A Sealed Letter [ATTN: LYON]

A letter, in a white envelope, with a distinct lack of features--indeed, not an outward feature at all, save its seal and a simple instruction--had found its way to the mailbox of a particular Ciltesse. Its seal was obviously Republican; the wax was blue in colour and bore the Republic's identifying letters, LEF, under a stylized warhammer and flanked on both sides by a laurel. In ink, on the letter, was information relating to its addressee. Its stately purpose was obvious.

Upon opening, the letters text, in neatly printed black ink, would be as follows.

Dear Ciltesse,

I write this letter in the hope that we may, in private, as Heads of State, be able to forge a private understanding--a gentleman's agreement, if you will--related to the actions of our two countries in the event of a most unfortunate turn of events on the Solari front.

As you are no doubt aware, the Solari government has made few moves as of late with relation to our country. Though lesser men than yourself would, in our position, find comfort in such ambivalence on the part of a potential threat, I am confident that a man of such political acumen as your own would see the risk presented by a potentially belligerent power taking such an ambiguous stance. I am also confident that you see the potential danger to your Isles in these events. After all, were the Republic to fall to Solari occupation, that Dictatorship's power would be incredible, and it is likely that its isolationist trade policies would begin to strangle your Archipelago's economy, to speak nothing of the unstoppable political and military threat your islands would face. My conclusion is that we ought to stand together against this threat, and that we ought to work together in the event of Solari aggression against either of our countries.

In the event of war, and your acceptance of this agreement, I could arrange for certain withdrawls from the Republican Treasury to be sent discreetly to you. The provision of these payments would be contingent on continued privateering services, provided by Archipelago ships, with orders to attack and disrupt Solari shipping. After each successful kill, they would present, discreetly, some proof of the targeted Solari ship's end as a useful resource for that country, such as the captain's head, a cargo roster, et cetera. The ships, once captured, are yours, and I care not what becomes of them, their cargo, or their crews, so long as they are not used to attack the Republic.

Please inform me of your response to this offer at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Antony Lassale

Ciltesse smiled as he folded the letter. The young captain who had delivered it to him still stood at attention on the far side of the room. Ciltesse called over to her. "Tell me, Aquiel, what is your opinion of the Solarians?" She hesitated, and Ciltesse added, "Be honest. You won't get in trouble for your answer either way."

Aquiel swallowed. "I've never much liked them," she admitted. "It's not for any particular reason... although I suppose that, having done a trade run for them once, I was struck by how miserly the merchant who paid me was. Coin seemed to stick to his fingers."

"A good answer," said Ciltesse, satisfied. “In that case, take the Blue Eagle out to sea. Find a Solarian ship—it doesn’t matter whether the merchant is wealthy or not. Do what you see fit with the captain and the crew, but make sure that the cargo manifest finds its way to me. Do this, and you can keep the ship. Do we have a deal?”

Aquiel’s eyes gleamed with greed and fervor. Another ship would greatly increase her political and trade power: although the Great Captains, such as Marin, usually had five or more ships under their command, having one more would elevate Aquiel above most of the lower nobility. “Yes, my lord,” she said.

“About your business, then,” said Ciltesse, in obvious dismissal. He bared his chest and throat, and upon having Aquiel return the gesture and exit, looked back at the letter. My response should be clear enough.

Some time later, a sealed envelope would find its way back to the Capuan government. In it was nothing but a shipping manifest for a small Solarian freighter, with two words written on the back. I accept.

Some time later, after the former arrangement had been well and truly concluded, another letter found its way to Ciltesse using the same channels.
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Dear Ciltesse,

Given the success of our last arrangement it seems an attractive option to me that we continue our business correspondence. There are matters on which my office would desire your input.

As I am sure you are aware, the Isles' shipbuilding technologies and naval prowess are legendary across the Great Sea. In an effort that my Republic may enjoy security for her trade routes, we are willing to negotiate for the trading of those technologies. Specifically, we're asking for shipwrights, documentation, the works, to be loaned to the Marine Nationale for a period of time. It would, of course, be made worth your while.

Capua's recent success abroad, and with relation to business deals from a variety of places, puts the Capuan treasury in posession of a rather staggering amount of gold. I am sure that one of the ships from Kyokai could be directed to deliver its valuable cargo to your port rather discreetly, should you agree to send us the technologies and expertise I have requested. There is one other good the Republic deals in at this point in time, and that is protection. Support given to the Marine Nationale would make that body that much more able to protect the Isles in the case of Solari aggression, and it would make this office much more apt to order that the Marine Nationale set off for just such a mission, if you understand what I'm hinting at.

We eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,
Antony Lassale

A pity there isn't any more concise way to do this, thought Ciltesse as his servant carried his reply down to one of his captains.

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Dear Antony,

I have no objection to your current plan of mutual defense, but I do have one proviso. Along with my shipwright, I will send a single escort ship with one of my captains. The crew will be quartered on shore, and the captain wherever you see fit. Your supplying of the escort ship and its crew is, of course, a requirement of the deal. The escort ship will remain in your port, at the disposal of the Marine Nationale, until you have obtained whatever knowledge wou wish, upon which point it will return to the service of the isles.

I foresee a profitable partnership, President. I await only your confirmation to send my man overseas.

Signed,
High Captain Ciltesse of the Erynnen Isles