For the Empire

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Emperor Altaris the Great exited the Imperial Council chambers accompanied by four Imperial Guards as he made his way back to his studies of the Imperial Palace to rest up for the meeting with the Imperial Senate later in the day.  He mulled over the daily council meeting which was much more eventful than usual.  Sure, the status of the economy and treasury were the same, doing very well and bringing much profit to the Empire.  Yes the harvest was beginning with record breaking yields being projected.  Mostly the same thing day after day, year after year for twenty years.  Twenty years of peace and prosperity with nothing really noteworthy occurring.  Until now.

 

The Imperial Rangers were reporting a high increase of activity across the Great Wall.  The Dothraki were restless.  More and more of them ventured near the wall much more often than the usual diplomatic party or just curious individuals.  Whole hordes had been sighted within sight of the wall.  A small warparty had a minor skirmish with a small fortified outpost further out in the Dothraki Sea.  Thankfully nobody was hurt but it did not bode well for the peace that had lasted across Essos for twenty years. 

 

While nobody wanted another war with the Dothraki, Altaris knew that if they weren't prepared for if things went wrong there would be serious consequences.  The Imperial Army was a shadow of its former self at the height of its power not just two centuries ago.  The Empire's campaign against slavery and its territorial expansion as well as the necessity of defending against the Dothraki necessitated an standing army over 300,000 strong.  After the wall went up the need for such a large force was deemed an unnecessary expense and a waste of good manpower. 

 

Now the Imperial Army numbered only some 48,000 Legionnaires across eight legions with another four legions and 24,000 men in reserve.  Adding to that the 10,000 Imperial Rangers who guarded the wall and borders, the retainership of the Golden Company numbering another 10,000 men and the Imperial guard with 2,000 men.  While each legionnaire was well trained, well equipped and well motivated the Dothraki could easily outnumber them on any prospective battlefield.  The wall was the best defense against the Dothraki and they had only breached it once in over two centuries.  But being in personal command of the force that had to deal with that breach the Emperor knew it would be better if it didn't come to that.

 

Many ideas were thrown around at the meeting about how to deal with the looming threat, ranging from creating new legions to mobilizing the reserves or, despite the cultural taboo, enlisting slave soldiers.  The first idea had some merit but it would take months, before those troops would be trained and battle-ready.  It would also be a fairly expensive undertaking to equip them.  The second idea was a more reasonable idea, one which they would probably do.  The problem was that the reserve legions consisted mainly of peasants and farmers who were currently in the middle of the harvest meaning that mobilizing the reserves could cause a fair amount of economic damage.  They would be called to service at the end of the harvest but that could take several weeks.  They were also not as well trained as the normal legionnaires, training during the period after the harvest is over and before the planting.  The last suggestion was a very distasteful idea who's suggestor the emperor had half a mind to punish but refrained from doing so. 

 

A more viable solution would be to petition Westeros for assistance but he would await word from the Head Ranger who he had sent request an audience with the Great Khal Mogo and possibly bring him back to the Capitol so that they could speak in person.  They had personally met on the battlefield twenty years ago, both young warriors and leaders of men.  Though he defeated Mogo, Altaris spared him and saw him treated by his own personal physicians and doctors.  They formed an strange but sturdy friendship and peace had reigned since then.  The emperor wondered why the Khal would turn back on the peace.  No matter, it was time for him to eat his lunch and nap before he met with the Senate.

[MostGloriousLeader]

Fed and rested, the emperor began his journey to the senate, leaving the palace and walking across the Imperial Forum, the center of the capital.  The Forum was a testament to the power and wealth of the empire, with a giant fountain made of gold and marble in the center and beautified with gardens, monuments and statues of all sizes and construction.  Surrounding the plaza were some of the most important buildings in the Empire.  Among them the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Senate, the Temple of R'hllor and the Temple of the Seven next to that as well as the Imperial Court and numerous other important government buildings.  It always delighted Altaris to see the beauty of the Forum and he walked through often when he had free time, which seemed to be less and less as the days went by.  Accompanied by a dozen Imperial Guards, they cut a swath through the crowds, who parted and bowed their heads in respect for the emperor as the group walked past.

 

Climbing the steps of the Senate the emperor was saluted by the imperial guardsmen at the door who opened them for his party, loudly announcing his arrival by doing so.  The Imperial Senate was also a sight to behold.  The Senate chamber was a single giant open room with elevated seats along the walls arranged in a semicircle to accommodate the 500 men of the Senate as well as their entourages with a similarly designed balcony around the walls so that members of the public could sit on Senate meetings.  The loud murmurs subsided as the emperor approached the head of the chamber where he greeted the High Consul, the head of the Senate.  "Your Highness" he said as he bowed.  "It is always a pleasure to see you in the chambers of the senate.  Please, follow me to my private chambers".

 

As they were heading to the High Consul's chamber Altaris reflected on the design and purpose of the Senate.  As the Empire's legislative arm it was responsible for the creation of most of the laws of the Empire, composed of men elected by popular vote by their districts, although they were for the most part almost entirely from nobility or were very prominent members of their communities.  Even so, the Senate yielded very little power, at least compared to the emperor, who could pass or veto or rescind any laws he wished of his own accord.  An emperor also had the power to unilaterally dismiss or appoint senators whenever he chose, although this wasn't a frequent occurrence.  Even with his greater power, an emperor did not simply ignore the senate, not a sensible emperor anyway.  The primary purpose of the Senate was to be a voice for the people, a good emperor would do well to listen and understand the issues faced by the empire.

 

The High Consul's chambers were nowhere near as big as the main senate chambers but were nonetheless quite large.  As the High Consul's designated private workplace, it was made to accommodate somewhat large audiences.  An audience which was present.  Six men were waiting for them when they arrived, all of whom the emperor recognized.  They were the Imperial Representatives of the Association of the Free Cities, an official organization extending the Empire's influence further through western Essos.  Under the Association, the members gained the protection and assistance of the empire and submitted themselves as a pseudo vassal state.  Their lands were opened to Imperial soldiers and traders and provided large amounts of tribute as well as standardizing trade and economic standards but they were able to retain their own systems of governance and overall independence.  Even so, the Empire's influence had great effect on members.  Most had come to adopt the laws of the Empire as well as its culture and system of governance.  More than just trading partners, they were trusted allies and were basically extensions of the empire itself.

 

Territories of the Association of Free cities in blue

 

"Your Highness" they all said as they greeted Altaris with a bow.  "We are grateful you have granted us an audience" said the representative from Myr. "We have been instructed by our various governments to present you with this proposal" he said handing the emperor a sealed scroll.  Opening it, the emperor read the document which asked for the formal inclusion of the territories into the Empire.  "I see" said the Emperor.  "I am inclined to grant this request when approved by the Senate.  High Consul?".  "Yes your grace, I shall see to the preparations at once.  We should be able to get this on the floor by tomorrow, the day after at the latest.  I am confident that this measure will pass" said the High Consul.  "Excellent.  I'd like to invite all of you to dine with me tonight at the palace.  I shall also have overnight arrangements made for you there as well.  I shall see you later tonight" said the emperor as he walked out of the room.

 

The walk back to the palace was pleasant but filled with thought for the emperor.  In spite of the fact that the Empire was one of the, if not possibly richest, nations in the world, their was a potentially serious economic crisis looming over the horizon.  While the budget was well in the positive there were still many large scale expenses on hand, most pressingly the military.  The amount of money needed to maintain the Great Wall and the Imperial Rangers who garrisoned it costed a fair fortune.  Maybe not as much as would be needed to maintain a larger force without the wall but it was still expensive.  Unlike the Westerosi's and their Night's Watch, the rangers weren't a ragtag group of criminals and glory seekers thrown into the fray.  It was a professional standing force charged with defending the borders against a serious threat.  In addition to that the Imperial Legions, the mainstay of the army, were even more expensive. 

 

Trade revenues were up but recently there has been a marked increase in piracy levels.  Due to budget constraints the navy was limited to some 58 warships, not enough to fully cover the Empire's lucrative trade network.  Deals had been struck with trading partners for their assistance in combating piracy but it was still impossible to defend every trade ship.  New measures taken included the limited arming of merchant vessels but that was also a serious undertaking which cut into the profits made.  Intelligence hinted that the slaving cities of Yunkai and Astapor were behind this notable spike in piracy, an allegation, if proven, would lead to serious consequences for them.  In the meantime though the navy would do what it could to protect shipping while intelligence was gathered on pirate hideouts and possible sponsors.

 

The inclusion of the Association of Free Cities into the empire could possibly help avert a budgetary and economic crisis.  Their integration into the empire meant increased taxes and direct control over trade ports and resources.  On the other hand the costs of administration would also rise to accommodate the increased bureaucracy needed to govern the new area.  This was something the emperor would have the Imperial Treasurer should look into right away when he returned to the palace.