Ibrahim wrote: >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. > > >>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. > > > > Thalcedon: Raden Ghere sauntered into Theran Rinn's office, and flopped down in the chair before the desk. "You wanted to see me, Theran?" "Yes, that's right," said the Councillor for Foreign Affairs. "I wanted your opinion on some feelers the Kaeiran Republic's been sending towards our Ambassador there. I realize that you're tied up with 'special projects', but your pre-war experience might be invaluble on this." Raden snorted derisively. "I was Empress Yzara's go-fer and dogsbody, Theran. I kept the Palace running and the Empress happy, that's all." "Laugh if you wish, Raden, but as Palace Chamberlain, you were closer to Yzara than anyone else in the current government, save the Duke of Caladyn. You saw how she ran the Empire, which is more than any of us can say." "All right, I take your point. So, what does our sister republic want with us?" Rinn leaned back in his chair. "Well, our Ambassador to Kaeir recently attended a party in Port Kaeir, hosted by Lord-Senator Von Kahshaar. Several merchants and senators were present, mostly Millati, but a few Basiluddinists. During the party, the Ambassador was taken aside by one of Von Kahshaar's aides, who rather diffidently inquired as to the possibility of Cedonia intervening in the Taltherani Civil War, specifically in Saltrim." Ghere raised an eyebrow. "This was not, I take it, an official communication?" "No, anything but," replied Rinn. "The Ambassador reported that he got the definite feeling that Von Kahshaar was considering making a move in the Senate. Possibly to suggest a partition of Taltheran. However, a week later, the Ambassador went to a party hosted by members of Lord-Senator Talrayn's faction, where he was asked about our response to Kaeir's possible withdrawal from Taltheran. In both cases, the Ambassador refused to make any commitments one way or the other before communicating with us." "A wise man," said Ghere. "In my opinion, getting involved in the Taltherani snake pit would be a grave mistake. The army needs to rebuild, our economy needs to recover; the only good reason for getting involved in Taltheran would be if the civil war there spills outside its borders. Although, I do admit that possession of Saltrim's port would help in certain respects." "Hm. As you know, our current foreign policy is to avoid entanglements abroad until we've put our domestic house in order. Still," said Rinn, "Dr. Vellin and I have been discussing certain changes." "Changes?" "Before the Sinari War, Taltheran controlled the Tal River up to Wyr and slightly beyond. Since the war, the area's full of tribals, and the cities of Wyr and Hadrair are in ruins. As a result, the trade routes to Hisaria and Hria have been cut. So, rather than trying to expand at the expense of our civilized neighbors, we expand into the tribal regions and civilize them. Kasovia, the Tal-Wyr Valley, the Hansari and Morvali." "An interesting thought," replied Ghere. "Will you propose it to the Council?" "We were thinking the next session, but now, I think we'll wait and see which way the Kaeiran Senate jumps." ************* Andrew > >================================ >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. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return email and delete the original message. Thank you. > > >---------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
