[Winter Council Meeting] Riverfall's Elders Meet

[Gossamer]

Akajia answered Ricoomas, naturally, her words infusing into his awareness. "Right now? She is no one. But we shall see, perhaps eagerly, who she's going to become in the future. There is so much potential in all of you. Soo much. And with Xhyvas back from hiatus, the potential is so much greater. Just like you have, my sons." She said, before turning away from Ricoomas and saying nothing more. Another situation had her attention now. As Nivar spoke, Ajakia listened. And as Nivar wrapped up his speech with Leo, the audience swung their attention to Eosi and the Akalak who'd sat down close too her. It was obvious something was going on between them. And when Eosi stood up and issued her challenge, a gavel was beat upon a podium by Nivar himself. "Young lady, violence is not tolerated in Riverfall let alone in the Council. You are dismissed from this Meeting. Take your friend there with you. You can work out your differences outside." Nivar gestured and several Kuvay'Nas sitting in the audience with bemused expressions on their faces rose to 'escort' both the lady and their fellow guardsman out so the meeting could continue in peace. Whether or not Eosi and Riaris would go was another story.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Recoomas didn't stand when the women did, and instead settled back in his seat as she alone stood up and yelled loudly, completely disrupting the hearing and anyone who had been speaking at the time. He almost laughed at the insanity, was it really that easy? A few words from him and the visitor was already up in arms, and ready to fight? He couldn't believe it, he had attempted to coax a reaction out of the fiery redhead but even he hadn't imagined that it would work so effectively.

Finally once the woman was done speaking, Recoomas stood to his full height, easily towering over her. He stared down at the tiny human women, his lips twisting into a wicked smile. He glanced away from her, finding the surprising gaze of all the people in the council chambers as well as that of Leo's. He wondered what they all thought of her, how she suddenly stood up and screamed raging and threatening words with seemingly no reason. It was humorous in a way, as Riaris hadn't been able to pull an emotional response from Leo, but Recoomas had done so easily from his mate.

He returned his icy gaze to the woman, his lips quivering as he fought the urge to laugh at the tiny, silly, human woman. "A challenge? Bite your tongue young human, before your words lead to a judgement that even your own Gods can't protect you from." He paused for a moment as his eyes moved over her slender figure and took in her soft features. "You call me an honorless pig, yet you stand before the Kuvay'Nas, in front of the council issuing threats? You stand in the same room with the mighty Wysar and show as much discipline as one would expect from a child? "

He paused a again with a low chuckle and leaned forward to meet her gaze where he could stare directly into her eyes, and she into his. "You obviously know nothing of honor and there is no honor in facing you." It took everything he had to turn down her offer, while Riaris wouldn't strike a women, Recoomas wanted to fight, he craved it and would do so with any man or woman. "If you truly wish to face me, then you will have to put more than your pride on the line." he finished with a whisper so that only she could hear.

Recoomas looked up then, hearing Nivar speak to the woman and to him as well. The Akalak stood back to his full height and addressed the man directly. "There is no need for that. I've learned what I needed to, I simply wanted to know the level of character the champion associated himself with. Imagine, a man who is supposed to save the world, having such an impulsive woman at his side? Does that sound like someone who can be trusted for such a task? " He glanced towards Wysar and Ajakia for a tick, before turning back to face Nivar.

"However, I have said enough and I will silence my voice, but I won't leave, not yet, not until...this is settled." He finished and swatted away the hand of a fellow Kuvay'Nas who attempted to lead him outside. Instead the brooding Akalak stopped close to the doors and leaned against the wall.

[Eosi]

”I challenged you to an honorable duel, Akalak.” Her voice had already calmed substantially. The man drank her in, his pale eyes tracing her cloaked form. It’d been a mistake to explode in such a way – he was correct. However, his challenge on honor was incredibly off base. He was a clever puppeteer, but he’d not get the same satisfaction twice. ”Still your wagging tongue.” She said quietly, undaunted by the eye contact. She turned and bowed toward Nivar, this time more reverentially. ”My apologies. I’ll go.” There was no more to be said on her behalf.

”I admit I was impulsive, Akalak.” Her mouth bent upward in a derisive grin. ”But you have denied an challenge to your honor this day.” It was nearly smug. ”I’m sure your Mother is very proud of you.” It was clear she referenced Akajia. If he were so self-assured, such a jibe would mean nothing to his unwavering discipline. But his whispering offer was heard, she was sure. Both deities knew what it meant. She would not offer herself up as a Navikak on some foolish whim. She’d embarrassed herself enough for that particular day.

Plus, the whole affair was disgusting. Eosi despised the practice of forced conception. Voluntary service was one thing. She had no qualms with any woman who sold herself to better the society. It was not her path, but she’d not judge those who walked apart. It was the idea that women found to owe a debt were forced into the affair, raped and impregnated all in the name of honor. The room was starting to make her feel ill. Giving Leo a final meaningful stare, she respectfully exited the council chamber.

When her feet next hit the grass, it was off to the Stained Pelt. She had quite a bit of steam to let off and she wasn’t about to swallow it all. A fight would have done her some good. But what Riaris said did stay with her. The man was a complete idiot, but had she kept her mouth shut, that would have been self-evident. Wysar was surely disappointed in her. It’d been a long time since her training in Denval. Perhaps she should hone her abilities again. Rash behavior of that sort could only get her killed.

At least there was tomorrow.

[Leo Varniak]

Surprisingly enough, the Akalak turned down Eosi's offer for a duel based on honor. A part of Leo's being felt immense relief at the decision, no matter how disrespectful and cowardly it may have seemed. She did not take it very well, however, and it always saddened him to see her so displeased. She left the hall, fuming after a final stare, and he knew he'd have to look for her in one of her usual haunts.

As for Riaris himself and his dark brother, Leo was well past feeling anger for the man. The Akalak had grown immensely tiresome, like an old joke. Leo was certain some of his brethren must feel the same way by now. Perhaps the champion had overestimated him after all. His insults and insinuations hadn't worked the first time and weren't working now. All he had left was the stubborn attitude of someone who'd been chastised by his own god and still insisted. Eosi could use the lesson, most likely. Choose your battles carefully. Not all of them are worth fighting. She would be fine: Riverfall was a society of double standards. People here would forgive women things that would stain a man's reputation for a long time.

Feeling that the meeting had paid too much heed to this one attention-seeking pup, Leo did what he believed Ivak would want him to do. Defuse the situation, move on, let go. By all rational accounts, Leo held the higher ground right now and it would be a mistake to get dragged down into a catfight in the mud. His points still hadn't been fully addressed by the Lord of Riverfall, and he was eager to settle the matter once and for all. Politics had never been his thing.

"Now that you have learned what you wanted to, do we have your permission to proceed, Master Dovukalis?" He smiled at the Akalak, who had held up the meeting the entire time while providing absolutely nothing constructive. Leo would admit to feeling a little uneasy for sharing a city with this man who may bear a grudge on his love, but so far he had seen nothing but bravado coming from the young warrior.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Recoomas smirked as he watched the bitter woman leave. The woman had attempted to challenge him, her way of proving something that she herself probably didn't even understand. It was funny in a way, and he could only see it as a challenge of wit that she obviously failed with. Her challenge, as she claimed was for honor and shame, but he doubted she or her companion knew anything of honor. And if the rumors were correct and the Inartan people were as shameless as it was said, then the woman's challenge was one sided to begin with. She put nothing forth in the match should she lose to Recoomas and that he found to be cowardly.

She was afraid of him, and she knew that she could not best him in combat. However it was that famous temper of her people that caused her to rise up and squawk like a bird. It was pathetic really, and more proof came of this from the challenge that he offered. A challenge where the woman would actually be in danger of losing something other than the fake pride that she waved about, and she refused him.

Just as he expected..

The violet mammoth of a man glanced up as Leo spoke to him. What a smug little human he was, standing there all cocky as if he had proven something. But it didn't anger Recoomas as it had his brother. He saw a different side to it all. It didn't matter much of what the man said, the council was afraid of his power. That was the only reason they behaved like slaves cowering before their master. It was the power of the Gods that held their lips tightly together and the reason they all bowed before a human.

But he had to wonder, as the council so willingly threw open their arms and agreed to help a stranger. What would happen if Riverfall needed the champion's help? As they moved to help him now, would he in turn help them when they needed it? Or would he shun them and claim that his divine path led him elsewhere? Recoomas knew the answer to that, and he also knew that the council could come crawling back, asking the Kuvay'Nas to save the city just as they always had.

Fools...

"The floor is yours champion of Ivak...please do continue."

[Razkar]

Razkar should have been amused at the theater playing out in front of him, the vast violet bulk of Riaris squaring off against a flame-haired beauty loyal to this "Leo" character. The murmurs of the crowd were very much like those you'd hear at a pantomime, and other plays came to the stage to debate and contribute.

He should have, but he didn't. His eyes were fixed and narrowed onto Varniak, a clawing, nagging voice telling him something that wouldn't let go.

Where do I know you from...?

Then his eyebrows shot up and in a single flash he saw Leo again, slaughtering a Zith by shoving fire down its throat, bursting a star of flame and light above Sanctuary, events that took place a whole season ago, but were still fresh in his mind. He had taken many scalps that day, and it was a worthy one.

"Fire Master..."

He murmured the words and finally had a frame of reference for the human. It... changed his perception of him, somewhat, and in a way that galled him. If this Champion of Ivak had been some faceless stranger, it would have been easier to judge him without a qualm. Razkar still did, to a degree, but he had to look at him from a different angle now.

The plain fact was that without Varniak and his powers of flame, Sanctuary and every living thing within it would most likely have perished, overwhelmed and devoured by the horde of Zith that assailed it. But with one massive gesture from his fiery hands, the horde was broken and the rest had been exterminated.

You owe him.

Razkar clenched his teeth at the words. He hated debts. They bound him to a person, took his freedom from him until it had been repaid, and that made him little more than a slave. But facts were facts.

"He is man of some worth!"

His words, part-growled and part-shouted in his guttural Common accent, carried from his seat in the balcony. Dozens, hundreds of heads turned to see the speaker, and many recoiled at his scalp-hewn robe, his form strewn with blades and tattoos and teeth sharpened to fangs. Razkar swept his own gaze among them and found that he did not feel as small and fearful as he expected he would.

He had stood before the Goddess-Queen in the heart of the Great Temple of Taloba. Compared to that awesome vision, and the blessing she had given him, a few hundred pompous barbarians seemed insignificant.

The Myrian did not waste words with introductions or protocol. He had little time for them... none, in fact. His words were the truth, the facts of an event that he had witnessed with untrammeled eyes, and he would speak it.

And if they chose to deny him based on his appearance, well...

Petch 'em.

"This man," he said loudly, pointing to an equally-surprised-looking Varniak, "he came to place called Sanctuary. It was attack by Zith, many, many Zith. They kill many, but with power of flame, this Leo stop them. Made a sun in the night sky-" he held his hands further up, trying to impress on them the djed wonder his own eyes had scarcely believed "-and when sun was gone again, many Zith dead. If he not been there, Zith would have killed all. Me, too."

The Myrian paused and regarded Varniak with a calculating stare. He owed him personally, that much was true, but more was being discussed and decided here than the blood debt of a single Myrian. Even if he had saved Razkar's life twice, ten times over, the sheer amount of innocents tethered to this "Champion" massively outweighed that.

But he had spoken the truth, and lent his voice... such as it was.

"He answer for his crimes." He said, voice colder now, pitiless and speaking of a cold anger. "My Jungle was in djed storm. Many died. Hundreds. Was... chaos. I think is word. He answer, but he is not evil, and he is not liar. He still have use. Not throw away sword because it cut you. Use until breaks. Same for him."

Razkar cursed his lack of fluency in the Common tongue and resolved to study it more. But he had said his piece, and in the sudden hush that descended, he put his forearms back on the balcony edge and waited for whomever would speak next.

He resolved something else, quietly and determinedly, within his own mind alone. One way or another, he would get word back to the Jungle, back to Taloba, the Council and the Goddess-Queen.

The Children of Myri had suffered greatly in the djed storm. Villages were scoured of life and worst of all, the blockade holding back the sickening Dhani from their underground city had been breached.

At the very least, they would know the name of the one responsible.

[Tia'aria]

A lot was being said and done as the ticks passed, and Aria could scarcely keep up. Her limited understanding of Common and the great amount of talking going on left her tagging behind the meeting and exhausted from trying to get a grasp of what was now going on. It seemed there had been an argument because a woman left, defeated but proud, and the Akalak she was arguing with seemed smug and distrustful.

Dyson only had patience for so much and his translation lacked the emotion placed between the words of Leo, Nivar, and the next few people to speak. Tia'aria was hardly interested in the dynamics of the crowd but for the fact that some seemed more concerned with punishing and distrusting this Champion of Ivak when there were evil Gods about and he had proven himself innumerable times worthy of trust by being here, by sharing with them. From what she understood, there were still words of hate being sown. She stood with the Champion that walked for the fire God as well as with the council. If Akajia and Wysar were able to sit and call for peace, then who were these people to stand up and shout for blood?

She craned her head to look at the loudest of the naysayers, the nameless Akalak. Her teal eyes narrowed as another voice rang out, guttural and harsh and speaking in a Common accent that made hers sound like music.

She whipped her head around to see the speaker, alarmed at the sheer foreign sound of his language, and spied the man in his savage attire in a balcony on her side of the council. She didn't know what he was or why he looked like some savage spat out of a Zith slave pen, but for whatever reason, he was allowed to speak and lend his words to the people.

"He likens the human to a sword to be used until broken," Dyson stated when Tia'aria asked what the savage man had said. She understood some but not most even when he spoke using limited words. His accent helped lead his words to being difficult for her.

The Konti set her mouth in a frown. Was she one of the few that saw this for what it was? Leo owed nothing other than to spread word as far and fast as he could about what had happened and everybody was concerned with using him or punishing him for deaths. She had lost somebody too, she wouldn't forget that, but it was time for the people to move on and to harden themselves for the inevitable. A new dark Goddess had risen from the ashes of Ivak's cage and she was curious about her and why Leo wore what she assumed was her mark on his shoulder for he had touched it when speaking of her as though it reminded him of their encounter. Was that the way her marks looked? She had never gotten a good look at the little figure but she made a note to see if she could ask his permission to look later, if it wouldn't unsettle him. If Ssena could kill with her gaze and her marked could see fears, that made her a foe that was powerful, at least to the Konti.

She remained silent this round, watching, concerned, and hoping there were other open minds out there that would see this moment as one to be rejoiced not one to be regretful over. They knew their New enemy now and learned of new allies that might become their greatest in the fight to rid the world of Ssena. This champion had done what was owed and he should be left in peace now, or recieved with better gratitude than was shown by some.

Once again, the Konti narrowed her eyes and looked around to that Akalak as though worried he would make a running attack on Leo.

[Elem Bree]

Elem had initially come to the meeting with zest, having longed for a glimpse of the city's inner circles, though his burgeoning combat skills made him only a guest. As a proper guest, he remained silent, watching the bureaucracy unfold, a custom that the Zeltivan himself was familiar with. He had brought with him a book and quill, taking note of anything noteworthy, should those at the Sanctuary be interested in the proceedings.

The pages remained blank for some time, as civil matters, for the most part, unfolded. Usual business for any city and not of any use to his new home and family. Elem was not bored, however. He simply was waiting for more to happen. His silent wish was granted as the strange visitor to the Sanctuary, the one who had saved them all on the night of the Zith attack, stood and spoke. Finally, Elem's hand scrawled out the name given. The quill sat silently, staining the page as news was relayed to the room as to what had happned on the first day of Spring. The young physician felt his eyes moisten, though no rage came. This man spoke from the heart and wished only for the city to move on. The message echoed of Rak'keli's message, restoring a thing to its natural state.

Healing.

Even fire could cauterize a wound to end infection.

An Akalak spoke in defiance..or defense? So similar. Elem watched the large man speak in open contest to Leo, pride swelling as deeply as his muscular form as he did so. The latter's response, a show of support from the Divine in the traces of energy that riddled his body, spoke volumes to Elem. The words Ivak, God of Fire formed the next line beneath Leo's name. Elem looked at the book briefly as if he had forgotten he had brought it, the spreading of the stain of ink apparent. He continued to write anyway. The single word Champion was scrawled between the other two lines. The next line read, 'Rhysol is the enemy. Riverfall must make peace with Ivak to stand against the dark God.'

Perhaps it was deeper than that and Elem's shock of so much revelation left him with only a simpleton's viewpoint. Elem's eyes turned over the crowd as Leo continued, finding the picky Eypharian and the bloodthirsty savage as familiar faces. They spoke as little as he did. What was there to say in the face of such power? What was the role of a mortal in such Divine games of power? Elem closed the book, placing the quill in its vial between his feet.

The original Akalak inquisitor spoke again, his demands more of a petulant child to Elem than anything else. It took the young human aback to face such disrespect in a court. he knew he was an outsider still, but simple courtesy was trampled underfoot again in the name of pride. He remained silent, however, more interested in the response it would bring. His attention was fully on Leo until the doors opened and a much more clear response came in the form of an honor guard of pregnant Akalak women, surrounding...could it be?

The Goddess of night walked with Her lover and mate, Wysar. Elem could only shiver in muted awe. As the pair passed his row, his eyes followed them, though his vision remained at their chins. Looking directly into the eyes of a God who did not speak to him first seemed sacrilegious and vulgar. Hearing the words spoken by Wysar, Elem felt a reverence for this moment in his life. A Deity had led him here, initially to seek out others who had suffered in the storm. Now he found himself inside a building with three Gods. Feelings of inadequacy were dwarfed by knowing he was there that day, that if he did nothing else he could one day tell his children of such an event, should they even believe him.

A Konti spoke next. Elem was pleased and embarrassed equally that she had an interpreter speak in the common tongue. Learning the language of the City would have to become a priority, as equal as learning how to defend her. Elem was deeply touched by the message that she had to say to Leo. It reverberated within his own Healing heart. It lifted his spirits somewhat to hear a voice of reason to sing in harmony with that of Wysar. Elem reached down and dabbed the quill once more, the book opening to the next blank sheet.
It found itself filling quickly with more University quality note taking. Leo had the floor again and he only opened the Zeltivan's mind further, albeit by now akin to a pick ax being stretched and pushed, rending a hole in the man's head. It would remain open, as open as his eyes.

Rhysol
- Pettiness and paranoia. Lies, strife, division, chaos.
- His priests known as Druvin:
-Immortal outside of Sylir's power
- Evil
- Pupil-less eyes
Vayt
- Plague master. Rhysol's vassal.
- Current Cyphrus disease possible cause
- Syliran Expedition?

New Sylir
- Son of Sylir, Alvina
- Glav Navik, Priest of Syliras

Xhyvas
- Ancient God
- partial death?
- Transcendence and possibilities
- Gnosis . . .short term divination?
- Commands Gasvik
- Monstrous aspect
- Great intellect
- One revived Xhyvas
- Reclusive

Akvin
- Creativity incarnate
- Akvin Kultra, Master Magecrafter of Syliras
- Quick thinkers and entrepreneurs

Ssena
- Former Champion of Rhysol, the Voice
- Terror
- Marked know no fear
- Can see a person's fears

Elem dabbed his quill again, resting his hand along the page's edge as the ink dried. He looked over these notes as Leo fell silent, his mind absorbing the growing roster of Divine.With Nevar's speech, however, as soon as the ink was dry enough, the page turned and more came. The City recognized Leo as Ivak's champion and yet still remained legal in its outreach, an interesting note to Elem. He was found not responsible for the destruction and a historian was requested to chronicle the events. More petitioners began to speak as Elem shifted in his seat, not sure what he could add to such momentous events.

A monument was requested by the Champion to be placed in one of the parks. Elem hoped it would be Lapis, which could surely use some upkeep. It probably meant Leo would be about long enough to speak to on his own. The posturing between the Champion's companion and the instigator was largely ignored as Elem was much more interested in the facts he had absorbed and the impending troubles they might bring. Besides, between the Glory, Tuvya and the Arena, it was not anything he wasn't used to. The main difference to Elem was that the onlookers in this case demanded better behavior by Their very being. Once the pair had been ejected, Elem had only to agree with the savage's belief that Leo had saved them all at the Sanctuary. When the time was right, he would thank the man.