Conference and Concession of Power

[Ivernia]

The High Kingdom was on full alert.

It was safe to say Tara Castle has never been more unbreakable. Before 1855 Tara Castle was more a fortress, looming on it's rock looking over the plains of Nemedia, the White River and White Oak City - Bán Dair Cathrach. But when the threat of immediate war and danger passed Ivernia's shores the castle was rebuilt. Shining white stone and towers out of a fantasy book. It's new role being housing a High King and guests. But the guests to come were not ordinary dignitaries, this was not an ordinary meeting, and Tara's fortitude did not come from its stone.

Soldiers. Soldiers everywhere, and soldiers nowhere - looming. The Nemedian Army had several leagues of men here.
Dignitaries from many some of the worlds most powerful nations would be arriving soon, the chance for a terrorist attack on the place they would meet - Tara Castle - has never been higher.

''If only we kept that old fortress'' Felix thought to himself as he dressed.
He could see men even from his chambers as he dressed, small khaki ants manouvering the large base of rock Tara sat on. It was stressful even to watch, Felix turned back to the mirror.
He has chosen his uniform; a black barathea jacket with silver buttons, it's matching waistcoat, and tartan kilt of deep green, blue accents. Fixing his silk jabot over his silver buttons he could see the hand of Uí Neill engraved upon them. Though the Hand should be red. When he finished his entire Highland dress, he looked in the mirror once more, and saw a High King of Ivernia. Ready to lead this conference of nations to a peaceful end.

Dressed and fitted in full regalia he passed through the dressing room into his personal office, glancing at notes. Dignitaries from Telora, Danmark, Havenshire the Fennian Union and even Great Engellex. So many dignitaries, we are needing fly-bys from the Ivernish Air Corps.
Not only is there the very real danger here, there is also a great fear across the nation, Felix mused sorrowfully, as only days ago communist terrorists gunned down the Crown Prince of Agderike and even Mary of House MacSweeney, which the nation is still reeling from. He fears not only Communist terrorism but also home terrorism from perhaps ultra-loyalists against the Havenite procession. ''Gardaí gardaí agus tuilleadh gardaí!'' seems to be Prince-Elector Evan McGraths answer.

As the High King drifted through his notes he walked out of his chambers, moving through the hallways, to inspect the room. The room where we shall all meet. Situated a floor up from the throne of Ivernia he needed to inspect the conference room, to sit in his place and get comfortable. The conference room has been changed and he wanted to see.

Prince-Elector Vincentus Aodh-Mór was standing by the door as the High King moved up.
''An Morghact Rioga Ard Felix Uí Neill'' He bowed. Wearing Highland dress also, (as House Aodh-Mór is of Highever) but respectfully dressed in slightly simpler attire than the High King. Felix saw his silver buttons had the Eagle of Aodh-Mór upon them.

''Mo Airdrigh, Na maisitheoirí críochnaithe ag an seomra comhdhála. Beimid ag féachaint ar a gcuid oibre?'' Vincentius offered and opening oaken door.

When Felix walked in he could see the changes the decorators made. The banners of the great Houses of Ivernia have been moved from their central spot surrounding the central table and new banners of more neutral Ivernish Greens and Golds have been placed. Except for the Banner of his House, Uí Neill. A blood red hand on a gold field which held strong above his seat at the top of the table, a large circular table, made of Ivernish White Oak. Felix ran his hand across the smooth pale table, the inner part of the circle engraved with historical Ivernish battles. 'In slightly poor taste considering?' he wondered.

''Do Grásta, Criedim go that David MacSweeney has said he will be back in time for the conference and willing to stand as your Foreign Secretary.'' Vincentus reported, staring at his houses banner moved further down the hall. He came back and pointed to Felix's left ''He shall be seated there, he speaks English and Danish, so language shall be no problem for Havenshire, Engellex or Danmark. We have brought in Scanian translators for the Fennian Union and Telora as well as extra English and Danish translators to back David up. Do not worry your Grace they shall not want for communication.''
'Good' Felix thought, 'I would hate for all this work to all blow up to some mispoken word.' ''And Even McGrath to the right?''
''Yes, and I will be to his right. The dignitaries from where your seat is just there at the top, starting clockwise: Great Engellex, Danmark, The Fennian Union, Telora, then Havenshire and then back to you. I put Telora next to Havenshire, less bad blood, and I put Havenshire closer to you, as it's one nation versus four and you will need to hear what the Havenites have to say. They should all be arriving very soon, the meeting is to be in a day, possibly the day after if travel is tiring. They are all staying in Tara Castle by the way.''

''My esteemed guests. My very very dangerous esteemed guests. The southern Thaumantic Ocean has never been an Ivernish interest, but I am praying for Gods grace to prevail in this meeting. After Princess Mary... Poor David, his own niece. No more bloodshed. No blood must come of this.''

''Your Grace, your worry is commendable, but unfounded. Havenshire will bend, we will likely strike a grain deal later to sate Havenshire, and the royalists can go home honour intact. I am sure of it.''

''You are sure of it'' Felix repeated. He looked at the double doors where the Dignitaries shall be filling in in a few days. He went over procedure in his head. First Felix shall meet, greet, and welcome them. Then he will draft them of the rules. Due to many language barriers only one may talk at a time, no interruptions and typically flowing each statement clockwise giving Havenshire a chance to address all concerns at once. But instant short replies may be allowed if they all consent. It seemed to him the most efficient way of keeping calm heads while also managing so many different languages. He was sure none of them new Ivernish Gaeilge but it was no matter, the Ivernish seats would be addressing in English.

''Vincentus make sure to get Evan to tell me the moment each dignitary enters Ivernish Airspace. Roads need to be closed, the Hydrogen Highway may need to be closed.

''Your Grace, I agree, and I know so does Evan. I shall contact the Prince-Elector of Transport Micheal Earhart now, and get it done.''
''Thank you Vincentus, the last thing we need is them dying on the way here.''

''I know your Grace. It would be a disaster for our tourism sector.'' And with his jape Prince-Elector Vincentus Aodh-Mór departed the room leaving Felix to his thoughts.

He put his hands on the round White Oak Table once more, gloved fingers filling the engravings. A sword, a lance, a knight's charge. He saw his notes to his right on the table. He gathered his notes and familirised himself with the setting, trying to imagine how it would all go out. He readied himself for battle.



OOC: Actual Conference shall not begin for 1-3 IC days while everyone plans stuff out. I will then start the conference, but feel free to RP the dignataries making their way to Ivernia or into the conference if you wish. Also names of who is attending should be posted. Hopefully in a nice rp way though.
{Danmark Great Engellex Fennian Union Havenshire Telora}

 

[Serbovia]

Residence of the Ambassador of the Fennian Union
Bán Dair Cathrach
Kingdom of Ivernia

"To use a somewhat crude comparison", Kauko Vannas said after taking a sip from the whisky glass in his left hand, "Say you are travelling alone, late at night, ending up in a rougher neighborhood. You're approached by two men, both known to you. The bigger is the local hooligan, infamous to all and with his own lackeys who are with him either out of respect of power or out of fear of consequence. The smaller is his follower. They say that they'll beat you lest you hand to them your money. What do you do?"

"Probably run away", Väinö Steiner replied with a chuckle, "But I don't get it."

"The larger one - Rijeka. The smaller one - Westhaven."

The Fennian ambassador to Ivernia now had a knowing smile on his face, as opposed to the evident confusion over the earlier failure to grasp the meaning of the metaphor Vannas had applied. Evidently the Foreign Minister had chosen a somewhat too down-to-Earth set of words.

"So you see", Vannas continued, "You could either target the bigger one first, in which case the smaller one will likely lose fighting spirit and be otherwise easier to deal with. But in this case, he smaller opponent will be the first one in fray. So remove him by the equation, either intimidate him into the belief that a fight won't be worth it, or give a swift kick in the groin."

"Thus to convince Havenshire that they'd emerge as a loser."

Kauko Vannas said nothing, giving a mere nod in reply. He remembered the first time in his life when he had met ambassador Steiner. As a son of a very low bureucrat and a schoolteacher, Vannas had surprised everyone when after the completion of his military service he managed to get accepted into the prestigeous Union University of Pietari along with the attainment of a full degree scholarship for the duration of his studies. He had also been a fish out of water. Back then in the early 1930s, the Union University had largely been a domain of the sons of aristocrats, high government officials and those generally privileged looking for a career in government service, and the scholarships based on merit had been applied in a much smaller scale than they were now.

As a result, Vannas had stood out at the Faculty of Political Sciences, where the corridors and classes at times looked as if they were pulled straight out of some calendar of high society. However, Steiner - a son of a Franconian emigrant of noble stature and the heiress of a then-prominent industrial family in charge of the Järvimaa Metal Company - who had been one year his senior had taken him in, introducing him at their fraternity and Pietari's social life to a great number of what one would call "the right people". One of whom had been Vannas's girlfriend for two years. Alas, that relationship had ended when the woman had revealed herself as a member of the Communist Party and Kauko Vannas had promptly ended the entire relationship.

Even after graduating - Steiner in 1935 and Vannas a year later - the men had stayed in touch with each other, even if Steiner had chosen to pursue big money in employment with his mother's side grandfather's company, while Vannas had chosen the execution of patriotic duty to his fellow Fennians in the form of entrance in the Diplomatic Service. Then had come the Häyhist takeover, and he had found himself in an increasingly rapid career path along an organization ladder swept clear by Joakim Häyhä and his supporters of those they considered to pose a threat. By the time Järvimaa Metal collapsed in 1947 and Väinö Steiner lost his job and a major portion of his property in the process, Kauko Vannas had become a Deputy Chief of Staff of the Foreign Office.

Thus, he had been in a position to help out an old friend, and since then they had helped out each other as Vannas rose to the eventual position of Foreign Minister and Steiner after various stints of trade representation in foreign countries was made the Fennian ambassador to Ivernia. In spite of differences in rank the two men often regarded each others as equals. However, Vannas had on a few times noted how the roles of protector and protegé had changed over time. Such was life.

Kauko Vannas knew that he was in the right place and with the right man to confide in. The three-floor Neorenaissance villa that was owned by the Foreign Office as a diplomatic residence was, at this time of the day, clear of everyone else other than the assorted servants taking advantage of the servants' quarters in a separate wing, and the tripled security detail of TuOs personnel inside the residence and on its courtyard.

"Correct", he finally gave reply, "That country is nothing but a nuisance, if only a very loud one, and a nuisance that can potentially sting. Kalevala has goals in mind that do not - for now - concern Westhaven, but their consequences could, though."

"You're talking about the Long Sea crisis."

"Again correct", Vannas nodded and took another sip of his whisky, "As we speak, the Defense Staff is working double hours preparing our boys about to head off to Danmark, and if that squabble turns into armed conflict the last thing the Union needs is the Havenite submarine service running amok in the Thaumantic. Or worse, the Carentanians basing themselves on that island. Even if we'd stand to win, particularly with Danish or Engellexic support, it's a discration that we don't need right now."

"And the Havenites know this."

"True. I somewhat suspect that they'd have never launched this latest campaign of international bravado were it not for the fact that if their Carentanian allies keep on attempting to incite war in the Long Sea."

"Or some infantile attempt at saving face when the reaction to their maneuvers wasn't what they expected", Steiner said as he got up, "More whisky?"

The drink seemed like a good idea after what had been a somewhat exhausting flight from Kalevala aboard an Air Force

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VIP aircraft, spent going through various Foreign Office memorandums with his assorted assistants. Vannas welcomed the chance to relax ahead of the conference, too.

"Yes, please", Vannas said as he watched his friend walk to the liquor cabinet in his study and take out another brand of the premium stuff, "And yes, as much as one could also guess that what started this mess in the first place was another attempt by Westhaven to direct the attentions of its populace from the inevitable fall of communist ideology throughout Europe, one could also guess that the proposition of talks serves a similar propagandistic role, a dignified withdrawal of sorts. Of course, if these talks do not attain results the Information Office will spin it as a result of Havenite aggression, and if they result in something we'll call that a victory of Fennian diplomacy."

As Kauko Vannas watched the ambassador filling the two glasses on the liquor cabinet's table with whisky, he found himself examining his hands. In the fingers of his left hand there was a set of three rings. The ringfinger held his wedding ring, and on its left and right sides respectively there were a member ring of the National Unity Front - gilded and with a commemorative diamond for his service - and a silver ring denoting graduation from Army Reserve Officer Training.

He took the silver one from his finger and examined the inscription on the inside. The inscription was the motto of the Fennian Union Army, and it semed oddly fitting given the context.

If you wish for peace, prepare for war.

 

[Danmark]

Onwards, we must strive!

The 'Battleaxe', the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Danish realm, marched into the Castle of Tara not suffering any fool that stood in her way. With an act of impatience and ill suffering subordinates, she commanded the group of Danes that followed her, desperate to keep up with her pace and fearful of her admonishment.

Fru. Ingeborg Esmerelda Munk struck an imposing figure even given her small stature and she commanded the delegation with fearsome aplomb. Size was not all, it seemed. In a land of rather tall menfolk, she was an anomaly but punched well above her diminutiveness and her name was legendary and feared. You did not win over this rather elderly woman and dare you might, but you would not win even if you tried.

Composed of a consummate no-nonsense delivery and direction she had a mind like a hawk and she knew instantly the doubts of her 'ducklings' who scurried behind her. She smiled in mirth. In reality she loved them all but she had a job to do and, as she was scarred by her youth, she would plough on and do. "I shall damned well do it", her thoughts of forty years brought a familiar echo to her. And damned well so she would.

She cast an eye over the assembled throng that had gathered before her. She rather loved the Fennians because despite their rather complicated constitutional arrangements, they had gumption. She liked that. She liked that in any walk of life.

But she steeled herself against the appearance of the Westhaven delegation. A woman thoroughly inculcated in antipathy towards the 'pestilence' of communism, she decided she would make no fuss over them. If they dared contradict her she would shoot them down in a ball of flames and put them in their place. Of all people, she loathed communists. Even Wieserreichers were blessed in comparison, being mere poodle creatures of cultivated tails but dogs nonetheless.

But being a cultured woman, she glanced and marvelled at the immense sanctuary that was the Castle of Tara. From oak beams, chivalric emblems, and rosewood furniture, she could not be but in full admiration. "This rivals the royal palace" she inwardly opined before getting down to reality.

"Right! Where will I sit?!" she exclaimed as the Foreign Ministry figures scrambled around her to show her the seating arrangments.

She clapped her hands.

"Come, come, stop the dither! I don't take all day! Where do I sit?!"

Her juniors rushed to her trying to out-do each other in getting to her first. She inwardly chuckled. "Such queens", she thought to herself.

"Come, come, hurry!", she glared at her juniors.

"They seem to have organised a diplomatic arrangement, ma'am, so you do not sit next to the Havenites" rallied one flustered official.

"Oh joy! Though I would have sooner have sat right next to them and told them a lesson or two!", Fru Munk shot.

She grimaced and swallowed.

"However, the seating shall not allow them to escape their folly! Come what may, I shall tell them straight!"

A more brave Foreign Office official ventured forth.

"Do you think that is wise? This a delicate process".

The accompanying party gasped. Never had anyone dared to shoot to the top and question Fru. Munk.

She glared and twisted her mouth into contortions.

"In my almost forty years in public life, do you not think I know my job? Whilst you were clambering around in nappies, I was here doing my bit. Remember that and bring that into your academic education. Remember and learn from it".

She looked to her assembled hubble with a glint in her eye. She could never divulge that she loved all her young and rather clever young men, but she did.

"Now come, lets drop the fuss and get on with it! Let me bet that the first Havnite I meet will stammer when they meet me".

She laughed a most devilish laugh.

 

[Ivernia]

OOC: Okay thanks to all who posted an entrance! Helps our learning of who's who.
Anyways I am just saying that I will be posting the beginning of the conference tomorrow. If you still want to RP your delegates entrance to Ivernia/Tara Castle simply post an OOC post telling me to hold on, then edit it to the post.

Also just to note if ''Bán Dair Cathrach'' is too much of a mouthful ''Oaktown'' is the anglicised name.

 

[Havenshire]

The arrival of the Havenites was the one most eagerly anticipated, and when it occurred, it did so with usual communist gusto.

First came the motorbike escorts, for security, then a long black sedan limousine, little red flags fluttering on the bonnet. Behind came an armoured jeep with several Havenite marines, for additional security. They may have carried only personal side-arms, but their distinctive red berets and sage-green uniforms marked them out as men to be feared. Exiting from the limousine was the Diplomatic mission itself.

Flashing their identity papers to the Ivernian guards, they proceeded directly, clustered together like an arrowhead, towards where the main meeting would be held. There were five of them, all dressed identically in black power-suits* as they moved in lockstep towards their destination. At their head was a man they had debated long and hard about including, but had decided, based on the likelihood and increasing publicity of the talks, that his presence would be indispensable.

Foreign Minister Alan Welks was not one of them. Premier Walker did not trust his abilities as a diplomat, and he was too important to sacrifice as a scapegoat at this time. So it was in the hands of his deputy, Deputy Minister John Keyes. But it was not John Keyes, a somewhat inexperienced bureaucrat, who was the leader of these negiotiations. Keyes was a far better economist and administrator than a diplomat, and he knew well that he would be easily outmanuevered or bullied by the experts the reactionaries were no doubt sending to these talks.

Instead, the talks would be handled entirely through another man, a man who towered above the rest of the delegation. Ivan Drogsky. Nicknamed the "Stonewall", Ivan was, in addition to being six foot three and weighing close to two hundred pounds of pure muscle, also completely deaf. However, he could lip-read with stunning accuracy, and knew seven languages phonetically, including Danish and Fennian. He also had the best poker-face anyone had ever seen, in part because the same artillery shell which had destroyed his ear-drums as a child in the Havenshire civil war had also left him physically unable to move his facial muscles. The Stonewall was frequently deployed against protestors within Havenshire, often shortly before the Police were. Noone could argue with Ivan. He was the perfect weapon for these discussions.

Keyes, a short fat balding man, smiled to himself with renewed confidence. He had been terrified that Havenshire would end up being forced to give away practically all rights to even use the Thaumantic at this conference, so great was the diplomatic pressure being brought to bear. But with the Stonewall he felt confident that they could maintain their position, and, even if they had to give away some concessions, at least withdraw with sufficient honour, or, failing that, at least a lifeline for use of the seas for fishing. Anything less and he, John Keyes, would be...disappeared. The Stonewall had survived all purges, though. There was something...unpurgable about him. Perhaps the Premier identified with the silent, grimfaced giant.

Entering the Conference Room, Keyes and the other staff looked with trepidation as they saw the grim-faced Danish woman nicknamed the "Battleaxe" and the congregation of Fennians. This was going to be...interesting.


*=http://www.osfcostumerentals.org/stock/20th%20Century/1930%27s/Men%27s%20Wear/1930s%20Men%27s%20Suits/slides/09032399%2009036062%20Suit%20Mens%201930s%20black%20pinstripe%20wool%2038R%20W33.JPG

 

[Serbovia]

OOC:

Foreign Minister Alan Welks was not one of them. Having made it clear that the Fennian Foreign Minister could not attend, it would be a corresponding loss of face for him to be present.

Wut, Vannas is attending.

 

[Great Engellex]

Bán Dair Cathrach, High Kingdom of Ivernia, October 1952

Admiral of the Fleet Henry E. G. Villers-Talbot the Crown Prince of Walssex-Battent and First Lord of the Admiralty, provided the leadership to the Engellexic delegation, which included a good handful of civil servants and the First Lord of Aldwych d’Evercy House – the Duke of Nonsuch; they sailed to Ivernia by HEMY Thaumantica – a fifty-two-thousand ton passenger liner belonging to the Crown for services to the Imperial Cabinet, and with facilities such as two ballrooms and numerous drawing rooms all in Regency style, the vessel was decided appropriate for Engellex’s participation and also because it would continue to Bantyr for a military purpose. The Crown Prince extended an assurance to the Duke of Nonsuch that, provided that the submarines that have been in the Gothic Sea since the war against the Federation remained without a security distraction, they were unlikely to suffer any political or security trouble.

The Countess of Lewisham, who joined the delegation on Thaumantica with the other two-hundred ladies of some of the officers serving in Bantyr, complained how the serious and strictly guarded cabinet quarters of the vessel sapped the positivity and warmth of the ships secondary task respecting Bantyr, and instead created a gilded prison for herself and her ladies.

The Duke of Nonsuch was attending the delegation upon the request of the Queen-Empress, she had asked the First Lord of Aldwych d’Evercy to take advantage of the opportunity to endear Engellex to Ivernia. But Nonsuch needed no persuasion, he and his ministry had already recognised the importance of the event diplomatically. The Second Lord of Aldwych d’Evercy and First Secretary Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps had prepared a memorandum on the Engello-Ivernian diplomatic aspects in consultation with various Peers from the Lords’ Preuti-Borussian Policy Committee, but in a private circle and non-parliamentary capacity at Nonsuch’s residence in Dulwich. The Duke of Rothermere accompanied their efforts with a classified assessment of the Thaumantic situation. At its base, Rothermere, who is Engelleux-at-Arms and War Secretary, argued that the problems emerging in the Thaumantic were purely a communist construct to destroy free enterprise of the civilised Europe.

The Crown Prince and Nonsuch could not together enlighten themselves as to how Rothermere’s efforts were meant to assist them and the delegation in Ivernia. They, rather patronisingly, suggested that it was an obvious mere flurry of activity, to satisfy those who wished to feel included. What planning there was had mostly occurred during their rather lavish voyage from Hammersmith and through the Cambrian Strait, during which the two ministers took the opportunity to go through the memoranda that had been produced as well as the relevant diplomatic dispatches. The Crown Prince needed to do this if only to find out what had actually occurred between the countries attending the conference, for remarkably Engellex had steered clear of the situation.

The Engellexic ambassador, Lord Elephant-Castle, was received by Nonsuch and the Crown Prince aboard the ship in an intimate breakfast with the Engellexic delegation before the conference upon arrival. He remarked how nothing could have been in better taste, or more gracefully conceived, than the Engellexic arrival to a very important regional conference.

 

[Ivernia]

And so the moment had come.

The Ivernish had already seated. High King Felix Uí Neill was at the head of the round table, facing the door. To his left and right two Prince Electors; David MacSweeney and Evan McGrath, and to Evan's right, Prince-Elector Vincentus Aodh-Mór. Several lesser foreign dignitaries, traslators, and servants were waiting in the wings back away from the table, ready to be called if necessary.
Felix had a heartbeat to arrange his notes, ask a brief question to David before the great oak doors opened before him, and the foreign foreign-delegates began to enter. Felix himself rose at their appearance, he had hoped to meet all of the leading delegates from each of the nations as they were settling, before we began.
He circled the table and shook hands with the delegate from Great Engellex first, ''Your Grace, The Duke of Nonsuch'' Felix exclaimed in his best English, but the two exchanged pleasantries with a translator. Dignitaries from Great Engellex do not grace Ivernia's shores often, and one of such high calibre was an exciting moment. When he was invited aboard the HEMY Thaumantica, which brought the Duke here, Felix graciously accepted. Felix needed to press on however, and so he came around the table to meet the Great Danes. David MacSweeney stood by for a moment to translate for the High King.
''Fru. Ingeborg Esmerelda Munk, it is an honour to have you here in Tara'' Felix could read nothing from her face or her pleasentries, and Felix himself had to hold back, but on how warm he wanted to be, to not seem bias. In truth, the 'Battleaxe' has been known to him for years and years. When he was just a Prince-Elector, the former High Queen Rosemary Robinson had explained this ''Pioneer of Female Politics down south'' and Felix had been a fan ever since. He hoped after this meeting he might discuss what the Danish world of politics really is like for women. But again he was digressing.

Next to the Danes he had seated the Fennians, and so the firm hand of Kauko Vannas. There was much these two needed to speak of, as the Fennian Union played a central role in the talks. The High King offered Vannas the chance to be the first to submit an address, and thankfully he accepted. If Vannas was nervous about speaking first to the Havenites, he did not show it in the slightest. Felix knew Vannas has has military training, and was also a political scientist, a powerful combination for this room. The High King moved by Vannas allowing himself to prepare his statement. He noticed at this point the delegates were settling down, however the Teloran's has not appeared yet. So he instead moved to meet the Havenshire assembly.

This was the one he had to be ready for. Ivan Drogsky, the ''Stonewall''. For all the languages he could speak and lip read, he doubted Gaeilge was one of them. Felix brought a translator with him, but when he went to greet the Stonewall, whether he knew Gaeilge or not did not become apparent. Ivan greeted him briskly, and gave nothing away. He talked mostly with John Keyes, who gave Felix the impression of why the Havenites brought Drogsky. 'Communists are not subtle' Felix mused.

As he was speaking to the Havenites, the Teloran assembly had come in and settled down. Unfortunetly Felix had spent enough time at the meet and greet and moved back to his spot. When he saw that all were ready and looking at him, he began:

''Ladies and Gentleman, Foreign Dignitaries of Europe, I bid you welcome to Tara Castle, and to the High Kingdom of Ivernia. Please consider yourselves guests of the Kingdom, and expect freedom of the Castle of Tara during your stay.'' He continued ''All of you know the reasons behind this conference, all of you know why Ivernia was chosen to hold this meeting. But while the High Kingdom may have no direct interest in the Southern Thaumantic Ocean, I assure we have a very invested interest in maintaining stability and peace in this destabilising world. All of you; Great Engellex, Danmark, Fennian Union, Telora, and Havenshire all have a voice to say on this matter but also you have a responsibility A responsibility to the peace of that region. I hope that the history books shall remember this meeting as a great civil event between nations, an event of peace.''

With his welcome completed Felix waited for the translators to finish sending the message, giving him a rare opportunity to see how the nations reacted to his statement. He noted that some hand nodded their heads approvingly as they heard, while others simply looked on, giving nothing away.

''The order of this tale is not coincidence. This meeting of nations is also a meeting of languages, and so only one dignitary may speak at one time. To maintain order the speakers turn is going to be passed clockwise. For example'' Felix raised a hand toward the Duke of Nonsuch, ''During a 'round' Great Engellex would begin, Danmark would continue, then the Fennian Union then Telora'' Felix paused for the language barrier, ''And then Havenshire shall get a chance to reply to the issues brought up. Then a few brief questions may be asked, then we continue the 'round' again. In this way I hope as little words will be mistranslated as possible. We shall continue in this way until all party's here are in a position they are comfortable with, and may walk away with.''
With the official rules laid down, Felix sought to remind them ''we have all day, all afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We close at 5:30pm however, and then at 7pm there will be a Banquet in Great Tara Hall, in honour of my esteemed guests'' he raised a hand that slowly swept horizontally.

''Round One shall have slightly different proceedings. The Fennian Union, by the words of Foreign Minister Kauko Vannas shall begin the talks, then I shall allow ministers from Danmark, Telora and Great Engellex to speak, there is slightly less order, as I am sure you are all waiting to speak your opening statements.''
Felix turned to Ivan Drogsky ''Delegates of Havenshire, if you would be so kind to patiently wait, I shall give you plenty of time to respond to all of the issues raised.'' 'Still nothing from Drogsky' Felix thought.

Felix gestured over to the Fennian congregation,
''And so, Kauko Vannas, Foreign Minister of the Fennian Union, in your own time''

 

[Telora]

Dr Gustav Volks was a big man, yet he'd managed to enter and take his seat almost silently in time for the conference beginning. From behind his round spectacles he let his eyes wander around the table, over the faces of the other delegates; some friendly, some rather sharper. For his part, with his broad waist and warm smile, Volks suited the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs rather well - he had a talent for setting others at ease, for making men laugh and for opening up discussion on even thorny issues. When stirred to anger, though, he could be like a juggernaut; fiercely patriotic, determined and immovable on anything that he felt threatened Telora or the neutrality that he valued almost as much as the men he'd represented when he'd been part of his union.

Now, he was facing this delicate task of helping to unpick the crisis gripping the Thaumantic Ocean. He listened intently as the first delegate - the Fennian Union - began to speak.

OOC: Just flung a quick something up to let you know I am aware, and will be taking part in this. Sorry for not being around earlier!

 

[Serbovia]

The arrival of the Fennians to Tara Castle had not, in fact, been any more humble than that of the Havenite communists. While Kauko Vannas and his retinue had made their way to Ivernia on the VIP passenger jet, a Mezhist-made heavy transport aircraft had brough their vehicles to the Ivernian capital and the Fennian embassy there. The arrival of Foreign Minister Vannas and his assorted aides and Military Police bodyguards took place in the form of three identical armored limousines (a security measure to conceal a potential assailant the exact location of Vannas himself) escorted by four sedans borrowed by the embassy and manned by Vannas's plainclothes security detail, all bearing the Lion Cross flag of the Fennian Union.

* * *

Though his command of foreign languages extended to what the Fennians called Anglo - in other words, a somewhat bastardized combination of Breotonian, Engellexic and Havenite dialects that was taught in Fennian schools - as well as Norse and German, Kauko Vannas was nevertheless glad of having brought along his personal secretary and confidante Pietari Lainio. The man had served in a number of diplomatic positions in varying Scanian and Germanian countries before being hand-picked by Vannas to his present role, and enjoyed an admirable command of six foreign languages including Anglo, Danish, Norse, German, Swiczieman and Uroduah.

Most significantly, Lainio had studied in Engellex and in a number of affairs the extension of his knowledge to "local" language had proven very useful. Vannas had learned most of his foreign languages at school, and had undertaken only a single foreign diplomatic assignment - the Fennian embassy in Telora - as an obligatory part of his Diplomatic Service education. Most commonly, those who rose to the top tiers of the Foreign Office were diplomats well-versed in foreign assignments, the positions of an ambassador, embassy secretary or attaché being considered a stepstone to even higher roles in the Fennian diplomatic corps. Vannas, on the other hand, had spent much of his career in the Foreign Office headquarters and risen in the ranks by being a shrewd political operator and also enjoying good connections with the National Unity Front.

Alas, the representation rendered by the Danes and the Havenites did not impress him. Vannas recognized Deputy Foreign Minister Welks from the Army Central Intelligence briefings on Havenshire that he'd read during the flight, but on top of that Westhaven seemed to have sent some drooling idiot likely picked from a local freak circus. Nor was Kauko Vannas particularly impressed with the Danish Deputy Foreign Minister heading their delegation. Not only was Vannas firmly of the opinion that women had their rightful spot in running the household or in other roles where femininity could be of a virtue, he sincerely doubted the fact that such an old hag was even in a competent state of mind to begin with. He had scribbled down some notes on both which would be included in a report he'd made to the Stateholder General when he would return to the embassy.

Vannas would've preferred to speak later, which would have given him the advantage of hearing out the others first and only then responding appropriately. Besides, a refusal would've been not only impolite, but also highly effete.

But on the other hand, he was ever conscious of the fact that such a high-level conference would raise his profile back home, securing his already high position in the Häyhist political elite. Häyhä, he knew well, was growing old. It had been fifteen years since the man had assumed power, and he was going on his seventh decade by now. Though the Foreign Minister would've never underestimated Fennia's de facto dictator - and was sure that underestimation or defiance would result in one finding oneself behind the infamous walls of Talvilinna prison, or even worse - he realized that there'd be a day when General Joakim Häyhä would no longer be in this world. When that happened, he would need to have a good position to become the next Stateholder of the Union.

As Lainio handed him a set of papers containing the outline of his address, Vannas got up from his seat to commence.

"Esteemed delegates, first of all on behalf of His Excellency the Stateholder General and the Fennian Union I would like to express my thanks to the Ivernian hosts of ours for their agreeance to take part in the tremendous efforts that have led to the arrangement of this conference", Kauko Vannas begun, having chosen to speak with his School Anglo, "I would also like to thank the other civilized powers present here-"

A deliberate homage to Information Minister Kaarlo Nurmi's propaganda and its deliberate placement of "Civilized Europe" and "Red Europe" as two exact opposites and adversaries.

"-for taking part in this assemblage of statesmen."

"What has always been a defining point of thought for my countrymen has been that a single deed is worth a thousand words. Thus, I shall leave most of the diplomatic pleasantries for a more informal occasion so thus I shall elect to express what is the stance of the Stateholder General and the Union Congress, and thus of the Fennian people, in this affair that we have called the Northern Thaumantic Crisis."

"First, I shall point out that I intend to address several matters only in indirect relation to the actual reason why this conference has been called. However indirect, that relation is still pertinent given the topic of this assembly. Indeed, it would be foolhardy to presume the nature of the Northern Thaumantic crisis as that of being entirely distinct and separate from several other oingoing events of European international policy, particularly in form of their contribution to tension witnessed now in the Northern Thaumantic."

"It has been observed previously by Kalevala and will be observed now", Vannas said and gave a pointing glance in direction of the Havenite delegation, "That the Fennian Union considers this crisis to have occurred mainly as a result of Havenite instigation of tension. The Fennian and Teloran naval movements that Westhaven has cited as a motive for its actions have occurred totally within the boundaries of international convention, which permits naval vessels to show their country's flag in international waters without restriction, particularly when it comes to the maintenance of safety of the commercial and civilian vessels flying the flag of that country. This is exactly what the Fennian and Teloran governments have done, with the additional objective of safeguarding the Thaumantic Ocean from the unrest that we have seen engulfing other portions of Europe."

"What was the response that Westhaven gave at the time? The outright threat to engage its submarine fleet in attacks against Fennian merchant vessels, a claim well-documented in Havenite media and government communication, and a claim which is a clear violation of established international conventions of seafaring. This, and I refer to my previous comment about my intent to address affairs of indirect relation to the Northern Thaumantic crisis, occurred at the same time when Havenshire's Carentanian allies are engaged in an illegal maritime blockade against the Jurzan. Thus, we can only note that Havenshire is in no position to criticize the Union for its movement of naval forces in the vicinity of its territorial waters, noting that the Union has not impeded the right of movement in the Northern Thaumantic Ocean. We further note that even at this very moment Westhaven is sheltering red Fennian terrorists fleeing rightful prosecution for acts of insurgency and banditry that they have undertaken against our legitimate government. I consider this an extensive exposition of the Havenite government's complicity in generating this crisis."

"In fact", Vannas continued, "It would be in our rights to demand financial recompense from Westhaven owing to the increases which our shipping companies have borne in terms of heightened insurance payments and having to adapt less direct and thus more fuel-consuming routes for their ships as a result of Havenite provocation, and owing to the necessity of maintaining the Union Army in a higher alert, and to the removal of several thousand reservists from our work force as a result of this. However, with mercy as a key Christian quality we believe that a Havenite apology would be sufficient as a compensation in this regard, though I will implore that this is not the final stance of the Union with our friends not having yet presented their grievances."

 

[Ivernia]

When Vannas finished, Felix Uí Neill allowed a moment for all translators to finish the statement. When it looked like all were ready, Felix spoke to the delegates, ''Kauko Vannas, Foreign Minister of the Fennian Union, thank you for that opening statement.'' And he was thankful, the opening statement was the hardest to make, but thankfully now the ball was rolling. He continued,

''This is round 1. Opening statements from Danmark, Telora, Great Engellex; please make your statement, and make known your issues now. And then, delegates from Havenshire I shall give you time to respond.

... So who would wish to follow Mr. Vannas?''

 

[Telora]

Dr Volks rose to his feet. Having been mentioned so often in connection with the Fennians in newscasts and commentary across Europe, he felt it appropriate to rise now and speak; not only to show the carefully-cultivated friendship with Telora's more powerful southern neighbour, but also to give room to gently, softly wiggle a little further away from their position.

His own education was not as august as many others - having survived a shambolic rural education system in his youth, he'd only attended university when the President, with whom he'd been friends for many years, had insisted on paying for him to read a history degree. He'd not done especially well at it, either; assessed work had always bored him, but he found the whole experience fascinating. It had also left him properly, formally qualified to be Foreign Minister. President Strand had flatly refused to appoint anyone else to this office; telling Gustav on the night of his election win he'd rather "see hell freeze solid" than have anyone else. So now he was here, buoyed not by great diplomatic experience but force of will, ready to lay down Telora's position with the firmness the President expected.

He smiled warmly around the table, then began in his broad, rural tones.

"Eminent delegates, I wish to echo the thanks of Foreign Minister Vannas to the High Kingdom of Ivernia for hosting this conference. I extend to you all the greetings and good wishes of the Federal Republic; that so many states are willing to come together and speak on this urgent matter is gratifying to see.

Telora's position is simple and clear. The high seas must always be a place where vessels of all flags and all purposes can freely pass on their business to and from other states. We believe that long standing custom in international affairs supports ours - there is a practice among governments and their agents to allow such a state of affairs to persist; indeed, they have encouraged and cultivated it. It suits all states to have this freedom of movement on the seas - it boosts the common wealth of Europe, it allows us to exploit the bounty of the deep and it also grants us a sense of security as we go about our business."

His voice now deepened a touch, and his hand resting on the table tightened a little more.

"We believe that this crisis has undermined that vital bond of trust which has enabled all nations to continue in that happy state of affairs. We do not stir quickly to war in Telora; our neutrality demands a certain reticence to reach for the sword, but when the ocean trade lanes that buoy our economy and help feed our people are threatened with the machinery of war, we cannot sit to one side in silence. Our mobilisation of naval assets with the Union was directed to this end - to enable us to retain the capacity to remain neutral, to keep our window on the world open.

We do not consider what we have said, or done, to be an aggressive or egregious act. Our relatively weak military - and I make no bones, eminent delegates, about that - means that we do not have the means to broadly threaten trade in such a way as this crisis has done. But we felt it essential to show our flag, to show our allegiance to an idea - not just because that idea benefits all of us here, but because it is of such vital import to us. We have been stirred to action, and we intend to stick this out until we have a firm conclusion that keeps the seas open for all."

 

[Ivernia]

OOC: So if nobody else wishes to make an opening statement shall I hand the floor over to Havenshire? Allow him to retort, and then begin round 2?

 

[Danmark]

OOC: I would make a reply but only if you are happy to wait a day or two. I'm extremely busy with other things just now which is diverting attention from the forum.

 

[Ivernia]

That's no problem at all. I don't mind waiting, we all have rl commitments. Everyone else planning a post should give me notice or I might move on after Danmark.

 

[Havenshire]

OOC: Im waiting for everyone to post their things before I retort. Ill retort after Danmark posts tomorrow/friday if noone else posts.

 

[Danmark]

"Hah! It's him...", Fru Munk chuckled to herself whilst rolling her eyes to the exquisite fan-vaulted and oak beamed ceiling of Tara Castle and with a broad condescending smirk enhancing her wrinkles. "My god, is this the best that lot wheel out?!" She squinted her eyes as she peered at the towering Havenite chosen to lead the talks from Westhaven's side, Ivan Drogsky. At least a foot higher than her and an immense figure, she had seen all this before. She'd lived a life and seen it all but this was simply pathetic to her. "If they think they can send in some wrestler-figure to intimidate me, they have another thing coming!".

Fru Munk liaised with her staff and whispered to them whilst hiding her mouth with her papers whilst a member of the Foreign Office told her of their initial arrival. "A sedan with flags?! Splendid! I'm surprised the engine even worked!". The members burst out into laughter at her remark whilst looking over at the Havenites. Poor things.

The 'Battleaxe' looked at Mr Drogsky with a glint and twinkle. He would never get the better of her unless he wanted to batter an elderly woman, but that would be ungentlemanly. But then you could never trust these darned communist types. Either way, she would make sure her, and her government's position was nailed squarely and she would not pussy-foot around the issue.

A woman in many cases erring towards retirement, if not already reaching the age of death, she felt none of it. As sprightly and energetic as ever, she lived life to the full and was in no way defeated yet. Composed of years of public life and with a steely grit there was little to shock her. Belying her near-on four score years and ten she had quick wits and could neatly deduce a person's character within a very short space of time. She pierced ahead at all the younglings gathered before her ~ the Teloroans, the Engellexians ~ for whom she had great admiration ~, the Fennians, the Havenites. She looked them all over and arose to her full 5'1" (155cm) height, and she made sure it was a regal 5 feet 1 inch. She almost looked like a haggard queen. She heaved, her pearls copying her move, and donned her horn-rimmed spectacles for especial effect.

"My government's position does hardly need to be made clear as this has been placed in the public domain by my Foreign Minister, Hr Westerweld."

She stuck a piercing gaze, her face criss-crossed by wrinkles and with sagging bags under her eyes whilst her spectacles nuzzled downwards so that she took on the semblance of a an admonishing school mistress. Her white hair was wispy but well kempt and in a perm.

"Either way, for repetitions sake, we demand that the errant regime of Havenshire stands down and meets with us, the Nations of Civility, in acting within its bounds. This is a completely appropriate exactation within the bounds of reality."

Encircled by persons of great physical stature, she did not for one moment feel dwarfed, her feisty persona shining.

"My kingdom, the Great Danish kingdom, shall never accept anything but compliance from the communistic wart that is Havenshire. For all its pronouncements, it is a paper tiger, that desperately gnaws and suckles the teats of its masters down in Rijeka, that dastard regime down in the south".

Fru Munk ground her jaw as she looked directly at Mr Drogsky. She would give him a fight. He could thump her to Kingdom Come in the physical sense, but she doubted he ever would and no matter how he may try to bluster and thump the table in demands, she was determined she would yap at him and grind him down.

"You, Mr Drogsky, need to get a dose of realpolitik about you!", she thundered.

"We respect national defence but you, Mr Drogsky, your government, have gone well beyond that and you should expect consequences".

Fru Munk glowered.

In an unprecedented move, Fru Munk moved from her seat and walked towards Mr Drogsky.

She wagged her finger in a cuckoldish fashion not at all diminished by physical stature. She was determined to make her point in person lest anything be lost in translation. He was clearly a very 'physical' man, so she would talk to him in the way he would really appreciate.

"Look", she stood over the seated Drogsky.

"Let's get things straight", whilst she jabbed him on the shoulder almost like a mother admonishing her unruly child. "Cross me, and I shall tan your hide. Muscle or what, you are only a youngster and you have a lot to learn, take it from me. Act in a commensurate fashion and we shall work with you. Less, and we shall shoot you out of the water. Do not mess in things you cannot handle. Dare, and you shall be sunk. Meet us, we shall gladly accept with open arms".

She looked down and straightened her smokey-blue velveteen dress.

"I expect YOU to moderate your position and get some brains about you. YOU know that we do not want warfare, but if your government insists, you shall get it. And YOU shall lose".

Whilst gasps were audible from the Danes and others at the apparent breaking of protocol as she scuttled back to her microphone, with a back-draught of perfume, she dismissed them with a wave of a hand and with a devilish grin.

"Sometimes you need to go the extra mile, and I did and always will", Fru Munk shot as she remade her re-acquaintance with her colleagues. "And I shall NEVER apologise for it especially given those communists. They need to learn a lesson or two".

Fru Munk retook her position once she had got her main thrust out of the way.

"The Thaumantic shall be preserved as a neutral ocean as far as my government commands. This is a fundamental. We shall ALL", she croaked, her voice becoming a tad hoarse, "be entitled to equal fishing rights. We also fully support the right to genuine military exercises within national borders. But anything beyond that we cannot support from Westhaven if it seeks to use this as a poor excuse to militarise beyond necessity".

"I'm not here today to cast blame but, if truth be told, it is the communists that excel in poking sticks into the hornet's nest causing the expected mayhem whilst they then hold up their hands as if it was not their fault and blame everyone else. They did this over the Fenno-Teloran friendship and blame them for something of their own making. This is communism all over, Rijekan communism, Miroslavan communism, Havenite communism - they are much the same. I've seen it before and I daresay I shall see it again. Call me a cynical old long-tooth, but it is the truth. Isn't it, Mr Drogsky?".

She shot a stare at him before resuming her seat and took out her make-up case to touch up her lipstick.

 

[Havenshire]

Whilst the Havenite congregation cringed and winced as the "Batleaxe" tore into Drogsky, her cries still echoing around the chamber, Keye briefly wondered if even the mute giant would quail before her ferocious invective, wether the Danish could indeed browbeat them into public concessions. Yet as he looked over the transcripts of what she had actually said, he smiled quietly to himself in relief. Nothing had been communicated beyond what had already been determined would be acceptable. If she had chosen this moment to bring up Raigestan, or the Revolutionary Internationale, or impose any number of harsh and restrictive demands, Havenshire would have had to fight back. But against this, they had the perfect defence.

Drogsky blinked only a few times, whenever the danish woman's finger jabbed him. However he remained as impassively stoic as ever. When she had finally finished, and he had seen all of the translation. He tapped his signer on the shoulder, who then rose, still quivering from the impressive shouting, and then communicated to him the statement he was to read.

The young man frowned as he followed Drogsky's signings, and then repeated them back to the gathered Audience, trying hard not to reflect on how he was essentially the Voice of Havenshire right now.

"The uh, People's Republic of Havenshire reiterates its publicly expressed position, and restates it with the utmost clarity: All millitary vessels have been withdrawn from the Thaumantic and will remain withdrawn as a sign of good faith. The continued presence of Fennian-Teloran ships in full force however, is greatly detrimental to our fishing industry, and we hope that the nations which have assembled here will recognise the right of Havenshire to freely use neutral waters without being menaced. Havenshire has no other requests, conditions, demands, or matters it wishes to raise or make known at this time. Having met, pre-force, the demand being made in increasingly forceful terms, it asks now wether more demands are to follow, or wether Havenshire may now expect demilitarisation from the opposing nations."

The translator then sat down, relieved he had completed the statement. Drogsky simply stood, passively staring at the Fennians without expression, occasionally glancing over at the Danish woman.

Keye privately gave himself a pat on the back mentally. He was confident again, now, that Drogsky would hold against the tide, and keep them on course.

 

[Ivernia]

High King Felix Uí Neill read the translations one more time, before he rose to speak to the delegates;

''I thank you all for your opening statements. While we all know what the purpose of this meeting was it is important to say it in a formal setting so there is no confusion. Havenshire now has heard your concerns and has offered up it's opening rebuttal. We shall now begin a more orderly round, round 2.''

Felix thought over the statements for a moment, remembering Danmark's opening especially. He has seen why Fru Munk was ''the Battleaxe,'' and he has seen her at full swing it seemed. He hoped however the conference would refrain from such heated talk during proper processions, 'But that is not up to me,' he remembered.
''The Duke of Nonsuch, delegate of Great Engellex'', Felix raised his left hand, ''You shall begin your rebuttal of Havenshire's statement, whether you agree, or disagree, it is for you to decide what you feel is relevant. Following you, shall be Fru Munk of Danmark, then Delegate Vannas of the Fennian Union,'' Felix's hand passed horizontally across the large white oak table, ''then Dr. Volks shall speak for Telora, then we shall hear Havenshire's response.''
Felix sat down once more and got his notes ready. ''If the matter is still up for debate for any nations, we shall commence another round and as many as need be. And so, Great Engellex, your dignitary the Duke of Nonsuch has the floor''.

 

[Ivernia]

OOC: Okay so I think I will have to open an OOC thread on this? I think we've lost track here, and its kinda left my nation in stasis, as my main characters are here and I can't really add news posts without knowing how this goes. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. I'm on my phone at the moment so the OOC thread will be soon.