News and Stories from the Vilnius Union

[The Rock Doctor]

September 21, 1928

The motorcade pulled up close to the gangway - very close - and came to a stop.  "Thought for a moment he was going to try driving aboard," Wiktor muttered to Blaszczak.

"Don't give him ideas," the aide replied, equally quietly.  "Ready?"

Wiktor took hold of his cane.  "Ready."

There was a brief pause as they waited for the security detail to satisfy itself that there were no murderous anarchists lurking on the naval pier and then the driver opened the door.  Blaszczak was quick to exit the other way and come round to help in any way necessary, but by now Wiktor had enough experience with cars that he could get in or out fairly easily.  It was just a matter of lining up the hands and legs and using them in the proper sequence.

"Have a good trip, Sir," the driver said, closing the door only when WIktor was well clear of it.

"Thank you, Hans.  See you again in a couple of months," Wiktor replied, and they began a slow, deliberate approach to the gangway as Bug's officers saluted and the ship's band began to play.

September 21, 1928

The recently completed sloop Vechta leads Bug out of Amsterdam and into the English Channel, where the two work up to a cruising speed of eighteen knots. 

Wiktor had argued against any kind of showy escort on his journey, and for the most part, he'll get his wish.  Vechta is along in part because she's supposed to be going to the Caribbean anyway and in part so there's a back-up ship in case Bug has some kind of serious issue once underway.

September 26, 1928

For all the hard labor involved in making Bug as user-friendly as possible - and Wiktor noted things like the two small lifts and the elegant yet functional hand-rails in the bathroom - one thing that hadn't been changed was the cruiser's bunkerage.  Built at a time when a range of 10,000 nm at 10 knots seemed large, it meant that Bug would need to make pit stops for oiling if she was to maintain a higher cruise speed while underway.

Between a much more substantial bunker and the installation of geared turbines, Vechta had no such issues, and merely dropped anchor in Punta Delgada's outer roadstead rather than tying up in harbour. 

Still, the short stop would be productive; the Governor and his wife would come aboard for dinner with Wiktor, the Blaszczaks, and a couple of the most senior bureaucrats in the delegation.

September 29, 1928

"That ship just launched an aeroplane," Jadwiga Blaszczak exclaimed, pointing a finger at the receding speck.

"Yeah, some of them can do that," Blaszczak said, leaning against the railing. 

"I didn't know that.  Where's it going?"

"Probably just going to fly out ahead and see what's happening."

"I mean where's it going to land?"

"Oh," Blaszczak said.  "On the water, dear, next to the ship.  They'll hoist it back onboard."

"My goodness," she remarked.  "What will they think of next?"

"Well, Prince Ali's an aviator.  Go ahead and ask him if you get the chance.  I dare you."

October 4, 1928

Johannestadt is still cleaning up from Tropical Storm Dietrich as the two ships tie up in the naval harbour for another round of refueling.

The storm wasn't super-serious by hurricane standards.  Some electrical and telephone lines came down, roofs were damaged, low-lying areas suffered minor flooding, some trees were uprooted.  No deaths have been reported on the island itself. 

Things aren't quite as happy at sea, though, as several fishing boats are reported overdue and suspected to have been caught by the storm to the northwest of the island.  A number of Union warships and patrol vessels are now searching for survivors or debris in that area, and Vechta had contributed by launching both her planes as the two ships drew within range on their approach.

Once again, Wiktor will be hosting a small dinner gathering.  This time, the Governor and wife are being joined by the senior naval and army officers on station and their wives, as well as Komandor Porucznik De Vries.  The sloop commander plays it very safe, says very little, and manages not to do anything embarrassing before escaping back to the safety of his command.

October 5, 1928

Now Wiktor's wish for a no-frills voyage are over-ruled by national security considerations.  Bug and Vechta sortie with the armored cruiser Straznik, light cruiser Svir, four torpedo-boats, and the oiler Mirim, whose maximum speed dictates the formation's overall cruising speed to the Caribbean entrance of the Trans-Eryka Canal.

After entering the Pacific on the 8th, the entire formation puts into Bannaba to oil once again.  This time, the on-board entertaining is replaced with a staff meeting with the squadrons' captains and Kontradmiral Cech and his senior staff.  "Statistically, the odds of the Mayans doing something bellicose is low but never zero," notes the former commanding officer of OZW Ulan.  "We have five aircraft to keep aloft for scouting purposes, so there's a good chance we'll have some warning if we're going to encounter a greeting party during the long cruise up their coast."

The upshot is that the Union's response will depend on what Mayan ships, if any, are encountered.  If they make it a thousand miles without sighting anything, the oiler will top up Bug and the torpedo-boats before she and Vechta turn around and return to Bannaba.  If a problematic Mayan response is observed, the oiler and the sloop may break off earlier and then the rest of the squadron will work up to thirty knots and try to shake off the Mayans. 

"That would leave us watching our bunkers and perhaps putting into the nearest Aztec port for another refueling," Cech noted.  "And technically it would throw off our schedule, but then we can run the last segment at whatever speed Bug can sustain to make it up."

"It seems like a fast oiler would be a useful thing to have along," Wiktor observed.

"There've been arguments to that effect, but it hasn't resulted in funding," Cech replied.  "If you wish to lend an opinion at some point, I would be totally onboard with that."

October 10, 1928

The squadron goes to action stations upon spotting an approaching aircraft.  Clearly Mayan, it circles at a distance for half an hour and is transmitting a coded message via wireless before disappearing off to the east.

October 11, 1928

Additional Mayan aircraft are observed in the morning, and a destroyer-like vessel appears after noon, trailing the squadron at what Cech considers to be a reasonable distance.  The destroyer doesn't interfere with underway refueling operations, and doesn't appear to notice Mirim and Vechta leaving formation during the night.

October 13, 1928

Come afternoon, the Mayan shadow breaks off and steams east. 

October 17, 1928

Flanked by the four torpedo-boats, the light cruiser Svir leads Bug and Straznik into San Diego...

[The Rock Doctor]

Arriving in Acupolco on a delightful October afternoon, Straznik and her flotilla returned Aztec salutes and dropped anchor or tied up as directed by the local pilots.  While sailors had already enjoyed time ashore in San Diego, there was no lack of enthusiasm for more leave in this lovely port.

"It goes without saying that I expect the best behaviour from every man," Kontradmiral Cech said to his command staff.  "This is a high profile visit, with our own crown prince, two sets of foreign dignitaries, and likely plenty of local people of interest.  Any man who fucks this up will receive a keelhauling delivered by me, personally, and I will spend the remainder of the cruise researching the absolute most miserable deployment the fleet can give him after I throw him out of my squadron.  Is that clear?"

"Clear, sir, aye," his commanding officers replied in unison. 

"Good.  Steward, close and dog the hatch now, alright?"

Cech's steward turned and made the short walk to the hatch and closed them off from the remainder of the cruiser.

"Thank you," Cech said.  "This is not to leave the room, gentlemen.  I received a coded dispatch stating that an attempt was made on the lives of the royal party while in Arizona.  None of our people were seriously injured, but the dispatch indicated possible Mayan involvement.  On that basis, I want to do a signal check about our return voyage to Bannaba."

"Are we expecting reinforcements, Sir?" his flag captain asked.

"At this time, we are not," Cech replied.

"Sir, does that mean Wilno is not expecting trouble?" one of the torpedo-boaters inquired.

"I think more likely it's a combination of not wanting to make a visible fuss and not necessarily having time to sortie reinforcements before our anticipated departure," Cech said.

"Seventeen hundred nautical miles to Bannaba," Svir's captain mused.  "We could run it at eighteen knots but that wouldn't leave a lot of reserve for Bug and the small boys to run at flank for any reasonable period." 

"There really aren't many significant Aztec harbours south of here to refuel at," the flag captain added.  "Can we re-summon the oiler?"

"It's more likely than getting more cruisers," Cech nodded.

"Sir, I'd be inclined to just make a dog leg.  Go wide around the Mayan coast, stay out of aircraft range," Bug's commander spoke up.  "It's slower, but the Mayans will have a lot more difficulty finding us outside land-based air range"

"They will," Cech nodded. 

"We can request that Mirim be available at specific coordinates if we want the option to top-up for the final approach to Bannaba," the flag captain said.

"I like the sound of that," Cech agreed.  "Maybe next time I'll ask for an aircraft carrier.  Wouldn't mind more spotters than we have."

"Oh, God, Sir, it's not so drastic we need one of those tubs riding along," Svir's commander grimaced.

Cech chuckled.  "Alright, have a dog-leg course plotted up with oil usage estimates.  We'll arrange to sortie about three hours before local sunset so we're away from prying eyes when we tweak our course further out to sea."

[The Rock Doctor]

1 January 1929

The armored cruiser Rajtar is laid down at the Voss und Blohm yard in Hamburg.

A more traditional AC than the preceding Straznik class, she's better protected and a little faster, but her main battery is four two-gun 250mm mountings of a new type, rather than Straznik's 300mm weapons.  These are clearly not cruisers of the line, and would be theoretically at risk to enemy cruisers of the line, but it was felt that the navy needed some (relatively) expendable medium cruisers for trade defence purposes.

To that end, the navy's doing what it hasn't done since the construction of the Angstrom class battleships in the early 1910s:  Laying down units faster than once per year.  Careful budgeting - with specific units planned around the completion of the carrier Centaury and then the battleship Gadolin - will allow four units to be started at six-month intervals.  It will make for a tight, no-frills program in 1930, and perhaps 1931, but the navy very much wants a decent complement of armored cruisers in the Atlantic and soon.

2 January 1929

Further north, in Stockholm, a small crowd gathers under near-blizzard conditions for the laying down of the aircraft carrier Smok.

The second of two Centaury class ships - the lead unit happens to be fitting out just a few hundred metres away, in fact - she'll carry up to 35 aircraft once completed, with a hull protected against light cruiser fire and the legs to keep away from most such threats.  The general expectation is that the class will be employed as fleet scouting and air-defence units alongside the Home Fleet, at least until newer, larger carriers come along in the 1930s. 

3 January 1929

At Kiel, the icebreaker Falster is laid down with very little fuss, although a tiny yet enthusiastic delegation of citizens from the namesake island have made the journey to commemorate the event in person.

One of two new medium icebreakers being built over the next year, she'll replace the aging Sjalland, which entered service just before the turn of the century.  While the two ships are similar in displacement, Falster's machinery is twice as powerful and her design more effective in breaking and clearing ice.  She will also carry a greater set of tools, including a Huelsmeyer device, to help her keep Baltic shipping moving safely.

Budgeting precludes any immediate efforts to replace the slightly less ancient Oland class ships, and there seem to be conflicting ideas about what those replacements should be, anyway.  While something akin to the earlier Helgoland class would be similar in capability and suitable for most conceivable circumstances, there are factions in the government arguing that a heavier capability would be desirable for particularly harsh winters.  This is something they'll get to argue for a while yet.

[The Rock Doctor]

11 January 1929

After several weeks of semi- to un-informed rumors and news stories, the House of Vasa confirms that the wedding of Prince Wiktor to Lady Aspas of the House of Suren will take place on Saturday, May 18, 1929.  The venue will be the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus of Vilnius, in the capital city.

The House of Vasa and various security organizations are already working out the logistics of the day's proceedings, with the attempted assassination of Wiktor expected to result in a much heavier street presence than has previously been the case. 

Bookmakers are offering odds on where the newly married couple may honeymoon.  The current favorite bet is the Azorez, although the summer palace in Stockholm also has a lot of takers.  A few bold souls have taken very wide odds of a honeymoon in far off Srebrny Rzeki or friendly but foreign destinations like the Aztec Sultanate.  Betting will likely close in April, given that movement of one or more imperial yachts closer to the wedding date would tip off betters.

22 February 1929

The Grand Admiral of the Vilnius Union Navy prevails - for now - in a battle to prevent funding of a 500mm/45 naval artillery piece. 

Hawkish members of the government had been pressing for such research to proceed for the past year, citing the gun's potential as a shore bombardment weapon, as a showpiece for Union technological prowess, and even as a possible means of launching small items into space, although nobody has been able to cite a tangible benefit to that other than as a sort of nationalistic flag-waving thing.

The navy pushed back by noting the extreme expense and difficulty of installing a useful number of 500mm/45 guns in a warship capable of using Union ports and canals; by inviting some of the same Sejm members to be aboard the monitor Zugspitze to experience her comparatively small 450mm/45 gun firing and its effects on ship and crew; and by noting the risk of setting off additional, potentially expensive, super-cannon development races with other major powers. 

For the moment, a compromise has been reached that the navy will produce updated 400mm and 450mm guns for possible inclusion in the next class of battleships or cruisers of the line, which could be laid down as early as 1931.

[The Rock Doctor]

27 February 1929

"Was there mail?" Hanna asked as her husband stepped inside their little Wilno flat.

"A few things, yes," Maxim said, then coughed. 

"That still bothering you, then?"

He nodded.  "Better than yesterday, think I'll live."

"I hope so," she replied.  "Dinner's ready.  I'll dish up."  It was just the two of them now, with the children having grown up and moved out - Witold, the youngest, had just left to begin his compulsory military service after Christmas - so dinners had become a little simpler.  Tonight she was dishing out bowls of mushroom soup, to go with small plates of sausage and boiled potatoes.  "Any mail from the children?" she called out.

"Ah, no," Maxim called back.  "There's the receipt for this month's rent...a pamphlet from...who are these people...oh, Anarchists."

"Oh, as if we're going to support those criminals!  I haven't forgotten wrestling with that man who tried to kill the prince last year!  He could have shot me too!  It'll be a cold day in hell before I even read their smut.  Toss it in the fireplace right this moment," she commanded before bringing the soup bowls over to the table.

"Yes, dear," Maxim said.  "That looks good."

"Just as you like it," she said.  "I'll be right back with the rest.  You want something hot to drink?"

"Tea would be lovely."

She returned to the little kitchen and filled the kettle.  "Anything else?"

"In the mail?  Yeah, there's something addressed to you..."

"Open it up, I'll look at it when I get there."

"Yes, dear.  It's from...the House of Vasa?  Why on earth would they..." he trailed off.

Hanna turned on the gas burner, set the kettle down, and grabbed the plates, taking quick, corrective action to avoid her knife tipping off the side.  "What is it?"

He didn't answer.

She set the plates down on the table and looked up to see her husband staring, mouth gaping open, at an ornate, gold-embossed card in his hands.  "What is it?" she repeated.   

"We..." he started, then coughed and handed her the wedding invitation.

[The Rock Doctor]

OOC:  It can be assumed that the Union's friends - Parthian and Aztec, of course - and other reasonably friendly/not-unfriendly powers receive an invite, though I really have no idea whether any of the Indian powers would send somebody, for instance.  I guess there were a few acquaintances made in Parthia.

[The Rock Doctor]

15 March 1929

Construction is underway at some major industrial sites in and around the city of Nieupoort, on the eastern seaboard of North Eryka.

These include a bauxite refinery and a zinc smelter, which is ironic since none of the commodities involved are actually mined in the city.  The bauxite comes from several different sites around Zwiazek Erica Polnocnej, the zinc from a historical district a little way southwest of the port, and the coal that fuels the processing facilities comes from the enormous deposits in the Apalachen Mountains that lie inland.

What matters, though, is that the railway network of Zwiazek Eric Polnocnej was originally built with Nieupoort as its focal point on account of the city's port facilities, and Nieupoort is the seat of the territory's financial sector, so the city is literally where everything comes together to make a major export sector practical. 

It's not to say that commodities aren't produced and export through other port on the Atlantic coast - phosphates are being shipped out of Yamacrawstadt and there's talk of one of the zinc producers building a smelter there - but not on the transformative scale that Nieupoort is witnessing.  It's the start of genuine industrialization in the territorial capital.



OOC:  Note that the enclave funding in earnest takes place in 2/29 but realistically it's happening over a long period of time.

[The Rock Doctor]

28 March 1929

While anchored in the Eko lagoon in Orimirilandia, the colonial cruiser Pocomoke is rocked by a powerful internal explosion and sinks within minutes. 

29 March 1929

The Vilnius Union Navy directs all overseas stations to increase their alert status until the situation in Eko is better understood.

At Eko itself, a fairly rapid response by Union torpedo-boats and civilian craft had resulted in the rescue of 93 officers and men from the water around Pocomoke.  A call goes out through the city for any crewmen on shore leave or duty to report for muster and that brings in another 42 men over the course of the day.  That leaves 78 crew unaccounted for.

A dive team hastily gathered from the monitor Attakulla is dispatched into the water.  This is feasible since the lagoon is shallow enough that Pocomoke's upperworks are still above water.  On the other hand, there's limited diving equipment and only two men can be in the water at a time. 

They report hearing no sounds indicating survivors within, which is not unexpected:  Survivors have reported that the ship was not closed up at all and would not likely have had any sealed compartments at the time of the explosion.  On the one hand, this means no expectation of further survivors; on the other hand, there is no agony of trying to reach trapped survivors, either.

The divers make a cursory swim around the hull to look for damage.  They find a gaping hole on the starboard side, along the waterline, not far from the aft 150mm gun. The gun itself is reported to be intact.

30 March 1929

At an emergency meeting of the Cabinet in Wilno, the general consensus of military and intelligence experts is that Pocomoke's loss could be an act of sabotage...but probably isn't.  The key argument for sabotage is the unexplained explosion.  The key arguments against sabotage are:

-Lack of an obvious perpetrator, given that Eko is across the ocean from Maya and the various African neighbours seem to be well-behaved.

-Lack of any further reports of follow-up activities that might have been intended to take advantage of the sinking.

-The fact that it was a 2,200 t colonial cruiser of dubious value, and not the much larger and more lethal monitor Attakulla which was affected.

Heightened security measures remain in effect in Union bases, however. 

31 March 1929

Attakulla's dive team goes in the water to inspect their own ship, finding no evidence of explosives or attempted sabotage. 

A gunner's mate succumbs to his injuries, bringing the death toll to 79 dead and/or missing presumed dead.

2 April 1929

The Union Navy cancels heightened security measures at its overseas bases.

The submarine rescue ship Okon and the sloop Otto Bismarck are dispatched with an investigative team aboard.  Okon clearly has the technical capabilities to support dives and limited salvage work, but the Bismarck has extra accommodation for other experts and investigators to use as a base once they arrive on station...

[TacCovert4]

May 12th, 1929:

With a Vilnius Navy sloop in tow, HMS Sol smoothly motored into Kalinin, her big marine diesels shutting down in sequence, bow wave disappearing as she comes down from 25kts a leisurely pace for the final few miles into harbor.  Compared to the chunky merchants and liners, Sol's sleek cruiser lines and spacious superstructure painted brilliant white, her gun mounts painted in Gold, the royal yacht cuts a striking figure. 

Once pierside, the aft crane swings, bay doors opening on the vehicle bay, and a convertible touring car is rolled out and checked over before being hoisted onto the pier.  Prince Ali strides down the gangplank in a simple summer suit, his valet and batman in tow as the crew offloads his luggage into the second, larger touring car, complete with driver.  Ali goes towards the driver seat of the lead car only to be politely yet firmly waved off by one of his two other shadows, a Seal Warrior from the ship, pistol on his hip.  The other shadow, in a light brown suit with a bead decorated jacket, walks to the passenger door, his tomahawk and pistol stuffed in his belt.  The attempt on Wiktor, combined with the attempt on Ali, had resulted in his gaining two members to his entourage, though he still maintained some control of his fate, as was obvious by having an Apache Ranger rather than the usual phalanx of Eagle Warriors that normally protected the Royal Family. 

A couple of hours later, both cars arrived in Vilnius, at the Aztec Embassy, depositing their charges.  One car then went back to retrieve the members of the trade mission, the nearly empty yacht an excellent opportunity for the foreign ministry to send several replacement diplomats, as well as a few representatives of industry who wished to meet with their Union counterparts in the interest of business.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Later..

Proceeding carefully behind the pilot Sloop so as to avoid disruption to the fishermen and mercantile trade, the two Royal Nissean cruisers and their ward, the liner Gedrosia  steamed across the Baltic to their destination. The two cruisers anchored in the the roadstead, but the liner paused to take on board a pilot and then proceeded slowly into the harbor. Arrived before them, the glorious gold-chased Aztec Royal Yacht Sol, sat shining in the sun.  The Sol had passed them quite a long time ago, at an impressive clip, a cheery horn marking the passage.  The master of the Gedrosia had decided that while the harbor geometry would allow him to come to the dock unassisted, it would be a horrid time to overestimate his own abilities in a harbor he had never visited, so tugs were summoned to come along side and assist in docking.

Suitably berthed, the passengers - the Bride Aspas Suren- and her family of House Suren, the Princess Royal Shirin, and scions of each of the other Seven Great Houses, all made their procession off the vessel, to find a eminently suitable reception at the dockside. There Shirin was pleased to find her Ali had indeed arranged to be present. 

[TacCovert4]

Ali stands there as the procession begins, foot on the running board of his car, hands in the pockets of his summer weight goatskin flight jacket with a new patch, a peregrine falcon, a raptor of both Azteca and Parthia. His heart quickens a beat when Shirin appears on the gangplank to walk down.  Quickly alighting from the car, he opens the door of the convertible for His princess, his shadows silently driving the couple behind the brides procession to Vilnius.

[The Rock Doctor]

12-13 May 1929

Guests for the royal wedding are beginning to arrive. 

Royalty is met by royalty.  The Parthian delegation is received by King Gunther, Queen Christine, and Queen Sophie.  Queen Sophie had also been on hand to receive Prince Ali some hours earlier.  Other, lesser royalty are received by Princess Maria or Prince Carol, the late king's sister and brother respectively; they don't usually get involved in royal duties these days but Wiktor is obviously not being used here and Princess Marie (no confusion intended) is with child again.

Non-royalty are met by the Prime Minister or a minister of his cabinet, depending on their ranking. 

14 May 1929

This is a day of informal relaxation for the very important guests.

For the officials and attendants of the House of Vasa and House Suren, it's a long and busy day of confirming logistics and timetables that have been pulled together via telegram and letter over the past few months. 

The streets around the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus of Wilnius are closed off to public access as the city constabulary and the military begin establishing a security cordon.  Crews also arrived to engage in any necessary road work, repairs, or cleaning that may be necessary, and authorized film crews are permitted to confirm where they'll set up their cameras.

15 May 1929

Union royals are born and baptized Catholic, and the wedding itself will be fairly traditionally Catholic, but some steps have been made to accommodate Parthian traditions.  Today, the third day before the wedding, is the time for ritual gift-giving, or Adarni.  This involves Queen Christine, Queen Sophie, and Princess Marie (who says she is "up to this") traveling over to visit Lady Aspas' immediate family at their temporary accommodations.  She's lavished with a wide range of gifts ranging from amber and emerald jewelry to carvings and sculpture and of course some of the finest chocolate from Orimirilandia.

Both queens are at their best behaviour, and Princess Marie has a pretty good time in spite of the fact that her baby is active and kicking throughout.

16 May 1929

On the streets, Union security personnel undertake a dress rehearsal of the entire wedding process, including everybody's arrival and departure. 

Queen Sophie hosts a gala for 140 of the most highly ranked guests in the Great Hall of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.  This is the first time Wiktor is permitted to be directly involved in the festivities.  He's still using his Aztec-made cane, and does not dance, but does visit with basically everybody in attendance. 

17 May 1929

Accompanied by heavy security, the immediate wedding party arrives at the Cathedral Basilica for a wedding rehearsal.  While theoretically low-key, several dozen members of the press and an estimated two thousand citizens line the security perimeter to watch and cheer the procession. 

Prince Wiktor has three groomsmen.  To absolutely nobody's surprise, Kapitan Jan Blaszczak is his best man.  His younger brother-in-law is also a groomsman, as is Lady Aspas' brother Reza.  Neither man has a significant role to play in the service, but one represents Union high society and the other the Parthian great houses.

Lady Aspas' bridesmaids are longtime friend and confidente, Mitra Anvarian; her sister Shadi; and Jadwiga Blaszczak.  The inclusion of Mrs. Blaszczak, a commoner, is a matter of no small controversy in parts of the Union press.  However, Lady Aspas had specifically asked that she participate in the ceremony, in part because there was a pre-existing friendship and in part because it meant at least one of her bridesmaids would be a grizzled veteran of Catholic weddings and would be able to quietly direct traffic and liase with her husband if necessary.

Wiktor's young nephews are in attendance to help Lady Aspas with the train of her Jâmâ-pichhoir.  His niece Edyta will carry a large bouquet of flowers.  There is no ring-bearer on this particular occasion; Kapitan Blaszczak will have them on hand, and Mrs. Blaszczak will make damned sure that he does.

Meanwhile, King Gunther, Queen Christine and Queen Sophie host a much larger gala for several hundred of the closest guests in the Great Hall.  This includes a huge feast, performances by musicians and artists from the Union and its overseas territories, and Parthia, dancing and merriment.

Tomorrow is the big day.

[TacCovert4]

May 16th,

Ali arrives, meeting Shirin,  dressed in his white tie as appropriate to the occasion by European standards.   With him is his shadow, though Chief Mangas is definitely the more elaborate sight, in a suit, but with an eagle feather adorned vest and headdress.   After some quiet discussion with Wiktor's guards,  Mangas approaches.   "On the occasion of your wedding,  the Apache People present you with this" he says, drawing a Lance out of the cloth bag it had been sheathed in.  "I know not if it is the same lance that counted coup on you in battle, but all the lances of the Comanche have been surrendered." The lance is highly decorated with colorful leather and feathers, tipped with a razor sharp blade the size of a man's hand.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Shirin Arshakuni of House Arascid, who's official list of titles was wearisome long, had succeeded in merely being announced as 'Princess Royal' and slipping to Prince Ali's side. While Uncle Sanatuck's infirmity had spurred her sudden attendance at the Royal Coronation, now she had time for the courtiers to better attire her in distinctly Parthian clothing, but with details nodding to Wilno fashion sensibilities (and weather) and a color palate chosen to match Ali's.  Shirin's role here was to support, witness and honor her girlhood friend's marriage.

The Seven Parthian Great Houses - Suren, Zik, Spandiyah, Mihran, Karen, Varaz, and Ispandbudah; were the Parthian equivalent of Princely and Grand Dukes,  and House Suren was the Eldest and most powerful next to the Royal Arascids. Rulers of the Parthian Southeast, House Suren had ruled most of what was now Rajasthan. While that had long ago been lost during the Muslim expansion, with the Rajput families forming from intermarriage of House Suren and local nobles, giving rise to the Sidosian dynasty of Rajasthan.   Mercantile links and demanded continuing interaction over the centuries, with the silk road from China to India had meandered through their passes, while the maritime route connected at the mouths of the Indus. This continuing interaction led to both fighting and marriages over the time, and of all the Parthian houses, House Suren had the closest ties to Rajasthan.

Thus it was that Pacores Suren, Head of House Suren, was pleased to see delegates of each of the Great Houses come to pay their respects at his daughters wedding. Relations with Rajasthan had been long been tense, but the last time Parthia invaded had been a generation ago, and House Suren had prodded the Imperial family to improve relations, so Pacores was deeply gratified as the presence of the Sidosian Royal delegation.  This was occasion to ensure that the Sidosians were properly introduced to the Great Families, the Princess Royal, and the Aztec Crown Prince. While marriage into a foreign High Noble family was always desirable, the Royal House of Wilno was one of the leading families of the globe.  While aware that this was merely a bonus,  as his daughter had found a good man that made her happy, for the scion of the family, it was still a nice bonus, and to have such local luminaries make the long trip for the wedding of his daughter was a matter of respect that gave Pacores much pride.

For Aspas Suren, the status of the family was not relevant, but rather the person she had found in Wiktor. Thoughtful, artistic, steady, a strong sense of self and a deep individual, she was delighted to have found him and looked forward to the future with him. While neither she nor Wiktor had need for a grand and glorious wedding, the trappings attendant on her status - and his- meant they could not entirely escape with a minimal ceremony.

[The Rock Doctor]

May 16th,

Ali arrives, meeting Shirin,  dressed in his white tie as appropriate to the occasion by European standards.   With him is his shadow, though Chief Mangas is definitely the more elaborate sight, in a suit, but with an eagle feather adorned vest and headdress.   After some quiet discussion with Wiktor's guards,  Mangas approaches.   "On the occasion of your wedding,  the Apache People present you with this" he says, drawing a Lance out of the cloth bag it had been sheathed in.  "I know not if it is the same lance that counted coup on you in battle, but all the lances of the Comanche have been surrendered." The lance is highly decorated with colorful leather and feathers, tipped with a razor sharp blade the size of a man's hand.

"Thank you.  I'm honored," Wiktor replied, a bit surprised at this gesture.  "Please convey my gratitude to the Apache people."

"Good thing the user was content to tap your noggin," Kapitan Blaszczak murmured when the two of them were momentarily alone.

"I'll second that," Wiktor replied.  "Wonder if the user died that day or still tells stories about me..."