Lord Osric Basilludin, Guard Commander and First Senator of the Military, watched with mild distaste from his viewpoint high in the Kingsbane Keep, as far below the streets and markets throbbed with life and celebration. The Embassy from the Cedonian Republic had arrived today, and the news had spread faster than wildfire amongst the masses, resulting in the celebration he was now watching. Later that evening he, along with the rest of the Senate, would accept the Embassy and undoubtedly would accept it with open arms. It was good news he knew, of the new political and commercial ties with another young Republic in the Midsea, of obtaining a new friend that at least assumed could be reliable (for how long would it be before the mainland could be counted on he thought, given the current weakness of their quasi-republican friends there in the Taltherani Council of Merchant-Houses). But at the back of his mind Basilludin despaired. The Embassy had brought home what he had hoped to avoid at least for the time being, and would now require him to consider that other country he had hoped to cultivate as a friend. Mir. Already the head of the local Mirrish community in Port Kaeir, known to the plebs as the Easterners' Quarter, had requested a meeting with him to discuss "Midsea political relations". It had not taken long for a reply to reach the Mirrishmen in the Easterners' Quarter from Mir. At least the political relationship with Mir would now become clearer, he thought. Undoubtedly the Senate would insist on recognition of the Cedonian Republic, and the commencement of discussions on mutual aid and soforeth, which would soon bring up the question of Mirrish intervention in Cedonia. Many of the Senators had already met the Embassy, their enthusiasm for the Revolution being that strong. Basiluddin's reason for supporting recognition though was different - for to refuse the Cedonian embassy, or reject this Republic was unthinkable, even to Basilludin. Far below, the merrymaking and rejoicing of popular republicanism reminded him why. It would be a quick end at the hands of the mob, should we do embrace the highly unpopular Mirrish Mages, and not our Cedonian brothers. Once the Senate had convened tonight, he would have to quietly discuss the matter with the other Guard Commanders. Kaeir wanted good terms with the Cedonian Republic, and needed them with Mir, and could not afford to forego one for the other. NOTICE: This communication is meant only for the addressee(s) named above and may contain information which is confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the named addressee(s), or the agent responsible for receiving and delivering this communication to the named addressee(s), this communication has been sent to you in error. If so, kindly contact us immediately for retrieval purposes. Unauthorised dissemination,distribution, copying or reliance on this communication is prohibited and may attract criminal penalties. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
