It was a stormy evening when the Senate assembled in the Republican Palace in Kingsbane Keep overlooking Port Kaeir. Lord-Consul Jafaarsan stood at the head of the Senate table, looking at the faces shadowed intermittently by the flickering lamps of the chamber of state, and the lightning outside. While he stood, the Senatorial Guard opened the doors to the chamber, letting in Lord-Senator von Kahshaar and his entourage. As Von Kahshaar settled in, Jafaarsan sat down and called the Senate to order. Immediately Lord-Senator Balriq Talrayn, a son of Port Kaeir by Mirrish descent (though not a true Mirrish Creole), stood and immediately reminded the Senate why they had gathered at such a late hour. "Lords of the Senate, we have endured ten years of war. The people grow weary, the Republic is secure. Cedonia has joined the republican fold, and Taltheran is torn apart by civil war. There is no benefit to us to join in this civil war in Taltheran. After all, we are Kaeirean, not Taltherani. What is worse, in this foolish endeavour supported by the Lord-Consul and the Commander of the Expeditionary Forces respectively has embarrassed us by our ineptitude. Even worse, Lord Admiral Gregor Ulricovic, the Admiral of the Seas is dead. One of the founding fathers of the Republic, one of the original conspiratorial triumvirate of the Revolution, is dead. Lord Basiluddin has retired from politics, and now our most experienced admiral is dead. Only Lord-Senator Cyril van Fitzlyri, much respect to you O Commander, continues his service in the Senate. "As many of you know already, the Admiral of the Seas died in the blockade of Tal, when the Kaeirean Fleet was beset by a storm, and the flagship The Green Flag was driven on the rocks where it smashed, all hands aboard perishing. What most of you don't know, save Lord-Senator von Kahshaar there I wager", motioning towards the recently arrived Information Secretariat-General, "is that the Captains of the Fleet had already decided to lift anchor and return to Port Kaeir. They had delayed returning for two days, using the first to deliberate on a candidate for the new Admiral of the Seas, and the second to allow their fastest sloop to race ahead and inform the Senate of their decision before their arrival. I can only assume that the Captains, in their anger, have taken as their prerogative the right to choose the Admiral of the Seas. The question is whether we shall tolerate this", Lord-Senator Talrayn finished before resuming his seat. Lord-Senator von Kahshaar echoed Talrayn from his seat, refusing to stand: "Talrayn is correct. We must decide whether this action should be tolerated. But we must also address the other question Talrayn mentioned - war and its consequences. " I suggest that we accept the Fleet's candidate, though delay the public acceptance and confirmation of the candidate. After all, only the Senate may make executive appointments. "As for the second question, with respect to the Lord-Consul, I urge peace as well. We only narrowly succeeded in the Tirmaeiri Campaign, and involvement in a protracted dispute in Taltheran would tax us unbearably. The cost of fighting even part of Taltheran would be unbearable in our current state of fatigue. Furthermore, the people I believe are becoming impatient. True peace is needed to restore prosperity and commerce, and to allow Kaeirean ships to enter Midsea ports safely as ships of trade. "Thirdly though, I suggest we make a carefully worded suggestion to our comrades in Cedonia to aid the Saltrim Enclave in Taltheran. Cedonia would certainly benefit from involvement in Taltheran, and would help to counterbalance Mirrish influence in the North-East." After Von Kahshaar, the Senators one by one stood, giving their opinion. Some argued for Von Kahshaar's stance, some against. As expected, the Basiluddinists urged for involvement in the Taltherani conflict, while the rest urged moderation. The Greens though were quite, having been taken by surprise with several of the issues at hand, and awaiting the opinion of the Consul. "And what of the Lord-Consul?" piped the Lord-Mayor of Port Kaeir, "we have not heard from you, O Jafaarsan", looking at him fervently. Finally, Jafaarsan stirred. He had not moved since he had first called the Senatorial session to order. He had sat, listening to the arguments and discussions of his peers. "Lord-Senators", he finally intoned, "Talrayn and Von Kahshaar are right. We have stretched ourselves too far. For ten years the Guard have been on campaign in some form, as has the Fleet. We have not known true peace since the Revolution. Youth have grown into manhood thinking war-time to be normalcy. Therefore I support the General-Secretariat's proposal regarding the fleet, and his proposal regarding peace. The loss of the Admiral of the Seas is great, but he died in a just cause and He Who Is One will reward him for that." Across the table, a handful of senators murmured a reverant response, reminding the rest of the room of the new source of difference in the Senate. "Superstition!", cried Lord-Senator Talrayn, his face twisted in rage. "Ulricovic, that great compatriot of the Republic, his life was thrown away by your foolish involvement of Kaeir in the Taltherani civil war. We do not belong there. No prayers shall bring him back, nor provide sufficient legitimate cause for his loss. You and Basiluddin have one thing in common now, diseased minds. Your nonsensical beliefs only undermine the Republic. If you have any sense you should resign the Consulship! Then you can go live amongst your sand-dwelling brothers, and liberate us from your madness! "Your compounding of error can be seen in your support of this ridiculous Cedonian proposal. How shall we benefit from encouraging ancient Cedonia to exercise its imperial muscles? Even if it assists a Taltherani Republic to be born, which is questionable, how free shall it be? And how long before mighty Cedonia intervenes in Kaeir, and brings us into their new Imperium?", screamed Talrayn. Silence echoed in the chamber. The faces revealed the loyalties, and shifted loyalties. Clearly many of Lord-Admiral Ulricovic's old friends agreed with Talrayn, including a number of Green senators, and Lord-Commander van Fitzlyri. The Millati Senators, obviously did not, supporting their brother in faith, Jafaarsan. And the Basiluddinists gave no inkling of their disposition. To Jafaarsan's mind, Talrayn was now the focal point of opposition to his rule of the Senate, and a man to watch and, if possible, overcome. Not showing any response to Talrayn's brief tirade, Jafaarsan stood and quietly stated: "this the first matter before us: the candidate for Admiral of the Seas, the ceasing of involvement in the Taltheran affair, and an agreement with Cedonia to resolve the Taltheran problem. I propose on the latter we enter into an agreement with Cedonia to assist each other in the event of the Taltherani dispute overflowing either of our borders. That is the matter at hand. Vote." Jafaarsan sat. ================================ Confidentiality Statement and Disclaimer ================================ This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and contains information that is privileged and confidential. If you, the reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this communication. 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