The enemy of my enemy is my friend (Ialari)

[Jilitse]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Middle of Spring 510 AV
Jilitse and Ialari

Jilitse had to kill Drainira and Sagallius, whichever came first. It was nearly an impossible task, odds are at 999 to 1, but Jilitse was determined to use her eternal life to free Mashaen from his eternal oath. She could not accomplish it alone, Mashaen made that clear. An Isur woman named Pythone could become an ally. Jilitse hummed a lonely lullabye, thinking and planning. How was she going to approach an Isur who was being controlled by Lector Qiao? Why did Mashaen said that Pythone works for herself? She tried to picture a big burly female Isur. The nuit did not have enough information to measure the Isur, so she had to take the risk of finding the answers to her questions herself.

There were very, very few living beings who could last in Sahova and Pythone had been around since winter. Jilitse was thankful that she will not meet Ialari in a different circumstance. The Isur had been torturing rebel nuits for Qiao. She found that somewhat ironic: centuries ago Isurs were tormented and tortured and experimented upon by Alahean wizards; now an Isur was tormenting, torturing and experimenting nuits, some of them Alahean wizards. Tormenting, torturing, and experimenting in terms of Sahova are usually euphemisms for outright killing. A tingle in her mangled brain caused Jilitse to shudder. Despite being a nuit for hundreds of years, Jilitse did not want to die. She was scared of death, of Lhex, of reincarnation and rebirth. Inwardly, she thought herself weak. But she was nuit, undead, an anomaly in the cycle of life.

It didn't take Jil to question a lot of nuits to ask where Pythone had been staying. While most had questioned her why she would go looking for Qiao's plaything (one wizard called the Isur), they all pointed to the same direction. She needed to locate a small alchemy laboratory in the upper chambers (no living creature can survive in the basement area) that Mashaen himself had granted the Isur.

A wizard who was mildly irritated for being disturbed pointed her to one past two more doors. She went down the corridor and warily knocked at - possibly - Pythone's door. Jil looked elegant because she was wearing her pretty black dress today, her hair tied into a braid, skin carefully powdered to reveal the dark rings and ashen color. Jil prepared, in case Pythone was one who judged according to one's looks.

Earlier she had decided how to approach Pythone: she would give the Isur the benefit of asking her anything and in exchange she would like to know what had happened to the renegade nuits. Since Mashaen said the Isur worked for herself, Jilitse will discuss Drainira with her. Jilitse did not have it in her to impose an allience with the Isur, and she would like to - honestly - become a good acquaintance of Pythone.

"Ms. Pythone?" She called out grimly. "Are you busy?" Busy killing nuits? She wanted to ask sarcastically.

[Ialari Pythone]

Ialari was reviewing a series of notes when she heard a voice from behind the door to her chambers. Ialari's chosen accommodations within Sahova consisted of a small laboratory with an adjoining sleeping chamber. Once separated only by a simple wall, Ialari modified things a bit by having a bit more privacy through the construction of an inner door. This kept her private time separate from her "work" which could get rather intrusive at times. Hearing her named spoken from behind the door was something of a surprise as few, if any in Sahova ever sought her out. Even Qiao, the wizard for whom a good portion of her work aided, almost never came calling on her in person; he always sent a lackey or a golem. Thus when the feminine voice asked for her, Ialari's guard went up.

Setting her notes down on her desk, Ialari stood and went to the door. When she opened it, the person on the other side saw a rather short woman of five-feet-tall, well muscled with a black metallic arm covered in raised silver veins. Ialari's skin was pale thanks to much time spent within the walls of the citadel and her body, though still heavily muscled, was leaner thanks to being one of the living existing in the land of the dead. She was dressed in a simple black long skirt and high black boots and a black silk, and a simple black silk wrap trimmed in silver around her chest.

In response to being asked if she were busy, Ialari raised an eyebrow and said in a cool but not overly unfriendly tone, "Somewhat. Why, what can I help you with?" Although she was far from liking the nuit as a whole, she recognized the usefulness of being polite at times, especially when not speaking to a mindless golem. The nuit standing in front of her was not dressed like one of Qiao's lackeys nor did she carry herself like one. This was different and during Ialari's time in Sahova, anything different was either useful or dangerous; sometimes both.

[Jilitse]

There was a slight hesitation before Jilitse responded, she discreetly observed Pythone. The Isur's stature did not belittle her strength - the other woman looked tough, but not so much. Sahova must be getting to her.

"I was guessing, maybe you will permit us to talk in private. I have some interesting matters to talk with you that does not have anything to do with killing nuits." Jilitse said, her fragile body posed like a child trying her best to be in her best manners. She quickly added, "My name is Jilitse, I'm an apprentice of... Sahova."

Jil appeared to heave her chest and breathe in air. She looked slightly uncomfortable as she kept on staring at Pythone's black Isurian arm. A long time ago she had worked with another wizard who studied the arms of Isurs. Silver. What clan was that again?

She added while trying to fix her gaze back at Pythone's face. "I do not want others to be privy to our conversation because it is somewhat personal. Will you permit us to talk?"

[Ialari Pythone]

Ialari was still more than slightly annoyed at the disturbance created by this nuit. She couldn't help but be intrigued however that one would choose to approach her for anything other than what they were told to by their masters. There was always a master involved as few of the more powerful wizards in the citadel bothered to address Ialari in person. They all had their reasons, many were because they felt they were so far above Ialari that they did not want to insult themselves with her presence. Others though were frightened by the fact that she "worked" for Qiao and did not want to chance his attention upon them through her.

It was then that the nuit girl mentioned the killing of nuits and that she was an apprentice of Sahova; a pause added before Sahova. There it was, Ialari thought, a master just like she had expected. This time however there was not a real name associated with it. Most of the few nuit who had approached her during her time on the island had always revealed their masters. Some did so thinking it protected them somehow while others did so out of some twisted sense of pride and power. With a deep sigh mixed with a narrow-eyed gaze, Ialari said after noting the girls discomfort, "So, you want to talk about something personal that doesn't involve "killing" nuits..."

With factions forming within the citadel following the escape of Drainira and the rise in power of Qiao, few could trust anyone anymore. Not that trust was ever a popular thing in Sahova, but now things were even more volatile than ever before; or so Ialari had been learning. She was also quite aware that some saw her as a potential tool to be used against others. It was a game that she actually enjoyed for it helped break some of the monotony that threatened to settle in for someone of the living sort existing in the realm of the dead. So like starving mice looking for a crumb to satisfy them, these nuit were. She would give them that crumb and let them feel at ease before eventually swallowing them whole.

After letting Jilitse stand at the door for a moment, Ialari slipped her mind from her own thoughts and returned her focus to the undead girl. With a slight smile, she said, "Very well. I could use a break."

Ialari allowed Jilitse to enter and closed the door behind her. Ialari's chambers were very modest with little more than a simple bed, a few shelves holding a variety of odds and ends, a small wardrobe and a rough looking desk and chair. There was also a door that appeared to be of newer construction that presumably led to the small laboratory where Ialari was known to torture the renegades who had once sought to destroy Sahova. Ialari offered the small chair to Jilitse before taking a seat on her bed.

"Now, what's so important that you need to speak with me alone? Another corpse wanting to make deals in exchange for whatever secrets I pull from the minds of the renegades?" Ialari did indeed have a wealth of secrets that would be of use to many in Sahova; secrets that made her important and both endangered her and protected her in the eyes of many.

[Jilitse]

They were probably carefully deliberating one another's purpose. Jilitse was not new to conniving against and conniving with other wizards, but to speak and ally with one not of the undead race made her feel somewhat wary and uncomfortable - not that conniving with and against other nuitsmade her feel less discomfort. Her nervousness could not be outwardly seen, but her knees were somewhat shaky. She hoped Ialari would not be too unkind.

Received well by Pythone, she cautiously observed the room. Pythone's lodging was quaint, nothing out of the ordinary from Sahova's lodging standards, but there was something strange, something new. That door. It led to Pythone's secrets that Jilitse wanted to know, but did not have the courage to do so. She faced Pythone who offered her a chair. The Isur sat on her bed. Jilitse glided casually to the chair and met Pythone at eye-level.

"No, no, I have no wish to learn of your private duties for Qiao." Jilitse's voice was tinged with slight disgust. "What I would like to ask, if it would not be too imposing, is for you to consider being friends." She had no other word to supply. Offering an alliance will sound absurd, Pythone might not agree, in which case Jil did not have any capacity to coerce the Isur violently or convince her with a threat.

"I presume such arrangement will sound much more enticing once I lay down my predicament." There was a valuable pause and a slightly troubled frown. Jilitse ran her eyes around Pythone's room and tried to make sure that no recording device was around. To the best of her knowledge she could not locate any. But Qiao was too intelligent to be fooled, maybe under the bed? "I must impose that what I shall say will be for you and your ears alone. So I'll get straight to the point, does Qiao supervise you from afar using any form of recording devices, or do you report to him directly?"

Jilitse braced herself for Pythone's answer, but found it valuable to continue with the conversation. "You were here when Drainira left." The words were uttered so slow it would appear Jilitse had a reserved opinion on the matter. "I am interested in her. And her master." She assumed Pythone must know anbout Sagallius. Jilitse observed Pythone, trying to guess her thoughts, "Are you," a little hesitantly, "interested in them too?"

Regardless of Pythone's answer, Jil decided to spill a little more about her purpose. "I shall be honest, Sahova is in political turmoil. I do not wish to be among the self-contained, self-righteous, self-absorbed nuits around here." There was a hint that the hate was for a specific person, most likely Qiao, "I am aiming to break my attitude and disposition in my eternal life. I am sure you are interested in Sahova, and I was one of the initial nuits of the Citadel. I can supply you with a lengthy story if you wish. In exchange," a thoughtful smile at Pythone, "I want us to work together, if in case we might drive our fate to the same direction."

Continuing, she said, "The world had not changed, in my point of view. I disagree with other people who think of nuits as paper dolls. We are a very insightful race, at least those in Sahova, but I fear that time had swept our purpose. Sahova is not the same as it was before. Or rather, Sahova had stayed the same as it was before, unbending and unwilling to accept that change had occurred in terms of values, seasons, people, magic." Jilitse clasped her hands together, "What I am supposed to do had deviated since the time that I set foot here in the Citadel. There are different things I must accomplish..."

I need to kill Drainira and her master. Will you help me?

"I need to study about supervisor golems, and I wish to know more about Drainira. She had ran away. Or to put it properly, she had found her true purpose. We can only guess that she is out there to rule all of Mizahar. And there is a terrible person or creature or god manipulating her.
It may sound fanciful, but I wish to stop her. For many other reasons."

"Should you consider to become acquaintances, I only ask that you keep our conversations private. I don't really intend to get an answer tonight, and I am willing to give you abundant space and time for you to think about my proposition." She nodded, "At least try to do it within your lifetime."

If the need arises I can turn you into undead. Or have someone turn you into a nuit. Jilitse reserved herself and decided to be tactful. "It is very pleasant to meet you. I know for a fact that Isurs are a very creative race, and your cultural heritages are beyond me. Maybe we can also exchange experiences with creating marvelous inventions - you see, I am a gadgeteer. But, I am, first and foremost, a witch of animation."

She laughed in a hallowed voice and asked Pythone, "Do you have any inquiries that I may be in the capacity to answer right now? Go ahead, I believe we must establish some form of basic trust by the way of introducing ourselves. I prefer it lengthy, too." Jilitse, being a nuit, had a different sense of time. She was slightly expecting Pythone to be pursue their pleasant exchange, perhaps for the rest of the day. For one, she could use the time with Pythone to analyze the Isur's surroundings, and later perhaps gain access to Pythone's laboratory. Asking about other renegade nuits might be too suspicious for the Isur, so Jilitse might save that for later - once they're more comfortable and honest with each other. Jilitse planned to goad Pythone to talk more not by outright asking, but by displaying ample curiosity and interest. She relaxed in the stool, posing like a noblewoman, probably an imitation of a portrait she had once seen.

Jilitse sat like a stone, listening to Pythone intently while committing to memory all that she was hearing.

[Ialari Pythone]

Ialari sat casually on her bed listening to the offers of friendship from the strange nuit. The conversation quickly became something far from boring as Ialari had expected. Jilitse displayed something rather foreign as far as Ialari's understanding of nuit was concerned; she had quite a bit of nerve. When bluntly asked about how she reported to Qiao, Ialari chuckled dryly yet continued to listen to what the woman had to say but interjected when the topic of Drainira was touched.

"For someone who wishes to be friends, you sure do make quite a few assumptions. Also, for a nuit in Sahova, your dried tongue is a little too loose. You may want to be careful of that for there more of your kind here willing to cut-off your head and defecate down your throat than you could ever truly know." Ialari reached nonchalantly for a nearby flask and softly partook of its contents before continuing.

"You already are serving to be something of an anomaly and thus worthy of attention so I will take a moment and answer some of your questions." Ialari smiled widely and gently held the flask in her hands while watching Jilitse.

"On the matter of Master Qiao, he and I currently have an agreement. As for how he and I keep contact? That is quite frankly none of your business. Such a revelation could be hazardous to both our...health. Suffice to say that your words are safe with me." Crossing one leg over the other, Ialari made herself more comfortable before continuing.

"As for the Supervisor who tried to kill me, she maintains a special place in my heart and my future plans. Let us say that the little girl will one day get the spanking her daddy should have given her long ago. As for the puppet-master, killing gods is not my business." Ialari glanced down at her fingernails and thought to herself how badly they were in need of attention.

Ialari listened more to what Jilitse had to say before sitting up and chuckling to herself once more. "Jilitse, let me say that you are not the first of your kind to offer an arrangement of mutual benefaction. You are the first however who has come to me with designs to learn more about Drainira. You should know that from what I have experienced with Drainira, she knows everything you have ever done or said within these walls. She probably knows you better than you know yourself." Ialari briefly recalled her time spent in the prison that once held the Supervisor. She remembered hearing every voice; feeling every movement of every creature that inhabited Sahova as if it were her own body. She tore her mind away from such remembrance for within it remained madness.

"Good luck trying to take down Drainira. She was playing you all for fools the moment she became aware of her own existence." Ialari took another drink of her flask and considered the rest of what Jilitse had to say.

After hearing a bit of flattery and openness from the nuit, Ialari decided to humor the woman for a bit. After all, it wasn't all that unpleasant hearing another voice aside from the ones she normally endured. "You're rather talkative for a dead person. Most of your kind isn't quite so free with their words. You say you're an animator? Not all that uncommon 'round here but nonetheless it is something that garners some of my interest. Yes, I create things. I've the pleasure of using one of the long forgotten forges around here as a break from my otherwise, tedious, duties." This nuit was a confusing one to be certain with wanting to play the "get to know you" game. It was all a quandary for Ialari who found most of the unliving unwilling to open up in such a way. If only she could have gotten the others to talk so easily she could have avoided some of the more unpleasant moments of her stay in Sahova.

Pleasantries were something not easily approached by an isur. They usually looked down on nearly everyone else not of their blood. While far from leaving that aspect of her being behind, Ialari had changed somewhat in a relatively short amount of time. This change however did not sharpen her bluntness in some instances. "Very well, Jilitse, you are a peculiar one so I think I'll humor you a bit longer. You say you serve, Sahova. Tell me, how is old "Sahova" doing? I haven't had the opportunity to speak with him since Qiao grew a set and took over." It didn't take an ancient scholar to figure out who Jilitse allied herself with. To have such an interest in Drainira would inevitably lead one to Maeshan who in turn would no doubt mention Ialari in related discussions. Only a handful of nuit knew the details of Ialari's assistance in stopping the destruction of Sahova. Only two were there when she became one with the Citadel and poisoned Drainira's plans to destroy it. Now she sat in front of a nuit who wished to speak about Drainira, one specifically wanting to also remain out of sight of Qiao. Ialari was quickly learning the various games played in Sahova; games much like those played back home at the Silver Tower.

[Jilitse]

There was a relaxed smile in Jilitse's face. It was her mark, as only she could bear such uncanny curved lips, regardless of the body she was in. She was not an expert in exploring other people's psyche, and it took great amount of concentration to listen. The nuit was simply talking. This was what she had learned in Syliras during her every visit. Talk to other people and eventually they will be willing to tell more about themselves, if not about what you were asking for.

Jil was now more complacent, as she had confirmed that Pythone indeed was her own master. This didn't need more than a couple of words to measure. Pythone was no rabbit you can wave a carrot at. Jil shivered, it was her first game of words and it seems like she had played out too many cards. Isurs were formidable, intelligent, and cunning - to Jil's opinion, at least. Jil felt that this Isur had the reputation attached to her, and she wouldn't have believed it until today - which meant that she should be as careful with Pythone as she is with Qiao, since there was no sense in starting a journey in Sahova and never be able to leave the island to begin it.

Pythone had the upper hand in this conversation, and both of them knew that. Unfortunately for Jilitse, she had been too old to bother with humor and sarcasm. If she had displayed any, it must have been a force of habit or untrained behavior. So she took Pythone's words for what they are, cautious of their verity.

Jil felt her mind burdened greatly as Pythone talked about Drainira and the golem's propensity to destroy Sahova and everything it stood for along with it. It was not exactly important for the nuit right now, as Jil had started to focus her life outwards Sahova. At least the Isur was in the web of fate, one way or another they will have to face Drainira together - if they both wish to succeed. Jilitse also noted that the Isur had limited knowledge, if not understanding, of Drainira's future plans. Perhaps the Isur also underestimates the power of Sagallius, Jilitse shook her head to herself. But it was not time to explain how the the god's power can stretch, for now Pythone had Qiao to worry about. Or rather, Jilitse was the one to worry about Qiao.

To her end, Jilitse had revealed enough information to Pythone, all it would take is one report to Lector Qiao... She frowned, it was not time to plot against Pythone, she needed the Isur to become amiable, at the very least, by the end of their conversation. Come to think of it, it was only a matter of time before Qiao sets his dogs after Jilitse, especially now that she had started to take her own initiative in learning about supervisor golems. Jilitse was somewhat thankful for Pythone, how the other person reminded her of Sahova's danger. She raised her guards up, remembering how dangerous Pythone was without a promised alliance. The Isur had the air of arrogance and self-worth and does not seem incapable of betrayal.

Being the person in question was uncomfortable for Jilitse, the nuit can only imagine what it was like to be considered a renegade nuit, to be questioned and tortured and, eventually, killed. Still she kept the smile on her face, a pretty happy smile. "I am talkative when I want to, most especially when I need to. I rarely lie, and I have never used my tongue to smooth my way. I am talking to you because," since Jilitse knew that Pythone knew, "Sahova recommended you. If ever I measure you less or more, it would not hold water against Sahova's judgment." Jilitse narrowed her eyes. Her political inclinations were probably not hidden from Pythone, but she'd rather play safe than reveal Mashaen's name from Pythone, it's already implied anyway. Without revealing the Archwizard's name, Sahova can be anybody not allied to Qiao, Jilitse thought, let Qiao formulate his own doubt, if ever Pythone reports to him. She lifted a thoughtful finger to her lips, "Although I do not remember my benefactor"- here was a slight trick to confuse Pythone- "mentioning that you are acquainted. Oh, but that doesn't matter, not to me anyway. If indeed you know my Sahova, there is no need to ask how the nuit fares. That nuit is ambiguous at best, and there is never one answer to 'how are you doing?' Also, I doubt you will have any time or reason to face the man, as Qiao will probably have cut your arm off. Your master is too paranoid to trust anyone, too. My master, he no longer cares for politics and magic, as a wise man should." No amount of persuasion from Jilitse would bring back the light and passion in Mashaen's soul. He was a lost cause, one that Jilitse was trying to find, and in the process, set free.

At the moment, Jilitse was more perplexed how she and an Isur like Pythone can join forces, much less join forces against a common enemy. Trust was a hard thing around here in Sahova, but at least people willingly worked together when the need calls for it, nobody outwardly asked who was working for who unless it was too obvious. She talked monotonously, without any hint of liveliness or doubt, "I do not wish to be rude against an Isur's pride, but rest assured, when the day comes and you realize you need my help against Drainira, I shall be here to fight alongside you, as far as my life and ability would allow. But, for my case, before the million miza golem crosses my path, I wish to ask you to provide assistance to me, as Sahova dictated that I need your skills and abilities." Jil knew that Pythone would be wise enough to realize that the two of them had a common enemy, one who cannot be fought alone. "Sahova said you can help me kill Drainira, which is why I have stepped across the status quo." There was a thoughtful nod, "Our friendship and alliance need not be a lifetime- unless it consumes the rest of your life before Drainira is defeated- even I do not wish such complicated footing."

"With the archwizard losing his popularity, with your existence within these walls, with our population halved because of Qiao, there is nothing left but to atone for mistakes. Beyond Sahova, the rest of Mizahar. Drainira is a threat to the rest of the world, Sahova means to stop her through me." It wasn't necessarily true, but Jilitse had to somewhat absolve Mashaen of his errors, at the same time, create an excuse for her actions, "Drainira had turned into a mistake because of Mashaen. The million miza golem might have been behind the destruction of Sahova, but there is a far greater mind above the nuit who gave her life. If you are Drainira's enemy, then there is a great possibility that you will be Sagallius' enemy too."

Jilitse folded her arms across her chest and said, "I do not wish to sound like I am talking balderdash. But Sahova, and I mean the rest of this citadel, cannot stay as idle as it had been for thousands of years. One day all of Mizahar will behold the ancient might of spells and golems. However, I fear that day had been abruptly torn away from schedule because of Drainira, not that its schedule was anywhere near accomplishment." Jilitse paused, drinking back what she had said. If Drainira was out to rule the rest of the world as Mashaen said, and if she was indeed Sagallius' champion, it could be that either Sagallius and Mashaen had launched the perfect device to conquer the world. She contemplated this, thinking and wondering, realizing that there was nothing as important and urgent as her task at hand. She had never questioned Mashaen, why would she doubt him now? This was a new war, a new threat, so she must look past Sahova. Drainira must be stopped. "That's as much as I can tell you right now. Unless you will be willing to put your trust into my hands, I shall continue with other matters I wish to discuss with you."

[Ialari Pythone]

As they spoke, Ialari noted a moment or two when she thought the Jilitse may have tried to divert some assumptions Ialari had about her. Whether or not Ialari was correct about such things including the individual for whom Jilitse was allied with was of little consequence. If indeed the female nuit was trying to keep some secrets, it only served to keep Ialari interested enough to keep conversing. After Jilitse finished voicing the idea of a possible alliance against Drainira, Ialari smiled. It was not a smile of happiness or satisfaction but more one that said its owner had successfully added a piece to a puzzle.

"Jilitse, do not underestimate my foresight nor the lengths I'll go to achieve my goals. First, I wouldn't worry about Qiao. When the time comes, I'll make sure that there's no doubt who's in charge of this Citadel; those pieces have already been put into play. As for Drainira, I'm well aware of the danger she poses. She was able to manipulate a few hundred creatures who have existed for longer than the mortal mind can truly comprehend. She was able to do something that none of your kind have yet achieved; true transformation from something other than life to something far beyond it." Ialari stood and stretched, the raised silver veins of her flesh glistening in the candle-light that illuminated the room.

"Is Drainira a threat to the world? Yes. Does that concern me? Not in the way you may think. She's an active threat to me and my plans and must be removed. You seek her downfall and wish me to trust you and perhaps work with you in such a task. My trust is not freely given. You have provided me with a few tidbits of information and now I have given you some of my own. Any good relationship is built on the solid principles of trade. You offer something to me, I offer something in return. The greater the offer, the greater the return and so on. You wish me to trust you but what do you offer in return other than working together?"

Ialari's hatred for Drainira was potent. She knew the golem-girl would surely seek revenge someday for Ialari's interference with Sahova's destruction. The concept of destroying the Champion of Sagallius was a novel one but it was something Ialari knew she could never do alone, at least not yet. She already had plans coming together to handle one annoyance in the form of Qiao. When that was finished, assuming she lived through it all intact, the thought of taking on Drainira was the next logical step. As for Jilitse, perhaps she could be useful, perhaps not. How this current encounter ended would be the deciding factor.

[Jilitse]

Selfishness of living creatures was a strange concept for Jilitse. Pythone had expressed a rational concern for her interests. She was somewhat disappointed at how Pythone made her sound like what she asked for was a petty whim. The Isur was being illogical.

"I shall be honest with you Pythone. It is a great gamble on my part to come and talk to you, to promote my interest." How many times had she said that? There was a stern quality to her tone, "I cannot offer you things that are valuable in terms of your standard. This quest is mine, but I do not simply wish to unload some of the burden to you. The benefits will come, not out of working together, but out of accomplishing the goal. You won't be doing me a favor, you won't be doing yourself a favor, you'll be doing the gods a favor." Jilitse's voice became almost a whisper towards the end. Was it right to reveal her plan to Pythone? The Isur was no nuit, and whether she would take what Jil would say at face value was a risk the Sahovan nuit had to make.

She did a double-take. Pythone was an Isur whose mortality limited her own mindset. There were consequences about Drainira's awakening that only the nuits can understand. Still, she wanted to end their conversation in a high note. She may not be able to make an ally out of Pythone, but she did not want to make an enemy out of her.

"I respect you if you do not wish to give your trust freely. I should know. I've had several centuries of experience with the undead of Sahova, and trust is hard to come by around here." There was a joyous smile on her face, "Neither do I expect you to make immediate decisions about being my friend, as I am also aware that you are enslaved to Lector Qiao. I wouldn't want to put you in a situation where you will have to split your loyalty. We may not be able to afford to be allies at the moment, but it is enough for me to know that you are somewhat considering the offer. In time, in due time." Jilitse nodded. It was not very easy to read Ialari Pythone, but she could predict that the Isur would agree to work with her sometime in the future. "We will meet again when you are free to freely give your consent to join me."

What indeed, of your foresight? Jilitse stood still, face devoid of emotions except for that pretty smile. What tale should I tell to lure you in, what form of riches should I promise to attract you?

And just when Ialari thought the conversation was finished, Jilitse began talking again. "I do have a short tale before we part," Jilitse narrated, "Stories tell about the fall of Priskil's lover, the god of doors and travel, Aquiras. During the Valterrian, a powerful wizard had the audacity to steal Aquiras' heart, and he became a god through apotheosis. That legendary man is known as Sagallius, now god of manipulation."

Jilitse continued with the tale of the undead island, "Sahova became the island of the undead because of Sagallius, he manipulated his student, the Archwizard Zarik Mashaen, and the rest of the Sahovan nuits into serving his mad plans. Back at that time Alahea was a powerful kingdom, and Sahova served as its last resort to overthrow the Suvan. We wish to conquer the world.

We still do.

Staying here in Sahova as an apprentice had me serving the wishes of those with higher authority, but things have changed since then. Who, you might wonder, is behind Sahova now? Think of it Pythone. It is not Mashaen, not Qiao, not his petty council. It is still Sagallius. Sagallius keeps on manipulating Sahova from the outside, reducing us to his playthings." 'Us' included Ialari, too.

"We are no longer working to overthrow the Suvan as we initially intended to. Even our old kingdom, Alahea, belongs to the past. If we ever conquer the world, who will lead the empire? The empire is no more."

Sagallius, to Jilitse, was synonymous to hunger for power. If Sahova succeeds, who will claim the throne? Drainira, perhaps. Drainira wanted to supervise the rest of Mizahar. Jilitse wondered. Drainira was Sagallius' champion. No. Drainira was Sagallius' puppet. Drainira might have been Mashaen's daughter, but she had been the property of Sagallius all along. Even Jil was forced to marvel at Sagallius' wit and cunning.

"But I digress. The tale of Priskil and Aquiras is embedded and woven into Drainira's fate, as Sagallius' is. Do you see now, the complications of going against Drainira? If I am to seek the downfall of that deranged golem, it will be better to work with the goddess Priskil. This is because her gnosis negates the power of Sagallius' Cordas. I have no doubt that Drainira was awarded with it, she is his champion, after all." Jilitse implied that Pythone would also need to covet Priskil's gnosis.

"You are right, Drainira is dangerous. She had plotted her escape. Sagallius must have had a hand in that. In fact, you working for Qiao might have been written in their grand scheme of things, too. So I ask you, Pythone, how long are you willing to stay under someone else's skirt? By the time your contract ends with Qiao, do you still believe that you can keep your free-will and firm resolve?

If you have no desire to work with me, at least consider your position of working for Sahova. You may be contributing to the destruction of Mizahar. By then it might be too late to correct yourself."

[Ialari Pythone]

Again it seemed that the nuit misunderstood her. For Ialari, this was beneficial and allowed her to maintain some level of unpredictability. The living and it now seemed that the dead, could not grasp the concept of trust and how it was not something given lightly. From her first steps upon the island, Ialari would not bow to the idea of giving up trust and faith to those who were unworthy. However, when Jilitse made mention of Ialari possibly being enslaved to Qiao, the Isur took on a noticeably confrontational posture.

Unable to restrict her blasphemous lack of patience, Ialari exhibited extreme anger and venom in her voice when she said, "I will stop you there, you rotting cadaver. I am in no sense of the word, enslaved to that despicable bag of rotting flesh and bone; he is a means to an end and if you truly believe otherwise, I will drain every last ounce of soul vector from that dried-up hulk of a body you call a vessel before you continue such lies." Ialari's face took on a malicious visage and a loud grinding sound could be heard as she flexed the muscles of her metallic fist.

"If you want to destroy Drainira and eliminate the threat she poses to the world as we know it, I can and will help you. That does not however mean that I am your friend or that I will give you my complete and unconditional trust. I trust nobody." It was shortly after that Jilitse provided Ialari with another bit of information in the form of a story about Aquiras, Priskil and Sagallius.

"You attempt to manipulate me into helping you by giving me a story of love and loss. Jilitse, I am not so easily fooled by such verbal puzzles. Sagallius was the most skilled manipulator in all of creation. Is he still manipulating us? Probably. Do I care? No. The petty conflicts ingrained in this unholy tomb mean little to me. You may think you know my mortal desires; my designs to gain power and influence over the greater whole." Ialari shook her head softly as she spoke. She wished that someone, dead or alive, could see the truth of it all yet such a thing was not possible and she wasn't sure she wanted it to be.

"You would be wrong if you assumed so much. I care nothing for power, influence or control. You are not the first to think this however. Even Qiao thinks my ambition incorporates such things. Suffice to say that if you wish to see the end of Drainira and the potential end to Sagallius, I can be of assistance. Do I trust you? No. Should you trust me? Ever more, no. But we have a common enemy and in that we have a common goal." How Ialari despised the nuit. They were so assuming; so set on their own views of everything beyond them that they could not grasp concepts that challenged such perspectives.

"If you wish an alliance; an agreement in arms; a contract of mutual understanding, give me your hand." Ialari offered her own metallic hand; open-palmed and without posture of hesitation.