[Bureau Office] To Rise from the Ashes (Private Duncan)

[Atl Myrsa]

The Offices of the Lord Imperial Magus could be found on the top floor of the Arcane Bureau. The stairs lead to a solid oak door that was rather plain except for a circle in the middle that was divided into seven sections each showing a symbol of a different sphere of arcane. The only other future of the room was a man standing outside of the door. He appeared to be youngish in his twenties and human. The man was dressed in red and black with the crest of the Imperial Magus on his breast. Underneath his surecoat was a set of armor and a blade at his other side. The Guards was the physical defense and the a field against spell casting was the primary arcane defense.

The room beyond was a large and comfortable. The primary feature of the room was a large desk. Made of solid oak there were strange images carved along the sides that from the door were hard to see. The light in the room seemed to mostly be drawn there. The desk itself was clean except for a couple folders that were placed into a pile right next to were the occupant worked.

Behind the desk was a large window that took up the whole of the wall. Images showing the last battle of Diana seemed to dance across the glass. Placed in the center of the large window was a map of the Empire with markings for all of the cities and mountians and major rivers of the Empire.

Two more desks occupied the room. Located next to the door. Situated so that the occupents could look at the main desk these two were also carved from rich oak. One was completely clean and another was covered in folders and papers.

One of the remaining walls was completely covered in book selves. They seemed to be almost groaning from the weight of all of the books. Most were normal sized that one would expect to find any were else. A few were small things, and some were so large children could be squashed by them.

The last wall held a fire place that was currently ablaze giving off light and warmth in the cold winter. Four chairs were positioned around the fire each with a little end table between them. They were richly embroidered with geometric patterns on them. One last table sat next to the fire place with a pot of tea, glasses, and a couple bodels sitting on it.

The nimlani secratary blinked at Duncan and then rang a bell. "Oh course Sir. Let me see if he is has some time." She quickly looked down at a book at seemed to have the appointments for everyone in the building, but was writen in her native Nimalni. The page boy, a young human by the look of him entered the room. He nodded towards the receptionist. "Inform His Imperial Excellency that Duncan Sythe would like to see him." The page nodded his head and turned to hurry towards back of the room. The page moved at a serious pace hurring around his choirs but not chaotically. She turned back to the Master Mystic. "Please take a seat. We should have word in a moment."

The page returned a few moments later. "His Imperial Excellency will see you now." The page said formally to Duncan. He waited to see if the mage would follow him before leading him to the top floor.

It only took a moment them to arrive at the door and enter the room. Atl was standing behind his desk speaking with a human. Atl was dressed in fairly common black pants and a white shirt with an open green robe. His fair was, strangle for a elf, cut short so that his ears were clearly visable. The long hours in the office were begining to show as his tann was well on its way to being faded. His light grey skin which spoke clearly of his nimalni heritage.

He nodded towards them and handed a parchment over to the human who returned a nod and then left the room. Atl walked over to the fire place. "Please have a seat." He said indicating to one of the chairs by the fire. "Would you like some tea or wine?" Atl said as he poured himself a cup. Then turning back he smiled at his predicessor. "I am honored by the visit. How may I help you?"

[Duncan Sythe]

Raising one hand to his collar Duncan easily removed the ties on his cloak and slung it over the back of the offered chair, glancing down briefly and replying to the Imperial Mage's question as he did so.

"Tea would be most welcome."

He offered the Elf before sitting himself in one of the chairs and waiting for Atl to make himself similarly comfortable. In the process he took a moment to glance around the room, examining the decor and finding that the man must clearly subscribe to neatness...although he still had little idea what sphere he practiced and hadnt bothered to find out yet. On his approach he'd noted the guard too, and taken a little private satisfaction in man's presence, useful, just not where he was concerned - if he was here to do harm that is, which he was not, one question he would happily answer Atl if the man ever bothered to ask was he didnt want his old job back.

As Atl seated himself though the man known as Duncan Sythe brought himself back to the matter at hand, turning his blue eyes from the perfectly functional office to the man opposite him, his arms on the chair arms, completely at ease.

"Given my abrupt departure I was more of the belief I may be able to help you in your new position, Minister."

He began, blue eyes watching Atl carefully.

"I make no assumptions to know the state of the Empire after my absence, nor, I assure you, do I seek to remove you from your position."

There was however something about how casually he said it that suggested that if he had, he'd never even have bothered coming here. Duncan did not though and saw it as the height of rudeness, especially in the case of a man who didnt, from first glance, appear to have many aggressive or nasty bones in his body. He could be wrong of course but Atl did not appear excessively violent or manipulating, which did somewhat make him safe from Duncan's machevellian interests since he avoided hurting innocents if at all possible.

Of course if not possible? Well, that was a bridge he'd crossed many times before and wasn't of importance now as he continued.

"As to what you may have heard about me?" A wry smile. "I shall leave rumours to rumours."

He considered, watching Atl's reaction to that intently to try and gauge if he had indeed heard anything of his predecessor in the circle's he'd walked in and in the process of being hired, he presumed, by Milo.

"Suffice to say I have returned and wish to help the Empire as I once did in the chair you occupy now."

He gestured across the office to the desk, metaphorically anyway, completely different office, completely different chair.

"And I was wondering if you had any questions for your predecessor or anything you might find an extra pair of hands useful for in the coming months. Might I inquire as to your history though? I admit it intrieges me to know the person who has taken up the role."

There, that was it, he wouldnt do just anything of course but a little dogsbody work never hurt anyone and it would help to get him back into the swing of things, get back knowing places. More over though he was curious about this unknown, certainly no-one he'd encountered before, therefore he didn't hide his interest in Atl and the man's attitudes, the few words and actions he'd spoken so far perfectly possible to have been his own, courteous but carefully so.

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl's eyes stayed on his predicessor. Sipping at his tea Atl listened to everything that the Mystic had to say before he spoke. The man comment about not listening to the rumors about himself did cause the corner of Atl's lips to twitch upward before returning to normal. Atl paid attention to the gossip around him, but he never actually cared for it.

Duncan struck the nimalni elf as the serious type. He took himself serious and all around him serious. Which wasn't a bad thing actually Atl appreciated that since seriouness also produced serious results.

"I would appreciate any advice you can give." Atl blue eyes looked seriously at Duncan. "Before I ask any question, to which I have a couple I will answer yours."

Atl set his tea cup down. "I am a Nimalni elf. I am not sure if you knew that or not. The Nimalni don't use magic, they use sciences, enginering, and mathmatics. My pratice of magic has set me apart from my people. Some would cheer for me, but most would most likely ignore me." Atl said. It was a statement of fact. It sought neither sympathy, or was there sorrow in his statement. It was just fact. "I am a druid. Originally trained under the Archdruidess of Mystique that was some thirty eras ago. After the fractrum I was once again unbound. Previously to being appoint the Imperial Magus I served as the Thane of Mystique." Atl looked at Duncan. "Anything else you would be interested in knowing."

Atl then contiuned with his question. "My first question would be what or who should I watch out for." He paused. "The arcane is a double edged sword. We deal with forces that can change the world for good or ill. Our goal is to protect the Empire and its people and watching for dangers is critcal." Atl remembered his recent adventure to Isle as proof of that.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan's answer was swift in coming.

“Everything and everyone, in that, include myself.”

He twitched a smile, there was no humour in it though; serious indeed he was.

“I apologize if my first impression based on your description of your past is wrong your Lordship.”

Duncan continued, his tone serious, hands interlaced in his lap, at ease, contented, interested.

“But you strike me as fundamentally believing in the good of all men, or at least you hope for that, Druids by nature in my experience trust in nature, therefore trusting in the nature of people.”

The man, probably indeed known as a Mystic by this name at least, held up a hand.

“I may of course be wrong, but in either case the following warning is the product of long experience, both in the position you occupy now and before it.”

The hand returned to join its fellow in Duncan's lap, fingers interlacing. What had been seen of his palms and fingers though were calloused, not at all the genteel hands of a scholar.

“You are indeed correct that the arcane is a double edged sword, the same is true of rank and power M'lord. I have certain advantages in that regard, given my sphere of arcane expertise, the protection of my identity is an easy thing rather than a difficult one. In your case however I fear things are different.”

He tilted his head to one side, observing Atl carefully.

“Power breeds as much attention in the political realm as the arcane, you have just become a target for plots, intriege and interest in many spheres besides the arcane and of course including it, given that aside from the Regent you have the power to make and break anything legal and arcane in the Empire.”

Duncan smiled and shook his head though, dismissing the line of thought.

“That is very general though, you asked what and who, let me be specific for your benefit. The what? People who want favours, people who cannot back up their credentials and people who are keen to flatter you. If you wish for help over the next few cycles I have a room at the Crown under the name of Kyle Linvail, any letter sent there will reach me and I offer my services to you for purposes of verifying truth, validity and good intentions.”

A wry smile again this time.

“Again with the warnings I am aware my own stands suspect but I will allow my previous position here to speak for my honesty. In terms of who however?”

At this Duncan lent back.

“There is a man, a Dracon Necromancer by the name of Avanthar who is at the moment what you might call an iron thorn in the Empire's side, as for other major sources of discontentment? I have not been back in the Imperial...circle, as it were, long enough to gage that, I do not wish to pollute anyone's good name, however I will add this.”

Duncan was very adamant about his next point.

“Trust the regent and protect him. Now, you had other questions? Or more on this subject if I have been too vague?”

He inquired fairly, withholding judgment on Atl's ethics and strength of character for now as he hadnt seen enough of the man to judge either, merely so far seeing him as a fairly well meaning, good hearted druid who, Duncan feared, had just stepped into a nest of vipers.

[Atl Myrsa]

Listening to everything that was said by his predecesor he. In some ways Ducan was right about Atl and the druids. They wanted to find the good in people since all of nature had its good side. The differences being that Atl had been around the forest a time or two and knew of the evil side. As much as he didn't want admite it, but the mans advise was very sound. Trust no one. Atl nodded his head and sipped his tea.

Atl made a mental note of the Dracons name as he contiuned. His blue eyes were lost in serious thought for a long moment. He sipped his tea and set it down still thinking. "I thank you for your advise." He leaned back. "Even in city politics people tried to use me to further their own ends." He kind of snorted. "I can only imaging that I will have more of the cronies, the ambitious and the skemers."

Atl looked momentarly at man sitting next to him. "That was very helpful." He said after a moment. "Already we have seen what you speak of. Recently the Isle returned and the Regent sent and expedition. Not enough research was taken into some of the volunters. We had two who weren't there for the good of the Empire."

Atl looked at his predecessor his face serious, care showing briefly. Already the signs of stress from his job showed on his faces. "Next question would be any specific advise you would have for me?" He had some more questions, but if he had some advices that would cover the question before he got to them then all the better.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan's interest perked up at the information about interference into the expeditions to the Isle, it wasn't public knowledge of course... so he resolved to ask Atl more about it when he'd answered the man's question, first however came the matter of specific advice.

“I wish you the best of luck.” The Mystic said after a long pause to peer around the room, more precisely out of the window. “No doubt you will do more good in your time here than I would have done in twice the time, but then my...motivations and concerns are more than likely less academic than yours.”

Intentionally being obtuse Duncan looked back at Atl.

“Specifically? I'm not sure how specific I can be unless I know what your agendas are Atl, I've warned you about the perils of the job but there is little other advice to give. Politicians will be politicians and mages are an entirely different pan of fish. It sounds to me like you've already got a taste of my warning though at the Isle, what exactly happened?”

When Atl had finished, or refused, Duncan then asked his second question to tie down the matter of specific advice.

“And what do you intend to do with the position you hold?”

After all, if he knew specifics, he could give specific advice.

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl paused before contiuning remembering the event. "All the detail would take to long, but the main point was that shortly after we arrived we were divided into three groups. Two of the members of our groups turned out to be of a less then savory nature. They turned on the party and caused the death of a number of marines after Parreyon discovered their nature."

Atl shook his head. "Some of my goals durning my time in office." He sipped at his tea. "A I have mentioned I spent much of my time in Mystique. As I am sure you know Mystique has a strong influences from the Arcane. Something I learned during my time there is that to often the standards at the schools very greatly. The standerding of the teaching pratices, aceptances of students. I am not particularly a fan of the pay and learn. When I started arcane before the fractrum one needed to prove themselves worthy and qualified."

Atl paused. "I also am hopeing to push for more research done by the masters and other high leveled mages. Something more then just hi I can cast spells and then using it for trivial things. The expansion of the Arcane needs to come through study. With the Fractrum much needs to be rediscovered and new discovers are required to prevent stagnation."

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan nodded, more thoughtfully than in agreement. When it came down to it his experience suggested to him at least that there were far more pressing concerns at play in the Empire than the niceties of combined magical education and accuracy, but then he could forgive a scholar for missing the Empire falling down around his ears. This was not to say he thought less of Atl, he merely didn't think he had his priorities right.

“Worthy and Qualified.” He echoed calmly. “Discoveries to prevent stagnation...”

He returned also to the question he had meant to ask the man, but managed to twist it a little to cover several points, his eyes keen and a little solemn.

“Progress for progress sake is a dangerous thing, especially in a climate where Mages are now the new army and both Paxia and Narim were a result of well trained mage decimating the Legion's forces. As much as I agree with the need for academic and scholarly forwardness part of the reason I was not seen to be very active in my time in your place...was that I had other concerns.”

There was no hint that Duncan was trying to put the man down, he wasn't, he was merely trying to make clear his attitude towards the job of the Imperial Mage in general and how he'd viewed it in particular.

“As Imperial Mage you represent the Imperial State's view on Magic. That unfortunately includes the practice of illegal magical use – and I'm not talking Necromancy. Necromancy in my experience.” A dangerous hint but one he had no fear in giving Atl. “Can be used for good or for ill, but then so can Sorcery, Elementalism, or even Druidism. I've heard about your Council of Mages and you mentioned trouble on the Isle Minister.”

Duncan lent back and cupped his chin in a hand carefully.

“What happened there? I presume since you mentioned it, those involved must have been able. Since they obviously caused problems for you yourself and for whatever Imperial assistance you had with you. I take it from that you can see my point here?”

Vague as it was Duncan wasn't willing to say more until Atl answered since he wanted to see what the man made of his response and hints towards other matters for the Minister.

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl nodded his head in argement with several of the things Duncan mentioned. "I have long since learned that to remove a dieses one must treat and cure the actual dieses and not the symptoms." Atl said. "I have watched the resent events, and avoiding a reapet of them is essential. Unfortantly the recent events at Paxia and Narim is a symptom of the dieses the empire and magic are suffering. That mages don't feel any loyalty to the empire that allows them the peace needed to learn their magic. The school reforms while hopeing to achieve the goal imporving arcane are more importantly to bind the training of the mages back to the empire."

"You are right that the mages in the attacks were well trained, but really only in battle. To much of efforts are spent on the battle spells, with out any expectation of a return. We need to remove thoughts except for the mages who will serve in the military. Now true at higher levels mage's can learn thoughts spells on their own, but it harder to learn on ones own then from a teacher, and the removal will help deter some."

Atl contiuned. "This isn't to say we won't be cure the symptoms as well, these renagade mages of any branch need to be brought to justice. Stripped of their powers and sent to the next realm." Atl eyes harded for a moment at the thought of the renegades. "That is to be one of first goals of the Mage Council once it is established."

[Duncan Sythe]

“You have a point regarding training.”

Duncan acknowledged with something that for once appeared genuine surprise and an admitted compliment to Atl. Whilst up until now he hadn't been sure what to make of the man's civic reforms of magic he had to admit that his ignorance as to the civic side made Atl a far better Imperial Mage than it did Duncan in terms of making policy... even if the lad didn't appear to be quite yet up to the magical standard expected of such a position.

But that was no slight to Atl in particular, just an oddity that perhaps Milo had been forced to accepted in finding a mage willing to take the position with enough political knowledge. Certainly employing Duncan hadn't exactly been the smartest move the Imperial government had ever made.

“Given my own focus seems usually to be opposing the renegades in question I admit a certain naivety regarding the schools...since my own training was rarely associated with them.”

He glanced aside and nodded softly at the thought of such a reform, then turned his attention back to Atl.

“I would caution you to think that those who oppose us are only battle mages Minister. But at the same time I would agree that if mages are not trained to create spells that are hostile to others then they cannot use them. That is a double edged sword however.”

Duncan cautioned.

“As of now we have many mages across the Empire of all levels who are able to defend themselves from these renegades. If we implement your policy we are therefore placed with the responsibility of guaranteeing the security of these mages who cannot defend themselves. It also imposes limits on ability and usage that may lead some we may have co-opted to seek training elsewhere.”

He shrugged.

“Ultimately yes, we must treat the cause and you are right that creating an atmosphere of magic where it is not seen as a threat to the people is a good thing. I would however ask you one very important question.”

Duncan stared frankly at the Imperial Mage.

“Where do you intend to get the mages from to combat these renegades? The military needs its own mages to avoid becoming any more ineffective than it already is against the renegades and unless you have the power to create master's from thin air I don't recall the Imperial Mage's remit including a staff outside of the advisory councils you speak of. I certainly didn't have one.”

He added with a wry shake of his head.

“Whilst the goal of defeating the renegades is one I support wholeheartedly I am very skeptical as to how we can achieve it given our resources.”

In other words...there weren't enough friendly mages in the Empire with the requisite skills and talents, unless again Atl had an idea Duncan hadn't thought of. Possible, but in regard to finding mages of the right type...he doubted it.

Then again that might just be Duncan's lack of faith in other people.

[Atl Myrsa]

Atl smiled and nodded his head. "You are correct that they do need to be dealt with." He looked at him. "Besides training our new mages to loyalty towards the empire. We need to make it popular to support the empire." Atl looked at Duncan. He had heard enough to know that the man tended to stay to his self. Most of Atl's staff could tell you what clara was let a lone uses it. They were paper pushers, which is what Atl needed. It was also one of the reasons why there wasn't magic running around the building. "That is the key getting anything done. Popularity. Now popularity isn't like the hunk who gets all the girls. Civic populairty is done through a delicate balance of bullying, bribing, fear, and show. Pomp and ceremony are a pain in the butt. They are effective though. People complain about them all the time, but they are also the ones cheering, and secretly hoping its them next time, and even so briefly plan how it might happen." Atl had been around a number of people and his time as Thane had taught him a lot. "You need to make it such that to truely get anyware in the field you have to join the goverment programs, get their awards and so forth."