The Treaty of Connaissance Part Three

Cardinal Pujols cleared his throat, "If I may be so bold?" He looked at each of the leaders. Even Emily sat back down and deferred to the old man. He looked specifically at King Andrew, "There is a much easier answer to the concerns raised here today. A formal alliance treaty. You all keep your sovereignty, but you agree to mutual defense and trade treaties that effectively make you separate but equal partners in a greater nation. You will come together at a table like this instead of sending troops when a minor issue arises between your people. The Church has several nations working under such treaties on the west coast and I can tell you, they have grown much stronger because of it."

King Andrew's face brightened and then he asked, "My Kingdom has been in dispute with the Holy Chadtom Empire for hundreds of years over certain territories along the Muliwai, with a treaty like this, would we finally be able to settle this dispute?"

Cardinal Pujols nodded and said, "The simple answer is, yes, as part of the treaty you will be able to settle all of your old grievances fairly. Also, you will be able to work out fair resource sharing treaties."

King Andrew nodded, "How will our soldiers gain experience without the real battle experiences of fighting between our nations?"

Cardinal Pujols nodded and then said, "The Coastal Nation Alliance is not allied with the nations around its border. When one of their member nations comes in conflict with its neighbor, all of the member nations take action together."

King Andrew's eyes opened wide. He rubbed his chin and then asked, "And if one of the member nations wants to wage a war of conquest?"

Cardinal Pujols nodded and said, "You will be on your own unless the other member nations want to join you. You'll be in a mutual defense pact, any offensive actions would have to be negotiated separately if you want assistance."

King Andrew sat back with a shocked look on his face, "I want this. I want in on this, can we also talk about arms sales?"

Darius chuckled and shook his head, "The Kingdom of Fursia is also willing to participate in such a treaty."

Polo looked at Emily and said, "I would very much like to be part of this Alliance."

Emily frowned slightly and then said, "Very well, the City of Connaissance will participate in this Alliance because it aligns with our core values and goals. I will give one warning out front. We will not endorse the attack on any sovereign nation for the sake of its leader's desire for expansion. We will only fight defensively."

*****

The doctor scowled at the two women in front of him, "Dancing." He flicked them both in the forehead, "What part of no strenuous activity is dancing, again?"

They both rubbed the sore spot on their forehead and Emily spoke up, "I am the head of the City and she is a Princess, attending a party or two is normal for us."

The doctor slammed his little black bag closed, "What would I know, I'm just a doctor?"

Emily blushed hard from embarrassment as Teslaimia spoke up, "Was everything alright?"

The doctor nodded, and said, "This time? Yes. No more dancing. Both of you. You need to treat this seriously if you want your shoulder to heal without a horrendous scar, baby that wound. Stay inside, rest. It's only a month." He turned to Emily, "And you! You had a traumatic brain injury. The more you run around overworking yourself the longer it will take to heal and could lead to permanent motor function loss. That is to say, you'll need to keep using that cane."

Both women looked down trying not to make eye contact with him. He couldn't help chuckle a little before remembering to stay professional. "Right, I should be able to remove those stitches at the end of this week. I'll come by your embassy to do the work since I am not normally in the hospital on Mondays."

Teslaimia shook her head and said, "I live with Emily, come to ten Park Avenue, unit one hundred, on the top floor."

The doctor raised an eyebrow, "Very well, I suppose that will work as well. I can check up on my other problem patient at the same time. I assume there will be guards? Do I need a pass of some sort?"

Teslaimia shook her head, "We will notify them that you are coming over."

*****

Claude took King Andrew's cloak and then asked, "Good news then, Your Highness?"

King Andrew looked at Claude and nodded, "More than I ever could have hoped, in fact. No one agreed with my proposal. In fact, they all immediately backed Emily instead."

Claude looked at the King with a slightly odd expression, "Forgive me for asking, Your Majesty, wouldn't that be bad news?"

King Andrew laughed and then said, "Ordinarily? The worst. This meeting went differently than I expected because Emily invited chief Cardinal Pujols. The Cardinal proposed that we all join into a formal alliance. A mutual defense and trade treaty. The treaty of Connaissance. It allows for each member nation to have the full military backing of the others excluding wars of conquest with the individual nations having the option to join if they so decide. That sly old fox Darius and I have been chomping at the bit to acquire territory in what used to be the Fursian empire which is now the nation of Inja. The two of us have already agreed in principle to an invasion plan."

Claude looked surprised, "The southern defense?"

King Andrew nodded, "With this agreement, Emily and Polo will provide for my defense allowing me to take my entire army into Inja."

Claude smiled and said, "And your personal relationship with your niece?"

King Andrew sighed and said, "She hasn't had me assassinated, so I'll consider that the best that I can hope for at least for the foreseeable future."

*****

"Chief Cardinal Gibson, are you sure that this is what Cardinal Pujols would have wanted?" One of the group of Cardinals wearing black and red gathered in the small office spoke up.

Without looking up from his work the older man chuckled, "Each of us is not guided by the whims and wishes of our Hanstonly peers, but by the words of Lord Léon Jean Reno. It is through him that we are all granted the wisdom to guide the people of Hanston and deliver them to the peace and prosperity of the afterlife. Glory be unto his name!"

"The entirety of the Inquisition along with the forces belonging to ten countries that have agreed to join us in crusade will sweep through the northern pass and put the heathens down." Another one of the group said.

Cardinal Gibson smiled and said, "Saint Pujols gave his life to redeem the sins of these heathens. They will find eternal peace and protection in the next life. You mustn't be concerned with their fate any longer."

A young man in white robes burst through the door, "Your Eminence, a letter from Cardinal Pujols has arrived! He has sent a request for money and staff!"

Cardinal Gibson's face twisted from smug worldliness to bitter distaste, "What? What did you just say? Give me that letter at once!" He cried out, "Who all has seen this letter? Nevermind..." he cleared his throat and read out loud, "Robert, I hope this letter finds you well. I have established a new branch of the Church in the City of Connaissance. The weather is nice here, the people are wonderful and the food is excellent. I have decided to make this my new home. Send me a clerk, and two priests. If possible, at least two attractive young nuns. Also, have them bring at least one million Sprite. I need to purchase some things here for our new branch and it's very expensive to live here. Signed, His Eminence, Chief Cardinal Pujols."

One of the men in the group of Cardinals cleared his throat, "Perhaps, stopping the invasion force now would be a good idea."

Cardinal Gibson's eyes read the letter over and over, "I...Yes, yes, quickly send the messenger before it's too late." Cardinal Gibson walked over to the window, "I'll be going to Connaissance as well, prepare my procession at once, also bring the things his Eminence requested."

One of the Cardinals spoke up, "There's one more matter we still have to settle in the north. That new Cardinal in the Windsor Kingdom. He has been calling for an inquisition against the Windsor Kingdom, he also excommunicated the entire Kingdom because their King never met with him personally due to a series of events that were not under the new King's control."

Cardinal Gibson turned to the others and said, "All those in favor of reducing this Cardinal back to the rank of Priest say, Aye."

"Aye." All of the voices sounded at once.

"Those opposed, would anyone care to make an argument?" The Cardinal waited for a few minutes and then said, "I will meet with Chief Cardinal Pujols if he is determined to stay in the north I will take the position as Cardinal of the Windsor Kingdom and make arrangements for the holy Cathedral in their Capitol to become our new temporary seat of power."

"And if the inquisition armies aren't stopped in time?" Another Cardinal asked.

"Let's pray that they are stopped and that I don't have to personally answer for such a sin to Lord Léon Jean Reno in my time of judgment." Cardinal Gibson lowered his head in prayer.

*****

Mabel lazily wiped the counter and sighed, it had been another long day with no customers. The bell on the shop's door rung and a man dressed in black removed his hat as he walked up to the counter, "Is it too late for tea and a scone?"

Mabel smiled and asked, "Of course not, please have a seat. What kind of tea do you drink."

The man smiled, "Tell me, what does Lady Connaissance prefer?"

Mabel thought a moment, "She has tried ever flavor I sell. I think the happiest I saw her was when she tried the jasmine tea. She also preferred my blueberry scone. I don't have any of those today. I only have the plain."

The man nodded, "I would like the Jasmine tea and the plain scone then."

Mabel brought the tea over and plated a scone for him. "I don't think I have seen you around here before. New in town?"

He chuckled, "Me? No, I usually spend my time at the base hospital."

Mabel smiled and said, "A handsome man like you shouldn't be cooped up away from the ladies." She giggled.

He smiled at her and then asked, "Does the Princess often come here with Lady Connaissance?"

Mabel thought for a moment, "She came a few times, but not often, no. I think the one who mostly ever comes here with Lady Connaissance is Captain Alexander."

He raised an eyebrow, "Did it seem like they had a closer than friendly relationship? I seemed to recall reading about something like that in the paper."

Mabel looked and around and then leaned over and said softly, "Lady Connaissance and Captain Alexander were lovers, but he cheated on her with some other girls. That Captain is a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"Interesting." He smiled, "And the Princess, does she have lovers as well?"

Mabel nodded, "Oh, that's for sure. She has dated a lot of the City's elites. She also had a fling with Captain Alexander at one point. Let me tell you, that Captain is the type to bring a girl right up to the bedroom too."

He smiled at Mabel and looked down at her ample cleavage, "Then you and the Captain as well?"

Mabel giggled and gave him a wink, "A lady does not kiss and tell."

"Will you be off soon? I wonder if we could continue this conversation in a more intimate setting?" He smiled.

Mabel blushed and then said, "I'll lock up. I live above the shop in a loft."