Tsridai raises an eyebrow and looking around the table, expecting some explaination.

Kolei relaxed her posture and smiled, looking over the table.

edited 13th Jan '13 3:00:06 PM by Fauxlosophe

Seeing the Dynast smiling and her fiance staring, Zedeeru awkwardly smiled back as he pulled a cob of corn out of his mouth. He chuckled and nodded his head towards the man, and rolled his left hand, indicating he wanted the man to continue speaking.

"Is that I am Tsridai, son of Hisrar and Faiyinr of the Chilai and I intend to be wed to Kolei, Dynast of the Meiya."

"Tsridai, it is good to see you are well." Jesa began eagerly, "When you're mother came to us last night we - "

It was right about then that Tsridai's words finally sunk in.

"Wait." Jesa said suddenly. "Marry who?" he looked at the dynast, "Her?" he looked back at Tsridai, "You?" The story about his village founders did not sound as light-hearted as it did when he told it this morning. Jesa tried to find the right response, but words just flat out failed him.

"I... I don't... Ema?"

So to did his Meiyan.

edited 14th Jan '13 2:36:16 AM by Parable

Coneem and Donil kept their silence.

"It is a long story," Kolei spoke up, looking over towards Tsridai.

Tsridai nodded and with a sigh began, "I'm not certain I can recall on whose part it began but we met in the court and it was soon evident there was something between us."

"It was enough we felt it worth our over looking certain other aspects of a traditional engagement," Kolei said looking over towards Tsridai again.

"Such as parental approval," Tsridai replied, "We are of a like mind and can do a great deal of good but as you can imagine there would be some resistance to it."

"My Uncle disapproved and so there was little point in making Tsridai tell his parents that he was invovled in the first place. Still, my uncle was like a father to me for he had never Children of his own... So, he was kind and did not engage me while I still looked towards Tsridai."

"The inherentance being as it is, when her uncle passed, Kolei was the eldest of generation and earnt the right to the throne. Her mother being of Noble blood has little right to object to the dynast. So, I recieved the summons and arrived here in haste. My intent was to marry her and return with word to my family. My father was swifter than that and my mother more worried. Rumours already spread in the south of war."

"Marriage now looks risky but it will be a long time before Tsridai may return if he leaves now for Za Chilai."

"Especially if word of marriage spreads. I fear my parents had some guess of it and the only thing which prevented them from fearing it was the belief it was a mere idle fancy. Their response now makes me fear that they, with many Chilai behind them, would try to break the union by force."

Zedeeru slowed his eating as he heard the story, and set down a potato as he began to speak, his face more serious than before. And, truth be told, at the pace he was eating, he would need a few minutes to breathe if he wanted to move on to that cooked duck.

"I am not one who is worthy of being called on for his knowledge, and do not know of how your politics work, but I do understand love. And if you two truly are, then do not let the words of any tell you otherwise. They are not your friends if they stand in your way!" He leaned in at the table, starting to stand up as he spoke more intently as he stared at the couple, "I would do anything for love! Even if it breaks all of the world - even all of Aprhaes - you will not regret it as much as letting your heart break. There is no other happiness you will ever find that is greater!" He shifted his gaze quickly between the two, hoping his words had an effect.

While he was leaning in, he grabbed a leg of lamb with his left hand, and pulled it towards him as he sat back down.

While Horatelemos had decided against speaking out during the journney through the palace, lest he unintentionally insult its inhabitants, the revelation that Tsridai was alive and well caught him off guard.

The situation that the Chilaian had gotten himself into was far worse.

"I agree with my companion here." - he indicated to Zedeeru.

"If you truly love Kolei, then marry her. Your mother cannot ask you to deny your feelings, even if they transcend political boundaries."

He took a loaf of bread from the table, about the only Meiyan food he could stomach after his prolonged stay in the territory. He grinned at Tsiridai -

"So how do we break the news to your mother?"

"Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything."

"That," Tsridai said, "Is the question."

"Hence why you are here," Kolei said, "We were hoping to figure out a way to break the news that doesn't serve as the final straw in breaking a long and tense peace. We'd hoped it would take her longer to find people to talk to us. She had only come by the day before..."

Wunizma Lands

The old woman sighed, settling the club within her furs again, concealed. "You're a damned fool, if you think the world is still as simple as it was generations ago..." she murmurs, a skeletal, black hand rubbing at her face. "Times are changing. What is your name, young one?" she asks, returning to her usual seated position.

"I will give you mine - I am O-nehain Mariun Wazama, once Ai-Hainun; The Black Ghost of the ice and queen of the Mountain, leader of the Wunizan tribe and clan above all pretenders, and..." She shrugs. "A host of other meaningless titles."

Her lips would curve up in a smile, probably, but it wasn't noticable. "As I said, times have changed... And so do leaders. My father is long dead, killed in battle."

Shenlin, Meiya

Igama looked back and forth, from man to Dynast, trying to wrap his head around what he'd just learned. He sat easily in Meiyan style on the mats surrounding the table - While the Clans oft sat on cushions or small benches, ceremonial events were often done in older styles.

I should have known there was more than appeared in this, he thought, his stomach sinking a bit. And now I've given my word to help them. The Tumamxin are going to be least of my worries soon enough. Here I thought I'd be getting to safety... While his mind began to formulate theories on how to escape being caught in what might soon become a warzone, he murmured a few congratulations.

Then, to his horror, the Kergan began to eat - Before the host had given permission. Worse, he spoke in such a casual way... To a future ruler! Igama flinched at Tsridai's reaction, half expecting anger, but it seemed like the two were fairly permissive... Especially by clan standards. And then the others began to give advice... Though, admittedly, the Dynast and her future husband were asking for it.

He twisted his mouth at the idle talk of love. Love. Love was something for the young and free, not for those whose actions determined an entire country. He spoke up, carefully. "If I may suggest, in interests of practicality... Breaking off from each other to avert war would be a... Wise decision." He hesitated. "But... If you are so committed... Perhaps you should instead claim it a ruse, to gain influence for your people by marriage." He shrugged. "Only a merchant's humble opinion."

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal

The sun's light faded as the diplomatic party entered the mountain's shadow.

Rising far above the nearby valleys and peaks, the mountain that cradled in it the capital of the Zewan-Tal nation was an unusual sight. The sun was half-hidden behind the high mountain's snowy top, and the city, similarly, only half lit by the midafternoon sun.

"A beautiful sight," one of the soldiers murmured, and Hanesra Deakin, the O-kelinra *

of the group, was inclined to agree. While he didn't subscribe to the mountain worship of certain... Barbarians... He nevertheless could admire the skill of its architects.

Sennal-Tal was built into the Eastern face of the mountain, forty feet or more above the base at its lowest point. There were no roads to it, or none that Hanesra could see, but that obviously wasn't a problem; The city was built in layers, like a staircase up the mountainside. Barely visible from this distance could be seen a complex system of pulleys and lifts - An ingenious design to raise entire caravans on wooden platforms. Better yet, they likely could be raised or cut in the event of an invasion... Completely denying an army easy access.

But at the same time, he thought, They'd be trapped, with no way to get food save what could be grown on the mountain... It was certainly a weakness that would be looked into, if only for... Insurance. He glanced back to his group - Some dozen soldiers in brightly colored, garish armor, wielding spears with ribbons streaming from the blades, three interpreters (whom he had no use of), several servants to deal with menial tasks, a cook... A large party, but small for the task. All mounted, of course, on finer horses than many a lordling. A great deal had been spent on this diplomatic mission.

He hoped, for his own neck's sake, it wouldn't fail.

"We make for Sennal-Tal," he said, waving. "We should make it by evening, should we find the road soon." The maze of valleys was cumbersome to the Inra, more used to the cold steppes of the north. He glanced at the native Zetali man with them, a nervous, monkeyish fellow with enormous ears. "We will find the road soon, yes?"

The man nodded, murmuring incomprehensibly in his native language. Hanesra could catch a few words, but ignored them - He lacked the energy to become annoyed.

Marching on, the part continued towards the capital...

Shenlin, Meiya

Kolei's face turned more solemn upon hearing those words but she continued to eat silently.

"Ah," Tsridai replied, "You think very keenly. Risking war between our peoples for the sake of love is selfish and short sighted. This marriage though came from shared hopes as much as shared affection. One might even say the affection arose from these ideas. The ruse you speak of, in truth, is no small part of our own motivation in this; a Chilai sitting by the Dynast of Meiya would be a powerful sight. Even more so, if we imagine what a child due to inheret the throne with a part of the dynast and a Chilai father might mean."

He paused looking over the table as if waiting for a response.

Coním looked up, "The Chilai would no longer feel so far from the throne, I imagine. It would cease to be an Empire of Meiya and Chilai and the Chilai might come to consider themselves merely a part of the Meiya."

"And that would bring with it many advantages," Kolei spoke up, "They would no longer be foreignners in their own nation. Wealth and fame would once more flow in the west of the Kingdom without whispers of a fear in the East. We would prosper as one rather than at eachother's expense and Kingdom of Meiya would become one with itself rather than its own greatest foe."

"Many of my people are slow to warm to the idea of becoming Meiyan and fearful of their brothers doing so around them," Tsridai said, "Old wounds are felt deepest and many think that to be Chilai is to oppose the Meiyans and seek vengance for these old wounds. This is why we fear war."

Wunizma Lands, Saremitas

"I am Xhajila, Swift Rider, of the South-Western Wolf clan. I ride under the banner of the one that they call Ui-Xhamilainn," Xhajila said, "I spoke in arrogance only because I knew compromise would gain nothing. That is when no weakness is owed."

"If you are willing to speak, then I will say what I can," He paused, somewhat nervous, "The world changes but the North is constant and though in the south, the wind blows you about wildly, Ui-Xhamilainn believes that you are our cousins still and will speak true."

Kerg, Kergen

Rúlán Mhedharuc looked around as he got off his ship. He had insisted upon taking several of Nimhul's Néníl with him.

He looked suspiciously upon his surroundings, keeping close to his guards, when he spoke in his best Kergen,

"I am Rúlán Mhedharuc and I speak for Faynir and I seek an audience with the Conclave."

edited 19th Jan '13 5:01:33 PM by Fauxlosophe

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal - Fourth Level

Nazlana had been right about her gift from the late King Sennal granting Shathath easier access to the palace. Combined with the captain's personal pass and she had made it to the capital not long after. As they traveled from the border to the country's center the roads became wider and easier to traverse, well used and worn into shape by years of people crisscrossing them. Then they took the river, going slowly upstream where the roads were twisting and turning and would have taken forever.

Back to the main road, ignoring the smaller ones that led elsewhere in Zewan-Tal's interior except for when they needed to stop for the night in a village or town. At last they were at the capital.

"Sadat!" one of the palace guards raised his arm before Shathath's escort. The head of the ambassador's guards walked up to him.

"Mayl. Da toz oka Caemivu. Darak tuvor gel enbreres tika damonon."

The palace guard looked over the other Zetali's shoulder to get a glance at Shathath.

"Sanra shaa rojulos tosh la Viha. Wunital lokrumu tosh ese." Shathath's escort showed him the pass.

Another soldier came up, followed by an officer. More words were exchanged for a few minutes before Shathath was brought into the building.

Palace was probably not the best word for the building. It had none of the grandness or majesty of the home of the Meiyan dynast or the Eralih emperor. Like most of the building in the city it had been carved right out of the mountain on one of the higher levels. Broad and flat, nothing distinguished it as a place of importance except the royal banners and the presence of soldiers. Very little adorned the interior, a sharp contrast to just about everywhere else in Zewan-Tal Shathath would have visited. The Zetali loved to decorate everything and anything with bright colors and their incomprehensible patterns.

Shathath was escorted by a new group of people, official by the looks of them, who talked hurriedly in low voices among themselves.

"... supposed to take her as soon as she..."

"... the audience with the Confederacy..."

"... eastern lords right now..."

"... looking like that?"

They stopped suddenly, looking at Shathath for the first time. Eyeing her clothing, her hair, her posture, the frowns they were wearing deepened.

"Do you have a change of clothes?"

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal - Base

Hanesra Deakin's party did indeed fight the road. Or rather, the road that led to the road that led to Sennal-Tal. Exactly why this particular little road even existed was not readily apparent. But it was no doubt a blessing to Hanesra, who would find their trek to the Zetali capital a lot faster.

Ahead of them the sound of hoof beats was getting louder. A group of horsemen were pounding down the road before the diplomat's group. Coming closer, it was obvious they were military. Different from the soldiers who Hanesra had encountered before. The carried themselves with much greater poise, their armor clearly of better quality, and each carried swords they boldly displayed for all to see. Just behind the lead horseman was another carrying the banner of Zewan-Tal and another with the battle standard of the Uvo Tal.

They slowed as they approached the emissary's group, coming to a full stop once they reached them. The lead horseman got off his horse with practiced ease and bowed respectfully before Hanesra. He spoke and one the Saremite's translators began doing his job.

"He says he is Captain Sennal Takana of the Uvo Tal and that it is his honor to be charged by the king with escorting our noble ambassador the rest of the way to the capital.

edited 20th Jan '13 12:28:17 PM by Parable

Shenlin, Meiya

"Are the Chilai so really slow to warm to the idea of such a union?" Coním said thinking.

"No," Tsridai said looking up from his food, "Few are opposed to it. Only those still bitter for hard lives or half remembered glory. They have power over the Chilai because the Chilai resent the Meiyans. The Eight generals would be of little value were the Chilai to accept the bureaucrats as the rest of Meiya, for example. Chilai have much to gain from a union, only stubborn pride to lose. Still, for most, either choice means little as long as they are left in peace."

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal - Fourth Level

Hearing them whisper, Shathath grew more nervous, she looked around. She accepted 'damonon' though she had spent more of her youth in Meiya than amongst the Viha. She told herself it was merely another identification and 'Meiya' or 'Zewan' too might be seen as curses when spoken in the wrong tone by the wrong tongue. She knew better than to let the accusations or scorn of others to direct her actions or even reactions. Yet, the fear that she was at fault and not presentable even in the finest clothes and with the best of her Meiyan learnings struck her deeply.

"Ema? Rala zetali lumoa..." She squeeked as she looked around her at the ambassadors who seemed to assume she couldn't understand or hear them, a spark of panic in her eyes before she composed herself, keeping her Meiyan posture, "I paid a good deal for it... I was told by my guide that it was acceptable... sincere apologies."

Her Zetali was failing her here, or at least that is what she told herself as she slightly lenited the letters and spoke a child in school more than an ambassador.

She paused and breathed more calmedly, "The clothes are of a similar case, though if the silks are not of a quality presentable or the combination of them is ill-advised to the court, I have some Zetali clothing. If it would be more acceptable, I could wear them instead to better match the fashion of the court or else purchase something..."

edited 19th Jan '13 6:19:44 PM by Fauxlosophe

Shenlin, Meiya

"I am thankful for your hospitality," Zedeeru said, putting down the now-cleaned bone from the lamb. "But what service could you possibly require from ones such as us?"

He picked up a turkey leg.

Kerg, Kergen

"I'm sure you're very important, sir," said a dock worker. He was an elderly man, but still strong enough to handle the workload. "But I think you're going to have to go ask someone over there." He shifted the rope he was handling into his right hand, and pointed towards the harbormaster's office."

edited 20th Jan '13 2:26:06 AM by nman

Shenlin, Meiya

"Ah," Tsridai said, "That would be my mother's doing rather than mine. She set out after me before I had even arrived in Shenlin. We were planning to discuss how to reveal it when she arrived, only a day ago. Thinking quickly, Kolei invented some excuse of state affairs and the need for impartial ears. We had hoped she wouldn't intuit danger but return, seek the Magistrate of the Chilai region and send him to discuss the affair with us, before telling her. Instead, she felt the need to rush matters and so enlisted the aid of foreigners."

He paused before Kolei looked up,

"It is as one might say, a difficult affair. You owe no debt to us, though a careful dealing in affairs, especially one which might avert this looming conflict would be a deeply appreciated and rewarded."

Kerg, Kergan

"Léním gél. En té én bér cór ne cu tol ló," Medaruc grunted, taking his guards with him.

He walked over to the dock master, "I come representing Faynir. Where should I find the Conclave?"

edited 20th Jan '13 9:18:13 PM by Fauxlosophe

Shenlin, Meiya

"Many of my people are slow to warm to the idea of becoming Meiyan and fearful of their brothers doing so around them. Old wounds are felt deepest and many think that to be Chilai is to oppose the Meiyans and seek vengeance for these old wounds. This is why we fear war."

Jesa had said nothing after his initial astonishment. Partly was because he was still getting over just being here, even more so now that he found himself in the midst of all this, and partly because he was still trying to find the right Meiyan words to elaborate on what he wanted to say.

"It sounds to me." he said slowly. "That objections to the marriage are only a pretext, with rebellion and Chilai reasserting itself on the world stage being the real objective to those against you."

Jesa looked to Tsridai. "But surely not all the Rialyudi would oppose this marriage? Would not your father approve seeing his grandchild ruling the empire?" Jesa mulled over his thoughts a bit more, unable to help thinking he'd heard this story before. "Perhaps some more immediate forms of persuasion could be offered?"

edited 20th Jan '13 12:41:14 PM by Parable

Shenlin, Meiya

Tsridai was quiet for a few moments.

Kolei spoke instead, "The Rialyudi's power is vested in the opposition of unity in the Kingdom. Without the support of the Chilai, they are merely eight generals under my command. There is a great deal of tension, old wounds as Tsri said," She paused for a moment catching herself before continuing, "Other factors, such as our friendship with the Zewan-Tal are taken as signs of weaknesses, while Dussarit soldiers make them bolder. The marriage is cause for them to fear and this will be taken by some of them that this may be their final stand."

She paused and took a deep breath before offering a forced half smile, "This is only our fear of the worst possible outcome."

She frowned solemnly as she looked over the group, "This is why how it is presented is so important and why we hoped to speak to the Shadui... The Magistrate, I mean."

"I was sincerely happy to see you all sympathetic to our situation," She said, "I cannot ask much of you but give her the news and plead our case as best you can. This does mean a great deal to me personally and I will see what favours I might grant in return."

Shenlin, Meiya

"What would you like us to say to them?" Zedeeru asked. He had to slow down his eating considerably. Before, he was concerned with how long he would have to go before his next one, but now, his worry was that if he ate too fast, he would tire out too soon.

Kerg, Kergan

"You want to see them?" The harbormaster asked, scratching his head. "Well, I suppose you should go to the court." He pointed down the road, into the city, "Just go several chains that direction, it's the building with the line outside of it."

Shenlin, Meiya

"Well, there is little that-" Kolei began before seeing Tsridai looking up as though he wanted to talk.

"Perhaps it would be better," Tsridai said, "If I were to speak to her. If you would like, you could accompany me, though to speak honestly, I feel this would make me somewhat less at ease."

"If you choose to go, then you will have done all that was asked of you," Kolei said, her voice taking the tone one might more expect of a ruler deliberating on matter, "We would sooner be able to make the announcement ourselves and so, were you prepared to leave Meiya, we would see you equipped to travel to where you please, either as a group or else individually with Dynastic trading caravans."

Kerg, Kergan

Medharuc left some gold coins by the man. They were minted in Toryl, so the value was evident and widely accepted even outside of the Empire proper. He knew the Kergan had odd custom with Gold and trade but it was more than any reasonable docking fee should have been. Medharuc would not have it said that he had been stingy or mean to his hosts.

"Keep the ship well," He said with a brief gesture of respect.

He turned around to his soldiers and his rowers,

"On lé gon di me gil ne ghal, lé lúran me ré na bél ét bhé dén ba moca."

"Lé lé me dí," One of the sailors nodded, "Tel gar me Cédíl cór ér."

"Bér cór ré."

With that, Medharuc headed towards the town.

edited 31st Jan '13 12:29:14 AM by Fauxlosophe

Shenlin, Meiya

"It is your life," Zedeeru said, "instead of asking how I will choose, you should choose for yourself. I will go, I will stay, I will do something else."

Kerg, Kergan

The court was a rather simple area in a busy part of town, where a crowd of people were watching a man being beaten on a wooden platform, before he was let go. The building behind it was also rather simple, and several clusters of people were in line - most of these groups had a man or woman bound and being held firmly by the others as they waited to be able to go in.

After waiting for about an hour, the foreigners would find themselves in a somewhat large room, with a few benches for sitting in. At the front of the room was an elevated table and chair that hid the lower body of whoever was seated there - currently they were looking up at an elderly woman. There were also a few very large men with very large axes around the room who were eying them intensely.

"Well, what do you want?" the woman said bluntly.

edited 23rd Jan '13 10:49:00 PM by nman

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal

The officials escorting Shathath looked at each other after the Viha woman tried to explain with her simple Zewani.

"You speak Zewani." One of them said approvingly. "Good, that will make things so much simpler." Almost immediately they began whispering among themselves again though, rapidly exchanging words as their feet unconsciously carried them further into the palace.

Sounds could be heard coming from up ahead. As they turned a corner and entered a larger room Shatheth would see the building was not as dreary as a first glance would suggest. The chamber was lit with torches lined up in the wall. Silver ornaments decorated the corners and the sides of passageways, of which there were many, leading in and out of the chamber. Great and intricately woven tapestries depicting storied events decorated the walls. The smell of fresh bread and stew was in the air, floating from one of the passageways on the left.

People, servants, officials, others whose purpose was not immediately identifiable were using the room as a traffic point. Everyone was coming in through the halls and leaving through another, loitering in the large chamber only briefly. If anyone noticed Shathath they did not comment, so wrapped up were they in their own duties. For their part, the emissary's escorts ignored everyone else and continued to argue with each other. One of them had begun raising his voice above the loud whisper they had been using.

"Why are we concerning ourselves with them?" he said with all the distaste one could muster into the last word. "This is the king's home! He can bring anyone he damn well pleases!"

"Because, like it or not, their opinions matter." The other one snapped. "They'll be watching like hawks for any slip up to justify their actions."

"His majesty already doesn't want to send more soldiers to the border, why should this make him change his mind?"

"It's not about him, its about sticking it in Vihavu and his gang's face. They won't have a leg to stand on if we present her as one of us!"

And they continued on like that with Shathath trailing behind them.

Shenlin, Meiya

"At any rate, showing that you are alive and well to your mother will accomplish our original objective." Jesa said with a soft laugh.

"In my opinion, it would be best for Lord Tsridai to be accompanied by us." He motioned towards the rest of the table, covering over the diverse array of guests with a sweeping motion. "Surely this literally universal show of support from the rest of Sphaera would cause his to reconsider any objections she might have to this marriage once we break the news to her."

He laughed again. "We promised to bring her a son, she'll certainly be surprised to find she has a daughter as well."

More seriously he added, "Regardless, I do hope for a favorable turn of events. When the Lost Princess and Tal Father first announced their intent to marry there was great opposition, but we managed in the end. Hopefully we can be of aid in travelling down a similar path."

Shenlin, Meiya

"We would prosper as one rather than at eachother's expense and Kingdom of Meiya would become one with itself rather than its own greatest foe."

Igama felt his blood run cold at those words, as he began to realize the magnitude of what this would mean. Meiya, one of the most powerful empires the Clans had come into contact with, united.

Meiya, who had been kept passive by the threat of splintering if it moved too far or too fast... Now able to move with less fear, able to go to war without a peacekeeping force in its own territory.

Nugoen,*

he thought. I'm going to hang if this works too well.

As the others discussed, he mulled over plans and plots, the merchant's natural greed clashing with both patriotism and genuine fear for his life. My life's gone to shit, he mused. But I'm no true Inra if I can't claw back out again.

"I would be glad to provide transport for someone so esteemed," he said, carefully, "though the vehicle may be more... Rough than you are used to." Definitely keep him in the best wagon. I'll need them cleaned...

Wunizma Lands, Saremitas

"Xhajila," the old woman repeated, thoughtfully. "Young indeed." She heaved a long sigh, shaking her head. "Very well. I shall speak with Ui-Xhamilainn. I promise nothing but a warm tent and good food, however, and we must meet in secret. It would not do for the Inra to learn of this, or they would slaughter my people again."

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal - Ground Level

Hanesra stopped, surprised to see someone who spoke his language. "Gladly," he said, trying to get his bearings. "I.. Did not know we were expected."

The horsemen who followed him fanned out at the others' approach, letting their banners raise and trying to look taller, as if they hadn't been riding for so long. They took in their opposites at a glance - Their horses' coats, their armor's sheen... But also the wear on them both, on whether this group had seen true combat or not. The two groups of horsemen seemed equally match - If not in combat, at least in smugness in their own ability.

edited 28th Jan '13 6:22:43 PM by Hydrall

"Zoka yu za choi ui za kei ma zeyasa," Tsridai began respectfully before laughing, "Dsō djo ō tsrōi oi dsa Tsilai ma dsā ao djōla!" Proper Meiyan & Translation

This was perhaps for the first time that Tsridai did not observe manners himself, letting slip a thick, and to a trained ear - exaggerated - Chilai accent was such that even a man who knew not a word of Meiyan would sense such a slip.

Kolei's look grew somewhat stern and she became more tense as she looked over the group.

"You will understand then, if two guards come with you and we keep your arms until your safe return."

"No need," Tsridai looked over and smiled, "We spoke only of impartial men. My mother would know a soldier of the Meiya from a thousand paces *

. Better to go with them. They made no gesture to harm here and could have expected no more time with you than this."

He got up and began towards the travellers.

Kolei did not move an inch, "You are reckless."

"And you are a fool in love," Tsridai replied turning back to her and approaching, "I will return whatever the outcome. These are wayfarers who shall see something of no small matter before their eyes. Is this not how all the best stories begin?"

"Perhaps I am a fool in love," Kolei said as she embraced him, "but you are a fool in all other things."

She released him and looked to the travellers, "If harm comes to him, there shall be no corner of this earth safe for you."

Tsridai smiled, "And so, let us set out."

Kerg, Kergen

"I represent the sovereign power of all Faynir. I speak of matters of war," Medharuc said, "And yet, I have been nothing but insulted since my arrival. I demand an audience with the Conclave or their representative. Should I be disrespected further, I shall make no more effort at remedy and return with word of an effort ill spent."

Sennal-Tal, Zewan-Tal

"...I was trained in Shenlin," Shathath nodded trying to keep pace, "...I was trained in their classical Meiyan ettiquite and it comes to me more naturally than Viha mannerisms now. If you fear a damonon before your King, I promise you that the most you have to fear is a daughter of the Meiyan courts. If this is still not acceptable, then I will endevour to make all I know of Zetali custom into habit as well. ...I speak because I feel my success is in your interests and so I will trust myself entirely to you."

"Wa za pai tei yoe lenpai ma lenyasa niya zoku wa za ma deili," She took a breath and paused, "Speak the word in any language and I will do it."

Wunizma Lands, Saremitas

Xhajila cringed at the words slaughter, showing both a fear and sincere understanding of the gravity of the situation.

"I will breath no word to any living man but he who sent me," He made a gesture of respect to her common amongst the Northern tribes and reserved for parents and deeply respected rulers and teachers.

edited 7th Feb '13 9:30:17 PM by Fauxlosophe

Horatelemos looked up at Kolei, putting on his most reassuring guise.

"Do not fear my lady, for none of our number bear any malice towards the power of love." He stood from his chair, only to bend down on one knee. "You have my word that Lo'rok*

Tsridai will be safe under my guard."

Still on his knee, he contemplated the last time he had sworn his services - to the state of Mecras, and wondered if this mission might lead him in the same terrible direction that it had once before...

edited 30th Jan '13 2:30:06 AM by ScottM96

"Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything."

Kolei nodded and looked towards Tsridai.

"Come," Tsridai tapped the So'raan on his shoulder, "The sooner I return, the less she will have to fear."

With that he headed towards the door, arming himself with a sword around his waist and putting on a light overcoat which were handed to him by guards as he passed the main door.

Coním and Donil followed after him.

"En rún ít cór di," Donil said in a low voice, "Cula me dí cu Médha cún dhéna ba culema."

"Bhé radh ét bhé gír me Thúfhon me re," Coním smirked, "Té rún ba culem ne cún cu ít. Now, not a word more in Fayn, for I shall not reply to it."

"En té cím cór íd," Donil grumbled, "Cula me dí cu écábh ne cún me dí."

Ndgahkgh, Dussarit

"Then shall we drive the scavangers from the desert? And the insects from dark places?" The aging woman said bitterly, looking wearily against his theatrics, "They can do little more than spit upon your walls and we can do little more than die on their sands. They live on lands too harsh for any decent creature. It is said before them, there were crueler creatures that lurked in there. Now those that drove them out have become cruel and hateful under the same sun. What shall we do? Set the desert itself to flame?"

"You must know that they remain there not from idleness...", The son stepped forward, "You would not have come this far south to tell us to march blind with you into the Desert, speak your plans."

"No Tsahtaran," The old woman said to her son as she stood up, "You as well, Arikan, must know that the Eralih come with false claims for our land. They arm exiles against us and even march by their side. Toryr has been silent but the Eralih have been clear. Every man and woman who may hold a sword or bow must hold against these traitors now. If you shall lend us strength. Hold for us against an Empire, Against the Moutains themselves which seem to come down against us, and secure what we have won by right; the great throne of my people. Then, I shall set the sands of the desert to fire if I must."

She walked forward past her guards.

"I shall risk my life and legacy to secure the throne for Tsahtaran," She picked up the broken spear and held it forward to offer it to him, "And then I shall wage your foolish war in the desert and squander what little of those two remains still in me there."

edited 1st Feb '13 11:09:23 PM by Fauxlosophe

Ndgahkgh, Dussarit

Yarikon went to take the haft proffered to him by the Dussarit leader - and he flinched a little before taking it, thinking of the wearied woman's words.

They had merit, for the Ietsahru lived in arguably the harshest environ in Sphaera. Many men would die from the heat alone, before even reaching battle. How long could he sustain supplies in the desert? Could he count on the Dussarit to join him? Could he even yield loyalty from his own men?

But now he had clasped the spear, and preperations for war would begin.

Grand Council Chambers, Mecras, The Huon League

Torcecles eyed the Duumvir before him with a considerable amount of disbelief. He glanced around the chambers and saw his own expression echoed by the twenty-one other council members.

"Idiron moves to make war on the Ietsahru?" cried O'ron, a councillor from Reskaalon, intending to clarify what he had just heard.

"Insanity! The lands of those ferals are inhospitable. Any attempt to invade is suicide!" yelled another politician.

"Captain Yarikon has called for aid - you would not send your own kinsmen to their doom, surely?" pleaded the Duumvir messenger. "We need the armies of the league."

But Torcecles knew that the league could not spare them. If the Faynir were to call upon the So'raans support he would be obliged to give it, but that would mean sending Yarikon to death at the hands of the Ietsahru - robbing the Duumvirate of their leadership and leaving the eastern border unprotected.

The Speaker-General projected his voice over the squabbling council with practiced ease. "Thank-you duumvir - please leave us now."

The soldier interrupted angrily - "That's it? No answer at all -

"Leave us. Now." Torcecles glared. The duumvir, suddenly concious of his place in the chain of command, withdrew to the outside of the chambers, escorted by a pair of guards.

Now Torcecles addressed the council. "I don't need to tell you the import of the decision that lays before us now. We made a promise to the Fayn to lend them aid, but now we promise to do so while Idiron plans a nigh suicidal war that can only succeed with our absolute backing."

"We shall reconvene council in two days time, and then we shall cast our votes."

"Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything."

Sennal-Tal, Base

"I.. Did not know we were expected."

Captain Takana spoke again through the translator, his voice polite but cold. "The forest whispers many things. The mountain always listens."

The Uvo Tal remounted and motioned for the caravan to follow. Around them the sounds of the forest began to change. The creatures of the day were settling in for the night, returning to nests and dens and burrows. The chirping of insects filled the air, joined by the night birds calling out to each other. The sounds of the night continued even as the trees started becoming less frequent, eventually disappearing entirely as the group entered the clearing.

Small plots of land spotted with crops dominated the treeless area. A few small houses lay on each side of the road. Up ahead, the buildings began gathering together until the outline of a town was apparent. "Navran." Captain Takana said, supplying the name as the group headed into the town that sat before the mountain.

Takana obviously did not intend to dawdle. They kept right on the main road that went right through the town before making making an abrupt turn near the center. The Uvo Tal had the right of way, everyone else moved off the road to let them and the Saremitasians pass. Many of the citizens stopped whatever they were doing to look on at the foreigners with interest as they were led to the mountain. A few of the more enterprising hawked their wares

Before long, they had reached Sennal-Tal. The sharply vertical mountain was no longer the unclimbable ledge it used to be when the ancient Zewani forefathers had first made their homes there. Two roads on either side of the face of the mountain the group was in front of zig-zagged their way upwards. In between them were what looked like a collection of wooden planks and ropes resting on different parts of the mountain.

Takana led the group past the checkpoint at the start of one of the winding roads. "Welcome to Sennal-Tal!" one guard said with a friendly smile to the diplomat's group.

Sennal-Tal, Royal Palace

By this point Shathath was probably not sure if she was getting the royal treatment or being treated like a child. One one hand the officials that had attached themselves to her had insisted she change her clothes, redo her hair, and apply copious amounts of scented oils. All while giving her a crash course on proper Zetali etiquette.

On the other hand, a small army of servants had been appointed to assist her in these endeavors. Among them was a woman a few years older than Shathath who introduced herself as Suzu, the Viha girl's personal retainer for the duration of her stay in the capital. Also suddenly following her near every step was a surprisingly tall Uvo Tal warrior, whom the official declared was to be her honorary guard. Not to mention she'd by now have picked up that one of the officials with her had been identified as the Raezanzu, the Minister of the Palace and one of the highest ranking officials who reported directly to the king.

"See to it that's she's brought up to speed on everything." The Raezanzu was instructing Suzu while Shathath was getting her hair tied up. The women styling her hair seemed uncertain with what to do with her gray locks. "There are only a few hours before the court feast for the Saremetisians. I intend to present her then."

"Yes, my lord." Suzu replied promptly and with a bow.

The minister pulled out a small case from his pocket and handed it to the servant woman. "Make sure they put these on her." he said before leaving Shathath for the first time since she set foot in the palace, the other official following him.

Suzu spoke rapidly to the hair dressers before opening the case and handing them it's contents. A pair of silver beads that were quickly threaded onto either side of Shathath's hair. Suzu nodded approvingly at the stylish Zetali look.

"Pity about the graying, but I suppose that makes you look more mature." she said. "Now, Lady Emissary, is there anything you need before we finish preparing for the feast? I am completely at your service."

If there was any resentment in the Zetali woman's words as she bowed to the tribal woman, her voice did not indicate it.

Shenlin, Meiya

Jesa likewise bowed before the dynast. He'd been alarmed when she had said she intended to keep their weapons, but Tsridai's intervention had spared him the need to object. With her subtle promise of violence should any ill befall her fiance, Jesa was eager to make an impression and wanted to show her his reliability.

"Your Majesty, I, Jesa of Ovipal give my word of honor as a Uvo Tal that no harm will come to his lordship." He brought his eyes up to meet her own. "I will die a thousand times over before letting anything happen to him."

He got up and followed Tsridai, reclaiming his sword and knife as they headed out. The two Fayn men were saying something to each other. One seemed concerned but the other merely smirked and said something smugly. Jesa couldn't tell what they were saying and even if he did, he probably would not have been able to pay attention anyway. His head was still a swirl with all the new knowledge. A romance, intrigue in a far off land, rulers asking for aid, a distraught mother. It had all the trappings of a classic story, the kind his mother would sing to him when he was small and he and his friends played out as a child. Those stories also had am alarming tendency for their leads to die at the end though, something Jesa was hoping he would not have to do, promises to royalty notwithstanding.

Speaking of distraught mothers..."

Jesa came up beside Tsridai. "So, do you wish to inform your mother that she will be getting a daughter personally? Or should we do it?"

edited 7th Feb '13 7:32:04 PM by Parable