The Count of Illyria

[Adron Malvern]

[member="Sigismund Thul"]​

It was a beautiful sight.

Over a year ago Illyria's planetary capital of Azurine was a downtrodden, overcrowded, mess. It was a representation of the planet as a whole and made Adron Malvern sick to his stomach. In recent months the city had been the heart of reform for the world. With generous support from The Confederacy and no small amount of spending on Adron's part, the city had been expanded to three times its size and given a much needed face life. The old Illyrian architecture was being updated by contractors from Naboo and Alderaan, the work force and industry was being assisted by representatives from the Techno Union and Eternal Empire, and the population was being properly registered for the first time in years.

The rebranding of Illyria was a project that would take years, if not decades. It was, however, the primary focus of Illyria's new King. When Adron Malvern seized the throne he had done so under no false pretenses. He had sworn to make Illyria a world of wonder, the likes of which the galaxy had never seen before. This was not even the tip of the iceberg.

Still, everything in the world was not so grand. When Adron had taken the planet for his own, he had not come as a savior. His droid legions descended upon the world and he was known as the conqueror who brought this world to heel under his own power.

There had been a resistance. Illyria was a world ruled by Nobility. Though the last World War had ended in the death of the King, the vicious nobles of the world continued to plot and scheme for his throne. It was the war for the throne that led Illyria into a series of World Wars that ultimately ravaged the planet's economy. That and the last King's isolationist policies. When Adron took the throne, many of the former nobles were put to death and their lines of succession were shattered. Partly because they were a threat to his vision, but mostly because they had lands that could be meted out to greater men.

That was what the King's business was about today. He sat in the study of his palace, amethyst eyes gazing down at a number of papers that covered his desk. He was awaiting [member="Sigismund Thul"]. Thul was a Scion of the Noble House of Thul from Alderaan. He carried a name of worth and respect that, attached to Adron's, could prove beneficial to Illyria. Adron sought to claim the Count as a bannerman, and have him take a lordship upon Illyria.

The study he sat in was massive. It seemed more like a small library than a personal study. The room was crafted in a circle, with bookshelves surrounding Adron's desk. The black desk that he worked from was in the center of the room, with a balcony erected adjacent to it and the main doorway. Inside the doorway were the Guardians of the King. They wore black armor with flowing purple cloaks that wrapped around their form. The vibroblades fastened to their waists were held firmly in their hands as they maintained a silent vigil.

 

[Darth Kinrath]

[member="Adron Malvern"]​

It was not long that the King's guest would arrive. A yacht craft by the designation New Horizon was situated in the orbit of Ilyria before it produced a small shuttle craft that descended toward the palace after giving proper identification. The craft landed at the nearest landing pad, King's Guard awaiting its arrival. The shuttle's door opened with a depressing hiss. A man walked out first

He was dressed in dark grey and black clothing, with a red cloak draped across his shoulders. He was regal and swarthy skinned, looking as if he had just entered his forties. This was indeed Sigismund Thul. A black-plated protocol droid came out next.

The guards were quick to place their hands near their hilts. The nobleman raised his hand to the protectors of the Ilyrian Royalty.

"It's quite alright. This is my attendant droid." Thul explained to the guardians, "He shall be accompanying me to my business with His Majesty."

The guards relaxed before silently restructuring themselves around Sigismund and his droid. They escorted the pair into the palace's innards. Sigismund took to gazing some around the palace, admiring the architecture and decoration. He could tell that this Adron Malvern was a man of fine tastes like himself. The escort stopped at what appeared to be a central foyer, somewhere neutral that seemed to be fit for processing guests.

"Remain here. I shall go inform His Majesty of your arrival." A guard spoke to him before moving in the direction of the King's personal study.

"And now we wait." Sigismund spoke to himself, taking a relaxed bit regal pose.

*****​

The guard approached Malvern's study, saluting his comrades and king before addressing him.

"Apologies for the intrusion, Sire. Count Thul and his droid assistant have arrived." He rattled off details, "We have them in the foyer as a precaution."

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

[member="Sigismund Thul"]​

​

"Your Majesty." A voice called out to the Sith Lord, however the man held up a hand to silence the guardsmen who had come to bring news of the arriving Count. He could sense this man long before he set foot on Illyria and even now the Dark Side whispered to him of Sigismund Thul. Adron set his pen back on the desk, before looking to the guardsmen with an amused expression. "Send him in."

The guard bowed his head respectfully, before turning back to the Count. He would gesture for the man to enter the King's presence by aiming his hand towards the study. As was his fancy, Adron wore an ebony suit with purple designs flowing across it. The blazer was wrapped around the back of his chair, yet the vest he wore still sported the colors of the Royal House of Malvern. As the Head of Thul entered, the King looked to the man with a measuring gaze. He was older, some years older than Adron himself, however The Force told of more than age. There was power there, perhaps even a hungering for far more of it. For a moment the King would be silent, his serpent like eyes measuring the man before him as Thul would no doubt introduce himself.

Once that was done, Adron would gesture towards a metallic case that sat at the edge of the room. "Count Thul. I have heard much about you. Good and bad, but what I have not been able to ascertain is your drink of choice. We shall correct that immediately." The King rose from his seat, making his way over to the portion of the study that was hidden by the metallic casing. As Adron approached, the sheets of Durasteel receded back into the wall to reveal a fully stocked bar. Crystal bottles filled with libations and spirits of all kind sat upon the shelves. The King pulled a fine Whiskey from the top shelf, holding it out towards the Count. "Perhaps something of Alderaanian heritage?" He asked, before waving his hand and placing it back upon the shelf.

"No, no....you seem like you would enjoy something with a bit more kick." He pulled down a fine bourbon that hailed from his own homeworld of Serenno. "Here we are. This is a favorite of mine, you'll enjoy a glass of this." The King poured each of the men a glass before gesturing for the Count to join him.

"Here you are." He held the crystal to Thul before saluting to the man. He would take a measured sip of the bourbon before exhaling a sigh of appreciation for the fine liquor. Then he turned to Thul with a piercing gaze. "I summoned you here because I know of you. Sigismund Thul, born of Alderaan and Hapan, you hold considerable blood. However, you were exiled because of your studies in the Dark Side of the Force, correct?" The King had his informants in spies as all men did, yet the nobles of Alderaan were a talkative bunch, any man with credits and drink could learn the story of Sigismund Thul.

"Quite the story." The King said, taking another sip from his crystal glass as he looked to the man curiously.

"One I'm all too familiar with." Adron said as he made his way towards the balcony. "Tell me Thul, how does it feel to be stripped of everything that made you who you were?" Adron asked, his eyes leveled against him. "Once, you held the weight of title and blood. Now your title was taken from you and your blood means little to those who know of it. Even to me, your blood means nothing."

"You see....if you were to die, right now, no one would care. You mean nothing to the galaxy and do you know why? Because you have no legacy."

"I have brought you here to see if you are interested in creating one."

 

[Darth Kinrath]

[member="Adron Malvern"]​

Sigismund sipped from the glass that he was offered. He sat quietly as the King talked on. He could not help but smirk when the other man, who was but a boy in the eyes of the Thul scion, attempted to belittle him. He sipped once again, the Count staring with calm eyes. The comment did not insult him as much as it annoyed him. He had heard worse stings from the mouths of his father's kin.

"If I may, Your Excellency." He looked the King straight in the eyes, "You have only been correct on two things about me. Firstly, this is some fine spirit here. And yes, my father's family were narrow-minded and fearful of the Dark."

He swirled the liquid in the crystal in his hand, contemplating for a moment. He smirked again.

"Yet, we are not just the products of our fathers, are we?" He said with a hint of glee, "My mother is not Hapan. She is a daughter of House Mecetti from the Tapani sector. And I must say....her inheritance outshines that of House Thul."

He turned once again, taking another sip of the drink before setting it down on the nearest table.

"But so long as we're trading barbs...you're not the only one with spies and informants." The Dark Jedi narrowed his features into one of dark focus, "Adron Malvern, former Count of Serenno. Parents murdered. Former military commander that lost his own birthplace to the Sith Empire."

His eyes turned from dark brown to the red-and-orange flecked markings of the Dark Side.

"Do not speak to me of legacy without placing a mirror up to your own." His eyes relaxed back to their normalcy, "Reflection is something every good king should be mindful of."

HIs entire posture relaxed as he gently picked up the glass once more. He considered the offer the King presented, however. He stared into the amber-brown liquid in his own moment of reflection.

"That being said..." His voice turned into that of a negotiator's,"Your offer proves merit. If only that one can never have too many connections."

 

[Adron Malvern]

​

[member="Sigismund Thul"]​

​

There were many Kings who would have a man's tongue for such an insolent tone. However, as Sigismund spoke all the King could do was let out a genuine chuckle at the Count's words. It seemed Thul was not the type of man who put value into idle words. Perfect. After the King's amusement had subsided he nodded his head at the Count pointedly. "Then let us see if I cannot offer you more merit."

"My legacy is rooted. Finally, Illyria will become a world that all will look to in envy and awe. However this cannot be done with the single flip of a coin. It has taken careful planning to get me this far and only greater care will result in the proper execution of my vision." Adron said, gesturing out to the city before them. Truly it was a wonder to see a world grow and thrive at such erratic rates. However, it was not just credits and title that stood important on Illyria, it was the men who held them. "The Illyrian nobility are an eccentric sort. They have been predisposed to endless war and believe that only through military conquest they will rise in station. While I understand and appreciate the sentiment, they must learn how true men of Class conduct themselves. I am searching to create a chain of Houses unlike any the galaxy has ever seen. You have impressed me so surely you are capable of impressing them."

The King turned back from the balcony, waving his hand towards his table. The holoemitter on the side of the table came to life to show a valley. The city that had been embedded in the rolling hills was smaller, yet it had a certain beauty to it. "This is the city of Feu Bleu." The King stated simply, looking to the Count with a disinterested eye.

"It is halfway around the world and sits on a healthy deposit of Phrik. The current lord of that area, Duke Aranos, has secretly vowed to see me deposed of my crown. He's a fat, ill bred man with dated dreams. He does not fit within my vision."

"Kill Aranos and I will grant you all of his lands. If I remember well Feu Bleu and the territory it encompasses is nearly five hundred thousand square acres. An appropriate land grant for a man of your renown. Certainly more than that fat fool should hold. His personal guard are nothing, some Trandoshan mercenaries he hired a few years ago." Adron muttered, before turning the holoemitter off and looking to the Count with a curious look. "Do this and your banner will forever be struck with mine. Pledge yourself to my vision and together we will bring about a new age."