Peace Negotiations - RPLOG
Participants
Date
25/9/476
Log
Cliffside, that glorious city-state of a nation. Nestled on the high cliffs that give it its name, a well-used road nevertheless travels from the city proper to the bay that houses its port. This is where, one cloudy evening, the diplomatic delegation from Sweetwater arrives - led by Mione the royal scholar, there are three airships in all, holding the dignitaries, Freeswords, and a lucky few who've been picked out of many applicants to fill in as witnesses for the event.
The airships land in the water and set sail for the bay, slowly heading for the path that has been lit for them, curious onlookers already gathering on the beach.
Glorious is one way to put it. Selena just looks a little bored by the trip, though - something can always be said about familiarity - and apprehensive at best as she sets foot on the docks. "I really don't miss it here." She murmurs, "Not at all." At least the crowd doesn't seem to bother her, moving along quietly and calmly as she usually does.
they landed? Thank the creators! Angus lets out a pent up breath as he actually starts to relax after the entire ordeal, his fur still a little frazzled as he pulls his cloak in around him. He didn't like flying, he never did unless it was on his own terms, and he was rather glad that he was stepping onto the docks. "I can understand why." He comments in reponse to Selena before he tries to make his own way through the crowd to see where everyone else got to.
Much like the majisty and grace of flight is a particular lion on deck, dressed in his familiar coat and tragically mismatched clothes to go along with it. The lion in question is ever vigilant, sitting in his seat with the will and movement of stone. Dedicated, one must think. Until Dio lets out a loud snore that is. Upon docking, he springs awake out of his seat and seems to pretend he wasn't asleep. "Ah, we're 'ere! What a great trip was it not," he says, following behind the others onto the docks with a yawn.
Indeed, much fanfare is made of the delegation's arrival, and the usual formalities and pleasantries are exchanged before the entire entourage is disembarked and headed through the streets. Although the route to the building which houses the Council of Elders is kept well-clear by the Cliffside guard and well-lit with street lamps, supplemented with the odd lantern here and there, beings of all stripes and sizes press in from both sides as the Sweetwater entourage moves out at a steady pace. It's not that far of a walk, with most of the journey being vertical instead of horizontal, and eventually the delegation is split in two with a few words from Mione - Angus and the other Sweetwater nobles are ushered into the floor of the Council Chambers, while the witnesses are relegated to the high audience galleries. Much of the Cliffside Council of Elders is already present and seated or in the process of doing so, but a particular wedge of the hall is noticably empty.
Selena nods, looking over to the fox before they're separated off by the 'usher'. "Well. GOod luck. You know where I'll be if you need me, I'm not too hard to miss." She comments simply, moving along as necessary - flipping a book open and beginning to read to pass the time, though there's always a watchful eye on the floor of the council's building. There's not really anyone around to ask about the conspicuously empty wedge but given the situation, she doesn't seem surprised.
Angus nods in turn as they have to split off. "Will do, but make sure Dio doesn't get to bored...I don't want to know what will happen if he starts wandering." He was only teasing the lion, mostly teasing him, and he flashes Dio a smile before he is lead directly onto the floor of the council chambers. He gulps, his ears folding as he is forced into something that isn't really his strong point....deligations....the bane of a Solacious!
It's been awhile since Dio's been in the land of Cliffside. Perhaps even years by this point, but he wasn't really keeping track. He follows behind the group and nods to Mione, giving a wave to the departing fox. "Good luck to ya, lad! Try not to cause to much trouble," he chuckles, soon calming to gift words of a gentle calm. "But jokin' aside, I know you'll do fine. An' I'll be good! I promise!" Moving along with the crowd, he finds a suitable spot in the viewing gallery and attempts to get comfortable. In his quest for comfort, he notices a familiar wolfess and heads over to her, leaning down and nearly poking his nose into the book she was reading. "What are ya readin' about, lass? I suggest How to Cook Fer Lions, by Reel Per Son."
At last, the last beings are ushered into the grand, dome-ceilinged hall. The seats form concentric rings about a central podium with more important personages in front and the audience galleries for the less prominent out in the back, and as the who's who of Cliffside are finally settled down a large, Water-Clanned gull takes the stand.
"Where is House Wirefur?"
Murmuring at that. It's a little while before a messenger runs in from the edges of the chamber and straight up to the gull, no one attemping to stop the fellow.
"Speaker, House Wirefur has chosen to recuse themselves from the proceedings."
"Was any reason given?"
"None, Speaker."
"Then it is their right, although how it will reflect upon them is...to be seen. Very well. By the power invested in me as the Speaker of the Council of Elders, I call this convocation to order, along with our honoured guests from Sweetwater."
And then after a small pause: "Sweetwater Royal Scholar Mione, your opening speech, please."
Selena raises an eyebrow. "I'm reading about subtlety." She says quietly, closing the book - more reading on magic - "I'd rather be reading a book on preparing fish for Ari than how to cook for a species I don't spend much time around. The announcement the Wirefurs opted out is met with a rather unsympathetic scoff, before glancing back to the lion. "..And that said, It'd be best to lower your voice from here on unless asked to speak."
Angus tugs the brim of his hat down a little to hide his scowl, this was an insult from the Wirefurs...one that they might be able to exploit if the time comes and they are prepared. His tail flicks as he waits for the proceedings to get underway, but he does cast a curious glance up at audience galleries to see where Dio and Selena are.
"Subtlety?" Dio questions, tilting his head to the side as if he's never heard such a word before. "I prefer bluntity," he chuckles, looking down at Angus and giving him a wave after he spots him. "I've never 'ad some o' yer cookin'. Perhaps I could be so lucky an' get a taste on' day. But that's fer another time." As the proceedings start, he listens carefully while watching that empty wedge, curious about who it may belong to. Soon, a vague answer came which only made him think back to the earlier court proceedings with Lord Eldric. That must've kicked up quite a storm, he thought.
Mione takes the stand, and the royal scholar's opening address is probably the most long-winded thing that any of the trio have even had the misfortune to sit through, but it definitely seems par for the course for the Council of Elders. Ah, politicking. After a good while, though, it seems that the speech is coming to a close:
"...And I entreat those amongst you who are considering such a grave course of action to reconsider. Even your own people have risked being labelled traitors, have been spurred to see past our long-held differences to realise that this is not a mutually beneficial course of action, especially so soon after the last war. Neither the people of Sweetwater and Cliffside crave violence and hostility, and it is my sincerest hope that the leaders of both sides will heed their subjects' desires in the matter."
"But is there any evidence that these hostilities, as you call them, originate from us? All you have are the words of a few merchants, and everyone knows merchants lie quite well."
"In fact, we do. And we have a few invidivuals amongst us today that we brought here to testify as to the other happenings. Angus of House Solacious, if you would please testify as to the various events that you encountered, and with the Council's permission, I would also like to empower him to call upon others to do so as well...?"
Angus was waving back to Dio when he was called upon, his ears folding a little as he stands up and forces a smile. "I must say it is an honor to stand before the Council of Elders." He comments before giving them a formal bow. "As for the events Mione is correct, I can testify to the happenings. The attacks were caused by Cliffsiders there is no dout, but I can not truely verify that as I was outside the granary at the time trying to keep the Merchants calm. If the Council would permit me, I would like to call Selena Hearthkeep and Dio to testify as well."
Long winded, certainly. But there's always worse - Some lecturers at academies really were no better. Mione's speech at least echoes with her own sentiment at least, simply shaking her head at Dio's comment. The wolfess quirks an eyebrow as the fox is put on the spot, sighing quietly and murmuring something to herself with a shake of her head. The wolfess waits, however, for the council's approval before moving down; never a good plan to act out of turn in a court - better safe than sorry.
What a speech, what a speech... Dio started to nod off a bit, wobbling slightly in his place as his eyes felt more like blocks of iron rather than flesh. Perhaps others may have been able to see the phenonmenon that is falling asleep standing up, but he is suddenly awoken after hearing someone call his name! "Oh? Who? Ah, yes! O' course!" Without regard to permission, waiting, or other civilized things, Dio begings making his way down to the ground floor where the others reside.
"Your motion is approved," the Speaker of the Council says after some whispering on Mione's part. "The individuals indicated by Lord Solacious of Sweetwater may speak, but from where they are." There's some murmuring at that rather obvious slight, but no one's in much of a position to protest, or at least not at this juncture. "Lord Solacious of Sweetwater, Selena Hearthkeep and Dio, please elaborate for the Council the nature of the events surrounding the granary and smuggling incidents, as well as any other incidents you may find pertinent. Explain to the Council why you believe that some part of Cliffside is behind these incidents in Sweetwater, with any evidence you may have - the issues were certainly debated, but no motions were ever successfully passed. Unilateral action that impinges on the entire Council is a serious affair, and I hope you understand the gravity of this situation."
Selena moves down to the floor, looking through her bag for a moment, setting forwards the shroud of mist spellbook she's had, along with a vial of the mold spores that had been taken. "Regarding the attack on the granary, these were found on the beings attempting to sabotage it. The spell, if you would take the time to inspect it, is from one of your own larger industrial companies. The mold spores are purely accessory. The beings themselves were well-schooled in divine math to have cast the spell. In light of Eldric's recent confession in Sweetwater's courts and the announcement of your merchant that there were hostilities from Cliffside in place serves to corroborate that it was not a Sweetwater citizen's attack. While I'm not privy to the official guard's report, I believe Angus has further details on the beings themselves. Why would a being attack their own country's largest food supply after the year's crop was severely damaged?"
Back to her bag, and she produces a transcript for the table. "Additionally, this document was found in Shanty town shortly before the attacks commenced. The original copy is currently in possession of the guard, if I'm not mistaken. It quite clearly suggest that a third party - if not Cliffside - had a hand in the attacks. Accompanying it on site were several luxury items that no ordinary inhabitant of that town would be in possession of. Given that the drawer the document was contained in was set up to ignite when opened, it's evident the being setting it up wanted it to be kept secret."
Finally, she steps back. "The smuggling incident can be readily summed up as a vessel of Cliffside make being intercepted late at night shipping a cargo of Cliffside's pickled ham. Given the recent embargo on food trading, the price for such goods would be far higher than usual. The beings responsible for the shipment were briefly detained, but released by the King's order shortly after the admission from the merchant I mentioned previously."
Angus smiles at both Selena and Dio as they appear, giving the wolfess a nod in conformation to her story. "I have the offical guard's reports on my person if the Council would like to examine them as well." He had nothing more he could really add to the explanation, Selena had wrapped it up rather well and he did not want to put it in any jepoardy by opening his mouth to much just yet...
Oh! He wasn't supposed to go down there... Only slightly embarrassed, rubbing his neck, Dio returns to his position in the viewing gallery next to Selena with a hefty cough. "Ya certainly came prepared, lass," he murmurs under his breath, watching her pull various familiar objects from her bag and listening carefully and nodding with her account. After everyone's finished, he fills in some of his own personal experience with the events before settling down in his area.
"Selena Hearthkeep," the Speaker continues. "You and House Wirefur are not quite on the best of terms, and this is something that is well-known to this Council. In lieu of these events, it would appear that there may indeed be a reason behind their sudden recusal today, but it may also mean that your testimony may very well be circumspect. Under such conditions, further weightage will be given to concrete evidence.
"While all the other evidence you presented might be construed to be circumstantial, these documents that you claim to have found certainly appear to bear the seal of one of our houses...if it weren't so badly damaged in the fire. Further examination will be needed...but if it is indeed certain ascertained that those amongst us have moved without seeking permission through the proper channels, this is a very serious thing indeed. Certain steps will be taken after further investigation...but for now, a fifteen-minute recess is called for all present to digest what they have heard...and copies of said evidence to be procured from the Sweetwater delegation."
Selena sighs and shakes her head. "Thank you for keeping me appraised of the situation." She replies simply, evenly. "There's little evidence that couldn't be described as circumstantial. I'd like to go on record as acknowledging it to be so; it'd be remiss of me to ignore that. As you've mentioned, though, the paper itself is what ties it together." Taking a deep breath, she sighs. "And I would ALSO like to go on record as saying that if that document happens to go missing or if a Wirefur finds themselves to be the official examiner of it, I can and will contest their findings. They're no strangers to destroying or tampering with evidence, if any of you are familiar with my parent's case file." The wolfess nods back to the council members and moves back to Angus, Dio, Mione and the other Sweetwater citizens with a quiet sigh. "...And I'm glad there aren't any Wirefurs here, personally."
Angus politely clasps his hands in front of him and nods. "I would also like to go on record as saying that if a Wirefur is found tampering with anything that has to do with these perceedings, I will take it as a personal offense. And that I will exstend a challenge to a duel rather quickly." He smile up at the Councilors and gives them a polite bow before turning around to look at the others. "Well...that went well so far."
"It'd be a bit funny if they did take to stealin' a bit o' evidence," Dio comments, crossing his arms across his chest. "A good conincidence, wouldn't it be?" The lion chuckles and stretches his arms towards the sky, relieved he can finally move about and speak normally without having to lower his voice. "That was a good job ya did there lass. Ever thought about takin' up law," he says at Selena as he begins making his way out. "Fer me, I'm gonna try an' sample some Cliffside food before things start up again."
At last, the Council reconvenes after the recess, and the Speaker takes the floor once more. "Your objections are noted, the both of you, but there are more serious matters to be dealt with now. By the power invested in me by the Council of Elders, I formally call a general vote on the matter of peace with Sweetwater. Details of what that entails will be provided shortly with the ballots."
That gets the entire hall into a buzz, more so than a Sweetwater country bumpkin's foolish outburst. Runners and messengers ply up and down the aisles, bearing small stone chits to the various Cliffside nobles, and the tapping of small chisels rings in the air. Much murmuring is heard - voting in Cliffside certainly is taken seriously and the whole matter lasts about two to three hours, the discussion stretching into the late hours of the night. Eventually, though, the chits are collected by the Speaker to be counted.
"The vote is clear," the Speaker bellows, his voice carried out over the council hall with a bit of air magic. "Two-thirds in favour of the motion. House Wirefur, absent. One quarter, abstain. Five against. The motion passes with immediate effect - all hostilities are to cease, and any House found to be contravening this motion will be attended to as befits the situation. Trade relations are to return to normal. The honoured Sweetwater delegation is kindly requested to remain after the council is ajdourned for further discussion and presenting of evidence."
Selena shrugs at Dio's comment, though she doesn't chuckle about it at all - going so far as to shoot the lion a glare. "I wouldn't joke about that if I were you." Selena simply waits on the voting - it'd be bad practice for a member of the delegation to vote, citizen of Cliffside or not - before smiling at the end result of the votes. "Incidentally, with only five beings in this place against the peace here... I have a feeling the number would only raise slightly if the Wirefurs were here if at all. It's good news to take home at least."
"With all due respect, What is more important than ensuring this matter is dealt with properly?" She queries once the droning murmurs subside. "Unless, of course, you were referring to the vote you just called. I think I can safely say most of the beings here want peace, honesty and justice in this."
Angus frowns. "No, bad Dio. No need to joke about that." He mutters, tapping gently on the hilt of his Rapier as he waits on the vote. He almost seems to relax when he hears that they would actually be at peace, until it is stated that they should remain to continue discussions....that didn't seem good...
Returning from the recess, Dio is hit with another battle with boredom. Hours upon hours of voting! He leans against a railing and thinks over various things within' his head in an attempt to stave off boredom the best he can. But at the very least, it ended upon good news. "Phew," he exhasberates. "Can' wait to bring the results back 'ome. An' gettin' outta here fer a bit. I'm feelin' cooped up in 'ere!"
"This IS how the matter is dealt with properly, Miss Hearthkeep. One thing at a time, as you know as one of our own. The immediate matter of peace comes first and foremost, I'm sure all present understand that quite clearly - but you and Lord Solacious of Sweetwater, as I mentioned, are requested to be interviewed by our scribes and watchmen later.
"As for all our honoured councillors and guests, this concludes the proceedings of tonight's convocation. Council is adjourned."
One by one, the councillors start filing out of the hall - the older, grander houses first, followed by the newer ones, until only the Sweetwater delegation and a few others remain, the Speaker included. Selena and Dio are beckoned down from the galleries, and scribes are summoned from the rear chambers, ready to take down everyone's statements more fully.
