Chapter 196: The Ammary Future

Dimitri paced back and forth in his room holding the note he had received from Alexei. He struggled to control his smile as he wondered and pictured the future. A knock on the door froze him and walking in he saw Alfred’s expecting eyes. Dimitri returned them with a wide smile as he took his seat, Alfred sitting opposite him.

"Good news I suppose," Alfred said with his grin and Dimitir threw the note over to him.

’The Slathans will accept anything. They do not wish for war.’Alfred looked at the message and smiled. He didn’t understand the politics of the Slathan Empire as well as someone like Alexei who borders the Empire. But what he did know was it was an Empire on the decline. Centuries of war and economic stagnation would do that to any nation.

Putting the note down carefully he crossed his legs and held his hands over his stomach. "I will send word to the Slathans in the near future. Whilst I have the man prepared to become Prime Minister, I still need to add the final touches before he can be sworn in."

"That works fine for us aswell," Dimitri said calmly. "If I know my cousin he will have begun communications with them as soon as word reached him. Those Slathan are quite weird preferring to meet in person for these things, so whilst you prepare the position for your man, I would have him sent to them. Just a formality."

Alfred nodded, understanding. "I would like for us three monarchs to meet personally at one point but that can wait. I don’t simply want our alliance to exist through marriage but a greater sense of unity." Alfred paused looking down at his hands. He blinked a couple of times deep in thought before looking back into Dimtri’s eyes with a probing look.

"I have a question. One that I need a serious answer to Dimitri." He could hear the seriousness in Alfred’s voice fixed his posture becoming less relaxed. "How serious is Alexei and extending that, Ivan, to our alliance?"

Dimitri sighed and folded his arms. He closed his eyes and wondered what he should say. Whilst he was one of Alexei’s closest allies he couldn’t think and act for him. Despite that, he knew how his mind worked and how Ivan’s did.

Opening his eyes he smacked his lips. "Alexei is a pragmatic man. He looks a value at face value, I’m sure you know that already. This alliance between our two nations is a very good deal for him as is the best chance he will ever get at rebuilding the Silesian Empire. As far as that goes I can’t really say much."

Alfred stayed silent watching Dimitri decide if he wanted to say the next part. After a couple of seconds, he sighed and nodded. "Ivan is different. He’s a dreamer a big one. I say this in goodwill because it’s what he wants, but he dreams of a thousand-year alliance between the two empires. Marriage alliance after marriage alliance to ensure the pact is never broken. Of course, he does this to keep the blood of the blessed one strong in our family, but he sees value in it."

Alfred smiled but clicked his tongue. What Ivan dreamed was great if he thought about it on paper alone, but he could already see that alliance being destroyed after three generations. The world wasn’t oblivious to inbreeding and its dangers. Alfred knew even better. What Ivan wished was to ask both his and Ivan’s descendants to die out. But he didn’t voice it.

Standing up he smiled. "Come with me." Dimitri was confused but got up and followed behind. Alfred led him down the palace halls and entered a heavily guarded room. Inside were stacks of papers and Alfred picked one up passing it to him.

It was confusing to Dimiritr who read it. It was a paper talking about the supremacy of the empire and the glory of its people. A bunch of flower words woven together to invoke pride in anyone who claimed to be Ammary. Putting it down he stared blankly at Alfred who snickered. "What do you think all these papers here say?" Alfred spread his arms gesturing at the multiple stacks and Dimitri frowned picking up another.

His hands shook looking at it., The words were exactly the same, down to the way each letter was written. Not believing it he picked up a thrid then a fourth. "Impossible. The man power alone to write this many is insane."

Alfred shook his head. "When I asked how important this alliance is it wasn’t just in terms of us against the other nations, but the power that claims to be above us." Dimitri nearly stumbled upon hearing those words.

"You can’t be asking us to go against the church?"

"Not yet," Alfred said dismissively going over to a paper and stroking it. "But the future is unpredictable. They have already bared their fangs towards me and with each victory they get, the bolder their actions become. But they do not control my Empires fate, Dimitri, it is mine alone." His words were coated in anger as he looked down at the papers.

"This around you. You wonder how it was possible. It wouldn’t be without me." Alfred slammed his chest arrogantly. "They fear my blessing, they fear what I can do for the world because it threatens their very power." walking over Alfred wrapped his arm around the man and spoke with the devil’s seduction. "Our nations are tied by fate ever since me and Ivan met on that boat. What you see here can become yours. Everything I do in the future will become yours. If our alliance stays strong."

It was tempting words but Dimitri shook his head and pushed himself away. "Alexei will never accept. He is a pious man."

"And Sol’s champion is before you," Alfred said casually. "The world is ours to claim Dimitri. The Ammaries and Silesians. The Thousand Year Empires." Alfred walked over to the door. "Get the carriers. have them ready to move by the night." He quietly spoke to one of the guards who bowed and ran off to carry out the order.

"Watch. In this week, you will see how to fight and claim your future without spilling blood." Alfred said happily.

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Desmond sat at his desk overlooking Far Mile, a paper in his hands titled,’The Ammary Future.’With a smile he took a drag of his cigar and read the contents of it once more, his blood flowing with each word. It was a shook when he had received the influx a couple of days ago but seeing its contents he understood instantly the importance of it. He was already the one left in charge of countering the Church’s influence in the city.

He wondered how so many were created but didn’t ask. It wasn’t his place to know, only to distribute it. Before he could get back to reading a knock on the door interrupted. Sighing he put the paper down and called out letting in the clergy member.

"How may I help you, Father." Despite his words, he spoke disrespectfully putting his feet on his desk and smoking. The priest looked at him annoyed but took his seat not jumping onto the provocation.

Reaching into his robes he pulled out a scroll. "Bishop Byles requests permission to carry out a day of celebration."

"What for?" Desmond took another inhale of his cigar purposely blowing the smoke into the priest’s face.

Scrunching his nose he waved away the smoke. "A day of charity in the name of the late ArchBishop. He believes it is what he would have wanted."

Desmond scoffed getting up. Going to a large book at the side he opened it up and purposely took his time flipping through it. "Well....." Desmond tapped his finger on it. "Of course, I am happy to allocate a day, but the city still needs to run. Four weeks from now. Is that fine."

Desmond said mockingly getting a hard glare from the priest. "Is the ArchBishop so dishonored we have to wait that long? If word reaches his Majesty I’m sure he would be appalled."

Desmond smiled fighting the urge to click his tongue.’It had to be in Raven’s name.’Desmond wasn’t dumb. He knew the relationship between Alfred and Raven before his death. If it was anything else he may have been able to get away with it but it was the one name he couldn’t brush off with ease.

Flipping through the book he tapped again. "Well considering it’s a day of charity and its in the name of a dearly departed Ammary citizen I guess I can make space.... one week."

The priest smiled and and clapped his hands. Getting up he spoke. "That would be per.." Desmond cut him off with a raise of his hand.

"The Empire will take part in the event. Afterall we wish to pay our respects."

"That is not necassary." The priest said with a sweat forming on his spine.

"It will be," Desmond said strictly as he took the cigar to his lips. Taking an inhale he scrutinized the man before him. "Or there is no event."

"His majesty.."

"His Majesty will want to make sure this is done correctly. And as the one left with control over the affairs of Far Mile, it falls to me to carry out his wishes. Tell Bishop Byles we will join in this. If he refuses He can find another city."

The priest clicked his tongue. "Fine." Through gritted teeth he forced the words out. On his way out he caught a glimpse of the papers Desomnd had been reading.’I must warn him.’He was sure Byles already knew of the papers circulating around the city but it was something that could be ignored.