A Messenger
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:: the envoy lightly sips her drink while the messenger quaffs the drink down in one swift motion::
Envoy: We aren't talking an army, patrols of up to 20 men, more likely 5 or so. I understand the reluctance, we wouldn't want troops crossing our lands either. However, you must admit you do occupy the only route to the south worth mentioning.
We would be more then happy to have our troops be escorted by yours from one side to the other so you can keep an eye on them. Really they will have no business loitering in your lands unless you by some chance request their assistance.
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Jonathan nods tightly Business is business, no matter my opinion
and not my place to tell you your business.Messengers, envoys and your seasonal caravans, I think we can set a fair price for.
Your troops however… that's another matter. I'd be a fool to let ANOTHER army get that close.
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Envoy: ::purses her lips for a moment:: At the moment there is but one caravan every month from Norwick. It has to pass to pick up the goods, come back, and return goods.
Essentially the same transaction. Now, since it deals with grain, it would not be an every month trip anyways as it is dependent on the growing season. So mayhaps three months a year.
However, we would also need passage of small numbers of troops, messenger, and envoys. That would depend on the circumstances of course.
We are willing to discuss trade with anyone, so whereas it may be distasteful for you for us to trade with them, they won't like us trading with you either.
But it's trade, not like we are exchanging wedding vows.
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Jonathan pours both women a cup of wine, and them himself from the same bottle. He takes a long draught and motions for them to drink up
I'm not adverse to a set fee, though I'd prefer it be on a yearly basis. Certainly not one fee for all time. Oscura would make out like bandits, and by default, so would Norwick….. as I'm assuming you'll be opening trade with those bastages as well.
He scratchs his chin and peers at the enjoy through dark eyes I'm trusting your judgement. How many wagons do you expect to be moving through, say on a month?
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Envoy: First let us begin with passage across your bridge? Seems paying each time is a needless hassle. What say you to us paying you a lump sum for access across your lands?
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::A bird lands on a moss-covered treestump nearby, then flitters off, finding the surface less sturdy than it thought. The stump watches it leave, only the movement of its eyes betraying it as less a stump, and more a crouched man in dark leathers, hood covering his graying hair. One hand is on the bow held at his side, arrow nocked, but not drawn or yet trained on a target. For now, he merely watches and listens.::
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The envoy flashes a smile
I am sure a bit to wet ones lips would be acceptable. Talking diplomacy can be a dry conversation.
The enovy sits with great care as the messenger watches with eyes twinkling in the fire light
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Jonathan throws back his head and laughs heartily. Oh, I think I like you. I do. A woman of sharp wit and breeding!
I think we might discuss these things, yes.
calls for a bottle of Rom wineHave a seat, and we'll discuss. Aye?
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The fiery lady merely grins at Johnathan's comments.
Envoy: I don't see that as a problem, we too have had rumors about us being a festering pool of evil, eater of children, and untrustworthy.
We don't judge by rumors but by your interactions with Oscura. We are neutral in all things unless someone acts against us so such tales mean little to us.
As for tolls. If your people claim it and have the strength to hold it as you obviously do. I would say you have the right to charge a toll. It is after all your land and I don't see an army trying to dissuade you from your claim.
So you ask why we wish to open negotiations?
First, we do not judge by rumors and lies, but deeds done towards us. You have never offered contest against us.
Second, you are our neighbors, we wish to understand our neighbors better.
Third, you speak of tolls. We wish to cross your lands lawfully and wish to discuss payment options for our people and caravans.
Fourth, we may have various goods and markets that you may have interest in.
Fifth, we keep our children in a dark cave, you have said you don't like dark caves so we suspect they are safe there.
:: the last point is said with a joking smile::
Perhaps we have much to offer each other, perhaps not, but we will never know unless we talk.
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Jonathan spends a quiet moment, his dark eyes piercing as he studies both young women.
Surely you have heard….. my people are the scourge of the Nars. We lie, we cheat, we steal. We are killers of children in their beds, and snatchers of innocence. His eyes twinkle quite charmingly Not to mention, we charge a toll for the use of our bridge.
So why do you wish to open negiotiations with us?
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_Two women stand side by side near the fire to talk to Johnathan. The shadows cast by the fire offer a stark contrast between the two. One, a young lady with fiery red hair tied into a single braid with jade green eyes stands comfortably in the foreign forest but nay a worry creases her face. If anything, she seems amused. Her clothing is a fine ensemble of leather from neck to toe colored in Oscuran shades which almost seem to grasp at the shadows cast by the fire.
The other lady age is in determinant, though young looking she has obvious creases on her face, older or maybe a hard life. Her hair falls in dark rolls to her shoulders. Her clothing seems well matched for the environment, rangers clothes, greens and browns intermingled into pants, boots and shirt with vest yet she seems slightly at unease and out of her element._
The fiery haired lady speaks first in soft tones.
I bring a message for Johnathan as well as an envoy so that accords can be made between our people.
She begins to recite:
Johnathan,
I hope this missive finds you well and your people flourishing. Long has Oscuran kept to the shadows out of sight maintaining our neutrality. As we waited the world moved without us. Wars were fought, and injustices done to the people of Narfell while we slept. We have now awakened and have seen what we turned our eyes from. It is with regret that our eyes did not open sooner so we may have aided the wronged. All we are left is with apologies for our lapse and a desire to open relations with your people so that we may offer aid to one another in the form of trade and diplomacy. Such a small step I realize, but we are inexperienced in such things but are learning the best that we may.
In good health
Justicar of Oscura.
As she finishes the envoy speaks up
:: she looks about the gathering at the fire::
As you have heard the words of Justicar, we wish to forge closer relations. I am sure there are many stories and tales of us but I also know that you too have had untruths said of you.
Before we began our talks, I am sure there are questions?
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Jonathan meets with the lady at the Central Fires, reluctant to let the woman into his tents alone with him
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Some weeks after departing the messenger returns with another lady in tow.
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She's ushered into Jonathan's tent (pm me, Salsa), and a Warrior stands close by so none might eavesdrop
