Shadowbound
Incorrugible
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,078
Ky* Caplin a** Carstares, sworn member of the Royal Household and member of Hazim's Lifeguard, a group of warriors sworn to guard him to the death, knelt before Hazim himself. The King sat on his travelling throne, a massive object of amber and silver-work that happened to weigh only a third as much as the Sunset Throne in Sintonia City.
"Lord a Carstares, I am correct in the belief that you were able to observe the battle at Herim?" The King's leading general, Jakumiuk, asked.
The Ky's head raised slightly, so that he could look at the general. "You are correct."
"And, what was the outcome of the battle?"
"When we left, the Myococan relief was rounding up the Swade soldiers. We would have observed more, but I felt it prudent to leave before the Myococans question why we were with the Swade army."
"And why were you accompanying said army?"
"The army, by then, had encircled the city. The only way to get close enough to observe was with their permission. They were willing to grant it, as they expected a quick victory."
"Which they did not achieve, why?"
"They were forced to assault a fortified city, within a limited timeframe before the relief force arrived. They had left no option of surrender, and their attempts to overrun the fleeing Oneists had failed. Even untrained troops would be able to inflict heavy casualties in such a situation."
Jakumiuk turned to the King, who had remained silent on his throne.
"Your majesty, though the Myococans may have one the victory at Herim, such is not a good reflection of how a war between the two nations is likely to go. The War Council's advisement, that Sintonia would be best benefited by an alliance with the Swade Ascendency, stands. To make best use of-"
The King raised his hand, and fixed Jakumiuk with a short look that advised silence. He turned to A Carstares, still kneeling.
"What would the Lord a Carstares recommend in the course our royal body undertakes between our cousins in Myococa and Swade?"
Jakumiuk nervously tried to gain the King's attention, but Hazim's focus remained fixed on the Ky before him.
"Your majesty, I would recommend neutrality."
"And what would your brothers, who accompanied you to Herim?"
"Ky Khiri believes it is still possible for peace to be made between our northern cousins. Ky Stark believes that we have an obligation to aid Swade in ridding Myococa of Oneists."
The King leaned back, his neck molding with the shaped chair in which he sat. Carstares's face had never looked more haggard beneath his grayed moustache as he continued.
"The decision of the Ky, made between the Jen'e'tai*** upon word of hostilities between Swade and Myococa, was strict neutrality. Even if your royal majesty calls us, we cannot come."
"We are aware of the decision, and not pleased with it." The King, using the royal 'we' answered. "However, the Ky have had a long and proud service even before our house sat upon the throne, and so we shall allow it."
The King raised his voice, addressing the entire tent.
"Long have our advisors recommended that we support Swade, or else remain neutral. Is there any here who would have us support Myococa, who is wronged?"
There was silence throughout the tent, as the officers and the sprinkling of courtiers waited for someone else to state to their Majesty the obvious. It was Jakumiuk who spoke up in the end.
"Myococa, while wronged, is the lesser power." He said. "The less risk lies in support of Swade, who possess a larger army and navy then their less radical neighbors."
The King raised his hand again, having heard enough. Jakumiuk, already surprised at the king's unprecedented use of his authority, who before would have let his generals handle such things.
"Swade may be a mightier power. Swade may be the center of Bladeism. But Hazim, King of Sintonia, the Sunset Kingdom, is not a vulture to prey upon one who's defeat may already be assured. Myococa is in the right, and it's fields tread upon by the boots of Swade soldiers. It is our decision how Sintonia chooses to send it's armies. And we choose to send them into Swade, should war between it and Myococa erupt."
"Ky a Carstares, we charge you as our royal proxy in this matter. Go to Myococa, and if the armies march, tell us."
Carstares nodded, leaving the tent of his own will. None of the guards moved to stop him. They, the courtiers, and the officers of the army looked at the King with a newfound respect. Except for Jakumiuk, whom showed fear on his face.
Outside, thousands of swordsmen and archers bustled about, unknowing of how their foe had been decided in the tent at the center of the army. Some glanced towards the west, to the shared borders of Swade and Myococa's southern cities, which they were encamped near.
------------
To: Myococa, Swade
From: Ky a Carstares, emissary of King Hazim.
It is the decision of King Hazim that, should war erupt between your two nations, that he shall move his army in support of Myococa. It is their borders and people who have been despoiled, and they who shall swing their blades with the added force of righteousness.
*Ky: Knight
**a: meaning 'of'
***Jen'e'tai: Ranking member of the Ky
OOC: *Crosses fingers* Anything else I should do? Or do I just send the orders for the attack via PM?
"Lord a Carstares, I am correct in the belief that you were able to observe the battle at Herim?" The King's leading general, Jakumiuk, asked.
The Ky's head raised slightly, so that he could look at the general. "You are correct."
"And, what was the outcome of the battle?"
"When we left, the Myococan relief was rounding up the Swade soldiers. We would have observed more, but I felt it prudent to leave before the Myococans question why we were with the Swade army."
"And why were you accompanying said army?"
"The army, by then, had encircled the city. The only way to get close enough to observe was with their permission. They were willing to grant it, as they expected a quick victory."
"Which they did not achieve, why?"
"They were forced to assault a fortified city, within a limited timeframe before the relief force arrived. They had left no option of surrender, and their attempts to overrun the fleeing Oneists had failed. Even untrained troops would be able to inflict heavy casualties in such a situation."
Jakumiuk turned to the King, who had remained silent on his throne.
"Your majesty, though the Myococans may have one the victory at Herim, such is not a good reflection of how a war between the two nations is likely to go. The War Council's advisement, that Sintonia would be best benefited by an alliance with the Swade Ascendency, stands. To make best use of-"
The King raised his hand, and fixed Jakumiuk with a short look that advised silence. He turned to A Carstares, still kneeling.
"What would the Lord a Carstares recommend in the course our royal body undertakes between our cousins in Myococa and Swade?"
Jakumiuk nervously tried to gain the King's attention, but Hazim's focus remained fixed on the Ky before him.
"Your majesty, I would recommend neutrality."
"And what would your brothers, who accompanied you to Herim?"
"Ky Khiri believes it is still possible for peace to be made between our northern cousins. Ky Stark believes that we have an obligation to aid Swade in ridding Myococa of Oneists."
The King leaned back, his neck molding with the shaped chair in which he sat. Carstares's face had never looked more haggard beneath his grayed moustache as he continued.
"The decision of the Ky, made between the Jen'e'tai*** upon word of hostilities between Swade and Myococa, was strict neutrality. Even if your royal majesty calls us, we cannot come."
"We are aware of the decision, and not pleased with it." The King, using the royal 'we' answered. "However, the Ky have had a long and proud service even before our house sat upon the throne, and so we shall allow it."
The King raised his voice, addressing the entire tent.
"Long have our advisors recommended that we support Swade, or else remain neutral. Is there any here who would have us support Myococa, who is wronged?"
There was silence throughout the tent, as the officers and the sprinkling of courtiers waited for someone else to state to their Majesty the obvious. It was Jakumiuk who spoke up in the end.
"Myococa, while wronged, is the lesser power." He said. "The less risk lies in support of Swade, who possess a larger army and navy then their less radical neighbors."
The King raised his hand again, having heard enough. Jakumiuk, already surprised at the king's unprecedented use of his authority, who before would have let his generals handle such things.
"Swade may be a mightier power. Swade may be the center of Bladeism. But Hazim, King of Sintonia, the Sunset Kingdom, is not a vulture to prey upon one who's defeat may already be assured. Myococa is in the right, and it's fields tread upon by the boots of Swade soldiers. It is our decision how Sintonia chooses to send it's armies. And we choose to send them into Swade, should war between it and Myococa erupt."
"Ky a Carstares, we charge you as our royal proxy in this matter. Go to Myococa, and if the armies march, tell us."
Carstares nodded, leaving the tent of his own will. None of the guards moved to stop him. They, the courtiers, and the officers of the army looked at the King with a newfound respect. Except for Jakumiuk, whom showed fear on his face.
Outside, thousands of swordsmen and archers bustled about, unknowing of how their foe had been decided in the tent at the center of the army. Some glanced towards the west, to the shared borders of Swade and Myococa's southern cities, which they were encamped near.
------------
To: Myococa, Swade
From: Ky a Carstares, emissary of King Hazim.
It is the decision of King Hazim that, should war erupt between your two nations, that he shall move his army in support of Myococa. It is their borders and people who have been despoiled, and they who shall swing their blades with the added force of righteousness.
*Ky: Knight
**a: meaning 'of'
***Jen'e'tai: Ranking member of the Ky
OOC: *Crosses fingers* Anything else I should do? Or do I just send the orders for the attack via PM?