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Post by Johann Claves on Sept 7, 2005 20:19:10 GMT
As the harvest season came, Agrixus had called all the major ruler of Europe to Carthage, the town had been vacated of soldiers except his Royal guard and the town watch. The Feast hall was festive, with smooth sandstone walls and large glassed windows, red and blue draperies adorned the walls and similar tableclothes were placed upon the large feasting tables. The setting were so that no two allies would sit together. On the tables would be placed fruit once the guests began to arrive. The head table was set for 5 Vandals, Agrixus would sit in the middle. Musicians had been called from the farthest reaches of the realm to play for this. The Palace had accomodations made for all those staying and the inns in town were all prepared to take overflow. Everything was ready for the guests.
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Post by King Hengest II on Sept 8, 2005 14:51:57 GMT
Already preasant at the Palace, Hengest made his way to the feast, where he was, annoyingly, designated a place. He was admitantly in a bad mood because of the presence of christians at this feast.
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Post by Avitas Caesar on Sept 8, 2005 19:49:13 GMT
Avitas and his company arrived. They were shown to their seat, beside Hengest's rabble. There was not a man amogst their party that felt happy about their table partners, and least of all Avitas, who was sat next to Hengest himself. "Hail, King of the Saxons, friend." Said Avitas before sitting.
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Post by Johann Claves on Sept 8, 2005 23:33:35 GMT
Agrixus sat in the cneter of his table, two men on either side, 2 of his most trusted Generals, and two of his political advisors. Agrixus wore no armour and had his sword loosely at his side; his clothing was loose, much imported from the east, his shirt a soft green and his pants a similarly soft brown. he wore a loose cape of a royal blue, attached around his neck with a silver chain. He spoke to the two, "Hengest I see you found your way to the hall again, pleasure for you to join us," he said in his heavily accented English, he turned to the Roman Emperor and spoke to them in fluent Latin "and Avitas, I can't say its a pleasure, but it is nice for us to put aside our differences for this."
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Post by Ilsa Varousa on Sept 9, 2005 10:11:02 GMT
Ilsa slowly walked into the feasting hall, she looked at the rulers already gathered and curtsied politely.
"Thank you for your kind invitation Emperor Claves." She said smiling and looking for her own seat the otherside of Claves. Ilsa walked slowly around the table to her seat her eyes drifting from each ruler she passed. Her green dress trailing behind her slightly.
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Post by King Roland I on Sept 9, 2005 10:17:05 GMT
Not too long after Ilsabella, King Roland I, the famous King of the Franks, entered the throne room escorted by a pair of bodyguards and some of his close advisors - whom he had met outside the walls before entering. Glancing around, he noted the lords of Europe gathering - Rome, England, Vandal, and the Visigoths now taking their seats. He bowed his head to each in turn before looking at Agrixus.
"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Agrixus Claves of the Vandals," Roland said, smiling. "I am King Roland of the Frankish Kingdom, and I thank you for your invitation and hospitality. Where shall the Franks be seated?" he then asked, standing and waiting - on purpose - for an aide to show him his seat, to reinforce to all his status as ruler of the second most powerful Christian land.
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Post by Johann Claves on Sept 9, 2005 10:52:49 GMT
"Welcome Queen of the Visigoths, a pleasure for you to join us, and you King Roland, it is also an equal pleasure, your seat is next to that of the Visigoths, I assume you can find it from where the Queen is seated." He chuckled to himself on the inside, knowing that Roland would try and gain special treatment as any rich and powerful ruler, who had his lands set before him at birth would do. He settled back into his chair, and spoke to the four rulers who were here already, "Please take some fruit whilst we wait, it is fresh from the groves today." he gestured to a similar platter on his table, with figs, oranges, apples, whatever one could possibly have wished for was there.
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Post by Ilsa Varousa on Sept 9, 2005 13:47:55 GMT
Ilsa looked at Roland and smiled, she reached forwards and picked up a small bunch of grapes. She pulled one off and gently put it into her mouth, nodding to Agrixus as approval of his harvest. Not as good as her own,
"These are very good, maybe your nobleman should have feasted as I advised him, so he could sample our own harvest." Ilsa said before eating another grape.
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Post by Avitas Caesar on Sept 9, 2005 16:53:42 GMT
"A grand wine would these grapes make." Said Avitas, in a feebly polite voice. "Though straight from the vine they still taste grand." He reached for an orange, and began to dissect it.
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Post by Pontius Arrilius on Sept 9, 2005 20:12:48 GMT
Pontius was suspicious. This was too humble, and Agrixus too friendly. Something was up. Whilst politely smiling at Claves, he leaned towards his lord. "Sire, I would advise against eating those" he said, as Avitas went to swallow a piece of Orange. " Do not fall for these false pretences- I do not believe we are truly welcome here as...friends."
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Post by King Roland I on Sept 9, 2005 20:29:26 GMT
Tilting his head and smiling broadly - an almost fiendish looking smile, Roland walked with bodyguards and entourage in tow and took their seats beside the Visigoths. Bowing to Queen Ilsabella, Roland sat and surveyed the food before him. Not bad for these lands, he noted. However, he did not yet eat, instead waiting for his entourage to eat the food before them. Once they had remained alive thereafter, he sampled the oranges and grapes first.
Unlike others however, he gave no worded appraisal or disapproval of the food, instead raising his goblet slightly to Agrixus. His eyes scanned those present, watching their reactions - noting with humour that the Romans were already whispering amongst themselves. Romans, he noted from history, were fond of hushed whispers in great halls - soon followed by a knife in someone's back.
The Saxons went about their own business, eating and drinknig, and he could surmise little from their table. Still, expanding across the British Isles and into Ireland, they were ones to watch - his own empire could ill afford conflict now with them. The Visigoths, he had known from when he had met them - enjoying the lavish luxuries as they often did. He did not begrudge them it, for they had proven themselves already in combat however.
So we shall drink and feast, in the company of other nations... whom else shall join this party? And what great schemes shall unfold...?
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Post by Avitas Caesar on Sept 9, 2005 20:38:48 GMT
"Pontius," Said Avitas, leaning closer."Must you be so suspicous? I care not in this hall for what is a danger. If I should die then so be it, all shall know that the Vandals are cowards. If not, then I will return to Rome, and war. But either way let us spend this time in peace."
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Post by Johann Claves on Sept 9, 2005 20:57:23 GMT
Agrixus chuckled as the Romans huddled thinking he had done wrong to them already. He smiled and said to them, "You can be assured that no food has been tampered with in a way to seek harm upon you, we dine as friends today, not as enemies and combatants." He bit into a beautifully ripe plum cleaning his face of its juices when he had finished it.
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Post by Ilsa Varousa on Sept 10, 2005 12:26:02 GMT
Ilsabella looked at Roland and smiled, she watched him thinking planning. She sat back and glanced across at the Roman's. Everyone seemed to be plotting one thing or another, the Roman general not trusting anyone seemingly. She finished the last of her grapes and closed her eyes a moment to listen to the music playing in the halls.
She had noticed that she was indeed the only female ruler present and more than likely the only female to attend in nobility. She opened her eyes again and looked around the table, Hengest had such a look on his face that suggested he was not pleased by the presence of Caesar or Roland.
"Who shall be the first to grace me with a dance?" Ilsa said looking at each man in turn, knowing that Roland had already had his turn. She smiled and waited for any of them to react.
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Post by Avitas Caesar on Sept 10, 2005 13:07:49 GMT
Avitas stood, offered his hand and said: "I will take that honour, my lady."
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