't trust a man's verbal words, they thought they could trust his signature on a piece of paper.

Gurashoy stood up and took the proferred hand "No, lord Maddock, there is nothing more. Exept maybe to wish that we when we meet again, it is in happier circumstances?"

Given the fact that both sides had fought a very honourable war, all in all, there was no real reason to hold a grudge, and certainly no will to do so on the Carbandian side.

Lord Maddock smiled. "I truly do hope so, Mister President. For your sake." His grin grew wider to show that this last was- for the most part- in jest. Behind the Carbandians, Lord Halthor seemed to rematerialize, saying.

"Feel free to stay at my estate for as long as you desire, within reason, of course. I'm rather afraid I don't have to food supplies to support five people for more than a few weeks."

Eduard laughed at that "Oh I am sure that if it came to that you could teach this old man a thing or two about combat. But, if I may propose a toast"

He raised his glass, still more than half full "To the future, may it bring nothing other than prosperity for both of our people's". The fact he hadn't drunk much was not because he didn't appreciate good Scotch, but instead due to the fact that negotiations are best done with a clear head.

"Hear, hear," said Lord Maddock. "A toast I'll drink to, by the stars!" He drained his glass, and as he set it down, he grinned fiercely and said, "Like my wife always says. Scotch is like Kolvokian men. Strong, fierce, and great tasting." Lord Halthor and Sasaki both threw back their heads and roared laughter. The joke had long been a favorite in Kolvokian taverns, where ribald jokes were even more common than the rest of Kolvokia, which had always taken a fairly informal view of the whole affair.

Gurashoy couldn't help but join in, as did Gennady, although the two nations did have their differences, for sure, they also were similar in many ways "Could tell you a lot of stories about what our women say about us. But it would seem we have a lot in common, our nations. Or at least more than we thought before we first met" he added with a smile.

Lord Halthor grinned. "Oh, aye, that's certain. You aren't Kolvokians- more's the shame, or this little tussle definitely would have been interesting- but you are a good people. Now, I hope you gentlemen will excuse me, but Raven Corps is opening a new nightclub, and the High Emperor has asked that I attend."

Lord Maddock nodded. "Thank you for the use of your beautiful home, Lord Halthor. I believe we can finish here." Lord Halthor nodded, and set off into the woods at a fluid jog. "Now, gentlemen, if there is nothing further, feel free to make yourselves at home." As if by magic, a tall, elderly man appeared. "This is Harold, Lord Halthor's butler. He will provide you with anything you need."

Eduard nodded "We do not really want to impose on his lordship's hospitality for too long, and, sadly, there are always matters which call for a national leader's attention, so we will only, sadly, be able to stay the night. However, we would be more than willing to return the favour of such hospitality when oppurtunity arrives."

There was no doubt he meant every word about being sad about being unable to stay longer, after all it was a very nice place to stay in.

"Of course," Lord Maddock nodded. "I cannot speak for Lord Halthor, but should you wish to visit my humble residence in Kolvokia itself, you will be suitably welcomed. Now, gentlemen, I hope you will excuse me as well, but I too have work that needs completing. We've been isolated a long time, fighting only Kloandio. I believe I am going to have a rather full plate adjusting us to the outside world diplomatically."

Eduard nodded his understanding "Belive me when I say that I know all too well how much effort that can take. I will make sure to take you up on that offer, when i get the chance to, Lord Maddock."

All in all it had been a very constructive meeting. And who knows, maybe something more than just a peace would eventually come from this, but that was for the future to decide.