Laurisa walked with Tangandon, taking in the sights and sounds of the forest, Something she hasn’t done with anybody else in years.
“I keep saying that I’m speechless, but… You get it, not a lot of scenery. Growing up on a planet, staying in a station for most of my life, never got to see stuff… Like this.”
“Yes i get it. Celebar is a ecumenopolis, with only small pockets of forest and parks remaining. When i joined my father on a visit to the emperor for the first time seeing the massive sacred forest from orbit was amazing, and stepping into it even more so. Can’t imagine how it’s for you who so to say had it worse off. Many make pilgrimages here to experience the peace it brings. It’s not hard to realize why this place was deemed sacred.”
“Behold the imperial palace. A marvel of architecture. Princess Esgariel is waiting for us inside. Come, we don’t want to keep the imperials waiting.”
Tangandon described the palace well. It was massive, basically the size of a village, and filled with intricate details all around. Entering the grand hall they’re greeted by a spectacle of light caused by the stained glass windows. The room was decorated with hundreds of frescos of people.
“The frescos show all the emperors of calerost, from the day it was created to today. That one there shows the current emperor. Well, at least when he was younger. He now constantly wears a suit that keeps him alive, he’s more than 400 years old. Esgariel is his great great granddaughter i think. She became crown princess 3 years ago when her father tragically died in a crash. I knew him personally, actually served under him in the navy for a year while he held post. Was his first officer. He was a great man, full of courage and passion…
I wish he was still here. He joined Cuivië’s home too young.”
Tangandon got emotional, but quickly composed himself. They entered a smaller room. It had a domed glass ceiling and bookshelves all around. In the middle of the room there was a table, and at it sat princess Esgariel
Tangandon bowed deeply as he entered
“Your majesty”
“Please, stand up. Always a pleasure to see you, admiral. And you must be lieutenant Laurisa, the diplomat. Take a seat.”
Esgariel’s voice was smooth and calming. As Tangandon described she was perfectly calm, with a serene expression on her face.
Laursia bows, remembering what Tangandon told her, before sitting.
“It’s an honor to be present here, your highness. The future rests assured. Shall we begin?”
“Indeed we shall. I’ve read the treaty already but I’d like you to present it to me. It’s good to know how the other party is seeing and interpreting a treaty.”
A few hours pass as the trio work out the treaty
“Well, that should do it. I’m good to sign it, if you have no issue with it.”
“I won’t sign it, Calerost doesn’t sign documents. But i will stamp it with the imperial steal.”
Esgariel takes from her pocket what looks like a small wooden cuboid with gold decorations. She presses it against the paper. After a second a light glows on it. As she removes it a seal is revealed on the paper
“Every seal in Calerost is unique and can not be replicated. The ink is chemically bonded to the paper and has a unique composition that can’t be easily replicated and is specific to it. There’s also a microchip imbedded in it holding info on exactly when, where and by who the seal was placed. Something so simple, but over engineered so much. I think your people would appreciate that.”
TREATY OF BELEG LÜME 1. The Star Empire of Calerost and Science Directorate of the Velvet Rose shall establish bilateral free trade between them, removing any import and export tariffs, as well as a open border zone, removing all visa and border checking requirements. In times of crisis this can be unilaterally restricted by either side.
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“Signing is more a formality, but I do appreciate such an interesting design. Haven’t seen something like this since the Second Unification War. Well, I didn’t see it being signed, I saw it in a museum.”
“Well, if nothing else, I have to report this to my Flag Officer. It was an honor to meet you, Esgariel.”
“The honor is mine, but there is one more thing. Mostly symbolic but it’s necessary.”
As she says that she reaches behind her and grabs a extensively decorated sword
“I, princess Esgariel of the house of Haerelben, acting regent of the Gil-Atarnië, in the name of my glorious father the emperor, swear alliance to your nation and people and grant you my sword as it’s symbol. May the gods smite me down if i break this oath”
“A rapier, elegant. I have one back at my apartment, back when I used to-”
She pauses
“Sorry, I’ll ramble out of excitement. Thank you. Is there anything else?”
“No, that concludes everything. You’re free to go. May Colcalad’s light guide you.”
Tangandon bows deeply
“And you too, your majesty”
They leave the room. On the way back to the shuttle Tangandon asks:
“So, how does it feel to meet the second most powerful person in Calerost for the first time?”
