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Ruth said, looking at John and Petter. “This are well done, but I am not to sure about it. Yes you need something for each other, but this seems a bit to much. Then these are clearly imports. Is it wise to be supporting them over good local craters? Don’t want to be hurting our own.” She shook her head. “As if the clothes weren’t enough. I do think that it would far better to go with something local.” John said. “All the allies will have sent items for it, so they will all get a bit of promotion. Truly the local work will get more use. None of the jewelers here could match the work on these, and they would be the first to say so. No one is going to offended by it, in fact it could just cause some new lines to come out.” Kat said. “I will fully agree it would have been better if it was not known that I came up with them. All the same few are going to see them closely so it should just cause an up take in sells of matching bracelets. My having given them will get some talk, but it not like rings would work and they did need something to exchange. There should be. Yes! Rememberer. It is family tradition! Grandma and Grandpa were given their wedding bands from Grandpa’s sister who had been traveling. I think they were from Zanisef. They were the first red crystal bands seen here. I am sure that Aunt Jill will be happy to back it. That should help the image a bit. Remind everyone I am John’s sister, even if I a member of some far off court.” Ruth was frowning, but slowly nodded. “Yes. That might help. Still it is. However yes you do have a point. They were from out lands as well. For all I do not like having the reminder. That should do. For all it is still. Yes that will help.” Doug said. “How many times are you going to try and get out of the Coronation? I tell you that it is perfect. You crowning John works a lot better than Wills doing so.” Kat said. “I agree it works in the sense that it should be a sibling, where Petter’s brother is placing his crown. However shortly after that we are going to be reminding everyone that I am in fact the Ambassador for Nightlin. That would be bad enough. Then you need to remember that Akland is there, and they do have contact with an enemy of ours, so know the structurer of the empire. Meaning they know that it is necessary that the Emperor or his representative Crown the rules of the client Nations. I have filled that roll and they do know it. Therefor they are going see not John’s sisters, but the Voice of the Nightlin Emperor. They are going to say that you bowed to to Nightlin. Never mind that is not the case, they are known and their words have power. Granted mostly out of fear, but still it could cause you problems, which are only compounded by giving me the guest of honor seat.” Ruth was upset, Kat wasn’t sure if it was the way she was talking or what she said. “You what? And just? As if the way you dressed. Now this. I do think most would find it hard to believe.” Doug said. “I am not going to change anything. Everyone that matters will have seen the agreement. If they choose to believe Akland, than so be it. It isn’t going to hurt us. Trust me it will all work out, the rumors are going to do more good than harm. Not giving you the gust of honor seat would cause far more upset than any stories will. You are not going to get me to change your mind by saying it again with your parents here. I know that they are upset over the treaty and would prefer it going unseen. That will not be happening. We are glad to have this agreement and are going to make that clear. No matter what stories get started. It is an honor that he, in the stronger position, sent to us asking. That alone is an honor. However, he not only did that, but sent one of deputies. To us. When we are just barely even a speck compared to Nightlin. Yes I know there are others reasons you are here, but that is not how it will look.” Kat shook her head and sat down. “Well I had to try. It truly is going to cause stories. The titles are a pain. I am a commander in the Emperor’s personal guard. For all it is a bit unthinkable to me still. Anyway one time when he needed to be three places at once he empowered me to take his place at a coronation of one of the kingdoms.” Ruth said. “You did what? Here it is family that takes those duties not guards. So yes that is rather unbelievable.” Kat said. “There was no family member that was able to go. His heir was attending to a different matter. Sara might be twenty four, but she is not one to send for anything not involving lace and tea. The next son gave up all royal titles and was in a different country as well. Next is sixteen, and then the youngest is ten. Nether of them were old enough to do the ceremony, but the sixteen year old did go with me. Only to run off with the others her age once we got there, but at least she was there. Still I was the one given the power, and well that was just the first time I acted in his name. My signature on the treaty here is the same as if he signed in himself. It is not just an Ambassador agreement, but a fully binding Treaty. The fifth one I have made. Then there are a few bills that I signed.” That is what it means to be a Voice of the Empire. I have the power to make laws and pass judgment and only the Emperor himself can change them.” Zander said. “So you know the family.” Kat said. “My place in the house there is much like Wills place here. I know them because I am a guard commander. Nothing more and nothing less. I am a titled member of court, I have a seat at their from of the Governors table. That is as close I intended to get get to have a Crown. I am not involved with any of the family. It is still to much to believe. I knew when I went to the school I was joining the guard, and found out fairly fast that I was going to be in a command position. I had a rank by the end of my first year, and yes school ranks hold in the guard. Third year I was knighted for the first time, and that just led to more. Meaning I had that in a number of the lands before Cailm Port meeting. Yes I was there, on stage by chance. I still don’t know why none of the others stepped up when the Commander went down, but they didn’t, so I did. After it was over I was given the position I assumed. That in itself is a court rank, be it a low one. However I was also made a Knight of the Empire, having already been made a knight of the realm. However Mark didn’t think that was enough, said that only covered my taking command not throwing myself in front of the assassin, never mind it was just my job to do so. He made me a Lord of the court, and gave me a seat and vote in the council. It should be, yet it is. All there were knighted, but only four where given Empirical titles.” Ruth shook her head. “I can’t believe where life has led either of you. This is not what any would have seen. I never would have thought any of mine would make a life in the wild lands. However it is a time of change. Still some is best left alone. No need to go courting problems. I am glad you found what you wanted.” Petter said. “We have to change or we won’t grow. Nothing stays still. It is not safe to ignore the world outside the shield that was never meant to be permanent. We should have been learning to live with it not hiding from what can’t be changed. That refuse to try is going to hurt us when the shift happens. When not if. Anyone who has studied the barrier says it is coming, and soon. That the shield has last longer than it was expected to, and no one knows just what that means for us. What we do know is that our rivals have been reach out as we stayed apart. Meaning they are better off than we are right now. Having this treaty is going to do a lot to fix that problem. We are still going to be in danger, but will at least have help to see we don’t fall.” Zander shook his head. “The barrier was built for a reason and no shadows excuse ignoring that fact. However it is done and we have new alias. No matter the danger it creates. We knew all we needed to about the lands. Now though. Yes there is dangers we need to be ready to face so it is good that we have an agreement with those that know them. No matter how it came to be. Now then enough of this. We have other things to talk about. This Coronation is getting messier by the hour. What is this about coroneted court clothes do we need to send letters again?” Ruth said. “No, thank goodness that was just Carlinie and we were able to get it stopped before it grew. Really it would have been a disaster. To think of it. And we have the events trimmed down, but still there are going to be midweek balls. We just can’t get it down from any. So Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. At least it is not every night, that will let us take in the entertainment in the city. It will do good to see us enjoying the free ones, and it will see that those worthy of support find it.” Grace nodded. “We are all so not having a court diner on three of those nights. We are paying the restaurant to provide free meals those two weeks and the court visiting them should see that they do bring out their top dishes not just the standard food. After all this should be a treat for everyone. We can do little to see that is the case in all places, but they will get meals at least and we have sent requests that they use this is a time to show off. Not all the wealthy people will be coming here, so that should see it happens some.” Kat said. “I know that there are arm contests and artistic competitions going in all the cities. I just. Well could open academic tests for scholarships be added? We here are luckily, all have a right to attended city collage for free, but other places don’t have that. Tish could be a chance to change that, to introduce university tests and scholarships for all in the top places on those tests. It is something that I heard often talked about, but it never went beyond talk.” Doug said. “We were going to announce it close to the end of the school year, but doing a test during the weeks would see that it is clear it is open to everyone not just recent graduates. We are at the point now where there is no excuse for ignoring any talent. There are scholarships happening for the trade schools and funding for apprenticeships. It has take a few years but it is happening.” Zander said. “Is this how it is done over there? I can see the value of seeing everyone getting the education they need and this is the fitting time to announce it.” Kat said. “Actually it was a meeting here, about six years ago, that I was refereeing to. Yes there are three empirical scholarships and most nations have there own programs.” She smiled a bit. “Dare I ask?” Ruth looked a bit alarmed. Kat said. “I was taking the place of a guard. I did that anytime there was a meeting I wanted in, or if they needed another person. After those two tricked me into taking the test I saw no reason not to.”