The Purrage Conference
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Purrage is a town of 30,000 people, and lies along the old historic border between the Kingdoms of Gadalland and Aspern, each of whom had their own kingdoms within them. They had been united for over 600 years until about four days past.
Fornithias Cranst, Head Braetha of Sertia, and Guthrun Wond, elected leader of the New Republic of Aspern, were meeting today to discuss the possible independence of Aspern.
Purrage lies solidly north of the border, and therefore belongs to the historic Kingdom of Gadalland. However, due to the casual border set up by the Aspernian separatists, Wond approached the border from the south, and Cranst approached from the north.
They met in a church placed halfway along the border of each territory, abandoned for centuries, and stood with their guards along their respective sides of the border. -
Guthrun Wond spoke first: "Mr. Cranst, lovely to see you. I'm sorry we must meet here, but it's the only neutral place I'm afraid. Can't risk getting arrested, you must understand". He gave a friendly hearty laugh and offered a handshake.
The separatist militia who stood slightly south of the border continued to scowl and look dangerous.
Cranst ignored Wond's offer, instead saying "Right, let's get on with this, shall we?"
"Well, alright, Mr. Cranst, no need to be grumpy".
Cranst continued: "You wish to separate from the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern. The Sertian Domex allows you to do so. However, we will not let you separate unless you answer to our demands. Is that understood?"
Wond gave a smile and said, "Of course, dear Cranst, that is all we want".
"Very well, " said Cranst, "then here are our demands." He opened an A4 sheet of lined paper with handwritten bulleted points.
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That the Republic of Aspern hold an election for their new leader
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That the Republic of Aspern allow for Sertian government officials to remove all railway lines and destroy all stations serving Aspern.
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That the Republic of Aspern allow six months' free movement for residents of Aspern to come to Sertia to settle. After such time we may discuss a hard border.
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That the Republic of Aspern cede to the Kingdom of Sertia the holy city of Osperfey.
Cranst folded up the piece of paper. "It's all or nothing, Mr. Wond. I'm afraid I do not have time for discussion on this matter. I am needed in Hemberdale within the hour".
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Wond was not sure which of these terrible conditions was the worst of them. He despised the thought that he'd have to hold an election: he was the orchestrator of this, after all. Yet, he equally supposed giving up Osperfey to be ill practice on his part.
Cranst had obviously taken his time when formulating these conditions. To Wond, they were despicable underminings. To Sertia they were ingenious.
Wond spoke: "I would go as far as to say you've got nothing else today, you just want to act like this is no big deal. Well, Mr. Cranst, that is precisely why we wish to separate.
"We would agree to your terms, but I'm afraid Osperfey is within the Kingdom of Aspern and therefore would rightfully be our territory. It is the centrepiece of much of our history and culture as Aspernians. I would warn you not to rush this, Mr. Cranst, for decisions made in a second last a lifetime".
Cranst, by this point, was angry under the surface but it manifested as simple frustration and ignorance in his words.
"Your warning would fall upon deaf ears, Mr. Wond. I do not take advice from insurrectionists. Now, concerning the conditions, you will either give us Osperfey or we will take it by force. And if you would rather this not happen, I want to be clear that, at any point in these negotiations, you will be free to call off the insurrection and I will pardon you of any malfeasance. That, or giving us Osperfey will settle this matter."
The Aspernian Border guard shifted their positions to look more surly and unwelcoming.
Wond laughed unsteadily. He did not expect this of the Head Braetha. Effortlessly and expertly showing no emotion, Cranst was the biggest threat to the independence of Aspern.
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Wond chose his next words carefully and with great hesitation. "We do not wish for more violence. We simply want what is rightfully the Kingdom of Aspern's".
Cranst look bemused at this. "So I imagine defacing Osperfey by pulling down statues and torching shops is your way of saying you want it? Why in the devil's name do you think we would let that happen? Osperfey is ours and in the time that we still have jurisdiction over the island Osperfey is still ours. Therefore we demand it".
Wond smiled sweetly. "You can't do that, dear Cranst. And who really holds the power in Osperfey? You or the dissatisfied citizens?"
Cranst's face turned a concerning shade of scarlet as he attempted to conceal his utter contempt for this man. He gave Wond one last scathing glare, then turned to his envoy and whispered something. One of his envoy stepped out of the church and dialled a number on his phone, put it to his ear and spoke in whispers where Wond couldn't hear.
Wond continued to smile, though incredibly unsettled by this side of Cranst which the public did not see: an intense negotiator bent on getting his way.
Cranst turned back to Wond. "Well, Mr. Wond, it seems you don't need to consider that condition anymore. It's all been taken care of".
Wond's phone vibrated in his pocket. "Excuse me, one moment, dear Cranst". He descended back into the southern end of the church and answered the call. It was his assistant, Terrira.
"Sir, the government has surrounded Osperfey. We're trapped".
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Cranst turned again toward Wond, smiling triumphantly, who turned, in turn, toward Cranst, who looked mortified.
Cranst spoke first. "So, have you reconsidered, then?"
Wond had no choice. He did not want his movement to end, nor did he want to accept the terms. But to him, it was undoubtedly the former which held the most importance to him and his followers.
"Very well, we agree to your terms, Mr. Cranst. I'm glad we could agree on peace". His voice was full of vitriol, but he'd gotten what he wanted, and he firmly believed that Sertia would deliver, at least for a while.
Cranst said: "Good". He waved his hand to his envoy, who communicated the message to the world.
The Republic of Aspern had officially been granted independence.
