Diplomacy 168 4E - The Great war

[OblivionDuruza]

"I trust all is well," King Carandial said warmly.
"Indeed," agreed Queen Aranalda, "What plans have you for your visit?"

"What news from the East?" King Valmir interjected, the ever present look of concern he bore again present on his face.

[Eltee]

Daenwen looked from one face to another, deciding on the order in which to answer. "All is well, my lord. Ah... My plans here are the vaguest in nature. I had hoped to make this goest at some point, to come to know our Alinori allies. You had all been just names to me before. I had also hoped to see some of the city."
She turned to Valmir. "Valenwood is stronger than ever, my Lord. Apart from a minor land claim dispute with county Skingrad and King Torygg making an ass of himself as usual, all is normal. My stepson is currently on his way to Solitude, if he isn't there already."

[POMC S117]

"This way." Said the guard in his northern, broad accent. He was wearing steel mail, with a leather overcoat emblazoned with the Coat of Arms of Solitude. He let her into the Palace. "Your guards must remain here."

---

The High King was standing at the harbour. He bowed to the Prince. "I hope your journey was pleasant."

[Eltee]

The Bosmeri man indicated the shrouded litter. "I think His Lordship would prefer to reach the Palace before we exchange pleasantries, good sir."

[POMC S117]

The group was lead to the palace where Princess Ayre was.

[Eltee]

The Herald bowed respectfully. "I'd love to continue the pleasantries, King, but my Lord must be brought inside as soon as is possible."

[POMC S117]

The door was opened and they were led to a room where a large banquet was prepared for them. A large tapestry of large tree cities lined the walls. On the table was lots of meat. Horker meat, wolf steak, pork, lamb, sausages and venison. There was no vegetables. "Please, sit down!"

[JVElEven]

The forsworn snorted.

"I am not the Princess," he stated simply, motioning for someone to come forward from the group.

Princess Ayre strode forward on the horse she was on, wearing an attempt at a tough expression. It wasn't overly succesful, though.

"So... I just go in?" she asked rhetorically, but unsure. "O-okay..."

She entered hesitantly, making her way to the banquet hall.

[Eltee]

The litter was set on the floor, and the curtains were thrown wide, and the four bearers threw back their hoods. Two of the bearers were Bosmeri, and two were Khajiit.
The litter bore the Mane of Pelletine.

"Hello, I am Haymon Camoran. Pleased to meet you." The simply dressed Herald said with a grin.

[Loocem]

"Mane Ri'Dar presents himself to you. Bring Ri'Dar your two strongest men, my Khajiit are tired from carrying the Mane of Ri'Dar. Ri'Dar has come to discuss this... situation, as Ri'Dar will say, with the sovereign nation of Markarth."

[Eltee]

"As am I, of course!" Haymon laughed.

[JVElEven]

Spoiler:

You got played!

From behind them, a head could be seen poking around the door, looking warily inside.

"E-excuse me?"

[POMC S117]

"I was only expecting two guest!" Chuckled the High King. "Ah... Princess Ayre! Please, sit down." He turned to the Prince from Valenwood. "I instructed my chefs to serve only meat for you."

[Eltee]

Haymon waved his hand. "Few still follow the old ways, High King. I am a follower of Kynareth, and I will not refuse the forest's bounty."

[POMC S117]

"I apologize for my ignorance. If you would rather have some fruit and veg my chefs..."

[JVElEven]

The Reachwoman tiptoed into the room, nervously glancing around at everything before taking a seat at the first occasion possible.

"S-so... You wanted to discuss our independence?" she asked cautiously.

[Eltee]

"Your independence is indisputable." Haymon said, smiling. "Isn't that right, honored High King?"

[POMC S117]

"Yes. That is correct." A servant filled his bowl with some thick, yellow soup. "It is merely the timing and the other particulars that we must discuss. I would hate to grant you independence only to find you struggling economically etc."

[Eltee]

"I doubt there will be an economic struggle when there isn't another nation becoming rich off their resources." Haymon noted scathingly.

[POMC S117]

"You could say that for all the Holds. This is Skyrim. We are in it together. The Reach is a special scenario." The servant had reached Haymon.

[JVElEven]

"The Reach is not Skyrim. And never has it been!" Ayre said with a surprising amount of conviction as opposed to her previous appearance as very nervous, an appearance she immediately reverted to after the outburst.

"And we do fine economically. Politically there might be trouble brewing."

[POMC S117]

This piqued Torryg's interest. "Of what kind?"

[Eltee]

"is that so? Speak your mind, my Lady." Haymon said respectfully.

[JVElEven]

Ayre looked surprised by the interest in a, to her, off-hand remark.

"Well... I..."

She sighed.

"Father's old. Very, very old. And none of his potential heirs want the same, except the throne. I fear that external forces will rip the Reach apart in their eagerness to support the heir who fits their scheme best. And don't tell me you don't know which one'd fit best in your scheme. You've probably got ears in there somewhere."

[Eltee]

"If you are able to sway the West Reach, you could have one heir rule one half." Haymon suggested.