Imperial Palace, Nassau

[m_1512]

Welcome to the Imperial Court. Here, the Kaiser receives and hosts the subjects and lords of the realm. His bodyguards stand in vigil to protect the Kaiser. The stare at people bustling around to their business.

The Captain of the Guards stop people with the same greeting,
Hand over your arms.
After the search by the guardsman, he shows the way with the same words of advice,
Remember to properly greet our Kaiser.
His most Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Alexander I.

[Jokern]

Greetings, Kaiser Alexander I, Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of all Germans. I, Junker Heinrich von Wittelsbach, your most humble servant stand before you and wishes your majesty a long and prosperous life.

I have come here as I have received an invitation from your Imperial Majesty for a meeting that I have heard concerns the Holy Roman Empire.

[Gandalfus]

Lord Robert Kirk arrives, bowing silently as he came forward before the emperor.
Your Imperial Majesty. I am Robert of House Kirk, a leading aristocrat in Holland. I have come to answer Your Majesties call to all of the nobles of the realm.

[m_1512]

Alexander stands up and moves forward about couple of steps. The light from the window shines upon his face, his long hair, the startling green eyes, and a muscular stature. The very image of a warrior, his left hand somewhat stiff, and walk brisk but with a smallest of a limp.

Welcome!
His voice rang through the hall.

Please be seated, I expect many Lords and Gentlemen to come. Meanwhile, would you like some wine? The finest wine from Ravenna.

[Dance the older]

Toddric Ramsey enters the palace, and keeps his head bowed slightly lower, as not to draw any unwanted attention, or aggravate any high lords present. He eyes one of the Emperor's greeters, and hands him a letter, which is in turn to be handed to one of the Emperor's councillors..

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

To His Most Imperial Magesty, Kaiser Alexander I,

I am an ambitious free merchant, humbly requesting the Imperial City of Genoa, be entrusted into my governship, as the current Republic is floundering in the wake of the rising superiority of the Venetian-dominant Mediterranean. I am schooled in the arts of management, and trade, and would like to be granted opportunity to govern Genoa to return it to it's former splendour, in the wake of the previous victory over the Venetian's by the city, during the Third Genoese-Venetian War. Victory came at a cost over the Venetian foes..

My father served Genoa for many years, and donated much of our family's wealth to ensuring our forces were superior, and he gave his life for Genoa, and the Empire, when he died off the coast of Constantinople, in 1354, at the Battle of the Bosporus, in a stalemate, which followed a victory, by his men, over the Venetian fleets. I was captured in Bosporus, and imprisoned by the dastardly Venetians for 15 years, before I was granted my freedom, last year.

I will serve the Empire, and Christendom truthfully, and wholly, as my ancestors have, until the end of my days.

It is time I am confident I retain my family's past glory and prestige. I am ready for this undertaking.

Signed,
Toddric Ramsey

[Gandalfus]

Robert smiled and nodded.
Thank you, your majesty.

[m_1512]

Alexander takes his seat and watches this young Lord.
Tilting his head to a side, he asks,
So tell me about you, Guten Herr. I deduce from your name that you have English lineage in your family.

[Gandalfus]

Robert nodded.
I come from Holland Mein Kaiser, but you are correct in saying that my family comes from England. The kirk family is indeed a cadet branch of the Plantagenets who married into Dutch and German nobility. I have had an education in politics, warfare and history while I was on my Father's estate, which I inherited not too long ago due to his death in the war while he was fighting for Your Majesties cause.

[m_1512]

Alexander sat up straight.
Was he? What was your father's name again?

[Dance the older]

Toddric watches from a distance and waits patiently for his letter to be read by the Councillor for the Emperor

[Gandalfus]

Robert remained expressionless.
James , Your Majesty.

[m_1512]

He stands up, pacing near the throne.
James Kirke... Hmm...

He stops abruptly,
Do you mean Lord Kirke of the Imperial Army of the East?


He looks at Toddric,
Yes?

[Gandalfus]

Robert nodded
I would imagine so, your Majesty.

[Dance the older]

Toddric stunned he was called upon by the Emperor, nods, and clears his throat

Your Imperial Majesty, my apologies for interrupting, it's not of urgency, sorry if I gave you that impression, my apologies, Your Imperial Majesty.. Your Councillor has been given a letter for you, Your Imperial Majesty. Toddric nods and bows back

[m_1512]

He nodded at Robert.
Your father was a fine cavalier. So carry on, Sir. How do you wish to serve the Empire?

He smiled gently at Toddric.
I am sorry for I cannot read letters as there are guests in the Court. However, please tell me the contents calmly. No need to worry.

[Gandalfus]

Robert thinks.
I wish to serve the Empire by becoming an administrator of my home province of Holland. With the recent death of the rebel lord governing it, the region has fallen into decadence and anarchy, and I wish to humbly ask If I can help to rectify that , Your Majesty.

[Dance the older]

Toddric bows and rises, as he steps forward

My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty.

I did not think it right for a man of my class to be upfront with you. I am no near nobility, Your Imperial Majesty.

I am an ambitious free merchant, 3rd Generation Genoese, humbly requesting the Imperial City of Genoa, be entrusted into my governship, as the current Republic is floundering in the wake of the rising superiority of the Venetian-dominant Mediterranean. The Doge's have been unable to quell Venetian aggression, and I believe I am capable. I am schooled in the arts of management, and trade, and would like to be granted opportunity to govern Genoa to return it to it's former splendour, in the wake of the previous victory over the Venetian's by the city, during the Third Genoese-Venetian War. Victory came at a cost over the Venetian foes..

My father served Genoa for many years, and donated much of our family's wealth to ensuring our forces were superior, and he gave his life for Genoa, and the Empire, when he died off the coast of Constantinople, in 1354, at the Battle of the Bosporus, in a stalemate, which followed a victory, by his men, over the Venetian fleets. I was captured in Bosporus, and imprisoned by the dastardly Venetians for 15 years, before I was granted my freedom, last year.

My family arrived in Genoa, after the death of my Great-grandfather, during the Fall of Ruad, and his father, at Acre ten years earlier, my family has been in the Holy Land for 200 years, fighting alongside your own forces, Your Highness. I am confident in the abilities my father instilled in me, and I have been studying governance, and trade, since I was a child. This would be a great opportunity, I am willing to excel with all the fibers of my being, Your Imperial Majesty. Merchanting, and governing has been in my family for over 500 years.

I will serve the Empire, and Christendom truthfully, and wholly, as my ancestors have, until the end of my days.

It is time I am confident I retain my family's past glory and prestige. I am ready for this undertaking. Toddric finishes up, realizing how much he just talked..

[m_1512]

He nods at Toddric.
You seem capable of obtaining such position. And Genoa would be valuable to the Reich as a Trade City.

He stands up, and gives a glance at the scribe. The scribe promptly readies his quill and parchment. He faces Toddric again, and speaks in a ringing voice that carries throughout the Hall.
Step up, Herr Toddric.
I hereby declare Toddric Ramsey as the Governor of the newly instated Imperial City State of Geneva.
You hereby also gain admission into the Reichstag, in the Council of Imperial Cities, to act in advisory capacity.

[Lucius Malfoy]

At a later time in the afternoon, Magnus z Lotrinske arrives at the Imperial City from his home in Prague. It was his first visit to the city. He remembered, as a child, when his father would leave to attend the courts and speak with various nobles in Nassau. Magnus would walk up to the grand palace, handing over his weapons without being asked to hand them over. The Bohemian would enter the palace and bend his knee to the Kaiser.

Greetings Kaiser Alexander I, Holy Roman Emperor and King of the Romans and Germans. I am Magnus z Lotrinske, one of your many humble servants from Bohemia, a land of great history and beauty. I believe you may have known or met my father, Frederick II z Lotrinske, Your Majesty

Magnus kept his head bowed for now before speaking further.

I have come on behalf of your invitation from your Imperial Majesty to represent the interests of the z Lotrinske family and to see what the invitation is about.

[Dance the older]

Toddric bows greatly

I thank you for this honour, Your Imperial Majesty. I will not let you down, I assure you. Trade of the Mediterranean will be the Empire's, I assure you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Toddric rises