The six Dukedoms had meet for their fortnightly meeting and Grand Duke Lascelles shuffled his papers, "OK final order of business" Hugo said pouring himself a glass of orange juice. "Then everyone back to their Dukedoms for Ducal Council's, no exceptions." There were nods around the table. "New year, new ideas" Hugo smiled. "Now the last point, we've been asked by Cabbagelandiet to host a meeting with them, now naturally I've said yes. After all we're an Albion nation." There were a few grins around the table, "And we've just spent some money cleaning of the Alucard which they boarder and of course Paracambi organised that port building, so as I see it we've already a few minor ties with them but we don't actually have anything concrete between our two nations and I think that's something we need to put right. So, Anna not you." He looked at his lead sword, "And not Edwinstowe" he made a play of crossing the names off his pad, "Who wants to host them." For the next fifteen minutes there were various discussions and arguements put forward for each of the four remaining Duchies to play host until finally logic gave way to geography and
Harby was selected to host their first official contact.
A few days later the Bakkermayan delegation was stood at the airport waiting for their guests to arrive. Naturally there was
Hugo Lascelles as Grand Duke he would be responsible for the main business of the visit but the first to greet the guests would be
Duchess Rhiannon it was after all her island and her home and so she would handle the formalities. Supporting her in this was a detachment of dismounted Horseman of Jekar, each of the NCO's carrying a polished wood lance topped with a wickedly sharp polished silver tip. The four officers carried their long heavy straight swords currently casually placed on their shoulder as they waited. The Yoeman of Harby, the ceremonial force of ex-soldiers stood behind them, a small selection of brass instruments and drums ready to serenade the guests with their own national anthem as they arrived.
"You know the Guinness Book of Records says the heaviest cabbage weighed in at 62.71 kilograms."
Gavin London the nations Foreign Minister said from his position to Rhiannon's left. He had spent the last few minutes keeping his boredom in check reading out facts he'd just used his phone to find.
"For Helus sake" Hugo tutted, "Put your phone away and try to be nice" he reminded his friend. Gavin could be a little eccentric at times but was a fountain of knowledge on most matters beneath the neatly tailored suit. "Rhiannon I believe this is them?" Hugo added as he spotted a speck in the distance getting closer and closer. "You all set?" He asked the young Duchess who nodded.
Rhiannon was fed up of Wellow getting the glory, the Alucard clean up, the Environmental Treaty of Fucking Wellow, Anna Davidson strutting around like her shit didn't stink now she was Lead Sword. Rhiannon glanced over her shoulder and spotted the Duchess of Wellow stood behind them as though acting as protector in her symbolic role which frankly was a waste of time. Rhiannon smiled at Anna who returned the gesture and mouthed "Good luck" to Rhiannon who nodded in thanks her smile disappearing as she returned to face the front. By now the aircraft was on the ground and Rhiannon took a few steps forward to make it clear who her guest should approach first. She waited til the ground crew had moved aircraft steps into place and nodded to the band who began to play. She waited for the delegation from Cabbagelandiet to approach. "Good Morning" Rhiannon said cheerily as the Horseman presented arms in salute. "I'm Duchess Rhiannon of Harby, I'm truly honoured to be able to welcome you to Bakkermaya for the first of what I hope will be many times. May I introduce our Foreign Minister Gavin London."
The former journalist offered his hand, "Please, just Gavin" he said, "Lovely to meet you" he added as he shook the guests hands using both of his own. "Lovely to have you here. I look forward to chatting some more later."
"And this" Rhiannon said with genuine warmth, "This is Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles. Our Head of State"
"I echo the Duchess of Harby's words" Hugo said offering his own single handed handshake, "It's great to have you here, I feel we're already on friendly terms despite never meeting, I think that bodes well for the future." The group began moving towards the waiting cars and Rhiannon and Hugo boarded the first with their visitors while Gavin took a second. The car headed off from the airport and soon they were on a coastal road cut into the side of a rockface, the view down the gentle slope gave way to a beach on which tiny specks of those enjoying the sunny day could be seen.
"It's my hope to turn Harby into a popular tourist spot" She explained, "We've the lovely weather associated with the Alucard Islands, historically we've some great stories and of course the architecture is superb." She had almost timed the comment to perfection as they round a gentle curve in the road and the capital city of Harby, Paulton came into view it massive Temple to the Gods dominating the skyline. They drove into the heart of the city past the Temple and into a side street, the car took another left turn in the narrow street and entered a garage that lead to an underground roadway that brought them up into a courtyard where the cars swung round to face they way they'd just come from before household staff opened the doors. Rhiannon stepped out into her
Paulton Townhouses courtyard. "Please follow me." she escorted them through the marble floored house up to the roof terrace which gave a view over the old medieval city. A young girl of about 14 stood in Army Cadet uniform and saluted as the group approached.
"On behalf of the people of Harby and Bakkermaya I'd like to present you with this gift" the female cadet said rather nervously. It was a small wooden box with a blue velvet cushion inside, on top of the cushion sat three plain looking rings, "One gold to bring you wealth, one steel to bring you strength and one of wood to connect you to the earth." she waited for the box to be taken gave another salute and then waited for Rhiannon to dismiss her with a mouthed "Good job." "Please take a seat, can we get you a drink, some fresh fruit perhaps?" Rhiannon said as they all took their seats. "I'm rather pleased to say I can relax now, my responsibility simply being to be your host. Grand Duke Hugo and Gavin here have all the hard work, please don't work them too hard now." She joked as she settled down to enjoy the view she often liked of the small market in the street below them.
