GaiganBriefing

From IMiA

Eric opens the door. Arryl is with him. Sir Anthony and the Duke and Duchess are already present. Before anyone can react, Eric says, 'We're not standing on ceremony. Everyone get yourself and drink and we'll get on with this."

Juliana relaxes into her chair because she was straightening up to stand and motions to Phillip that she'll go without a drink. She gives Arryl a nod. She looks at Eric with patient curiosity.

Eric seats himself without getting a drink.

Sir Anthony has a large number of documents and maps in front of him.

Arryl bows to their Graces with a friendly smile and drapes the battered great-coat she has been carrying over one arm on the back of an out of the way chair. With a comfortable lope, that somehow still manages to flirt with military precision, the Weir makes her way to the bar. "Mein Herr? Your Grace? Sir Dolan? May I fix you somet'ing?"

Even as she speaks, Arryl is digging in the back of the bar and coming with a dark bottle of the particularly... robust beer she favors. Thank goodness she is also coming up with a glass.

"No thank you," Sir Anthony replies.

"Thank you, no, Leutnant," Phillip shakes his head.

"I'm fine for now, thank you," Juliana adds.

"Proceed, Sir Anthony," Eric says.

As Arryl leans forward to look at Tony's maps, her non-existent ears twitch slightly. And her nostrils widen slightly. Once. But she shifts her hand on her glass to keep the beer clear of the map, and a bit of teeth creeps into her smile.

Juliana stays back from the maps, seated comfortably. She lived in Gaiga for over 10 years; she knows the place well. She traveled widely there - in fact, Juliana and Phillip own two pieces of property there.

Juliana catches Eric let out an inaudible sigh just before the door opens.

Prince Bleys strides into the room. He is dressed in his colours all in bright silks and he flashes everyone a dazzling smile.

He looks to Eric. “I see you've gathered everyone already, Eric. Good show.”

He smiles at Arryl. "Always a pleasure Leutnant." Bleys knows better than to try to kiss her hand.

"Likewise, Your Highness." The Weir smiles back and bows with crisp clicking of heels.

He walks over to Juliana and Phillip. Takes her hand. Kisses it. His eyes are almost glowing they are so bright. "It's been too long since I have seen you, your grace."

"It has been. Your smile has been missed, your highness," Juliana says with an approving smile of her own.

He takes Phillips hand. "Phillip. Good to see you again."

"Your highness," Phillip nods.

"Sir Anthony," Bleys smiles.

"Your highness."

Bleys inspects the liquor selection. Frowns. Makes a noise of disapproval. "Who stocks this room?" The Prince wonders aloud. "They have deplorable taste." With seeming reluctance, he selects a bottle and pours himself a drink.

The prince takes a seat.

"If you are ready?" Eric asks.

"Oh please, don't let me interrupt," Bleys smiles. "Do go on."

"Sir Anthony, if you would?" Eric says.

Arryl remains standing where she can see the map but out of the way of the rest of the room's occupants.

"His Majesty, Robeon I, King of Gaiga, has named his daughter Miranda heir," Sir Anthony begins. "This decision is interesting in and of itself. King Robeon has sons and Gaiga has always been ruled by a King. Miranda's mother was of the merchant class and she, like all of King Robeon's children, was born out of wedlock."

Bleys arches an eyebrow and sips his drink.

"Continue," Eric says.

"Please do," Bleys agrees.

"It should be no surprise that this decision has caused some small uproar in Gaiga," Sir Anthony continues. "Our people say that the always problematic Gaigan bureaucracy has come to a halt. As a protest of King Robeon's decision, various nobles are refusing to sell trade items. It appears that King Robeon is using his army to get trade shipments out to Amber. He is even said to be seizing property and shipping it anyway."

Phillip frowns.

"As you know," Sir Anthony continues, "the primary export of Gaiga is paper. In the short term, this is not a major issue. In the long-term, it well could become one."

Juliana glances ever so briefly at the liquor cabinet, but decides against it. She turns back to Tony. "What is Witbrodt doing?" she asks.

"The trade minister appears to be waiting for someone to force him to do something," Sir Anthony replies.

Juliana shoots Phillip a look. "Apples and Wine," she mutters.

Phillip sips his drink.

Bleys watches everyone with apparent interest.

Eric looks about the room. "Your recommendations?"

Juliana purses her lips. "Witbrodt can be moved. The King's got rock solid control over the army - the businessmen - most of them nobility, over there - can complain and protest but the commoners won't care and the army won't hesitate orders to move goods out. Robeon's sharp. I know he doesn't want martial law over there, but I think he'll do it to get his way." She thinks. "Martial law would, in the long term, shrink their army - besides slowing trade. He can't force them to produce, not without inhumane tactics. Do we know what he's doing with the profits? Do we know who the sons have married? Whose side is House Saum taking? They've got most of the farmland in their vassalage, if I remember right."

Arryl takes a contemplative sip of her deplorable beer as she listens to the diplomats and the nobles around her with quiet and alert eyes. But the Leutnant doesn't feel the need to jump into the discussion.

The Weir answer... probably wouldn't work with a bunch of paper merchants who have an issue with concepts like martial law and Queens. Besides this is a policy decision, she is an implement girl. When someone tells her where to run the message, who to watch or who's head to bring back in a sack, well *then* she'll get her paws into the talk.

"And to make a recommendation we'd need to know your future intent, highnesses. I have an opinion, certainly, but I don't want to presume what I want and what Amber wants are the same thing, as we have been proven to differ on many issues," Juliana adds.

She looks at Bleys first, eyebrow raised, before she shifts that look onto Eric.

"Go ahead, Eric," Bleys says and flashes Juliana a smile that would cause a lesser woman to swoon. To Arryl and Juliana's eyes, Eric looks annoyed. Bleys smiles at him.

"We do not want a revolution or civil war in Gaiga," Eric states. "We wish Miranda to be well-disposed to Amber when she comes to power..."

"In our debt is even better," Bleys adds.

Juliana looks back to Bleys and she has ~marry her~ written all over her face, but she doesn't say it.

Bleys smiles at Juliana and his eyes are bright.

"Gaiga's treaty with Amber must be honoured. The Trade goods must come through," Eric finishes.

Juliana nods. Tony jumps in with some further explanation.

"Profits, don't know. There hasn't been enough time for the cash cycle to carry through. We don't know who the sons have married - we're still finding out who half of the sons are. House Saum is acting like this doesn't affect them, which it shouldn't, for now. They seem to be waiting too," Tony answers.

"Of course," Juliana sighs, "because everyone over there is used to a bureaucratic monarchy where they have plenty of time to find out which way things will fall before they must react, and Rob's just changed the rules."

Bleys arches an eyebrow but says nothing.

Juliana ignores him. "They haven't realized it yet - the non-trade families, I mean. Those whose first cousins had to argue with a General's secretary while their warehouse was being 'confiscated' must be in a state of shock."

"Well," Juliana thinks out loud, "if we move Witbrodt, and we move Saum, as long as we move them in the right direction..."

"What is Witbrodt's game?" Tony asks.

"He thinks he can profit, and he's also of the party that women are wives, not Queens. On the other hand, Witbrodt has been able to accept there are some women who break that mold. He just needs to be convinced," Juliana smirks. "I like Charles, but he's a product of his environment through and through."

Bleys grins silently.

"No civil war... hmm..." Juliana muses, glancing at Phillip to see what he's thinking. "It is part of Witbrodt's duties to uphold the treaty, no? Do you think he considers not getting in the King's way upholding it?"

"At worst, he will be of the opinion that by personally doing nothing, he is not interfering in the treaty," Phillip replies. "It would be better were he to help iron out the differences between the factions."

"Do you think he can talk to them? Maybe, just maybe." Juliana's gaze goes back to Bleys. "I don't believe King Robeon will accept anything from Amber that would put his heir or his kingdom in our debt. He was concerned when the treaty was made that it made Gaiga's economy too dependant on trade with Amber. I sincerely doubt he wants any further ties, although I am certain he'll recognize our interest in the situation. Our interests coincide with his nicely, in that they are to settle his heir and keep trade going. He can't tear down the bureaucracy without starting a civil war. He's doing what he can do in the short term, and likely twisting arms for the long term."

Juliana turns to Eric, since he asked. "He just needs help with arm twisting. Send someone, or somefew, diplomats over to help him make the right people see the right path. Witbrodt could be bought with a title or land over here in three seconds flat, unless something has changed I don't know about, but I don't think that is even necessary. He's easy enough to talk down. Saum will be the hard sell."

"How would you go about it?" Bleys asks the duchess.

During the conversation, Arryl has placed her beer down on a coaster on an out-of-the-way table and is giving her full attention to the conversation around her. Her head is cocked as she listens and her eyes are bright as they move from speaker to speaker.

"Saum? Have to find their weak spot. I don't know it, anymore," Juliana says, "because they were aware of it last I was there, and were shoring up." She looks at Bleys with a shrug.

Tony says, "We have people on the ground trying to find that out, but they've been drawn into the ports with the seizures."

"That's bad," Juliana says.

"Yes," Tony agrees. "They don't seem to be hoarding food, yet. But the spaces are there..."

"Yes," Juliana nods. "And there is an active army to feed, now. He'll seize food too. People might start destroying stores. It'd be an easy way to bring him down - starve him out through the people who can't afford food anymore. It wouldn't hurt the nobility, until the first food riot hit, but it would hurt the crown."

"Saum..." she bites her bottom lip, thinking again. "I would be ready to divert food into Gaiga. If I could get enough backup going into a negotiation with the House, they'd see it was in their best interest to feed in kingdom and make a profit doing it, as opposed to us feeding the kingdom and them making nothing. That's the simplist way to bring Saum around - although I'm aware we actually have to be ready to do it, and that's far from simple."

"I'd also get the trade minister and the King behind me before I took that step. The King wouldn't like it because suddenly his country isn't self-sufficient on food, and that's..." Juliana tilts her head and shrugs again. She doesn't have to say what would happen in the City if Amber suddenly stopped getting food imported, or that the King of Gaiga knows that too, and wants to avoid it. "But it's better than starving, and it secures his heir. I'd make it clear to him if he decides to start destroying houses within his own kingdom we're not going to support it - or send the food later when all the agriculture expertise in Gaiga has gone up in flames."

"That's a beginning," she adds.

Bleys favors Juliana with a look of approval or appreciation.

"Along with the diplomat, a representative of the military must be sent," Phillip states. "A fleet officer ideally. The diplomats sweet talk the King and the Trade minister and the representatives from Saum. The fleet officer backs the diplomatic solution."

One of Arryl's ears twitches and a sparkle of amusement flashes briefly in her grey eyes. Whurf! Does d'is sound familiar!

Juliana smirks. "It's nice for diplomats to know they have a ship in the harbor, and if they can just get that far in any given situation, they can likely get out."

Eric nods and steeples his fingers. "Very well. The recommendation then is that an ambassador be sent aboard a naval vessel with a naval officer as backup. The ambassador meets with the king and the trade minister. They are to be informed of Amber's position. The position is that we will recognize Miranda provided that Gaiga's treaty obligations to Amber continue to be met and that Gaiga does not become embroiled in a civil war. We will work out something to offer the trade minister before the ambassador is sent. Should it be necessary, Amber will arrange for food to reach Gaiga. This will be made known to Saum. They may chose to continue selling food and profit or refuse and be put out of business by us. Is that correct?"

Juliana glances at Phillip to confirm that he agrees with her, before she nods. Phillip nods almost impercebtibly.

Juliana nods then. "That is what I'd do, yes."

"Excellent," Bleys smiles. "When can you leave?"

Juliana laughs. "Just like that, eh? And here I thought I'd been retired."

Bleys answers before Eric and Phillip can respond. "It is your plan, your grace, and you are, after all, close with both the King and the Trade Minister, are you not?"

"We correspond, certainly. And while my wiles may work on the minister, they won't work on the King, so I wouldn't count them for all that much, your highness," she smiles. "But then, I'm now a settled Duchess and rather dedicated to my House. I'd have to have some incentive to just up and leave them when you've got a corp of Ambassadors at your disposal. Plus, my manor is large. My cook often needs my... direction." She tilts her head at Bleys, curious.

"I barely just arrived back, highness," she protests.

Eric looks over at Bleys. "They have duties in Amber, you know."

Phillip nods.

"Of course," Bleys agrees. 'But we don't need both of them to go. Phillip has pressing matters of Carlisle to deal with I'm certain. But Juliana," he smiles, "her talents are wasting away in the city. She is doing good works in the city to be sure, but her skills are needed in Gaiga. She knows the players and already has a plan. As much as I might like to send Quentin Tragayre, he would have to be brought up to speed and he does not have familiarity with the Gaigans. You would point that out were I to have suggested him and you know it. Tony here is far too busy dealing with diplomatic crises here. We can't send him abroad. She is the logical choice, Eric."

"My gentlemen princes," Juliana says rather dryly, "while I appreciate your acknowledgement of my 'good works' and 'wasted talent' I can assure you both that what you see in the City is minor compared to my work on behalf of the House. Really, if I were to just up and leave the House would need to be compensated for my lack of availability. You also might want to consider that sending a Duchess to deal with these things is much different than sending an Earl's wife, and the other Duchies might consider such favoritism."

Bleys chuckles. "Actually, I rather doubt any of the Duchies would consider an assignment to Gaiga favortism under the present circumstances." He smiles again.

"Only if they're not forward-thinking," Juliana postures. "Given, most of them are old and set in their ways."

"She is correct on the other matter," Eric tells Bleys.

"Hm? I thought Phillip's sister might help with the household while the Duchess is away," Bleys ponders. "Very well." He looks to Juliana with a brilliant smile. "What do you want?"

'Make it good, Herzogin,' lopes through Arryl's mind as her bright eyes continue to follow the conversation around her.

Juliana looks at Phillip. That's a question he can better answer than she can. Or, it's his chance to refuse to let her go. In the end, he is always the 'closer.'

"There are certain minor business dealings that I am certain the palace might influence in Carlisle's favor," Phillip replies.

Eric nods. Bleys smiles.

"And I believe that all in the room would all agree that Carlisle would be doing you a considerable favor," Phillip concludes with a smile. Its the smile of a man who is said to have played poker with Random and won.

Sir Anthony arches an eyebrow. Eric frowns.

Bleys laughs. "A favor?"

"A considerable favor." Phillip repeats. Eric remains silent. Sir Anthony has a practiced look of diplomatic neutrality.

Bleys laughs again. "Very well, Carlisle. A considerable favor." He turns to Eric. Eric sighs.

"Very well," Eric says.

Bleys turns back to Juliana. "Now, when do you leave?"

"Within three days. More would give them warning, less seems rather impossible. Who will be taking me? Or do you gentlemen need to speak with your brothers?" Juliana asks.

"Gaiga is part of the Southern Fleet responsibilities," Eric replies. "One of Gerard's officers will be sent along." He looks to Juliana. "Have you a preference?"

Nuts and bolts time. Arryl cocks her head as she feels for which way the wind is blowing.

"I have sailed before on these sort of missions with Commodore O'Donovan, but I'll happily climb aboard whereever Prince Gerard tells me to," Juliana says, straight-faced.

Bleys smiles. "I'm certain Gerard would be wiling to part with O'Donovan for a while."

Eric nods. "I'll speak to him."

Bleys smiles and turns back to Juliana. "How will you procede?"

"Minister first. Saum second - it will be easier to ask forgiveness than permission when it comes to interfering, now that I think on it. The King and his heir third. Is that what you mean?" Juliana asks, with a little smile.

"For all intents and purposes," Bleys nods. "Is there anything else you will need?" The Prince smiles.

Juliana's smile widens. "I need you boys to find enough food to feed Gaiga and the means to get it there."

"Transport is is a simple matter," Eric states. "The rest is just a matter of talking to the right people. It will be available when or if you need it."

Juliana nods at Eric, looking more serious. "I've got everything else I need, then," she says. "Just have to pack and make arrangements here."

She looks back to Bleys. "I can handle that without you princes. I'm sure you're relieved."

Arryl's eyes drop back to the map as she idly considers the logistics for 'feeding Gaiga'; roads, ports, warehouses, waystations, dispersal sites, etc. There's enough of the campaigner in the Weir to find such things interesting.

"Oh," Juliana adds, pushing back her chair to stand. "Worst case, and I don't come back, the King of Gaiga is an empath. He can feel it and push it. He's done it to me before. Anyone you send in there better be ready to run enough through their emotions at once to keep him confused, or know how to communicate with them appropriately. It can be very intimidating when someone pushes anger at you. I didn't know if you," she looks between the princes, "were aware. I briefed the King, before."

The Leutnant looks up as Juliana rises, her lips pursing. Now *that* is an interesting thought, and an interesting challenge.

Bleys chuckles.

"Very well," Eric says. "Sir Anthony, you will coordinate with the Duchess before her departure."

Sir Anthony nods.

"That will be all," Eric says to the group. Bleys is rising before Eric gets the sentence out.

Juliana stands, watching Bleys with her eyes, not her head, and a very amused grin.

Arryl puts her beer down on a nearby end table and bows to Bleys.

-- Main.LizTrumitch - 07 Nov 2004