The delegation from The Federated States of Severisen rose in unison. While Ambassador Airickson had been the one to sign the document, a number of other ranking members of Severisen had made the trip to Aelitia to attend the First Urth Convention. Among them were three of the Septenary, the monarchs of the Seven Kingdoms. By convention and custom, at least four of the Septenary stayed in Severisen at all times. The three members of the Septenary in Aelitia were the Raisalon Ahriman Kipling of Westerwolf, Queen Maëlle Desrosiers of Rosesea, and King Sabien Echeverría of Eriford.
The Raisalon was in the winter of his year-long term, and soon a new Raisalon would be elected from amongst the Septenary. It seemed likely that Queen Maëlle would be the next Raisalone, based on the latest inclinations of the monarchs. The Gilded Rose would soon fly over the towers of Aelholt.
“Quite interesting times we live in, aren’t they, Maëlle?” Ahriman asked with a smirk on his face.
“Indeed, they are, Raisalon. It will be quite interesting to see how The Kingdoms will be received by the other nations of Urth. We’ve largely kept to ourselves, running our affairs as we see fit. Perhaps it is time for Severisen to make itself known to the world at large. We hardly even know our neighbors to the north in Xoriet, or to the west in Zeorus, after all, let alone other lands in distant places. Sabien, Ahriman, shall we join the ball?” Maëlle met Ahriman’s smirk with an icy look, sarcasm dripping from her words. The results of this conference would not be as keenly felt by Ahriman, as he’d no longer be Raisalon within the month. She knew this prospect amused him. The vote of the Septenary had been 4-3, with the deciding vote being cast by Ahriman as Raisalon. Maëlle had been one of the monarchs who were hesitant to join such an organization, having hardly established relations with other nations prior to today.
Sabien had also cast his vote against joining the Coalition, and felt it better to observe the organization for the time being. As it were, and as it always was, what the Septenary decided, all accepted. He glanced at Maëlle, and then at Ahriman. “Yes, Maë, let us see what the Aelitians have prepared. I’ve heard rumors from the other delegations of the extravagance that awaits. And Ahri, cousin, try not to gloat too much at your victory tonight, eh?” As always, Sabien spoke in a jovial tone which belied his true inclinations. Relations among the Septenary had become less amicable in recent years. Perhaps Maëlle’s term would see a return to the unity of the Septenary.
The three monarchs headed toward the lobby, flanked by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his deputy, all closely followed by a small security detail. As they met the doors, Ahriman paused a moment and said, in Severise, “Into the deep!” He chuckled to himself as he pushed through and into the hall.
