Expected company

[esks]

Edward awoke with a start when he felt cool draft. He looked about his room, but all he could see was the black nothingness of night. He couldn't see the golden paint on his wall or the elegant red drapes covering the window; it was closed. He could see nothing, but he still felt the presence of another being. He held his breath and he could still hear breathing. He stopped moving and continued to breathe, trying to keep them as even as possible. If he called for help by the guards the assassin would sure kill him before they could get a sword or arrow in the killer. Edward saw a dark figure glide over his face. This was his chance; Edward grabbed at the shape and caught an arm. He saw the shine of metal at end of the arm. "Guards!" Edward called and a moment later two lightly armored and armed men came through an opening of light. Edward felt the assassin's arm press against his own attempting to drive the dagger into his chest, before an arrow flew from the bow of one of the guards and landed through the assassin's own chest. Edward threw the body off the side of his bed as the guards came around to take it away. "Have a good sleep, your majesty." One of the guards said as he closed the door.

Edward did not get a good sleep. He was expecting an ambassador from one of his nations. He couldn’t help but wonder if the assassination attempt was issued by the ruler of one of these nations. He didn’t really see how killing the ruler of the Asent Empire would help them – Edward was sure he didn’t offend or lower any of his subordinates ruling the countries - unless a separation was planned. Edward found the idea unsettling. Unity was the only ethical path; it was the only way to ensure tranquility and equality. Of course the period in between rulers when finding a ruler would be difficult, since Edward had no children – he really need to get a wife – and would create the proper amount of chaos to plan an insurgence. Plagued by foreboding, Edward sat in his throne awaiting the arrival of his guest.

[Keill]

Keill had been up all night contemplating his upcoming meeting with the ruler of Asent. He was honored, of course, to be chosen to meet such a man on behalf of his great country, but could not help but feel slightly nervous about it. Although he had not yet officially announced it, Keill's King, the King of Nortdum, desired separation of his nation from the rest of the Asent Empire. He had spoken to Keill about such things many times, and now it was on Keill's shoulders to talk with the ruler of Asent. I will have to scare him a little bit. He thought. Just enough to let him know we mean business and aren't to be taken lightly, but we don't want him to be too stirred and cause an uproar, either. It was a delicate situation.

The sun peered out over the mountains and Keill knew it was time to ride out to the castle where he would meet Asent's ruler. He mounted his horse and as he rode up to the castle he felt the cool air blowing across his face and through his beard and he thought back to the many battles he had fought in the cold, icy terrain of Nortdum. He hoped this meeting would not be as gruesome as those skirmishes had been, but one never knew, from what Keill had heard this man whom he was about to meet could be stubborn, and perhaps even dangerous. No, thought Keill. He's only a young boy. He'll be harmless...won't he? As his horse's galloping came to a halt, he climbed down and strode up towards the entrance. He hoped someone would come to greet him.

[esks]

As Edward sat in his throne, thoughts of the past currently filled his head. It had been a year since his father's death which entitled Edward with crowned of the Asent Empire and in the following year, Edward had settled in quite well. No longer was he stressed day after day about the Asent Empire political and economic problems; just recently, a week ago, Edward had hired an advisor to help with the empire needs and to help Edward make difficult decisions. Despite his age, Edward knew that advisors were not to be trusted all the time – they were often under the pay of nobles to manipulate their ruler - and what may sound like a good idea may end up getting you usurped. It was Kreef, a tall thin man who his brown eyes shared colour with what was left of his greying hair, who suggested this meeting with the representative from Nortdum because tension was high with this nation and it needed to be resolved or their could be civil war. Since it was true that relations with Nortdum were sour, Edward had agreed, but he didn’t allow Kreef to be present at the meeting. He only hoped this wouldn’t get him usurped.

Edward waited and waited until a messenger entered the hall. “The ambassador from Nortdum has arrived, your majesty.”

”Is it really an ambassador or is it the king himself?” Edward inquired.

“It is an ambassador. I’m sure, your majesty” The messenger replied.

”Then send him in.” Edward said and with the command, the messenger left. Of one thing Edward was certain, tension with Nortum was high.

[Keill]

Keill was pleased to be sent in so quickly. He was sent through the monstrous castle which seemed all too plain to him. He admired the elegance of the Royal Palace of his own land; it wasn't as sizable as this one, but it was a beautiful piece of art which made proud all the pople of Nortdum. Of course there had been great tension between Asent and Nortdum recently, and Keill almost felt bad that he had come here today in an attempt to aggravate the situation. Almost.

As he was sent in he saw the great ruler of Asent, and it had only just struck him how young this boy was to control so much; so many lives relied on his every decision. Keill had to remind himself to stay alert and focus on the task which was to aide his country and his King in their quest for Sovereignty. It was an idea soaked in the blood of many men, perhaps, but it was worth fighting for if his country couldsee the glory it deserved. Worth fighting for; worth killing for;worth dying for.

Keill took a deep breath and walked over to the boy wuth whom he was about to speak. He bowed respectfully. "I am grateful for having this opportunity with you, my Emperor." Keill greatly disliked using this term for Asent's ruler, for soon, if all went to plan, he would not be Keill's Emperor, but for the moment he had to act polite and respectful. "As I'm sure you are aware, my country has become somewhat frustrated with the current state of affairs. I hope you are willing to relieve us of of certain...inconveniences." Keill remained as neutral as possible for now, but soon he would have to get down to business. He hoped the Emperor would recognize his respectful manner for now, as he awaited the Emperor's reply.

[esks]

Edward was glad when the ambassador arrived; however he was not pleased with what he had to say. Not only was he making demands of his "Emperor", but he also got Edward's title wrong - like his father, Edward had decided that Asent's classic title for a ruler was better fitting than the title that the ambassador had given him. This was to be expected though for who would rule an Empire other than Emperor?

”What inconveniences do you have?” Edward made a point of standing at this statement and walking towards the Northman. He did not step down from the raised platform his throne sat on because the ambassador’s shadow would envelop his body and diminish the air of power Edward deserved. ”If you are talking about the land in Xax ’Shuit you invaded to claim a couple years ago, I’ll tell you what my father said to you king to resolve the crisis: ‘The land you have is what was given to you five hundred years ago. You are not to invade other countries of my Empire to take their land or for any other reason.’ Or are your inconveniences the fact that your country can not fish in Terrorite waters because I will not have your nation stealing fish from other countries.”

With his speech over, Edward stepped down from the platform and onto the ground. ”This place is too open and big for a discussion this small. Would you not prefer to sit down with a drink near a fire?” Edward then walked to his left towards a door on the side of the hall.

[Keill]

A discussion this small? That was what the Emperor had said. Did he think this was just another meaningless political dicussion? If so he was sorely mistaken. Keill would have to take a more offensive position and let Emperor Edward know that his country was not just another pathetic slave to the Asent Empire, but a strong nation capable of causing a great deal of problems for Asent if the Emperor did not please them. "A drink would be lovely, thank you."
The Emperor guided him to a smaller location by a fire and Keill was given a drink.
"Your Majesty," began Keill, still not sure exactly what the appropriate title was,
"With all due respect, Trerror's waters hold so many fish it is said they could feed the entire Empire for generations. If you wish Nortdum to remain loyal to this idea of a united Empire, you need to ensure that such wealth is shared among all the lands. If you fail to show us any benefits to this system, then there is no reason for us to stand by you any longer." Keill could tell the Emperor was not pleased with where this conversation was going, but Keill did not allow that to stop him from persisting. "I suggest you give us some reason to be confident in your Empire again, your Majesty, for at the moment you give us many reasons to be frustrated and none to be satisfied. I would urge you not to take these matters lightly, as you are at risk of losing a powerful nation. I assure you separation is not our intent, but unless you give us reason to believe that we can count on this unity, you leave us no choice."
There. Keill had used the term which the Emperor had surely feared he might. The Emperor had now been made fully aware of what Nortdum was capable of. The fate of Nortdum and the Asent Empire was now in Edward's hands.

[esks]

Edward didn't hesitate before responding, "You know it was once said that Nortdum waters had enough fish to feed the whole continent forever. Now unless you have ignorantly out fished your waters, I find no need for your nation to be fishing in Trerrorite. Also, I believe it was agreed five hundred years ago that well-being of the nations of my Empire are not my responsibility, but the responsibility of that nations appointed ruler. If you don't think your king can efficiently meet your nation's needs, I suggest that you get a new king or integrate even farther into my Empire and be without a king so I can directly take care of your needs; otherwise, if you do intend to separate from my Empire, just remember that my personal army is twice the size of your forces.”

With his rage being released, Edward almost forgot of the drinks. He signaled a servant standing off to the side. “Get us some wine.” With a bow and a “Yes, your majesty,” the man was off.

[Keill]

Keill was infuriated by the Emperor's stubborn ignorance. He did not hesitate to regain the attacking position in the argument.
"Your Majesty, I beg your pardon but we are very much your responsibility. As long as you wish to keep us locked up in this prison you call your Empire, you must accept responsibility for our wishes. With all due respect, your Majesty, our King can only do so much within the boundaries you have set for him. And seeing as how little you've done to please us thus far, eliminating him to be replaced by you is out of the question! I regret to say that you have left us with no alternatives; we must separate from your Empire."Keill took a quick and insincere bow and turned to walk out of the castle. He decided to add one more comment, making reference to Edward's comment about the size of their army.

"Oh, and I would not underestimate our forces if I were you. I can assure you we will cause you great problems if you give us reason to." Keill smirked as he realized his obligations of respect and loyalty to this man had immediately terminated. "Farewell, Emperor." With that, Keill strode out of the castle and leapt onto his horse, heading back to Nortdum, his home. It begins.

[esks]

Edward was not surprised by the ambassador's display of emotion. However, he did not expect some one of such high standing to leave a meting with the ruler of the Asent Empire. Edward supposed he pushed the man's buttons a little too much. The ambassador seemed to be very keen on seperating and he delivered the idea as a threat. Eventhough, as Edward saw it, if the Northmen left the empire, then Edward's immence forces would smother them and in the end it wouldn't much of a threat, more of an annoyance, and the nation of Nortdum would only be ruins not the great independant nation it so hoped to become.

The servant returned with two glasses of wine; he was surprised to only see Edward. He gave him one of glasses and a question. "If I may ask, your majesty? Where did the ambassador go?"

Edward answered with the obvious, "He left. But I fear after the next meeting more than just one man will leave my Empire." He sighed and looked to the bleak future with hollow content.