Empires of Ashes

Trajan: be careful. We've already found some very...bizzare trap like contraptions in the citadel.

Ket: "oh you mean like this?" *he reaches under one of the arm rests and pulls a lever, a clanking noise follows, then a crossbow bolt pings off the marble floor in front of the throne, right where somone would stand to address the occupant of the seat.* "our predasessors were mechanically minded, give them that."

Trajan: ever so slightly

Ket: "perhaps I will study their enginuity in my old age, but for now the explanation of my tutors will do. 'Ropes and stuff' "

Trajan: change that to and/or and you're right there.

sup

A raven flies into the talon

a golden band grabs it gives it a treat then takes the message, heading to the throne chamber,

the message is the same as that the brigardi kaiser

thorva;, now the high king of the thengeli and wielder of the dragons kiss forged with dragonfire they say, now however he sees things cant be as easy as the old stories like to make them seem, the mountain folk declare a migratory war and now these new folk pop seemingly out of nowhere and declare war on everyone.......cant tell weather to be irritated or thrilled at a new foe to fight,
"well they seem to think there better then us, and then they have the gall not to include us in their threat. well let them come see how they like a taste of the thengeli way"

thorval got up from the throne " well then lets march to war" the great horn of the talon sounded again letting the thengul know it was going to be a bloody future......good.

Thengul: Sir...our scouts say he beat an army of a hundred thousand voldamian horsemen

Thorval: aye that they did so we dont fight like vlodamains and stick to what we know best hit them hard hit them fast and hit them where they cant see us. besides talk of their new weapons have me intrigued, get some gearmen working on counters or ideas, only a fool rushes in blind and we thengelis are never fools

Jarl: My king...what of voldamia? Do we leave them to their fate?

Thorval: doubt the stubborn bastards will be willing to work with us after generations of raids but their probably desperate so maybe they will swallow their pride for once, send a raven with an offer of aid and assistance one thing about these new events is true the old times are done and if we don't change with them we will die.

Jarl: yes my king!

Thorval: then let us not waste time (he starts walking to the raven roost

Julia is with Thorval. she looks worried

Thorval: im not in a battle rage yet my dear what troubles you?

"It's...well...something that just came to mind"

Thorval: your part of my family now there is no need to hide your thoughts or council

"Well...those words were very specific...'the blood of nations'"

Thorval: wars have fought on this land for generations

"Nations....very few entire nations have...well, died"

thorval: some came close but your correct

"I can only think of a few...but one in particular comes to mind"

Thorval: which?

"The shattered wars...the drowning of Lyca"

Thorval: that is not a story i have heard in a long time

"It was centuries ago but...I dunno...maybe"

you think some fallen members of that city want revenge on everyone

"Well, their descendants now...I dunno...I'm probably wrong"

its possible

"maybe...forgive me, just thinking out loud"

*meanwhile, the cymriac navy spots unknown ships on the horizon. most have stopped but one approaches, flying a black flag*

*It takes several minutes for the Cymraic vessels to respond but soon a rather unique looking vessel flies a black flag in response. (Said vessel spots rather obvious differences for the plethora of longships and Dracian style Galleys behind it, as it is obviously made for speed and not combat. It would seem likely that the Cymriavs have been caught during a large scale naval drill) Said vessel is soon seen rapidly approaching the stranger*

the lone vessel, which too looks far grander than the others, is approaching the parlaying cymriac ship

*Another few minute pass and they reach shouting distance.*

/To an outside observer (IE us lot) they would see the relatively small Cymraic Caravel floating next to ye comparatively gargantuan age of sail frigate with a raised Stern Castle\

the gigantic ship stops alongside the cymriac one, a boarding ramp lowering

*In an act of caution the Cymraic admiral orders his men be ready for combat, and approaches the end of the ramp*

a lone figure starts to stride down the ramp
their appearance catches him off guard. 
A woman, in black plate armour, with trim that looks like golden dragonbone, a deep purple flowing cape on her back
her hair is long and raven black, her face pale skinned, and surprisingly scarless.
she's also rather attractive

*The admiral, a man quite obviously in his late fourties stands ready to meet her, wearing a thin layer of chainmail and leather to protect him*

In Cymraic: It's not wise to wear such heavy armour at sea. If you fall, you'll never escape the seas embrace

???: *in common tongue* Trust me, the ocean would be too afraid to claim me.

Common tongue: Wishful thinking. The sea fears no soul and will gladly take all if it could. It would be wise to show some respect to it.

???: *Grin* we're going to get along well I think.

Admiral: That depends on why you're here

"could I have your name first?"

"Admiral Maelgwn, of Cymrai. And you are?"

"High admiral, and princess Apolonia of Wiśland."

"A pleasure, unfortunately our prince has just been married if that's why you're here"

"Not at all. I come on behalf of my father. He requests only one thing. That your people bend the knee rather than face annihilation at our hand."