Re: Future Abundant [Eitan, Reiner]
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 7:39 pm
The celebrations showed that the people of the Sky Islands faction were doing well, more than just surviving. No one else on the ground in Zaichaer could boast as much. The Fort Generals might have been able to had their commands not been so solely focused on military things. In the minds of the generals, Fort and otherwise, civilians were something to be contained in a safe area and given basic provisions until such time as it was safe to release them back outside of military protection. At best they would be viewed as something precious and delicate to be protected, at worst, a drain on resources that would be needed for the soldiers.
The difference in the Sky Islands and the ground they had taken was that the civilian population was the point of it. The generals or their representatives were seeing that, they were seeing Zaichaer as it had been and could be again; industry, growing families, the chance for prosperity. These were the things they were supposed to be protecting, not their own interests. There was always something to be said for working for personal growth, for the betterment of oneself and one's family, it was one of the core ideals of the nation, but another one of those ideals was that when the nation prospered so did everyone in it. Without the people a military had no reason to exist, no workforce to support it, and no population to draw new recruits from. They were symbiotic, neither able to thrive, or even survive, without the other.
Stefan would never be a true military man, his heart and mind lay in other things, but he would never imagine denying the need for the armed forces of Zaichaer and in his command he had never neglected to support them. The Sky Islands attempted to recreate the balance that the generals, holed up in their places of command, failed to and it showed on their faces as they watched children running through the streets trailing ribbons and laughing.
Because of all this it was a more subdued party of high officials that arrived at White Knight Hall than had met with Stefan and Eitan that afternoon, with the exception of Reichart, and possibly Vonnegut. Each delegate accepted the greetings of Lady Angevin and Lady Dornkirk and were ushered into the dining room without a sneer or attempt to intimidate between them.
The dinner was good, of course, and, by intention, contained only traditional Zaichaeri dishes. The gesture was appreciated, even if the implication was not likely missed by any of the guests.
Due to the presence of the ladies and everyone seeming to suddenly remember their manners, no more talk of negotiation was had though much of the conversation was about the current state of affairs of the whole nation. And it was spoken of in that way, led by Stefan and Eitan, The Whole Nation, as though it had not fallen into a shattered set of factions each vying for their own best position.
By the end, as the pudding plates were being cleared, it seemed as though everyone had a great deal to think about. No one was inclined to stay and continue the festivities, even though they could still be heard going on, louder if anything, on the surrounding islands. The generals took their leave, all except Reichart, who had been invited to stay so he could be shown around more properly the next day, but even he seemed to sense that his hosts had had enough for one day and politely made his excuses and took himself to his room.
After a little talk between the family the two ladies of the house excused themselves as well, to check on the children and get out of the gowns that were likely uncomfortably tight after the changes their bodies had undergone in childbearing. Having new gowns made would have sent the wrong sort of signals, but one must still look ones best.
Stefan, exhausted but feeling oddly less like he wanted to sleep than he had in the carriage ride back to the Hall looked at his brother-in-law and said,
"Care for a nightcap in my study?"
The difference in the Sky Islands and the ground they had taken was that the civilian population was the point of it. The generals or their representatives were seeing that, they were seeing Zaichaer as it had been and could be again; industry, growing families, the chance for prosperity. These were the things they were supposed to be protecting, not their own interests. There was always something to be said for working for personal growth, for the betterment of oneself and one's family, it was one of the core ideals of the nation, but another one of those ideals was that when the nation prospered so did everyone in it. Without the people a military had no reason to exist, no workforce to support it, and no population to draw new recruits from. They were symbiotic, neither able to thrive, or even survive, without the other.
Stefan would never be a true military man, his heart and mind lay in other things, but he would never imagine denying the need for the armed forces of Zaichaer and in his command he had never neglected to support them. The Sky Islands attempted to recreate the balance that the generals, holed up in their places of command, failed to and it showed on their faces as they watched children running through the streets trailing ribbons and laughing.
Because of all this it was a more subdued party of high officials that arrived at White Knight Hall than had met with Stefan and Eitan that afternoon, with the exception of Reichart, and possibly Vonnegut. Each delegate accepted the greetings of Lady Angevin and Lady Dornkirk and were ushered into the dining room without a sneer or attempt to intimidate between them.
The dinner was good, of course, and, by intention, contained only traditional Zaichaeri dishes. The gesture was appreciated, even if the implication was not likely missed by any of the guests.
Due to the presence of the ladies and everyone seeming to suddenly remember their manners, no more talk of negotiation was had though much of the conversation was about the current state of affairs of the whole nation. And it was spoken of in that way, led by Stefan and Eitan, The Whole Nation, as though it had not fallen into a shattered set of factions each vying for their own best position.
By the end, as the pudding plates were being cleared, it seemed as though everyone had a great deal to think about. No one was inclined to stay and continue the festivities, even though they could still be heard going on, louder if anything, on the surrounding islands. The generals took their leave, all except Reichart, who had been invited to stay so he could be shown around more properly the next day, but even he seemed to sense that his hosts had had enough for one day and politely made his excuses and took himself to his room.
After a little talk between the family the two ladies of the house excused themselves as well, to check on the children and get out of the gowns that were likely uncomfortably tight after the changes their bodies had undergone in childbearing. Having new gowns made would have sent the wrong sort of signals, but one must still look ones best.
Stefan, exhausted but feeling oddly less like he wanted to sleep than he had in the carriage ride back to the Hall looked at his brother-in-law and said,
"Care for a nightcap in my study?"