The Micras Chessboard
The Micras Chessboard is a story series by Gustaaf Vermeylen. The story series starts with a follow-up story to "Arkadius and Clara: A Royal Love Story". The first series runs until 1687 AN, when the Emir of Arbor had awakened from his coma. In 1690 AN the second series began, which was republished on Micraswiki. The first series was removed between 1685 and 1690 AN and can only be read on the forum of Arbor.
First series
The stories surrounding the first series are considered over and over. Those stories can be read here.
Second series
In search of Jorvik
Now that Amir's mission is mainly focused inland, the share of the Arboric fleet has been reduced. The admiral, Edward Krüger, went on audience with the Sultan to discuss his role. He was impressed that a brand-new nation such as Çakaristan was working so energetically on nation building. His men were giving training to the navy of Çakaristan, which was partly made up of the former navy of Krasnocoria. But the threats from abroad had not increased to justify the stay of the entire fleet. Before asking the Emir of Arbor to call the fleet home, he wanted to consult the Sultan.
In the Red Fortress the admiral was received and the men embraced each other as good friends. Rank and etiquette were out of the question. Edward made his ideas known to Abu. "With all love, I will stay with my fleet in Hisn Mahmud, but this weighs on the budget. If you know a useful contribution for the fleet, the fleet is still useful," said Edward. Abu replied: "It is true that the usefulness and necessity has diminished, but to send you home, I would rather not have that yet. But had you not expressed a desire recently?” Edward looked strangely for a moment, but soon remembered what Abu meant. "You mean, that I would like to visit the former city of Jorvik? Or what's left of it," said Edward. "Yes," Abu replied, "that's what I mean, maybe I should send you on a mission". Edward began to smile and said: “I would like to do that mission”. "Then I'm going to tell you, my friend", Abu concluded.
A few days later, the convoy of some double-flagged ships, the flag of Arbor and the flag of Çakaristan, left. Along the east coast of Kendall Isle was the first part of the journey. The convoy then turned north-east. When the 30th parallel was passed, the convoy headed north, the Strait of Pearls, Edward noticed that environment was changing. No other ships could be seen on the radar. If they had a view of land, there was no activity. Once this strait was busier, because Edward had sailed to Jorvik as a sailor. Although the west coast of Keltia was largely unclaimed, the east coast of Apollonia was under Storish flag. The city of Jorvik was under the Frankish flag, and in the latter days of Stormark the surrounding area of Jorvik also came under the flag of Stormark. The intention was that the surrounding area would be donated to Francia. His Emir, the then Frankish Kaiser, was Lord in Jorvik. That time is over, both Francia and Stormark have become history.
Yet Edward wanted to know what remains of the city of Jorvik. He was glad that the Sultan had ordered him to carry out this mission in order to satisfy that curiosity. It took some time before the fleet reached its destination. But also here it was quiet, only Edward received reports that the country was not empty. There was human activity, on which Edward sent scouts. Edward himself went ashore by landing craft near the former city of Jorvik. He found a city in great decay. One of his soldiers wanted to plant a Çakari flag on a high spot. "No", ordered Edward, "we are not going to colonise this country. We are not going to claim it, unless it is done with the consent of the local people and in agreement with the local leaders". The soldier did what the admiral said and did not plant the flag. A scout came back and reported to the admiral that there was habitation to the north. A nation in formation. Edward thought this was good news, he said: “Let's go and meet them, then perhaps we can initiate diplomatic relations with them”.
In this way Edward set course in a northerly direction. He flanked his vehicles with white flags to express his peaceful intentions. Not much later there was the first encounter with soldiers. One of Edward's scouts had already made contact, so the arrival of the admiral was no surprise. The soldiers were in contact with their headquarters, so the admiral was asked about his intentions. Edward told that he came to offer friendship with the Sultan of Çakaristan. Not much later Edward was escorted to a city, which turned out to be the capital of a nation in the making, the Holy Kingdom of Nordia. He no longer had to fly white flags, but was allowed to fly the flag of Çakaristan.
In Küfara Edward was received with all esteem. Edward conveyed the warm greetings of the Sultan and expressed his hope for friendly relations between the two nations. He was invited to appear before Her Royal Majesty and His Holiness. There he told about the Sultan of Çakaristan and the Emir of Arbor. He told about the developments of the young nations that had arisen after the disastrous year of 1685 AN. He told about Çakaristan's membership of the Union of States around the Sovereign Oceans. He expressed the hope for friendship and a prosperous future. The listeners were impressed and the diplomats were immediately put to work to draw up a treaty, so that the basis for that friendship was laid between Nordia and Çakaristan.
Edward thought he had found a ruin, but found a building site. A new nation was being built, laying the foundations for a new friendship.
Blossoms of culture
The Emir was not ungrateful for the efforts made after the fall of the Franco-Batavian Empire and the foundation of the Emirate of Arbor. He did not really feel like a global leader anymore. He began to long to leave the Al-Hamra Palace and explore his new country. Although he was not that old yet, his body had suffered a huge blow from the coma. He seemed at least twenty years older. He knew not to complain, he was lucky. A chance to see his children grow up. He missed his three eldest children, but there was secret contact.
His wife saw that he was struggling with the situation. She acknowledged that the liveliness had gone out of her husband, but was glad he was still there. When she found him, sitting on a balcony in deep thought, she suggested he go to Mardinat al-Fath. There a new orchestra is going to give a concert, it would be an honour for them that the Emir is there. The Emir was delighted with the idea. So he had everything prepared to leave the Al-Hamra Palace for the first time after his coma. The bodyguards were not happy with the idea, but obeyed. Accompanied by jet fighters, the Emir flew to Mardinat al-Fath. There the arrival of the Emir was received enthusiastically. For the first time since the foundation of the emirate, the Emir visited this city, the largest in the country. A palace had also been built here. A lot more modest than the Al-Hamra Palace, but certainly fitting for an emir.
People were cheering all the way to the palace. The Emir did a good job. These people still believed in him. That evening the Emir went to the concert hall, where he met the orchestra and choir. The composition of the orchestra and choir reflected the composition of the population of the Emirate. Arcadian Batavians, Arbors, Franks, etc. After a drink in the foyer, the Emir was escorted to the balcony. Those present stood up when he entered. He gestured that everyone could sit down, but instead the crowd applauded. The Emir was moved. After the audience finally sat down, the orchestra and choir began:
| Arboric | Transliteration | Translated in Common Tongue |
|
لما بدا يتثنى لما بدا يتثنى |
lamaa bada yatathanaa lamaa bada yatathanaa |
She walked with a swaying gait |
Exotic unknown
Satisfied, Ana al-Zamard walked out of a government building in Tiegang. She had just had a successful meeting, in which she had spoken to the government in Tiegang on behalf of the Sultan of Çakaristan to build a railway line between Tiren and Tiegang. There goods trains could continue on the old Krasnocorian railway network. In this way Tiegang could become a port of access for the sultanate. She walked to her favourite coffee house, ordered her favourite coffee and wrote something in her personal booklet. A man at another table saw her sitting and came walking towards her. "Excuse me, are you Mrs al-Zamard?", the man asked. She nodded and gestured to the empty chair on the other side of her table. "My name is Pete Knight, I'm from Ralgon". "What brings you here?", asked Ana. Pete replied: "As you may know, my country has a share in this town. But what I wanted to speak to you for is: I have heard that the sultanate needs all kinds of goods. I know there are trade opportunities in The Hexarchy'. Ana thought for a moment and said: 'Why don't you take this opportunity yourself? Pete replied: 'My country and I do not currently have the opportunities to seize this opportunity. Our aspirations lie in Cibola. But I don't want to leave our friends from The Hexarchy alone". Ana nodded and invited Pete to join us for a cup of coffee.
A few days later, Ana was on the deck of the ship, the Blue Emerald. The salty sea breeze was blowing through her hair. She enjoyed being at sea again. She thought of the happy moments with her deceased husband. Their time on their luxury yacht, like newlyweds. She missed him. The captain coughed to awaken her from her thoughts. She smiled nervously and made it clear that she was listening. "We are approaching Kobol, my lady," said the captain. She looked ahead and saw the city. This city is only a stop and after a day they carry on. Now they are going up the river in the direction of Marduk. The depth sonar was switched on to control the draught. There were no depth maps of this river available. Because of this they arrived successfully in Marduk.
The gangway was plotted, after which Ana set foot ashore. To the southwest of the city lies brave the giant forests, and to the north and after that west for a more traditional hunting expedition. Through the market Ana walked on to the trading house. In this way Ana was able to make contact with suppliers of exotic fruit. There was a need for this in the sultanate. She cost a few tons of it, which was to be loaded onto her ship. With a government official she discussed the trade possibilities between The Hexarchy and Çakaristan. She was told about the USSO common market, the opportunities for Çakaristan. She promised to present that to the sultan.
The next day, when the ship was fully loaded, the ship left without her. Ana was on her way to the airport. There was a silver-coloured propeller plane ready with destination Alpazkigz.
