And so it was, that in the late season of 1443, the forces of Tal rejected the honourable delegation of Lord Karl von Kahshaar, Secretary-General of the Information Secretariat, and rejected the honourable terms and intentions he had brought to Tal to achieve peace with. Slight Senatorial dismay at this turn of events was overpowered by renewed determination to secure the Republic within the new scope and identity that the Consul, Lord Sanus Jafaarsan had promoted and so preparations were initiated to physically secure the Republic along its new northern mainland border. Plans were drawn up for a series of fortifications and keeps along the Taltherani-Tirmaeiri border, and a new recruitment of troops begun. This included an emigrant legion, the Legion of Talmen, whose numbers were to be drawn exclusively from the ranks of the republican Houses from the Tal valley, who by and large were militantly republican by reason of years of exile from their native estates on the Tal river. The Senate also turned to its Panchayyah ally across the Midsea to recruit a fifth division from. Popular sentiment supported the Senate, especially Lord von Kahshaar, who was seen as heroic for his brave attempt to Tal to secure peace. The fact that the degenerate royalists in Tal rejected Kaeirean overtures only increased popular support for the government. By the account of Lord von Kahshaar, the Tal royalists failed to understand the actual strength and determination of the Kaeirean forces, and of the Republic itself. In the Dominion of Tirmaeir, the rebuilding was of the port city of New Tirmaeir was completed, connecting the dominion with the rest of the Republic and with trade and therefore growing prosperity. The consolidation of the outer areas of the dominion was largely settled, though true stability would only come later with the expansion of the dominion government. These were the changes of significance in the Republic that occurred after the Year of Victory, and immediately before the beginning of the Second Taltherani Front (the first Front having fallen to royalist treachery in the Year of Doom). Many a notable and commoner alike lamented the continuation of hostilities, but steeled their resolve to endure and fight on for the Green. "The History of the Republic" (Information Secretariat of the Republic of Kaeir, Port Kaeir: 1450). ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
