The Alliance ship had passed beneath the gate that led it into Oceansrock's harbour.From where he was prince Alexander could see the crew members strain tugging at ropes as thick as a mans' arm and knotting them into place, it was good to know that the Alliance was coming to to the capital, prince alexander had secretly harboured doubts tha tthis Dont issue was going to cost Aznavor an ally. He had noticed from the shore that Duke Kollin was arriving with a companion,no doubt his wife. He would have to have to ensure that the blonde beauty that was supposed to find her way into the Duke's bed after the greeting feast would find a different warm bed that cold night. His own might do nicely and he was a generous prince willing to come to the aide of a young woman in need during these cold winter months.
The plans had been laid out, a carpet with rose petals lining the way from the harbour to the Castle where a hundred cooks were putting the finishng touches on the feast. Honey glazed pork could be smelt from here down by the docks and the people of the otwn were looing forward to the fwast too for they knew that all unfisnished food would be shared among the citiens of the capital afterwards instead of letting it rot. With the welcome ceremony ready and the ministers all summoned back to the capital for the meeting the Prince needed only wait for the Duke and his wife to step-off their ship.
The Duke stepped off the ship along with his wife. As he did so, he noticed that even though Azvanor was more to the north than Grudden, the weather was far more pleasant. The smell of sea salt and the cool breeze from the seas filled his nostrils. This wasn't something he was acustomed to. The thick forest of the alliance lands had a different composition of 'air' that the duke was familiar with. The wind of this place seemed lighter and more welcoming, unlike the harsh breeze and the unforgiving blizzard storms that battered the mountain duchies. The duke looked at his wife, who was looking over the horizon. The lady who was almost as old as him, only younger by a few months, stared off and had her thoughts aloft. The duke slid his arm underneath hers and grabbed her attention. When she looked at him, he nudge his head at the welcoming party approuching them. The two stepped out of the way as the crew men unboarded several supplies and good that were for trade. It was common practice, even for ships of nobilities, to transport both passengers and goods. A young man approuched the duke and the duchess. He had many royal symbols on him, displayed throughout his clothing, most of which the duke was not familiar off. Some of them he did recognize, from Martin the Azvanorian ambassador. He shook the man's hand and introduced himself.
"I'am Duke Ferras Kollin II, Duke of Grudden and head of the Alliance of the Four Duchies. This is my wife, Duchess Alanna Kollin. Who might we be speaking to?"
"Welcome my Lord,my Lady." The prince smiled and did a small curteou bow "It is a pleasure to welcome you to Oceansrock. I am Prince Alexander, my father has sent me to escort you personally to the castle whilst he oversees the final touches personally. I hope your voyage was restful. The North sea can be treacherous in winter " said the prince as he led his two guests to the freshly painted carriage that would carry them up from the harbour to the castle.
"Escort! Mount Up!" called the Prince and within seconds the seventy five men who had come with him to to the harbour were all ahorse and were forming a protective formation around the carriage. This was essentially a formality, there would be no attacks on the foreign lords, for the Alliance was a friend of Aznavor and her people. A few moments later the escort began moving and the carriage began its journey up the cobbled streets to the Castle.
As they made their way to the castle, Duke Kollin II observed the coble streets, the stone brick houses and the people passing by. The places wasn't very different from Norfolkke. In fact if it wasn't for the high stone walls that sorrounded the town and the castle on the rocks, we would have confused it with his home town. Light snow was beginning to build up on the streets and on the rooves of the city. The duke let his thoughts wonder and he was again and he was again alone with his mind. Duchess Alanna however, took the opportunity to have a chat with the young prince.
"So tell me Prince Alexander, if you don't mind me asking, how old are might you be? You seem the same age as one of my daughters. You aren't married, aren't you? My daughter Hilda would seem the perfect match for a young man as good looking as yourself."
Prince Alexander was taken aback surprised by the boldness of the southerners and by tyhe compliment. He was known to be more handsome than many young men his age but he did not exactly bask in Altaiya's light either. At 180cm he was slighltly taller than his father. He shared his fathers same dark brown hair but had inherited his mothers' green eyes.
Alexander smiled,
"I'm 21 as of a few weeks yiur grace. My lady is correct I am as of yet still a Bachelor, much to my mothers' despair.I have been formally introduced to many a young lady though my father has always had the final say in the matter. If you should seek progress in thisregard he is the one you must speak to though I must confess to being intrigued by such an idea, you must tell me more of your daughter.
The duchess was delighted that the prince would want to hear more of her daughter. Finding suitors for her daughters became her first priority ever since her daughters grew of age. They were always more obssesed with living with their granduirous lives then settling down. The duchess knew that their extravegent living would not be sustained if they did not find hsbands to settle with. Duke Kollin II picked up on the conversation and decided to join in.
"I see you two are talking about Hilda. Well Prince Duloire, You will never meet such a maiden as fair as my daughter."
Hilda held her head low. She keep her sight towards the ground but occasionally would sneak peaks at the young prince. She knew that the prince would be weary of her and her advances. She knows that either Martin or somebody else must have told him and his father about the reputation of her and her sisters. There was even an old joke passed on by the other people of the alliance that the women of Grudden's appetite for the pleasures of the flesh are stronger than any man left without his mate.
The duke and duchess and the prince continued to talk, mostly about Hilda, as they made their way to the castle.
When the party reached the castle gate King Philip stood upon the drawbridge ready to meet his foreign guests witha broad smile and open arms.
"Father,mother, brother; may I introduce the noble Duke Kollin and Duchess Alanna of Grudden and their radiant daughter Hilda". They have had a long sea journey and have had to endure my company during the climb so I now entrust our guests to your care."
King Phillip led his guests into his clifftop home pausing at every opportunity to show a different view of the city or the sea from one of the castles balconies or gardens. Eventually after showing them the whole castle King Philip announced "As it is getting late it might be best if if you returned to your rooms for freshening up.I hope they will be to your satisfaction.
These will be your rooms, Duke Kollin and Duchess Allanna I have set you up in the room that was formerly my parents'. It has a balcony overlooking the sea and and adjoining room where a bathtub has been fitted. Should you requre warm water do not hesistate t address any passing servant and he or she wil have it seen to. Milady Hilda, you are being put up in my daughters' room for the duration of your stay.Celena is unfortunately not with us at present as she is visiting her aunt in the weterlands. We await your company at dinner in two hours. Tommorrow out work can begin in earnest if your ladyship will be willing to allow me to part you from your husband for a few hours. I have arranged an escort to take the ladies to the Sweetwater Warm springs to the east and to visit the royal stables in the afternoon. In the evening,however, I hope to celebrate our successful meeting with a grand ball in the palace. Now I must leave you get prepared."
"That sounds truly excelent, thank you King Duloire. We are truly blessed to have such a humble host." Duchess Alanna thanked the king and she and her daughter did a curtsey as the king left while the duke bowed. The alliance Dukes may be the only national leaders of royalty to bow before their host. It was an old custom kept from the time that the duchies were under the rule of the Sofon Dominion. It was kept as a sign of respect for the generousity given to them.
That night everything turned out exactly as the Duloire family had intended, the court jester and some hired magicians performed throughout the meal which was itself a success.
A smll troupe of actors kept them entertained after the meal performing the tale of Lyanna and Robert. That night, with bellies full of Aznavori wines and rich foods, having been entertained all parties involved,knowing that a big day of diplomacy was lined up, slept well, except for lady Hilda and Prince Alexander who that very night paid her a visit that they would both remember fondly. When the prince left the company of lady Hilda, some three hours later, he knew that Ambassador martin had told the truth about the daughters of Duke Kollin.
The next day, with almost everyone seeming well rested, the women of both families dissapear on their days plnned journey in the company of the Master of Horse, the Castellan and two dozen royal guards.
"Now at last the days work can begin!" Announced King Phillip to his guest and to his sons whom he had both asked to join in him the negotiations so that they might learn an important lesson in Diplomacy and political strategy. Yesterday's banquet table had been cleared and instead of cups and plates of food, maps of both the new world and the old covered the table. Phillip gestured for the Duke to take a seat next to him. "Let us work well and let us work fast because I have promised our ladies a ball this evening and if its late I wont hear the end of it for weeks!"
"Yes yes, very well. Hilda seemed to be very eager to attend as well." The Duke paused, turned his attention towards Prince Alexander and gave a sly smile. "I could only wonder why."
A modest man might have turned bright red at this but Prince Alexander was not such a man. He smirked, acknowledging the comment with a smile. It amused him that Hildas parents had heard them. He was glad that he had not been approach by lady Alanna,however, it would have been harder to brush off such a comment from a mother. Fortunatwly King Philip had already buried his head in the maps and was oblivious to the verbal joustign that waas going on between his eldest son and his southern friend.
''I suggest we begin with the issue of Dont, as you must be aware Aznavor has decided to remove Otto and his Nacer regime from power. Aznavor could not tolerate a threat to our borders who dared threaten my people. I have met Robert the Freedman who has given assurances that the new republic of Dont led by his Workers Party will remain Aznavors' truest friend and ally.Naturally this means friendship to the Alliance of four duchies for as long as they remain allies with Aznavor. However, I'm a little concerned by the notion of our friends settign up thier government in such precarious times. I beleive that speed is of the essence, if we are to ensure our friends return to the mines and to the field in time for the spring sowing season we must ensure that the conflict ends quickly. It is in neither of our interests to have a nation that is already in debt miss a years' harvests. I was hoping you might be able to speed things along by persuading the remaining politicans to surrender. I imagine the mob might be satisfied by the deaths of only some of those who are currently holding out. The others, the more junior government officials might be allowed to flee east into exile in the Empire of Konzia or the ummm... state of Lascaux? Therefore I would ask your help in securing our eastern borders by ending your support for the government and by encouraging those who remain to surrender. what say you?''
"Let me make it perfectly clear to you, your majesty, that do not support Von Kliebb but neither do we condemn him at the moment. He is more of a trade partner, albiet a very unrealiable one. This financial recession that has hit us will only make him more unrealiable and seeing as his nation is doing poorly economically, I can only guess what the outcome of this events will involve." The Duke stared at the map, looking intensely at the border between Dont and Nollin. "Of course I could not let my men march back in during the winter. The mountain blizzards would the alliance lands would tear the flesh from their bones. As soon as spring arrives, expect them to march back home, to Von Kliebbs liking or not. I cannot pursuade any of their government figures to stand down although. Like many of the parliament members of my nation and those of the other duchies, they are hard-headed and stubborn. I will try if the situation does become dire but I doubt they would listen. After all they do not answer to the alliance anymore, they have their own lives and I doubt they would give up their wealth just because of my word. Please continue good sir."
''In addition there is also the issue of the New World. I must admit I am rather surprised that your colleagues and you have not decided to invest in a colonial expedition yet. Whilst we have made friends with the native Empire I was hoping on having some old World allies near to us on the continent. Do you have any such plans in mind?''
"My colleagues, and I must admit, I too are still a bit indifferent about Aventia. You see, even though many reports of many tales that woulds interest many other men, we of the alliance take far more to be convinced. Having spent our nation's lifetimes hiding in our mountain fortresses have filled much of the duchies public with fear of the outside. That is why we do not venture far from our homes. I suppose the time to change our attitude towards adventorous paths is now but the old duke Hemmlar would take some more convincing before we could do any other expedition."
King phillip sighed, not altogether surprised, for four dukedoms were reknowned for their isolation. He supposed the need for partners in Aventia was not urgent as there were not immediate threats to Aznavors' colonies. He continued
''Finally I must ask you of your intentions regarding the conflict between Bennipolis and the kingdom of Teheridon, I imagine you have heard that the faction being aggressed is my ally . Bennipolis is also massively outnumbered by the invasion force and I cannot allow them to succomb to your southern neighbours.''
"Ahh yes, Bennipolis." The duke now focused his sight at the southern end of Edorinas. Bennipolis, the city-state that expanded its power to its neighboring lands. It reminded him of the tales of old, when the dominion from east swept up the warring tribes and held them under its iron fist. 'Would Bennipolis succumb to the same fate the Sofon dominion did so many years ago' the duke wondered. "The alliance is not one to intervene with the troubles of others unless there is profit involved. Although, If Teheridon does succeed in topling it's neighbor, I could only fear where it would set its eyes next. With a very generous neighbor providing them with their arms, I suppose they would crave up the alliance as soon as they are done with the Bennipolians. Altaiya help us if they do start an invasion." The duke paused and placed his hand on his face. He slowly brushed his trimmed moustash and beard. "We of the alliance would watch what happens with our southern neighbors. If they do start an invasion against the Bennipolians, we would have to intervene, one way or another."
The duke took asked for anything to drink from one of the servants behind them. When asked what he prefered, the duke asked for wine. As he waited for his drink, Kollin tried to spark a casual conversation with the King. The four duchies has always been close friends of the Azvanor, ever since they freed themselves from the dominion. In fact the first priest to preach in alliance lands were from Azvanor. In spite of this however, there had only been few instances where the leaders of their nations ever met. Alliance men tended to stay to themselves, not wanting to deal with the troubles of its neighbors. Perhaps things could and should change now, as being isolated from the world would not benefit them.
"Now that we have concluded some of the finer points of our negotiations, I feel that I must ask, is Prince Alexander married? My daughter Hilda is almost the same age as he is. A union between our great houses would stregthen our ties, don't you think your majesty?"
Prince Alexander turned to his father curious to see his reaction. The proposed match pleased him, Hilda was beautiful and generous. He would be proud to show her off to his friends. Unfortunately his father had other plans.
''No,not yet married, yet, as of this morning.he is betrothed. It is regrettable that such an arrangement would not work although I'm sure that Dominic here would not oppose such a match. He is even of a closer age to your daughter. Dominic may be the younger son but I've always found him to be the more dutiful of my sons until Alexander proves otherwise'' he said looking straight at his heir. What do you think of Duke Kollin's offer Dominic?''
''I. I... I would be honnoured your grace. From what I've seen of your daughter she is truly beautiful and I could wish for no better opportunity to serve my family.'' replied the young prince, clearly put on the spot and demonstrating that he did not share his brothers' natural confidence.
''Well then, it is agreed. Unless my lord of Grudden has anything to say?'' added the king happy before drinking a deep cup of the same wine his guest had enjoyed. He made a note to have a couple of bottles of this vintage hidden on the Duke's barge as a parting gift.
"This is truly a most joyous union, a can only wish the couple the best." Duke Kollin II remarked. The duke could hardly care about which of the king's son his daughter married, as long as they were royalty. 'Hilda would drain this boy the minute they get married.' the duke thought to himself. The young lad was getting into waters he would regret.
''In that case I'm glad we've been so successful, and I look forward to closer ties and more regular meetings between our families. ''
Wollemburg, NollinDuke Ollisius stood at the border between Nollin and Dont. Behind him was a carriage and a several of his armed guards. Across him were several hundreds of Dont soldiers, clearly angry at him and they seemed to have a very unsteady trigger finger. He nodded at a man next to him who in turn whistled to several other men behind him. They drove the carriage across the border and stopped in front of several Dont soldiers. The soldiers looked inside the carriage to find Otto Von Klieeb cursing at them and the alliance. The soldiers closed the door and took Von Kliebb away. The men then sent the other carriage they have across the border, inside was a very tired and frustrated dictator who was still confused about what was happening. When the carriage got to the other side, Duke Ollisius opened the door and rode inside, much to Lipeche's surprise.
"Commander Lipeche, I presume your trip was a pleasant one?" The duke asked.
"I presume you and the other lords organized this '
rescue of me and my men." Lipeche II asked back.
"Indeed we did my dear commander, indeed we did. You seem displeased with this." Duke Ollisius answered.
"I could have held the capital if you would have accepted my request for an army to relieve the attack. The Dont rebels were disorganized, they were weak, they were..."
"Enough Lipeche." Duke Ollisius interrupted him. "I'am confident that you would have held Dont and you would have won if the suffice men and equipment were given but we need our armies and our equipment elsewhere."
"That would be where?"
"Warrus or to be more precise, the southern most edge of Warrus. You see Lipeche, we see another opportunity to the south. The Terheridonians are invading the Bennipolians to the south. They've left most of their northern expanses of their lands open for the taking. That is where we need our army."
"The last reports on mine about Terheridon is that they were being supplied by Valm. Can we expect any sort of trouble from them?"
"They are suppliers of arms and like most merchants, they will not intervene with matters unless it should affect them."
"It would affect them, they would loss their most trusted purchaser."
"We would take their place of course as we have plenty of steel but no where to forge them. We could strike a deal with them, one they could and would not refuse."
"Very well then." The dictator said, convinced of the alliance's new plan. "How many do I have under my command and when will we mobilize?"
"Excellent question. You have 20,000 men under your command, half of which would be taken from the Dont loyalist soldiers who are escaping into our lands. They will be re-armed and re-equipped. We are now purchasing cannons from our Azvanor. How many we can expect from them is anybody's guess. If all go smoothly, we can expect the assault to begin by summer or sooner."
The commander looked down at the floor of the carriage, deep in thought. He then looked up at the duke who was smiling at him.
"You will have the honor of leading this charge Lipeche, Imagine the glory to be had from this."
'Yes.' the commander thought to himself. 'Imagine the glory and prestige this would bring.'
The alliance have agreed to the demands of President Freedman and have sent Otto Von Kliebb back to Dont to face trials for his actions. The alliance have also sent messages discreetly to loyalist forces to surrender and submit to the proper authorities. The 20,000 loyalist soldiers who refuse to surrender are now being invited to enter the alliance if they swear fealty to the alliance. Those who do are now being re-armed and retrained. The Alliance soldiers who are now returning home are now being reassigned to post in positions south of Grudden where they could easily march to Warrus.
To King Phillip Duloire, Great lord of Azvanor,
I am delighted to write to you good sir after our most pleasant time together. I, Duchess Alanna and Lady Hilda are still very appreciative of the generosity you have given us. If there is ever anything we could do to assist you, you're family or your kingdom, we shall do our best to oblige. Now I shall propose to you a business proposition that would interest you and benefit us both. The alliance has a lot of iron ore and charcoal that we do not have any place to smelt and forge into armaments we need. Perhaps your nation could provide us a solution to this dilemma. A propose that we would send your metal workers the our ores so that they may make them into steel and forge them into the arms that we need. We could both tax the workers and you could keep some of the steel yourself as payment on our behalf. We hope you agree to this very profitable venture,
May Altaiya watch over you, your family and your people and may she bless you with good fate and luck.
Duke Ferras Kollin II.
Tortoise,
esqueleto,
Thayr,
Bartimaeus,
Little Bill