Work Text:
Letters have been spread far and wide throughout Teyvat. Reaching the commerce bazaar of Liyue. Passed the thunderous waters of Inazuma. Through the sweltering heat of the rainforests of Sumeru. Traversing the open tides of Fontaine. And scouring the valleys of Natlan.
All reaching their designated recipients of the most respected individuals of each nation. With the red wax seal bearing the Crest of the Knights of Favonius from the sender of a remarkable man.
Varka worked tirelessly to literate his thoughts on paper, expressing his heartfelt desire to hold a conference between nations. In hopes of establishing unity between each other to combat not only the Abyss and the hidden motives of Celestia. But to find ground for determining if Snezhnaya and its Archon were bound to lead itself in peace. Or to drag everyone under its road of havoc and destruction.
Liyue was the first to receive its letter for being a well respected neighbor to the land of wind and freedom. The letter carried its way into the Qixing's domicile in the Jade Palace. Perched onto the pristine lacquered maple desk imported from Inazuman artisans. The Tiangquan's heels clack slowly as she waltzes through her chambers. Peeking out of the window to gaze below to find Liyue Harbor peaceful and lively on its surface.
She turned her ruby eyes to the letter surrounded by a plethora of requests seeking attention. The immaculate white envelope laid bare for her to witness in the high rise of noon seeping through.
Ningguang picked up the envelope and glossed over the Knights’ seal. Stripping it from its lower half to reveal the parchment lying dormant inside.
She expected it to be an act of diplomacy from the Acting Grand Master Jean. But to her surprise it was from the Knight of Boreas and Grand Master himself, Varka.
Pondering through a cluster of lucrative ideas that could've been the reasoning to his letter. The man had recently returned to his homeland, and hailed for his heroism and ventures. And was famously known for being a drunkard. Figuring he was compelled to send a reinforcement of ale on his tab. Ningguang was ready to dismiss and not humor the letter's contents.
However, she knew the man was a well respected and fortuitous warrior. But even he wouldn't be brazen enough or foolhardy to send a request of that stature haphazardly.
She freed the parchment from its confines. Settling into her chair and partaking in a cup of warm jasmine tea to calm her nerves.
Varka's letter was far from being a run of the mill courtesy letter of diplomacy. He was extending to her as Liyue’s highest and most esteemed individual. To advocate and take part in a summit he will be holding in three months at the Knights of Favonius HQ in Mondstadt.
His request for her presence as the representative of Liyue lied in the decree she would accept with open arms. To venture to a neighboring region, attend a conference between the nations to unite under one banner.
Ningguang contemplated this notion, staring back at the boldened black ink. With her gone, Liyue Harbor would be exposed to a plethora of orchestrations. She needed to be ready to task out orders and divide tasks and collaborate operations to snuff out trouble.
The piles of requests were stamped heavily on the edges of her desk. Each one from a citizen of the harbor, holding the thoughts and prayers for improvement and settlement.
Underneath her cold and cunning allure hid a Liyuean that treasured every facet to no extent. Whether it be the poverty trying to uproot themselves into stability. Merchants and traders growing their pockets to prosper in life and status. And everyday citizens spending every day to their fullest.
Liyue Harbor was more than a city. It is the heart that defines the nation of commerce and contracts. And this was another contract she needed to tackle, one clause at a time.
“Keqing.”
She stated boldly.
“Yes, lady Ningguang.”
A young woman with twin tailed purple hair appeared at her double doors with pride and dedication. The Yuheng held her head high. Ready to carry out any task Ningguang needed her to accomplish.
“Make preparations for a small squadron of Millelith, supplies and other complimentary goods once Lantern Rite is finished. We will set out for Mondstadt in three months.”
Keqing was momentarily curious about Ningguang engaging in national affairs. Let alone venturing to another nation.
“I'm on it.”
She refocused herself on the task laid out for her. Her own desk fluttered with requests needing her attention. But, this was a request from Ningguang. Its urgency took first priority. With Lantern Rite preparations taking second and general affairs coming later.
The harbor was bustling in the constant scattering of mora and goods. Everyone making a transaction befitting of each article. Such was the craft of trade and procurement.
With the recent engagements with the Fatui's Eleventh Harbinger attempting to lay waste to Liyue. Soon after was the concern she had of Yelan’s reports of agents hiding and operating in the Chasm. She had to conjecture for every possible countermeasure, ensuring her home and people would always see the light of day in the harbor.
With one of them being a visit to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Making an amicable request for assistance as a consultant in this matter. And the guardian Yaksha that oversees and dispels all manner of divine corruption.
Ningguang was preparing to secure a benefactory angle in this summit. Spending no expense too great, befitting the necessity of the outcome she desired.
Across the raging seas and crashing tides. A delivery rickshaw traversed the paths from Ritou harbor and through Byakko Plain. Before eclipsing the voyage to Inazuma city. The postal service announced the importance of the Mondstadter envelope bearing the wing shield sigil.
The Shogunate delivered Varka's letter to the Shogun herself. Inside the grand Tenshukaku palace, the guard conveyed the contents to her holiness outside of her chambers. Kujou Sara opened the shoji to reveal her presence to the messenger soldier.
Her red tengu mask was her defining accessory fixed against her head. Dictating the strong allegiance and dedication she held in the Tenryou Commission. The man bowed honorably to his general, presenting the foreign message in its silky white envelope.
“You may return to your duties.”
Sara waved to the man to leave the confines of their lord. Satisfied with him carrying out the delivery. She held onto the letter and approached the Shogun. With the sound of her getas flatly muffled the tatami mats beneath her.
“Almighty Shogun. A message has been delivered to you. It appears to be from Mondstadt's leader. The Boreas Knight Grand Master Varka.”
The lookalike puppet awoke to a slow breath from her seiza meditation. Opening up her eyes to see Sara kneeling before her and offering the envelope in benevolence.
“From, Mondstadt you say? Most peculiar.”
The Raiden puppet opened the letter and read his request. Asking of the Shogun herself to make an appearance to his audience amongst the other leaders of Teyvat's nations. To form in unity and discuss future cooperation regarding events pertaining to Celestia, the Fatui, and Snezhnaya as a whole.
Sara wasn't able to hide her disapproval to his improper request for her almightiness. Not even sending a single ambassador or representative to make an audience before her.
“Formalities aside. It should not be taken lightly that he is requesting my judgement on this national affair.”
Sara quickly rose to her feet, saluting to the Shogun in indignation. Discerning to be nowhere near applicable to ask such a task from her.
“*Giggle* Now, let's not be so cold dear Kujou.”
Sara snapped her gaze to the side. Tensing when the sleuth kitsune, pressed a feather light palm to her cheek. She didn't falter, holding her composure and rigidity to the all too casual approach the Guuji held.
Yae Miko's sly smile was as perked as it was mischievous. Choosing another day to tease the tengu warrior in earnest. Addressing to Ei, beyond the Shoguns visage.
“Now about this meeting. I do believe we have a few quarrels that were spurred on by those Fatui scoundrels.”
The troubles of her people were made well aware to Ei. The tragedy of limited home grown goods and import suffocating earnings by her Decree. Along with the diseased aid to Watatsumi's people with Delusions to support their Civil War.
Her overwhelming power and presence wasn't enough to calm her people's spirits. What was needed was a show of unity and mediation. Allowing to rally once more of the Archon they placed their faith in, the one to protect them, and the one to care for its inhabitants.
“Indeed we do. I will pay for repentance over my affront act of slaying La Sigñora.”
The puppet rose up for her padded cushion and wandered closer to her open window. Catching her people deliberating their daily lives that they see fit. And out to sea where across the ocean was the expanding land far greater than her own.
Holding a nation and its Archon watching over them. And to make amends for the wrongs she's created.
“But I will not stand by for the lives lost from the agrevation they caused for both the people of Inazuma and Watatsumi.”
Sara was always rejoiced and prideful in her belief for the Shogun and her decisions. Yet Yae can discern from the puppets actions and Ei's interference. Preparing herself to follow any path she wishes to lead. And always be there to bring her back to her senses lost in the void that plagues her thoughts.
“General Sara, please send a messenger to Watatsumi island. I will ask the Divine Priestess to accompany me on this voyage.”
Without hesitation, Sara bowed to one knee and lowered her head. Prostarting herself to her lord's request and accepting the task with utmost importance.
She left the two alone. Yae trailed coyly behind the Shogun, gazing out to the open waters. Querying if this national call will bear fruit or splinter each other back into diplomatic isolation.
The humidity swirling throughout the Avidya Forest cascades a downpour of heat and moisture. And at the center of Sumeru City stood the grand hall of the Akademiya. Where many scholars hone and learn their subjects through extensive days and nights of research.
At the highest pinnacle of these accomplishments was the Grand Sage. With one man fitting the role, but turning down the offer. Seeming it too much of a hassle and responsibility in his free bearing schedule.
Although at his behest. A member of the Corps of Thirty directed a letter to the refined Scribe sitting along the windowsill of the Sage's office. He didn't react to the courier, simply indulging in his books' writings.
“State your business and make it quick.”
The pages flowed ever so cleanly between his fingers. His eyes follow along the inscribed notes with unbridled focus.
“There is a letter for you and Lesser Lord Kusanli.”
The news grabbed his attention. With one swift clamp of his palm the book echoed a closing thump.
“Very well. This will suffice for a distraction.”
Alhaithem approached the guard and procured the letter from his clutches. Monitoring over to the Grand Sage's study desk. With one sterile expression from him, the guard understood to leave the chambers. Fulfilling his needed task.
“This letter was meant for me?”
A calm and gentle glow emanated from above. The subtle flux of Dendro energy coursed from on high. With a small girl's figure falling gracefully from her perched conjured swing.
Alhaitham acknowledged the girl's presence and bowed slightly to her. Watching as her short stature settled into the study chair below.
“It appears to be from the nation of wind. Based on recent encounters with its people. It might be important, or another headache needing to be cleaned up.”
Nahida giggled at her subordinates' transfixed demeanor as it wallowed into a slightly deeper grimace. She gleamed at the pale envelope, wondering what affairs needed her attention and guidance on a large scale.
Alhaithem skimmed over the letter's contents. Piqued by the idea of a joint nation seminar of its leaders and high standing personnel. Including their Archon.
“Lord Kusanli. A meeting will be held with the surrounding nations in three months. Shall I assume your decision to present in this event.”
Nahida was interested by the notion of Varka's request for her participation in this meeting. Her gaze inwards of Irminsul peered back at a man who had devoted faith to his people and home.
Acquiring strength to hold the title of Knight of Boreas. The cunning sharp wit in battle to claim glory and triumph over countless obstacles. And the resolved mind to handle dealings beneath the surface of a person's ego.
Her small fortitude held might in intuition. Engrossed in the proposition of collaborating with each individual to amass a strong resistance to a potential blight across the lands.
Joint forces between nations to strengthen not only resources but to share each other's mass of wealth in varying degrees. Nahida may have been reborn anew, but her mind scoured across the wellspring of knowledge that birthed Sumeru to what it is.
Gaining footing in her discernment of a person's capabilities and hidden motives. This would be a testament to not only Mondstadt, but the other nations' generosity to spreading worthy knowledge.
The anecdotes of the Fatui making bolder moves are a concern. Considering how Sumeru nearly fell at the hands of Dottore.
“You mortals always corral together.”
In the midst of the Grand Sages’ chamber, lounged about a new scholar of notoriety and lasting infamy.
Alhaithem darted his steel composure to the solemn couch with the ever so appreciative Wanderer. The still serenity in the room grew to a plethora of rampant quiet.
“Ever insightful.”
He huffed out. The book slumped against the desk. Nahida stared at the letter stationed in front of her. As the residing Dendro Archon. Her dictation in participating in this event will embolden Sumeru to be responsible for accepting a portion of allegiance and acceptance.
Her small pattered steps paced around the space. Passing by portraits of previous accomplished Sages and Grand Sages. Those that have sought guidance for her and excelled Sumeru's prestige of records and discovery.
“The nations of Teyvat are ever changing. Whether it be through the Fatui or a time long past. We must be vigilant. And I don't think Sumeru can remain silent to the rest any longer.”
The energy of Dendro circulated around her palm. The recollections of her new born hubris still weighed on her. Resulting in the harm of her people.
She will not stay idly by, waiting for another ploy to develop within her borders.
“Alhaithem, contact General Mahamattra. I would like his and both of your aids’, along with a small group of the Court of thirty.”
Alhaithem had prepared a messenger before she finished. Finessing his wares in accordance with the determined date.