THE DUAL EQUINOX

[Draeris 3124]

 

THE DUAL EQUINOX

The County of Provins signs the Northern Association for Free Trade & Administration Act

 

The King of Curon once had invited the Solicitor-General to partake in the Council of Relief as a gesture of mutual trust between north & empire. Due to the political circumstances at the time, the Solicitor-General rejected this offer. 

 

As the weeks passed, the Imperial diplomatic apparatus realized the wasted opportunity before them. How could they prove their goodwill to the north, if nobody was there to show it? If a words of good intent were spoken in a chamber with nobody in it, were these words even spoken? For that reason, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Jan Haas, sent a missive to the Solicitor-General:

 

“                                               

To HIS EXCELLENCY THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL;

Count Bohemond de Leumont of Provins,

 

We wish to inquire about the possibilities of Your Excellency to join the Northern Association for Free Trade & Administration Act for the sake of our continued diplomatic efforts to our northern subjects. If possible, we implore you to obtain membership and represent us in their organization.

 

While you are not formally wielding any diplomatic capacity, it is seemingly apparent that Your Excellency has relevant connections for diplomacy. Furthermore, we deem you capable of translating our good intentions of the Empire to the north accordingly.

 

Please report to the Office of Foreign Affairs on the results of your inquiry. 

 

IN NOMINE DEI 

HIS EXCELLENCY THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Mister Jan Haas

ON BEHALF OF

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY THE LORD-PROTECTOR

Duke A.v.J. de Sarkozic of Adria

”

The Solicitor-General then sent a missive to his ami, King Pierce I of House Devereux. 

 

“

To HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE KING OF CURON;

King Pierce I of House Devereux,

 

After a long thought, I regret my rejection of your most humble invitation for me to partake in the Northern Association for Free Trade & Administration. If possible, I wish to participate and represent the Holy Orenian Empire accordingly.

 

I wish for your honest reconsideration.

 

IN NOMINE LEX

HIS EXCELLENCY THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Count Bohemond de Leumont of Provins

ON BEHALF OF

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY THE LORD-PROTECTOR

Duke A.v.J. de Sarkozic of Adria

”

 

And as such, it would be shortly after that the Solicitor-General was invited to an observer seat. The question then arose whether the Solicitor-General, the individual, or the Count of Provins, the title, would be seated in their assembly.

 

Bohemond understood that, if it were to compete against the winery of Peter de Vitus, it needed to have a market that was inaccessible to a typical crownland vassal. NAFTA, an area spanning three grotesque Imperial subjects with a massive population that rejected Imperial goods for their own, was a perfect candidate.

 

In the convention that ensued after the approval of his membership, Bohemond pleaded with the parties involved that, if his county were to be accepted: “The NAFTA alliance would cover a dual equinox, and will result in a flow of quality luxury goods for northern princes”. For a region starved of Imperial goods, this sounded like a proposal that came just in time. Thus, the County of Provins became the first Crownland subject to join this northern organization: there again was hope for reconciliation between north & south.