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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3056983" data-attributes="member: 3448">“We can only hope.  If there is anything Canberry can do to assist in her safe recovery, you must let us know,” replied Alistair.  “What of the issue of Queen Thyastis’s succession, long may it be until that day?”<<At least long enough for Princess Anastasia to make it back…>> thought Kit.The ambassador rubbed his chin.  “It is an unclear situation, your grace.  Princess Anastasia is the more competent of the daughters, and a number of the covs and hiercovs prefer competence to the most perfect matrilineal line.  Assuming she returns safely…  the heir-apparent is troubled.  The Temple is unlikely to permit a long discussion over the issue.  Moreover, the Archbishop will not convey the holy blessing upon the heir-apparent.  If she does nothing that would cause her to be interdict before then, the Archbishop will suggest that she step aside into an advisory role.”“Could she resist the Archbishop’s urgings?” asked Dame Brionna.“In other times, perhaps.  But the Archbishop is high in the confidence of the Inquisitor General of Northern Drucien.  The cleansing of certain groups within Hanal was painful.  I do not think she would see fit to question the wisdom of the Archbishop.”“What if Princess Anastasia has not returned, your grace?”  asked Alistair.  “Could the crown then pass to one of the Queen-Empress’s sons, or to one of the heir-apparent’s children?”“Neither is possible, your grace.  The heir-apparent’s children thus far are all feeble-minded.  And while our succession lines favor the males within the noble houses, the imperial line is strictly matrilineal.  A younger daughter could succeed over an elder, but never a son.”<<And with a tradition of each Queen-Empress executing her sisters to eliminate any threats to her reign, the princesses won’t have any female-line cousins who could inherit in their place,>> sent Kit.“So there would be no heir available at all, then.”The ambassador nodded curtly.  “In the short-run, if the heir-apparent has no competent children and the Queen-Empress dies before Princess Anastasia returns, it would mean civil war for three to six months.  Thereafter, the Temple would intervene, and the Holy See would select a successor from the various hiercovs and hiercovates.”“All the more reason for us to search diligently for Princess Anastasia.  In these troubled times, the destabilization of any of the powers of southern Drucien would give far too much advantage to the Skaven.”“I agree, your grace,” replied the Hiercov.  “I am greatly encouraged to hear that you realize that as well.”With the serious conversation largely concluded, the group proceeded with a pleasant dinner, chatting amiably.  At a convenient moment, the Hiercov drew two pieces of parchment from his sleave and casually passed them across to Alistair.  “Her Majesty wished me to pass on these tokens of the coronation gift.  The actual gifts should arrive within six months.”Just as casually, Alistair handed the scrolls off to Dame Brionna, who carefully unrolled them and then tilted them so that Alistair and Kit could see.  The scrolls were the plans for a dreadnought-class voller and an accompanying fleet of six battle-barges.  As Dame Brionna looked over them, her smile took on a slightly rigid appearance.  Why do all of the other major powers have so much more airpower?  We can build a few, but they can give powerful vollers as gifts to their potential allies just to intimidate them.  We need to increase the size of our fleet…Alistair smiled.  “Please convey Canberry’s gratitude to Her Majesty for such a generous gift.”“Of course.”  The Hiercov smiled and continued with his meal.  <<The Archduke conceals his emotions well.  The implication of our power clearly impressed them-- the reaction of the Captain of his Guard showed that clearly.  But there’s no hint of consternation in his expression.  Another thing to bear in mind for future meetings…>>Around 9:30 or 10, as the dessert course wound down, a rap on the door interrupted the dinner.  Dame Brionna opened the door on a very nervous young man in the uniform of a city patrolman.  They conferred briefly in a low voice and then Dame Brionna cleared her throat.  “My lord, I fear that there are matters you should attend to immediately.  My deepest apologies, your grace.”Before Alistair could even begin the ritual apology, the Hiercov stood up from his plate.  “On behalf of the Empire of Hanal, best wishes for your coronation and reign.  And please accept my personal regards and my thanks for the opportunity to begin friendly diplomatic relations.”  He bowed, respectfully but with an awareness that his rank nominally equaled the Archduke’s and exited.</blockquote>

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