The Northern Shuffle

[Thaumantica]

Gothaven, East Jydsken

From Cantignia they came to East Jydsken. A company of drafted infantry recently finished in training to establish an office with the former leader of the entire Order, Aelis Pherson, who made the sign of the cross and gifted a Bible written in Nievish and to the particularities read and spoken in Jydsken to the hosts afforded to them.

"We are so very sorry that Engwahlian may be our common tongue this morn'," Aelis confessed, "might we find better ways to speak, none Austwegian, none Engwahlian, none jackals nor snakes . . Give us rest from our journey from across this world, won't you? Tomorrow we will find words common, mark me, our walk together in Christ's vision draws so dearly near!"

In the mad-woman's tow were three Neighbors, agents of the Thaumantic intelligence service who were designated as Kingkillers. Behind them were entirely normal young men and women wondering why and worrying at the shiver of leaving this plane climate controlled for Cantignia unto Jydsken.

While Gutarike had been handled with roughness this situation was far more delicate. Neither by bullet or bullying could the Communal Order perform a Sveasund operation here or in Charlottelund. They were one company and would be the only Thaumantican representation until a deep understanding was established with the East Jydsken Commune as to what the Junta desired and could achieve.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Gothenhagen, East Jydsken
Former Imperial Palace of Henriettenborg

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The Thaumantican communal group of delegates lead by Aelis Pherson had been brought to this once grand imperial palace ground that had been reduced by post-delegationists and republicans to smaller stature. A grand palace that the Jysk had hoped would seat a new Queen. The group had been taken to the palace room where grand tapestries with the royal monogram of Queen Marie had been hung up on the walls, but little more was evident. It was here that the group waited for a couple of minutes and the Field Marshall walked in from behind the throne room's chair.

"Greetings, my humblest welcome to what I've come to call home here in Henriettenborg. Henriettenborg was once just a castle, named after a Frankish Queen, Odette Henriette, who was the wife of the Jysk King Magnus IV. It subsequently was sieged and sacked by our neighbors, Gutarike in 1612. Rebuilt as this palace it housed our royals until the post-delegationist revolution. Excuse me, I'm a keen historian of sorts when I have a spare time. I like to believe such facts interest my guests, but truly, I never know. My name is Rolf Nikolajsen, I am the Field Marshall and leader of the Jysk Army that holds this nation, some might say captive. I am honored that you have seen promise in coming here and I wish to share with you my dilemma. First of all, let me guide you to a side room where we have some refreshments and what we Jysk would call food. I hope you enjoy bread, butter, and honey."

As there was whispering between everyone involved, several other Jysk men and women in dress uniform stood at the door to the adjacent room and followed everyone in. It was formal. Rolf himself had a bit of a dark character to himself and a thick Jysk accent to his Engwahlian. His black suit and black tie was not in the military dress uniform of everyone else. Rolf wanted to portray himself not as a military man, but as a leader. Rolf clearly had some fine tastes though, and poured a vintage wine from Ebria for everyone.

"I believe I told you I had a dilemma. I can take this nation, some kind call East Jydsken, independent. I could also just join your Thaumantic Communes. I rather think I don't care. I stood once for protecting the values of this proud nation, but both options are one in-the-same. No? I am stuck dependent upon a communalist master. I decided this path long ago though, I decided the Communes were better than a Federation government-issue fairy land where glutton, over-consumption, reckless individualism, and waste go about without second thought. It's godless is it not? So, I don't know which route to take, as neither make a difference to the common East Jysk man, woman, or child. Instead I wish to make something for myself rather than die in a prison in Østveg. So I ask of you dear Communalists, how to I benefit both my country and myself?"

 

[Thaumantica]

"Voices of this language we speak in now echoed in Nievish halls as their historical riches were looted by and to Engwahl," Aelis Pherson, a one time leader of all Thaumantic Communes lamented, "so much so that a jewel once present in the Nievish crown became a mainstay of the Engwahlian one, or parts of Nievish banners entering the great tapestry of Lexkirk."

Behind her the Neighbors, particularly the freshman Kingkillers crew exchanged a smirk at one another at being offered butter and honey by a man dressed in black. Indeed, Nievish folklore was littered with dark garbed men and witches in the shadows offering children butter and sweets, painted toys and dyed clothes, culminating in their disappearance of that child or their communion with darkness. After praying over the bread, encouraging her Neighbors to not believe in superstition in this instance, and listening to Marshal Nikolajsen, she mentioned her grandfather who was the right hand man of a marshal of the Nievish revolution: " . . and so now a hundred years on the merchants of democratic disorder have been exposed as toothless toll men." she concluded after the unnecessary oration that perhaps was fair now that she had been named a grandmother after the birth of her daughter's child.

"And you know, if it is merely about avoiding prison then come back with me down-Cannie and you can retire on a beach villa, so surely that would be the easiest solution?" she offered without much hope of that working, "but you will not slink away from what you have done, will you? And by staking a place here you are testing a political theory, surely you know, that by declaring this East Jydsken commune it must be respected and protected by others. How can the Engwahlians fully respect or lord over Nieveland, or Cantignia over Engwahl? There is a notion that we are united on many essential things, yet separate and self sorting in others. The Federation lost sight of this somewhere along the way, and no I do not suspect they will support this island's cause in any serious or lasting way."

The Kingkillers pointed out those who had followed them into the room, armed surely and uniformed. "Who do you think you look like, Almskeeper?" a one of those Nievish neighbors asked in their language. "Not an Almskeeper, horse with a hat then?!" she chirped back. There was a concern among the neighbors then that they were about to be arrested or shot dead and all hands were reaching for pockets while Pherson spoke her next words.

"Suffice to say," Pherson said in Engwahlian again, "we have already backed you in talks with the Northlaw entity. If you join our Order we will back your vision here and within the Northlaw potential communes, to the end, because this Ebrian wine is merely the basement of your potential."

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

The rustling pockets did not alarm the men standing in uniform. They stood frozen to their posts. They were trained well and told to stand guard ceremonially. While armed, they had no intention to use their weapons.

Nikolajsen on the other hand was a bit more worried. He had a remote fear that suddenly grew that Aelis Pherson perhaps came to collect the crown for herself so to speak. This sort of power did a number on a man's mind. He grew more paranoid, more hungry for more power. He knew it, he saw it in himself. He had done things he never would've done just a year ago. He ordered the death of the Queen's boyfriend. He had separated families by locking down the borders. He was ready to pursue a dictatorial state with himself at the top. Aelis Pherson should not be his enemy, but the actions of her men told him otherwise. 'Once may be happenstance, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern', he told himself. If there was a pattern he'd order the entire room cleared except Pherson he decided.

He responded to Aelis, "You are right, something worrying with the Federation is about. The values they teach do not always mirror their actions." He took a sip of the wine letting the room sit a bit in silence. He had left his hand up as if to indicate he wanted to speak more. Perhaps a strange action for anyone that wasn't a movie villain, but he wasn't so sure himself anymore. "You are right, I am here to embrace an ideology. So perhaps I should reformat the question to this: do I embrace its warmth straight from the source? Or do bask in the glow of my own energy? I believe the answer to this is simple, but there are very many complex details that can complicate anything. I believe the ideology tells us one is less than zero. What say you Aelis?"

 

[Thaumantica]

"I say that you will never be a born and bred Nievish Communalist as I or these Neighbors, who . . " Aelis began, shooing them off with her hand before saying in Nievish " . . stop following me like sad hungry cats, take a nap or walk around and make them follow you!"

"Apologies Laird Nikolajsen," Aelis offered in one of his second languages, "your own energy has already dictated a militant style of commune, similar to Nieveland's Revolutionary Guard, however we rather saw to killing the Queen or seeing she did the deed for us."

Aelis drank deeply from her wine for a spell as she puzzled over that particular mystery. Present there was her grandfather Douglas MacPherson, a MacBain, and MacKinnon the founder of Communalism. Publicly they all agreed the monarch Queen Aelis IV committed suicide while privately, from the journals and letters of these men, there was a sincere disagreement over the entire event. In journals MacPherson her Grandfather wanted Queen Aelis dead and wrote he would do it himself, but a letter from MacKinnon asks for MacBain to do it. MacBain's journals claim it was her own suicide, yet letters to MacKinnon and MacPherson claim his proudness for doing murder. All seem to agree that the woman was voluntarily drugged and drunkard, though how precisely the knife plunged into her heart was now a mystery to Aelis Pherson - worried over it now almost a century later with all of the available information.

"One is less than zero?" Aelis wondered aloud, "Those young girls and boys I kicked out and I grew up with this phrase repeated so very many times . . and you know? It is so saturated that it both loses its rhetorical value, yet from beatings and bickering in childhood, sets in to our behavior."

"MacKinnon was born down-Cannie and rather cruelly tricked into the classic Engwahlian ice-lick, some summer if you can imagine in 1889!" Aelis explained, somewhat worried that her Communal history lessons might bore this young foreign man, but until he might say so she would carry on. "You see, down-Cannie in those times the law always was backed by and always backed one with a purse. What he meant by this, one is less than zero, is that when he took a lick from that ice for himself he became a liability for his parents who could not pay the ridiculous sum . . spare ye 100 Thaumantic Pounds for a lick, written on the other side of the cube."

Aelis shrugged, "No one could or would protect him, he was absconding from his parents chores . . heh, well . ." Aelis laughed, "That part might be the propaganda tale, but the records in ink do show Jack MacKinnon made into human commodity for theft from an ice carriage."

"I say take an assessment of what you have, who is backing you, and what is safe to lick . . ." Aelis said, defensively smiling as she thought of the absolute beatings she had received in school for individualistic behavior. "We are here to back one who would back us."

 

[Thaumantica]

After their day together events in the world had escalated intensely. As Aelis returned down-Cannie, to Vesper where she would see Nikolajsen once again, it was learned in the air that no major representative from the Two Kingdoms would respect a meeting with him. She did not wait to land before casting a text message to the man stating: "if they cannot face you in the flesh then join us in person Vesper only to join our Order . . . That is your choice, but we would not take you away from your lands and duties to face with irrelevant representatives. Your efforts are not a waste to us."

Once landed in Vesper that evening the once leader of the Order found that her replacement, Conor MacBain, was touting a great retraction from involvement with new communes. So far as the MacBain's ensuing Order was considered, all of these Skansa-Communes were Engwahlian-Bastards. Pherson asked for and was obliged to meet with MacBain at a park in Vesper. Stocked with wing clipped swans who were fed fat by the Lake Riberry communal staff, the two Nieves walked together for a spell without speaking until MacBain stopped and pointed at a star, the North Star, and grumbled "a waste of your faculties, Lady Pherson."

Pherson shrugged and shook her head replying, "and so it may be Conor, but I do see something there and with him that is the stuff we look for in communalists."

They continued to walk then, a jogger with a dog rushing past from behind without care of who they were, and Conor then offered his arm and Aelis accepted to stroll amicably. "The world is quite perplexed by us, Aelis . . they do not understand why we declare one who leaves Nieveland dead."

"I did read that the Ebrian Alfonso was excommunicated, how will ye keep that?" Aelis asked with genuine curiosity.

"Tis not our place to keep," Conor rejoiced with Nievish smugness, "or am I wrong?"

Aelis stopped and pulled Conor to look at the lake, pointing herself now to a fish jumping to catch some water stuck bug. "No you're not, Lil'Linc saw that the moment they began kin-killing. But what about the Jydsks and Austwegians, yes my dear, I want to focus ye on this."

Conor pulled her back on the trail when they encountered security Neighbor details who were harassing some oblivious park bench drunk, who seemed only to want to go back to sleep. MacBain shoed them off and replied "This Maria, who we cannot know from Eve, seems to not know where she belongs and what she believes in from day to day . . "

"Nikolajsen does . . " Aelis interjected, "he does know where he's from. What does he believe? Well, if Nieveland were so under fire and misled would most not wonder? We ought give the Jydsk something to believe in, something to follow and align with."

MacBain sighed, their trek around the lake was nearly through, and the keepers of this lake were casting out feed now to the clipped swans. "If he wants Order he will come." MacBain concluded, disengaging from Aelis with a small bow that turned into a handshake, hug, and exchanges of communal blessings at the realization that they may never meet again.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

The parties had all arrived "Down-Cannie" and this arrival had naturally caused quite a bit of commotion. Of course the Field Marshal Nikolajsen had arrived first on his own private military cargo plane full of his own guards and personnel responsible for making this trip a success. He was paranoid that he would be usurped back in Gothenhagen, but he made some thinly veiled threats that such irresponsible actions would simply force the Thaumantics to attack and forcefully re-join Jydsken to the rest. He had no proof of this other than spreading a belief that he had a good rapport with them and their support.

Opposite of Nikolajsen was the Foreign Minister for the Two Kingdoms, Saga de la Gardie, who represented the old Scanlaw as Foreign Minister and had the most experience in this department leading her to remain in charge. Saga and Nikolajsen had met before on a few occasions in far more relaxed settings. Saga had even an interesting night with Nikolajsen's cousin during a Christmas party at least fifteen years ago. They never spoke again, as Christmas party hookups were always embarrassing, but nonetheless they were a thing in Østveg and Jydsken. Saga as opposed to the Field Marshal, arrived in a far smaller government jet which only had a few diplomats along side her as well. This was her first time in Cantignia, but upon news that she would travel there she felt it would not be her last either. The Thaumantic Communes and Jydsken-Østveg had a unique bond now, even if they saw the world quite differently still. She didn't really buy into the Northlaw Communes idea, but she felt instead rallying around the idea of the new monarchy. This was despite the fact that she felt the new monarch was a bit of a clown, and didn't really represent the country or guide it probably whatsoever. At least there was some kind of institution with which to build from.

As the two groups had arrived, they now waited carefully and cautiously. They were keenly aware of the stakes and knew that the Cannies wanted to solve this in a special way. Neither side really knew where that would take them, but the tension was clear.

 

[Thaumantica]

Cantignia to other Thaumanticans and indeed much of the rest of the world existed in their mind here as the bayside luxuries of Vesper or the curated excursions into the bush to observe marsupials and the unique fauna that had survived invasions from hunters and foreign species. This was a city that looked more like classical Engwa-Nieveland than the original because its buildings and their ornaments had been manicured by brilliant sculptors and architects escaping the civil war that broke the empire and gave way to 'communal order'.

Whole other peoples historically comprised this land before the concept of nations or communes was introduced, indeed, the host of this meeting of folk from the far north claimed indigenous heritage by way of the Willurae Commune. His name was Damperod Tharawal, a Tribal Alderman, who shared a table of exceptional ocean fish, more comforting Cantignian classics from the massive cattle beef trade, but ultimately piles of nuts and berries unique to this land that he encouraged them to sup on so the more luxurious foods might be carried over to the almshalls.

He then eased what might come as religious tension that would have existed with a white-Thaumantican by saying "we in the Willurae thank nature when we slay the beast or gather our bounties, not before eating because the hard part is already done. Of course, if ye wish to pray in your own way quietly you're encouraged to . . quietly."

Placing him here was undoubtedly tactical, Tharawal knew, and he merely had a list of things not to broach such as the legitimacy of monarchy, the southern wars in Ebria and Aresura, or the Gutnish war and occupation. If these things came up, incidentally, he was not well informed of and largely disinterested in as most Cantignians and especially indigenous Cantignians. He had the option to invite his white counterparts in to engage them more directly if he felt overwhelmed, but he would start with a very basic questions.

"Can your communes co-exist?" . . . "Field Marshal Nikolajsen is a fixture of the East Jydsken Commune now, how can come together around this table and see what's fair and right for him and his cohort?" . . . and finally "how well are your zoos fixed? We have a great many animals in rehabilitation down-Willurae that need good places to live. I can easily saddle you with some motherless roos here in a click who are just too domesticated with man now, or an endless supply of dingoes . . . never mind that, those bloody dingo pups would jump on you and then make a massacre of this whole table!"

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Rolf Nikolajsen did not change his expression even though he rushed to speak first, "Perhaps co-existence can be considered when West Jydsken is returned to my commune. The error is entirely Austwegian, and the return of West Jydsken and our ascent to perhaps even a place within those Thaumantic Communes could even be arranged. Perhaps anything else would require the monarchy to be disbanded, or again, have the Queen marry a Jydsk citizen of high standard."

Saga de la Gardie rolled her eyes. She knew the compromises made for the Queen to return to Catholicism, and none of them were going to have her marry a Jydsk citizen. The Austwegians secretly hoped the Queen returning to Catholicism would help their standing with the Thaumantic Communes, but they weren't sure yet. There was a lot of criticism with her leaving the church and then returning to it in more conservative circles. Never mind the fact that the Counter-reformation of hundreds of years ago would've been delighted to have a monarch return to the Church. Saga decided she'd start with the animals, because as a more seasoned diplomat she wanted to keep her host happy. "I believe that there are several zoos in Østveg and Jydsken that could accommodate more down-Cannie animals. I believe the roos and the dingos would be a hit with the Nord children." She paused as if to move onto the original question in a semi-formal manner. "It's policy of this Government that Field Marshal Nikolajsen is a traitor who has committed treason against his people, his Government, and his Queen. It is our belief that this can be remedied with good faith, good manners, and a good return to the Northlaw Communes. The Field Marshal's personal status is likely one of imprisonment or execution after being judged by a court. That said, this could be negotiated for the much of the good given to the Twin Kingdoms. That is to say, good faith by publicly repenting. Good manners by apologizing to his Queen, of which the Queen is welcome to join our session via remote chat of what I believe down-Cannies may use, Clover? Is it? Then finally of course a good return by committing the return of East Jydsken to the realms immediately. Pardons with certain provisions for all who participated would be provided. This is the position allowed by Her Majesty's Government at this point of time and we are open to allow for some limited negotiation."

Saga of course was on her own in terms of the negotiations. She knew she could not give up the farm, but getting East Jydsken returned was of paramount importance. East Jydsken controlled a great deal of access to Gothic Sea oil, as well as a major Gothic Sea port and the former Imperial city, and former Scanlaw capital.

Nikolajsen meanwhile wasn't phased. Remaining emotionless, he muttered something to himself. He wanted to hear with the hosts said before he'd launch into any tirade. He did not want to give up his position of privilege. Especially not to the such a Queen who did nothing but paint, pretend to be important, and was now Catholic, the ultimate insult to the Nords who had been of their own free church for hundreds of years as one of the prime earliest adopters of the reformation. If he could get Cannie support, then he could press his opinion and demands. If he did not, then he'd need much more clarification on his options. A part of him felt he was running out of rope, but yet he had the self-belief to think that he could still win the day by refusing everything and going home as the nuclear option.

 

[Thaumantica]

"We are sorry for the many losses of the crowned one, Maria . . " Alderman Tharawal offered, "but I do not think this young woman knows who she is, what she believes, or to where she belongs. Tomorrow I will go-back Willurae, that is my home. I believe in the fire-side stories of the first Willurae, and I know that we Willurae fit in the Order how we choose to. We ranch, press cattle about, and feed ours and other communes and are rich and free."

A ding from Damperod Tharawal pocket interrupt his speech then and he checked the device and giggled for a spell before producing his Clover smart-block with a picture of one of the many shepherd dogs from his ranch. "We do call this one Kingsley the Ninth," he revealed with more gasps from behind his father joke, "because my children did ask what is a K9, if we find a girl we will call her QueNine won't we? . . ." he concluded with cringeworthy stifled laughter.

He then heard the woman known as Saga summarize that the other man at this table faced death or imprisonment and reflected aloud: "This is my friend Rolf Nikolajsen, as are you, he is a Communalist as I hope you are, so why would we separate his head or put him deep in a cage? Who within Jydsken did this Marshal of Jydsk-Fields betray?"

"Cannie-man has learned well not to tell the Willurae what to do and how to do it," the Alderman explained, "we knew this land before them and they fought us, they fought it, until they shed blood and grew ears then listened . . . And yes, the Clover worldwide webs do carry faces and voices around the world, save our children, but should tha'lass Maria be available it would impress upon me, us and our Order, that she is still present in her mind to work with the communes invested in her directly . . " he said before sneezing and resuming, "we do believe that Rolf Nikolajsen has proven his will and desire to keep the alms of Jydsken, East and West, and that Ostveg itself is unkept."

Tharawal grimaced for a moment, considering how hard he had just pressed, as well as the precedents of forefathers and mothers who were pressed hardly into the Thaumantic ways. He picked up a nut and a berry from the table and pointed out the obvious, "these are not the same," before putting both in his mouth. "But they can be gathered together in the same day if you are brave and strong."

Outside this meeting a team of Thaumanticans led by Aelis Pherson were listening in, cringing harder and hardest and demanding her to enter, but she simply made the sign of a cross on her chest and shook her head no.

"Who does keep order and alms in the Austwegian communes, and why are they not here?" Tharawal asked.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Field Marshal Nikolajsen was not sure what to think with the oddities of Tharawal. On one hand he rather liked that he felt appreciated and listened to. On the other hand the berry and nut metaphor of sorts rather bothered him as he did not want to return to the Two Kingdoms paradigm with the Queen. Although he would be more supportive of a new monarch, a native son or daughter, or at worst a lutheran German from the Grand Duchy or Rheinbund. He also felt uncomfortable with an elective President as he felt it was a position he would never be able to win. The current system he benefited from, he felt he could win a minority government in Parliament with some luck.

As Rolf Nikolajsen was a bit lost in his thoughts, Saga de la Gardie responded, "I believe the Field Marshal is likely to keep his head, and remaining behind bars for treason would likely not be a life sentence. Of course, I say this with the added caveat that the Field Marshall is also able to find a solution that does not involve either of those. He must merely publicly repent, apologize to the Queen, and return Jydsken whole. The Queen shall pardon him then, she will appear on your very Clover device at this meeting and pardon the Field Marshall should he do all three." She quickly spun her next sentence to the last point asked by Tharawal, "I believe you asking where the Prime Minister is, and she is currently preoccupied with national security. As you mentioned Her Majesty's many losses, due to her blood line, the security of Jydsken-Østveg is at risk itself."

Saga told a half-truth. The Prime Minister also outright refused to meet with Nikolajsen after he backed out of the Charlottenlund meeting. She felt he was a lesser man, who did not even hold a real post, and he was trying to make her look like a fool. She did not even entertain the idea of attending the meeting. Opposite of that was Queen Marie, who did not travel more because she was scared for her life having witnessed so many of her loved ones die in the last days, weeks, and months.

Nikolajsen paid half-attention to what Saga had said, but again elected to remain silent. He was playing poker, and was not going to reveal his hand while Saga danced around the subject. He wanted her to give up more concessions.

 

[Thaumantica]

"Surely we cannot sit here and get fat forever, so stand up now and follow me!" Tharawal ordered, charging away to a sliding door before turning back and complaining "I do not hear feet!"

He shucked a short dance and shook his head, "Come out then and we will talk to the clouds for they do not last for long."

Tharawal, uncaring if he was still coming off as the metaphorical fool pointed to a cloud and began to apologize with: "PeePaa I did lie to ye, and I am so very sorry I scared tha'bird away, right?"

"I did sneeze and scared away the one we were hunting," Tharawal said, "and he was so very angry with me and slapped me across the head and said 'you do hunt for shit, but I will make you most hunter, Tharawal, I will make you best'."

Things were getting much more serious abroad while Tharawal folked about and yarned his childhood. Meanwhile, the Federation's no-fly zone policy had just been called into question. The Tarusans were pressing their chase around Ebria hours before and now suddenly toward the Queen Maria to eliminate the Field Marshal.

"Are these things worth all mankind?" Tharawal asked after viewing his device as he sure his counterparts would, the conflict escalating. "one of you will make a horrific sacrifice of thousands and and tens more if ye do not make one fair deal now."

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

The two stood by Tharawal and saw the recent news as well. The Tarusan offer to give the muscle and power to retake East Jydsken had made its way to the members at the conference and change the dynamic immediately. Field Marshal Nikolajsen immediately felt like he had lost the game of poker, and it was not because of the player in front of him or beside him, it was because of the a player he didn't even recognize at the table. He sighed and extended his hand, "Ma'am, I believe the cause is lost. I may hold fast for weeks or months, but I cannot hold win any war against the might of Tarusa and the Austwegians. I may lose even more should the Federation hold firm in their stance as well as a Great War with Jydsken as the front line will only mean the end of the Jydsk people as a civilization worthy to its history. I submit to the premise of your demands. Yet, what of me? I will ask for amnesty in Cantignia if I cannot live the life of a free man of which his only sin was the fight for the cause of his people."

Saga extended her hand to the Field Marshal's and shook it. "I believe we can forgive your actions should you apologize to the Queen publicly. Should we have you submit to our rule entirely you will have, pardon for being so direct, but have lost your usefulness. I believe time may heal wounds. Record your apology to the Queen, go on a pilgrimage here in Cantignia. Formally return to Jydsken afterwards, and I believe there may be a possible place for you within the Church, but surely your career in the military is done. I believe the Prime Minister will see to it that you are banned from politics as well, but may live a good life, and find good purpose for it in time."

Saga did not really know what she meant by that, but she did feel that such amnesty for the Field Marshal may give her the good graces of her hosts which seemed to have a personal investment in the Field Marshal. Saga continued, "I suppose we have an agreement in principle."

 

[Thaumantica]

"You are a great man in Up-Jydske," Tharawal offered sincerely based from his understanding of the situation from so very far away, "and a greater man for considering so that the many may die or be caught up in this mighty thunder warfeet. I do offer you my house Field Marshal Nikolajsen, to rest and ready for a new life, though I think the white-Thaumanticans will make rest for you better."

Some tools were offered then to the foreign ones: papers, the Cloverweb protocols to connect back, and phonelines. Damperod Tharawal pressed in on Nikolajsen and said in whisper: "You are already here, and this Order will protect you because you serve your Commune. Apologize to them if you do think it is right, but you owe them nothing and have home here . . . Do consider this while I whisper next with that one . . " he said pointing directly at Saga.

Once meeting with Saga de la Gardie at a private side Tharawal admitted that he worried that the North Communes may not actually consider adopting Cannie-roos, dingos, or the many needing help from abroad. "And that's perfectly fine," he said hoping he could clear the air from his lament, "what seems so pressing in one commune is not always so to another. In Engwahl they are quite pressed on about how moneys escape public houses, in Nieveland they wan'us hear their language and dance stompers, whereas here we're quite well-felt by the environs."

"Please return for excursion someday?" Tharawal then offered to Saga, shrugging his shoulders at the events and situation at play. "It is a shame that you did visit here on business when most come for holiday, so I mark it . . ." Tharawal declared before reaching for one of then empty papers there about and a pen, and wrote "Saga de la Gardie is a a most friend in Willurae and should not pay once for food or shelter, SO SIGNED - DAMPEROD THARAWAL."

Of course this woman would likely never return here to Cantignia, and certainly not venture inland to the Wilurae commune, however this gesture was quintessentially Nievish and Engwahlian and what made up the importance of the Order: markers, contracts, statements deliberately marked between people. In a world of express and instant message it was already meaning less and less: a Twat by Luanne Hennessy, or a radio broadcaster speaking day to today betrayed what was and is most important to the Communal Order: marked meaning to a statement or promise.

 

[Thaumantica]

With weeks past the idea might have occurred to their new guest, former Field Marshal Nikolajsen, that he would be tucked away as if in some witness protection program. Instead, after observing his lingering from outside, two trainers were sent to wake him just before dawn.

Roy specialized in strength training and would jog with him up the road for a minute to the Deed Restricted Fitness Facility, whereas Ella-Lynn promised a morning of yoga to get loose before surfing lessons. After this, and a Communal Breakfast, would come an invitation to serve as a creative advisor for Clover Computing with a handsome wage. Absolutely useless toward Warpooch V development, and surely not a viewer of the Hallowevie animated picture franchise, this wage would be cover for Nikolajsen to advise on Gothic Sea affairs.

Finally, after whatever choices he did make, the entire neighborhood was ordered to knock on his door - introduce themselves - and lay a Sustainment-Meal for him so much so that the trainer he chose would further advise he begin asking them to send the sustenance to alms.

The Nieves especially were now concerned after the Gutnish Communal choice to integrate with the Order, an event which occurred within the Engwahlian Yeovil era of wanton bellicosity. This Rolf Nikolajsen, if he chose to work, might inform the Thaumantic foreign ones with the Gutnish they were now entwined with and the Northlaw Communes they were titularly associated with.