Issac’s ships came to a halt as he looked at the shore. Descending a plank that had been prepared for him he saw Ivan waiting with a large smile on his face. "Mr Prime Minister." Ivan joked saying that as he wrapped his arm around Issac.

"I greet the prince." Being respectful, Issac gave a small bow getting a wave from Ivan.

"Please. I get enough flattery from my courtiers. You’re the new Prime minister of the Empire. If anything, I should suck up to you." Issac chuckled at his words as he shook his head.

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Won’t you become the future father-in-law of an Emporer? Hell, with the way Vladmire is moving, you will become an Emporer yourself." Ivan laughed as he led Issac into a small tent.

Pulling out his pipe he looked at lifted it to Ivan getting permission to smoke, the man waved it off and taking his own pipe out. "Tell me." Issac prepared his pipe before taking a couple of puffs. "How has the war with Kosvo been?" Issac asked with enough politeness getting Ivan to nod happily as a wide grin spread across his face.

It was strange that the man was a prince and had the potential to become an Emporer, but Issac pushed it aside assuming he just had a happy personality. "You know. It’s easier than I thought. Father, God bless him, gets lost in his worries. But I understand his concern. Arrogance is a dangerous thing. Many great Kingdoms and Empires have been lost to it."

The two sat in silence as Ivan took a couple of puffs of his pipe watching Issac. "Any news on the Empire for me?" Only when the silence had lasted for a few seconds did Ivan speak again.

"I can’t give you anything recent, I’ve been on a boat after all." Ivan chuckled but shook his head.

"Let me change the question. The Emporer. Anything about him?" Ivan’s smile dropped and Issac smiled insetad. Pointing to the bottle, Ivan gave a small nod letting Issac pour himself a glass.

Sniffing its contents he took a small sip, his head shaking from the strong burn. Ivan chuckled at it dropping his serious attitude for a second. "That stuff has a kick. The Emporer loves it, however."

"I know. Can’t get over the burn sometimes." Leaning back he took a puff of his pipe and dropped his smile. Ivan saw the change in attitude and reciprocated. "His majesty has some plans, ones where he believes a time for a strong alliance between our nations and the coming Slathan one will be nessacary."

"Ahh." Ivan swirled his cup and took a puff of his pipe. "Yes my father, he mentioned something about this." Drinking his drink he pulled a letter out of his chest pocket and handed it over. "You see, it seems The Emporer and Dimitri had a very interesting conversation."

Issac looked at the note his eyes dropping as he looked at Ivan with a blank face. The prince laughed seeing it and pointed his finger. "You look a lot like Dimirti when you do that." Issac didn’t react simply looking at Ivan who laughed at his own joke. "Anyway. My father, he is a wise man. Someone who claimed his birthright from my incompetent Grandfather. And will ensure I take over a stable and prosperous land. So if he can not, I can rebuild the Empire."

Issac remained silent drinking his drink. His weariness never left as he looked at Ivan, knowing whatever his answer was could mean complete destruction of relations between the two nations and his future marriage with the Slathans. Despite the display he wore, Issac knew better. Ivan was shrewd and dangerous.

Taking the note back from Issac he opened it and smiled reading its contents once more. "Reading this, I got a good laugh. It came with a letter from my father alongside it. And you see. My father, wanted me to decide."

Issac’s eyes flashed with a frosty glare for a second, not going unnoticed by Ivan. He smiled seeing it, taking a puff from his pipe. "And what is it you want Prince?" Issac went back to being polite when asking and Ivan nodded playing with his tongue.

"I’ll work with The Emporer." His answer was short and almost could be missed, nearly making Issac’s jaw drop. Ivan smiled at the reaction. "Well, you see, if it was anyone else I would have told my father, to storm the border. When the Commonwealth inevitably attacks with the Church’s support; make the most of it." Ivan drank the rest of his drink, pouring himself another glass.

"But, the Blood Child, taking the throne at twelve years old and forming an Empire at 20. That’s a good investment." Swirling his glass once more he carried on, "Now even with that, it’s not good enough, but he is a Blessed One, and Dimitri said he saw something amazing. Not a word that man uses much."

Issac took a deep breath and finished his drink, pouring himself another. Leaning back he took another sip thinking about what he had been told. "So you side with the Empire, not the Church?"

"I don’t really care about it. My father humbles himself before God, and I respect that. But I want to be remembered, Issac Flanders. And I don’t see it working with the church." Issac smirked hearing that remembering his own dreams before he ended up here.

"Well." Standing up he raised his glass to Ivan. "I wish you luck, future Empoer, Ivan Brantov. May your name be remembered and the alliance last a thousand years." Ivan didn’t reject his gesture and drank, the two looking at each other with knowing eyes for what the future entailed.

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"Are you sure Prime Minister?" Ivan said playfully as he walked Issac back to his ship. The sun had long set with the two moons hanging high in the sky. "There is a nearby manor of some noble you can rest at."

Issac smiled but shook his head as he looked to the two moons. "Its a kind gesture Prince Ivan, but I have to see the Slathan princess. You know how they are with these things."

Ivan nodded letting out a sigh. "One thing I respect about their culture, they never will be late to a meeting." Smiling he looked at Issac, "I tell you, if its who I think you are marrying. A beauty that girl is." Leaning in closer he brought his mouth to Issac’s ear. "And if it fails. The Prinicpality will happily go to war with them. With Emporer’s support of course." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Issac tapped his shoulder and nodded. "Of course, but that’s a discussion for another day. The focus is east after all."

"Right." Ivan grabbed his forehead in an exaggerated manner. "Must be the drink. Gets me thinking to far ahead."

"Yes. Well if things play out right, I’m sure you will have a marriage lined up already." Issac said jokingly getting thin smile from Ivan.

"Either way, its fine." Issac nodded reaching out his hand shaking Ivan’s.

"Good night Prince Ivan."

"Safe travels." Ivan said happily as he watched Issac ascend up back up to the ship. Walking back he tapped a nearby solider. "Get a messenger ready. I need to send word to my father." The soldier nodded with Ivan returning to his quarters.

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Alone on the ship Issac felt it begin to move over the waves. His head swirled a little from drinking but he fought any urge that came to throw up. A attendant walked din as Issac forced himself up. "Any news from home?"

The servant shook his head getting a grunt from Issac as he leaned back on his bed. "Keep me notified." Issac waved him off with the servant leaving. ’God I hate the sea.’