NationStates Jolt Archive

A calm breeze blew over Belfalas Harbor (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/nx9100/DelkorSubBase.jpg), blowing the steam from the locomotive away from her.
"Daria?"
She turned to face the voice, "Yes?"
Her brother had just stepped out of the rail car. The Royal Train was waiting on the pier, with the locomotive facing inland. "See anyone familiar?"
"Hardly," she replied. "Just watching the harbor. Is the Empress on her way?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," he replied while moving to stand next to her. "She was unavailable, and sent a representitive."
"Who?"
Tironus looked down at his sister. "Alexander."
"Oh," she said, looking away and trying to cover the redness in her cheeks.
Her older brother laughed. "That's what I thought! Try not to make a bad impression. Remember, you are representing me in these talks."
"What? I thought you would be-"
"I have another matter that needs attention." He smilled. "Besides. I thought you wanted to take on a more active role in our government's dealings with other nations."
"Yes, but," she broke off. A moment later, she was all business. "Whatever. I will take care of it."
"Excellent." Tironus placed his hand on her shoulder. "I knew you would prefer this then my other meeting."
"Which is?"
"I have to go to the Venture Compound." The King didn't sound pleased. "Venture is getting set up to take Venture Aerospace public. I have a few ground rules to set up first."
"Uncle Tirus shouldn't have let them set up that compound here."
"I know. But their inventions have proven useful. And I have plans for them."
"I understand."
"Good." He pointed towards the bay entrance. "It appears that your guest is arriving."
Daria turned to gaze accross the bay, where a ship had appeared on the horizon. Great, she thought, my first official negotiation, and it has to be with him...

Alexander did not want to be a diplomat but his dislike of it was lessened somewhat when he heard that Daria, a girl he had been attracted to, would represent Delkor. Dressed in a captain's outfit, Alexander adjusted his hat before noticing the bay in the distance. It made him think about Princess Daria again although he was mainly focused on the upcoming diplomatic meeting. When it came to serving his nation, Alexander would not mind thinking about things other than beautiful girls or skeet shooting. His ship anchored at the harbor and Alexander calmly walked off the ship before finding Daria and Tironus; two faces he had not seen since they both visited Ixania so long ago. Bowing respectfully, he even kissed Daria's hand as a sign of respect. "It is a pleasurable honor to meet the King of Delkor and his most beautiful and charming sister. I am sure you are both, like me, ready for the meeting."

Alexander smiled. "I've been awaiting this meeting for some time now....although I did assume that diplomats would be doing the talks. However, I am prepared to represent the nation of my birth."

"I am sure that you are," replied Tironus. "Welcome to Imperial Delkor, Prince Alexander. We are honored by your visit. Come. Let us take our leave of this Navy base." He lead the others to the waiting train, making point of indicating the engine. "Let us start with this train. Engine number 2046, it has been in service to the crown for over fifty years. Well cared for, and much favored. She has become a simbol for the High King, and is a welcome sight all over the country." He guestured to the doors. "Please, after you." They entered a luxurious lounge car, with leather seats and full wooden paneling.
"Now then," the King said, "I apologize, but I must take my leave of you. I have another urgent matter that requires my attention." He waved a hand at his sister. "Princess Daria will take my place. If you will excuse me." And with that, he left the car...

----------

Daria remained on her favorite chair, watching Alexander the entire time since he arrived. She noticed the smirk on her brother's face as he left the two of them alone. "So," she began, "it is good to see you again, Prince Alexander." The memories of her 'visit' to his nation fresh in her mind. "I am happy for the chance to repay you by showing you my own nation." She stopped as two blasts from the whistle cut through the air, followed by a slight jolt as the train began to move...

Daria remained on her favorite chair, watching Alexander the entire time since he arrived. She noticed the smirk on her brother's face as he left the two of them alone. "So," she began, "it is good to see you again, Prince Alexander." The memories of her 'visit' to his nation fresh in her mind. "I am happy for the chance to repay you by showing you my own nation." She stopped as two blasts from the whistle cut through the air, followed by a slight jolt as the train began to move...

"It is good to see you again too, Princess Daria. I must say that it was lucky of us to get such a good train to ride on although it could be expected since we are both royalty. How has life been for you since you left Ixania? I am sure you've had a good life."

"I have been well," Daria replied. "As for the train, it was built for the Royal Family yeara ago, and is reserved for such use. My Uncle had a strong interest in the railroads, and Tironus shares in that interest." The memory of their time at the dance club came to mind, but she tried to dismiss it and remain focused. "As our formal meeting need not take place until we reach Minas Tirith, we have some time to ourselves. The past few months have been pretty boring. Just government matters. Nothing like the fun we had during my visit..."

----------

Tironus stood on the pier watching the train pull away. He smilled to himself. With any luck, those two will form a tight relationship, he thought. Maybe even marry one day. A close tie to another kingdom could prove very usefull to my plans. The sound of an approaching V-22 cought his attention. He noticed the large, decrative 'V' painted on the side. "Let's get this overwith," he said out loud, while heading to the landing platform...

"I have been well," Daria replied. "As for the train, it was built for the Royal Family yeara ago, and is reserved for such use. My Uncle had a strong interest in the railroads, and Tironus shares in that interest." The memory of their time at the dance club came to mind, but she tried to dismiss it and remain focused. "As our formal meeting need not take place until we reach Minas Tirith, we have some time to ourselves. The past few months have been pretty boring. Just government matters. Nothing like the fun we had during my visit..."

"It would not be a problem for me to have fun with you as we ride on this train. Tell me what's happened in your life since your visit ended? How has Delkor been? I'm sure that it has grown economically, right? How has Tironus been? I'm just curious is all, Daria."

OOC: got a meeting. Back after lunch!

OOC: got a meeting. Back after lunch!

OOC: Thanks for telling me; I'll wait for your post.

"I understand," Daria replied. "We've been working on building up our industrial sector and economy. I haven't had much time to myself, as the royal court has been very active." She glanced out of the window, watching as the train cleared the edge of the town, and headed out into the open grasslands. "My brother has been very active, working on his plan for-" She caught herself. "Sorry. Anyway, it has been a very busy time."

"I understand," Daria replied. "We've been working on building up our industrial sector and economy. I haven't had much time to myself, as the royal court has been very active." She glanced out of the window, watching as the train cleared the edge of the town, and headed out into the open grasslands. "My brother has been very active, working on his plan for-" She caught herself. "Sorry. Anyway, it has been a very busy time."

Alexander smiled. "It is alright, Daria. I understand if you've had to spend your time working instead of relaxing. I've been able to balance both quite well actually. I am sure that you must be happy to be working today though...you did seem happy when you first saw me I believe."

Alexander studied Daria briefly. "Do you know if I'll be able to partake in a Delkorian drink while I wait for this train to arrive at its destination?"

"Drink?" Daria asked. "I suppose that we can help ourselves. By brother keeps the train well stocked." She lead Alexander to the third car, which featured a small, well apointed dining room. A single steward, dressed in royal robes, was waiting.
"Princess," he said, "How may I serve you?"
"Bring a bottle of the talis'kan. White. And one Shireland ale."
"Yes, my Princess." With a bow, the steward turned and headed into the small kitchen. Daria and Alexander sat down next to each other at the long table. Intended for state diners, it had seating for up to 12 people. Daria turned to Alexander. "To answer your question, I admit, I was surprised when Tironus told me that you were the one coming, instead of your elder sister. Now that I think about it, I will bet that my brother did not tell me on purpose. He enjoys teasing my about boys, and your arrival did give him plenty of ammunition." She smilled, "That's Tironus for you. He is a great High King, but also, he's still an older brother." The steward returned with their drinks. He set the mug of ale in front of Alexander, and a glass of white wine in front of Daria. "Princess," he said, "I must remind you that the High King's orders are that you only are allowed a single glass of wine. You are still young, and I-"
Daria turned to glare at him. "Is my brother here?"
"No, but-"
"Silence. Leave us."
The steward set the bottle on a shelve, and headed into the kitchen. Daria turned back to Alexander. "Anyway, where were we?"

"Drink?" Daria asked. "I suppose that we can help ourselves. By brother keeps the train well stocked." She lead Alexander to the third car, which featured a small, well apointed dining room. A single steward, dressed in royal robes, was waiting.
"Princess," he said, "How may I serve you?"
"Bring a bottle of the talis'kan. White. And one Shireland ale."
"Yes, my Princess." With a bow, the steward turned and headed into the small kitchen. Daria and Alexander sat down next to each other at the long table. Intended for state diners, it had seating for up to 12 people. Daria turned to Alexander. "To answer your question, I admit, I was surprised when Tironus told me that you were the one coming, instead of your elder sister. Now that I think about it, I will bet that my brother did not tell me on purpose. He enjoys teasing my about boys, and your arrival did give him plenty of ammunition." She smilled, "That's Tironus for you. He is a great High King, but also, he's still an older brother." The steward returned with their drinks. He set the mug of ale in front of Alexander, and a glass of white wine in front of Daria. "Princess," he said, "I must remind you that the High King's orders are that you only are allowed a single glass of wine. You are still young, and I-"
Daria turned to glare at him. "Is my brother here?"
"No, but-"
"Silence. Leave us."
The steward set the bottle on a shelve, and headed into the kitchen. Daria turned back to Alexander. "Anyway, where were we?"

Alexander smiled. "I did not expect to be meeting you here, Daria, it does seem to me as if Tironus or someone wanted us to meet but I do not wish to attempt to damage a person's image like that. I have been teased a bit about the many girls who come after me though I have tried my best to restrain those multitudes from me....but Kat (Catherine) has still said that I act so refined around them. I don't mind her gentle mocking; I care for all of my family members even if I argue here and there with them."

Silently listening to Daria argue with the steward, he smiled slightly. "We were discussing our lives, I believe. I'll try a glass of wine but not too much; to be drunk on this meeting would not be good for me nor Ixania."

"Of course," Daria replied. She reached for the bottle and filled another glass for Alexander. "I understand all of that. It's just that Tironus can be a little too protective sometimes. I know he means well, but it can be a little overwellming." She turned to the window. "Look! We are getting close to Minas Tirith!" She pointed out the left-hand side of the coach, which had shown a mountain range up until now, but in the distance, a great city could be seen, carved right out of the mountain. "That is the captial of Delkor," Daria said, proudly. "It has been the center of power of men for thousands of years." As the train approached the lowest level, more details came into view. A great white wall formed a circle aroung the city. The buildings seamed to stack up the side of the mountain, with a massive, thin cliff jutting through the middle like a sword. Throughout the towers, multiple large 8" guns were mounted, all facing outwards. Daria pointed to one of them. "Those used to be achient catapults, but were replaced with cannons a few hundred years ago. Uncle Tirus, the former High King, replaced the cannons with those big shell guns. It's the most heavily defended place in Delkor. Well," she said with a smile, "except for Helm's Deep."

"Of course," Daria replied. She reached for the bottle and filled another glass for Alexander. "I understand all of that. It's just that Tironus can be a little too protective sometimes. I know he means well, but it can be a little overwellming." She turned to the window. "Look! We are getting close to Minas Tirith!" She pointed out the left-hand side of the coach, which had shown a mountain range up until now, but in the distance, a great city could be seen, carved right out of the mountain. "That is the captial of Delkor," Daria said, proudly. "It has been the center of power of men for thousands of years." As the train approached the lowest level, more details came into view. A great white wall formed a circle aroung the city. The buildings seamed to stack up the side of the mountain, with a massive, thin cliff jutting through the middle like a sword. Throughout the towers, multiple large 8" guns were mounted, all facing outwards. Daria pointed to one of them. "Those used to be achient catapults, but were replaced with cannons a few hundred years ago. Uncle Tirus, the former High King, replaced the cannons with those big shell guns. It's the most heavily defended place in Delkor. Well," she said with a smile, "except for Helm's Deep."

Alexander smiled when he looked upon the silhouettes of Minas Tirith in the distance and he could tell that Daria was both happy and proud to see them. Listening to her talk, it reminded him of the city of Tzargrad which has served as the center of Ixanian power for many centuries and hearing about those shell guns made him remember the many military installments and fortresses all around Ixania and its colonies. A nation, after all, needed ways to protect itself from its enemies. "I must say that I would like, if it is possible, to visit Helm's Deep and that such a place reminds me of the fortresses of Ixania. I am glad that we will be in Minas Tirith soon too...it will be nice to get a look around since I've been eager to see it for some time now."

Alexander smiled at her. "I am sure that we will see many people in the city such as members of the Royal Court of Delkor; as I am sure many would be interested in meeting the man who is meeting one of their liege's daughters."