GLOBAL STORYLINE UPDATE - The Return of the King!
Jun 17, 2016 18:00:12 GMT -8
AK_Brickster, Drakkvonlego, and 3 more like this
Post by Ayrlego on Jun 17, 2016 18:00:12 GMT -8
Part One - The Royal Palace, Lion's Head.
From her position slightly behind King Chartres, Queen Emmaline surveyed the assembled leaders of her husband's Kingdom. On the Garheim side, Jarl Jhirian Eindrik, flanked by her husbands dear friend and best man, Goði Joran Holmstrom, rising star of the Garheim aristocracy. On the Loreesi side, the new leader of Loreos, Prince Mark Lorean stood accompanied by the former Loreesi leader, his uncle Prince Jarius Lorean. Chartres had assembled the leaders of his two remaining provinces at his palace on Lion's Head to discuss recent developments and forge a plan forward for the Roawian Kingdom. For months he had remained publicly silent, consolidating his support and planning his next moves. Now it was time Roawia was reminded that the land had a King.
Emmaline was still a little incredulous that she had ever agreed to marry the young King who now sat at the head of these men. All she had really wanted to do after the murder of her mother and disappearance of her brother in battle was grieve privately and hide away from the world - certainly marring the leader of the forces that had brought her mother's reign to an end had never entered her plans. However, the experience of growing up amongst outlaws and her families play for the throne coupled with her natural intelligence meant that even deep within her grief she realised that the daughter of the feared and hated Queen Galainir was unlikely to ever be allowed to live in peace. Enter the then Prince Chartres, a youthful, charming and energetic young leader who had managed to unite the rebellious factions against her mother. For some reason the young prince had become infatuated with her at their first meeting... Worn down by his constant proposals and the fact that marriage to the future King protected her from the wrath of those who would see the extermination of her mother's line, Emmaline had eventually given in and agreed to marriage. To her surprise she found that over time she was happy. Chartres doted on her, and his naturally cheerful and enthusiastic disposition was hard not to like.
Emmaline's musings were interrupted by her husbands voice. "Gentlemen, I have called you here now that we have finally had some good news from the Great Western Isles. With both your provinces now having established landings in the New World, we must consider our next moves"
"Crush the rebellious Lenfels" hissed Prince Jarius.
Prince Mark ever so slightly raised a hand to silence Jarius. Emmaline, with a her vast experience of observing the behaviour of powerful men, thought she picked up an undercurrent here. An ever so small flash of annoyance had seemed to pass over Mark's handsome face.... hmmm, trouble in paradise she thought, filing the information away for possible future use.
It was however, Joran Homstrom who replied. "Easier said than done Prince Jarius, our spies report that Port Emerald is well established and virtually impenetrable, especially with our own settlements so new."
"And I have no desire for further war in mainland Roawia." Added Chartres. "The land has suffered enough. The time for military action in the new world has not yet come. We must first build our settlements and reach some kind of parity with the Lenfel forces there." Emmaline hid a smile. She knew that Chartres and Joran had rehearsed this meeting before hand, the two were presenting a unified front to the leaders, although she suspected that Joran's loyalty to the Jarl had meant he also had some knowledge of Chartres plans. The pair had long decided that any military action against the wayward province, which had split from the crown stating that they could never support Chartres' marriage to a relative of the former Queen Galainir, must be confined to the Great Western Isles. Roawia was tied and weakened by generations of almost constant war. Although it pained her, she could understood the Lenfel argument that she shouldn't be trusted as the Queen. However privately she found it more likely that Lenfald had used her marriage as the catalyst to break with a sovereign who they felt was controlled by their old enemy, Prince Jarius. Somewhat ironically, neither Prince Jarius nor High Lord Triphan, former Leader of Lenfald, held power anymore.
"If not military action what then do you suggest your Grace?" asked Prince Mark.
"Lenfald is currently enjoying an economic boom as a result of her colony yes?" asked Chartres rhetorically. "I don't see why we should help them grow stronger as they have opted to separate from the crown. I suggest we double export taxes on commodities that Lenfald still relies on, Loreesi wheat for example. At the same time we charge a steep duty on goods which they import to us, This can help make up for some of the additional income they have made from establishing their colony earlier and at the same time allow our own merchants in the new world a chance to break in on the new markets from the colonies by undercutting Lenfel prices in our own lands." The leaders remained silent while they contemplated this somewhat radical idea. Using the economy as a weapon - it was not something Roawia's noble warriors had ever considered before. Emmaline hid another smile, indeed it wasn't something her husband had entirely thought of on his own either...
"That's all very well" replied Jarl Eindrik finally, "but Garheim enjoys good relations with Lenfald. Why should we risk that? And what's to say Lenfald won't retaliate in kind, Garheim still imports the majority of her lumber from Lenfald, but not as much as Loreos I might add."
Ah thought Emmaline, yes the Jarl has definitely been briefed beforehand. His reply was just a little too quick.
"Of course you must control your finances as you see fit Jarl Eindrik, however in this case I believe you'll find that the tax profits, coupled with the advantages to your own domestic markets, will more than make up for any loss. As for your relations with Lenfald, I'm sure you will agree they need to be shown that withdrawal from our Kingdom has consequences. If we are not to spill more blood throughout the land I see this as the only way forward"
"It's not enough" again Jarius interrupted.
This time Prince Mark did raise his hand. "It will be a good start. Loreos agrees to your proposal your Grace."
"As does Garheim your Grace" added Jarl Eindrik.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Chartres. "We can discuss the details further tonight, I shall be of course holding a feast for your arrival. On another matter Prince Mark, I should like to return to Loreos with you, at least as far as Lors Vegos. I have decided to take a break from the court and have it in my mind to show my Queen and Joran here the delights of that city, especially the chariot races, which I have missed dearly since leaving your country!"
"But of course your Majesty" smiled Prince Mark, "Loreos would be honoured to host your return, It has been a long time since I too saw a good race!"
"It shall be so then" beamed Chartres, his amicable and excited young nature now taking over the Kingly demeanour he had worn since the meeting had started.
Part Two - A number of days later in the Shade.
“You certainly picked a dramatic meeting place” grunted Baron Locklear. The light of the torches lit up the small enclave in the catacombs under the Shade, throwing light onto skeletons that had remained in the dark for years.
“Sometimes you need to be reminded you’re an Outlaw” quipped back the man known only as ‘The Phantom’.
“Hmmph, a fact I know very well! Get on with it man, why have you dragged me down here?” snarled Locklear.
“News from Lion’s Head. It would appear that King Chartres is finally going to reply to Lenfald’s secession.” replied the Phantom.
“Took him long enough, is it war?” questioned Locklear, now paying full attention.
“Not yet. Chartres has expressed a desire to restrict any future war to the new isles.”
“Fool, once you let slip the dogs of war there is no restraining them…”
“Indeed, For now he has instructed that Loreos and Garheim impose harsh trade taxes and tariffs on goods being imported or exported to Lenfald.”
Locklear pondered this for a while.
“How harsh?” asked Locklear pensively
“Bad – it will hurt the Lenfels, even with their currently strong economy. They still import the majority of their grain supply from Loreos.” Replied the Phantom.
“Well they probably should have considered that before they up and left” smirked Locklear, “It's a clever idea, very clever. I think we’ll wait this out for a while, until the Lenfels really start to feel the effects – then I think I’ll be sending you on a trip to visit our friend in Lenfald.”
“One more thing that you may be able to use when dealing with the tree lovers…” added the Phantom.
“What’s that?”
“I have been reliably informed that this economic attack wasn’t the idea of the boy King. Rather it came from his sweet and loving wife… and knowing how much the greenies hate her…”
“Indeed. Maybe you are worth the exorbitant price I pay for your services.” replied Locklear.
The Phantom simply gave a knowing smile before effortlessly drifting back into the shadows and disappearing into the catacombs.
Locklear remained, the sounds of dripping water and the occasional rat not impacting on his thoughts. There was much at stake here and his next moves would need to be carefully planned.
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From her position slightly behind King Chartres, Queen Emmaline surveyed the assembled leaders of her husband's Kingdom. On the Garheim side, Jarl Jhirian Eindrik, flanked by her husbands dear friend and best man, Goði Joran Holmstrom, rising star of the Garheim aristocracy. On the Loreesi side, the new leader of Loreos, Prince Mark Lorean stood accompanied by the former Loreesi leader, his uncle Prince Jarius Lorean. Chartres had assembled the leaders of his two remaining provinces at his palace on Lion's Head to discuss recent developments and forge a plan forward for the Roawian Kingdom. For months he had remained publicly silent, consolidating his support and planning his next moves. Now it was time Roawia was reminded that the land had a King.
Emmaline was still a little incredulous that she had ever agreed to marry the young King who now sat at the head of these men. All she had really wanted to do after the murder of her mother and disappearance of her brother in battle was grieve privately and hide away from the world - certainly marring the leader of the forces that had brought her mother's reign to an end had never entered her plans. However, the experience of growing up amongst outlaws and her families play for the throne coupled with her natural intelligence meant that even deep within her grief she realised that the daughter of the feared and hated Queen Galainir was unlikely to ever be allowed to live in peace. Enter the then Prince Chartres, a youthful, charming and energetic young leader who had managed to unite the rebellious factions against her mother. For some reason the young prince had become infatuated with her at their first meeting... Worn down by his constant proposals and the fact that marriage to the future King protected her from the wrath of those who would see the extermination of her mother's line, Emmaline had eventually given in and agreed to marriage. To her surprise she found that over time she was happy. Chartres doted on her, and his naturally cheerful and enthusiastic disposition was hard not to like.
Emmaline's musings were interrupted by her husbands voice. "Gentlemen, I have called you here now that we have finally had some good news from the Great Western Isles. With both your provinces now having established landings in the New World, we must consider our next moves"
"Crush the rebellious Lenfels" hissed Prince Jarius.
Prince Mark ever so slightly raised a hand to silence Jarius. Emmaline, with a her vast experience of observing the behaviour of powerful men, thought she picked up an undercurrent here. An ever so small flash of annoyance had seemed to pass over Mark's handsome face.... hmmm, trouble in paradise she thought, filing the information away for possible future use.
It was however, Joran Homstrom who replied. "Easier said than done Prince Jarius, our spies report that Port Emerald is well established and virtually impenetrable, especially with our own settlements so new."
"And I have no desire for further war in mainland Roawia." Added Chartres. "The land has suffered enough. The time for military action in the new world has not yet come. We must first build our settlements and reach some kind of parity with the Lenfel forces there." Emmaline hid a smile. She knew that Chartres and Joran had rehearsed this meeting before hand, the two were presenting a unified front to the leaders, although she suspected that Joran's loyalty to the Jarl had meant he also had some knowledge of Chartres plans. The pair had long decided that any military action against the wayward province, which had split from the crown stating that they could never support Chartres' marriage to a relative of the former Queen Galainir, must be confined to the Great Western Isles. Roawia was tied and weakened by generations of almost constant war. Although it pained her, she could understood the Lenfel argument that she shouldn't be trusted as the Queen. However privately she found it more likely that Lenfald had used her marriage as the catalyst to break with a sovereign who they felt was controlled by their old enemy, Prince Jarius. Somewhat ironically, neither Prince Jarius nor High Lord Triphan, former Leader of Lenfald, held power anymore.
"If not military action what then do you suggest your Grace?" asked Prince Mark.
"Lenfald is currently enjoying an economic boom as a result of her colony yes?" asked Chartres rhetorically. "I don't see why we should help them grow stronger as they have opted to separate from the crown. I suggest we double export taxes on commodities that Lenfald still relies on, Loreesi wheat for example. At the same time we charge a steep duty on goods which they import to us, This can help make up for some of the additional income they have made from establishing their colony earlier and at the same time allow our own merchants in the new world a chance to break in on the new markets from the colonies by undercutting Lenfel prices in our own lands." The leaders remained silent while they contemplated this somewhat radical idea. Using the economy as a weapon - it was not something Roawia's noble warriors had ever considered before. Emmaline hid another smile, indeed it wasn't something her husband had entirely thought of on his own either...
"That's all very well" replied Jarl Eindrik finally, "but Garheim enjoys good relations with Lenfald. Why should we risk that? And what's to say Lenfald won't retaliate in kind, Garheim still imports the majority of her lumber from Lenfald, but not as much as Loreos I might add."
Ah thought Emmaline, yes the Jarl has definitely been briefed beforehand. His reply was just a little too quick.
"Of course you must control your finances as you see fit Jarl Eindrik, however in this case I believe you'll find that the tax profits, coupled with the advantages to your own domestic markets, will more than make up for any loss. As for your relations with Lenfald, I'm sure you will agree they need to be shown that withdrawal from our Kingdom has consequences. If we are not to spill more blood throughout the land I see this as the only way forward"
"It's not enough" again Jarius interrupted.
This time Prince Mark did raise his hand. "It will be a good start. Loreos agrees to your proposal your Grace."
"As does Garheim your Grace" added Jarl Eindrik.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Chartres. "We can discuss the details further tonight, I shall be of course holding a feast for your arrival. On another matter Prince Mark, I should like to return to Loreos with you, at least as far as Lors Vegos. I have decided to take a break from the court and have it in my mind to show my Queen and Joran here the delights of that city, especially the chariot races, which I have missed dearly since leaving your country!"
"But of course your Majesty" smiled Prince Mark, "Loreos would be honoured to host your return, It has been a long time since I too saw a good race!"
"It shall be so then" beamed Chartres, his amicable and excited young nature now taking over the Kingly demeanour he had worn since the meeting had started.
Part Two - A number of days later in the Shade.
“You certainly picked a dramatic meeting place” grunted Baron Locklear. The light of the torches lit up the small enclave in the catacombs under the Shade, throwing light onto skeletons that had remained in the dark for years.
“Sometimes you need to be reminded you’re an Outlaw” quipped back the man known only as ‘The Phantom’.
“Hmmph, a fact I know very well! Get on with it man, why have you dragged me down here?” snarled Locklear.
“News from Lion’s Head. It would appear that King Chartres is finally going to reply to Lenfald’s secession.” replied the Phantom.
“Took him long enough, is it war?” questioned Locklear, now paying full attention.
“Not yet. Chartres has expressed a desire to restrict any future war to the new isles.”
“Fool, once you let slip the dogs of war there is no restraining them…”
“Indeed, For now he has instructed that Loreos and Garheim impose harsh trade taxes and tariffs on goods being imported or exported to Lenfald.”
Locklear pondered this for a while.
“How harsh?” asked Locklear pensively
“Bad – it will hurt the Lenfels, even with their currently strong economy. They still import the majority of their grain supply from Loreos.” Replied the Phantom.
“Well they probably should have considered that before they up and left” smirked Locklear, “It's a clever idea, very clever. I think we’ll wait this out for a while, until the Lenfels really start to feel the effects – then I think I’ll be sending you on a trip to visit our friend in Lenfald.”
“One more thing that you may be able to use when dealing with the tree lovers…” added the Phantom.
“What’s that?”
“I have been reliably informed that this economic attack wasn’t the idea of the boy King. Rather it came from his sweet and loving wife… and knowing how much the greenies hate her…”
“Indeed. Maybe you are worth the exorbitant price I pay for your services.” replied Locklear.
The Phantom simply gave a knowing smile before effortlessly drifting back into the shadows and disappearing into the catacombs.
Locklear remained, the sounds of dripping water and the occasional rat not impacting on his thoughts. There was much at stake here and his next moves would need to be carefully planned.
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After all, we have plenty of them and it's more yummy anyway 
