Nobles meeting Horselords (Al Thalra)

[Comrade Kermit]

HERRENBUCHT: MINISTRY OF STATE

To his heavenly majesty P'áz Karkjez and everyone representing him

We hereby invite you to a meeting held in our capital Wateringas, to discuss the cooperation of our two nations in economic, political and cultural matters and expand our friendly relations.

Yours sincerely,
Hermann von Secru, Minister of State

[Mbites]

A thin man of average height stands before a tall wooden door, he is seemingly terrified and uneasy by the thought of talking to the great P'az of the rejuvenated Khaganate. A guard in traditional P'az Bodyguard armor opens the door after the anxious man knocked four times in a specific rhytm, the rhytm is a ancient sign of jelbic diplomats. Karkjez sits in a chair sharpening his sword, clearly he is trying to intimidate his own advisor.

"Step Forward."

"I bring you this letter, Heavens Stallion child."

"Leave."

The diplomat bows and leaves the room.
Another figure which stands next to throne of the P'az says in a bold tone. " 'e almost pissed 'imself "
The P'az laughs at the bodyguards statement while reading the letter.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P'az

His majesty is pleased by your invitation. He anticipates another message from your side with the exact details, he will attend with only his hatjmo.

[Comrade Kermit]

The delegation would arrive at Wateringas-Leuchtfeld Airport, which is outside the urban area. It would then be express escorted to the Ducal Palace accompanied by a tourist guide of the Ducal Press Office, showing some of the monuments of the city. 



Philipp waited in front of the Ducal Palace and he was getting impatient, due to his bad mood. His travel back home from Rhand hadn't been so pleasant and he still felt a bit uncomfortable. Cold sweat sparkled on his pale skinned forehead as he looked on his watch, that had the worth of a mansion. "They should have arrived half an hour ago. We messaged them every detail and their plane has arrived an hour ago. So where are they?" He looked at Herrmann with a mixture of anger and desperation

In this moment Herrman received a call. Philipp could see how the Ministers facial expression shifted from irritation to anger and then to amusement. After hanging up he smiled and whispered "These idiotic wretches..." he swallowed and cleared his throat to prepare his voice to express an ironic tone "It seems like his heavenly highness P'az Karkjez coulod not be convinced to leave his present for you at the airport to present it to you later. He wouldn't leave without it so we had to order a truck for 55 black stallions" Philipp looked at his Minister in disbelief, not sure what to say "But"- the minister added "they should arrive any second.

Both of them heard a squealing noice and they looked at the gates opening to let in the convoy, or rather the "caravan"

[Mbites]

Karkjez and his bodyguards entered the hall, he looked at the architecture of the room and the decadent objects all over the place. After carefully observing the room he walked towards the Duke of Herrenbucht gazing at him like a wild animal.

The P'az wore a traditional warrior garb of Al Thalra which made him stand out of the crowd with their suits and dresses.
Finally Jenz stood before the Duke, he looked him in the eyes ever drawing closer to his face.

He started whispered to the Duke.
"So you are the lord of this weaklings arent you?"

[Comrade Kermit]

After this behaviour the Ducal Guards around Philipp made itself ready to defend the Duke
Philipp looked at Jenz like he couldn't see his face although it was so close, he looked down on the ground, took of his glasses, cleaned them, put them back on. "Charming," he said "Charming indeed. Yes I am Philipp V, Lord of the Weaklings, pleased to meet you King of the Idiots" he paused for a moment and then laughed artificially while grabbing Jenz's hand and shaking it. I heard you brought me a present, I can't wait to see the wild beasts. Now please there is a lot of ceremonial stuff. Our Knight Band had a crash course on how to play your anthem. I hope it's satisfying.

The Ducal Guards relaxed again, while the Knight Band marched in. They wore uniforms consisting of silver cuirasses, short cape like fur cloaks on the outside, together with black leather boots and a beret made of fur. Instead of rifles the regiment excercised with longswords. Both national anthems were played. Philipp payed full attention to the performance. After that jounralists entered the hall. Philipp turned to Jenz again "This is the moment we shake hands for the cameras" he started smiling.

[Mbites]

The counter to Jenz' insults was commented by "You have more guts than I imagined Duke."
When the band played the anthem the P'az occasionally laughed and whispered to some random noble standing next to him "They sound like horses having intercourse."

The Horselord stretched his hand out for Philipp and shook it for the cameras.
After shaking the hand for a rather long time his grip around the dukes hand got very strong and possibly hurtful.
Suddenly he yelled at the huge crowd of journalists. "I'd like to fuck his daughter, she seems like a good horse."

[Comrade Kermit]

After this embarassing statement the hall was suddenly silent for a moment. Everyone stared at Jenz. After this tiny moment a wave of camera flashlights flooded over the Duke and Jenz.

Jenz looked around in panic, he thought about possible ways of solving this situation. If he didn't act right he could ruin his reputation for good. Whether he did or did not punish Jenz, as long as the press captured it ayn decision would result in a scandal. He made his decision. "Close the hall! Shut down the whole palace! No one is getting out or in before I tell them too!"
The reporters were getting hysteric and some ran to the gates trying to leave the hall. However they were stopped and arrested before they could reach the exit.

Then Philipp gave a quick sign to the Guard Officer
Two members of the Ducal Guard rushed to Philipp, overwhelming Jenz who still tried to resist violently. He was cuffed. His guards were also attacked by forces of the Duke. During the fight one of them was heavily injured. All of them were cuffedand brought to a small room in the left wing of the palace. The room seemed like an office that was no longer used, it was dark and the air smelled stale. The Ducal Guard observed this room and patrolled the corridors around it, aided by some of the armed parade troops.

After Jenz had been dealt with Philipp gained back his concentration. He had to do this as thorough as possible if he wanted to save his head "Confiscate the cameras and any data medium. Contact the Minister of Internal Security. His ministry might have a lot of censoring work tomorrow. They might try to publish this incident even without any evidence for it. Although I certainly wouldn't recommend doing that" He said looking at the journalists.

Philipp left the hall heading to the room used to capture Jenz. As he entered the room he could smell stress and horse dung. "I think this is the perfect setting for a diplomatic meeting. So, what does the great heavenly King to offer us. I hope it's good since I had to be embarassed in front of dozens of reporters, soldiers and officials and I had to break the law, because of your stupidity."

[Mbites]

Jenz grins at the statement of the Duke.

"Do not think of me as a fool Philipp. I wanted to have a little scandal to brighten the mood."

His mimic changed to a serious face now. Out of his pocket he takes a PDA and shows Philipp a document with various economic data.

"These are various resources my country has to offer, I need a buyer. It'll help the Al Thalran economy a lot if we get a trade agreement going."

[Comrade Kermit]

Philipp was impressed as he watched Jenz maneuvering the PDA out of his pocket without being decuffed. He looked at the PDA for a couple of minutes. Iron, coal, oil, platinum. He had talked with the Minister of Trade before he received Jenz and knew which resources were needed. This was exactly what he needed to let the Herrenbuchtian industry grow and placate the population. Should he really make pacts with these savages? What would Jenz demand in return for his resources? Did he really want to collaborate with a man that enslaves his own people.

On the other hand he had to think about the situation in his country. The rise of the socialists was unsettling and they were gaining more and more support as the government was unable to manage the loss of jobs while the socialists promised work, money and pensions for everybody. Even if a civil war or a coup seemed ridiculous at this point, the socialists were establishing a sentiment of anti monarchism and Philipp had to fight this by any means. He had to do it.

He looked at Jenz, his face seeming disgusted. His mouth seemed like it was not able to say the words it was about to say: "Decuff him!" For a short moment the guards looked at Philipp in disbelief, but obeyed his order as it was their duty.

"You can indeed be useful to me. But I read that many of these deposits are just estimated values. You don't have a mine set up there? We would have to invest wouldn't we? Or what else do you want for your resources? I think your life would be a good first installment"

[Mbites]

Jenz grinned when the Duke told his guards to release him.
The face of the dictator changed back to that of a business manager shortly before he is going to make the deal of the century.

"Well, indeed in this peculiar situation my life is a good start. But all jokes aside, I have a good deal for both of us. You will finance the infrastructure and I will sell the materials to you very cheaply for the next ten years. For Oil you'll have to pay a lot more though since we had it developed a while ago when my father was still in power."

He finished his proposal, the foreign barbaric aura he was surrounded by changed into one of a trader, of a merchant of someone you'd actually be willing to work with. Completly changed, he almost seemed like a sane person. Jenz looks at the dukes face who seems to have a lot on his mind, he clearly thinks the offer through.

[Comrade Kermit]

Philipp realised that Jenz was like a different person. He seemed sane and calculating now. "I can agree to these terms. I will tell my government to undertake the needed investments. Oh and one more thing. Keep these Jelbic immigrants in your country. We have registered a rise in illegal immigration, and I don't want to use our forces to stop this."

Philipp reached out his hand to Jenz.

"We will have to reproduce the procedure in the hall for the state television, so we have something for the media. I hope you can keep your erotic fantasies to you this time. Oh and I will of course dispatch an ambassador in Al Thalra so we can keep in contact"

[Mbites]

Jenz put back on his metaphorical mask of the savage and shook Philipps hand, to seem even more friendly he went near the Duke to whisper in his ear.
"I will just do it with three women of her caliber."

He smiled for the photographs and left very swiftly after the incident. The P'az starts his journey back to Al Thalra to prepare for a great cultural event of the Jelbic people.

[Comrade Kermit]

AGREEMENT BETWEEN HERRENBUCHT AND AL THALRA

1. Herrenbucht will fund the construction of infrastructure and machines needed to mine, process and transport silver, platinum and coal from the Awé Estifíestinyr mountains in Al Thalra to Herrenbucht

2. For the goods that are produced according to no.1 Herrenbucht will have to pay 40% of the regular price of these goods.

3. At least 80% of the workers employed in the industrial projects have to be of jelbic origin

4. Al Thalra agrees to reduce emigration of its citizens to Herrenbucht by at least 70%*.

5. After the duration of 10 years Al Thalra will have the option to buy all the industry created during this process or renew the treaty**

If any partner violates the rules  of this treaty a fee of  $24,000,000,000 has to be paid to the violated partner and the treaty becomes obsolete


*According to Herrenbuchtian statistics the monthly number of illegal immigrants from Al Thalra is approximately 1400, so a reduction to 420 would be needed to fulfill the treaty
** If Al Thalra neither wishes to buy the industry nor to renew the treaty, the industry will stay possesion of the Herrenbuchtian government (50%) and the Ducal Family of Herrenbucht (50%)



                                     
Philipp V von Wateringas, Duke of Herrenbucht



Jenz, King of Al Thalra