Delicate Diplomacy

[zaleth]

Zaleth had been admitted to the castle with an escort from the castle guards, and the only reason he had been admitted at all was because he was technically a diplomat. The escort brought him to a large set of doors, probably the throne room, and nudged him forward. Zaleth pushed open the hefty doors with a grunt, aweing the men behind him. Inside sat the king, doing his kingly duties. Zaleth cleared his throat and bowed respecfully towards the king.

"Your highness, I am Zaleth, embassador and elite from Min. We have recently opened our borders and would love to benefit from trade with Avaleur. It also seems that you may appreciate some of our soldiers." Zaleth stated, referring to the war with Goria. He awaited a response eagerly. He hoped he had come across well, as this was his first diplomatic attempt.

[Namari Lovelle]

(( Ahh, I'm sorry to interrupt, but currently the king was sent to a neiboring kingdom to stay until the war was over XD There wasnt any way of you to know this of course, buut maybe change this to show that he was looking for the king, but had not yet found him? ))

[zaleth]

((whoops lol)) When Zaleth didn't get a response, he took a chance and looked up to see the man in the throne stifling laughter. It wasn't the king. Zaleth's face turned bright red underneath his helm, then turned on the escort that led him in here.

"So, if the king isn't here, then could you please show me to the next person in charge?" He asked in complete hostility.

[Namari Lovelle]

(( I guess that'd be me then LOL ))

Namari walked through the halls, going through papers. As hand of the king, she had to be in charge of the city while Phillis was in Paineston. She sighed, walking into the throne room. She spotted the man in armor who had offered his help in the battle, and smiled. "Hello there! What brings you to the castle?" she asked, walking up to him and his escort.

[zaleth]

Zaleth started at the sound of Namari's voice. "Diplomacy. What is it to you, um, I'm sorry, I don't believe I remember your name." Zaleth said. He then sent a small burst of wind magic and had it whistle in the ears of the escorts, who got confused and rubbed their head as the wind made an unpleasant noise in their ear.

[Namari Lovelle]

"Namari Lovell, hand of the king, at your service." the elven woman nodded. "I'm in charge while the king is gone. I appologize as well, though, I did not catch your name either."

[zaleth]

"I am Zaleth Floydd, temporary ambassador to the Min people. I would speak with one who is allowed to conduct diplomacy while the king is away. Would that be you?" He asked, motioning with a hand towards Namari.

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari nodded, bowing slightly. "I welcome you to Avaleur, mister Floydd. I will listen to what you have to say. Do you wish to speak in private, or are the matters free to all ears?"

[zaleth]

"It is the right of all to know what goes on in their kingdom." Zaleth said. He coughed a bit, and then dispersed the wind that was know driving the guards to the point of insanity. "They are delicate in a way, though. It involves the country of Min and our recent de-isolation. The Min wish to trade with Avaleur and a few other nations, to help build up our dwindling economy. However, it seems as though this Goria fellow put a stop to that, so a trade mission has turned into one about war. The offer is this- should Avaleur agree to an alliance with Min that grants both parties military access rights as well as trade and map information, the Min will send fully half of their armed forces to assist in the coming battle. That would only be about seven hundred soldiers, but each and every one has skill greater to or equal to my own without this armor or my weapons. Essentially, each is as skilled in their own fields as say, Roland is with a spear or Ryn with his sword. Elite soldiers. At your disposal. What say you?"

[Namari Lovelle]

"Well, I dare not say no!" Namari spoke, surprised. "Though once the king gets back he may or may not change my decision. But before I agree, I must ask what you wish of Avaleur to do for your people. I wish to make sure we will be able to help."

[zaleth]

"All we wish for is trade and, should the rare need arise, military aid. A stagnant economy needs trade. But if your answer is yes, then I will immediately send a message to the Min king and high council regarding the terms and your decision." Zaleth said warmly. He like this elf so far.

[Namari Lovelle]

The woman nodded, running a hand through her hair. "Very well, I agree. Though, please let your king know that the decision may change, depending on what my king decides when he returns."

[zaleth]

Zaleth nodded, then bowed to the elf. "Very well. I will dispatch the message later on today. On another note, how fares the war? I haven't kept very good tabs lately."

[Namari Lovelle]

"No attacks yet, luckily. All of our healers are healing as many as possible, everyone is helping with anything they can. Everyone is trying their best to learn how to fight better before Goria comes back." Namari frowned. "Luckily there are more living than dead."

[zaleth]

"That is a good thing. Tell me though, does Avaleur have a standing army at all? Or is it just the guards?"

[Namari Lovelle]

"Mostly guards." Namari sighed. "And about four- er, three, official knights." she corrected herself.

[zaleth]

Zaleth noticed her correction, then remembered the werewolf incident. "Ah, well, I see then. I would gladly fill in that absent spot for the duration of the war if you would like a fourth general. But I have a suggestion. If you should find it acceptable, gathering some of the peasantry from the farmlands and other areas and giving them good weapons and some training may be a good idea if we must meet Goria on the battlefield."

[Namari Lovelle]

"A good suggestion it is, but those people will probably not wish to fight for another land's lives. Sad to say, because I have a feeling that Avaleur is just the start." Namari sighed. "And I would appreciate a substitute knight, Zaleth, thank you. I will send word to others and ask for assistance, though."

[zaleth]

Zaleth laughed. "Fair enough. But if you told them the cold, hard truth that if Avaluer falls, they're next, then I'm sure they'd be more than willing to help."

[Namari Lovelle]

Namari smirked. "Oh, I bet they would."

"So how was your journey here? Well, I hope?" she asked the man in armor.