“A Visit to the Northeastern Frontier”

Antonius Kaizuniviel

Antonius Kaizuniviel

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En route to Beaconsfield International Airport

Beaconsfield, Kingdom of Prydania

Wilhelm Staedtler looked out the window of his private plane as it was heading towards Beaconsfield International Airport located in the Prydanian capital. While sitting at the desk of his office, he was anticipating what he’d have to do in his duties as Prime Minister once they’d land. He never had intentions of becoming the head of government, having to leave the country to sign a peace treaty, or having to handle foreign affairs. The job put far more pressure on him than he anticipated. However, given how the situation in the war and his father’s disappearance lead him to this position, he has no choice now but to accept his role, and carry out his responsibilities. He continued to look out into the window until his aide came in to inform him. “Mr. Minister”, said he. “We will be arriving in Beaconsfield Airport in three hours.”

“I see”, said the minister before asking, “What will we do there when we land?”

“You will exit the plane at which point, you will greet the Prydanian Prime Minister who will be waiting. It’s likely that the press will be there to watch, so ensure that you greet him courteously and with professionalism. Staedtler sat there in silence, continuing to think. “Sir?”, said he, “Are you okay?”

Staedtler, feeling a bit annoyed, responded, “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll be ready. Just leave me be, and let me know when we land.” “Of course, Mr. Minister”, responded the aide before leaving. As the plane continued to move, Staedtler continued to sit in silence, thinking.
 
I removed the date stamp, because date stamps confuse RP continuity.

"It's a new Cimmeria, William" Harald Dam said, turning to his Prime Minister as they stood out on the tarmac.
"I've been told" William Aubyn replied, checking his watch for a moment before looking to the side.
"You don't sound convinced."
"It's not me you need to worry about, Harald. Regardless, the engineers in the east were very helpful. If nothing else Staedtler coming will put a lot of the Crown Conflict mess behind us. It's about time the continent got a bit less angry overall."

Dam just nodded, with a soft smile.
"Very well said, Prime Minister."

William sighed, but then perked up as he saw the Cimmerian jet arriving in the distance.
 
Beaconsfield International Airport

Beaconsfield, Kingdom of Prydania

The private plane had began to descend into the aeroport. Staedtler continued to look at the view of Beaconsfield from the window as the plane had began to descend further into the runway. The plane began slowing down as its landing gear had finally touched the ground. By the the time it had stopped, Staedtler was drinking a cup of coffee that was prepared three hours ago when he woke up. He wished his wife was here, but she couldn’t, for she had other important matters to attend to.

“Sir, we’re about to come out and greet the Prime Minister. Are you ready?” said the aide as he came to him.

Staedtler responded, “Of course I’m ready.” He didn’t think twice about what he had to do. He took a moment to straighten up his suit. At this point he took a moment to take a deep breath before thinking to himself, “Let’s go”, and coming out of the plane. He was smiling and waving for the local press as he walked down the steps of the plane, and headed towards the Prydanian Prime Minister.
 
The set-up had a bit more pomp to it than the last foreign visit. Alternating Prydanian and Cimmerian flags blew in the summer breeze as soldiers in grey ceremonial garb stood at attention.
William knew very little about the Cimmerian Prime Minister. The political changes in Cimmeria had coincided with his own challenges in Prydania, leaving him little opportunity to study the man he was about to meet. He waited for Staedtler to approach, watching him. He always did believe that you could gain insights into a man's character by how he carried himself.

Finally the Cimmerian Prime Minister was close enough, and he stepped forward.
"Mr. Prime Minister" he said with a weary smile as he held out his hand.
"Welcome to Prydania."
 
Beaconsfield International Airport

Beaconsfield, Kingdom of Prydania


Seeing Aubyn extend his hand to him, Staedtler reached out his and greeted Aubyn. “Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. It is a pleasure for me to be here”, said he as he gave Aubyn a firm handshake. He was feeling unprepared for the state visit, and everything that was to take place, despite taking the time needed to prepare. This was something that brought dread to his mind. Meanwhile, the weather in the Prydanian capital was something that was new to Staedtler. It felt quite nice and calming to him, abeit being colder than the native Mintorian climate.

In spite of everything that he was thinking in his head, he carried on with business and preceded as normal. “I am Chancellor Wilhelm Staedtler, representing the Mintorian Realm”, said Staedtler as he was introducing himself to his Prydanian counterpart with confidence. “I am looking for forward to getting to business and hoping that we may accomplish something today.”

He carried himself with a degree of authority. But, with his nation’s reputation sullied, and his lack of experience of operating in one of the highest offices of state, he had personal doubts that he could do this job without failing it ignominiously.

 
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William Aubyn smiled as he lead his Cimmerian counterpart down to a waiting pair of limousines. He could sense a tension in the man, and he could guess why. Cimmeria wasn't a welcomed member of the family of nations at the moment. Even agreeing to this meeting potentially put off PGU allies like Xentherida. He was gambling what little international credibility he had on accepting the Cimmerian overtures.
Sometimes though? It was needed. The gamble was risky, but worth it.
Of course not all agreed, including the one man who could overrule him. Tobias could be handled later though. Right now he needed to focus on laying some groundwork. The King might be more open to this if he saw progress was possible.

"I agree, Mr. Prime Minister" William said to Staedtler as they shook hands on a cool but bright day.
"I do too. We have a lot to work towards, but I trust that hard work will be worth it, I think. Rest assured, we're here to clean up this whole mess. Not add to it."
 
“I agree with you”, said Staedtler as they were heading down to the pair of limousines awaiting them.
“There is already enough tension and distrust between my nation and everyone else. It would do us good to achieve some results with this meeting and start the process of repairing relations with the world stage”.

So far, thing seemed to be going well for Staedtler as he was speaking to his Prydanian counterpart. He knew that Aubyn would agree to this in spite of the current climate, and wanted to see this meeting make some progress just as much as he did. However, he still had doubts, the feeling that he could be scrutinized should he make one wrong move. This would continue to stick with him for the time being. Nevertheless, he carried himself and continued to do his duites.

“So, shall we carry on then and leave here?”, Staedtler asked Aubyn.
 
“Of course Mr. Staedtler“ Aubyn replied as they approached two limos. One sporting Prydanian flags, the other Cimmerian.

“If I could say one thing? Between the two of us, before we speak again? The last time Prydania was under a Lothbrok King Andrew III allowed Stephen Toft and his fascists to seize control of the country. Many said that, if we defeated the Syndicalists we shouldn’t re-instate the monarchy. I disagreed. For a number of reasons. Still, those that suggested that had a point. How could I expect any foreign leader to trust me, after I had put another Lothbrok on the throne?”

He looked around for a moment before continuing.
“The truth of it is, Mr. Prime Minister, that I had to trust myself enough to reach out to other nations. Be bold enough to take the first step to convince them I wasn’t Stephen Toft and our current King wasn’t our past King. Thank you for showing me that same bravery by reaching out to me.”

He held his hand out, ready to shake his Cimmerian counterpart’s hand.
 
As Aubyn extended his hand to shake Staedtler’s once more, Staedtler was thinking for a moment about what was said. He did not know much about Stephen Toft or of the government of Prydania, for he was young back then, and was focused on other things during that period. Like most people in Mintoria around that period, all he knew was the obvious, that the nation wasn't in the best position under Toft’s government and how it eventually lead the country into turmoil, and then inevitable war.

Thinking how this was similar to his situation back home, he went along with it and shook his hand, responding, “It is a pleasure, Mr. Prime Minister.”

The two headed out to their transport, and once they got in, they would leave the airport, and head out to their destination: the main building of the Prydanian parliament.
 
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William made his way through the halls of the offices of Parliament, on his way to the conference room to meet with Staedtler, when Harald Daaé, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, came up behind him, walking at a brisk pace that might just break into a sprint.
"He's not coming" he said, not quite out of breath. William, keeping his stride, turned to look at his MFA.
"What do you mean he's not coming?"

"His Majesty isn't coming. He seemed adamant."

William stopped, grumbling...
"I thought we were clear. We talked about this."

"I know, but he's not coming. You can speak with him yourself if you think it'll change anything."

"I have the Prime Minister of Cimmeria waiting for me. And you want to tell me that Tobias isn't coming? No. He's coming."

"Well I don't know what else to say to him. I can't order him to come. You might be able to change his mind."

"William Staedtler is waiting for me and you want me to make beeline for Absalon's Palace?"

"You don't have to, but His Majesty won't be here if you don't."

William Aubyn, rubbed his temples....why did Tobias have to be so difficult at times? He sighed.
"Go meet with Staedtler, Harold. Talk to him about the specifics of the itinerary we worked out. I'll go talk to the King..."

William left in a huff, as Harald grabbed the folder the Prime Minister had shoved in his hands. He made his way to the conference room where Staedtler was waiting.

"Mr. Prime Minister" Harald Daaé remarked.
"It's my pleasure to take the lead on this meeting for my government."
 

Conference hall, Fort Harald Parliamentary Building
Beaconsfield, Prydania

Staedtler was looking around the conference hall where he was waiting for his counterpart. It was a capacious, palatial meeting place where the conference table stood, in the middle of the hall. On the left side, there were Prydanian flags standing near a window, where the landscape of Beaconsfield was in view. On the farthermost right, there was a water cooler standing, still bearing water in its tank.

Staedtler continued waiting, until a man came in. It was not the man he was expecting. He was rather different from the Prydanian Prime Minister. He had came in with a folder in hand, then he came and said his piece. Afterwards, Staedtler, feeling disconcerted and unsettled at the appearance of this man, began to question him, “Eexcuse me, but who are you, and what happened to the Prime Minister? Where is he?”

 
Harald Daaé nodded, sitting down across from Staedtler.
"Prime Minister Aubyn is attending to something rather urgent, I assure you. Rest assured, the Prime Minister and I have worked together on this mission extensively."
He reached to take a sip of water.

"I hope you find Beaconsviði to your liking. It's a bit quaint compared to the cities in Cimmeria I imagine" he chuckled.
"That being said, the Prydanian government would like to formally extend the hand of friendship. The shadow of the Crown Conflict has darkened Craviter for far too long."



"He's in there" Axle remarked, shrugging.

"You've talked to him?" William asked. Axle just shrugged.

"He's very insistent."

William grunted, pushing his way into Tobias' private quarters.
"You have got to be kidding" he exclaimed, seeing the King of Prydania wearing a t-shirt and sweatshirt, playing someone video game.

"Not going" Tobias remarked sharply.

"Yes, you are" William said, switching off the KEC console.

"I'm the King, I don't think this meeting is in my best interests" Tobias replied, grabbing the controller angrily.

"We talked about this..."

"No, you talked and I had to listen! I'm not meeting with him William!"

"Tobias, you're being ridic..."

"No I'm not! Thanks to Cimmeria the communists in Cogoria are still in power! Every day we have to live with that cloud hanging over us. Waiting to return us to Syndicalism. All because of Cimmeria! They deserve their shame."

William took off his glasses to clean them as Tobias looked up at him from the couch defiantly.

"The Principality of Sil Dorsett has proven an effective go-between, Tobias. You know that..."

Tobias just rolled his eyes.
"They want to kill us William. Put their cronies back in power. Sil Dorsett can't stop tha..."

"No" William replied firmly. Tobias stopped what he was saying, shocked.
"No" William repeated. "Tobias, I was there....I held you when you had to deal with what the Syndicalists did what they did to your family..."

Tobias began to tear up.
"Careful William, careful..."

"No, you're going to listen to me. I was there. I know the pain you felt, and I know what Cogoria is to you. I understand. More than you give me credit for."
He sat down next to him and put an arm over his shoulder.

"You may be King, but you've still got stuff to learn from me."

"It's thanks to Cimmeria that..."

"No, listen. What happened in the Crown Conflict happened. But now? We have a Cimmeria looking to reach out, and they're eager. We can make inroads with them, Tobias. And Cogoria? Trust in your diplomats. Cogoria isn't going to come storming over the Kanadian March. We're talking to them. The Cogorians talk. A lot. They're not going to turn the clock back on our victory over the Syndicalists. You, and everyone else hurt by Syndicalism, are safe. Thanks to our efforts."

Tobias stared straight ahead, not saying anything at first. The room wasn't tense...but there was an uneasy feeling between the King and his adoptive father.
"Tobias, you're a King now. That's not just a title...you know that. You know what people expect of you."

The young King closed his eyes tight before nodding.
"I'll be ready as soon as possible."

William sighed, patting him on his back.
"It'll get easier. You helped me move past my demons. Least I can do is help you through yours, Your Majesty."

Tobias chuckled, relieving his own stress.
"Don't call me that in private."

"Well get ready so I can call you that in public" William replied, leaving the King's quarters.

"He'll be ready soon" he informed Axle as he exited.

"Yeah, I heard. Already on it" Skov replied as he barked orders into his two-way to coordinate the escort of the King from Absalonhöll to Parliament.

Part of William wanted to stay. Ensure that Tobias followed through on his promise to fulfill his diplomatic obligations. He sighed. He needed to trust him though. And he needed to relieve Harald of his duties with Staedtler.
 
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Staedtler didn’t reply to the Foreign Minister's comment. “It looks so much like home…” he thought as he looked out the window. The sight of Beaconsfield reminded him of his childhood home; a small town in the region of Burgundy. These memories weren’t particularly pleasant. Instead, they made him think about how much he wanted to leave that place. He therefore decided to turn back to the more important matters at hand.

“Yes… I think it's about time to put that shadow behind us,” he said to the Foreign Minister, “This will be part of a momentous step in helping my nation to atone and to move forward.”
 
William straightened his hair and adjusted his tie as he returned to the Parliamentary building, his phone buzzing with a text that indicated to him that the King was on his way. He nodded to himself, making his way to the conference room hoping Harald hadn't been too put out by covering for him. He stopped himself just outside the door to collect his thoughts, slowly grabbing the doorknob and entering as if he wasn't in a rush.

"Prime Minister Staedtler" he proclaimed with a smile.
"My deepest apologies for having to leave. An unexpected matter of state came up that I am happy to say has been dealt with." He took a seat next to Harald.

"I was just telling the Prime Minister how we hope to move beyond the shadow of the Crown Conflict" Harald replied. William nodded.

"I agree. You would know the effects of the Crown Conflict on Cimmeria more than I would, Mr. Staedtler. With that said? The scars of the Prydanian Civil War are still with us, and as Prime Minister of the interim government I have urged both the people and His Majesty the King to look beyond those divisions so our country can heal. I see no reason why that same approach cannot be applied to Craviter as a whole regarding the Crown Conflict. Cimmeria is power of great renown, Mr. Staedtler. I believe, as does my Cabinet, that we are both better off with the dark days behind us." He stopped himself from mentioning the King. That Tobias was coming was a positive sign, but he didn't wish to speak for him. He was preparing himself for the King to be a bit icy towards the Cimmerian Prime Minister.

Suddenly there was knock on the door. A soldier opened it, stepping aside so Elo Daugaard, chief herald and steward of the Royal Household, could enter.
"Prime Minister Aubyn, Prime Minister Staedtler, Minister Daaé, the His Majesty Tobias III, King of Prydania approaches" he announced, using the short form of the titles given the less formal nature of this meeting. He then stepped aside as Tobias emerged in the doorway, dressed in the khaki uniform of a Field Marshal. It wasn't his first choice, but it was suggested that it might make the right impression. Both Williams and Harald stood, with the Prydanians offering their King a slight bow of the head. Tobias nodded back before turning to Daugaard.

"Thank you Elo, that will be all for now." The Steward returned with a nod.

"Of course Your Majesty" and left the room, leaving just the three officials and the King. Tobias quickly made his way to the Cimmerian Prime Minister, and offered his hand.
"Prime Minister Staedtler" he said a bit nervously.
"Welcome to Prydania."
 
As soon as Aubyn was finished, there was a knock on the door. Coming in was a man dressed in elaborate attire, announcing the King’s presence. When King Tobias entered the conference hall, he was dressed in a marshal’s uniform. Städtler, while not entirely surprised, was quite bewildered by his dress, as the Emperor normally wouldn’t wear a military uniform for a less formal setting.

The Prydanian monarch came to the Chancellor and offered his hand, which Städtler gladly shook.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said to him, “It’s a pleasure and an honour to meet you today. As the Prime Minister was saying, the Crown Conflict has had a serious effect on Craviter. Mintoria, in particular, suffers more from its actions during the whole affair, consequences that are affecting it to this day. It would be in the interests of both of our nations, and indeed the continent as a whole, to put the conflict behind us and to move forward into the future.”
 
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Tobias took a seat, and listened to the Cimmerian Prime Minister. A million things ran through his head, it was like a white noise at first before he focused. Even then...the ideas flew through his mind.
Cimmeria. The reason, the reason, that communists still had a foothold on Craviter. His own struggles against the Syndicalists should have ended with freedom from fear of Communist domination. Yet here he was. Fearful of Cogoira over the Kanadian March. Across the Malorian mountains. He was looking at the Cimmerian Prime Minister, ready to chastise the man for his country's foolishness but he didn't. He looked to William instead, breathing deep. Every lesson he'd ever taught him about the responsibilities of kingship. It crashed across his anger and frustration in his mind, but the struggle didn't last long. He knew what he had to do.

"Our countries share a few cultural and ethnic ties, Mr. Prime Minister" Tobias said with a smile.
"But the thing we share the most is Craviter. It's our home. All of our homes. How can Prydania help Cimmeria heal our home?"
 
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