First some news and ideas from Foreign Affairs (1)

Fashuum steps forward to gain your attention, he gives a slight bow to humbly ask your permission to speak. You nod your head, granting him the right to begin.

"Your majesty while I'm sure you would love to get into the matters of this great kingdom, perhaps we can begin with discussing foreign affairs. The news and rumours beyond our borders may very well have present an opportunity, not just for this Kingdom but for the whole empire.", the noble said eagerly with an ambitious glint in his eyes.

He's up to something that much you can tell, and you're not the only one thinking it if the stares of everyone else the room are any indication. Still you are a bit curious where this is going, and you've never actually ventured outside this desert land you call home, so your quite interested at hearing about other lands. So since all eyes are on you, waiting for your decision you decided to humor Fashuum and see if he reveals what his intentions are and you nod for him to continue.

"As I'm sure you know, trade with Itheria was halted a few months ago due to the port kingdom of Phebis was laid under siege by Amazon raiders followed by a demonic incursion that threatened to ravage the land and its neighbors had it not been for the swift, clever, and brave actions of King Bryce of Itheria." Fashuum began, containing his excitement.

You put your fingers together under your chin, then motioned to him to get on with it as everyone has been hearing about that by now.

"Well since he and the Amzon Queen Cieliana had their heartful farewell and the trade route was used again, word was soon reached of how the young king has been quite busy searching the land for a new queen. He's even reached out to other kingdoms, including here in Al-Anashab", Fashuum went on.

Well that got you interested, you have heard of him rebuilding his losses and looking for a queen, yet you were unaware that he was actually looking all the way here. As you look to the court you see the only ones other than you that didn't know this were your friends, oh Iaga was looking mighty furious over the fact. You decided to pretend you did and fish for more information.

"Of course, Father told me as much himself before he sent me here", you responded with in an annoyed tone in hopes to make a convincing bluff. "Is that all, or has there been actually been an update in that development?"

Fashuum was taken aback for a moment, while your friends looked at you with pride as Ginni giggled. You noticed Mabis Nal give his rival a sneer, as the noble regained his composer.

"Actually yes your highness, your sister Khalisah has been chosen to offer her hand to King Bryce", the noble said.

Now that really shook you up a bit, Khalisah is the youngest of your full blooded siblings, she's turned out to a fine woman as you noticed, even of you didn't Ginni would be there to remind you. You can say she became the jack of all trades in the family, you are by far the best fighter, your oldest younger sister Ishizu was the gifted mystic, born withthe power of prophecy, your little brother Boba has dedicated himself to alchemy and mechanics over everything else, your other younger sister Tethys is without doubt among the greatest dancers in the empire, Khalisah learned all these skills.

You find yourself a bit unsettled at the fact of your sister being wed to any man, though that's most likely the brother in you. Bryce is a good man and if it works out, the empire will have another ally against the demons, and more trade and expansion opportunity. Still you would rather she no man's woman but yours with that lithe loveable body... where did that come from? Amun dawn Ginni and her conniving corruption. You shake yourself posse of this pin of thougth and look for a lifeline in a change of conversation, and you have jut the ticket.

"Interesting news indeed", you say trying to sound less affected by the news tha you actualky are, "Still it is a bit early to celebrate just yet, there mus be other candidates in line that have gained the kings attention are there not?"

"Indeed your highness, between our sources and experts the most popular choices thus far is Lady Devona Stelgalkin, Eldest daughter of House Stelgalkin and member of the Frost Knights", the one eyed noble replied. Not surprising you in the least, a Frost Knight would make a powerful Queen to be sure, yet such power is sure to bring more conflict than anyone realizes.

Although, another candidate has peaked quite a bit of interest everywhere", Fashuum went on, "Princes Fiona O'Reilly of the United Kingdom of Gaelica."

Now that was a name you were all too familiar with, as a boy you dreamed of sailing the sea and discovering islands and meet new kinds of people, so you studied sea charts and maps and the other than the Amazon Islands was the island that housed the kingdom of Gaelica. The Empire has been trying to set up shop there for awhile, hop in use the ports in the island as a waypoint for travelers and explorers looking to sail further west to find more land and resources beyond the horizon. At the very least confirm weather that island further west is holding Elves, or discover alternative routes through the great wilderness.

"Gaelica, haven't they been raiding upon Itherian territory for several years now?", you wondered out loud.

"Indeed your highness hence the intrigue, especially from the duchy of Goldfields, the unfortunate favorite of the raiders. As you can imagine they are quite outage at the simple idea of a Gaelican princess as the new Queen, considering the most recent raid upon their lands several years ago before King Bryce took over. The new Duchess is quite outspoken of her opinion matter and has made it quite clear that the Gaelic visitors are not welcomed there under any circumstances" Fashuum replied.

"Are you suggesting we take this opportunity to make a dialogue with the Gaelacan people, to negotiate that waypoint dock on their shores while it seems they're willing to make peace?", you asked suspiciously, starting to see where he is going with this.

"Why what a grand idea your highness", he says acting like the thought never crossed his mind. "If King Bryce chooses Khalisah as his queen while negotiating with the Gaelics we can convince them that we are still an optimal ally and the foundation to build the bridge that's has been left dangling and decayed so long. If he doesn't, then we can still work out a deal with them and possibly form an alliance and our trade and exploratory ships will have the even great or access and influence on the seas."

It's an ambitious idea to be sure, Iaga certainly agrees with silent jealousy. It really does appeal to you to, sailing the seas, making friends on distant islands such as Gaelica and the Amazon Isles being the first to discover more islands and maybe even a whole other continent out west. Now that your thinking about it, you realize he might be suggesting this because it appeals to you so much. Oh your going to have to keep an eye on this guy.

"I suppose you're willing to extend the same offer to the Amazon's as well if Cieliana comes back, don't you", interjected Mabis Nal, clearly understood unimpressed, by the noble's political meat dangling, and Uba seems to share the sentiment.

Fashuum in turn seemed indifferent, to the merchants interruption. "Oh but of course, it would be too good an opportunity to turn down. Imagine it, if we gained an alliance with the Amazon's not only would we have some protection against pirates and raiders on our sea routes, the women may prove to be invaluable guides to those who wish to traverse the Isles of Wonder"

For a man with one eye, Fashuum has great vision. Your starting to see why he's had this position at court for so long other then his duel in skills. It was certainly a tempting idea, you know have an idea what amazons are like, since Aunt Phillopuss taught her daughter Nairou, your Amazonian sister, all about her tribe and customs.

You also had to concede, the ideas of exploring the Isles of wonder was a really big adventure. They were given the name because despite its relatively close proximity to the empire it has to this day remained unexplored, so many rumors of treasures and creatures born from myths to live there have only driven the urge to go there and see for themselves. Considering how close the Amazon islands were to the isles of Wonder, it would make sense that they could provide invaluable help exploring it better then anyone.

"How about we focus less on far away lands across the sea and political double talk on all main points of interest where everyone has there attention on, and more focus here on dry land we yet to exploit, and places that no one else is looking at?" The midget merchant retorted.

You raise your hand toward Fashuum as he was about to respond, most likely with his own barb, silencing him. Then you extended an open palm towards your voice of the people, commanding him to continue.

"Our rich trade route extends from here all the way to Itheria in the west, yet according to our maps and 90% of the continent we stand on remains unexplored. There could rich fertile lands beyond the desert mountains where we can mine for ore and gems perhaps discover new life and civilization that make business with. Our Rich trade route extends beyond the empire eastern borders and for the life of me no ones knows where. Finding out may prove quite rewarding"

Well that was a good point, all that unexplored land here in the continent beyond the borders of the empire is an adventure of of his own. All the possible discoveries and goods, along with solving the mystery of where the legendary trade route ends in the distance east. Although there is the risk thst it could all turn out to be either too dangerous or taxing on time and resources, judging by Fashuum's scoff, he seems to agree with that sentiment.

You can seen that unlike Fashuum who likes to follow where the politics Go and look for safe route and follow political crown, the merchants is more of gamblers, willing to Alchemy risks and go on the road less traveled, not just for the sake of trying it because no one else will, but for reward to find at the end and the pride of finding it first.

"And why put so much interest in all of Itheria and the islands if we already have a candidate for Queen? Let the princess worry about all that what we work on expanding our business and resources in Itheria piece by piece in the most unlikely of places whike eveyone has thier attention elsewhere and thus won't see it coming. The City of Undrek for instance"

"Hah! Of course a thief like you would suggest making a pact with a den of thieves", snapped Fashuum with a scoff.

"Don't even bother playing the holier-then-thou card, your and your kind make better use of that den of thieves then then the rest of us", Mabis Nal responded.

"Not a bad idea actually", Iaga said, gain in the attention of the room and loving it for all it was worth. "Undrek may not be the most ideal ally, but it can be a very valuable one, since many within Itheria, nobility especially frequent the place for the benefits the city has to offer, then we can perhaps exploit them as they do. Not to mention. That the city is sitting on the highest population of Dark Magic Practitioners in their iconic Crooked Tower, whom Countless Zoe will take full advantage of. Plus whatever leverage Zoe has on other Nobles within Itheria can be allow us to expand our market."

"I can relate to a den of thieves, as much as the next, and while I can appreciate the survivor in the people of that place, I still wouldn't turn my back to any of them", Uba chimed in adding her own two cents.

"Oh I wouldn't either, but when you come to except that they can be a lot of fun", Iaga responded playfully. "Besides better to make friends with them and keep a closer eye on them since for one thing, with so many malificars in one place would make a hotspot for demons to come and play and it would be the perfect place to trap our dear Fugitive insurgent, Prince Ishmalis and his partner in crime Shera Khan. Not to mention with a foot hold there we can expand our influence to the Frostpeaks and thus able to deal directly to the Dwarven hold and negotiate trade and maybe even an alliance. "

All these ideas have really been tickling your brain, this latest ideas seems to the perfect blend of high risk high reward. Alliance or no you can't ignore Undrek, as Iaga pointed out, if you don't then your extremist brother and her fanatic partner will. Not to mention working with the Dwarves will be very rewarding, if a bit costly.

It has occurred to you that one foreign force has remained unspoken. "What about the Elves where do they stand in all this?" You asked

They are natural enemies to the demons, your sire",Your Court Mage Harud spoke up. "They have also been working to produce half-breed children safely and efficiently to increase their numbers"

"They have reached out to our scientific community through unofficial channels, looking for our expertise in medical and some magical science to help them in their endeavors", corroborated Mekael. "We've begun some experiments with our own Elvin citizens, the results seem promising but its too early to tell, and many of us are reluctant to share our finding with the Elves. Since they asked through unofficial channels, any information shared could be misconstrued as treason. However if a more official dialect was established well...

Well you had a lot to to think about to be sure, still it seems a bit soon to jump on all these foreign affiars right away when you haven't even taken care of the kingdom your in charge of yet. Better to put these ideas on the shelf for now and move on to more internal matters, then work on the big picture.