NationStates Jolt Archive

Rome, Roma
Palace of the Holy Citadel

Caesar Romulus Magnus sat behind his large oak desk, finely polished and imported from Canada from a high rate office furniture manufacture. In front of him, Princeps Senatus Lucius Catulus, Imperator Titus Marius and Bishop Flavius Theocratis sat in leather chairs, reserved for key guests and Caesar’s friends. Sunlight from the panorama window behind the Caesar’s desk bathed the three men in bright light, which glistened off Marius’medals on his green uniform. Lucius had just finished a proposal for a monumental project that would change the course of history in the world. Caesar Romulus had folded his hands and was looking down at them in thought before he asked the question, “Marius, what do you think of this?”

“I cannot overstate that strategic advantage that it would give us,” Marius replied, “The might of Russia would a great advantage over our enemies and to have an ally on Quinntonia’s doorstep would a enormous. Plus, it would give us a chance to open our technology to a wide export market.”

“Bishop, what is your opinion on this,” Caesar asked.

“While I might not agree on all the proposed participants, I do see a degree of merit in it. What Lucius proposes could open pathways that might be closed to us otherwise.”

“It makes sense economically too,” Lucius pointed out, “in a time when the Soviets and NATO are trying to isolate us, having dependable nations with which we can do business with can only benefit the Roman people.”

Caesar nodded, rising from his seat and looking out the window. His gaze drifted to the Basilica of St. Peter off to the right. “How soon can missives be sent?”

“Today, Caesar,” Lucius replied, “if you require it.”

“I require it,” Caesar ordered.

“Then it will be done, my lord,” Lucius answered.

“You are dismissed. Make it so.”

Imperium Romanum

By the end of the business day, Rome had sent out no less than five missives all across the world. They read:

To His or Her Majesty of the realm. The Roman Empire would like to extend the hand of friendship and peace to you. So few nations in our world are ruled by true and correct manner, as God had intended, with one having the power over the many for the sake of good order. The recent turmoil involving the United States of Quinntonia, Germany, Cassanos and the Beddegelan Democratic Republic have shown us that we must be united if we are to stand up against the great threats that show themselves in our perilous times. These same enemies would have us isolated economically so that we may slowly die out from starvation and poverty. It is clear that in these times we must stand together, or the weight of these foes will crush us all. Thus, Caesar Romulus Magnus would like to personally invite you to a conference of monarchs from all around the world to discuss, among other things, the possibility of a economic and military alliance for the profit of all our nations. The conference will be held in the Palace of Versailles, accommodations will be provided for Your Majesty or your representative according to your wishes. Caesar Romulus Magnus greets you. Princeps Senatus Lucius Catulus greets you. All the senators greet you. May God grant you peace and health. Amen.

The letters are sent and addressed personally to the Tsar Mikhail in Russia, King Carlos II in New Spain, Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus in Portugal, King Sverre III of Scandinavia and Queen Victoria II of Britain. (OOC: If I’ve missed anyone, I’m sorry, consider yourselves invited too)

Hail Caesar!

Lisboa

To call the Sultan surprised by his invitation to Versailles would be an understatement. He was fifteen minutes in silent contemplation of the communiqué before calling in his Vizir.

Ultimately it would be decided that no matter what the risks, this was too important a development to be tossed aside like the results of a Fijian election. Worried for his own safety the Sultan may have been, but Wafi was unwilling to give his Chief Vizir total responsibility at what could prove to be a historic crossroads.

After some delay, the Andalusians replied, indicating that the Sultan would, in good faith, make the journey to Gaul. But Lisboa warned that its mighty armies would stand alert in their commander's absence and poised to avenge any slight to his divine authority.

Indeed, once it was reasonably certain that the reply had been received in Rome and the Sultan's intent to visit presumably known, the Palace decreed that the Taifas activate their reserve forces, and the militias were alerted. If this should all prove to be a Roman plot and the Sultan be felled, the Amirs at least would be ready to repulse a more direct follow-up.

The Sultan would travel with his Chief Vizir, personal physician, chef, driver, and a Saqāliba detachment to guard the ruler's person and that of his wife, who was also making the trip. Several of these slave warriors, the Mamluks of Al'Andalus, had been children taken in the 1980s during the chaos that engulfed Geletia, and so were Slavs, Celts, and others quite distinct from their Berber and Arab masters.

In his father's absence, young Prince Saifullah would act as chief of state and head of government over the United Taifas. If Roman intelligence on its neighbour was up to much, the Empire would know ibn'Wafi to be headstrong and dangerously conflicted, railing against his father's irreligious stewardship and the disrespectful attitudes of the Amirs at one moment and crashing his tenth sportscar into a brothel the next. As he left his heir in charge, the Sultan wouldn't hear any of his Vizir's cautions on the matter, saying only that such responsibility would surely set the boy right.

Versailles

Caesar Romulus, having arrived the day before, assures the Sultan, and all monarchs by way of diplomatic missive, that all those who will attend this conference will be ensured a safe conduct throughout their stay in the Empire. They are notified that Caesar's own General, Titus Marius would oversee security in the area. Extra police, military police and soldiers were brought in to enhance security in the area and fighter patrols are increased to ensure that the skies are clear, especially along the flight paths of the monarch's planes that bring them to the conference. If they choose, the Sultan is granted right to have his own fighters escort his personal plane as long as they stick to their planned flightpath and do not deviate from it. To do otherwise could be understood as a hostile act and would be responded to in kind and Caesar did not want that to happen. Monarchs are also invited to bring their own security, as long as they worked with Rome to ensure that this conference would safe for all those involved.

Hail Caesar!

London

+++The question of how to handle a sovereign who largely refused to be handled was usually a moot one. The joys of a constitutional monarchy, Christina Lloyd reflected, included the general irrelevancy of the monarch when it came to policy questions. Though she, like most people, found Queen Victoria II to be a delightful person and an exemplary monarch, the young woman had a tendency to feel justifiably sidelined and a problematic urge to make herself relevant to government. A monarch who was articulate, unconventionally beautiful and admittedly very intelligent–some would say brilliant–could be a great asset, provided she knew her place. Victoria was young and energetic, filled with views of the world that called her to try her best to change things.
+++The downside of this was that when given the chance, Victoria was apt to say rather exciting and, indeed, sometimes damaging things to the press or other world leaders. As the head of her nation, there was little that Britain's government could do to gag her, and the young queen knew it. So when Rome's little invitation to wine and nibbles in Versailles came, Christina Lloyd began to worry.
+++Essentially, the problem was this: there was no question that Britain would decline the invitation, despite the antipathy between the two states. Moreover, Victoria would do her utmost to see to it that she be there, and from her extensive reading and keen observation the queen knew exactly how to manipulate the parliamentary system to demand–and get–her way in these matters. Royal Prerogative being the somewhat convoluted thing that it was, there was little doubt that such attempts to arm-twist Strathairn's government would produce something of a minor constitutional crisis, but it could be reasonably (and correctly) assumed that neither party would actually allow things to descend to that level.
+++In light of that, nobody was seriously considering declining Rome's invitation. Indeed, the Foreign Office had immediately accepted at Her Majesty's request, and Christina's job was now to brief Victoria II on her entourage, her talking points and the government's policies, and hope that the young queen listened. To that end, she'd been waiting in the anteroom of Clarence House for fifteen or twenty minutes while Her Majesty dispensed with some other business, her frustration mounting incrementally.
+++Rather than live in the massive Buckingham Palace, the unwed Victoria II had elected to shift her official permanent residence to Clarence House. While still in London and still opulent, it was both smaller and more spartan than Buckingham, and Christina couldn't really fault Her Majesty's choice in the matter. Victoria's younger sister Elizabeth shared the residence, but with both parents dead the two girls were otherwise largely alone in terms of social equals. Elizabeth, at least, could attend university full-time at Oxford, but with her educational years behind her Victoria was essentially trapped in her various large homes. From time to time, Christina felt sorry for the younger woman, but Her Majesty seemed content enough.
+++"Ms. Lloyd," the butler said, startling Christina. He seemed to have crept up while the Foreign Secretary was woolgathering, and it took her a moment to gather her wits and papers. "Her Majesty will see you now." With a nod to the aged door guard, the butler shepherded her down a hallway to the Queen's receiving room, which was watched over by equarry. The equerry opened the door, bowed, and cleared his throat.
+++"The Foreign Secretary, Your Majesty." Christina, who had done this once before, knew her cue. As the equarry took a sidestep to the right, she entered the room and bowed her head, getting an eyeful of cream-colored carpet.
+++"Your Majesty," she said. Raising her eyes, Christina looked at the young woman who, in name at least, was the supreme ruler of nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. Victoria II was taller than her, around five-foot-six or seven. Not model-beautiful, she nevertheless carried herself in such a way as to project total confidence and poise to the point that most men who met her admitted that she was, indeed, an attractive woman. Dressed in a skirt, heels and a blouse that together probably cost more than Christina's home, she cut a striking figure against the drawn, translucent drapes.
+++"What ridiculous limitations are you going to saddle us with, Ms. Lloyd?" The queen was smiling mischievously, which took any sting out of her words. She took a seat in one of the elegantly simple leather chairs which had replaced the baroque-style seating arrangements of her father, and gestured to one opposite a similarly modern coffee table. Christina, given leave to sit, did so and placed the file on the table. "Tea?" Victoria's tone was light, and she glanced at a servant's door to her left.
+++"No ridiculous limitations, Your Majesty," Christina replied. "And tea would be lovely, thank you." Victoria pressed a button hidden beneath the rim of the coffee table and then leaned back in her chair, legs crossed elegantly. "I'm only here to brief Your Majesty on what to expect in terms of agenda, and to provide Your Majesty with the government's positions on matters that might come up. How my information is used will, of course, be up to Your Majesty's judgment." Victoria laughed softly, a tinkling, yet strangely ominous sound that seemed entirely appropriate to this delicate but forceful woman.
+++"In other words," she said with a brittle smile, "you mean to provide me with information on our trade policies and relations with the Roman Empire, so that my responses are dictated by what information I have at hand. You know how I think and have a fair idea of my current opinions and knowledge base, and you aim to provide me with only that data which will yield a conclusion matching the government's policies." Christina hid her reaction rather well, aided by the timely appearance of a servant with a teapot and biscuits. As the servant poured, Christina's mind raced, forming and discarding answers to her Queen as fast as it could. That had indeed been the plan, dreamt up by her entire staff as well as a pair of psychologists hired for the purpose. The queen's demeanor melted a bit. "You may relax, Ms. Lloyd. I'm not insulted. If anything, I'm flattered, and amused."
+++"Without commenting upon Your Majesty's supposition–" Victoria cut her off.
+++"For the love of God, Ms. Lloyd, please dispense with this 'Your Majesty' business. My ego will survive it." Christina allowed herself a grin. Victoria could be exasperating, but nobody denied that she was clever and charming.
+++"All right. Without commenting on... your... supposition, let's examine the invitation. As you probably noticed, the Romans are obviously attempting to form a coalition in the vein of the Progintern or NATO. They've a sort of casual understanding with Kiev, but it hardly compares to a binding defensive alliance or economic bloc, and without that security Rome is placed in a dangerous position." Victoria was simply gazing at her, Christina noted, one eyebrow raised. The message was clear: Don't insult me, Ms. Lloyd. I know all of this already. "Right. Since we can expect them to court Kiev, Scandinavia and possibly Taifas. We can pretty much expect that you will be ignored, since Britain's policies towards Rome are well known. Since the new millennium, we've opened our trade policy significantly, but we still do less business in the entire Roman Empire than we do in Germany and Cassanos alone. The Romans may try to extract a promise from you regarding trade, but I'm sure you will recall that our government doesn't have the power to dictate anything of the sort. We'll have an economics adviser along anyway, who should provide you with information if you need it."
+++"Obviously," Victoria said. She was smiling genuinely now, but with the air of dealing with an adolescent who pretended to know more than she did. "But of course, the real reason that I'm needed at the event is that Rome will be actively courting allies amongst the other monarchist states, and Britain shall have to either do the same, risk NATO losing influence in relation to Rome, or disrupt the negotiations somehow." The queen took a sip of her tea, prepared to her liking by the servant, and laughed. "I suppose I'll have diplomatic advisers to aid in the first two, but if it comes to disrupting things I'm on my own?" Christina ate one of the small biscuits and took her own sip of tea to hide her surprise. The queen's first insight had been an uncomfortable reminder of her acuity, the second was decidedly awkward.
+++"If that becomes necessary considering the way that the conference is going, we shall trust in your ability to discomfit politicians by saying that which would normally go unsaid, of course." Victoria's smile grew wider and she inclined her head fractionally in recognition of Christina's bon mot. "It is crucial that Taifas not come to an agreement with Rome of any sort," Christina continued. "A Rome-Kiev axis is to be expected and is, in any event, already part of our strategic planning. However, we must prevent the Iberian peninsula from becoming more united insofar as we are able; I suggest that you somehow remind Sultan Wafi, as delicately as possible, of certain events during the Napoleonic Wars. There is also the religious question, since both Rome and Kiev are fairly devout Christian states. I'll leave any elaboration on this theme up to you."
+++"I'm assuming that you've also put together some overarmed security detail for me?" Victoria took another sip of her tea and took a biscuit from the plate, not bothering to conceal her opinion of security with her tone of voice.
+++"If by 'overarmed', you mean twenty-four SAS men posing as members of your regular guard, eight of whom are already undercover in Paris and will be covertly monitoring the situation in conjunction with MI6 operatives there, as well as a full fighter escort for your chartered flight, then yes, Your Majesty." Victoria shook her head resignedly.
+++"It isn't as though I'm not used to it, Ms. Lloyd. If that is all?" Christina nodded. In addition to the fact that it was a clear dismissal, she'd actually gone through her entire list of points, aided by the fact that the queen had seen through some of the more verbose bits and obviated the need for extensive explanations.
+++"With your permission, I'd like to leave these notes with you to peruse at your leisure." She produced a slightly smaller folder from within her own, which contained all of the data and none of the handwritten notes that Christina had made to herself while she'd waited. "If you have any questions for me, I will be happy to elaborate on anything you'd wish for." Victoria smiled, and Christina got up to leave with the feeling that she'd been somewhat bested in the interview. It was an uncomfortable and unfamiliar feeling for her, but she couldn't manage to shake it. So too, she'd found Victoria to be rather pleasant to talk to when the queen wasn't spearing her with one of those gently mocking looks, and explaining Christina's own train of thought to her in simple terms. She smiled on her way out, resolved to be much better prepared the next time she was called upon to speak with her queen.

Kiev - Kievskaya Rus
Mikhailhof

"hhhhh haaaa"
Prince Vadim of Novgorod sighed loudly as he paced back and forth on the quite carped floor of the Summer Palace in Kiev. His gloved hands moved from clasped behind his back to grab each other in front, index fingers pointing into his frowning lips. He wasn't upset, just very eager to hear what the letter had been about. An express post personally addressed to his majesty the Tsar and come marked with the personal seal of the Caesar in Rome. The Prince, as the the tsar's seneschal and "left hand man" enjoyed the privilege of opening his lord's mail, but letters from foreign heads of state were another matter. He had made a point of, while interrupting Pyotr and his guest Mrs. Rosonov (the two were having lunch on his balcony) of stating how urgent this letter must be and then tried to insist ("no your majesty! I dare not do more than suggest...") that he read it at once. That was well over half an hour ago. The prince wanted an answer now and could feel a rising sense of frustration as he was kept waiting. He wheeled around to find himself face to face with Mrs. Rivka Rosonov, she glared coldly at him.
"So?" the prince asked.
"So? do you have nothing better to do than to walk back and forth all day? shouldn't you be yelling at some pour fellow with less decorations on his chest or something?" Rivka said in a frown crossing her arms and pushing the door shut behind her with her foot. The Prince smiled as if he was amused.
"Mrs. Rosonov you truly a as smart and charming of girl as the state controlled media has made our to be, may the good Lord bless you with spectacular tumble off very tall stage" Vadim's expression changed from a mock smile to a wrinkly forehead frown, his comment was directed at the Tsar's sweetheart's career in the national ballet. With that, he pushed past her to the heavy carved wooden door but found it was locked. She smiled again. "Petya* didn't want to smell you're breath again today, he asked me to deliver you a message on my way out".
"Oh?" Vadim asked, to eager to hear what Rome might have said to care about his personal feud with the Tsar's date.
"He bet me it would be only ten minutes before you sighed loud enough for us to hear, you outlasted his guess by twenty minutes, we're both very impressed". The prince rolled his eyes but waited silently for more.
"Pyotr the second: Tsar and Lord of the Holy Empire of the Kievskaya Rus, demands that his servant back his best suit, you're going with him to Rome." She said in stately tone that mocked the Prince's frequent calls of loyalty to the lords of Boyar Duma.
The prince stood shocked with his mouth open for a second before he started to stutter out some words, he was cut short before his stuttering formed anything comprehendible. Rivka continued; "His majesty has been invited to attend a party in Rome featuring all the kings and queens of world. He needs someone to tuck him into bed after he's had too much to drink and you're it." He tone grew quieter and much more serious, both she and Vadim had been publicly embarrassed more than once by his majesties behaviour at this kind of event. This would be the single most important event the young Tsar had attended in his life. Putting personal quarrels aside, Rivka was counting on the prince to keep her boyfriend, the Tsar and Lord of the Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus, out of trouble.

* Petya is a nickname form of Pyotr, most Russian names also have a nickname form much like the in English we have Mike = Michael and Bob = Robert

OOC: Tsar Mikhail was the first of the Sterovovich dynasty. His great-grandson Pyotr II has been Tsar for about 3 years, I'm re-addressing the letter to him.

Gaul

The Sultan's heavily customised Hawker-4000 touched down some time after BAe Jetstream-41 that had been carrying part of his entourage.

The Sultan himself was a man of late middle age, dressed-up enough that one who did not know couldn't say whether he were 44 or 66 years old. He, and his wife and their attendants, looked rather western. He had on a suit cut by Henry Poole & Co of London, though his moustache and slightly longer slicked-back black hair and tinted skin very much gave the Andalusian away.

His body guards were more impressive, in traditional dress the Moorish equivalent to the Swiss Guard but surely more than capable of ripping that outfit to pieces should the need arise.

Al'Andalus

Al'Cid Abdulfattah Saifullah ibn Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalusi, son of the Sultan and heir to the Andalusian throne, seemed suddenly to have snapped out of his drunken teenage stupor. This happened within perhaps half a second of the lift-off of his father's private jet at Lisboa airport.

Now, suddenly, he was organising, and he was politically active, much to the irritation of the Amirs who had hoped to pass more self-serving legislation in the absence of both Sultan and Chief Vizir. Al'Cid wasn't having any of it. Interesting time in Al'Andalus.

Versailles

Princeps Senatus Lucius Catulus stood at the runway, waiting to greet the Sultan with a young college student who would serve as a translator. It had taken quite some time to find someone who could speak Portugese competently and translate that back into Latin. In the end, Rome had to rush to find someone capable enough, eventually finding this young chap who was not as competent in Portugese as they would have hoped. But at least he would get the message across. The search was still continuing for a more competent translator and helping this one to became more able in his trade. There were several leads already, but it would take time before a more competent translator would be available. Lucius had to fight the urge to raise an eyebrow at the sight of the Moorish bodyguards. Though he had to admit that their discipline was likened to the discipline of the Roman legions. Behind the two Romans was a group of police vehicles and black limos.

Lucius Catulus greeted the Sultan in Latin, which doubtlessly sounded like gibberish to the Portugese monarch. He stretched out his hand to shake the hand of the Sultan. After a few moments of thought, the translator continued, most likely butchering the language, "Welcome to Roman Empire, and city of Versaille. Police escort uhh....is prepared and free if you uhh....want police escort. We uhh....happy you to be here. Hope your stay uhh...is good. Uhh....Meet at the Palace of Versaille in a week. Uhh...Forgiveness for the poor translation. We looking for better translators."

Lucius couldn't help but flinch at the muddled and belabored translation from the poor young student and couldn't help but hear the random Latin words interspaced throughout the several phrases of Portugese. This is going well Lucius thought.

Hail Caesar!

Versailles

The Sultan took the Senate leader's hand with a diplomatic smile, which was for the best as he was soon given to more genuinely motivated grinning over the Romans' rather unimpressively prepared translation effort.

A native Arabic speaker who'd learned English as a young man, Sultan Abdulhadi made the learning of at least very basic Hebrew, Portuguese, and Mirandese his further linguistic concern in preparation for his duties as premier, so that he could always reel-out a few friendly words in all the official languages of his domain. Understanding only a few terms as they came from Lucius's mouth, he resolved to let the Romans think that his obvious difficulty understanding even the translator was due to that person's flawed Portuguese rather than the fact that this was only his fourth language. At least it was better than his Mirandese.

His Chief Vizir, meanwhile, another native Arabic speaker, was fluent also in Portuguese and Latin, and basically conversant in Hebrew and English, and listened silently. He would discreetly fill the Sultan in on anything the Roman translator missed, later. Or perhaps not, as it suited him.

The only thing that gave the Sultan cause for a sidways glance to his Vizir for confirmation of what he thought that he'd heard was that the meeting wouldn't take place for a week, yet! Initially waiting for further developments, Abdulhadi considered that he wasn't entirely prepared to spend more than a week away from his duties. Even he hadn't that much faith in is son. Had he?

Boryspil, 25Km east of Kiev

Prior to the Emperor's departure from Kiev, the Boryspil International Airport was shut down for two days while preparations were made for a party worthy of His Royal Highness. With over ten thousand guests invited to see the Emperor off on his first official state visit, the entire grounds of the airport was a buzz of activity. Ignoring the complaints of the airports owners, the who had to deal with forty thousand passangers who's flights had to be re-routed or cancelled, Boryspil International was transformed from a travel hub into a maze like royal ballroom. Seats were moved to make room for stages and dance floors and every restaurant was put to work preparing a banquet feast for ten thousand of Kievskaya Rus' elite.
Tsar Pyotr II certainly looked the part of Emperor. Pyotr was a slightly shorter man with dark hair and trim beard. He was twenty three at the time of his coronation, making him twenty six now and also making this night the largest party he'd hosted since his coronation. The Tsar was dressed in the same fashion his father had worn (a throw back to late Romanovs); A black suite with no buttons, the front held shut by a golden belt and blue and gold sashes crossing his chest, gold tasselled epaulets and a golden rope running from his right shoulder to the centre of his chest where it attached to a row of medallions that reached to his left shoulder. His guard were each dressed in a long blue coat and peaked cap and carried a 1920's era bayoneted rifles held slung back over their shoulder, these rifles were the same used used by the guard of Tsar Mikhail. Arriving an hour after the guests were all assembled, the Tsar and his guard of thirty men paraded though the maze like halls of the airport to the cheers of applause of the guests and in the light of hundreds of camera flashes. It was quite contrary to normal protocol, but the Tsar had chosen to wear the Imperial Crown for the duration of his indoor parade. Though many of of the lord and news reports made quiet whispers of disapproval and shock at the young tsar's lack of tact, the state media would hover spin this off as a magnificent gesture of the Tsars love for his country and dedication to his office. The crown fit Pyotr's head very well and only a few times did he have to steady it with his hand to keep it properly set on his head.
The Tsar didn't stay long, surrounded by a sea of toasting guests he made no speech but simply blew a kiss to his people and headed down the walkway to the royal jet "The White Eagle". It was only a few hours to Rome in straight flight but the flight plan took them almost double the normal time as the plain flew around Beddgelert air space. Not that the Kieven's were all that worried about the Beddgelens hostile intent, just their unpredictability and history of over reacting.

Heathrow Airport, London environs

Victoria II, despite ruling a quarter of the planet, didn't merit her own jet. Like all British monarchs who took to the skies through the history of the empire, she now did so aboard a 757 chartered from British Airways and painted in that carrier's formal livery of a red, white and blue partial Union Flag emblazoned over the tail. The interior of the aircraft was, like any passenger jet, rather cramped. The queen and her staff had monopolized the first class cabin, relegating her bodyguards, diplomatic advisers and a few reporters to the economy class cabins that, like all commercial aircraft, smelled of old coffee, industrial lubricant and canned air.

Heathrow, though busy as always considering its role as one of Europe's largest international airports, had obligingly cleared a runway for the sovereign's aircraft. Circling above were the Typhoons of No.3 Squadron, twelve of the finest combat aircraft in the world dedicated to escorting Her Majesty from Heathrow to Versailles, in what the British government still officially referred to as "occupied France". With relatively little fanfare, the queen was shepherded aboard her aircraft by three of the several SAS men forming her guard, the runway was cleared and her aircraft took to the sky.

OOC: I have this weird hatred of arrival RP sequences. Can we skip it for Victoria and just have her magically appear at the conference?

Palace of Versailles
The Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles was done up to extravagance, every surface in the hall was sparkling and glistening despite the rain that pelted the windows outside. Banners of the Roman Empire hung from the far ends of the Hall, while the flags of the Russia, Britain, Portugal and New Spain (OOC: Should NG decide to show up) hung along the longer walls in front of their seat at the extravagantly crafted table. The table was made of wood imported from Canada and crafted by the finest wood workers in all of the Roman Empire. The large table had two levels crafted into it, with the top level in the middle that separated each of the delegates from each, while the lower level of the table held a computer or laptop, concealing them from view. Above their heads, the chandeliers of the Hall of Mirrors sparkled in the light that shone from them, casting a wonderful display on the table beneath them.

The delegates were issued one by one, announced upon entering and greeted by Caesar Romulus and Princeps Senatus Lucius Catulus. The greeting to the Sultan was not as butchered as the greeting on the tarmac, but it was certainly still disjointed and still quite horrible. Queen Victoria and the Tsar were greeted with a much more fluent greeting. Lucius couldn't help but notice Caesar straighten his Western style Armani suit before greeting the Queen and flashing her a rather large smile. Romulus certainly could be considered a handsome man, especially with the way he was dressed and groomed today, and he could have had his choice of all the young ladies in the whole Empire. Once all the delegates were assembled, they were sat in their assigned seats as Caesar took his seat at the head of the table.

Caesar stood, his seat elevated slightly so that he sat higher than all the rest of those in attendance, “Greetings to my fellow monarchs and, hopefully, my allies and brothers(or sister)-in-arms. I trust that you're stay in the Roman Empire has been enjoyable and I hope that you continue to enjoy all the services that the Roman Empire, and especially Paris, has to offer. The Roman Senate and Senate of Gaul would like to invite you to a special banquet tonight in this hall. Let us get right to business, as I call this Conference of Royalists to order on December 22, 2008, at 0900 Paris time. When you all arrived, you received a dossier with our agenda for this conference, you have received an electronic version if you wish to make use of the computers that we have provided in front of you or if you wish, you may use your personal laptop.” As the delegates found the document in question, Caesar began to read it over. The items to be discussed in the agenda included:

1. Nature of economic and trade relations between all monarch states.
2. Nature of diplomatic cooperation between all monarch states in recent situations, especially the crisis in Tamil Eelam, for the increased security for the monarchs of the world and for improved lines of communication between said monarchs and the West and the Communist nations.
3. Nature of military alliance between all monarch states that would enhance the security of the monarchies of the world.
4. The compilation of an alliance of the monarchies of the world, including a constitution for such an alliance that gives details for the requirements for membership and the current membership of said alliance.

Once he was finished reading the agenda, Caesar continued, “If there are no problems with this agenda, then I would like to move on to the first item on the agenda.

“The Western nations and the Communist bloc have tried to isolate some of us, hoping to bring us all to ruin. But we should not isolate ourselves and hope to hoard our wealth, which will lead us to calamity and shame. There are many things that each of us can offer the other and many things that the Roman Empire may offer to you, and I would hope that we might be able to come to an agreement to support each other's economic endeavors in a world that would seek to stifle us.”


Hail Caesar!

OOC: Really, I don't have much to say on this topic... I'm just here to mess things up for the rest of you. So... er. Go discuss, and I'll just throw the occasional awkward point in to make it more difficult for the rest of you.

Abu Saifullah wasn't even close to knowing what to say. He kept casting glances over the British delegation, hoping to recognise something in their reaction to the Roman offerings so far or perhaps to catch somebody's eye. The Sultan was greatly puzzled by his invitation and similarly by that extended to the British. He had no interest in the manner by which the Christian nations chose to govern themselves, and so the Andalusian was struggling to see what could be gained by the inclusion of New Spain or Russia in contrast to the exclusion of Germany or Spyr, or even Beddgelert. Better to remain silent and be thought... and so on.

Versailles

Victoria kept her face studiously impassive, returning any gazes directed her way with a cool, polite poker face. Britain's invitation to this conference was strange enough, never mind the Caesar's immediate and somewhat poorly hidden insinuation that Britain was to be numbered amongst the enemies of royalist states. It was a fair accusation, considering the continued unwillingness on London's part to recognize Rome's legitimacy as a state, and it was a supreme expression of realpolitik that the Queen of Britain appear here at all. For her own part, Victoria didn't think much of Caesar's suggestion. Should Rome and Kiev, by abandoning the traditions of representation and free expression also forgo acceptance within the Western community, it could be counted no fault of London, Washington or Berlin.

It therefore took her a moment to notice Abu Saifullah's confused glances. When she did, Victoria afforded him a small nod of acknowledgment and opened the laptop on the table in front of her. Logging into her official conference alias as provided by the Romans, she typed the following message.

To: a.saifullah@congressiobasilicus.caesar.ro
From: v.windsor@congressiobasilicus.caesar.ro
Subject: This conference
Message:
Your Majesty,
It gratifies us to see Your Majesty at this conference, as this our second meeting provides the two of us with the opportunity to reinforce the relationship between our two most esteemed nations. We believe that our interests are not best served by joining with the other autocratic states represented at this conference, and we will not be signing whatever treaty the so-called Caesar of Rome introduces. It is our sincere hope that Your Majesty hold the ancient alliance between our two realms in mind as this conference progresses, and accordingly we wish to assure Your Majesty that the British Empire remains committed to the defence of the United Taifas of Al Andalus, and to the co-operation between our two nations that has brought us both great prosperity.

We fear that Caesar has some design upon the free states of Europe, and perhaps upon Your Majesty's realms as well. While we remain certain that Your Majesty is fully capable of defending the United Taifas against aggression, it must be noted that any war between Rome and the United Taifas would involve great suffering, as Your Majesty is no doubt aware. Therefore, it seems prudent to act with circumspection at this conference, and I encourage Your Majesty to view Roman proposals, as Your Majesty no doubt already does, with the caution warranted by Rome's illegitimate seizure of the realms of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of France and the Hellenic Republic. Rest assured that we remain committed to our longstanding defensive obligations towards Your Majesty as well as towards the free European states.

Why then, Your Majesty may well ask, have we decided to attend this conference? Firstly and least, it behooves us to retain a certain image of toleration and civility toward the Roman government, and so in the interest of open communications, we have determined that this is not a total waste of our time. Secondly, and this is the main reason, we have decided that the Empire, whatever its strength, must not allow events in Europe to occur without some form of influence upon them. We do not desire an alliance of monarchs, particularly not of the character of Caesar or the Tsar, and so we have chosen to come here with the intent to ensure that our interests are not unduly injured by the events that occur here. It is our sincere hope that Your Majesty remains true to our longstanding alliance, the evidence towards which there is a great deal, and resists the urge to join in an accord of momentary security that will promise future domination by a historically rapacious empire as is the modern Rome.

Fondly and with the greatest Respect,
Victoria the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Empress of India, Defender of the Faith.

She scanned the message briefly, considered submitting it as was proper to the inspection of her diplomatic staff, decided not to, and pressed the "Send" button.

Prince Vadim of Novgorod sat quietly, slowly cracking each knuckle. He at least was prepared for this. He wasn’t sure about his Lord and Emperor but at least he was. If Pyotr would kindly stay out of the way for a bit, he might just turn this into a golden opportunity. He turned to chair where his lord sat only to find it empty, one of his honor guard mouthed the word “wash room”. Well, if Pyotr was upset at him for talking beyond his authority it wouldn’t be the first time, but the Tsar’s voice was in rough shape that morning so after only a few more seconds consideration he gathered his notes and stood to address the conference.

“On behalf of the Lord and Emperor of the Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus, I extend a hand friendship to you all. You are the chosen people of the one true God who have been given all dominion in over the great kingdoms of this earth!”
The prince had meant to stop here to get a read on his audience but was either too nervous or just too pleased with himself and forgot all about it and went on with his speech.
“Though we are separated by oceans and mountains, religion and language we are those who stand on the tradition of the most enduring form of civilization in the history of creation. Centuries ago, Rome, the most powerful empire on earth was divided into east and west. You know all the story, eventually the west collapsed entirely leaving Constantinople as the second Rome. When Ivan the third, Grand Duke of Moscow married Sophia Paleologue (niece of Constantine XI, the last Eastern Roman Emperor) Rome it’s self was kept alive. And so the branches of Rome were grafted onto the roots of the Russian tree. But now this very day the old roots of the once dead tree have sent up shoots that grew into Great Brittain and now have grown into the great empire that now hosts meeting of monarchs. Eastern and Western Rome are alive and stronger than ever. Truly this was the will of God when he first divided the empire all those years ago. That one day when the rules of Rome would once again sit at the same table he would gather his rules from all over the earth to stand together against those that threaten the very heart of civilization!”
The prince began to sweat, he could only hope that Pyotr had returned to his seat and was giving the impression that Vadim’s words were the words of the Tsar himself. He had tried to go over his plans with his lord but Pyotr was so sleepy from the long day of celebration before they left Kiev that he couldn’t stay awake for more than five minute of the meeting.
Vadim finished his little speech with his hands in the air and had to take a few seconds to catch his breath. He watched for the reaction of the different heads of state. He hoped that his message hadn’t been lost in translation.
First, he meant to stress that Kievskaya Rus recognized and supported Abu Saifullah and did not feel that religion should not be a political barrier. Also that Kiev was prepared to support King Carlos II in New Spain and King Sverre III of Scandinavia. Secondly he wanted to suggest the Idea to Victoria and all of Britain that Kievskaya Rus doesn’t think of them as just a “western” power, anchored to Quinntonia, but rather a “European” power who is free to ally with the greater power of Europe. Thirdly remind the Ceaser that they don’t hole the only claim to the title of Rome and that Kievskaya Rus has as much if not more right to be recognized as the successor to the ancient Roman empire.

The real details of Kiev’s business were now being handed to everyone. Support for the idea of a world monarchs treaty organization focused on defense and military co-operation and a suggestion that it have it’s seat in Lisboa.
Lisboa!?

[OOC: Sorry for taking so long, school is slowly making me bald and wedding plans take up a lot of time.]

Caesar Romulus stifled a snort at the possible idea that the Prince was an actual viable successor to the title of Rome. He allowed it to pass, Russia might be an imitator of that old Roman Empire, but only Rome was the true successor of that great Empire. Russia may be second, but their claim was supplanted the moment that Rome established its Empire. Russia had no claim, Rome was the only and true rejuvenation of the Empire. Russia would have to learn that eventually, but not now.

Caesar's eyebrow peaked at the mention of the placing the headquarters of in Lisboa. Caesar had thought of a centralized place of authority, but could not find an area that would fit best with political climate, though he had completely discounted Portugal. Like the Prince, he saw a great opportunity here to bring the Sultan and Rome and Russia into a fraternal brotherhood.

“I concur with my Kievan colleague. Should we enter into this alliance together, I feel like our base of authority in Lisboa will aid in bringing us together in solidarity against the threats that rise against us. Let me remind you that we are not here on the basis of religion or nationality. We are here because we are all legitimate monarchs of our respective states and we are not the barbaric irrational brutes that will pillage our own lands and people, then look to the wider world for more land to exploit. We recognize you, Abu Saifullah, as the legitimate ruler of Portugal and respect your claim on the land as her sovereign ruler. Doubtless you were surprised at your invitation to this conference, Your Majesty, but we are civilized human beings and we can forgive past sins so that we may unite together in friendship and cooperation. I bear no ill will toward you, and I know of the proverb spoken around the world about a Roman with gifts, but I speak truthfully when I say that all that has happened between us I am willing to forgive, so that we might move on to the future together.

Caesar turned his attention now to Queen Victoria, “Any to you, Your Majesty, I offer you also the hand of friendship, for you too are among the monarchial ranks. Britain has had a long history of strong monarchs bravely leading their country and I feel that you have a chance to do the same. Certainly there is a great deal of animosity between us, but that too I am willing to forgive. Perhaps it is too soon for Britain into this kind of alliance, but perhaps we can aid each other in repairing our wounded relationship. There is much we can learn from each other, and we can stand to profit a great deal should some treaty, whether merely economical or to extent of a military agreement, be worked out between us.”

If the Queen or Sultan watched Caesar closely during his speech, they would see no signs of deceit or falsehood. Everything appeared to be genuine, and Caesar certainly meant every word he had spoken. However, Romulus knew that offering to wipe away the sins of an entire generation would not be popular with many senators. This was a risky move. If the rewards of this endeavor did not equal the costs, Caesar knew that he could make some very powerful enemies in the Senate. Some of whom could replace him.

Hail Caesar!

OOC: Wedding? Congratulations.

Victoria listened to the two speakers and nodded at the appropriate moments, although without an air of actually agreeing to anything they were saying. Her attention was focused, but not so much upon the conference as upon the interplay of power and interest that shaped international affairs. Such things as conferences, it could be reasonably argued, were subtly beneath Her Majesty the Queen of Britain. When she eventually spoke–and it was eventually, to fill a rather large silence following Caesar's proclamations–she did so softly but with cultured enthusiasm.

"Your majesties," she began, inclining her head slightly toward Abu Saifullah and simply glancing at Caesar Romulus and Tsar Pyotr. "It gratifies us to be invited to a conference here, in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Indeed, the man for whom this palace was built is no doubt much perturbed by the presence of the British queen in his private residence, considering my capacity as representative of the world's largest empire and his own nation's tributary status." The somewhat byzantine introduction carried two messages: Britain is a very large, impressive state and France is not a free country, in case you have forgotten. As the foreign ministers of Rome and Kiev were sure to advise their leaders, Victoria had a talent and reputation for layering insults within apparently pleasant sentiments.

"Empires rise and eventually fall, as His Majesty the Caesar is no doubt acutely aware. It is much more difficult for empires to rise again, and so we must all count his achievement to be most instructive for those who seek, as we do, to expand our borders and our power. While this goal can at times lead to friction between us, we must remember that our first goal is the perpetuation of enlightened rule throughout the world. As with any crusade, there are bound to be casualties and collateral damage. The first cases of these are free speech and self-determination, but I suppose that such things are acceptable prices to pay when balanced against the divine right of kings." Beside the queen, one of the diplomatic functionaries leaned over and politely coughed. Staged, though the monarchs were not to know it, the signal was clear: Get the hell on with it, your Majesty. Victoria laughed softly.

"Excuse me, I do tend to ramble. At any rate, I thank his Majesty the Caesar of Rome for his kind words, and I should hope that the British Empire might join with Rome and Kiev in the advancement of our Lord's desired form of government. Though we are all saddled with various forms of parliament, I am much inspired by my Roman colleague's masterful sidelining of his own. His is an example which all monarchs might be wise to emulate.

"Tsar Peter's recommendation, I fear, is not one to which I might accede at this time. I beg his Majesty's forgiveness, but as I noted we are all bound in some way by our representative systems. I fear that I am constitutionally bound to submit this proposal to my first minister, and realities within my nation are such that I cannot guarantee a positive result of my parliament's deliberations." She laughed again. "Such are the plights of the modern monarch, I suppose."

"Lastly, it is most promising to see the two Caesars recognize my friend the Sultan Abu Saifullah as he deserves. We all have our historical baggage, and I am pleased to see Tsar Peter set aside his predecessors' persecution of Muslims in Afghanistan and Chechnya so as to foster the highly convenient and enlightened inclusion of Al Andalus in this proposed organization. His government's handling of matters like the reports of one Anna Politkovskaya–certainly without basis–show that he rightly tolerates no rumor-mongering to the effect that his government persecutes Muslims. Indeed, we might all be grateful that the anonymous murderer put a stop to her lies, though we of course must grieve for her friends and family. While murder is occasionally convenient, we must never be seen to use targeted killing as an alternative to toleration. Considering His Majesty the Tsar's historic toleration of Muslims and dissidents, we must all be pleased that he has chosen to bless the founding of this alliance. I look forward to the day that I may represent Britain as a member, and I will surely learn from Tsar Peter's highly effective methods of unifying his great nation when I deal with dissidents in Ireland and Africa, as I will learn from Caesar Romulus's wise and judicious handling of his senate."

Victoria leaned back in her chair, appearing to ignore the poorly hidden–though perhaps slightly overacted–expressions of horror upon the faces of her diplomatic team. After all, a monarch must tolerate the minions of parliament, but the wise monarch must ignore them when necessary for the expansion of her own power. Christina Lloyd would be pleased with her performance, she thought, and it could only be hoped that Abu Saifullah took her point: these men were not allies of the United Taifas or the tradition of human freedom.

OOC2: I love writing for Victoria at this conference; I get to be nasty, backhanded and really, really snide.

Prince Vadim, the Tsar's seneschal, the official spokesman and personal assistant of the Tsar and head of the Boyar Duma was enjoying himself very much. It wasn't every day he got to stand as the voice of his nation and yack back and forth with kings and queens. He nodded sharply as the Caesar of Rome seconded his motion to invite Lisboa to host the proposed treaty organization. He gritted his teeth at the "persecution of Muslims in Afghanistan and Chechnya" line from her majesty Victoria. "Persecution of Muslims" the thought, "we'll ship you our terrorist and let you practice religious tolerance." Yes, the words of the Queen did stick in his craw more than just a little. He had almost tuned her out by the time she stopped talking. He looked down at the Sultan for to see if he intended to speak next.
It was at that moment that a sound pierced the room and made his stomach knot up in a ball and turn over a few times. "hhhhooooooookkkkkkkkssssshhhhhh.. *snort" Spinning around he found exactly what he had hoped to God would not happen. Pyotr IV: Tsar and Lord of the Holy Empire of the Kievskaya Rus was slumped forward in his chair, sound asleep, with a tiny string of drool leaking from his mouth. Vadim spun back to the table with a smile that made him look like he was pretending to like Sauerkraut. Turning back to this lord he cleared his thought loudly, startling Pyotr out of his sleep. His majesty looked up and wiped the drool off his beard with his sleeve. Standing up he slowly began walking towards the door and not looking back at the people he addressed he said in a tone barely loud enough to hear "I'm sorry comrades, I have a head ache and don't feel like talking anymore. Vad can speak on my behalf so you can work out the details with him" and with that the ruler of largest empire on earth walked out the door.
Vadim Moerikavich remembered after a few moments that one must continue breathing if they are are to remain alive. Taking a few shallow breaths he turned once again to face the table, he could see his red face reflecting off the glass pitcher of water that sat on the table an arms reach away. He could feel the heat escaping from around his collar and hear the cluster of medals on his jacket rattle his chest heaved up and down. He was stunned, absolutely speechless. Thanking as fast as he could to save the reputation of his lord he threw his arms up and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"Elvis has left the building..."

Sultan Abdulhadi al'Wafi -Abdulhadi the Trustworthy- had remained silent through a pretty epic span of time. He sat with the upright posture of one who well remembered a stern and proper upbringing, careful to avoid creasing his tailored suit as he was to limit his body language. He'd also spent a good while staring at the communication from Victoria, which he read again after the Kievens and Romans had spoken their pieces.

In his Moleskine notbook the Sultan penned something in Arabic before holding the page for his Vizir to read. "Easily said by one whose government will be represented in Bermuda."

As things progressed, even his schooling couldn't keep Abu Saifullah from shifting uncomfortably in his seat, however slightly. Already there was too much talk of 'Muslims' for the liking of a man who saw himself as the European monarch of a European country. That Victoria -he supposed deliberately- used the C word to describe the mission of the assembled monarchs made the Sultan feel all the more squeezed in this congregation of great powers.

"I am honoured by such interest in Our humble capital, Al'Išbūnah..." Abdulhadi spoke at last, only to slip into a lengthy pause. This wasn't a situation that the ruler of one of the continent's smallest states could enjoy, and the Sultan was in no hurry to show his hand.

Then, one of the barbarians grunted as barbarians will, and departed in what the Andalusian regarded as a glorious flash of distraction. He sat back in his seat, hoping that perhaps proceedings would break and he could get out of this without offending his overwhelmingly powerful and traditionally hostile neighbours.

OOC-Hail to the king baby, uh-huh!

IC-The unassuming Vice-regal from Canada, Governor -General Michelle Jean, sat there stunned on her little seat behind the British Queen. As she was mentally translating everything that was going on from the English that the presumptuous planners had piped into her earpiece through translators her normally classy, demure, Haitian self was caught guffawing as she realised that the Tsar's assisstant with the eerily familiar name had actually said what he just said.

She had no plans on speaking, but rather just observed, feeling she could add nothing for the soon-to-be NATO powers that Victoria wasn't doing, and ably. She did decide that she would have an audience with her, in the hopes of strengthening ties.

Caesar watched incredulously at the Tsar's display of etiquette and poise. He rubbed his tired eyes and realized that his stomach was growling. He sat back up straight then looked down at the computer that was in front of him and sent a message across the table to the young Russian prince, If the Tsar should happen to be absent from this afternoon's meetings, or even the entire conference if he so wishes, and you wish to be the voice for your people, so much the better. He stood up and addressed all the delegates, "I feel as though we could all use a break. Lets break for lunch, and meet back here to reconvene in one hour." Romulus left his seat, removing the ear piece which was piping through the translation. He looked over Abu Saifullah and walked over to the Sultan's chair, "Your Majesty," he said, "I would be honored if you would have lunch with me."

Hail Caesar!

The Sultan hid an inward sigh as he saw the Roman bearing down on him, then clenched his fists for half a second as if squeezing some thought out of his body, and stood to return the Emperor's greeting, claiming that he would be honoured to lunch with Caesar. Don't order the salad his Vizir silently pleaded, rising to follow his master as always.

OOC: Sorry, I didn't feel it was quite the perfect moment to reveal more, but I suppose it's time to press things on.

Emperor Fredrick had been late, he knew he would, he was finishing the touches up on a new reform that he could not put down. After a quick rest he put on his finest Dress Uniform and notified the 501st Stormtroopers (His personal bodyguard >:) ) that he was going to move. They assembled outside and put him into a limo, from which he used a phone to address the Embassy, "Notify Versailles that I am coming, inform them that unforeseen events caused they delay, nothing more." He hung up and looked across to Oberst Klaus Goring, commander of the 501st that sat in the limo with him. He nodded and the colonel drew a radio from a pocket and ordered the Helicopters to ready to transport the Emperor to the airport. These security measures were carried over since the days of his father and he never thought to change them. Movements of the emperor were always "on-the-fly" and he never flew from the same airport.

The Empress had followed him closely, she enjoyed these official visits much more than Fredrick, he would much rather remain at home and work. The children would be left at home except for Crown Prince Heindrick, who now was getting closer to marrying and Fredrick wished to introduce him to some of the Crowned heads in hopes of settling a Royal marriage. He was being flown in from the Imperial War Academy where he was a Cadet 2nd Class (sophmore). They would fly in on separate planes and meet at their airport.

All the while at the Christstany embassy, the secretary typed the message to the Roman Government.

His Imperial Majesty Fredrick I of Christstan will be soon arriving. He apologizes for his tardiness but unforeseen events delayed the family. The Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince will all attend.

Conversation over lunch strayed as far away from the conference as the Caesar could make it. He asked about the Sultan's family, the weather in Portugal, her economy, even going as far as the Sultan's own interests and hobbies. If the Sultan inquired, he would find Caesar more than willing to divulge similar information about himself. Caesar never liked to mix politics and the running of his country with the dinner table. The only time the conversation moved toward the conference was when Caesar received the notice that Emperor Frederick I of Christstan was on his way to the conference.

After the meal, the table was cleared and Caesar Romulus leaned back in his chair, draping his right arm behind him and tapping the table with his left hand. His suit jacket hung on the back of the chair and the top button of his shirt was undone and his tie pulled down a little. He looked across to his companion and said, "Sultan Saifullah, I would very much like you to be a part of this alliance. I think that together, we can become more prosperous, and much stronger than we could ever be apart. Don't think I don't know what Queen Victoria is doing. She knows that the Tsar and I are already an alliance, all we lack is the paper work, so she's here to drive a wedge between me and you. I know that she's told you about our plans to invade to take over your country, and I would be lying if I said we didn't, but I have no desire to invade your country. On the contrary, I desire to support it. Make no mistake, Britain and Quinntonia both want to topple your government and replace it with their heathen democracy and secular society filled with all kinds or amoral harlotry. I would rather not see that happen. The fact is that the powers of the West do not want to see a united monarchial bloc in control of all of Western Europe and will go to any lengths to stop it.

"Thus, I am prepared to offer you free trade between our Empires, any of the jets that our military currently uses at a heavily discounted price, including the Actis, access to our anti-ship missiles, access to some of ship designs, of your choice, access to our shipping lanes, with our protection, information sharing between our two nations and I might even be able to get Russia to provide you with some of their air-to-air missiles. I am prepared to make this alliance the most profitable for you, Your Majesty.

And do not think that religion is an issue here. I have the utmost respect for your beliefs, and what I said in the conference was true: I am willing to forgive the bad past between us. No, I am coming before you monarch to monarch. We need each other. I need, and beg, for your help."

Hail Caesar!

OOC: PS. I love the Star Wars reference Christstan!

(I was waiting for the Sultan to post but whatever)

The planes landed within a relatively close period of time. It was growing late and the Emperor was cold, he could see his breath in the air. He landed first and waited for his son to land also. When all was ready, they got into the limo, which was transported here for them, and began the drive towards the palace. Emperor Fredrick adjusted himself in a few places to try to perfect his image. He had not met with the other crown heads before and his father did so very little because he wished to remain neutral. He looked over the dossier assembled on a few of the royalty present here, trying to absorb as much information about them as possible.

The limo pulled up at the front gate and the driver sent a message to the Palace that the Emperor of Christstan had arrived, it was difficult to determine which limo was his for there were several and many cars that were his protection. Of course, very few if any would accompany him inside.

(meh short post, just trying to get in.)

The Sultan said just enough to avoid rudeness, expressing some pride in his son, who was acting premier in his absence, but asking relatively little in turn about Caesar's life.

"You offer access to military technology and equipment" he replies in his own time, "but, other than free trade and access to our relatively small marketplace, what must Al'Andalus provide in return?

"Besides, I can say, if Rome has no hostile intent in respect of my nation, we see nothing to fear in the world that would necessitate formal alliance with any power."

Caesar Romulus looked to the Sultan and nodded, “You raise a good point in asking what Rome can benefit from the partnership which we are proposing. As you said, your's is a relatively small market, yet it is the strategic worth of your market that makes you such an appealing partner to Rome. Think of the great wealth you and I will control, when we join as brothers to control the entire Western coast of Europe. It will grant an enormous advantage to us, and you would be a valued partner. Rome wants your help in protecting that coast, and we will aid you in kind.

Rome can serve you in a manner in which no other country would be willing to deal with you. What Rome seeks is the same military courtesy that we have offered you. Access to your bases and information sharing between both of us. What we want, is a chance to learn from you. Learn from your culture, from your knowledge. Britain and Quinntonia may flash you a smile and shake your hand but they are two faced vipers who still seek to destroy your reign and place the people under their democracy and capitalism. They will undermine your government slowly, before you even realize it until it is too late and their fingers run through every level of your infrastructure. They will make sure that they get what they want from you, and when you decide to stand against them, they will strike and they will topple you and remove all support right out from under you and turn your people against you. And what about the Soviets? They won't touch you with a ten foot pole. In fact, they would attack you far sooner than they would deal with you. And if Rome should fall, your kingdom won't be far behind as Soviet troops march in your lands. You raise a poor point in saying that you have no enemies nearby. No, my friend, enemies are all around you. And they threaten both of us. We know that there is not much that you are able to offer, but as the Western saying goes, every little bit helps.

Hail Caesar!

Following the recent activity on the Baltic-Kiev border, the Baltic Federation decided it was a good opportunity to rupture and plans for Kiev to join forces with Rome. A message was sent to several of the leading members of the Roman government as the first step to do this.

Following the recent activity on the Kievan-Baltic Federation border, the Democratic Federation of Baltic States humbly requests that it may send a delegate to the Royal Conference to present our side of the story to the many delegates there. We do this so the that we can work together to prevent the recent events from turning into a destabilising war, one which seems likely to involve most of the world (including the great Roman Empire), and can be in the interests of no one.

We are aware that we cannot take part in the rest of the conference, but wish only to have the chance to present our case to the important nations and empires there. We gracefully await your reply.

President Karl Volterov
The Democratic Federation of Baltic States

Caesar was getting infuriated by the pensive mood of this Sultan. The man spent more time thinking and spending their time in awkward quietness than Caesar felt comfortable with. The aid bursting through the door was a welcome relief, though the news he whispered into his ear was not exactly the most welcome news. “He's going to start an international crisis! Sultan, I will leave you to think about the direction your nation will take. If you wish to speak, send your aid to find me.”

Caesar didn't even bother with finding an aid to call on the Tsar, instead he went straight to their guest quarters and a second after a knock burst into the room, “Prince Vadim, Tsar Pyotr, I understand what you are trying to do, though this might be a little aggressive. However, we will support you. We will issue a statement to Cassanos, Germany and USQ and set our forces on the ready. Rome has been contacted by the Baltic Federation to allow a delegate to state their case before the monarchs and I am inclined to agree. However, I give you this chance to make any argument against. But that is not what I want to talk to you about.

For this treaty between us, that we might extend to Portugal and Christstan if they agree, I would like free trade with one another, as well as military cooperation between our two peoples. By this I mean that our military would like access to your bases, sharing of weaponry, such as Russian air-to-air missiles. We would also be willing to offer Roman Exocet anti-ship missiles. If either of us are attacked, the other will aid in their defense and we will work together to complete coordinated military operations. If you agree to this I will have the treaty drawn up that we can sign. The requirement for membership into this alliance will be that the state be ruled by a monarchy of some form, regardless of religion or belief. This is what I propose. What say you?”

Hail Caesar!

OOC: I've split this treaty into two sections, one is the core of the treaty that I think and hope is quite reasonable to all the proposed members, the other is an optional section that would allow for tighter military co-operation on more than just defence. Nations may sign the first page and opt not to sign the second. I propose to call this "The Four Kingdom Alliance" or simply "The Alliance". I look forward to battle groups marching into battle crying "Yes my lord, for the alliance :D". Also just to clarify the START II treaty is mentioned but not defined in my factbook. I have no intention on defining what is entails and who it is between but felt that I would just throw it in here to give the understanding that there are theoretical pre set limits to arms trade.

Prince Vadim stood with a small stack of papers in his hand staring at Caesar Romulus for a second before remembering to offer a little bow.
"Your majesty, I was just reading to my lord the latest draft of our proposed treaty".
Tsar Pyotr sat on a beautiful antique sofa with very large sandwich in his hands. He was working quickly to swallow the very large bite he had just taken, and was bent far over the coffee table in front of him to keep from keep from dropping crumbs on the stately outfit he wore (black with a blue sash and gold rope and a rack of medallions). Behind him was a long table where several of the Tsar's lawyers has stood up in recognition of Caesar. Pyotr scooted over and indicated for Caesar to join him on the couch. Vadim continued.
"Yes, the events along the Baltic border, that is most disturbing. We shall answer for our actions to the entire conference. Perhaps you could view our draft of the proposed treaty and help up finalize a proposal that would be suitable for all the serious members of the conference?"


The Four Kingdom Alliance

We, the four kingdoms of Taifas, Christstan, Rome and Kievskaya Rus stand united in support of each other as nations of this world governed by the natural order and guided by the wisdom of those who either by birth or by the action of uniting an empire have inherited the human right to rule sovereignly in their own land.

We stand united in support of this alliance's signing monarchs; Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus, Emperor Fredrick von Weiger, Caesar Romulus Magnus and Tsar Pyotr Anton Sterovovich as the sole legitimate heads of state. We agree to support the regime of our fellow sole legitimate heads of state against any that would threaten their right to rule. We grant safe heaven in the event of crisis, aid in the even of attack against our homelands, peaceful acceptance of reasonable expansionism and guaranteed recognition of the proper succession of each sole legitimate head of state's heir apparent.

We recognize The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah of The United Taifas, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus.

We recognize The Most Holy Empire of Christstan, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Emperor Fredrick von Weiger.

We recognize Imperium Romanum, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Caesar Romulus Magus.

We recognize The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate heads of state: Tsar Pyotr Steravovich.

We agree that in the event of usurpation of the crown, forced abdication or deposition we maintain loyalty to the recognized sole legitimate heads of state as defined by this alliance.

We agree that in the event of war, terrorism, revolution, insurgence or any other time of need that we will support the sole legitimate head of state as defined by this alliance, upon their request, as a guest with guaranteed sanctuary and diplomatic immunity.

We agree to defend the self defined borders of each member of the alliance hostile nations or alliances. We agree to strike back with force against any hostile nation or alliance at the request of the sole legitimate head of state of any and all members of this alliance.

We agree to allow entry and movement of military craft, personnel and equipment belonging members of this alliance, with the exclusion of nuclear war heads. We agree to fully declare the purpose and destination and negotiate a detailed travel route for all military movement within the ground, air or ocean borders of a member of this alliance.

We agree that a peace treaty with the alliance is as good as a peace treaty with any member of this alliance. Attack from a hostile nation will not demand attack against allies of the hostile nation.

We agree that each member of this alliance hold a right to reasonable expansionism so long as it does not violate any treaty made by this alliance and is deemed by the alliance reasonably unlikely to provoke hostility towards other alliance members. We agree that members of this alliance will not be obligated to participate in another member of this alliance's expansionism.

We agree to support the legal succession of each sole legitimate head of states legal or chosen heir apparent. We agree to extend to them the same recognition, support and loyalty we gave to the sole legitimate head of state that proceeded them.

Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus of The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah
Sign:_______________

Emperor Fredrick von Weiger of The Most Holy Empire of Christstan
Sign:_______________

Caesar Romulus Magus of Imperium Romanum
Sign:_______________

Tsar Pyotr Anton Steravovich of The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus
Sign:_______________

Page 2 (optional)

We agree to the sharing of military intelligence in all but the most classified of matters.

We agree to the sharing of military facilities; Ground Force, Air Force and Naval Force bases.

We agree to joint command of alliance member's military forces in all co-operative military operations and missions.

We agree to the free trade of military equipment with the exception of nuclear warheads and classified projects as well as anything that would violate the START II (STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty)

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Caesar read the treaty approvingly. It was everything that he was after, though he noted that there was no clause about supporting each other economically, but militarily. "I like it, my only suggestion is that we add a clause about supporting the economies of each nation, this is part of the strength of the West. Other than that, I would sign both of these pages. I will have my aids copy this and forward this to the other delegations if you don't mind?" Romulus pulled out his cell phone and paged one of his many aids.

Hail Caesar!

OOC: I made some additions to the treaty, they are in bold. I'm not an economist, but I've done the best I could, so keep that in mind.

IC: Caesar Romulus did not take long to make the desired changes to the treaty before handing it over to Prince Vadim and the Tsar.

The Four Kingdom Alliance

We, the four kingdoms of Taifas, Christstan, Rome and Kievskaya Rus stand united in support of each other as nations of this world governed by the natural order and guided by the wisdom of those who either by birth or by the action of uniting an empire have inherited the human right to rule sovereignly in their own land.

We stand united in support of this alliance's signing monarchs; Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus, Emperor Fredrick von Weiger, Caesar Romulus Magnus and Tsar Pyotr Anton Sterovovich as the sole legitimate heads of state. We agree to support the regime of our fellow sole legitimate heads of state against any that would threaten their right to rule. We grant safe haven in the event of crisis, aid in the event of attack against our homelands, peaceful acceptance of reasonable expansionism and guaranteed recognition of the proper succession of each sole legitimate head of state's heir apparent.

We recognize The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah of The United Taifas, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus.

We recognize The Most Holy Empire of Christstan, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Emperor Fredrick von Weiger.

We recognize Imperium Romanum, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Caesar Romulus Magnus.

We recognize The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate heads of state: Tsar Pyotr Steravovich.

We agree that in the event of usurpation of the crown, forced abdication or deposition we maintain loyalty to the recognized sole legitimate heads of state as defined by this alliance.

We agree that each member of this alliance will grant support to the economies of our member nations, the extent of which may be determined by each member whether it be increased trade, lower tariffs on goods, limited free trade on certain goods or complete free trade.

We agree that in the event of war, terrorism, revolution, insurgence or any other time of need that we will support the sole legitimate head of state as defined by this alliance, upon their request, as a guest with guaranteed sanctuary and diplomatic immunity.

We agree to defend the self defined borders of each member of the alliance hostile nations or alliances. We agree to strike back with force against any hostile nation or alliance at the request of the sole legitimate head of state of any and all members of this alliance.

We agree to allow entry and movement of military craft, personnel and equipment belonging members of this alliance, with the exclusion of nuclear war heads. We agree to fully declare the purpose and destination and negotiate a detailed travel route for all military movement within the ground, air or ocean borders of a member of this alliance.

We agree that a peace treaty with the alliance is as good as a peace treaty with any member of this alliance. Attack from a hostile nation will not demand attack against allies of the hostile nation.

We agree that each member of this alliance hold a right to reasonable expansionism so long as it does not violate any treaty made by this alliance and is deemed by the alliance reasonably unlikely to provoke hostility towards other alliance members. We agree that members of this alliance will not be obligated to participate in another member of this alliance's expansionism.

We agree to support the legal succession of each sole legitimate head of states legal or chosen heir apparent. We agree to extend to them the same recognition, support and loyalty we gave to the sole legitimate head of state that proceeded them.

We here signed below, agree before each other and God agree to uphold that which is contained above.

Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus of The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah
Sign:_______________

Emperor Fredrick von Weiger of The Most Holy Empire of Christstan
Sign:_______________

Caesar Romulus Magus of Imperium Romanum
Sign:_______________

Tsar Pyotr Anton Steravovich of The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus
Sign:_______________

Page 2 (optional)

We agree to the sharing of military intelligence in all but the most classified of matters.

We agree to the sharing of military facilities; Ground Force, Air Force and Naval Force bases.

We agree to joint command of alliance member's military forces in all co-operative military operations and missions.

We agree to the free trade of military equipment with the exception of nuclear warheads and classified projects as well as anything that would violate the START II (STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty)

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Hail Caesar!

The prince was quiet and thoughtful for some time and then responded to Caesar.
"Well you majesty, we export processed materials, you export manufactured materials. There is great room for trade between Kievan Rus and Rome as well as the other potential members. However, these are things we need to work towards and this treaty needs to be about things we can stand by here and now. How about this economic agreement:

We agree that each member of this alliance will grant support to the economies of each other member nation. This includes; observing and participating trade embargoes and boycotts imposed by members of this alliance and objecting to and disregarding international embargoes and boycotts placed against member nations.

You're current amendment, with all due respect your majesty, doesn't hold or bind anyone to anything. All it says is that we will do something, and that something is undefined. There are many things we could, and I believe should, work towards: The standardization of national manufacturing and safety codes to allow Roman or Kievan products to be acceptable in either market for example. But let us complete for today something we can sign now, something that strengthens us now. Let's put together panel of delegates to work out a trade agreement for us, tomorrow even, but for today let's sign something that the world can read, comprehend and respect. If the rest of the world closes it's borders to Kiev we need your support to survive. If we are to stand strong against Quinntonia or Britain as they begin to station their forces on the European continent we need to unite now and not allow them to drive a wedge across Europe."

Tsar Pytor stood and walked over to Caesar.

"Well Romulus, I like it. I think you and I have done a pretty good job of putting together an alliance. I'd be the first to sign it if it made any difference. But in fact I must sign it quickly, I'm sorry that I can not stay longer to help ensure we have four signatures and not only two. However I must be back in Kiev for great and holy Thursday. You see, the Patriarch of the Church gets the most holy job of washing twelve selected priests feet as a symbol of humility and service. After that I'm having my own little party where twelve specially selected members of the Boyar Duma get the most blessed job of each washing my feet our of humility and service. It's a most excellent tradition, the first part is an ancient custom but the second part I started last year to show demonstrate to the princes and gafs the role of the Church versus that of the Tsar.
Anyway, I shall sign it before it is presented tomorrow in the conference and I'm leaving the Prince of Novgorod here until the end of the conference. I trust him to speak on my behalf and you can consider anything he says to have come directly from my own mouth."

With that he slapped Caesar on the shoulder and walked out of the room. Prince Vadim was acutally quite pleased with the situation. With the holy week of the orthodox church upon the world the Tsar would be wrapped up in public engagements and photo shoots. This gave him some time to once again regain control of the situation with the Baltic Federation. The Tsars method had definitely proven a point but this was a very delicate situation and if handled by the wrong man could go very very wrong. The prince spoke again to Caesar.

"Your majesty, I appreciate your thought to make this an oath before God. I had refrained from including it myself until I could have it properly worded by a priest but I am content to trust the Lord almighty will witness this accord and grant us to be loyal to it."

Caesar Romulus nodded, the change that the Prince suggested was adequate and accepted it readily. He agreed that it was necessary to have a treaty that could be signed now, so he was glad to have a treaty that could be circulated to the other two attendees. Romulus graciously wished the Tsar peace and a very blessed Easter. Once he left he turned to the Prince, "The vow before God was added under pressure from my bishop, who added the words himself. If you wish, we can get the article in question changed now, and we can sign it immediately and have it sent to the Portugal and Christstan delegation for their approval and signing.

"The conference will take a break for Easter and I invite you to the Notre Dame to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Mass. We will reconvene afterwards to discuss trade, but for now we will rest. I will also invite the Baltic delegation to make their case before the council. If you will excuse me, I will make the necessary arrangements."

Romulus gave the Prince a second to raise any objections before walking out and toward his office. He made the treaty ready and signed both pages before sending it across the Prince's desk for him to sign and then sent it to Sultan Saifullah and Emperor Wieger. This was the treaty that was sent to them:

The Four Kingdom Alliance

We, the four kingdoms of Taifas, Christstan, Rome and Kievskaya Rus stand united in support of each other as nations of this world governed by the natural order and guided by the wisdom of those who either by birth or by the action of uniting an empire have inherited the human right to rule sovereignly in their own land.

We stand united in support of this alliance's signing monarchs; Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus, Emperor Fredrick von Weiger, Caesar Romulus Magnus and Tsar Pyotr Anton Sterovovich as the sole legitimate heads of state. We agree to support the regime of our fellow sole legitimate heads of state against any that would threaten their right to rule. We grant safe haven in the event of crisis, aid in the event of attack against our homelands, peaceful acceptance of reasonable expansionism and guaranteed recognition of the proper succession of each sole legitimate head of state's heir apparent.

We recognize The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah of The United Taifas, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus.

We recognize The Most Holy Empire of Christstan, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Emperor Fredrick von Weiger.

We recognize Imperium Romanum, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate head of state: Caesar Romulus Magnus.

We recognize The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus, its current self defined borders and its sole legitimate heads of state: Tsar Pyotr Steravovich.

We agree that in the event of usurpation of the crown, forced abdication or deposition we maintain loyalty to the recognized sole legitimate heads of state as defined by this alliance.

We agree that each member of this alliance will grant support to the economies of each other member nation. This includes; observing and participating trade embargoes and boycotts imposed by members of this alliance and objecting to and disregarding international embargoes and boycotts placed against member nations.

We agree that in the event of war, terrorism, revolution, insurgence or any other time of need that we will support the sole legitimate head of state as defined by this alliance, upon their request, as a guest with guaranteed sanctuary and diplomatic immunity.

We agree to defend the self defined borders of each member of the alliance hostile nations or alliances. We agree to strike back with force against any hostile nation or alliance at the request of the sole legitimate head of state of any and all members of this alliance.

We agree to allow entry and movement of military craft, personnel and equipment belonging members of this alliance, with the exclusion of nuclear war heads. We agree to fully declare the purpose and destination and negotiate a detailed travel route for all military movement within the ground, air or ocean borders of a member of this alliance.

We agree that a peace treaty with the alliance is as good as a peace treaty with any member of this alliance. Attack from a hostile nation will not demand attack against allies of the hostile nation.

We agree that each member of this alliance hold a right to reasonable expansionism so long as it does not violate any treaty made by this alliance and is deemed by the alliance reasonably unlikely to provoke hostility towards other alliance members. We agree that members of this alliance will not be obligated to participate in another member of this alliance's expansionism.

We agree to support the legal succession of each sole legitimate head of states legal or chosen heir apparent. We agree to extend to them the same recognition, support and loyalty we gave to the sole legitimate head of state that proceeded them.

We here signed below, agree before each other and God agree to uphold that which is contained above.

Sultan Abu Saifullah Abdulhadi Wafi ibn Sabur al'Andalus of The Tawa'if Al'Muttahidah
Sign:_______________

Emperor Fredrick von Weiger of The Most Holy Empire of Christstan
Sign:_______________

Caesar Romulus Magus of Imperium Romanum
Sign:_Caesar R. Magnus

Tsar Pyotr Anton Steravovich of The Holy Empire of Kievskaya Rus
Sign:_______________

Page 2 (optional)

We agree to the sharing of military intelligence in all but the most classified of matters.

We agree to the sharing of military facilities; Ground Force, Air Force and Naval Force bases.

We agree to joint command of alliance member's military forces in all co-operative military operations and missions.

We agree to the free trade of military equipment with the exception of nuclear warheads and classified projects as well as anything that would violate the START II (STrategic Arms Reduction Treaty)

Sign:_Caesar R. Magnus

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

Sign:_______________

A communique was also sent to the Baltics, inviting them to plead their case on Easter Monday. If they so wished, they could come for holy week and celebrate Easter as the Caesar's personal guests.

Hail Caesar!

The acceptance of the Baltic Federation's request was great news, Volterov was too busy in Bermuda, but sent foreign secretary Tomas Mistrikova to Rome, fortunately Mistrikova was a Christian and so having him join the easter celebrations would not be a problem.

A gracious thank-you message was sent to Rome to help try to win them over. They knew Rome was close to Kiev, and so they knew that nothing too strong could be said.

Mistrikova and his wife immediately set out to Rome, this excited him immensely, not only would he be able to do help end the crisis, he was to be the private guest of Caesar. He had brought some family research he had done, linking himself to the Balakarassian monarchy which had been so powerful in the 15th century, although it was a bit sketchy, he hoped this would help to earn him the respect of Romulus. This would surely be useful in the future, even though Tomas had no intention of instating a monarchy over the Baltic Federation.