TO: Ms. Chloe Murray, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Empire of Tamora plays a crucial role in the
MidAranye region and therefore is always willing to engage in talks and constructive dialogue with other nations regardless of the differences there might between them and the Empire. Furthermore, the countless generations of Tamorans that came before us have created a nation confident that its representatives can meet any other foreign one without any fear or concern.
I therefore invite you to Tamora as a guest, offering you the needed discretion ,and will personally meet with you. I will instruct my staff to make the necessary arrangements and contact their counterparts of your office.
Respectfully yours,
Alya SafavidHead of Foreign Affairs
Despite the official response that Djerb offered, many in the Foreign Office were surprised by the proposal to meet that came from Achkaerin. Relations between the two countries never really developed since Tamora had emerged from isolation. However, the fact that Achkaerin had not sanctioned Tamora despite talks in their Senate also meant that relations did not deteriorate like it was the case with many other Mundus nations. For their part, the Foreign Office assumed that the meeting was in relation with the recent announcement that Djerb made in regards to foreign government involvements in the internal affairs of MidAranye countries but there was no consensus as to what Achkaerin wanted in regards to that: to offer opposition or cooperation. However, all appreciated that the representative they sent was a Bene Gesserit, married and a mother, unlike the Achkaerin special envoy for MidAranye which raised serious concerns in Tamora.
Arrangements were made so that Chloe Murray arrived in
Piranshahr, the capital of the federated kingdom of Altai. Not many would know who Chloe Murray is in Djerb but fewer still would know in Altai and more importantly, the press in Altai would not be on the lookout for Alya Safavid. Once Chloe Murray landed Piranshahr she was greeted by an imam who escorted her and her entourage to their destination without proceeding through airport security and other procedures.
Their destination was an hour drive away from the airport, in a secluded Manist monastery. Furthermore, the scheduled meeting would not appear in any documents that were made available to the press and as far the Foreign Office was concerned, Alya Safavid was having some private time off.
Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery in Altai Upon arriving, Alya Safavid, dressed in the traditional
abaya dress and wearing the hijab, was there to greet Chloe Murray:
“Welcome to Tamora and to the Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery. I am Alya Safavid, the Head of Tamora’s diplomacy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
As she said she made a bow with her right hand over her heart.
She then proceeded to try and help her settle in by presenting her the place a bit as they walked through the interior garden of the monastery:
The interior garden of Arzin Mokri Monastery “This is the Qutb (ooc saint) Arzin Mokri Monastery, it was built more than two centuries ago and is dedicated to Qutb Arzin Mokri, one of our most venerated saints which walked these lands more than half a millennium ago. He not only preached the word of the Prophet but also performed miracles by healing many that couldn’t be healed. This is in fact one of the few Manist monasteries in this kingdom which is predominantly Muslim. It is a place where discretion is assured.” And by that meant she that only was the monastery secluded but that Tamoran customs also guaranteed discretion when visiting a monastery since it was seen as haram to publicly discuss (especially in the press) one’s journey to monasteries as it was seen as a deeply private matter.
In order to avoid making Chloe Murray uncomfortable, Alya limited the presentation of the monastery to the gardens and avoided inviting her inside the buildings. Also, while Chloe Murray was still in the garden she would not be asked by the imam to wear the hijab but no exception would be made should she go inside:
“I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by your message” said Alya approaching the topic for why they were meeting here.
“The Empire of Achkaerin has so far been less interested in talking to with us though from the contacts we have had in the past, such as
those caused by Slavan tragic incidents, I would say it has not been uninterested in the affairs of MidAranye “ Alya, as an orthodox Manist, avoided the use of the word holy when referring to Achkaerin.
“So that is why we were surprised but pleased by your message. We always believed that countries should talk to each other despite their cultural differences. After all, both our countries share the same continent. “