Ecthesis Castle
Valerian smiles bows in the mode of equals about to discuss business and speaks.
"Ah yes my wizard informed me that you wished to know of the Empire's interests in the region Your Majesty. I hope you enjoy the little coronation gift by the by, may it serve you well. Our interests are rather simple, trade and the prevention of an orc force from ravaging human lands."
Valerian smiles once again
"Though I have to admit that the latter is somewhat a function of the former. As I'm sure you are aware Your Majesty the majority of shipping that lands in Aravigian ports either is coming from or heading to the Marian Empire. As far as I am aware of such things Aravigia is seen as the safest route from Marian ports to those in the Chivalric Kingdoms, I'm sure I could find a seaman to explain the whys and wherefores to you but suffice to say both our nations profit from such commercial enterprise. Such profit cannot be made if your people are slaughtered and your cities lie in ruins, not to mention the vast loss of innocent lives that it is the duty of all peoples of the Heliod to prevent."
Shifting somewhat Valerian comes to what he believes is the crux of the matter
"But I believe you are more interested in a meeting that occurred between myself, agents in my employ and an envoy from Kingsland, correct?"
Barely pausing for the Queen to reply Valerian continues
"That came about as part of the mercantile investments that myself and members of my staff are engaging in, somewhat in support of any future war efforts that may have to be made against the orcs. One of my agents put me in contact with someone he believed represented a Kingsland mercantile concern, it seems he was mistaken, somewhat. The long and short of the matter is that the people this messenger represented wished to purchase a small portion of the metal, I believe you know the one I am referencing, in the Marian Empire's possession, a metal which few even in the Empire know about, in exchange for a small piece of land. He also offered a similar amount of land in exchange for Marian martial support, I believe the notion of Aravigia becoming a Protectorate was mentioned."
Valerian still standing places both his hands behind his back in a form of rest position.
"I refused his offer for three reasons. First and foremost it is my opinion as someone whose adult life has been spent dedicated to the Art of War "((caps and all)) "that any civil war, even one where Marian Legions were used to augment one side or another would unacceptably weaken Aravigian forces against the oncoming orc horde. Second it is the opinion of myself and my staff that in the long term it would be better for Marian economic, military and political interests to have yourself as a willing ally than a cabal of merchants who have not deigned to arrange a personal and honest meeting with us as unenthusiastic subjects that may have to be cajoled with a legion or two into complying with Marian directives. Thirdly as far as my staff and I have been able to analyse your nation's laws you are the lawful ruler of Aravigia and as you have said your people will likely never accept any authority other than your own, and pacification campaigns tend to be unprofitable for at least a generation after the event."
"As to Marian intentions from this point forwards they are simple, ensure that Aravigian ports remain open to Marian shipping, scout out orc forces in order to better ascertain the appropriate tactics to be used against them and to defeat " Valerian touches his sword "with the help of the Heliod any orc force before it can destabilise Aravigia damaging trade routes and causing unneeded loss of life.
The dispute between you and Kingsland is frankly not my concern aside from the fact that it makes my duties more challenging and I would rather any civil war not happen, at least until such time as the orc threat is dealt with."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:35, Sun 08 Nov 2015.