Lords of the East - Council Chambers

[TriforceV]

The Kwarez diplomat walks into the chambers, with saber sheathed, he takes a seat and examines the area carefully.

The sound of battle echos in the background, and the diplomat shifts uncomfortably as he awaits the new fate of the city, which seems certain to fall to unorthodox Western ideology.

Suddenly, the small servant boy in rag emerges, dirtier than usual and with slight breath he approaches the diplomat and hands him a royal Persian envelope.
"I managed to get through the Blockade" the young servant says proudly

The Persian diplomat sneers at the boy, then gives him 2 coins and sho's him away.
He unfolds the envelope and begins to read...
His first reaction is of shock and as he continues to read the letter the diplomat slowly deflates as if life is being drained away..

The diplomat slowly wobbles and sits back on his chair the image of a broken man, and weeps a single tear...

The sound of the seige grows even louder, but does nothing to faze the diplomat out of despair...
"Ohh Allah, How could this have happened!?, ... Were we not destined for greatness!?"

The Diplomat gathers what little strength he has and wobbles slowly out of the chambers,

he leaves the envelope exposed and a few bold words can be made out; it reads:

~ The Mighty Shah has Signed a Peace with the Eastern Alliance: The War is over~

[Thanatos Eclipse]

Captain Amr, too, seems disheartened, but as soon as he stands, he is back to his usual self. "At last, there is peace in the east. The Admiral has seen fit to accept the Shah's offer of treaty. Along with the mighty Rajputs, we have decided to set aside our differences with the Khwarezm and work for the peace we had always hoped for, may it be lasting and prosperous."

As the sounds of siege continue outside, Amr queries, to no one in particular, "Yet again Baghdad has fallen under attack, but can there even be peace in Baghdad when no true Caliph sits upon her throne?"

[phonicsmonkey]

Not with you lot around..mutters Orloomo under his breath, nervously glancing at the door.

[Zim]

The Roman diplomat looks troubled at the news of this most recent war between their neighbors, and begins both sending out and receiving a flurry of messages. During a brief period of calm he stands and addresses the Council.

The Romans look with dismay upon this most recent conflict between old allies of ours. It seems that whoever holds this most noble city which houses the Council is doomed to eternal warfare.

We would like to remind participants in the war that the Eastern Rome Empire is currently neutral. Any attempts to violate our territory will be met with force. At the same time we would like to see the war end. Having had good relations with at least two of the three participants we offer our services as mediators, should they be desired.

[Quirl]

The sounds outside grow and grow. Men shouting. Horns blowing. The sound of a gate crash. The clatter of swords and spears. The snarls of horses and men. They go on for hours…

[phonicsmonkey]

Exit Orloomo Bland, stage left.

[Quirl]

The sounds outside stopped nearly an hour ago. There is an earie silence carried in by the wind. Some crows are suddenly startled—settling around in the nearby windows. The silence still perpetuates, with the wind animating what life there is in the chamber.

Outside the doors, there is suddenly walking. More footsteps accompany it. High above in the rafters, more crows settle in—staring off at the doors—fidgeting their feathers. A single crow caws and the doors open.

The hinges squeal and there is an echo across the courtroom.

A man enters.

He wears an eccentric looking dress. His sleeves are covered in dark feathers. Most of his body is covered in blue silk. And on his face is a decorative, white and gold mask—where underneath, foreign, strange eyes stare out.

Merhaba sadiqs. I am Akin Turan…. humble merchant and diplomat of the ghūl. I will be their voice here today and may I firstly say the Qara-Suu mean our good masters in the Caliph’s courtroom no harm. Not even the crusader's representative we threaten... as this was all just business, sadiq.

He puts his palm over his forehead

We regret that this city must come to pain again… and that we must be the hargingers of this pain… but we are mere slaves, sadiqs… wishing nothing beyond what simple services we can provide to master and contract.

He looks above him to the crows settling in on top the rafters in the ceiling. Then he looks back down…

I also speak for Our Lady--Kamelya Kadri. She invites all of you to Qara-Qale... our new capital in the Georgian mountains. Once the great city of Tbilisi, its majestic halls and kingly suites have been prepared in anticipation of your arrival...

... the mountains are green. The skies are always blue. There is forever a winter breeze flowing in the air, but the land is still touched by the sun... and thus it is neither too cold nor too hot. I expect you will find it more suitable than the desert. Though Qara-Qale will always fall short to the splendor of this city, it will nonetheless provide better shelter than Baghdad has thus been able to afford our good masters here today.

He bows.

Is our invitation well met, my lords?

[Thanatos Eclipse]

For the first time in the court, Captain Amr appears to be truly distressed. He moves to stand and speak, but quickly changes his mind and sits back down. He fidgets in his seat for a minute before deciding to stand again, but he stops himself half-way. Giving up on this pursuit, he compromises and leans back against the table. Clearly agitated, Amr starts to cross and uncross his arms trying to remain calm. Malek stands to try and comfort his friend, Amr starts to speak, “Do you realize what they’re asking? How can they expect me to know what to say? This kind of decision takes time! I mean what-”

Malek interrupts “Calm down Amr. This isn’t really a big deal. They have a valid point; Baghdad clearly isn’t that safe and a change of scenery wouldn’t be bad either.”

Captain Amr stares at Malek for a minute, then shakes his head, as if to clear it, “What? Who cares? Can’t you see what’s going on here?”

Malek, completely clueless, just says “Obviously not.”

Amr sighs to himself, “Land-lovers.” Pulling himself together a little, Amr addresses Malek, “How can you not see the choice they’re asking me to make? They want us to move the court to a place so far detached from the sea which I love so much.”

“Yes, but-”

“But on the other hand,” Amr continues ignoring Malek, “I love to explore new waters. Think of all the unknown challenges the Black Sea could offer. How can I make such a decision now?”

“Yes, but-”

“You’re right,” Amr interrupts Malek, “My duties to the Fleet could come up at any time, I should remain here.”

“Ya...” this time Malek cuts himself off when it is apparent that Amr still isn’t listening.

“That’s absolutely true. The Fleet will be fine without me, and besides, I could never resist a good challenge.” Amr turns to Malek and grabs him on the shoulder, “Thanks, you really helped me out there.” Malek, a little frustrated at this point, just plops back down in his chair and makes a grab for the closest drink. Amr clears his throat and addresses the court. “The Omani delegation is ready for a change of pace. We gladly accept the Qara-Suu’s offer. We thoroughly hope others will too.”

[Quirl]

After general agreement by the assembly, the council departed north--to Qara-Qale. The diplomats filtered in one by one, greeted by the sheer extravagance of the new chamber.

The floor was black marble, white streaks chiseled in like cobwebs on the ground. The walls were cold gray, with arches and pillars encircling the chamber--supporting a great, lit dome overhead. All around the room, sconces and lamps lit the shadows, heating the otherwise cold castle to a comfortable temperature. Even the dome--which was carved into several swirling lines, like a whirlpool leading up into the ceiling--had candles lined around its interior edges. And in the center of the room--under the great white dome--were stone tables set up in a circle around the middle of the room. And at the center table, Kamelya sat greeting each diplomat as he entered--waving her hands to a feast of fine foods and wines set up on each table.

Greetings, sadiq. Welcome to the new council halls... we hope all we have prepared is pleasing to you during your stay with us here...

May our transactions here be profitable.

[Zim]

The Roman diplomat stands.

I would like to thank our gracious hosts for providing this new Council Chamber.

I would also like to deliver some important news. First, it appears the Emperor Alexius' condition has continued to worsen. In order to aid him in his duties he has officially had Koulianos declared Co-Emperor.

In further news, Co-Emperor Koulianos in his wisdom has decided that it cannot trust a neighbor as treacherous as the Latins, who on their arrival pillaged our lands and slaughtered the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Even in more recent times they have proved their duplicity, attacking their heathen allies the Fatimids, who they had previously traded the Holy City of Jerusalem to.

Therefore the Roman Empire declares was on the Latin states.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

“Hear, hear!” Amr shouts, picking up a glass from the nearest table as he walked into the new courtroom. “The Catholic invaders come to the Holy Lands and throw everything into disarray. Then they go and betray the Ayyubids, the only friends they had here. What did they think would happen?”

Doing away with the seriousness, Amr smiles and raises his glass higher, “What of our gracious host; they really outdid themselves here.” Amr bows to their Qara-Suu hosts; then heads over to the Omani table where Malek already sits.

Once Amr had sat down, Malek leans over and says “I’d have thought you to be sailing the great breadth of the Black Sea by now.”

Astounded, Amr exclaims “Without a proper ship?” “Land lovers,” he mumbles. “Malek, you can’t sail on a boat you don’t trust; not if you want to survive anyway.”

“I see...” Malek says warily, obviously not getting it.

“Yup,” Amr continues, “actually just got back from over seeing my crews start of the new lady. Haven’t figured out what I’m going to call her yet but I’ve got time. I should tell you about her.”

“No thanks,” Malek says, practically pleading, “I’m really busy right now. You know, with diplomacy and stuff.”

Pointing a finger at Malek, with a wizened look in his eyes, Amr says “Let me tell you. She's going to be a real beauty...”

“Oh no,” Malek moans. Amr was off on one of his sailing tangents again and nothing short of brimstone and fire was going to stop it; if that would even do it. As Malek lays his head on the table and puts his hands over his head, Amr is off talking about combining sailing techniques of the Orient and West.

‘Where’s Allah’s holy wrath when you need it?’ Malek wonders, 'It’s at least worth a try.'

[Quirl]

Kamelya smiles at the Roman.

Oh, good. We've only just arrived and there is already real business to be had on the table.

She takes a goblet of wine and sips.

[Quirl]

A servant skulks in from the shadows. He approaches Kamelya and hands her a letter. She smiles and pats the young man on his head, shooing him away as she turns her attention to the envelope. She dips her bony fingers inside its seems, dragging it along and tearing the top with a quiet slice. Then she pulls out a letter and hands it to her young servant boy. The servant boy reads and whispers its contents into her ear.

Her eyes widen and she turns to scowl at the boy.

What?!

Her voice is just loud enough for the others to hear. After realizing her outburst, she turns to the general court and plasters on a smile. She then stands and bows to the attendants.

Please continue with your discussions, sadiqs. I must leave for the day. If you wish anything, please do not hesitate to call upon the guards and they will see to your needs.

Then she bows a second time and exits the courtroom.

Outside, there the sound of an approaching storm.

[Quirl]

Kamelya has been gone for several days. There is a hush in the dark city—whispers of a change within the Qara-Suu. A man enters from the far side of the room. He wears a white mask and decorative, blue silk. He steps to the place Kamelya had sat and brushes her things aside. He then takes his place at the stone table, clasping his hands together and bowing his head to the court.

Merhaba sadiqs. Perhaps you remember me? I am Akin Turan, the one who met with you in Baghdad only a year ago.

He sits up.

Kamelya Kadri will no longer be representing the interests of the Ghul in this courtroom. I am now the voice of the new Qara-Suu Khaganate.

I wish to inform this esteemed court that the Qara-Suu Khaganate is no longer a mercenary faction. We wish to take our place amongst the world as a nation, equal in stature to our great lords and friends in this court.

Our allies are the cunning Omani Admiralty, the great Khwarezm Shah, the wise Ayyubid Sultanate, and the timeless Roman Empire. We invite more to be our sadiqs in the coming years. And let it be known that we will assist all our allies in their wars and endeavors, as we would hope they would one day assist us. Thus, this new nation's enemies are the Crusader States and those rebel factions still refusing to submit to a united east.

Servants step out and begin to pour wine in all the representatives' glasses. Akin shoos away one of the servants and raises his goblet.

Gentlemen. Let this day be known as the day the world bears witness to Tengrii's new prophet. The Qara-Kâhin, Nasreddîn Tasköprülüzâde, has come to grace the Qara-Suu with his prowess and power. We wear our masks proudly, sacrificing our own weak and personal identities to Him who bears the word of God.

Let the Qara-Suu last for ages! Let your own empires last for ages!

All praise is to the Black Prophet...

He drinks, sipping through the tiny slit in his mask and exhaling with a deep, savoring sigh.

[Quirl]

Akin rustles through some papers, seeming bored after so long a silence. Most of the representatives are still present in the court, but many are gone now. Diplomacy in the east has fallen to the wayside as the Qara-Suu continues to expand and assert its influence. Akin himself is said to be due to travel west, where the Ghul have begun a campaign against the Rus kingdoms and seek to destroy the remaining fragments of Rome hidden away in Greece--it is also said the Ghul have begun offering their services as mercenaries to the various kingdoms and principalities of Europe.

While rustling through some papers, Akin comes across two letters and reads them to himself. Behind his mask, his face is expressionless. Then he lays them down softly onto the stone table and rises.

Good delegates, let it be known that a Caliph sits in Baghdad once again. Our esteemed friends in the Ayyubid Sultanate have won the Caliph elections and now Saadauri Qara-khalīfah has been blessed by the Black Prophet to carry on his word. May he live a long life and be blessed in full by Tengrii.

He then turns slowly to face the other end of the court.

Also, it seems that war has broken out between the Pagan Hindus and our Khwarezm brethren. It also seems that the Hindus have been plotting for quite some time against our humble new Khaganate.

He then turns away and sits back down, resting the cheek of his pale mask on the silky glove of his fingers.

How... unfortunate.

I'm afraid I must ask all those still loyal to the Caliph and the Khaganate to purge these Pagans from our Lord's green earth.

He lowers his head.

Send word, sadiqs. Holy War has begun...

[Thanatos Eclipse]

A cool breeze lifts off the sea carrying the whispers; whispers of great ships gathering. From the shores of India to the Horn of Africa the whispers come; whispers of pirate colors being retired. The whispers float upon the wind until they reach the mountainous abode of the Qara-Suu's court. The fleets of Oman have been summoned.


Amr stands to address the court, “The Admiralty has declared the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean sovereign territory of Oman. From this point on, only trade ships are allowed free passage on our waters, mercy shall not be shown to any invaders.”