Kingdom of the Red Dragon
Nicoli Vacialtali, the Dracos Inqiusitos was stuck dancing with some rich daughter who's father hoped to gain power through her. As the music died down again he made his excuses and left to sit back, he liked women and he liked dancing but, he didn't like dancing with most women. They were always after money, power or both. There was never anyone good enough for him, the Dracos Inquisitos of the richest land on the southern continent and likely the north one too. His family had been running the land for three hundred years and here he was, dancing with the daughters of mere merchants. Admittedly that was better then he had expected to be some years prior when his older brother was lined up for the throne, when the best he could hope for was a mere merchants daughter. Then the day came, his father died and the council had to vote on their new Inquisitos, Nicoli knew then he had a small chance for his brother was taught in finances while he was taught in the arts of war and the north was becoming increasingly likely to invade the south. He knew then that some on the council would be looking for someone to bring them military security rather then the economic prosperity they already had but he was shocked then he was voted in at an eighty percent majority.
He walked up to the large seat that was at the end of the hall and sat down, wearily. The seat was not a throne as such, since they had no 'king' but that was still the purpose it served as the ornate carvings, engravings and other such finery that adorned it stated proudly that this was a seat of power. It was only moments before he was joined by Lucius Medici, the official diplomat of the Kingdom and, unofficially, its spymaster. "Dracossss....." he started, trailing off as he remembered Nicoli's recent rant about being called Dracos by his inner circle, "sorry. Nicoli, I want you to know I have sent for dispatches for new trading partners and, more importantly, allies among the northern nations, perticularly the ones who have recently grown and are likely looking for new sources of power and trade."
"However?" Nicoli responded knowingly to which he got a pained look from Lucius.
"How. Ever. Your idea of looking at the feasibility of arming the locals has been met with some opposition among some in the council and... apparently some of the possible allies don't like the idea of trade tariffs."
"Then he look at offering them reduced trade tariff between us or perhaps even negating trade tariff between us and our more trustworthy allies all together." He added looking dismissively at an approaching lady.
Lucius looked up at the Dracos Inquisitos and took a deep breath, "You know as well as I do the council will not like that, but.. well I shall speak with Giuseppe about such ideas and how we can supplement the loss of income." He said, bowing as he left.
"Income we dont exactly need" he muttered with a chuckle before Lucius's brother, Flavius, aproached determindly. Flavius was a man with whom the Dracos got along well with for they both had military mindsets and their families have ad a long history of alliances, thus why Lucius is trusted with many of the Kingdoms secrets.
"Ahh, I see your not with some woman or other tonight, no guild masters or major merchants wanting to marry into your lineage today?" he chuckled, knowing that Nicoli didn't enjoy such things "Regardless, I am here on business, a shipment of AA guns and some more of those Gatling turrets you want fixed onto the walls."
"Thank you Flavius, I appreciate the escape from all this.. politics" he said with a smile "Can you get your men out to test the Gatling things and to see if they need training with the AA Gun." he then went out to observe, four guards falling in step behind him and three more, one with the Kingdoms flag on a standard taking place in the center. This was normal practice for the Dracos Inquisitos when he is moving throughout the city. As he left the sanctuary of the upper levels of the mighty floating city and force of nine men in a three by three formation took place in front of him and another to the rear. This was to keep him safe from the common populace of the city with whom he is not the most popular, since he sees the locals as equal trade partners to those in the north and seems to be too distant from the people, always playing with his guns and not so focused on the trading of the kingdom like his predecessors. Because of this there are some in the city who would actively act against him, even if most don't care for the actions of the upper classes for there will always be the few with the illusion that they, with their lack of power and nobility, can make a difference to the world.