- ARCHIVE - Royal Court of Sweden

[N Katsyev]

Meeting with Marius​

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Rurik furrowed his brow in a frown as he tried to figure out just what part of the treaty actually needed an escape clause. Even after reading over the Viceroy's suggestion a couple times, he still didn't see how it had to do with anything as the project would still go underway very soon, unless the Viceroy didn't play to help construct the thing at all - and if this were the case, why not just say so? Finally though Romanivitch figured the Viceroy was only concerned with the tax and tarriff rate, maybe he wanted to tax and tarriff to a greater degree? His face lighting up in percieved comprehension, Rurik finally spoke after a couple minutes' thought, "Now as i'm sure you will recognize, the great bulk of the agreement is only that Sweden and Pskov-Novgorod shall together fund a project that will increase ease of transport between Finland and the markets of Novgorod and ultimately Pskova and Europe. However if your honour is concerned about the tax and tarriff rate and its need for maybe eventual change or increase we can add the following..."

Romanivitch cleared his throat...

VI: If at a future time either party sees fit to increase its portion of taxes or tarriffs upon the constructed route, that party is free to do so at a maximum increase or decrease in rates of up to 1% additional per three years.

 

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The Viceroy replied laughing.

"Hehehe excellent. That is much better and accurate put then my swift draft..."

Once again Marius reached for the pen and the inc and signed the treaty.

[x]"Marius of the Grief Vice Roy of Sweden"

 

[N Katsyev]

Meeting with Marius​

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"Splendid!", enthused Rurik with obvious (maybe too much) excitement. Composing himself he quickly scribbled his name and titles at the bottom and smiled, "Now", Romanivtich began again, "I shall send a copy of this off immediately to the Kremlin. I shall remain here however as an intermediary between yourself, the Czarina and the Trubetskois as this all takes place." He paused and after a moment added, "... Of course that is, if its to your pleasing."

 

[N Katsyev]

Meeting with Marius​

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Rurik Romanivitch waited outside patiently to meet with the Viceroy. He wrapped his cloak a bit tighter about his broad shoulders, he didn't realize quite how cold it really got in Sweden, he figured it being so close to the Baltic would actually help things - maybe it was just a cold spell. Regardless, there were some issues to solve before the ground thawed in the spring and work on the project could begin in earnest...

 

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Meeting with Marius​

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Rurik Romanivitch waited outside patiently to meet with the Viceroy. He wrapped his cloak a bit tighter about his broad shoulders, he didn't realize quite how cold it really got in Sweden, he figured it being so close to the Baltic would actually help things - maybe it was just a cold spell. Regardless, there were some issues to solve before the ground thawed in the spring and work on the project could begin in earnest...

A clerk approached Rurik.

"Noble Sire...

Im afraid that I must inform you that the Viceroy currently is unavailible... How ever I bring the message that you are most welcome to stay here in Stockholm. Some quarters have been arranged in one of Stockholms best..hrmm taverns and the Viceroy hope that this will be to your satisfaction..."

The clerk bowed and gave Rurik some verbal directions on how to reach the tavern.

 

[N Katsyev]

Stockholm, Regal Fox Tavern​

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Rurik Romanivitch ascended the stairs to the second storey of the tavern with a quick and energetic jaunt. When the treaty had first been signed, it seemed the time until the spring thaw was an eternity away. However the organization of such an endeavour had made the time in the interim simply fly. Now spring was approaching, the ice upon the Baltic was beginning to split and become less a hazard, soon indeed the first work would begin on the project. All this and Rurik Romanivitch had so much yet to do.

He pushed open the door to the room he had been assigned. It was an absolute untidy mess, with papers, charter books and half finished letters strewn all over the place. Rurik found much to his dismay that communication with mutliple parties simultaneous during the dead of winter had been nearly impossible. He not only had organizations back home to deal with, mainly the Kremlin the Trubetskois, but also had a number of lesser guilds and merchant associations in Russia, Sweden and Pommern to deal with. Funds still had to be raised, who would pay for what and where had to be worked out. His stipend of pay from home he also found hardly covered his need to hire clerks, scribes and pay the appropriate and necessary bribes that were needed to grease the gears of beaurocracy. Yet word from Pskova would be slow to come for another month at least. Despite it all, despite the fact that he hardly slept anymore, Rurik Romanivitch was about as excited and happy as he had ever been. His brother after all, had never done anything quite like this before...

 

[Longinus]

A letter arrives from Stettin.

”Onto, Marius of the Greif, Vice-Roy of Sweden,

Dearest brother-in-law,

I pray that you and your family are in good health even though the winter is particularly harsh this year. However, the severity of the winter cannot stop us from our duties, thus I kindly ask you to come to Stettin in person or send your dully appointed representative here.

The meeting of House of Greif and its vassals is scheduled on the 10th of February where you will be able to finally meet Casmir and discuss numerous issues. If you have any things to be brought up before the council, please do so.

Best regards,

Christine von der Greif-Wittesbach.“​

 

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Marius of the Greif, Vice-Roy of Sweden, assembled the royal council.

"It is my duty to sail to Stettin and meet with the King. Also you Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna should join me cause Im asure the King would appriceate to meet the Archbishop himself aswell. Left in command of the state I leave you Karl Knutsson Bonde in your position as Rikskansler.I will how ever only be a letter away in case you would need my advise."

After the meeting Marius started to prepare for the journey...

 

[N Katsyev]

Councilhalls​

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Rurik Romanvitich let loose an exasperated sigh, the poor Swedish clerk was obviously having great difficulty understanding him. Composing himself, Rurik continued, "I understand the Viceroy is in Pommern, I was told to see a... Johan... something or another." Rurik frowned and handed the note with the name to the clerk, indicating with his thick finger, "Its important business, about the central canal..."

 

[unmerged(7347)]

Kettil Vasas journey to Olofsborg

Kettil Vasa, who been appointed with the mission to see to that the treaty with the russians was being fullfilled, had left his home in Rydboholm and prepared a ship to take him from Stockholm to Finland. He had writen letters in advance in order to see to that availible transports was being given to him from Åbo all the way to Olofsborg where he would direct the whole project from.

The first stage of his journey, by boat, went smoothly. Upon reaching Åbo he was accomodated in the castle, enjoying the "hospitality" of the local governor there. The following day he and a small group of men, mainly servants, continued the travel. He passed and stayed at Tavastehus aswell, picking up how things where goin in these parts of the Kingdom thus his trip was as much an inspection as a journey...

Once reaching Olofsborg he immideatly began his work...

Olofsborg​

 

[unmerged(7347)]

A murder in the night​

A city guard arrived to the lagman of Stockholm with a piece of paper aswell as explaining his presence.

"Sir!

We found a dead body in the water outside one of the Taverns. He have been stabbed to death and then most probably either fell or was tossed into the water. My captain have questioned some of the people living in the area and he says that they can confirm they heard some kind of struggle and some kind of fight late at night... and Sir one of them apparently claims one of the men spoke something that sounded as russian or very much like it..."

Torsten, the lagman, looked at the city guard.

"So a russian merchant have been murdered!?"

The city guard replied.

"No Sir... the dead body has already been identified... it is the son of a goldsmith living not far from here... a swedish goldsmith..."

The lagman nodded.

"Thus we can assume his murderer was russian I guess or atleast that a russian been involved... Very well. See to that a list is composed of any russian being in Stockholm aswell if any russians have left the city by boat or otherwise the last twenty four hours!"

The city guard nodded aswell.

"Yes Sir!"

 

[unmerged(7347)]

Councilhalls​

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Rurik Romanvitich let loose an exasperated sigh, the poor Swedish clerk was obviously having great difficulty understanding him. Composing himself, Rurik continued, "I understand the Viceroy is in Pommern, I was told to see a... Johan... something or another." Rurik frowned and handed the note with the name to the clerk, indicating with his thick finger, "Its important business, about the central canal..."

The clerk scrathed his head and then stated something that Rurik "translated" to "Wait here!" before walking away with a troubled faced...

 

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A DARK ENVOY FROM THE SOUTH​

The people were unlike any the average townsperson had everseen, though some at the docks had seen Moors and Arabs before in other port cities.

With strange robes and scarves around their heads, and with carts pulled by fine, if small and short-maned, horses, the party of travelers rode slowly through the streets in search of the Royal Court, where they hoped to present their gifts to Marius of the Greif, Viceroy of Sweden, or his Councillor Karl Knutsson Bonde.

Upon reaching the residence they sought, the leader explained to the servant greeting them that they were ambassadors and merchants from the Almohad Emirate of Fez, and sought an audience with the Viceroy or his Mr. Knutsson Bonde.

Sweet and unusal smells could be deteced from the many crates and barrels they bore with them.

 

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The clerk scrathed his head and then stated something that Rurik "translated" to "Wait here!" before walking away with a troubled faced...

After awhile a man appeared introducing himself as Karl Knutsson Bonde.

"Ah your the ambassador from the east I assume. Come let us enter my office..."

Karl Knutsson led Rurik through some corridors until entering a middle sized office.

"I assume its about the trade agreement between our two realms. Well I can happily announce that an envoy have been send by the Viceroy already to commence the project... now how can I help you!?"

 

[unmerged(7347)]

A DARK ENVOY FROM THE SOUTH​

...Sweet and unusal smells could be deteced from the many crates and barrels they bore with them. [/i]

A court official looked suspicious upon them when hearing them out. He listened politely though and then replied.

"Hrmm well welcome... Karl Knutsson Bonde is currently unavailible but should arrive here shortly.

If you just could wait here for a moment. Meanwhile can I offer you some wine or other refreshments!?"

 

[unmerged(4271)]

In the office of Karl Knutsson Bonde​

The visitors politely declined the wine, but accepted water and the light refreshments provided by the Swedes.

While a world away, the nation of Fez had been annexed by Algeria, this diplomat and merchant toiled on, to attempt to negotiate an annual or semi-annual bazaar, and to establish new markets for the salt his nation produced, which had been heard to be in demand in the North.

The robed leader took a small citrus fruit from a bag and examined it. It had survived the long trip well. He began to peel and eat it, knowing he was unlikely to find such a delicacy anywhere on the Baltic Sea, while waiting for Master Bonde to return.

 

[N Katsyev]

Office of Karl Knutsson Bonde​

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Smiling graciously, even clearly through is thick beard, Rurik took the offered seat and set a leather bound portfolio down upon the desk. Opening the cover, he indicated some figures with his thick fingers, "The work over the previous year has been impressive and with continued regularity of funding, we may even expect to have the project completed by frostfall of this year."

Sitting back in a specially decadent sort of way that is only developed from a lifetime of living in comfort, Romanivitch continued, "My brother as well is buying a stake in the canals, the Pushtliushovo portion if I remember correctly..." Furrowing his brow, Rurik leafed through the papers in his portfolio unsuccessfully a moment before shrugging his shoulders, "No matter, it is of little immediate consequence. One thing I did wish to ask however, is that its been posed to me the question of whether or not we should have standardized vessels operating upon the trade route during the months of water travel. This would give another form of potential taxation and regularization which is quite important of matters such as these that do well with a more central control. I was curious firstly if the Swedish crown approves of the idea, and secondly if there are any particular shipwright organizations that you might wish to contract with the construction of these standardized vessels..."

 

[unmerged(4271)]

In the office of Karl Knutsson Bonde​

After some wait the leader of the visitors politely asked the court official:

"Perhaps there is someone else we could talk to, rather than Master Bonde, about matters of commercial opportunity? A subordinate, or assistant perhaps?"