The empress was delighted to receive the bottle, she was of course not the one to receive it. As she was the empress one of her servants retrieved the bottle from the Ialao and served the empress a glass. Even if she was once a warrior of renown, she was a lady. She sipped the whiskey and it seemed to put a smile on her face. She looked down into the glass as she gathered her words for the captain. "Well it was ages ago now, when my father and Empress Shanalotte were on speaking terms. I remember I was instructed to attend the Princess Anne Ball with my father and I was to be the debutante of the evening. My father was obviously interested in having me find a suitable husband, someone that could give me a child to continue the Grenheim family. I remember that night was a blur, I rather foolishly drank far too much champagne. So I cannot recall much but I do remember father being cross about something as we went home. We did not stay on Bezembay that night, we caught the last ship for Dernby. I do not know why my father was so upset, but after it became apparent to me that he and the empress - once good friends - were no longer on speaking terms." She paused to sip the whiskey. "We did not attend the next two balls, which suited me just fine. But it was on a trip to Arlington, I recall clear as day, I had just thrashed the Lord Whitby in a duel of blades and as I swaggered off to the river to rest I see this twig looking fellow on the other bank, he was playing the violin and walking through the reeds. I thought him weak at first, but as I listened to the music it entranced me. The soft silvery notes that echoed across the river that evening. I changed my mind and thought the boy handsome by the end, but I think I frightened him for as soon as he saw me he ran up the nearest hill like his tail was on fire." She laughed, "I remember it to this day... that scared look. So I had to take it upon myself to hunt the boy down and apologise to him. I swam across the river and found him sitting under a white tree. He was out of breath and I think he nearly died of fright when he saw me! I explained everything to him and we laughed. I sat next to him and he offered me a coat for warmth. We talked for hours before I learned he was the prince-imperial himself. I left that encounter smitten with him. I never turned back after that day, the boy I found by the river was my soulmate. Of course father didn't take it well, being Empress meant I could not give him his Grenheim heir. The house will die but I made my commitment to him," her eyes moved across the table. "That one was the one for me. And if that means I must forsake my own house then so be it." She sighed and finished her whiskey, "but Moon preserve me, I love him."
As her next glass was poured she shrugged a little, "I duel when I can. But it is not very courtly for the Empress to duel. I believe if I needed to my blade could still save me. But I fear this will not always be the case, my spirit will always be that of a warrior but alas times are different now." She smiled to the captain. “But tell me now, since you have heard my past. How is it a man such as yourself came to be the captain of the Rangian? I know the position is quite competitive. I recall all Taurus who join the guard are under the strictest scrutiny.”
Martin smiled and raised a glass to Zenos. "And I will erect for your Consul a dazzling building in Aeldwon Downs." The neighbourhood of Bezembay surrounding the palace, it was where many diplomatic buildings were as well as the homes of said diplomats and high profile politicians within the empire. It was a highly exclusive neighbourhood because of that. Martin was then pulled aside by the Lord Chamberlain who whispered something in his ear. Martin nodded and turned back to Zenos. "Aah, I have also been informed. The empire is also willing to take our relationship, as it were, a step further." Martin spoke more quietly, making the conversation more intimate and private. "The empire wishes to send a military attaché to Minos and for a Zantinian one to come to Huron." Martin now however spoke less confidently, though he still wore his enthusiasm of friendship. "There is much our empires can learn from one another, as I am told." Zenos noticed the eyes of several Bezannian dignitaries drawn to the conversation now. Likely guessing and anticipating the outcome of the conversation.
As the evening ended, the Bezannians were taken to their places to stay for the rest of their stay on Instabull. And as the time came to leave, the Zantines bid their guests farewell. Zenos took the time to make his own preparations for the future events, calling up some individuals he would have need of in the coming times. The rumors were peculiar to Zenos, and he did hope that this was just an overblown reaction to gained maturity. He supposed, in the end, he'd find out for himself when he got to Bezembay if these rumored changes were anything particularly odd. He would prepare himself, although he wasn't all too worried. The primary concern to him, for now, was whether these changes may cause any issue in creating a beneficial relationship.
When the time came, he had already prepared the necessary personnel he would need to bring with him for this more secretive meeting. While his guard compliment came with him in full, on Brackson's insistence after seeing the rumors and deciding to err on the side of caution, other precautions were made. Other Rangians were rotated from other posts to Instabull, to make it seem that the number of the imperial household guards on the Imperial Capital hadn't decreased and thus maintain the veil of secrecy that could otherwise be broken by the noticeable absence of the Emperor's own guards. It was much easier to hide the other various individuals Zenos was bringing along, as these various attendants, advisors, and other such individuals were far less likely to be noticed than the far more distinctive Rangian Vanguard. There was no need for unnecessary servants, Zenos would only bring along those he felt truly necessary for a diplomatic mission and his guards, as well as a few others. But in general it was certainly a smaller and more informal retinue he was bringing with him than he would on most official business. All the better to keep anybody from paying much heed to it.
As the transport vessel neared Bezembay, Zenos contemplated. He looked over to Brackson, who was quietly inspecting a gauntlet for any blemishes, "Say, Bracks, what do you make of the rumors that have been passed along? Think it's just noble gossip and white noise?" The Taurus shrugged, "Hard to say, Zen. Most contradict, few create any sort of consistent narrative. Idle chatter. But what got me is the amount of reports, too many to mean nothing at all is going on. Keep an eye open in case calm lover boy Martin has had a shift, and if he has just go along with it. Not the time to pry. Don't get yourself worked up with the crazier possibilities, those are for me to handle. You just finish getting ready." With that, the Lord-Captain placed his hand within the gauntlet, stretching his fingers for a moment. Then Brackson used those fingers to point down at Zenos's feet, "And you're stepping on your cape again. You need to break that habit, one day I won't notice and you'll ruin it!" As the Emperor finished his preparations, and lifted his foot off his cape as his guard captain smirked, the transport was coming in to land.
In keeping with the lack of a formal reception, the Emperor's departure from his vessel was far more tame than his usual dramatic entrances. Both from the lack of desire to draw attention and the fact the Emperor did not want to put on some display for a friendly meeting. The guards and the officials filed out, with the only exception being the handful of guards assigned to watch the ship and make sure nothing went wrong with it. The Emperor followed soon after, still in imperial regalia but not quite as extravagant as at the formal dinner of months prior. The officials and guards mostly went to make preparations to transfer from the ship the various luggage and baggage, while the Emperor looked for whatever welcoming party awaited them, with only Brackson and a handful of others staying with the Emperor. Including one human woman in Zantine Military regalia.
Martin seemed pleased by the emperor's speech. The other members of the privy council were also engaged in the talk, though it seemed they were mostly there to support Martin. Richard nodded carefully to the princess and listened to her introduction. As a whole the room seemed to enjoy the words that were being said. Martin spoke again, "excellent. Hard times are coming and we all know it. This... corridor authority, it does not have the power to maintain any kind of control over the more troublesome regions of the Bezannian-Tordelian border. It was all a stunt, performed by a princess seeking attention. The Ghashear are on the edge of that precipice, they have remained stuck in their ways too long. I think we all see it plain as a field under moonlight. This was a gamble for them, a powerplay to exert their muscles. They are showing the rest of us they still think we're subject to their dominion. For now we must play the game but there will come a time when their will shall not move nations like it used to. The time of antiquated empires is over. Newer empires must rise to retain the crowns. And we must capitalise while the chance is fresh." Martin nodded, "My cousin is the head of a cadet branch of the House of Goodcastle. Her family recently acquired human family through an adoption of a soon to be extinct house. I wish for my new adopted human cousins to be married into Zantine. Hurvecht and humans cannot produce heirs but this way our empires can begin the process of intermarrying. I wish for it to be so." Martin finished his long thought and waited for Zenos' reply.
The Lord Marshal and Steward each chimed in with similar beliefs, "Having a member of both imperial houses produce an heir would be critical for our friendship." The Lord Steward said. "We know that the adopted son of a nephew of the emperor's cousin is perhaps not the ideal candidate for marriage but it is the best we could arrange for given the special differences between our empires." The Lord Marshal added.
On the other side of the room, the woman in white seemed to furrow her eyebrows into a scowl upon being forced to look away from Zenos. She glared in Brackson's direction but her expression changed quickly as she took in the captain's appearance. Almost as if she was expecting someone else. Her expression turned quizzical but she did not say anything. Finally she opened her mouth to speak and gave a soft whispered tone that was silvery and gentle. "I must return to my work. Please afford me my duties." She said and returned her gaze to Zenos.
Zenos had to rub the back of his head as this topic came up. The corridor authority was a touchy subject, between the Union and the Ghashyr and it was one he didn't like. The problem was that the 'princess seeking attention', was his daughter. One who had distinctly over extended herself, and he had to deal with that fact she was indeed seeking attention. After a moment of silence at the awkwardness, Zenos spoke up to address this, "Yes the corridor authority was a rather sudden and undesired change, facilitated by the Ghashyr and the Iammelonian Union. I don't expect it to hold very long, given the troublesome region it inhabits. And I do have to add my personal apologies for that entire stunt occurring at all. It is a matter that require rectification, but the stunt was performed not by the princess. She was merely pushed along to present an idea that was in reality birthed by forces within the Talmyrox and the Iammelonian Union, to take advantage of the troublesome border. We will have to move to solve this issue, and you can rest assured that I will do what I can from within Iammelon to handle that authority. As for the princess seeking attention, she got plenty, and that matter will be handled internally. No similar stunts will occur again."
He decided to leave that subject alone for now as it was a bit awkward for him, but the next topic was an interesting one. Zenos put a hand to his chin in thought before speaking, "It is indeed true that Human and Hurvecht cannot create children, just as Human and Taurus cannot or Ialao and Drelakini cannot. A reality of biology that has made marriage alliances troublesome. However this development of adoption is an interesting one, and perhaps useful. While I am of course married myself, I am not insulted by the offering of a adopted son. While those who are adopted cannot become Emperors in the Zantine Empire by tradition, my people see no issue with the prospect of adoption, including of a different species. It is legitimate, as far as I am concerned. The Lasacris line has many branches as well, and I even have unmarried siblings. Ragnia here for instance." He gestured to his younger sister, who gave the Emperor a glare for offering up that bit of information but did nod in affirmation. Although it was fairly clear she was not a fan of the subtle offering up. Zenos continued, "Your adoptive couns, Emperor Martin, will find a match with us, and we can tie our Empires closer together through such a bond. Though I am not too big on arranged marriages between people who know too little of eachother. I'd like to meet the prospect if at all possible."
Brackson had to admit this Meascthan was an odd one, wondering who exactly she was expecting to intervene here. Perhaps one of the Bezi guards? Still, the fact her gaze returned to Zenos meant he couldn't really leave this one alone. Not without knowing more of what exactly was going on here at least. So he leaned down a bit and spoke in a quieter tone, effectively whispering back to her in a still stern voice, "I'd like to, but you are currently keeping a bit too close of an eye on the subject of my duty. So your work is bumping up into mine, and my duty requires that I know why." He glanced back to Zenos really quick just in case something was off, as he really did not like this situation, before returning his gaze to the strange woman.
Martin knew of the emperor's relation of course, he was not ignorant of such details. However it was an issue he felt that he needed to bring up regardless, perhaps to pressure Zenos into an response. When Zenos was answering he swore he could see Martin containing a smile, though he could have misinterpreted the Hurvecht's facial movements. Regardless Martin moved on and was pleased with his reponse regarding the human cousin. "Good, we must arrange some meetings. It is important to me that our empires finally create some blood bonds." The emperor nodded and seemed to move on.
The woman let out a soft sigh, before she suddenly stood to attention. Martin stood and looked to the room. "Zenos and I require privacy. Out." Martin announced. The doors opened to a small music room adjacent to the meeting room and everyone began to file out, even the guards. It seemed there was to be some words that Martin wished to share with Zenos in private. The white clad woman walked out of the room and turned to see if Brackson followed. She waited in a corner for him while everyone else went to get drinks and mingle with the zantinians.
"I am a student of the Imperial Wizard Sullivan. My work was simply to make sure your charge spoke truthfully." The woman expected Brackson to understand and seemed annoyed when he didn't. "I am a truthseer. It is one of the old arts in which I specialise. I can see lies and untruths as they are spoken. His Majesty asked me to judge your emperor as honest and I have." The woman nodded to end her sentence. As she spoke a guard approached her and bowed to whisper in her ear. He stepped back and left. "Captain Brackson, I hope you are not still worried. His Majesty is only conscious of having reliable friends in these new times. I do hope you understand."
Martin waited a moment for everyone to leave before he turned back to Zenos and sat. "It is my turn to admit a bad action, friend. I had one of my court wizards in here a moment ago, they only watched you to see if you spoke the truth and did not shelter your mind by giving me false promises. I do this because it is important to me these days to have good friends. I beg your forgiveness but know that Bezannia finds itself without friends these days. The last goodwill we have with the union from our aid in the war is dwindling, the Talmyrox have an uneasy alliance, and Tordelia sits on our border still. Bezannia needs allies before the whole of the east swallows her."
The Earl and Theodore talked a while about Bezannian politics and business, things Heulyn knew very little of due to the specifics of the two Hurvecht's conversation. Though she needn't worry about listening to Theodore drone on all night about how the Lord Mayor of Dernby had another scandal involving a new mistress, or the aldermen of New Elmborough were due for a reelection thanks to the constant merchant taxes they introduced regularly. As soon as the two began their talk, Heulyn was pulled away by a Hurvecht. He was smartly dressed and had a thin face and frame. "How do you do, miss. I am Lord Ecchin of Hoppland. You are Lady Heulyn, yes? Of course you are I knew as much. You are married to the Anubite Lord, yes? How is he these days? I heard he is doing well, sequestered in your palace now." Heulyn would actually never find a moment to reply to any of Lord Ecchin's questions as he answered them all with frightening intimate knowledge of her life. Later in the evening she would learn Lord Ecchin was a massive gossip and practically knew everything about everyone. He was a green Hurvecht hidden by purple fur. He had the characteristic antisocial disorders frequent among the subspecies and had a low monotone voice. He had become a veritable library of all details of other peoples' lives. And had heard through other nobility of Heulyn and her husband. He went on for a few minutes like this, asking a question and then answering it. But he suddenly interrupted himself as he saw a tray of potted shrimp passing through the room and he excused himself to pursue it. After the departure of Lord Ecchin she was then approached by a servant with a tray of champagne. He offered her a glass and then left. Heulyn was left alone after that, free to explore the party by herself for a while.
The Zantine delegation walked out of the room without much fuss, a bit confused but seeing no reason to object to the two Emperors speaking alone. Brackson, reluctantly, did move to go outside as well. Though he looked back to Zenos for a bit of reassurance on the topic first. The Emperor gave him a small nod, and Brackson exited the room along with the other Zantine delegates and guards, leaving Martin and Zenos alone within the meeting room.
Out in the music room, Brackson went over to the woman in the corner. He crossed his arms and grunted, his tone a bit annoyed, "I would not have been worried if I had known ahead of time. But I hope you should understand that I am not a mage, psionics expert, or anything else of the sort. Others in the Rangian Vanguard handle these matters. My work is keeping the Emperor safe, that is all. Thus when I have certain reports that indicate oddities within the Bezzanian Court, a strange woman who's motives are unknown to me grabs my attention when she is so utterly focused on my charge. The application of magics only makes that even more concerning, in fact." He uncrossed his arms and sighed, but relaxed his tone a bit, "Now I am less worried now that I know what you were doing, but I can't exactly say I am happy. I know not how your truthseer arts work, but any magic directed at the Emperor is still of concern to me. Not all is so benign. So you'll have to forgive me for erring on the side of caution instead of waiting for a head to explode. Just know that I do not have any blame thrown around, your precaution is an understandable one. We'd likely employ similar individuals on Instabull if we had them, but the mages we have access to are of a different sort."
Back in the meeting room, Zenos sat himself down after waiting for everyone to pile out. He wasn't so sure what this was about, but that was soon figured out when Martin explained himself. The Human sighed, but nodded, "I can't say I am pleased to have somebody poking at my mind, but I understand your worries. False allies are all too common these days, I know this all too well from the Civil War and the Union. You have my forgiveness on the matter, and I appreciate your honesty. But that should certify that I was not lying about being interested in deepening our friendship, and the growing bonds between our two Empires. Zantium will need friends in the coming times as well, as the Talmyrox is deeply unstable, the Union seeks ever greater hegemony, and we Zantines don't really have any friendly bonds with the Tordelians to speak of. What few interactions my people have had with them were certainly not friendly, that I can say for sure. Thus, Martin, Zantium seeks a friend in Bezzania not just because of friendship, but also in truth it is also the pragmatic choice. I don't like saying that as it makes me feel... ingenuine, but that is a truth here."
"Our interests do not clash with eachother, we are both in need of friends in dangerous times, and we lack any true hostility with one another. Our values may not be perfectly aligned but that is nothing that cannot be accounted for. This is the angle by which I can justify these growing bonds to the more skeptical of my court." He said that dryly, but then perked up with a smile, "But that's all that really is to me, a justification. My personal angle has, and always will be, far more personal. I seek friends, true friends, and in you I can see that Martin. That's the real reason I considered this at all! Zantium has always been a more emotional empire, and I don't really intend to change that. We'd lose our spirit by giving in to pragmatism above all. I do hope that sentiment can be returned."
The Emperor then sighed, "And... Do forgive Brackson. I saw him in the back, and I can only assume he had noticed your wizard. He's no mage himself, but he's perceptive and protective. I hope he didn't cause too much issue."
Afternoon in Datha S.C, Shyr, within the Moonlit Quarters of the Mourning Halls Palace someone is working rather hard.
Tired and sleepless Myrafiora was going through various paperwork in her messy office. Dressed in her nightgown and with unkempt greying hair, her eyes were running left and right reading all kinds of official documents through her old pair of glasses. From up close, disregarding the majestic escutcheon standing behind her, she appeared more like a sad clerk doing extra work at home rather than a divine monarch. Finishing signing the last contract, she sighed and lied back in her chair, taking her glasses off, picking up her telecom device and making a call... "Hi, this is Myrafiora Galgatyen, before we talk just letting you know that this line is secure ...are you ready?" The other side responded in a muffled and cold male voice, rather strictly "I always am, but are you? Do you know what all this we talked about shall entail?" the Talmyr smiled slightly "My freedom most likely ...it's not like I can do anything other than what I'm already doing. If the entire realm has decided to blame two thousand years of failures on me personally, let them. As you said, our duty is to peace and the well-being of the people after all ...I'd add that my duty is to my family first and I've neglected that more than I should. Sofya needs me, all my kids do even if the others don't show it as much." the man on the other side warmed his tone "You are a good woman Myrafiora and smart enough to set aside your pride. However this will not be easy, you will have to make sure that the Saaryn remain neutral, or it may result in a disaster ..have you contacted the Samargh?" Myrafiora nodded "Yes, their leadership is on board and they will provide support both within the Marta and with civilian leaders, of course with certain extreme demands ...as usual" the man in the other line chuckled "Of course ...as usual! Ah Lauinda, give them silver and they'll ask for arcalite. It is imperative that we protect their rights through all this, until the age of strife is behind us all. The Saaryn ...you did not respond about them." Myrafiora massaged the cavity of her nose, feeling her head quite heavy "Yeah ...th-they're Maur-spawn the lot of them, frankly I do not know what Selyna or the others plan or how they will react. I am isolated from them, always have been. They're a wild card, but I presume they will react badly and we're lucky enough that Sarxaxa is out of the game, or all this would end with both of us in her dungeons." the male conspirator gave out a loud sarcastic laugh "Hah! You always gave this perfidious and ambitious young menace too much credit ..but yes, it is positive that she is out of the game. So, are we still in agreement? Shall we make it official?" Myrafiora remained silent for a few seconds, simply smiling with her eyes closed "...yes, let's do this. I will have to inform my husband however, so please do not act before the end of the week" the man responded with a rather playful tone "I can wait a week I think..." as the Talmyr put her telecom device down she melted on her chair leaving out a loud sigh of relief and quickly picked her telecom device again, hastily typing numbers "...'ello grand tyrant of my heart! I have some very important things to talk about ..but first we must talk about the most important matter of our little angry baby Sofi, how is she? I heard about the speech and ...I dunno, is she alright? Did you talk? Does she eat?"
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