On Behalf of His Majesty......

[Anglyn]

Chandler House
Havershaw, Kugelan Free State

In his office at Chandler House, Lord Sir Arthur Mendenhall, Governor-General of the Kugelan Free State, had just got off the telephone with His Majesty, King Roderick IV, who, in no uncertain term, made it clear that if trouble was brewing in the KFS, it was Lord Mendenhall's job to make sure it was properly handled. Anglyn still had too much invested in the KFS to let an uprising, or anything else, upset the apple cart.

If it isn't bad enough the King was on Mendenhall's bact to act, he is also under pressure from Anglysh businessmen as well. Since the early days of Anglyn's involvement in the southern Himyar, with the establishment of what used to be the Anglysh South Himyar Company, it has been business that has been the driving force in Crown policies, and now that business interests are threatened, not only from another possible uprising, but also a new wave of foreign companies, Lord Mendenhall had few choices for his next move. Picking up the phone, Mendenhall presses the button that puts him through to his secretary.

"Miss Faulkner, contact the Prime Minister's office. I would like to schedule a meeting with Mr. De Kalk."

 

[Kugelan Free State]

Union building, Havershaw

Prime Minister. Renier De Kalk was a tall man with hair the colour of tarnished gold his gait, was confident and his skin was worn and browned. He looked every bit the leader of the Kugelan people. his family had grown sugar in this land for almost two hundred years. Even after the discovery of the first Diamonds on his great grandfathers farm, they had kept in with the sugar business.

in 1900 his people had faught a bitter war agaisnt the King of Anglyn, and they had lost.
Women and children had been imprisoned and farms burned down to control the furious Commando's.
In the end 3 battered and hardened Generals had presented their surrender at Majuba hill at the foot of the Drakensburg mountains since then the Dominion had come and gone and in 1970 freedom and the birth of the Kugelan free state. So named for the mighty Kugela river which runs the entire lengh of the country and its historical significance.

Some though still prefered the Dominion title of Southern Himyar.

De Kalk mused over this history and his own suspicions of the Anglish after his P.A. had given him the message, he would have to find time to see Mendenhall but his shoulders sagged at the prospect. "Still we are in chains"
he whispered under his breath. Before loudly replying

"Zelda, please inform Lord Mendenhall that he is welcome to call upon me here at three this afternoon,"​

 

[Anglyn]

Union Building,
Havershaw

It was only a ten minute drive from Chandler House to Union Building but Lord Mendenhall still arrived in a limousine with an escort of two large SUVs. If the only place to meet was at De Kalk's own office, then Mendenhall would make sure all knew that the Governor-General was meeting with the Prime Minister. If there was strain between the Anglyn and the KFS, it was exemplified by the two men about to meet; Mendenhall, who would protect Anglysh interests in the KFS at almost any cost while De Kalk would give the whole country away just as long as none of it ended up in Anglysh hands, or at least what many back in Winchester believe. Mendenhall wasn't so sure they were wrong.

As the motorcade pulled up in front of the Union Building, the desired attention was aroused as all nearby could not help but notice the Anglish flags fluttering above the front fenders of the limousine and the ever-present started taking photos even before the Governor-General exited the car. Mendenhgall paused just long enough for the reporters to get a few good pictures but but not long enough for them to ask any questions, those would be saved for later. Once inside the buiding, Mendenhall and his aides went straight for the Prime Minister's office and just before three o'clock are in the outer office. It is David Saunders, Mendenhall's personal aide that speaks to the receptionist.

"Please inform the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Renier De Kalk, that the Governor-General, His Excellency, Lord Sir Arthur Mendenhall, has arrived for their three o'clock meeting."

 

[Kugelan Free State]

Mendenhall was shown through the ante chamber into De kalks visitors room. A pair of huge tusks hung in pride of place over the open fire place, below them on the mantel a well polished bolt action .303 Lee Metford rifle, De kalk was not sure if Mendenhall would know that this Gun belonged to Artur Van Rott, the famous mercenary whom had killed the Anglish governor with arms intended to be the downhall of the Bauer Goverment at Vryburg.

"Hello Arthur, its good to see you again"​

 

[Anglyn]

Lord Mendenhall enters the room telling his aides to remain outside as he does. Taking in the decor as the door closes behind him, he notices the Lee Metford on the mantel and has heard about its history, how like De Kalk to display it in a place of prominance.

Turning his attention to De Kalk, Mendenhall returns the greeting.

"Good afternoon Renier, it is a pleasure to see you too. Now that we have both proven ourselves liars, let us sit down, have a drink and discuss the concerns of His Majesty."

 

[Kugelan Free State]

De kalk was acutely aware that the scotch on offer was a product of Anglyn but there was also Belmontien brandy a fine port from hugoland and wine in a pitcher from the vinyards at Vildeburg. He gestured towards the drinks cabinet with an open hand

"Please Arthur, what would you enjoy today? Scotch perhaps?"​

De Kalk knew exactly what Lord Mendenhall enjoyed and that was finest single malt, the bins at the Governor Generals residence had long been examined by the "Special police" Department. After it had been collected by the cities municipal waste services anyway.

"What brings you here today Arthur? the beautifull sunshine?​

 

[Anglyn]

"Scotch will be fine.....neat."

Lord Mendenhall sits down as De Kalk hands him his drink. Making himself comfortable, Mendenhall responds to De Kalk's inquiry.

"I would be surprised if you weren't already aware of my at one of my purpose as my talk with the King was not on the most secure line, but His Majesty is quite concerned with the prospect of another uprising here in South Himyar....excuse me, the KFS. His Majesty had agreed to the 1970 Havershaw Treaty that established the Kugelan Free State, but it was with the understanding that even though he would remain the King, by allowing you autonomous rule that this kind of thing would remain in the past."

Mendenhall pauses for a moment to take a long sip from the glass of scotch. Then taking a breath, he continues.

"So, as he is the King, His Majesty, Roderick IV wishes to know what you are intending to do about the situation and......." Mendenhall again pauses, and with a look of someone who is about to say something does not want to say, "...and wishes me to ask you...to inquire if....if there is anything I ...er, I should say, the Governor-General's office can do to....aid you in bringing a peaceful end to this matter."

Mendenhall quickly downs the rest of his drink.

 

[Kugelan Free State]

De Kalk was not a natural borne diplomat, but had hoped Jacobus would be here, but he was busy directing the belmontien trade delegation who were going to begin surveying the matapos for new mineral wealth.
Renier smiled his big winning smile and pushed the bile back down his throat.

"Arthur you've lived in Himyar for years now, you know how the sun down here maddens the hearts and minds f men. Look at the Umbezi to the north, look at the Jurzani in the far north. Himyar is a violent place Mynheer"​

De Kalk was jovial as he continued

We dont need any help Arthur.​

De Kalk was more serious as he decined the offer of any help, he beleived that the anglysh would love to be able to deploy soldiers in the Free state. And then it would get worse, it always had.

 

[Anglyn]

Arthur could not feel more releaved that De Kalk rejected the King's offer. Mendenhall was not too keen with actually having to work with the Prime Minister on this as the whole situation had the possibility of blowing up their collective faces. At least this way De Kalk had only himself to blame when it does.

"Well Renier, have it your way, at least you can't say His Majesty didn't make the offer. Just remember Renier, His Majesty has convictions, and though you are Prime Minister, as he sees them as his subjects, he feels that he has a responsibility for the well being of all the Kugelan peoples, be they settler or tribe, he will listen to them, they just need to speak up."

 

[Kugelan Free State]

De Kalk chuckled heartily, watching Mendenhall conclude his duties to the crown
De kalk smiled as he rose from his seat

Arthur, ive a country to run. You know my door is always open!​

 

[Anglyn]

Lord Mendenhall knew it was a waste of time to continue the coversation, as De Kalk's distain for anything Anglysh has been always evident, even though he has tried to cover it up with his charm.

"Very well Renier, I can see that you are adamant in your refusal, but if and when you do find yourself over your head, it will be my door that will be open to you. Good day to you."

It had been an unproductive meeting, though Lord Mendenhall had never thought it would be any different, he didn't think De Kalk would shut things down so quickly without at least making some unreasonable demand in return for aid and then in the end refusing it anyway. Though the meeting was short it was long enough for the word to get out that the Governor-General was at the Union building, so when Mendenhall when he stepped outside, there was a noticable increase in the number of reporters waiting. As Lord Mendenhall waits for the limo to be brought around, the reporters begin asking him questions.

"Lord, Mendenhall, Julia MacGregor of the AP. You just met with Prime Minister De Kalk, can you tell us what the meeting was about and what was its outcome?"

Mendenhall thinks for a second before responding.

"Well Miss MacGregor. His Majesty, King Roderick IV, sent me to meet with Prime Minister De Kalk to offer to mediate an end to the bloodshed that is occuring between some of the native tribes and government forces. It is His Majesty's hope that some kind of agreement can be reached to end the fighting and bring peace again to the Kugelan Free State. His Majesty is greatly concerned and wants to hear from both sides of this conflict but unfortunately he has only been able to hear what the KFS government here in Havershaw is willing to tell him."

Before he could say more a reporter in the back and who didn't identify himself yells out.

"Do you really expect us to believe the King actually cares about what happens here. If he did wouldn't he have done something by now? I don't see you Anglysh doing anything to help."

No, not a reporter Mendenhall thinks to himself.

"His Majesty's hands are tied. The 1970 Havershaw Treaty limits the power of the King to no more than an advisory role in the affairs of the KFS government. As head of government, it is Prime Minister De Kalk and his cabinet that set policy in the Kugelan Free States, not the King. Therefore, whatever policies being instituted now, no matter how much the King might disagree with them, are those of Prime Minister De Kalk. So, to answer your question, His Majesty does care and would welcome contact with any and all faction involved in this matter, but His Majesty cannot act in any direct manner without the behest of Prime Minister De Kalk."

Just then the AP reporter jumped back in.

"And what was Prime Minister De Kalk's response to the King's request?"

Mendenhall looks at the AP reporter, and using his best 'disappointed expression'.

"Prime Minister De Kalk's response was simply no. It is obvious that the Prime Minister is satisfied with his and his government's handling of the matter so far and does not care for any such mitigation."

As if on cue, Lord Mendenhall's limo pulls up.

"I must go now, I must convey to His Majesty the dissapointing response of the Prime Minister. Good day everyone."

With that, Mendenhall disappears into the limo and heads back to Chandler House.