Quest The Depths of Diplomacy

[Enthere]

Enthere "I did," Enthere said in simple reply to the new arrival. The Kelvic shifted her gaze away from Jadlin to the woman; she was of average height, with a strong, agile looking frame and long hair. She had a different look about her than Jadlin, or even Enthere. Her long dark hair and wide dark eyes had a barely tamed wildness in them the Kelvic couldn't help but recognize, yet she knew the other woman wasn't Kelvic, she was something different... Enthere turned to watch the servant as he entered and left the tea and sandwiches. The Kelvic reached across to the table and poured herself a small cup of tea, ignoring the pitiful sandwiches. It had been a long time since she'd had tea, but her Bondmate had loved it. The thin stream of steam tickled her nose as she sipped, and the fragrance of the drink was nearly too strong for her heightened sense of smell, but she drank it anyways. She found she still enjoyed the taste, though it was a kind she was unfamiliar with. When no one said anything more, Enthere turned back to the foreign woman. "Hello," she said, unable to think of a more interesting introduction, "I'm Enthere.'' She inclined her head in a very cat-like way, waiting for her reply, then straightened it when she realized she might appear to animal like in such a civilized atmosphere. She wanted to be recognized as human here, and so far no one seemed to notice her less-than-human ticks, or the ways she tried to hide them. The Kelvic ignored the loud argument in the next room, though if she concentrated she could very nearly hear what was going on. To distract herself she continued the conversation, trying to rein Jadlin back into the conversation too. "We were just discussing the Ivy-vess, apparently they are why we're here." She said formally, nodding to Jadlin and completely butchering the Iyvess' name.

[Ayatah]

Ayatah smiled politely to the two others, her head dipping in a formal greeting that she had observed Zeltiva's classier citizens demonstrate. Those black eyes lingered on both faces momentarily, flicking backwards and forwards as she made tiny, subconscious judgements about them. Aya was not an overly critical individual, though the habit of observing and judging was not unknown to her.

The male in particular caught her attention, and the Myrian tried her hardest to remain cool and collected. In truth, her nerves bristled with annoyance, just the tiniest hint of resentment falling on the upward curl of her lips as she returned his slightly awkward smile. Ayatah was familiar with all reactions to her presence: downright horror, distant curiosity and polite disdain. The latter was her least favourite. She preferred to be liked or detested openly, if at all.

The woman, however, seemed more pleasant, so it was she that that half-bred turned her attention to. Though it took Aya a tick or two to realise what the female was referring to, when the miza finally dropped her eyebrows raised in surprise. "The... Iyvess." Her accent, much like the Kelvic's mispronunciation, spun the noun in a strange way that made it sound odd even to her.

I will never know the Myrian word she these people. The thought was a sad one.

She should detest the water snakes. They were, after all, related to the Dhani found in Zinrah: the sworn rivals of her own Myrian people. But she had forever lacked that instinctual need to hurt and kill the Dhani. She did so out of routine and training, but Aya knew in the depths of her mind that had she come across a Dhani on her own in the jungle, she would have rather spoken to them and learnt about his or her culture.

"Why us?" The question was not a rhetorical one. Again, she swooped her dark eyes over the man and woman beside her, this time dragging over their clothes and general form. Neither looked like high members of society, which rendered her question all the more frustrating. "I thought I was being asked to leave the city." Her voice seemed breathlessly nervous at the mere thought.

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[Perplexity]

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One of the great doors to the nearby chamber opened and out walked Silas. There was a grimace upon his face. Were he not such a proper man he likely would have been grumbling quite heavily under his breath. Nevertheless as he stepped out of the room the two guards posted nearby had the good sense to move a little further out of his way. Making his way over to the table he took in a calming breath smoothing down the front of his robes. Immediately his brown eyes came to rest upon Ayatah. In them sparked a flare of annoyance but her heritage was far from the attendant’s mind. Clearing his throat to catch the attention of all three guests he rest one arm at the small of his back before gesturing to the chamber behind him.

“They are ready for you now.” Turning on his heel he gestured to the two guards who immediately hopped into action pulling open the doors. Not waiting for any form of response, there would be time enough for questions, Silas marched forward with eyes straight ahead and a head held high. Behind the doors was revealed a large chamber. The floor was richly polished wood with a single royal blue carpet paving the way to a raised dais where sat seven impressive high backed chairs. Three of those chairs were occupied. At the center sat a positively ancient looking woman. The hair atop her head had long since been bleached white by the rays of Syna. Her skin was pale and wrinkled. She wore official looking blue robes trimmed with gold. Across her torso was a golden sash. There was a wise and patient kindness to her face and a sharp penetrating intelligence to her eyes. Her hands rest atop the knob of a simple cane as she studied Silas and the ambassadors who accompanied him.

To her right sat a man dressed in a tailored black outfit wearing the black robes of a magistrate. His hair was as dark as his robes albeit it was salted with grey. His features were handsome but his whole countenance gave the impression of a predator ready to rip into its prey. The fingers of his left hand wrapped against the armrest of his chair impatiently. It was he who spoke as the party made its way down the aisle of the chamber.

“Well…” His voice was deeper than one might have expected given he was not a large man but of average height and build. “…it is so wonderful that we are finally graced with Zeltiva’s chosen!”

His voice dripped with sarcasm. Green eyes narrowed practically skinning Jadlin, Enthere and Ayatah respectively with the intensity of their gaze.

“I do hope that you found your stroll through the Hall pleasant.” It was then that the third occupant of the dais spoke from the left. He was a rotund man that was balding. From his appearance he looked to be coming up on advanced years in age with wrinkles around his eyes. There were slight circles under his eyes as if he hadn't had much sleep in days of late. He wore white robes tripped with what appeared to be copper colors. While he did not look pleased he was at the moment staring at the black robed man with mild annoyance.

“Please, Richart. Spare us your social niceties. Can you not see they are confused enough as it is? They don’t need you patronizing them.” The black robed man, Richart, flashed his gaze to the fat man.

“Oh, yes, let us not agitate the completely ill qualified, unknown, poorly connected nobodies dragged up from the dregs of the city with an idea that you concocted. Spare me your rhetoric, Tranaris. I am in no mood.” The large man went slightly red in the face. Obviously they had been at it for quite some time.

“Don’t bring this up again. How many times have I had to tell you? This. Is. The. Only. Way. We can’t decide among ourselves. No one knows anything about them. What would you have us do? Kill them? That’s barbaric.” As the final words escaped his mouth Tranaris’s eyes glanced toward Ayatah. The black robed man, Richart, opened his mouth to speak.

It was then that the resounding tap of wood upon wood echoed through the chamber. Both men flinched. Silas winced. All eyes turned to the elder woman who had not taken her own eyes off the three entering the room despite the squabbling that had broken out beside her.

“Welcome.” Her voice was rich with age and held the weight of many stories. She sat forward in her chair as Silas lead the three to the base of the dais then stepped off to the side. That single word from the woman seemed to make both Richart and Tranaris deflate. Tranaris sat back in his chair. Richart sulked but otherwise remained silent.

“You all no doubt have questions. Before you ask them allow us to introduce ourselves?” She dipped her head with a small smile gesturing to herself.

“I am Lisaelis, Sage of Zeltiva and Regent of the University. This…” She gestured to the dark robed gentleman to her right. He narrowed his eyes at the three before speaking.

“Richart Gracey, Administrator to the Sailor’s Guild.” He steepled his fingers leaning back in his chair observing the three. Lisaelis gestured to the white robed man on her left. He dipped his head giving the ambassadors a chipper smile albeit it appeared strained.

“Tranaris Johnson, Seneschal to the Lord of Council.” With all three introduced Lisaelis inclined her head speaking authoritatively as if putting to rest an old debate.

“And you three are the Ambassadors chosen to represent Zeltiva in the coming negotiations.”

NoteAsk your questions guys! Ask wisely...

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jadlin Hayes The man in the brown robes returned from beyond the closed doors and approached the three guests, smoothing his appearance as he did. Jad caught the flash of irritation directed at Ayatah, and assumed it was entirely based on her Myrian ancestry. He was ready to give a sigh of approval on the dismissal he felt sure was coming, when the official announced, “They are ready for you now.” Despite his misgivings about the whole affair, Jad tried to mimic the dignity with which their escort led them into the main room. His failure to maintain his modest level of poise was partly awe and partly apprehension. Not only did the grandeur of the chamber steal a step or two from his pace, he hesitated a step, and then another, at the sight of two of the three seated figures. The stinging tone of the black-suited man did not actually surprise Jad in the least, and he managed to absorb the sarcastic rebukes almost as if he deserved them. The man was dressed in the same cut of attire as the men that had nearly declared a death sentence upon Jad not even a single season prior. 'A Magistrate of the Sailor's Guild', he yelped inwardly, though clearly this one was of some even grander, exalted rank. The other which caused Jad to cringe was the woman he'd seen in the Library, when he'd persuaded a student to sneak a book down from its proper, and lawful, second level location, so he could look through it. He felt sure he was about to have the accusation against him reinstated, with the Librarian standing as a hostile character reference for the prosecution. Fate was with him though. He was ready to drop to his knees and beg the equivalent of the "court's mercy", when he realized that the contentious words between the two seated men marked an entirely different subject than his run-in with the law. He was starting to run through the angry exchange again, in his mind, when the woman stopped their bickering with no more than a tap of her cane. Her smile, her gentle disruption of the men's quarrel, and her offer of "Welcome", set Jad immediately at ease, despite the imposing surroundings. This was clearly someone more than just a librarian. Their introductions confirmed that the black-suited curmudgeon was indeed affiliated with the Sailor's Guild. 'The 'Administrator', no less.' Jad brooded. If this was related to his interrogation about his alleged connection to this 'Mage Silencer', there would be no reason for these other two to be brought in. And they certainly wouldn't be brought here under the title of "ambassadors". Jad returned the man's piercing gaze briefly, then dropped to one knee and gave a bow, offering his own introduction. "Sirs...Madam...Given that the notice I received did not have my name on it, I state, for the record, that I am Jadlin Hayes, newly come from Syliras aboard 'Bethany's Badge'. And though I concur with the...good Administrator...that I am an otherwise unknown, poorly-connected nobody, dragged up from the dregs of the city, I disagree that this is proof of being Ill-qualified. I am quite capable of maintaining an agreeable, diplomatic posture in the face of unnecessarily brutal honesty; as is anyone that holds that not all others are assumed to be beneath them." He said all this with a serene smile, as his gaze alternated between The Regent, Lisaelis, and Seneschal Johnson, pointedly omitting Administrator Gracey. He then returned to his feet and added, "So, if I may be so bold, just what is it we are being asked to negotiate?"

[Enthere]

Enthere Enthere had begun to watch the doors, waiting for someone to come out. She turned her head only slightly when she heard Ayatah speaking. "Leave?" She asked, just before the doors opened and Silas swept in, announcing that 'they' were now ready for them. Her eyes were cold and gray as she followed Jadlin into the chamber. The entirety of the days event's thus far had the Kelvic well out of her comfort zone, but no one would see it. They didn't know her well enough. She walked evenly, her head level. Her shoulders were tensed, as if she was ready to strike, but they were always tense. Enthere found her place beside Jadlin, but not close to him. Her stance was neither proud nor meek, simply sure. As sure as she could be standing before a court of people she had never known, people, she assumed, with power in this city. The lavish surroundings mattered little to the Kelvic, she ignored the details of the room and instead focused solely on the three robed figures. They all exuded education and wealth, though the two men showed little intelligence with their child-like quibbling. The elder woman was a different matter; she was poised, calm, and upon first glance seemed quite intelligent. Traits Enthere respected, but the Kelvic couldn't trust any of them. Trust and obedience could only be gained by knowing someone well. There were no exceptions, not even for well-respected city officials, supposedly trusted by the people. Enthere waited for the other two ambassadors to introduce themselves first. Listening attentively to how they addressed themselves. When it was her turn, though, their reactions to the imposing court mattered little. Enthere introduced herself as Enthere. Nothing more. "Enthere," she said, as if that explained everything about her. She added a deep nod that showed respect, but not deference. The gesture was mainly intended for the elder woman, but the other two didn't need to know that. There were so many questions to be asked, but Enthere found she didn't know what to ask. She wanted to wait and see what everyone had to say, then maybe she could form proper questions. Despite the lack of form to her questions in that moment, Enthere knew that now was the time to ask questions. Her eyes flickered with hesitation before she spoke up in a moment of quiet. "Are we the first ambassadors you've sent? Why did you choose us among all the other people in the city?"

[Ayatah]

The Myrian did not miss those lingering gazes, though she said nothing to acknowledge her observation of them. She was a strange candidate for this role of an... ambassador for Zeltiva; if Ayatah was not herself, she too would have stared.

Being from a matriarchal society, it pleased Ayatah to see a woman in charge of the two bickering men. It did not surprise her, and she barely gave the men flanking Lisaelis a second glance. She did, however, smile warmly to the librarian, who had helped her several times throughout her career and education at the university. It was comforting; knowing that at least one member of the council knew she was not a barbaric, senseless killer.

Richart's spiked comment about the three of them being ill qualified and unknown was met with a cool, lasting gaze from Ayatah. If he thought it was an unwise idea to seek the advice from a group of three random 'ambassadors' from the city, why bother? Her brow crinkled as she considered this question.

It was still unknown to Ayatah why she and the others had been summoned, and so when Jadlin asked that question, she nodded firmly along with his words. Enthere's question was equally well thought out, and Ayatah glanced between the Kelvic and the council members, trying and failing to read their reactions to her question.

Then it fell to the Myrian, and she felt more than ever that the way she introduced herself would create a lasting impression. She would be formal, polite, but strong. Myrian.

"I am Ayatah, daughter of Myri and of the Scattered Bones clan, from Taloba." She paused. The proud Myrian - and perhaps the even prouder Eypharian - blood in her wanted to argue that she was not ill qualified, but she knew that having openly admitted to being of the jungle was a juxtaposition to this statement. So, she admitted to the unthinkable: "And also daughter of Royet and Eypha."

Her stomach churned. Never before had she introduced herself as a half-Eypharian, but Ayatah knew that the multiple-armed people were... better respected than the Myrians.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

"My question is very similar to Enthere's..." She shot the Kelvic a half-smile, then turned her attention back to the council, eyes fixated on Lisaelis only, "why do these - negotiations - require common people at all? Why can the councilmen and woman alone not come up with a decision?"

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[Perplexity]

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The introductions were observed and heard with relative silence from the three city officials seated before the ambassadors. When finally their names and questions had come forth it was actually the white robed Tranaris Johnson who spoke. He nodded to the other two as the words flowed out of his mouth like a well-rehearsed speech.

“You have heard of the Iyvess, yes?” It was a rhetorical question. He did not wait for a response. Everyone had head of the sea-dwelling Dhani that had made camp upon the shores of the beach by this time. The news had spread through the city like a wildfire.

“When the honorable Iyvess saw fit to startle the good citizens of Zeltiva by setting up camp on the beach near the pier, they approached the city requesting safe harbor.” Tranaris seemed to withdraw into himself for a moment as if remembering something from long ago. He blinked away the memory pressing forward.

“Naturally we were cautious. Very cautious. The last refugees that Zeltiva welcomed into her arms ended up trying to kill us. However, it was the stance of the Lord of Council’s Office that they be allowed to at least reside in the sand.” There was a sniff from Administrator Gracey. He cleared his throat speaking up as Tranaris finished his sentence.

“The Guild has had encounters with Dhani before. Wild, unmanageable, hardly reasonable creatures that are better off with arrows painting their chests than hands extended in diplomatic relations. Were it up to us the creatures would be run back into the depths of the sea where they belong.” Tranaris visibly bit back a nasty retort managing to speak with an even tone.

“Then it is good that such decisions do not rest solely with you, Richart.” The black robed Administrator offered no comment to the alternative. He merely narrowed his eyes as he studied the Seneschal. Tranaris cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“We know who you are and…” He paused eyes coming to rest on Jadlin before passing over to Ayatah. “…your pasts. You were chosen at random from a list of residents in the city then bits of relevant information about you were presented for review.”

“Each of you possesses a diverse background.” It was the voice of Lisaelis that came next. Her eyes had been carefully observing each of the ambassadors for several ticks before she spoke. “For you see, while the Guild would see the Iyvess run off and the Lord of Council’s Office see to it that the Dhani are outfitted with their own corner, the University has no stance and thus can offer no valid decision one way or the other. So at last we turn to the voice that rings loudest in Zeltiva, the voice of her people.”

She dipped her head nodding to each of them, Enthere, Jadlin and Ayatah in turn.

“You represent that voice. You are the Tribunal that shall make into law the acceptance…” Administrator Gracey cut in then.

“Or denial.” Lisaelis gave him a cool glance before continuing.

“...of the Iyvess, the sea dwelling Dhani, into the borders of Zeltiva.” With that she sat back resting both hands atop the knob of her cane observing each citizen casually. Tranaris rose from his seat folding his hands in front of him.

“You will be meeting with the Iyvess Chief. He has many questions and concerns on behalf of his people. When you speak, you speak with the authority of Zeltiva and once your decisions are made they are law.” He dropped his hands clasping them behind his back leveling each of them with a heavy stare.

“If you accept this role it will be under the oath that you have in your heart only the best interests of the city in mind. Neither personal gain nor opinion has room here.” Administrator Gracey leaned forward in his chair his calculating stare taking in the measure of each of them.

“What say you?”

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jadlin Hayes Jad was apprehensive at the Seneschal's mention of his past, but was soon given to realize that the remark encompassed all three of the "ambassadors". He wondered if the other two had also suffered some sort of accusation and detainment. He was certain, from the man's look, that this incident was weighed before his selection as an ambassador was decided. 'Have I been chosen because of this incident, or in spite of it?' Was this honor possibly being bestowed as some sort of compensation for the treatment he had suffered, or had his only-slightly-delayed acceptance of the Tribunal's apology convinced someone that he might be level-headed enough to undertake this responsibility? He wondered also about the Regent's claim that the University had no stance on the issue. There was little doubt that its prestige gave it a voice, a powerful one at that, but he could understand that it represented so many differing viewpoints, within both its faculty and its student body, that it would hesitate to claim to support any particular one. Nonetheless, the fact of the Regent sitting here, making a tiebreaker vote possible, gave him to believe that Lisaelis had supported this decision being handed down to the three "ambassadors". He could not disappoint her. He took a single step forward. "My Lords, My Lady, I am overwhelmed by this honor. I am new to this city. I was not here the last time refugees were welcomed, so I do not have that experience to impact my decisions. I can only assume this was considered when I was selected. Perhaps it was why I was selected. I can also only assume that at least one of these other ambassadors WAS here for that incident. But in either event, I can also say that I have found family here. And wish to start a family of my own. So I will not be a part of any decision that would imperil them. And I believe that any decision that would imperil anyone in this city would be detrimental to the environment I would wish to create for my own family. But I also believe that encounters with new cultures are both enlightening and profitable, and should be pursued." He found his voice growing steadier as he continued. "If there is a particular oath I am required to say, I will do so. Otherwise, I swear, I will not see this fine city undermined by either an excessively and unnecessarily defensive posture, nor by a foolishly open and vulnerable one. Guarded discussion, where both sides can feel adequately represented, with these newcomer Dhani, should be able to accomplish this. I believe that they should understand our reasons for caution, and should not take insult from them. I believe that if they have not been informed of these reasons, then that should be the first order of business, otherwise they would be justified to feel insulted. "Once done, there should be no reason for either side to initiate contention. But if contention should arise, they should depart immediately, in peace, before it escalates into something worse. Then the loss of what might have been gained by coexistence will be the only thing lost." He stopped, both unsure of what more he should say, and unsure if he was appearing to cast himself as spokesman for the ambassadors. This was the last thing he wished to do, and he turned to the other two, even the Myrian, with an apologetic grimace, and returned to his place beside them.

[Enthere]

Enthere Enthere listened to the officials with her head tipped slightly to one side. Her first impression of the council was expanding as she heard them speak and sometimes interrupt each other. The men were intelligent, and she would listen to what they said. If not heed their words. The 'other refugees' mentioned interested her, though her interest quickly moved towards the topic at hand. She had heard of the turmoil caused by the refugees in seasons past, but couldn't remember anything but the barest details of them. The Kelvic stored the information to look into the matter later. It was frustrating that the council were so vague on why the three newly appointed ambassadors had been chosen, though she didn't miss Tranaris's eyes upon Jadlin and Ayatah. Did he know them? Did he choose the other two ambassadors because they had shown merit in other assignments? Enthere pondered the questions, also wondering what exactly had made the council choose her: they said it was a random choice, but certainly not entirely random. Then there was the Iyvess: the snake people that were not so unlike herself. At least from what she heard; they were shape-changers. Though Enthere had never explored them; the creatures attracted too much attention. She hadn't wanted to get caught up in anything, and the issue hadn't seemed to concern her. Now that she knew the creatures may be expelled from Zeltiva without doing anything explicitly wrongful, Enthere found she sympathized with them. They needed a home as much as she did. "I am honored with this task," she said, echoing Jadlin. Enthere wanted to shay more, but she was unsure what would be appropriate. "I will try to aid my...fellow ambassadors in attempting a peaceful resolution. Whatever that may be." Enthere struggled to contain her feelings of newfound sympathy towards the Iyvess, normally she was good at keeping her emotions in check, but she was eager to meet this chief of theirs. Yet still, Enthere would be loyal to Zeltiva, it was her home for the time being and served her well. The people here had treated her better than many, and the city would always have a place in her heart. "I will defend Zeltiva firstly." She added to her previous remarks, "the people of the city are to precious to be endangered by....contention." She said the last word as an agreement to Jadlin, accompanied by the slightest nod of her head. The Kelvic's eyes had been directed on the council, but she turned them to the side, looking past Jadlin to Ayatah, openly waiting for what she had to say. Interested in her perspective on the matter.

[Ayatah]

Ayatah listened as the male Ambassador spoke, and her expression soured ever so slightly. He spoke many words, but the conclusion of his lengthy statement was somewhat null -- or so she thought. She had been in Zeltiva for two years, but now finding herself in the position where a male seemed to speaking for her irked the Myrian. Men would never consider such an act in Taloba; women lead their society, as they should do in all cultures in her opinion.

Nevertheless, she considered what he was saying, but her mind was soon wandering and began imaging how the Iyvess would impact on her life. They were Dhani, which still sent her skin prickling with discomfort, but then again, she had once been an outsider to this city. Could she deny a group of people very much like herself? Feared, perhaps prematurely hated?

And then she thought of Kuame, and her expression, demeanour, and thoughts all softened. She smiled, but then frowned. Her adopted son would not be bought up to instantly fear unfamiliar races, but accepting Dhanis went completely against the most fundamental of lessons that all Myrian children were taught.

She needed to protect her child - the fact she had called him her child after so few days did not even register to Ayatah. She was too fuelled by maternal instinct, and her nostrils flared and eyed flashed defensively. With a few slow blinks, Aya realised that her second fellow Ambassador had spoken, and sensed it was her time to say something.

"It is not the people of Zeltiva for who I will be doing this for." Her words were angry, angrier than she intended. With a surprised little swallow, she tried to compose herself.

Let them see the mother within you, Aya, not the killer.

She tried again "I recently adopted a son. A child. It is for him that I will undertake this task. His safety and wellbeing is the single most important thing to me, and I will not let anything -- political correctness, economic gain, bad blood -- risk his safety." A pointed look was sent to her fellow Ambassadors, to emphasise her point.

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