Message for Malkaer and Nashkel (Arrangements for meeting)

[Duncan Sythe]

A runner from Captain Sythe and the Katta Commander found first the General then the giant Thane, delivering the following message verbally.

"The meeting is arranged for dusk, four representatives but no soldiers, Malice asks that a large pavilion tent be set up in the centre of the field between Malice and the Enamorian forces. Commander Th’alashar and Captain Slone suggest that the soldier request be enforced due to Malice’s magical ability to check those present. "

He then waited to refer back any message the recieviers might have for the human and the Katta before departing, it was all in progress.

[Malkaer Andares]

Bent over his desk, Malkaer was studying an old edition of the Imperial Herald in preparation of the negotiations. During the war the commander had kept a close eye on any news regarding Malice and had carefully stored these publications. When the articles were fresh he had read them only casually, but this time the chief commander and diplomat studied them thoroughly. Were the intentions of Malice, to become a legitamite city of the Empire, as detailed in "New City Announces Presence", truthful or merely an attempt to cloak itself? What did it actually take to become an 'official city'? Finding the answer probably required studying the Articles of the Imperium. Malkaer doubted if he actually had the legal right to grant Malice city rights, but he also knew that exact legal issues were far less important than influence. Influence which he and his family had in Enamorian politics. The government of Enamoria laid in shambles and anyone with enough influence and intelligence could do anything and get away with it. Still, peace negotiations with a disputable city as Malice was on the borders of his resources and would require a lot of deals with others. The General had become a politician.

"The Purest City of Telath Sends it's Regards" was an article that expressed the hostility from New Coldmoon towards Malice and it's support to Daltina for declaring war on Malice. Unfortunately, no article with a direct declaration of war from Daltina could be found. Reading through "Purest City in the Empire is Warmonger!" Malkaer began to doubt Nashkel's decision to make war. The esh'lahier had always believed that destroying Malice was the right thing to do, but perhaps a lot of bloodshed could have been avoided if the former Thane had not been so hasty. Ofcourse, Malice was no harmless sheep, having kidnapped the Governor and, to the amazement of all, murdered her. The giant had been punished by Elanara for his warmongering and acts against Arconis. Malkaer remembered several articles accusing Nashkel of unlawful activities, whereupon the giant accused them of slander. How would the public view his acts, when the news of peace or continueance of the war would reach the Herald? Undoubtly, some would accuse him of the same unlawful acts Nashkel had engaged in, simply because they benefitted from blackening Malkaer or his House, others out of princiality reasons. Many would also rejoice the ending of the war though, although Malice would ofcourse be viewed with suspicion. It all depended on the way the events were brought to the people. Propaganda was needed, if the peace was intended to be longlasting.

When the messanger came in, Malkaer looked up with a stern face, disturbed from his pondering. A large pavilion in the centre of the field, four representatives, no soldiers, at dusk. These terms were agreeable, even if it ment the Enamorians were at a disadvantage if the meeting resulted in conflict. The three other representatives were easily picked. Instead of the Imperial Captain, Malkaer chose to write his messages instead of bringing them over vocally. Carefully cutting a piece of parchment in four equal parts, the commander wrote the same text on three of them, save the name of the person adressed. They read:

Commander Skybreak/Lord Angor/Master Crotheny,

The negotiations with the Maliceans will be held in a large tent set up in the middle of the field. Be there at dusk. No retinue or soldiers are allowed in or around the tent. There are no restrictions regarding weapons, but I doubt they will have much effect against the wizard-leaders of Malice.

The last note was directed to Arkahn.

Commander Th'alashar,

Considering the limited number of representatives allowed at the negotiations, you are not selected to be part of the peace negotiations. Take care no soldiers are present any closer to Malice than the ordinary, but have a division of five hundred men ready inside the camp should Malice attempt any outbreak during the negotiations. Contact me as soon as the negotiations are over.

Laying aside his quill, Malkaer allowed the ink to dry before folding the papers and handing them to the messanger. "Bring these messages to Commander Skybreak, Lord Angor and Master Crotheny respectively; this one is for Commander Th'alashar. Oh, and tell Captain Linvail that I am grateful for his assistance and that I will provide him with a detailed report of the negotiations." A little vocal message after all. Then, Malkaer waved the messanger away.

A moment later he called in a sergeant, and ordered him: "Set up a large tent in the centre of the plains between us and the Maliceans. Furniture it with the large table for tactical planning and eight chairs." The sergeant saluted and left Malkaer to more pondering.

[Nashkel Angor]

Recieving it, Nashkel scribbled quickly the following message

As requested, I shall be there.

Lord Angor

[Mimesis]

Master Crotheny received the missive with a pensive frown. Peace talks - how far were the Enamorians now from their high hopes on setting off on this venture, and even during that first meeting where he had been present some months ago! It had taken the human sorcerer some days to recover from the battle, but his main concern had been for the others, for his colleague Dyla and for the adepts they had brought along. Those that had been on the west front were worse off than he, and still experienced splitting headaches.

Yet wiser heads than his would decide whether all this had been for nothing. For now, all he had to do was scribble back a quite reply to Malkaer that he would attend the meeting, unarmed of course but for his regenerating powers. He was unsure, as a matter of fact, why he had been selected on the commitee: a notoriously bad leader, Crotheny had intensely disliked his short stint as Interim Head of the Arconian Arcane Academy, and frankly was not very well versed in the art of war either. But... he was, after all, representing his city in this venture: acutely conscious of the fact that, after Lord Protector Branch had left with his Arconian contingent, he and his little group of mages were the only Arconians in the Enamorian army, Crotheny had done all he could to uphold the honour of his city.

In that he had done his best - and perhaps he had succeeded; but when this added thing was asked of him, he could not decline. He was too forthright, too conscious of the right and wrong which had been lost in a bleak expanse of chaotic grey recently. Shrugging his burly shoulders, the Master Sorcerer wrote his acceptance of this dubious honour, and went to rest and dream of his nice, quite little office overlooking the Regio's verdant gardens.