Summary: Cla'Udi is disturbed from his archiving by some disturbing news. He takes defensive precautions for the county, and flies three flags:Cla'Udi was deep in archiving when his aide found him. "Sir, I think you might want to see this?"
"Is it Bel'Agi's account of the Dark Ages?" Cla'Udi asked. "I've been looking for that everyone, someone's taken it and didn't note down who it was."
"No no, sir, it's not to do with your archiving, it's about events outdoors." Before he could get distracted further, the aide shoved the declaration into Cla'Udi's hands.
"End of an era ... no Dutches ... Apollonian Republic," Cla'udi read out. He looked up at his aide "Is this a joke?"
"I'm afraid not sir. It's a direct transcript, it was broadcast this morning."
"Oh my Sakat, a Melangian is just trying to get the archiving sorted, you get a mere 6 months in and then something like this happens," Cla'Udi said angrily. "Don't these people know how it works? If the Dutch is doing the wrong things, you replace the Dutch, you don't form a republic. If the Kaiser is doing the wrong things, you replace the Kaiser, you don't secede from Shireroth."
He paused for a moment, to collect his thoughts. "What is our response, sir?" the aide asked, taking advantage of the pause.
"Get me the Dutchal Anthem of 3350," Cla'Udi said. "It's the third line I'm interested in. In fact ..." He paused again, thinking hard. "Did I go to the last coronation? I don't think so. If I didn't, then I wouldn't have handed over the key to the Ocean Palace. Not that that means much - it's not a real key, just a ceremonial thing - but chances are they've forgotten it. Radio in to them - it's normally staffed by Melangians anyway. Tell them to lock down and that I want the subs here pronto. Those are good Jasonian made subs - they don't break down easily! And what do we have left of the Atterockian Navy?"
"Mostly museum pieces," his aide said, "but we have the plans still here. I'm sure we could rebuild them easily enough - it's not like warfare in Micars has changed much in the last 1500 years."
"Let's do that then," Cla'Udi agreed. "Hopefully we won't have to use them, but just in case ... As for our response - we still have three flag poles, don't we?"
"Yes sir, one from our old Barony days," his aide replied.
"We're going to use all three again then. I want the Melangian flag, the Shirithian flag, and the Atterockian flag flying high for all to see. And once they're up, take a photo of it and send a copy to every Kildarian Count, to the remaining Dukes or whatever they're calling themselves these days, and to Shirerkeep; and include a copy of the Dutchal Anthem."
"The Dutchal Anthem and the Atterockian flag - are you sure, sir?" his aide pressed.
"I am," Cla'Udi said. "If they're rulers worth their salt - if they know their history - they'll know what it means." And as his aide hurried off to do this, he muttered to himself, "And Sakat help us if they do."
along with singing the Dutchal Anthem of 3350. Some people may forget line 3 of the chorus, but not Melangia!