The Warrior's Expedition

[Mingpow321 285]

Arn shakes his head, a sad smile spreading across his face as though he knew this would happen.

"This is not the diplomacy I hoped to see, this is preparing for war. A war that I will not allow to happen upon the shores of ArmaLuna. The fact that one of your allies would assemble an army merely to come to a peaceful meeting is... Pathetic."

Arn's smile disappears as it is replaced by a grim visage. He once again takes a step back, awaiting a response from the assembled parties.

[Cethis Vincrute 13]

Cethis looks around the room, his eyes traveling over each and every face in the room, lifting his hands he removes his helmet, letting it rest in the crook of his arm, smiling softly he approaches the table, bowing his head in respect to the Orcs. Turning to Uthor he gives him a warm smile and bows his head again in respect, turning to the Hightowers he grits his teeth, his eyes seething as he sees Kyral with the bunch. Turning to Sythra he walks around the table, holding his arm in front of his chest and bowing slightly. Turning to a chair he places his helmet on the table in front of it, and stands beside, looking at all of them again he lets out a ragged sigh

"Greetings to you all today. I see you all decided to start without waiting for the elves allies to show. And seeing the looks on your faces, I can already assume you have seen the army I have brought with me."

Chuckling lightly he looks at Sythra out of the corner of his eye,then shifting it back to look at the Uthor

"My army will not attack your men, or the orcs, until they attack first. The only reason they are even here is to.. even the odds a gambling man would say. That, and to show you all that we are not going to take the disrespect you showed by bringing an army with you. I thought you were more honorable than this Uthor. I know the orcs are as well. So why bring an army, to a simple diplomatic meeting? Unless you did not mean to talk diplomacy, and rather war."

Stopping he turns as Elene enters, listening and letting out a long sigh,turning his gaze back to Sythra, speaking softly in a cold tone

"I would agree on Elene on most days. You know I am not one to favor war, nor will I be. But they have called my hand. They showed up to your gate, your kingdom, with a army. I have come as I was called. But I brought an army of my own. Holm will stand with the elves choice. But do not think Holm will forgive easily. Especially to those of Oren. Maybe you have forgotten, but we demanded Gideon be removed. And yet, as I pay a visit to Arethor, there he stands still in power. They have not done as asked, nor will they."

Turning back to Uthor he closes his eyes, opening them again he speaks, his voice cold and his face hard

"You yourself know what I speak, because it was you who promised me it would get done. I bear no ill will towards Oren, or you. But you are forcing those who want to stay out of the wars, the bloodshed. You brought an army here, claiming peace. I have brought my own doing the same. Let us see who is in the right, and who is in the wrong."

[Cracker 4570]

Gorgul's eyes bug wide as the elven allies refer to his guards as an army. He emits a boisterous laugh.

"Ha! A skahun army...these are just to help in klomp. No army. You elf and one of island do not understand. This action was of great ignorance. It makes me think that you think us of blind war. You do not seem fit to rule such land with such action and belief. This is what I see.

[Cethis Vincrute 13]

Shifts his gaze to the orcs, raising an eyebrow as he speaks

"And tell me, how many men are in this "Guard" of yours? I was informed you brought an army. My men number no greater than sixty. As for thinking you of blind war, I do not. I detest war, but I will not back down when challenged. Holm is meant to trade, to bring peole closer. The elves are people of peace. When you bring such a large force, it does not say peace, it says war. So I came prepared."

[meg 1994]

*Sighs as she looks and listens to Cethis and the Rex, holding her daugther closer se says*

"This. All of this is foolish. We are fighting, insulting, and brining in armies over this!?!? I have said it before and I will say it again; This is not right. This is not how we should have gone about this, in no way. ArmaLuna should naught be fought over like this. I forsee ArmaLuna as a beautiful and peaceful land, where lovers and friends and children can frolick and be merry. Naught where wars and battles and petty squabbles are to be fought. *She turns to the Elves and Cethis, tears slowly formbng in her eyes as the young girl clings to Elene's robes even tighter* "What have we done? Why are we fighting like this? Must we bring in armies and threaten and insult? Over such a land as Armaluna?

[Mingpow321 285]

Arn steps forward as Cethis enters, listening intently to his words. His grimace turns darker.

"If you truly wished peace you would not arrive with an army, you would arrive clad in white brandishing not a sword but an olive branch. Why would you feel it necessary to stoop to the level of those who you believe threaten you?"

As he finishes this he quickly swings his gaze to Sythra.

"These are the ones who you choose to ally with? I even wonder if perhaps you told them specifically to bring such an army?"

Arn awaits her response, his face still painted sour.

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

* On the deck of the HMS Emperor King, Robert begins to play golf off the deck of the vessel with the other officers. Lighting up a cigar smoking while he is playing has an enjoyable time off the coast of the Elven lands. He then looks towards the land and says to himself.

"Why did we have to bring so many people? Not to mention I'm not part of this bloody meeting. Oh well I suppose that means more time to play golf, smoke cigars and of course enjoy a good drink with the other officers. Oh why did God see fit to bless me with such skills of golf, a good sense naval tactics and of course my stunning looks and voice? Never the matter no need to complain now."

* he smiles to himself thinking that he has a good life so far. He then sculls a glass of whiskey and places his cigar back in his mouth and readies himself for his next turn in the golf.

[Cethis Vincrute 13]

Shakes his head as he looks at Arn, motioning to his blade he removes his belt, lying it down on the table and sliding it across Uthor and the Rex. Turning his gaze back to Arn he sighs

"Sythra did not call for them. I brought them out of worry for my friends, my family. I was called to come, but not with this force. I brought them to ensure we kept things fair to the elves. You tell me you find it well that they bring a guard force of their own, that is described as large enough to be an army, fair? You all talk peace, then let their be peace. My armies are outside, talking, trading, and drinking with your own. We are not here to fight, but rather, to talk. I give them my sword as a sign of peace. As I have said before, and say again, I brought my army to make sure this was fair, that the elves were not threatened. If I did so out of ignorance, than forgive me."

[Arkelos 1027]

Kyral looks at Cethis and sighs, smiling slightly as she shrugs.

"And to think, I was the one being diplomatic here. Both sides overreacted in my opinion, either way, they are down there promoting trade in Normandor. I'm here promoting peace between the two, when originally I was here to oversee this with my husband, James Hightower."

Kyral looks to James, he seems to have fallen asleep as Kyral smiles, looking back at Cethis, but keeping Arn within her gaze.

"This is, in my opinion a cases of "If both want it, none will have it." I honestly don't need anymore land, however I am interested in Armaluna from a neutral party standpoint, I wish to see the city thrive and I wish to assist it in its endeavors. However, all this bickering, all this unneeded flexing of military muscle interrupts said talks of peace, halting everything we would have had and making it into the mess we have now.

All I really want is to help ArmaLuna, if it be under Malinor rule, or by the joint rule of Silverblades and Orcs. I will not make claim to any more land when I am satisfied with what I have. If both sides can not come to a peaceful agreement, then my work, though in vain will be done here and I will leave with my husband. As a queen of both Humans and Dwarves, I will not delve into bloodshed recklessly.

May I also mention that only the Bannermen of House Silverblade and I believe a small warband of orcs and goblins came here in case something happened? Cethis, as I have said, they somewhat like myself wish to make ArmaLuna what it once was. Unlike me, however they wish to have it under joint ruler ship."

[Agnub 605]

King James Hightower of Salvus had fallen asleep (as old people do sometimes) during the meeting. It wasn't until a courtier nudged him gently that he awoke to the group of arguing officials. A royal aide knelt next to James and informed him of the arrival of Holm troops.

James whispered to the aide "It seems the Holm peacock wishes to flaunt its feathers on the world stage. A shame they won't impress anybody with a meagre force like that... Oh do I hate political novices." before chuckling lightly. He then looked around at those assembled, stood up from his chair and cleared his throat.

"Assembled lords, ladies, royalty, orcs, and rabble. I believe I have a proposition that would be agreeable to all.

"As it seems we cannot decide whom should own the island, I propose that each nation that wishes to stake a claim to it support the creation of a council consisting of a representative from each nation respectively to rule over Armaluna as a neutral island. Decisions would be made per a simple majority vote with one vote being allowed to each member."

King James then sat back down on the chair and sipped a fine Moschata wine, waiting for any responses.

[Braxis 813]

*Shakes his head to Cethis and then speaks*

"About Thirty Men, But most were unarmed or had almost to no armor on. Cause all men adn ye should know being a searfarrin' nation. That men who have been at sea for many months would want to be on land and they were jittery and hyper for being on land for a bit even more so since many do not spend much to no time at sea. And the Lads who were armed to the teeth cause they were too lazy to take thier gear off were sent back if any of yer men looked at me as I stayed behind and ordered the lads to leave. And the rest who did not violate the laws went into the city and are not trading. If it was an army they would have been armed to the teeth. Not in common clothing and bits of armor..Not of an army but more a Landsick Lads in a mob."

*He nods to Kyral and James*

"An Idea such as that King james seems a grand plan. But I would think most or all of us here would have to agree so no wastless bickering and fightin' happens."

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

* Admiral Robert Howe 1st Lord of the Sea in Holm notices he has all of his armoured men on the ships and not in the city.

[Mingpow321 285]

Arn steps up once more and begins to speak, his face no longer painted with anger.

"Forgive my accusatory tone earlier, I'm merely perturbed by this turn of events. A guard of a few men seems reasonable to me, not a fleet of warships bearing an army. This aside, I hope we can carry on with our meeting and its overall goal."

He turns to Dio, smiling apologetically.

"Sorry for the delay in my answer to your proposition. Though I do enjoy that you respect ArmaLuna's independence, I do not wish to withdraw from the world for that would bring us nowhere. ArmaLuna grows lonely with so few people to carry on its lively nature. I merely state that if we do not come to a peaceful decision with this council that I will have no other choice."

[Cethis Vincrute 13]

Nodding his head to Uthor he sits, rolling his shoulder as he shifts his position, the armor making it uncomfortable, speaking calmly ,he looks at the table, tapping his fingers against his chair

"I do apologize, I just thought to bring my friends aid, because I believed they needed it. My men will not cause trouble, that I can promise. Besides, war does not suit me, I just wish for Holm to become a trade nation, not one of war."

Turning his head to James he nods in agreement, chuckling lightly as he thinks

"That is an excellent idea that would maybe bring your kingdoms closer, I do hope Sythra will consider it. I just think you should add on one thing. No warships to be allowed near it. As Holm is closest to it, and as Uthor has stated, we are a sea nation. I do not like the prospect of warships traveling close to Holm So I do hope you understand."

[Aerinyes 402]

((Ughh this moves too fast. :P Been busy with school stuff all day yesterday and today, so here's my response to the 2 pages!))

The High Prince seems annoyed with the bickering that had started. She raises her hand and speaks in a firm and commanding tone, one that her own people are quite familiar with.

"Enough!"

Sythra then looks at all those dignitaries present.

"Friends, I have not spoken falsely during this convention. I intend peace. Cethis' forces are here because he decided to bring them as his personal entourage. This is no different than the Emperor of Oren has done on many of an occasion.

I have requested that our neighbors be present as a courtesy as any decision made concerning this effects them as well. This alone is a small gesture of Malinor's willingness to work with her sister nations of Asulon. It would not have been right or proper to converse with this in private.

Had I wished to show the might of our friends, the forces present with Holm would have been far greater. But I have not played such a hand, and I will not unless forced. For my intention is one of peace and friendship.

Now.. the proposal of King James is amiable. However, how do we decide upon whom has a seat upon such a council? How do we ensure such a council does not stymie itself with inaction?"