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Post by Lord Newbury on Jan 22, 2018 12:46:28 GMT
Imperial Goodwill Tour - Izhen The DNS Maldrak was a proud vessel, its golden drake prow shining in the southern sun, as it broke away from its escort group - the Imperial Division of the Dramarchian Navy. Some fifteen vessels accompanied the royal tour, more as a measure of protection against ambitious pirates than anything more warlike in nature. Three Patrol Ships, Two Heavy vessels and then a fast moving flotilla of ten escorts, all of which stayed outside of the Izhen Waters now, as the DNS Maldrak went on alone. Emperor Philip Chapillion I stood on behind the wheel of the ship, watching as the Captain deftly directed the Royal Vessel. He had to admit he was nervous, for his Government had made sure to state the ”Paramount Importance of your Travels” before he had set off, and did so daily in the missifs he received via carrier raven each and every day. ”Run up the colours!” the Emperor twitched slightly as the Captains harsh shout resonated across the decks. Philip watched as the royal standard was lowered on the mast, and a second flag raised in its place - the sigil of the Izhen, the Dramarch royal standard taking its place at the rear of the ship instead, in a sign that the DNS Maldrak came in peace. In Philips mind, a lot of this was pointless posturing, for the visit had been arranged a while back, yet still - there would always be ceremony to observe. Another part of that ceremony was about to take place, and the Emperor straightened his uniform and accepted his blade from his second, placing it in his scabbard with the usual flourishes. His second then blue some absurd dragon head shaped whistle, and the one-hundred marines of his royal guard stamped to attention, crossbows held in a guard stance, as they turned away from the Emperor, and marched to face to the Izhen Coast, offering a salute to it. Damn waste of time, Philip thought to himself, before taking his position on the prow of the ship. ”Needs to be done I suppose?” he asked his second, who merely kept still and silent behind his Marines Mask, joining the Emperor in a salute as the national Anthem played. Hopefully, the Izhen would send out some sort of escort to guide him into the harbour, yet as was the way with foreign practice, the Emperor could never be 100% sure…. |
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 24, 2018 17:46:32 GMT
As the Emperor had hoped, a small escort arrived. They saw the colours of Dramarch, and with that came a measure of respect. The boat was gently guided to the harbour, where Philip was escorted off and then lead to the caravan that he would be joining to Tuman Tabar. Like so many, he was brought up first on a barge up the River Tayd, followed by docking at a small town known as Zhdal. From there, he was lead down the Imperial Highway towards the Greatest City in the World.
They made good haste in bringing him up to the palace and into the throne room, where the typical cow-towing was to be performed. Yet something was amiss. Neither throne was occupied. A hurried dignitary rushed into the room, and then beckoned for Philip to follow. He was guided once more, this time through the labyrinthine halls of the palace, where he was brought to an open-air deck.
There, on a chaise lounge rested Empress Mirun, baring much skin as she laid on her stomach, taking in the sun. Servants stood on either side of her, one fanning her and another rubbing olive oil into her back. She looked up lazily at Philip, smiling like a cat at him before she pulled a long robe up and over herself.
“Ah, you are here, we are pleased,” she said softly. “We apologize for not meeting you in the throne room. It is a hot day and it was getting quite stuffy.”
She gestured to the chaise lounge beside hers. “Please, take a seat. Perhaps we can interest you in a massage? Zainab has fingers that are almost magical."
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Post by Lord Newbury on Jan 24, 2018 18:02:17 GMT
Philip was not all that shocked to see games being played by the Empress upon his arrival, indeed - he had been told much of the Izhen ways prior to his tour, and warned that the Empresses had a different approach to some of the Northern Monarchies. In many ways it was refreshing, the pomp and ceremony of some of the traditional Kingdoms got boring after the first few parades had been thrown.
What he was pleased with however, was the famed Izhen hospitality, something he had to been briefed on, and he took a seat saying "Empress Mirun, as always the House of Izhens hospitality lives up to its legends." reclining on the lounger as was customary. "I for one would rather sit outdoors, being couped up on a ship these past days has left me yearning for the sky, not the confines of a palace." he adde with a laugh.
Politely declining the massage, he instead waved over his second - the only member of his retinue who had been allowed to come with him, as per the usual protocol. "Emperor." the man bowed, holding out the 'Imperial Gift' - a scroll depicting the passage 'On the Mercy of Izhen' drawn from the works of Charles du Chapillion a relative of the Emperors, whose book 'The Nations of the South' had been written some three-hundred years ago.
The passage in question had been written following the release of Charles' son from an Izhen gaol, and was undoutably the most grovelling and farcical item of fiction ever concocted - but a fine gift it made regardless. "Empress," he waved for his second to hand the gift to Mirun "...a gesture of good faith, I trust you are familiar with the workings of Charles du Chapillion?"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 26, 2018 3:36:34 GMT
Mirun received the gift with a large smile, looking down. “Oh, yes, we are quite familiar,” she said happily. She rose to her feet and moved over to the other Emperor, and kissed him softly on the cheek. “You’re very sweet, your Imperial Majesty, and we accept this gift most gladly.”
She moved back to the lounge, moving back into a relaxed position. She beamed at the gift a little more, before gingerly setting it on the table beside her and turning to look at the Emperor, resting on one of her elbows. She brushed some of her hair out of her face, and simply stared at Philip for a moment before she finally chose to speak to him.
“So, you’re here for trade, yes? Did you have anything in particular you wanted to renegotiate?”
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