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| An Offer to Kiev; Forming new bonds | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 12 2008, 07:03 PM (258 Views) | |
| A.Q. | Dec 12 2008, 07:03 PM Post #1 |
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From a Telegram to the Royal Palace of Kiev To the Honorable Grand Prince Aleksandr Ivanovich Grazyev of Kiev-Volhynia: I would like to personally invite you or any representatives of the Most Orthodox Principality to the launch of my new Grand Rashidun Fleet here in Al Qalaa City. There I have a proposal of mutual benefit to both our states. We would like to share with Kiev-Volhynia our new found gifts of engineering, including aid in the construction of railways across your Principality, as well as an exhibit in the finest of Qalaa'i shipbuilding. I do hope that your Highness will grace me with his presence here for the Fleet's launch; we have much to discuss. Go with God, Grand Emir Muhammad Shah Qajar of Al Qalaa Posted Image Sacred Seal of the Grand Emir of Al Qalaa |
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| Al Araam | Dec 12 2008, 08:21 PM Post #2 |
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Demigod of Death & Inactivity
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To the Honorable Grand Emir Muhammad Shah Qajar of Al Qalaa: I would be most pleased to visit Al Qalaa City for the launch of the Grand Rashidun Fleet. It has become increasingly clear that Kiev-Volhynia's near total lack of warships is a growing liability in this new age, and I would be most grateful if I could inspect several of your more modern designs. The recent push to expand the railroad network to the frontiers of my empire has yielded impressive results thus far, but it is a tremendous undertaking in which no offer of help can be ignored. I look forward to discussing matters of state while I enjoy your legendary hospitality. Sincerely, Grand Prince Aleksandr Ivanovich Grazyev of Kiev-Volhynia |
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| A.Q. | Dec 12 2008, 08:50 PM Post #3 |
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A month later, Prince Grazyev had arrived in the Eternal City of Al Qalaa, where he was treated to the welcome a Prince could only expect. A company of the Emir's finest legionnaires escorted him into the city on the rail system, to the ancient Shah Pahlevi Palace overlooking the city, a compound that was once one of the many fortresses that had stood guard for so long. Here the Prince and his retinue were treated to the finest luxuries of the East, vast feasts, kneeling servants in every room, sentries patrolling the walls of the compound in lockstep, and even a small harem was on hand, if the Prince so needed. The launch ceremony was set for 3 days hence, and although the Emir sent his deepest apologies that he could not join Grazyev personally, he promised the Kievan free reign to enjoy Al Qalaa City any way that tickled his fancy. To this end, Qajar assigned the Captain of his personal guard, Captain Rais, to entertain the Grand Prince of Kiev-Volhynia. Posted Image |
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| A.Q. | Dec 13 2008, 07:55 PM Post #4 |
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The Grand Prince was kept rather busy during those three days, at first dealing with issues at home via telegram, but soon was treated to an exhibition of Al Qalaa's marvels of engineering and history. The railyard in particular caught Grazyev's attention -the miles of tracks streching over into the horizon, with hundreds of trains grinding to and fro, this one carrying a shipment of rifles to Baghdad, that one carrying travelers and settlers to Karachi. The yards were indeed a marvel, and the Grand Prince made a mental note to acquire one, whether from Al Qalaa or elsewhere it didn't matter. Finally Navy Day, and the launch of the new Fleet, arrived. The Emir hosted the negotiations in one of the many sandstone minarets overlooking the harbor, as one by one the warships steamed out of the harbor to rally at Faylaykuh Naval Base on an island opposite the city. The two men sat alone in the conference chamber, Emir Muhammad Shah Qajar spoke fluent Russian, facing one another over a handsome wenge table from comfy leather seats. "Your Majesty, I'm so sorry I haven't had the chance to meet you before now, I had... a family matter to attend to." The Emir grinned with too many teeth and offered a handshake to Kiev's Prince. |
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| Al Araam | Dec 14 2008, 03:50 AM Post #5 |
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Grand Prince Grazyev blinked once in surprise as the Emir addressed him in fluent Russian. Qajar had only the slightest hint of an accent and had made use of perfect grammar and syntax, although he had used words that were less typically Ukrainian. That was, however, to be expected. Three separate languages were used within Kiev-Volhynia. Lechitic was utilized primarily in the northwestern reaches of the Empire, Ruthenian was spoken throughout the southwest, and Russian was the official language, spoken on a daily basis by the vast majority of the state's inhabitants. Since all three were Slavic languages and were related on at least a basic level, there was a tendency for Ruthenian and Lechitic words to bleed into the vocabulary of Kievan Russian speakers. In essence, the Emir's Russian was too pure. The Grand Prince let his lips form a good natured smile and responded in equally pure Russian. "I understand completely, Your Highness. Your Russian is very good. Might I inquire how you learned to speak it so well?," he asked. |
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| A.Q. | Dec 14 2008, 08:43 AM Post #6 |
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"Ah, yes... Russian. I managed to pick up a little bit in my youth, as there has always been a community of Russian expatriates who flee south towards Persia. But I really only became fluent when I was a young Condottiere Cossack in the Caucasus. Mostly I aided the Azerbaijani Independence Movement, but I made a few friends among the Chechens in those days, and even took a job or two for the Russians. Never for the Turks though... In the Caucasus, Russian is the lingua franca, no matter what Constantinople says." Qajar stood up, walked over to the wall where several framed photographs hung, and selected one to bring back to Grazyev. Posted Image "That would be me, 2nd from the left. I've slowed down, though, in my age." "Where you one of our number as the roguish, adventuresome Princes?" OOC: the Emir looks like this, while I'm picwhoring. Posted Image Edited by A.Q., Dec 14 2008, 08:43 AM.
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| Al Araam | Dec 14 2008, 09:22 AM Post #7 |
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Noting that the area that the Emir had referred to as Azerbaijan was still firmly under Byzantine control and fighting the urge to scratch his head pensively, Grand Prince Grazyev replied diplomatically, "I am most pleased to see that you made out better than the Azerbaijani Independence Movement then, my friend. I myself cannot say I have been a part of adventures as grand as those you have mentioned. In my youth, I served in the officer corps of the Kievan Royal Land Forces. In a time when great power politics shaped the world to nearly the extent they do now, I daresay it was more than interesting enough for me. Those conflicts undoubtedly taught me what it is to lead as well as the cost of war. I believe some experience with war should be required for all those who aspire to lead nations." Grazyev stole one more glance at the photograph before setting it on the table and looking back at the Emir. "I'm afraid my past is not nearly as glorious as yours. It sounds as though you are indeed a rare specimen, Highness." |
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| A.Q. | Dec 14 2008, 09:33 AM Post #8 |
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"Bah, no more glorious than any other, I'm afraid. I was young and bored with life in the palace, and I did things I'm not proud of." "But perhaps we should get down to negotiations. I'm sure Captain Rais showed you the railyard, yes? Wonderful toys, trains. Dreadfully loud, but dreadfully fast as well." "I'd like to offer Kiev-Volhynia the parts and technical expertise to construct a rail network across the Principality, as well as any other of Al Qalaa's gadgets you may be interested in. Electric lights? Warships? |
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11:32 AM Jul 13