Pasha Kayla

Kayla looked out over the blissful port before her. The golden-red rays of the setting sun cast a scintillating mirror image on the calm sea. It was a portrait of beauty, as were most sunsets from the Pasha's grand villa. A bustle of slaves worked diligently on her person, from the grooming of her hair to the painting of her nails, applying the most expensive of makeup and perfume to her body and adorning her in the rarest of Naeralith's jewellery. Drawing her gaze away from the serene horizon, Kayla brought herself out of her private contemplation. With a frustrated rush of hands, she released herself from her fussing slaves and made her way over to an ornate table bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, her golden slippers making but the slightest shuffle on contact with the rich fur carpet. Rolling her neck around several times, causing her long deep red hair to gently brush across her highly ornate dress, the Pasha groaned at her upcoming duty. The Scarthian envoy was here. It was not that she disliked the Scarthians a such, it was just that she couldn't trust them in any regard, let alone deal with them comfortably. Nevertheless, the shipments of gold and gems from the Scarthia were one of many important pieces in Kayla's elaborately woven tapestry of world trade.
Pouring herself a cup of Scarthian Red, 1582av vintage, the Pasha chuckled at the amusing interplay between their nation's resources. As stood thinking on how to best trample the Scarthian economy beneath her feet, she mused over her indulgence in a Scarthian wine. The poetry kept a smile on the Pasha's face as she gulped down the rest of her wine, and made her way through the great oak doors of her bedroom, her slaves in close pursuit.
After a brief stroll in the expensive gardens outside her villa, the Pasha came to the building used for the entertainment of guests. After a deep breath of contemplation, the Pasha ordered that the doors be opened by her slaves, then stepped inside to greet the envoy. The visitor to her kingdom was exactly how Kayla had pictured she would be. Typically Scarthian, with a similar light tan to her own, dark haired, with bright green eyes. Dressed in attire attributable to many wealthy Scarthian women, the envoy wore a skimpy skimpy silk outfit, no shoes, and an assortment of rattling jewellery of complementing colours to her painted nails, toenails and silk dress. In this case, the colour was blue. Kayla breathed a subtle sigh of relief, for a blue outfit was important only in the sense that it wasn't red. Only Scarthian priests and priestesses were allowed to wear red, so thankfully this envoy did not belong to such a station, or alternatively did not want to advertise her station. The Pasha hoped for the former.

"Greetings Lleria," the grand hostess announced, smiling warmly and opening her arms out wide to embrace her guest, "I welcome you to my Kingdom." Lleria embraced the Pasha in return, planting an elaborate kiss on each of her hostess' cheeks as befitting a typical Scarthian greeting.

"I thank you Grand Pasha Kayla," the envoy replied in a rich, but sweet Scarthian accent, "Your Kingdom is very beautiful, and with such a nice climate us Scarthians are used to. It is not surprising you get so many of our people employed in entertainment here in Louianna, no?" Kayla chuckled and nodded to her guest, secretly growling on the inside. She was aware of the high number of Scarthian entertainers in her kingdom. Admittedly they were found in many kingdoms other than her own due to their natural talent, but it still unsettled the Pasha to think of the potentially large population of spies in her midst.

"So down to business," the Louiannan ruler announced, changing the tone, "I must say I am disappointed with your Pontifices." The young Scarthian blinked at her statement, but otherwise gave no indication of any surprise. Kayla continued, "Your gold shipments have been late and below agreed thresholds. I have yet to receive any precious stones this quarter, and your silk shipments also appear to have been slowly declining." Lleria remained silent for a moment, pursing her lips, before lowering herself gently into a chair, sitting cross-legged, chin-in-hand, in stark contrast to Louiannan manners for formal engagements.

"You insult me Pasha," the envoy cooed, eyeing Kayla intensely with her deep green eyes, "Do you think Scarthia does not know of the reasons behind these delays?"

"I assume you can explain them to me," the Pasha replied calmly, meeting Lleria's gaze with her own, "That is why I have summoned you to me."

"Do not dance with me!" the Scarthian envoy snapped back, "The pirates we captured raiding our ships confessed to be your own when we tortured them!"

"A man will confess much that is not true under duress." Kayla countered with a wry smile. Lleria shifted uncomfortably, her fingers and toes curling from frustration.

"You are treading in dangerous waters here Pasha," The Scarthian threatened, rising to her feet "Such blatant aggression against our nation could result in military action. Also, you would be risking our trade agreement which, I am sure, is something you would rather avoid. Scarthia can always take its goods elsewhere!" The ruler of Louianna chuckled at Lleria's attempts to intimidate her.

"You could take your trade elsewhere, but think of what you would lose." she grinned, "You would lose the protection of the Louiannan fleet, and be easy pickings for anyone who cared to try, including those pesky Minlaya who bother your vessels so much." Kayla's eyes narrowed. "Also, in regard to your suggestions of conflict, I can assure you that the Louiannan military is primed for any aggression, and our warships are plentiful. No Lleria, I think that it would be in your Grand Pontifex's best interest to hold up her end of the trade agreement." Kayla stood to face the Scarthian, holding her arms out wide once again. Tentatively, the confounded Scarthian accepted the embrace from her hostess. This time there were no kisses.

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Grand Pasha Kayla was a highly successful ruler of the Louiannan Trade Empire during its more advanced years. She was known for her incredible intelligence and logistic skills as well as her direct, forceful nature. During her reign, Kayla focussed on the aggressive expansion of Louianna's trade networks through the use of intrigue, piracy and occasionally brute force. Always aware of the threats around her, she invested heavily into the expansion of the Louiannan navy and, to some extent, Louianna's standing armies. Due to the benefits Kayla brought to Louianna she was highly respected amongst her people, despite her eccentricities. As keen lover of wine, Kayla was often found to be extravagantly drunk in the strangest of circumstances. Standing atop a crows nest declaring her love for a young sailor, marching out of a bath house demanding a towel, amongst other strange events. Despite her peculiarities, she remained popular throughout her rule, and successfully expanded Louianna's trade influence to new, impressive heights.