Troop of echoes
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The young man wakes between one breath and the next, and sits up. He yawns, stretches, sips from a glass of water on the bedside table. Gets up, draws the curtains. It is still dark outside but the first light of dawn is beginning to spill across the sea far below his window.He barely remembers his dream; something about a party at the palace and applause. He washes the dream away as he performs his morning ablutions - even at this early hour his servant has ensured the water is warmed and there is a fresh towel waiting for him. He pauses for a moment looking at himself in the gold-inlaid mirror. He practices his expressions for a few minutes: appearing somber, appearing amused, appearing angry. Then he dresses, beginning with the simple dragonbone mask that covers the upper part of his face, then a freshly laundered silk under-robe of glorious apricot. He fingers the material, luxuriating in both its texture and its colour. He pulls on a somber black lambswool outer-robe, but belts it only loosely. It gives him a sense of satisfaction that everyone will see how he rejects the funereal garb of the traditionalists, ready to embrace the joy of a nation reborn.In the foyer of his apartments he pauses to pour fresh water and oil into the little basin at the shrine, and scatter black rose petals. Solokah, hands folded before her, wearing the Mask of Peace. The other sorcerer-kings stand behind her, united and solemn. If he feels any particular connection to his alleged ancestor he does not display it in his perfunctory obeisance.The office is quiet. He is the first one there. He relaxes into his chair. The new leather creaks as he tries to settle himself. He is unaccustomed to it, but knows that in time it will come to fit his body like a glove - and if it does not he will simply replace it. He takes a moment to ensure everything is arranged on his desk, positioned just so to convey busy professionalism and subtle power. His eyes stray again to the portraits of the Grand Ilarchs on the wall opposite the desk. Anyone who meets with him will do so under the watching gaze of Kyther. And the others, of course.The only document on his desk is a sealed letter; his secretaries have been chosen for their competence at dealing with the day-to-day demands of his office so this is something that requires his personal attention. He turns it over in his hand, selects the jade-handled golden letter opener. It is from his opposite number in the Empire. It must have arrived during the night. He reads it carefully, writing a few lines on the vellum he keeps for his most important business with a pristine swan's feather quill.While he writes, a servant enters, soft woolen slippers making no noise on the dark carpet. They open the shutters on the window, which faces towards the dawn, to where the sun is rising. The servant refills his water glass from the pitcher, bows, and quietly retreats. The meeting with Grand Ilarch Kyther of Kaban - with the Grand Council rather - has already been arranged and he must be ready to present his summary of the missive. Must be ready to receive his instructions.He pauses for just a moment, though, gazing out at the glorious crimson, topaz, golden light spilling out across the horizon. It sparks a fierce joy in him, reminding him that he at last has everything he ever wanted, that at last he is part of something good and powerful and destined.It's going to be a wonderful day.

Overview
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Axos are signatories to the Liberty Pact, and relations have been slowly improving in recent seasons There have been recent upheavals in both the Axou and Imperial embassies as the ambassadors from both nations have changed

Each season the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the Senate and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate ambassador that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

Imperial relations with the Citadels of Axos are significantly improved over where they were a year ago, in part due to the involvement of Imperial priests in the reclamation of the ruins of Solokha. The Axou remain proud and touchy about their sovereignty and position in the world, however, creating challenges for the Imperial ambassador. They are members of the Liberty Pact, but they know they are only there thanks to the Empire, on the sufferance of the Commonwealth and the Sumaah. In recent months, the small nation to the south of the Mallum is clearly undergoing a level of internal upheaval thanks to the ambitions of Grand Ilarch Kyther. More recently they were rocked by scandal leading to the retirement of the former Ambassador Ilarch Maxatious, the formation of a new Grand Council to guide the nation, and the establishment of a Unified Convocation that seeks to do the same for Axos' disparate religious sects.

At the same time there were upheavals closer to home as long-serving Ambassador Fintan Nighthaven was revoked from his position and condemned by the Imperial Synod. He is succeeded in the position by The Flame of Riqueza of the Brass Coast. In Axos, Maxatious has been replaced by Ilarch Kario Skopos, a scion of the Skopos family of the Chambers of Issyk. At the instruction of the Grand Ilarchs, however, he has renounced his ties to the citadel of his birth for as long as he holds the post. Instead, he is known as Ilarch Skopos of Solokha, signifying his neutrality when it comes to the politics of the citadels. The new ambassador reports directly to the Grand Council and represents their will, and through them the will of their people.

But To Sing
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A formal delegation intends to visit Anvil during the Autumn Equinox They will be received in the Senate around 11.30am on Saturday The delegation expects to speak to the ambassador and renew good relations between the two nations There is talk of other business after the formal delegation

One of the first matters Ilarch Skopos has arranged is the dispatch of a diplomacy envoy to Anvil, to arrive during the Autumn Equinox and renew relations between the Empire and the Citadels of Axos. The delegation expects to be formally received by the new Ambassador in the Imperial Senate; the meeting is scheduled for late morning on Saturday. Kario admits that mostly the delegation is intended to be a little pageantry to mollify some of those looking for an excuse for the Citadels to be annoyed with the Empire; a chance for diplomats from both nations to make some speeches and little else.

Once it's concluded however, it is hoped that there will be chance to discuss a couple of more serious issues specifically relating to the war in the Sarangrave, and to the Liberty Pact. On the matter of the war with the Druj it seems that the Summer visit of Grand Ilarch Dancia Terricos of Ipotavo went well. They spoke with Gabriel Barossa among others, and remain committed to taking action against the Tower of the Skink. it is hoped that there will be someone at the Senate who will be able to speak on behalf of the Imperial Military Council on this joint strategy and any political elements that may need smoothing out.

Liberty
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The Axou are calling a meeting of the Liberty Pact for the Winter Solstice which they will host They plan to use Lashonar's Caucus Forum to do so They are bringing the matter of a recent amendment to the table for voting

In their missive the Imperial Ambassador mentioned that the Empire was considering calling a meeting of the Liberty Pact either in the coming Winter or in Spring next year. This news delights Ilarch Skopos, because it shows that the ambassadors of the two nations are thinking along similar lines. As it happens, Axos is calling a meeting of the Liberty Pact at the Winter Solstice that they will host (as is their right). They are aware that the seas are dangerous, and so have secured the boon of the Caucus Forum from the Midnight Owl. The eternal has assured Ilarch Skopos' office that there will be no problem bringing together representatives from all four nations that are signatory to the Pact in the secure chamber of Night.

The goal of the Axos delegate is to repeal the 384YE amendment that demands all signatories apply a trade embargo to the Principalities of Jarm. They argue that the Second Principle - that signatory nations will place economic or trade sanctions of their own choosing on nations defined as slaving nations - is more than sufficient. The Pact, says Ilarch Skopos, is about ending slavery not about allowing the signatory nations to force their own politics on the other members. The Commonwealth has overstepped and attempted to turn the Pact into a political weapon that distorts its original purpose.

Ilarch Skopos anticipates that the Empire will let his office know if there are any motions the Imperial delegate wishes to place before the Pact for discussion at this meeting, and that the Sumaah Republic and Commonwealth will do the same. One of Skopos' experts on the Liberty Pact will be travelling to Anvil along with the formal delegation and hopes there will be a chance to speak to the Voice of Liberty Jarrigk Silktongue on the upcoming meeting. They apologise for pre-empting the Empire's meeting, but if there is business that is not resolved during the Winter Solstice there will be ample opportunity for the Imperial delegate to call a further meeting. Ilarsh Skopos advises making use of the Caucus Forum, or a similar eternal boon, simply because it makes it much harder for members of other nations to find reasons they cannot attend.

Priests of the Empire you are needed in Solokha once more! The Unified Convocation of Axo