Stefan Drechsler felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. He was all to well aware that he had taken the position as Bremer representative in the Imperial Diet after Ullrich Dyck, almost a legend among the delegates, and certainly the most succesfull diplomat in recent Bremer history. Herr Dyck himself lived now in the Bremer holdings in Sweden, granted a noble title and an annual Imperial pension as reward for his long and faithfull service, and Stefan Drechsler knew he was not even near his predessors abilities.
Having remained silent throughout the discussion, as more skilled diplomats than him played the game of insults wrapped in compliments, of accusations and counteraccusations, of hidden loyalties and open alliances, he nevertheless felt he had to do what he was supposed to do, and be the voice, and not only the ears of Bremen in this noble assemble.
He rose, obviously nervous at entering into such a difficult discussion, and only in the last possible second, just before he was about to speak, did he avoid making a fool of himself by looking at the Steward and receiving a short nod of permission to speak. Not wanting to increase the damage, Stefan Drechsler made a show of bowing to the Imperial Throne before speaking:
"Herr Gineri, herr de Laurendeau.
I have with great interest followed the debate, and have now decided to add the opinion of Bremen to those allready expressed.
Herr Gineri, in reply to your latest question; yes, every ruler has the right, duty and obligation to do what is the best for his nation. However, every christian has the obligation to do what is best for the Holy Mother Church, and every vassal is oathsworn to at least listen to the opinion of his liegelord before acting.
Is Genoa or is Genoa not a christian state, and a vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor?
Bremen, as Genoa, is a duchy living of its trade, and I fully understand the desire of herr Gineri and the republic of Genoa to trade with the evil heathens. To make a profit by trading with those not of your faith is not in any way wrong. To diplomaticly support your trading partners, thus improving the good relations necessary for trade, is also understandable. But let it end there. Were I the duke of Genoa, I would tell the honourable moslem, whose existence I am taking herr Gineris words for, that obligations to my liegelord and fellow christian allies prevent me from aiding him military or economical in the struggle, but that I would, as a show of goodwill, not send any military or commercial aid to the participating christian nations.
And thus, Genoa would not only demonstrate obidience to the Holy Mother Church and the Holy Roman Empire, whom I assume are also among the important trading partners of the duchy of Genoa, but also show friendship despite the troubled times with the turks, whom I insist on calling evil."
Stefan Drechsler returned to his seat, relieved. That had went pretty well, he thought.
