Hail Caesar!

The messenger's horse galloped into town and up to the building which holds the King's council chambers like it knew where the messenger needed to go, and it was right. As well it might be, the path (not a road mind you, merely a trampled place in the dirt at times) was well traveled. The messenger could barely sit the saddle after pounding most of the way across the continent on a series of the fastest horses available. The message was urgent, and although horses are too valuable to run to death, the same can not be said for messengers.

The horse tossed his head, irritated at the messenger's slowness in dismounting. "Easy boy," said the messenger, "I just needed to gather myself a bit". He slid from the saddle and nearly collapsed, but kept his footing and stumbled toward the council chamber. As he neared the King he paused, gathered his reserves of strength, and straitened himself. He then bowed and approached.

"Sire, I bring you urgent news from Kassite! An emissary of another people swam across the channel west of the city with greetings from their leader. His name is Augustus Caesar, and his people call themselves the Incans. He offered a treaty of open borders, which your representative in Kassite accepted on your behalf." Then looking a bit pale, he asked the King's leave to rest a bit while the council pondered the possibilities of trading with these Incans, promising to deliver the reply message, perhaps at a more dignified and comfortable pace.

 

Lounging on his second floor balcony overlooking the beginnings of his silk plantation, watching his grand children running through the trees and listening to the burble of the river Vida, Seidrik was in perfect harmony as he sipped on some fresh water and lazily ate his morning meal of bacon and hash. As was his custom, he always kept an ink jar and quil and some sheets made of crushed river reads for notes. Today, he made a note to have Gordon, his trusted man-servant look into building some fruit orchards and some pens for chickens. He had only had time so far to get the pig pens started and the massive barbeque pits were being dug with a veranda nearby for outdoor parties, sheltered from insects and the heat. It was hard work building a new life out of the steamy woods just north of the steamy jungles, but a rich future and a peaceful life appeared to be whispered on the brook and in the trees here. As Seidrik returned to lazily enjoying the morning, a rider approached at full gallop from the direction of the bridge that lead to the East...the direction of Arete.

Dusting off any crumbs from his white tunic and grey trousers, Seidrik threw on his dark blue jacket with copper fittings and began to make his way to the main entrance and couryard, where the messenger would soon be recieved by a member of his staff.

As he decended the stairs, Seidrik could hear a muffled conversation growing more clear and louder as he approached. Apparently, the messenger had an urgent message from the King.

"Gordon, who is it?"
"My lord, it is a messenger from King Dutchfire. You are summoned to an urgent meeting to discuss preparations to recieve a diplomatic envoy from a new power to the west."
"My Lord, I am the messenger, and what your man says is correct. We must leave immediately, but be prepaired to stay in the city for several days."
"Gordon, have my bags packed and put in the Wagon. I must see to some matters of state, and see what advice I can give. Send word to Master Toby at my apartments in Arete that I am arriving shortly. I will speak with my wife and children and give my instructions for things I would like done in my absence."

With the formalities dispensed, Seidrik left instructions for construction of the orchard, details on the barbeque pits and veranda, and the chickens of course. He also looked after the details of important things he felt he would need in Arete. Then, he entered his noble blue wagon with the gold frills and the padded seats.

As he waited for the rider to get the team moving, his wife opened the carrage door, and hopped in.

"What, after all this time, you thought you could go away again for so long without me?"

"I would never dream of being without you, and there is always something new to see in Arete. I'd be glad to have you to show around the city."

There were older now, but more care free than they had been for much of their lives together. And a new glint of adventure was in Seidrik's eye, something his wife loved to see there.

 

It's good to have you back here in the Royal Palace, Seidrik. You do know about that barbarian town our horse archers conquered? Rumours about foreign people, worshipping strange gods and speaking an odd language have been living there for ages. I've sent some of our spies there to investigate these rumours. An interesting story for sure! Well, I'll let the messenger explain this, he worked hard enough to get here. Mister Shack, the floor is all yours.

 

Seidrik sat quietly with his wife by his side. King dutchfire shuffled nervously on his throne. Through the great archway that opened up to the hall, came a voice.

"Let's see... if we move sldkfh here,... and recount...1 2 3 4....."Master of Tribunal Cyc strolls down the hallway past the great archway."And by recalculating gsjhdkf""across the board,...""I do believe this is a viable approach..."Lost in thought, Cyc meanders down the hallway out of sight to the three who have been watching him."Yes, yes, 1234... no, wait...."

King dutchfire turns to Seidrik, "How did he get in here?" he asked scratching his unshaven chin.

"I have no idea..." was the reply.

"And where is that Mr. Shack! It's been far too long." The King retorted.

"I believe the Messenger is indisposed at the moment, your Highness."

 

While still discussing the implications of having Incan neighbours close to Kassite, a second messenger, even more tired as DaveShack was, since he had to use second-rate horses, entered the hall. "Sire, fishermen near Kassite went out to sea for the first time since your conquest liberation of the city. Out on the sea, they noticed that things had changed since their barbarians times. Not only were there Incan fishermen competing with them for the best fish, there now where boats with light-blue sails. They, too, spoke an odd language, clearly different from the Incan dialect. When they came back to the harbour, they immediately sent a messenger, through dangerous Spanish lands, towards the King.

 

Caeser eh? Vandal thought to himself while he sharpened his blade. He walked outside to throw his pets their meat. They came to him like dogs. Vandal walked into the swamp. He walked through every thing in his path unill he reached the hill, a very large one at that, and screamed, " You will pay, Caesar!"

 

OOC: I have just returned from touring a large number of "world destinations" including the pyramid of Luxor, Caesar's Palace, Paris, Mandalay Bay, New York, Venice, the castle of Excalibur, etc. Sorry about the "jot & drop" on this thread, y'all should just run with it while I catch my breath and run through 100's of work emails.

 

Vegas!