Power and politics (Shadeholme post)

[u/Valenyn]

The palace of Shadeholme is still in ruins and being repaired. While the throne room is usable, most agree not to even enter it let alone use it for anything right now.

Due to this factor, the regency council of the empire has decided to meet on the flagship of the sky fleet. The same ship used by Sylvane while in exile. It’s not ideal, but as of the moment it’s the best that they can use. Beyond that, it’s useful as a mobile command base for the empire to ensure everything is getting taken care of.

Kanthar stands at the table’s head. He holds a stack of papers.

“Let’s just get this over with so we can move on with our day. I have a list of issues and we’ll go over them in increasing levels of importance. First off we have the new treaties signed with the celestial union and the iron chain. The union has agreed to provide aid relief in exchange for us ceasing all hostilities against them or EON. We negotiated that it would be temporary due to our lack of ability to sign perpetual treaties as a regency council. We also have the iron chain which was…much less kind…”

He seems angry as he reads it.

“They had a list of demands such as no longer messing with their access to sunlight. Due to that if we ever repair the Well it will have to have significantly reduced power.”

Lana, a Valkyrie with blue hair and a lab coat jumps up from her seat. She seems to speak in a panicked tone, but more out of disappointment than fear.

“Wait! The Well is a marvelous piece of magitech! We can’t squander its potential!”

Kanthar rolls his eyes.

“They were pissed. It was either that or they demanded the head scientist gets their mind wiped.”

He looks directly at Lana, who sits down with a blank stare out of fear. The other members of the regency council, all being Valkyries themselves and thus Lana’s sisters, look furious. Even Valarie who’s normally level headed looks pissed. Tianna is the first to speak out.

“How dare they?! Such an insult cannot be allowed to-“

Kanthar, who’s gotten used to dealing with Tianna’s outbursts, cuts her off before things get out of hands.

“And that’s why I already agreed to the changes to the Well if it ever is repaired. There’s no risk to ms. Lana’s safety.”

He goes back to the papers.

“They also demanded 20 million silver in reparations for the whole incident, which I negotiated to be paid in installments once the economy is able to stabilize. I’ve bought us time on that, but that’s about it. They also demand government reform, which isn’t that problematic since that’s our job as a regency council in the first place.”

He turns to the next page.

“Next on the agenda is the matter of government reform. I’ll cut to the point, we don’t have much legitimacy. Sylvane did due to being a god and being pretty popular in the core empire, but he’s gone now. Valarie’s previous regency had legitimacy from Sylvane since she had his crown, but that’s not an option due to it being in pieces and who knows where. Parts of the empire are close to revolt due to this, and one of our colonies is already in a rebellion. This issue makes it so whatever government we make they will inherent that same problem. The official government cannot gain legitimacy from us. Because of this I would like to propose an elected form of government.”

The Valkyries a look at him with expressions that show concern or annoyance. Not even Valarie seems all that convinced, and she makes it known.

“…is that really such a good idea? There’s a lot of shades in the empire and they’re all pretty dumb…I’m pretty sure I’ve watched them let Hirk walk through a front gate during a siege because he said he had an appointment.”

Lana looks nervous, and Tianna looks angry at the mere suggestion.

“Most of the subjects of the empire have no respect for Shadeholme’s values or interests! It would be stupid to give them a voice in government!”

Nicole, who’s been silent the entire meeting and looks tired, adds in her own support.

“Well…it’s not a bad idea. It does solve the legitimacy problems and it could improve relations with other democratic nations…”

Tianna looks at Nicole dumbfounded.

“And since when do I care what those pansies think?”

Kanthar sighs in annoyance.

“Look at it this way, we will have full reign over the constitution created, and will have absolute authority until after the first election. We can mitigate the risks. We won’t discuss this further until we have an actual meeting about it. All in favor of a republic?”

Kanthar and Nicole, who are normally opposed to each other, both raise their hands. After some hesitation so does Valarie.

“That’s a majority. We’ll deal with it later. Now for our final matter to address. As of the present we are completely diplomatically isolated. We have aid coming in, but we have no allies. Our primary allies in the past was the Cabal, but since the only connection to them was that Sylvane was a member, we are officially unaligned in the world. While as a regency council we can’t form an alliance outside of emergencies we need to keep options available. Any suggestions?”

Valarie is the first to speak.

“I don’t see why we can’t work with the Cabal still. Friendly relations would keep the Eukarya colony safe since that entire continent is in the Cabal’s control…and also Erik’s…Besides, I’m sure they’d be willing to continue working with us.”

Tianna practically jumps out of her seat in anger.

“The Cabal?! Are you serious?! Did you forget that it was the Necrodancer’s pet that destroyed most of Shadeholme during the attack?! Or that he helped kill Sylvane?! The Cabal has never helped us once besides handing a colony to us and agreeing to remain neutral during the shadow dragon incident! And then the Necrodancer destroyed half of Shadeholme with a bone wyrm! That idea is idiotic!”

Nicole clears her throat to get attention.

“I hate to say it, but I’m with Tianna on this one. They aren’t exactly…trustworthy…or helpful…”

Lana jumps up excitedly with a sad expression and panicked tone.

“That’s not true! They were our main supply of moonstones before the Eukarya colony was established! They have also been our biggest supplier of resources while dad was a member!”

Kanthar pauses to think for a second.

“Valarie does bring up a good point about the colony situation. We border several Cabal members in Eukarya and the security of that colony is vital to our security.”

The arguments continue for a while with little actual progress being made.

—————————

In a place with clouds and floating islands, a man wearing a crown with golden draconic horns. He stands alone on an island floating in the sky.

The island is small, with only a small pond and a blossoming tree. At the tree’s base sits two grave stones. One that looks recent, and one that looks ancient. The man places a black rose on the newer grave and bows his head in silence.

[u/Master-Tanis]

*Siliske requests a meeting with the council. At about the same time a large contingent of Shadow Dragons converge outside Shadeholme. *

[u/Valenyn → u/Master-Tanis]

The flagship of the Shadeholme sky fleet hovers above the mountain. A Valkyrie flies down to Siliske with an invite to meet with the regency council on the ship.

[u/Master-Tanis → u/Valenyn]

Siliske flies up to board it. A handful of dragons follow him up and begin to circle the ship.

[u/Valenyn → u/Master-Tanis]

The regency council is made up of 5 people. Four shadow Valkyries sit at the table, the only one (that I think) Siliske would have met was Valarie. The general of the black winged legions does not seem amused by the additional dragons circling the ship like sharks.

The fifth member is a Dragonborn known as Kanthar, or that’s what it seems at a glance. Any dragon looking close enough can tell that he is a shade made with powerful draconic blood. He looks just as agitated as Valarie.

Valarie is the first to speak.

“Hello Siliske. When you requested a meeting, it wasn’t made clear you’d be bringing others.”

One of the Valkyries that look angrier than the others seems like she’s about to say something until the Dragonborn kicks her under the table to shut her up.

[u/Master-Tanis → u/Valenyn]

“My king insisted on their presence. It was the only way I could convince him to allow this negotiation.

Siliske shifts down into his knight form.

“Twice we have offered supplies and friendship, twice Shadeholme, or rather its ruler, has chosen war with the world. This is our third and final attempt to seek peace.”

He summons a chair made from pure shadow and sits upon it at the table.

“Let me be clear. I am not here to demand reparations, nor pursue vengeance. I have no interest in conquest or the election of a puppet leader. I am here to make sure that this time the peace lasts. Whether that means burying the hatchet or burying the town is up to all of you.”

[u/Valenyn → u/Master-Tanis]

Kanthar is the first to respond.

“Unfortunately that is currently not a choice we are in a position to make. This is a regency council, meaning we do not have the power to make lasting agreements. There’s no guarantee any of use will be in charge after the new government is established.”

Valarie, also looking annoyed, adds in.

“Further more, during the last regency no hostilities had arisen and it’s a bit insulting to threaten a city filled with civilians inside over the actions of someone is now…gone.”

Tianna, the one who started the meeting the most pissed, seems to have calmed down.

“Ultimately as it is right now, we have no future intensions to create an eternal night or attack Haven, as we have only really done once during the last time this happened. Our main enemy remains as the celestial realm, not random dragons or people in the mortal realm. Even then we aren’t exactly able to cause trouble if we wanted to.” She motions to the half ruined fortress where the Well was located. “so with as much power as we have to do so there will be a peace. Whether or not the people who take over after the first election continue that policy is out of our hands. We can advise them not to, but your demands are impossible to answer to in the present.”

The rest of the regency council looks surprised at Tianna’s diplomatic response, except for Kanthar who looks happy enough with the outcome.

[u/Master-Tanis → u/Valenyn]

“Then I will negotiate with whoever is elected. For now, however, you are in charge and as long as your intentions remain peaceful supplies will continue to be provided. I have no quarrel with the citizens of your nation, and if violence is necessary you have my word infrastructure will be targeted rather than individuals.”

He relaxes and leans back.

“Believe it or not Sylvanae and I once spoke about his goals. I urged him to consider alternative methods. Ones that would not involve collateral. One does not need to kill a nation to dethrone a king.”