Exiled, But Not Forgotten (Franerre-Elerian Loyalists)

[callmedelta]

The small island came into view as Amadeo Petrilla looked on from the bow of the boat. Even though he'd been expecting it, Petrilla was still surprised at the state of the place. The waters around the small island were abuzz with ships, simply because there wasn't enough room in the port. The island itself seemed to be filled to bursting with everyone who could escape Eleria's new Imperitor, exactly because it was. That was a good thing. The more resources these exiles had, the more resources of theirs Franerre could use whenever this whole powderkeg went off. But first, Franerre had to get the exiles on their side, and it was going to be Petrilla's job to do it. It had been like prying teeth to even get this meeting set up, but set up it had been. Now Petrilla just needed to get a single concession out of them, and Franerre would have another ally going forward. 

[Greywall]

Loyalist soldiers armed and suspicious of the arrival of the Franerri would escort Petrilla to Imperator Lawerance, he was in the manor of the regional governor overlooking new weapons his smiths were working on, as far as the Imperator was concerned, he was still at war with the people who forced him from his home.

"Who is this stray dog you've brought before me? Pray tell you have something of use to me."

[callmedelta]

"I'd say I'm a bit more than a stray dog, Your Highness," Amadeo said, bowing with a grin. If anything, this Imperator without an Imperium was the stray dog, but there was no reason to start this meeting off anymore hostile than it was. "And I'm afraid I can't be of must use to you in any official capacity as a representative of my great Kingdom. Unofficially speaking, however, tensions are heating up across Ourhi. It is very possible that Franerre and the new usurper in Iomairt may find themselves at war. To officially support you in any matters would risk angering the false Imperitor, and that would almost invite war to Franerre's doorstop. Of course, if war did happen, it would be only natural for Franerre and the true Imperitor to cooperate to better take down Gulliver. But why wait until the shooting starts, when we can be handing you guns now?"

[Greywall]

Imperator Lawerance had been looking at a map of his home island, ignoring the Frannerri til he mentioned giving firearms to them. "What you benefitting from that then eh? Delta Rossa wants to bog himself into another bloody affair? Elerians are not trusting people, hence why i'm on this fucking sandbar planning to take my country back from puh'lek bastards aligning themselves with the bloody Autarch of Galra."

He rolled the map up and approached the Frannerri, his unshaven face and blood shot eyes telling the story clearly. This was a man who was working himself to death to take back his home. "Why would you wanna piss off the most powerful nation on Ouhiri? The moment you help me, they'll flay you."

[callmedelta]

"Our late King, may his soul rest in peace, knew that the most valuable thing a nation could have is allies," Amadeo explained, "And as far as pissing off the most powerful nation in Ourhiri? Pareau believes that that bridge is already crossed, or it will be soon enough that this conversation will simply be one stone on the pathway. As we speak, Shysil to Franerre's south is gearing up for war armed with Galran steel. It would only make sense for both of Franerre's Galran-aligned neighbors to invade together. Any Elerian soldiers who are fighting off an invasion by the true Imperator aren't invading Franerre alongside Shysil. A divided Eleria will be easier for both our nations to best. And once you're back in Iomairt, maybe the Elerians can find room in their hearts to trust Franerre. Allies are the most valuable thing a nation can have, after all."

[Greywall]

Lawerance's eyes dropped to the floor, he had not learned of the King's passing. Eleria had been cut off from the world largely on its own, ever since his great grandfather founded the Imperium it was done to protect them from the outside world. "If you are a target of the Galrans, i'm afraid you have already lost this war. But I don't think i'm in much position to refuse aid when I can get it."

Lawerance waived Amadeo over to the table he was sitting at offering now a seat, "What do you propose Frannerri?" the Imperator sat down himself ready to hear what idea the Frannerre had.

[callmedelta]

Amadeo took the offered seat, appreciating the Imperator's display of sadness, however genuine it may have been. Now, however, now came perhaps the hardest or second hardest part of the mission, depending if you counted getting here in the first place. "Well, that will depend on a few factors, Imperator. Franerre does have her own armies to worry about, but depending on the state of your military we may be willing to send some advisors and officers to train your men, or perhaps some engineers to assist you in producing more equipment if you have the resources in the first place. But even more than Franerre's own needs is the issue of the Samurai. There are many in Franerre who would support their cause if you are the Samurai came to blows, after the dust of this all settles. I don't think it would mean Franerre supporting them fully, but it would vastly limit the aid any government could give to you. If we could get a guarantee of safety and respect for the Samurai, it would go a lot further towards getting the political capital needed to send you more aid. Additionally, anything you may be willing to sell or trade Franerre for any weapons would go a long way as well, though that goes without saying."

[Greywall]

"The Samurai? Those birds revolted against my reign, when I take my throne back I will demand this 'emperor' of the Niaorin to bend the knee. I have about twenty maybe thirty men and women here on the western islands ready to storm the homeland and another ten thousand under the command of General Brown whom are waging an underground resistance against the SU. I'll need repeating guns, the gulliver forces had advanced rifles from Galra and metal machines we never saw before. We have one advantage, depending on what you can give me, I'll show you."

[callmedelta]

Amadeo knew that would be the sticking point. "If I recall correctly, the Samurai revolted because of a revocation of some of their traditional privileges. If you can promise me that you could make an attempt at a negotiated solution to this conflict, perhaps put these privileges back on the table, then that would at least smooth over some fears in Pareau, for the time being. Most of the stock Pareau is willing to send is old, single-shot rifles that we're phasing out. If what you can give me is good enough, though, I believe you can get at least some repeating rifles."

[Greywall]

The Imperator was disappointed, his time wasted he went back to his map. "You've wasted enough of my time, return to your ship. Single shot rifles and talking to rebel rabble. Does nothing for me, we have single shot rifles, we're working on fixing our revolver rifle technology to give us a better chance. So please take yourself and leave."

[callmedelta]

"You're not even going to play this trump card of an 'advantage' you have?" Amadeo asked, trying to bait the Imperator into at least continuing the conversation. "Who knows. If it is as big as you seem to believe it is, then maybe we can give you those rifles. If you fight hard enough alongside Franerre, who's to say that you can't prove you're a better potential ally than the Samurai would be?" Amadeo raised his hands up. "But, if I truly cannot convince you, then I shall take my leave, Imperator."

[Greywall]

"I'll advise you and the Frannerri people stay out of Elerian affairs, it is unwise to try and bargain when you have no cards in your hands. Take your leave, when the sun sets on your kingdom I shall be in mine once more."

[callmedelta]

"Very well then, Imperator," Amadeo said, taking his leave, "For what it's worth, I do genuinely wish you luck in your reconquest of Iomairt. Though, if you decide to wait until the sun sets on Franerre to reclaim your Imperium, you'll grow old and die on this island of yours. Us Franerri have more fight in us than you seem to think. Good day."

[Greywall]

The Imperator chuckled, "I hope so Frannerri, I hope so."