Letter #1

To: His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Raymond Edward Emmanuel


Your Highness,

After careful consideration and much debate amongst us, we are obliged to provide you with counsel on how to proceed with your plans on the basis of understanding that these are long-term policies that they have to be applied over several years, most likely decades.

We are based on an assumption that Your Highness would approve that long-term future of the core territories of the Empire will be ensured, and whatever territorial gains or losses will be endured, their influence on overall strength of the nation will be kept to a necessary minimums.

We have considered three aspects of the whole situation - the recommendations that would enable us to proceed with the necessary steps towards major institutional reforms, the funds we would need to appropriate for the keeping of necessary counsel and research, and the ways of gaining political power necessary to implement the reforms that could at least enable us to reduce the possibility for any counter-movement to arise.

1. Recommendation for the reform process.

a) Law System Review

As a whole the system needs to be reviewed, with introduction of criminal and civil courts, corresponding to local jurisdictions. It is an open question, whether rulings by land holders should be a part of the system, but we do concede that due to the lack of educated and experience law practitioners, we maybe forced to keep it in all, but most serious of cases.

There is also much need for the codification of law, as imperial law consists of no less than 6 distinct legal system - Gran, Straits, Lakeland, Northland, Westernland and Imperial Common traditions. We feel strongly that especially in cases of criminal law and public affairs, the laws of the land should be unified. As far as the private and civil law is concerned, we feel strongly that Gran, Imperial Common and Lakeland traditions should be researched and common codex applied, however, due to the local conditions, there maybe need to provide the exceptions for the local circumstances.

b) Administrative System

We are of the mind that the country should have a clear administrative with direct course of recourse for Imperial citizens. Therefore, we think that the administrative reform should be made and a parity between imperial fiefs and imperial provinces should be achieved.

We also think that changes in the provincial and ducal borders are necessary for improvement of certain regions. There is also need to clearly mark the equality between administration of the fief by its holder and administration of the province or imperial city by governor or lord mayor. Thus said, we think that establishing of a ducal court over both lesser titled nobles and governors should be mandated.

It is also in the interest of the clarity, that the lesser members of the royal family, not be given lifetime holdings, as a way of compensation.

c) Government Reform

It is imperative that a government should be reformed and not be subject to a compromise between unelected bodies of interest. A chancellor, shall be free to choose his Cabinet and ministers with Imperial approval without the need of additional parties to co-sign on the appointments. The government's departments and ministries should be organised in a way that would permit them to be functional, without quotas of higher level officials per department.

Imperial agencies shall answer to appropriate government's branches, however, their heads should not, as a rule be government ministers. The current limitation on a number of offices and agencies shall be removed.

d) Establishment of Representation

We think that any fief or province should have a provincial assembly representing citizens of the province, directly or indirectly elected. We also are of the mind that tax records should be basis on which the voting rights are established, although other criteria, including ownership of a land holding, or property, maybe sufficient to establish a voting right.

We also think that a Parliamentary Assembly shall be established, with bicameral structure. The Lower House should be elected by a popular vote, with representation from each and every province, according to the number of population and tax payers in each one. The Upper House members should be representing the provinces, each having one vote. It is our recommendation that this representation should be established by fief holders and governors.

This Assembly should have some power over matters of additional taxation, freedom and common law. It is also advisable that any person selected to be an Imperial Chancellor shall command a majority in at least one of the houses of parliament.

e) Army Reforms

A commission has to be setup on reforming the structure of military into a modern force of officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers and their redistribution of garrisons around the country.

We do feel strongly that the structure, which allows the fief holders to commission large number of troops and recruit mercenaries should be abandoned and any right to establish such commission shall be withdrawn in long-term. It is, however, of paramount importance, that any change would be gradual. Therefore, we recommend that army reform includes provisions for the inclusion of commands held by fief holders or officers of their choosing, while still transferring most of the power to the Imperial Army.

The two-tier structure of the field army and the castle garrisons should be re-examined, especially whether there is need for an upkeep of so many long-standing military structures. We therefore feel, that at least of some of the current castles, should be reduced, their upkeep stopped or transferred to the civil authorities, especially in areas where large communities have formed around the military holdings. The savings shall be invested in strategic areas and forts, and training of the troops.

f) Navy Reforms

We feel that navy presence should be transferred to strategic bases with secondary ones established in the areas, where a necessity arises due to piracy, need of transport for the army, or an action against smugglers. We do also feel that any duty of protection of fishermen and sea vessels and collecting Imperial Taxes, and ensuring ordinary levels should be transferred to other agencies.

g) Nobility and social ranks

We are of the mind that 'Book of Noble Houses' should be reviewed and official list of the peers of Empire shall be made available. There is also much need for reform of ranks of nobility below the ducal level, especially creating laws differentiating between fief holders and other nobles, creating titles for heirs and lesser lines of nobility.

We also do feel that reforms the law to state the only privileges stemming from the noble birth should be an access to the ceremonial positions at the ducal and Imperial courts, and recourse from service in non-essential capacity.

We recommend that younger lines of Imperial family should have access to Imperial holdings, rather than governorship or fiefs created in their names, and the precedence of those holdings shall be accessible in official list of the peers.

h) Tax reforms

After the laws of the land have been reviewed, list of tax exemptions shall be re-examined and applied by category and not in singular cases. We would recommend for the lawmakers to take measures to revoke some of the exemptions entirely.

The provincial and city assemblies should have measures to apply additional taxes no higher than a fifth and a tenth or Imperial tax accordingly.

i) Tariffs reforms

After much though, we recommend for all the local tariffs to be abolished, and a tax based on sale value of the goods to be introduced. The laws regarding trade with non-Imperial entities shall be negotiated with the respective polities, subject to approval from Imperial Assembly.

j) Police reforms

An Imperial police force, both at the provincial and district level should be established, to conduct all criminal investigations and uphold the law of the land. Existing police force should be expanded and some local militias (both urban and rural) should be incorporated. The police powers of fief holders and governors shall be reduced, except in cases where they are need to uphold the local laws and collect taxes and tithes.

2. Appropriation of necessary funds

We have discussed the matter thoroughly and concluded that the income necessary to oversee and implement the reform, will be beyond our means, if we were to provide ourselves, even with any generous contributions that some of us may contribute.

Therefore, to hold sufficient funds, we have come out with a threefold solutions, though it might be not all to Your Highness's liking.

a) Future development means

We would establish a club or a company that would be offered a 999-year lease on flatlands beyond Kingfisher of forty-five to fifty acres. This would allow to develop us a front for all the necessary activities, a social club, a trading company with possible some other investments.

b) Steady income

The current operators of quite a few notorious high-end gentleman's clubs could be likely persuaded to sell, if they were given an absolution from allegations of tax evasion, slavery and fraud. These individuals would be made a one-time direct offer at a decent value. It is of our view that such a purchase would be a good investment providing for future steady income, while enabling for safe houses and meeting places beyond Queen's View.

c) Personal income

We are of the mind, that in the future, any plural interests, should be reduced to an absolute minimum, and holding of several offices frown upon, if not prohibited. It is, our conclusion, nevertheless, that to maintain a necessary degree of legitimacy, persons overseeing the reform process should be able to produce legally (and officially) obtained funds to the authorities.

3. Gaining political power

This area probably is most difficult to discuss, and probably most contentious, that we came up with. We cannot assure of widespread support for any of the reforms, neither from the general public or the elites. It is our opinion, however, that this committee should hold up to forty persons, chosen by Your Highness and us, to guide through the reform process, and gain influence over certain key institutions.

Though, we do not think that whole process can be started in less than five to ten years, recognising Your Highness's fear and the possibility for earlier change in Imperial policies, we would have to recommend that every attempt to seat members of the committee on the Regency Council (as the secretaries or less likely as the Council members) shall be made.

Cent. Reynald Barrow, Esq.
Adjutant to His Highness Crown Prince

Rev. Bp Michael Clement, Nob.
vicar general of Queen's View
PhD, Imperial School of Religious Studies, Theology and Inquisition (theology)
ISoRTI Dept. of Administration and Law professor
senior advisor to Head of Near-Human Complaints Commission

Hon. Meert de Glanville, Nob.
Imperial mage to Treasury Secretary
MaD, Imperial Magic Academy
PhD, Imperial University (history and political studies)
IU Dept. of History, Political and Social Studies professor

Hon. Mireille Isabeau, Esq.
Mistress of arts
Imperial Guild of Arts, Cutpurses and Rogues

Mr Fergus MacGill
Guild master of Miners, Masons and Alchemits, Harrington province

Mr Nicholas Perceval
secretary of His Eminency, Imperial Archwizard
MaD, Imperial Magic Academy
IMA Dept. of Conjurations professor

Miss Anne Schmidtke
junior editor, Queen's Dispatch

Hon. Robert Wilson, Baronet
senior advisor to Head of Imperial Revenues Bureau

Interlude: Imperial Government

Imperial Entities:

• 1.   The Imperial Court (Marshall-General of the Imperial Court and the Imperial Household)
• 2.   College of Justice and Security (President of Imperial and Provincial Bar Association)
• 3.   Council of Guild Masters (Master-General of association of provincial guilds, craftsmen, artisans and workers)
• 4.   Imperial Church (Patriarch of Imperial Orthodox Church, Head of Imperial Ecumenical Council)
• 5.   Council of Trade Consortia (President of Association of Tradesmen, Bankers and Businesses)
• 6.   Council of Imperial Mages (Imperial Archwizard)
• 7.   Imperial War Council (Lord High Commander)

Imperial Government:

• 1.       Chancellor (nominated by His Imperial Majesty)

• 2.       Home Secretary (subject to approval from College of Justice and Security) – head of Home Office
• a.       Imperial Police Commissioner
• b.      Spymaster General
• c.       Imperial Public Registrars Commissioner

• 3.       Foreign Secretary (subject to approval from College of Justice and Security) – head of Foreign Office
• a.       minister for Imperial Affairs
• b.      minister for foreign nationals and entities
• c.       minister for borders

• 4.     Attorney General (subject to approval from College of Justice and Security) – head of Department of Justice
• a.       Lord Chief Justice
• b.      minister – head of Crown Prosecution Service
• c.       minister for prisons, arrests and gallows

• 5.       Rural Affairs Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Guild Masters) – head of Department for Agriculture, Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs
• a.       Imperial Fisheries Commissioner
• b.      minister for game, hunting and Imperial forests
• c.       Imperial Granaries, Tithes and Provisions Commissioner

• 6.       Labour Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Guild Masters) – head of Department for Labour and Social Security
• a.       Fair Wages Commissioner
• b.      Head of Imperial Standards Office
• c.       Head of Accidents and Compensations Unit

• 7.       Public Works Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Guild Masters) – head of Department for Housing, Construction and Public Works
• a.       Public Works Chief Commissioner
• b.      Head of Imperial Procurement Bureau
• c.       Lord Chief Engineer

• 8.       Transport Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Trade Consortia) – head of Department for Transport, Waterways and Postal Services
• a.       Postmaster General
• b.      Surveyor General
• c.       Head of Imperial Roads Bureau

• 9.       Trade Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Trade Consortia) – head of Department of Trade
• a.       Head of Imperial Trade and Tariffs Bureau
• b.      Banking and Loans Commissioner
• c.       Head of Imperial Statistical Office

• 10.   Treasury Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Trade Consortia) – head of Imperial Treasury
• a.       minister for budget and public spending
• b.      Head of Imperial Revenues Bureau
• c.       Governor General of Royal Mints and Services

• 11.   Science Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Imperial Mages) – head of Department for Science and Higher Learning
• a.       minister for higher learning and tutelage
• b.      Lord President of Imperial Science Society
• c.       Head of Imperial Grants Advisory Committee

• 12.   Wizardry Secretary (subject to approval from Council of Imperial Mages) – head of Department of Magic, Wizardry and Sorcery
• a.       Lord Chancellor of Imperial Magic Academy
• b.      minister for magical works, surveys and experiments
• c.       Imperial Chief Librarian

• 13.   Imperial Vicar-General (subject to approval from Imperial Church, must be a clergymen) – head of Department for Religious Affairs, Family and Non-Humans
• a.       Lord Chancellor of Imperial School of Religious Studies, Theology and Inquisition
• b.      Head of Non-Human Complaints Commission
• c.       Lord Chief Pensioner

• 14.   Education Secretary (subject to approval from Imperial Church) – head of Department of Education, National Heritage and Sports
• a.       minister for development of teachers and curricula
• b.      Head of Imperial Heritage Society
• c.       minister for arts and sports

• 15.   Health Secretary (subject to approval from Imperial Church) – head of Department of Health and Public Safety
• a.       minister for public safety and quarantines
• b.      Lord Chancellor of Imperial Medical College
• c.       Warden General of Public Houses, Hospitals and Asylums

• 16.   War Secretary (nominated by His Imperial Majesty) – head of War Office
• a.       Chief of Imperial General Staff
• b.      Lord Chief-Inspector of the Imperial Army
• c.       Head of Imperial Veteran’s Bureau

• 17.   Navy Secretary (nominated by His Imperial Majesty) – head of Department of Naval Affairs
• a.       Harbourmaster General
• b.      Chief of Naval Operations
• c.       Lord Chief of Admiralty

• 18.   Quartermaster General (nominated by His Imperial Majesty, must be a commissioned officer) – head of Department of Supplies and Provisions
• a.       Paymaster General
• b.      minister for munitions and supplies
• c.       minister for garrisons, forts and castles

• 19.   Secretary General (nominated by His Imperial Majesty, with approval from Chancellor and Council of Imperial Mages) – head of Imperial Chancellery
• a.       Permanent Under-secretary of Provinces and Provincial Affairs
• b.      Permanent Under-secretary of Public Services, Pays and Offices
• c.       Permanent Under-secretary of Imperial Records, Annals and Press

Legend:

Inner cabinet members

Senior cabinet members

Junior cabinet members

Non-cabinet posts

The Request

I was still at least slightly miffed about the whole situation, when I took a short and discreet look around the ballroom. The use of this grotesquely oversized dining hall was sparse, so this was a space forgotten by most people, bar the management of the club. The secrecy of the whole thing was making me feel pretty tense, although honestly, if anything was to happen to me personally, the use of busy streets and sidewalks of the capital city would make more sense.

There were twelve people in the room. Besides the servant, who quietly moved beside the door, there were two armsmen, most likely prince's bodyguards, though I couldn't be quite sure due to the fact that their overcloaks did show neither house insignia, nor crests. The young man standing to the right of the prince was certainly his adjutant, a junior staff officer by the name of Reynald Barrow, who as far as I knew was a person that dealt with people with whom prince could not have been seen. That left four other people in the ballroom, two of whom I have never seen before.

The other two, I have known much too well, I'm afraid, and I was pretty surprised that they were involved in meeting in such a secrecy. Although, to be honest, I should have suspected that Nicholas Perceval, a private secretary to Archmage Thierry Desmaine, His Wizardness, The Imperial Archmage, had plenty of ambitions to advance his career beyond being eyes and ears of pretty boring, though capable theoretical wizard and administrator. Those good looks, blond locks on a handsome, longish face and slim body, combined with impeccable taste in robes, made him pretty well-liked, especially among the female members of the magical community.

Then, there was Bishop Michael Clement, vicar general of Queen's View, a tall, but a little plump fellow, seemingly in his early thirties, with bright, bespectacled eyes watching people with a fox-like intent, looking for each and every weakness he could exploit. A pleasant fellow altogether, as long you didn't try to cross him, for he was a man, who should not be trifled with. He welcomed me today with a smile and a cordial face, seemingly easing me into the unknown. Oh, bother, what did you put me into, Robin? I shot my friend a quick, sharp look saying 'Thank you for bringing the world down on my head' and then I settled down.

'May I ask for the cause of this meeting, Your Highness?' I asked as slowly and as calmly as I managed. 'It is always a great pleasure to be able to serve you.' It is advisable to be as courteous as possible in all circumstances and a little bit of grasping at vanity of person of superior station to your own.

'It is my pleasure, doctor.' His Highness seemed a little bit amused. 'You know of course, mage Perceval and bishop Clement, don't you?' Was it irony or simple statement of the fact? Both, I suppose. Now was the time to try to relax the muscles and muster enough strength not to let out a sigh of relief.

'This is guild master Fergus MacGill.' He continued speaking, introducing me to the middle-aged tough looking gentleman, wearing a fine made, but still provincial looking coat - wool, I presumed, since it was ill-suited for any time, but night in the capital. 'And this is, Mireille Isabeau, a master at arts.'

And there was she, a tall, athletic, but slender Gran lady with highly accented cheekbones, green eyes and dark-brownish hair, braided with help of assortment of pins under the hat. As Perceval was known for his great taste in a wardrobe, she could have beaten him fair and square with attention to detail. Her tight-fitting riding clothes were elaborately marked with flower patterns, though they were made for utility and easy movement rather than fashion. My mind admitted to being scared witless, though I have only heard of her. Admitting one's fears does have a point though; the known factors are usually easier to deal with than those beyond our control. So I have bowed not-too-deeply, but still adequately to the guild master, who tried to reply alike, but failed miserably, showing the lack of courtly grace. He really was an outsider, probably an influential member of provincial craft unions.

The woman has not lacked in social etiquette, allowing herself to raise her hand, approximately to the level of my chest, but still allowing for the double curtsy that a proper court introduction asked for, while my lips brushed against her hand. Master of Arts, well, it was a conjecture that made perfect sense only for the players of politics. If one were to blunt - master assassin in league with Imperial heir would fit description perfectly. Were we planning a coup now? That would have sounded plausible, but Crown Prince did not strike me as an impatient man, so there was something else.

'You do wonder, why I had you brought here, doctor.' The calm voice made me even more apprehensive, if this was even possible. 'It seems that you lead an interesting debate about my research paper two seasons ago.' More like pointed out that while His Highness had an interesting ideas, perhaps better described as revolutionary, his train of thought had some disastrous glitches, coming from the fact that any well-meaning enlightened tyrant does forget, that any attempt reforms, do provoke a counter-reform movement. Simple physics, really.

'Mr. Perceval and Rev. Clement concurred with me that while your diagnosis was correct, the faults in my proposals were possible to correct.' So that was what Prince Raymond was after. 'And Mr. MacGill and Ms. Isabeau were kind enough to come to similar conclusions on their own.' This was finally getting somewhere. 'And I think that while we cannot set exactly set a timetable upon how soon the reforms I envisage may start, it is the present company that will have to develop the ideas into future policies. And while it may take a while...'

My face must have been saying something, because His Highness stopped and waited for a retort. Obviously, I needed to work on my facial expression and probably there was at least one person in this room, who could give me a lesson.

'I think that there is one major obstacle.' I spoke my mind. 'Your Highness, there is no doubt that you are most sincere in your desires to reform Empire and while my critique of your ideas was intense, there is also no doubt that obviously you have given much thought to the matter. But until Your Highness ascents to the throne, the whole point is moot, and what's more, may be considered treason by His Majesty.'

There, I've said it. Now, one had to suffer the consequences of one's impudence and end up on a mission to some forsaken village in back country, investigating if some local lore had anything to do with an actual magic, rather than with local superstitions. To my surprise, at least one other person has sighed as though my words had touched upon some very sore and sobering subject.

'My father, The Emperor is dying.' Raymond replied with a sullen voice. 'His love of unmitigated food and drink makes it impossible to heal him by both mundane and magical means, and it is only months, he has left, though he would never admit it.'

Crown Prince suddenly went from seemingly an energetic reformer to a world-weary man, who saw his world crumbling.

'Still, I don't expect that you all agree to plan the reforms in a day.' He sighed. 'But talk here, and think through, what needs to be done before. I must take my leave, my wife expects me to spend some time with her and our son. I suppose, she is also conscious that in the near future, we will not be able to do that.'

His adjutant opened the door for him, and Raymond left the ballroom with his escort, leaving the rest of us standing in a thoughtful silence.

'Shall we retire to library and eat some dinner, while probing His Highness's questions?' Anne asked meekly after a few more moments have passed and the lack of conversation started bordering on dreary.

'So we shall.' Somehow the ghastly unison that followed through with the answers was strangely appropriate.