The Brotherhood's Enclosure (Portugal-Andorra Diplomacy)

[Markus Wilding]

The following message was sent to the Andorran foreign ministry;

To whom it will concern,

The Council of Seven has voted to initiate diplomacy with Andorra in order to ascertain the attitude of the Andorran government and determine its resilience against the dangers of French communism. Councilor Elder Pinhiero will be arriving in Andorra in two week's time to conduct an inspection tour and see to it that Portugal and Andorra's interests both are being met by the new government in the new era.

- The Council of Seven as represented by Head Councilor João Magalhães

[Sorrow]

"Two messages in the same day." Catarina was standing by the window forlornly this time, and--thankfully--the sun had set and Raimon's eyes were not blinded by it. Tell me, Raimon, why is Portugal so interested in Andorra? Not any of the Spanish warlord states?"

"None of them have exited quarantine," Raimon said flatly, "as far as I know, anyway. They probably don't care for anything outside themselves right now." A moment of silence. "Oh, and we share a border with Portugal."

"Do we?" Catarina shook her head. "And pray tell, how concerned should we be about them?"

"I've heard rumors of Portugal being, effectively, a fascist military junta."

"Wonderful. They'll fit right in with the French. Clearly they already have a history."

Head Councilor João Magalhães,

La República d’Andorra will be happy to normalize relations with Portugal at this time after such a long period of global strife--a delegation will be waiting appropriately for Councilor Elder Pinhiero to greet them and discuss matters both internal and external regarding Andorran and Portuguese relations--and appropriately respecting Andorra's right to self-governance in these unprecendented times.

-Prime Minister Catarina Duran

[Markus Wilding]

Councilor Elder Pinhiero, befitting his name, was an old man.

He had seen Portugal through the First World War, joining the Army with his four brothers after Germany declared war on little Portugal. He had watched his brothers fall before him at the Battle of the Lys. He had come home with a pension and a medal from the state, and settled into a quiet life only to watch it all become torn to hell again when the Nazis rose up and sent the world into madness. Portugal stood by, becoming obscenely rich as the world descended into chaos.

He hated it. When João Magalhães came to him seeking a man with military experience and the know-how to get things done, Elder had known he was finally backing the right cause.

Reflections on the past and present came to an end as his convoy finally headed into Andorra proper, the final leg of the journey before arriving within the capital. He stroked his long white beard as the convoy rolled to a stop outside the Andorran main government halls, wondering if the Andorrans would be somewhat reasonable people or if they too had fallen victim to madness and insanity. Surely not, he hoped - after all, he had read the response from Prime Minister Duran, she seemed a reasonable sort of woman. Slowly and deliberately, Elder stepped out of his car, waving off an aide who tried to help him stand up. He wasn't that old. Not yet, anyway.

[Sorrow]

Catarina watched Pinhiero exit from his car from the window of the Casa de la Vall, the seat of government in Andorra. One of the many rooms--in fact, the one she was in--had been quickly rearranged and redecorated to serve more appropriately as a meeting room for foreign representatives. Since the government was in... substantial disarray, Catarina herself was officiating all diplomatic exchanges.

It was exceedingly stressful. She absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair, and with it came several grey ends. She was in her late thirties--surely they shouldn't be greying this quickly? She shook her head and left the room, heading downstairs to greet the councilor, cursing her rather impractical outfit as she went. A few aides flanked her as she stepped outside.

"Welcome to Andorra, Councilor Pinhiero," Catarina said with a warm smile and a strange sinking feeling that she suppressed. "I hope your journey here was at least tolerable, if not pleasant. Please," she gestured to the door somewhat nervously, "follow me to the uh, meeting room.. I'm sure neither of us want to sit out here in the sun very long."

[Markus Wilding]

"Yes, that would be nice," Councilor Pinhiero said in somewhat stilted Spanish. He marveled at the Casa de la Vall as they approached, commenting on it in Portuguese to a nearby aide and remarking on its beautiful construction despite its relatively simple design. Almost like he was taking in every part of the new Andorran government, Pinhiero moved slowly through the building, and whether or not that perturbed Duran he didn't quite notice.

Upon making it into the actual meeting room, Pinhiero settled into his chair, watching an aide pour iced water into a cup for him - his hands were too weak and unsteady for such endeavors these days, unfortunately. He savored the first sips of it, always thankful he could partake in enjoying cold water. "Mrs. Prime Minister, thank you first and foremost for welcoming me to your country. I realize that João's initial message must have seemed very... well, shall we say, intimidating. I will not lie, we in Portugal believe that our country and yours share an intertwined destiny. With the French doing... whatever it is that they're doing... and the rise of new states worldwide, we Iberian nations must coordinate and be friendly with one another. After all, Andorra has been a lifelong friend of Spain and Portugal, a stance we would like to continue. But, enough of what Portugal wants; how has Andorra been faring as of late?"

[Sorrow]

Catarina flashed a slightly pained smile at Pinhiero. "It's Ms, actually... my husband died in La Guerra Civil Española fighting fascists, and I've not remarried. But, never mind that. " She reached for several documents she had arranged beforehand in front of her, and read them silently for several moments. "Yes, I would consider João's message here to be almost threatening, as if Andorra were more a puppet than its own sovereign nation--at least now." This time, the smile she gave was a wry one--interrupted by a few strands of her hair deciding to settle in front of her face. She brushed them back into place indignantly and continued. "In truth, Andorra is in a rather tight spot--we're in the process of building a republic from the ground up, dealing with a massive refugee crisis--as you likely saw on your way in--brought on by the plague. Not to mention the French which, as you've said, are of deep concern. Though it is not the only one."

Catarina set the papers down, and looked directly in Pinhiero's eyes with a much sterner expression, her arms folded on the table. "The Andorran Republic has a duty to its people and through all powers legally invested in me, I shall fulfill that duty and protect it. I have heard some... concerning reports, regarding the nature of the Brotherhood and its government. Beyond friendship between our nations, what are Portugal's intentions with Andorra?"

[Markus Wilding]

Pinhiero frowned, checking a journal he pulled out of his shirt's pocket. He closed it and shook his head, moving slowly, almost deliberately, the whole way. "My condolences. I know the civil war tore apart many families. As for what Portugal... intends for Andorra... we are concerned that the French are seeking nefarious influence in your country. But perhaps more than that, we must establish a... legal matter."

He turned to one of his aides, who placed a briefcase on the table and unlatched it, presenting a series of papers to Catarina Duran. One was the Tractat de Pareatge, and another was a family tree. "Head Councilor João Magalhães is, as this shows, the legitimate co-prince of Andorra. This is not a position he, or our Council, takes lightly, and I recognize the... difficult position... this puts you and your government in. It is my mission, as Head Councillor João outlined, to ensure that primarily Andorra's institutions are robust enough to withstand French intrigue and also to ensure that Head Councilor João's position as co-Prince of Andorra is not infringed or diminished in any capacity."

Pinhiero groaned, adjusting himself in his seat with an almost remorseful look on his face. "Please understand this is the position of the Council as a whole, and that I did vote in dissent of this. If Head Councilor João Magalhães' role as co-Prince of Andorra is negatively impacted or the Tractat de Pareatge is violated... then Portugal may be compelled to remove the offending government by force of arms. But, if such horrid things are not on the table... then all I will be here to do is tour Andorra on my own free time and sign a simple trade agreement and intelligence sharing pact with Andorra."