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Post by Kira on Aug 23, 2022 15:39:15 GMT -5
Scene: 13th of Bellien, 1931. Castle Tolvaj in New Raltera.
High Chief Nils looked over the reports piled on his desk. Some were about recent navel designs Meiyo had produced, others were from Clan Gruvar concern yearly yields from the gold mines. The work had been piling up over the past year, and while he was grateful of his aides work ethic, the old Mil'Nor had been having trouble keeping up.
Another minor form signed, the elder picked up the next one, eyes skimming over a report from Chief Dravos. It had already been looked over by Kathrine, considering how her notes were all over the page with her own thoughts on stated matters. The subject matter was a report about both the current news considering the UST war, and an addendum added by his aide. The Kithium League, being the only comparable power bordering Mil'Nor, had been left alone by the previous Clan Chief's over the centuries. Inital contact had gone well enough, but both peoples had largely lived in peace.
The war taking place on the otherside of the League however had led to the girl having some concerns it seemed. Her notes at least said to consider establishing proper reactions with the nation, and as Nils finished the report he could do nothing but agree as he mulled it over. The High Chief took out an ink penang parchment as after placing the report down, starting on a new letter.
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 25, 2022 1:19:56 GMT -5
The response came at a quick pace, by comparison to how it had come for the Franerri.
In fact it was almost immediate by comparison, as far as letters go the response was swift.
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Post by Kira on Aug 25, 2022 1:35:47 GMT -5
The response spent little time in the paperwork once more, the High chief gladdened by the warm response as he'd write up his own. It was a nice change of pace from the usual diplomatic greetings given.
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 25, 2022 2:20:50 GMT -5
The Kithium ambassador, the Princess Kalasha, would be on her way there fairly quickly with a accompaniment of soldiers and as well, caretakers and guards. She'd arrive after a journey taking the better part of a week and a half, and they'd go out of their way to set up the area to which they'd be meeting, with the guards as well making little posts to which they could watch over the area with. It was a cold valley but few places were ever warm in the continent's southern reaches, so that was no shock - it was clear and the day was pleasant enough though. They waited on the agreed date for the Mil'Nor to arrive, the guards the first to spot them as they waited in the cover of the grass in a foxhole.
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Post by Kira on Aug 25, 2022 2:35:32 GMT -5
A similar contingent was sent along with the High Chief, although more care and manpower was spent on the elder's safety and level of comfort. He may have been spry for his age, but eighty two years will slow you down considerably. Still, the Mil'Nor had arrived after the Kithium did, the small convoy of carriages and wagons filled with goods following behind the main diplomatic entourage. While the Lactav Valley had become the time honored meeting place between the leaders of the Kithium and Mil'Nor, the travel between both capitals had caused a year round settlement to form in the valley. Here, a mix of Mil'Nor and the races from the League made a home for themselves, the town within the valley acting as a hub of trade and travel, epically for those of Clan Gruvar who resided with the League and made pilgrimages to New Raltera
The convoy would eventually split as they travelled the road into the valley, the merchants and citizens of Mil'Nor taking a turn off towards the town proper, while the diplomatic convoy marched on towards the meeting place. They'd eventually arrive at where their agreed campsite was, the Mil'Nor establishing their temporary home for the next few days. The site itself was a flattened dirt plateau with a raised center, a central stone pillar dividing the landscape. Once his servants assured him that camp would be ready for the night, High Chief Nils Tolvaj would make his way to the pillar, a lone guard following along as was tradition.
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 25, 2022 5:52:06 GMT -5
Eventually the Kithium observers would relay back on the arrival of the Mil'Nor's diplomats, and it'd not be long before the Princess, escorted by a pair of guards and a couple of aides at a distance, would make their way from their camp towards that of their counterparts, wearing the typical winter-time tunics and fur lined capes that were normal of the Kithium. They were a generally 'well off' class within the society of the League, being the dominant race within, though by and large such clothing was still not super flashy, and more so really meant to be a walking insulator against extreme cold.
What the princess wore was less insulating and more flashy by leaps and bounds, her dress and clothing ceremonial without a doubt, compared to the dull and drab functionality of the other's clothing. She'd make her way towards the pillar, and then when they made it at around the same time as High Chief Nils would, they'd step forwards and hold out a hand.
"Welcome to Lactav, and to the League." She'd say. "It's an honor to meet you."
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Post by Kira on Aug 25, 2022 14:35:49 GMT -5
The High Chief wore both his age and bearing well, the outfit he wore an gilded echo of the Clans nomadic tribal roots. The Mil'Nor gave the princess a smile as he shook the offered hand.
"Thank you, Princess Kalasha. I am appreciative of the speed your response, as there is much to discuss. I was naught but a hatchling the last time I came this far west, and while it warms my heart to see this place little different, I do wonder about the tidings that have happened over your lands these past many years"
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 26, 2022 0:21:25 GMT -5
"There's been a great deal that's happened over the past few decades. I'm not familiar with as much of the history as members of Clan Manaan, but I know most of the important parts. By and large however this region has remained the same, in many ways. Though it has changed in some, such as the growth of the town and a few other trading and furs posts being established. In wider history, Clan Gaalsian took control shortly after the war with the UST over Razu. It's been a busy and hectic two decades after." She'd say.
"What of Mil'Nor? We've been hearing stories of widening trade within the country. Part of why they wanted me to renegotiate those treaties mentioned in the letter."
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Post by Kira on Aug 26, 2022 1:05:22 GMT -5
"We have made much progress with trade concerning the Old World. The UKUG has offered to aide us in developing rail lines through the country, while we've managed to sell docking rights to the Ashinarans for more then enough to pay for a full rail connection through the country. In truth, one of my motives here was to see that we could join our infrastructure with these trains the Old World made. The ease of trade and movement could only be a boon for both of us."
The elder looked around for a moment, motioning to his guard as he spoke.
"Aldis, Go and fetch the servants to set up up in the meeting tent." The guard gave a curt nod to first his leader and then the Princess before heading back to the Mil'Nor camp. The High Chief gave the woman a smile as he continued.
"Apologies, but while my spirit for these talks may be strong, I'm not quite as spry as I used to be. If your people wish to help so as to better cater to your own comforts, Mine would appreciate the gesture."
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 26, 2022 1:23:17 GMT -5
She would gesture for her escorts and entourage to go and help them do so, and they'd advance, the guards draping their rifles over their backs with slings and following behind the Mil'Nor to go and help set up the trucks.
She'd rest her hands behind her back.
"Quite a bit of progress in Mil'Nor then. We've had some as well. The domestic rail network has expanded some, though it remains mostly confined to the south. That's where most of the industry is and all, and where our summer and spring exports go out from." She'd stretch. "We can work out a agreement I think, if we're able to link the networks in some capacity it'll be a great help and as well, potentially, expand our trade - I was as well told to consider trying to get some form of port access."
She'd sit down in the low grass, sighing.
"Though our exports were somewhat hindered by the UST's invasion of Razu. From what I know the UST hasn't done anything to rebuild it since they took the territory." She'd say.
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Post by Kira on Aug 26, 2022 16:08:56 GMT -5
"We can see about an offer for docking and repair rights, along with what info we may have about the naval operations of those docked in our ports as well." Nils said, his gaze watching the guards go before returning to the princess.
"What terms were you looking to renegotiate on the old treaties. If memory serves, they covered peaceful relations and honest trade well enough."
With the aide of the Kithium, the meeting tent was quickly established, servants from both parties scurrying about as they worked to supply adequate amenities to the leader of the Mil'Nor and the daughter of the Kithium Empress.
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 28, 2022 10:54:31 GMT -5
The Princess gave a bit of help to the servants, but it wasn't a lot. Not that they really needed it from her anyway, she simply set up the table and chairs, and that was more or less it.
"We had a more distinct idea than that of last-time. We need your ports so that we can more regularly ship out large quantities of our ore and exports instead of being as tightly constrained by the thaw and freeze as we are right now. Including even we'd like to rebase a lot of our shipping fleet out of Mil'Nor and perhaps share a percentage of the income." She'd say. "And to that we would as well help tool Mil'Nor infrastructure to support it, and perhaps even - we can standardize it between us. I don't think the navy would be interested in putting warships in Mil'Nor's ports, at least right now though. Not with the situation on the border with the UST."
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Post by Kira on Aug 28, 2022 11:18:22 GMT -5
With the finishing of the work between both leader's servants, Nils led the way into the tent, taking a seat at the table as a servant brought him a cup of tea before leaving the two to some measure of privacy.
"Railwork was to begin after the dark season on a connection towards Mont Vergius. We can see about extending that line towards the Kithium as well to aid in your own exports. As for your shipping fleets, minor fees would have to be applied for docking space, but beyond that we'd be happy to act as the door for the League to the rest of the world. Standardization with what we both use would be beneficial, as our current rail network operates on the units decided by the UKUG. I'm not too familiar with how that works, but I'm sure our engineers can figure the little details."
Nils toom a sip of his tea, enjoying the warmth of the drink for a moment before he resumed
"As for the UST and the war going on there, maybe you can enlighten me a bit to as your intentions there? From what news we've heard, they will not last should anyone else decide to join the conflict, and the island of Razu should be easily returned to the League even with the threat of entering the war. I can't say I'm much of a fan of what Okeena has been doing, but it's not quite the most pressing matter for us to be concerned about in the grand scheme of things. Should our neighbor decide to get involved however? Well, the enemy of our friend may as well be our enemy as well"
He'd take another sip of the tea, a slight smile on his face as he enjoyed the drink.
"Hm, good tea"
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Post by VoxApocrypha on Aug 28, 2022 12:29:47 GMT -5
The Kithium would take a sip from a cup of water, setting the wooden cup down and screwing the top back on through wooden threading.
"Fees are alright with us, so long as they're not steep." She'd say. "and that would be lovely. We operate on the same gauge as far as I recall - the Tsarists wanted to use a local standard and the closest they had at the time, when the Tsar still ruled anyway, was to go off of the UKUG's raillines in Zedonia. Shouldn't be too difficult to try to integrate the networks together."
"..The situation in the West is about to deteriorate rapidly into war. Mother decided that it would be better to permanently remove a potential rival from the playing field in totality rather than let them continue to remain. She's saving the formal declaration of war for after they cross the border but by then the war would have been on for as long as it took for the League to reach and conquer Razu." She would say.
"You do not have to involve yourselves - this war will likely be short. I hope anyway. Mother said something I think she got from one of my books when we were talking about it." She would cross her legs. "Kick the door in, and the whole rotting structure will come down. Just waiting to see how true that will hold. Though should we need it we would gladly welcome support from Mil'Nor, and as far as I know the Army always accepts volunteer soldiers from nations the League has friendly relations with."
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Post by Kira on Aug 28, 2022 15:30:14 GMT -5
"I'm sure more then a few of those Mil'Nor who call the League home will happily join up for a chance to fight. As for us, we would like to offer military attaches to be jointed to your officer corps. The mess of a war in the UST will be a great learning experience for our generals concerning current war tactics...and the young bloods have been clamoring for a chance to prove their worth. Beyond that, I'd like for formal embassies to be established in our respective capitals. If we are to be able to work together in the future, that alone would allow for better communication between us."
Another sip of the tea was taken before the High Chief refilled his cup from the kettle the servants had brought when they established the tent.
"Speaking on the future, I must ask you: what do you know of the Clans of Mil'Nor, Princess?"
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