Gaiseric stared out across the bay of Pataliputra,
a million glittering lights danced on the waters. it reminded Gaiseric of old tales his grandfather had told of marsh sirens, though those always ended with enticed travelers being lured to a watery death.
Is that what I am? a traveler lured to his doom?
Gaiseric wondered briefly, he had dragged his nation into a new world, a global one filled with greater wonders and worse horrors then the clans could have ever conceived of. The city of Pataliputra,
was one such example, a city that stretched across the horizon, glittering towers of glass and steel without end.
A soft hand on his arm surprised Gaiseric, Anegrette Kimbri, Demi-Chief of the Steppe, the Queen with a thousand ears and his closest confidant and deepest love stood next to him. Her steely grey eyes displayed a rare softness as she regarded him, her pale skin and blonde hair seemed to glow in the night air, Though that might have been the wine talking.
'You seem troubled' she said calmly but with a look of concern spreading across her face
Gaiseric sighed 'This city of lights and glass, our forefathers could not have built it if they had enjoyed peace for millennia' he said grimly
Anegrette frowned 'Beautiful yes, but transitory Gai, cities rise and fall and men and women live and die in their shadow...but virtue is something generational...our Ehrenseele, that sacred code gifted to us by the ancestors..is worth more then any gleaming city' she said a smile briefly appearing
Gaiseric Nodded, reassured by her words, that was why he was here, Not to marvel at gleaming cities or to lament the state of Essalanea but to demonstrate the Ehrenseele to the Syrixian's. He was here to ensure that his people would have friends in this new world and to cement their place in modern eras.
A munching sound filled the air as Alric Volkmann stepped onto the balcony 'You two make a fully catered villa with a lovely view feel more like a funeral' Alric said mouth still full
His military uniform was covered in crumbs and his dark beard was wet with grease and ale
'Why are you always eating!?' Gaiseric said in mock annoyance
Alric Shrugged and popped the last of the snack into his mouth ' You decided to bring me and these Syrixians can cook, wonder if we can get these pakora things back on the steppe' he said with a mischievous grin
Anegrette sighed and slid her palm down her face 'At least you are thinking about trade, even if it is with your stomach Alric' she said rolling her eyes as she did
'Wheres Helbrandt?' Gaiseric said with a raised eyebrow, the Kargs new chieftain had been invited in order to show the unity of the great clans, something that would have been impossible a year ago.
Helbrant was the last living cousin of Ulli Karg, the slain former ruler of the Kargs, He had been spared the traditional ritual suicide before he could drive a blade through his gut. Gaiseric did not need any more of his people throwing their lives away. Helbrandt shared some of his dead kinsman's traditional views, but he had also embraced some of Gaiseric's vision for modernity, specifically military hardware and steel manufacture, the Karg always loved the tools of war.
Helbrandt had not endured the journey to Pataliputra
well, the Essalanean's were poor sailors at the best of times and the days spent on the sea had left even Gaiseric with shaky legs and a distinctly green complexion. Compared with the endless churning sea's Paliputra was a paradise.
Alric grin wolfishly 'Kargs don't seem good at sea voyages, that and I think the local food gave him the runs...the stray dog of the north is currently indisposed' he said with a chuckle
Gaiseric sighed ' Ziu's Mercy! And Wheres Magnar!? am I leading a delegation or a troupe of fools!' he said throwing up his hands in exasperation
'Magnar is resting, he's not all that young anymore and he wants to get the presentation speech right' Alric replied suddenly more serious
Magnar Hureg was probably the oldest clan chief in Essalanea, he even had Otto Rugen beat at his age of 70 Years, the Great Bear of the Hureg was a man who knew how to draw a crowds attention, his gravitas and booming voice making him an excellent herald. It had been Gaiseric's honor to invite him to the proceedings.
'Good' Gaiseric nodded 'And the blade?' he asked
Alric produced a fur wrap and opened it, the shortsword glittered in its scabbard, Essalanean steel from the Karg heartlands bearing rare ivory in its hilt and a scabbard of pure silver. across the length of both blade and sheathe ran masterful engravings depicting the Lions of Syrixia's crest and the waves of the great ocean that separated the two nations. at the bottom of the blade stood a single mounted Essalanean, arms outstretched.
Alric wrapped the blade once more in the furs 'Gift fit for an emperor brother' he said with a slight bow of his head
The sheathed blade, an ancient gesture of friendship and peace upon the steppe, it was a gesture both of hope and intention, Gaiseric hoped the emperor would understand the gravity of such a symbol, hoped the Syrixian people would be amenable to a partnership.
'One day kinsmen' he said raising a hand towards Pataliputra's cityscape
'One day we shall have glorious edifices of our own to awe guests and inspire wonder in our own people' he said his voice almost whisper as if he was scared Ziu might hear him and strike him down for arrogance
'But first we win the emperor's trust' Anegrette replied in a neutral tone, she was ever the grounding influence
'Indeed, first we win the emperors trust, but then my friends we take our place in their world with glories of our own' he replied with a flash of excitement in his voice
His demi-chief and brother nodded at that, Alric soon returned indoors to continue binging on Syrixian dishes and Anegrette retired soon after to review the diplomatic reports and prepare. Gaiseric was left alone on the balcony eyes fixed firmly on the distance, he could not see it but Essalanea was just beyond the Horizon.
I will make you glow also sweet motherland, I swear it upon My honor, Ziu and Essalan
![Midir [Mondari]](/data/avatars/m/5021/5021626.jpg?1538375103){kind=avatar}
