Tent of Peace? Tent of Destruction?

[Nashkel Angor]

And it stood, in the middle of the lines, a large tent, the dusk breeze becoming cool. The setting sun casted orange and yellow shades upon the setup.

The tent itself was more of like an awning with sides that were tied down. The tent was circular, and large, much like the one used for the enamorian planning sessions, and a few soldiers set it up, and transported some furnature, leather chairs, and a large table. Inside the table was a comfortable fit, with four chairs on each side, and plenty of pen and ink to write many drafts of a treaty. Would they even be used?

The giant seriously doubted that anything would happen except for a bunch of Malician games to get something for nothing. That was his thoughts, but he guarded them well through a streight militant face.

It was as agreed, no soldiers, four leaders per side. The Enamorians had no knowledge of what would happen next.
This was the place where the negotiations would begin.
Nashkel stood on the Enamorian front lines, awaiting the others before venturing forth to the tent. Once they all arrived, the negotiations would begin.

[Malkaer Andares]

Nearly at dusk, Malkaer made his way over to the tent. He was dressed in his new armour, which had seen no use- and hopefully would not see any tonight. The shimmering plates of the elven steel platemail were a grand sight to behold, but they were more show than protection in front of the Malice leaders. His armour could protect the blows of swords, but hardly bolts of force, cast by master mages. Still, if it did come to fighting, the Enamorians stood a better chance in the tent than far aparted, when the Malice wizards could safely cast their destructive spells from far away. Nevertheless, no illusions or wishful thinking could be allowed in a fight. The leaders from Enamoria were definately in an underdog position and mistakes were paid with death.

Noticeing Nashkel -it was hard to miss him- Malkaer walked towards him, guessing the giant's reason for standing here. The commander nodded, there was nothing to say, and waited with the former Thane for the other two Enamorian representatives to arrive.

[Mimesis]

Master Crotheny, robed in his usual plain brown raiment and his grizzled head barred to the elements, approached the large tent close upon the footsteps of the Esh'lahier under whose command he had served during the seige. He blinked and squinted in the sunlight, the stark contrast between his unarmoured self and Malkaer's plate glarring - both literally and metaphorically. Still, the Master sorcerer was content to let it rest thus, and he was not planning on taking a large part in the proposed discourse unless forced to do so either by the others or by his own sense of right and wrong. Only too keenly did he feel that he did not quite belong in this company of warriors... but the elder human had enough years under his belt to repress that notion, or at least make it invisible to others.

Approaching the distasteful figure of the giant and the elf, Crotheny made his own greetings to the both of them, covertly glancing around to see if anyone else had arrived.

[Talinnar Skybreak]

A grimaced face was making it's way through a mass of tents and people under a bright sun. All that were in his way quickly stepped aside and made sure they would not bother him. A general's robe followed him and it's short flaps seemed like angry waves lashing out at anyone who dared come close. The steps were regular and without interval, not eveing when walking up against a slope. Among all the tents there was one in particular that came into sight. The tent the face was looking at and the destination to go to.

Talinnar was angry. Angry about the way things went, the way the war went. More and more bureaucratic talk was the last thing he could use. Men were lost this very minute and they, the leaders of it all, would end up in another meeting, discussing while men fell fighting for their land. Blood still stained his blade, since he gave up cleaning it. It was sundried and gave a disgusting look like the smell that came with it.

The Half-Elf paced inwards without greeting and moved directly towards a corner of the table in the middle of the tent. There he found an empty leather chair and dropped himself into it. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and continued his grim face.

[Malkaer Andares]

Greeting the elder human with another nod of his head, Malkaer was quickly distracted by the awkward appearance of Talinnar, who seemed to have missed the three other representatives and hurried himself towards the tent. As the giant was impossible to miss, as well as the armour clad esh'lahier, the chief commander could, combined with the rigid march of the half-elf, conclude no other than that Talinnar had walked past them intentionally. By Ioannes, not another. Perhaps Arkahn and the half-elf were simply too young to carry such grave responsibility as that of a commander, but then again, each of those present had a good reason to be angry: Nashkel because he was stripped out of office, Crotheny because he did not wish to be here and Malkaer himself for a lot of reasons. The difference was that the later three controlled their discontent.

Looking sideways at the two other representatives, the esh'lahier shrugged and set himself in motion. Following Talinnar to the large pavillion, Malkaer entered the tent to find the half-elf sitting in a corner, with crossed arms and mocking face. the pale elf could not suppress a smile, because the picture was humorous in a way; a little child sitting in a corner. Malkaer allowed the half-elf to cool down and ignored him, and took place in the central chair on the side of the table turned towards the Enamorian camps. Left of him was a big chair, obviously intended for the giant and seeing as the chair right of him was the only one left out of the four on this side of the table, presumeably Crotheny would take place on it. Looking towards Malice, as if his blue eyes could penetrate the fabric of the tent, Malkaer said with a low but clear voice: "The negotiations ahead will be tough, but whatever you think of my propositions or those of Malice, do not state your opinion loud. If there is anything you wish to part, come to me and whisper it in my ear." There was one negotiator and that was Malkaer, though he did not think any of the other representatives planned to speak anyway. Nashkel was the most probable candidate, but the esh'lahier had countered that earlier in his conversation with the former Thane preliminary to these negotiations. "Whatever happens in this tent tonight, I would like to say that it has been an honour to serve with the three of you." All they could do now was to wait for the Maliceans.

[Apophis]

With a bright flash of blueish light that illuminated the whole tent even moreso; four figures joined the enamorian delegates. The immensely bright light slowly faded to normal levels, allowing everyone to see each other properly.

Four men stood on the opposite table of the Enamorians, two in red coats, and two with silver hair. One of those was Duncan Sythe the four men recognised. He had been acting as some sort of Enamorian officer earlier. The other man was armed with two swords on his belt and was dressed in some black studded leather. He had an age worn face, placing him half past his fourties, yet something in his pose and look said he didn't feel that old.

The two red robed men were different; one was also red skinned and slightly taller than the other. He had his hood down and was also bald. This was Magnus the red. His hands were inside the sleeves of his robe, crossed in front of his chest. It was hard to say how old he was, but he was older than the other red robed one; who was half elven. Soldiers in the Daltinan Armed Forces might've recognised him, was he to openly face them. They would know he was Mi'keh Shanicra.

"Gentlemen." Magnus began, nodding to each of them. "I am Magnus the red, spokesman of Malice. These are my associates; my general Eric." He motioned to the armed one, revealing that his hands too, were entirely red. The general nodded grimly when he was presented.

"my apprentice Mi'keh." He motioned to the other red robed man. "And the man you know as Duncan Sythe who has brokered this meeting." He motioned to duncan.

[Nashkel Angor]

Nashkel nodded, he was not suprised to see Duncan again, he had warned the giant at the beginning not to attack Malice. He had also broken several laws during his meeting with the former thane.

Mi'keh was no memory in particular in the giants mind, but the name was familiar.

Nashkel began, "I am Lord Nashkel An'gor, as you well know. This is Supreme Comander Andares, Master Crotheny, and Commander Skybreak. From here, Andares will be our spokesperson."

As the giant identified all the particpants, he looked at them, and also kept a good eye on what was happening. As Andares had told him earlier, it was expected that Malice would not parley fairly.

[Talinnar Skybreak]

As the other delegation entered the tent Talinnar sat a bit more upright and raised one eyebrow as the Malice guys started to introduce themselves. The Half-Elf was slightly surprised that the Giant Thane took the first word on the Enamorian side and wondered if Malkaer would mind. The halfbreed might be looking like a spoiled brat staring like this, but he decided he would keep this face as a mask. He needed not to show anything but hardness and anger to these people. Besides, the word would be taken by Malkaer from here on. Talinnar would just sit here and listen intently, he would however, mix himself in the converation as soon as he regarded it necessary.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan arrived with his hands neatly clasped in front of him, near enough to a sword hilt to be visibly aware. Certainly the resemblance to Kyle was enough for any who’d seen the man to realize Duncan hadn’t put too much into his disguise, a chance of eye and hair colour and a few subtle alterations but little else, height, weight, build, all kept the same to go with Duncan’s attitude…but given Nashkel’s affairs with Duncan as his real self before it had been sensible not to appear as himself.

Now he did so though, dressed not in army grays but in green and black, well appointed clothing marred slightly by the sword and eyes. Those Psionic blue, potentially illusionary orbs combined with strikingly silver hair, close cropped to go with the thin beard. Not moving from his starting position slightly behind Magnus and his apprentice, probably on an equal with the silver haired swordsman Duncan studied each, trying to determine their purpose in the meeting and prepare himself for what was to come.

Nashkel he knew, the giant was an elementalist, another common fact, Malkaer, a mage? Possibly but not certainly, the same went for the half Elf he didn’t know. The other man definitely looked like a mage, an academic from the looks of him and not happy to be here. Not to be underestimated none the less as the Mystic Archmage slipped to Meditation for a better look at each, a precaution, nothing more, he liked to know he could protect himself if one of the others decided to take offense and react out of tune.

Other than studying the forms of each though, looking for signs of mage craft or enchantments, Duncan did nothing. He stood, waiting for Magnus to make the first announcements and such, half expecting Malkaer to speak up about his presence. Nashkel had taken it more calmly than he’d perhaps expected but he had seen Duncan perform such antics before, Andares on the other hand had not, he’d no doubt want the Mage up for some kind of treason eventually. Yes, admittedly he’d broken the law on many occasions but, surprisingly, no-one had charged him or caught him yet, they seemed more bothered about the men who killed single slug thieves than he who had caused the deaths of hundreds.

Admittedly Duncan was half tempted to kick Nashkel’s ego back down or snipe at Malkaer but he considered such concerns below his purpose here and to an extent below him in this guise, there were better times to insult the idiotic, at least in his view. For now he was all business and it showed, quiet, patient, tense. A coiled spring in green and black.

[Malkaer Andares]

Too late Malkaer protected his eyes from the blue flash of light and the esh'lahier temporarily lost sight. When he regained his vision, the commander did exactly the same as every other in the tent: checking out the other party. Magnus the Red was indeed quite a character from the storybooks. The pale skinned elf always thought the nickname 'the Red' was gained due to the garments of the evil wizard, but it seemed there was more that accounted to his title. One shady experiment too many, perhaps.

As Magnus introduced the other representatives, Malkaer's stern gaze followed those introduced. General Eric looked like a tough fighter; had to be one because the esh'lahier believed Malice was led by those with power, not essentially those with wisdom or experience in statescraft. And as high military officer, Malkaer had to admit, there was something to say for that method of governance. The apprentice wasn't nearly as red as his master, but undoubtly a dangerous adversary nonetheless. 'The man you know as Duncan Sythe'. The name didn't really ring a bell, but upon seeing the human, the commander recognized him as the Imperial Captain of earlier this brightening. So that were the ins and outs of the whole mess. The human was a powerful mage, the initiate sorcerer concluded, for he had lured several other high-level mages with his illusions. Still, while his deceptions as Imperial Captain were near perfect, he made a mistake by showing up here as his 'true self', or his 'truest self', for the name Duncan Sythe suddenly did ring a bell. Vaguely, Malkaer remembered the name being brought up at the meeting of Prefect Jaali Desseren of Medonia as an important figure in the city. Guildleader, or something. A respected Medonian that happened to have a close relationship with the leaders of Malice. Perhaps something Nashkel allowed, but Malkaer would pay a visit to Medonia one brightening. Obviously, this also ment the end of Arkahn's career, who was now a proven traitor to the Province of Enamoria. First things first, however.

Nodding as Nashkel spoke his name, the esh'lahier reached up from his chair, which showed the sheaths of the two swords he was armed with: his magnificent longsword on his left side and the more common shortsword on his right. He spoke with a cool voice, while gesturing at the chairs before him. "Please sit down, gentlemen." Malkaer expected some of them would prefer to remain standing, which the commander would consider as a sign of hostility. Magnus probably did sit down and when he was comfortably seated, the commander continued. "Before we begin with the negotiations," actually, the negotiations had started the moment both parties were present, but with this opening, it seemed Malkaer's question was 'of the record', "I would like to know why you assassinated the Governor." The voice of the esh'lahier was not at all accusing, but more like a simple fact that required some explaination.

[Mimesis]

Crotheny started and winced slightly at the bright blue light which just like that heralded the arrival of the Malicians. As it died his eyes travelled of themselves over the red-robed group which now presented themselves, along with the starkly contrasting figure dressed in green and black. Familiar colours, ironically enough, and as the two parties warrily crossed the threshold of the tent and settled themselves in their respective seats the human allowed himself a quiet, dry chuckle whose reasoning (if it was remarked at all) would most likely remain unknown to the rest... but no matter.

Taking in a long wiff of air Crotheny let himself into the tent and took the seat left him on the Enamorian side, quietly listening as introductions went around the room. The figure of Magnus, imposing as it was, he had recognized without prior knowledge; his intent also rested upon the human named Duncan Sythe with his peculiar eyes, whom Crotheny had not seen before but who must be quite a character indeed - to have managed to bring both sides of this seige to a single table. Unhastily Crotheny reached for clara, gauging the ranks of those sitting opposite: it was something that, most likely the Malicians were doing as well - a simple sizing up, as did any warrior his opponent upon the field of battle. And these men were certainly not fools enough to believe that this table (which might look innocent enough, standing still on its own four legs) was not a field of battle.

[Mi'keh Shanicra]

The second red-clad man, the half-Elf, quietly stood beside his master and just nodded at the introduction. Names were of no importance at the moment, it was interesting to see these men from upclose for once but either on paper or in the trenches, a battle was still a battle and they were still enemies, no matter what happened here tonight. As he was looked upon by the Enamorians, he in return tried to see what they were up against. There was the giant, ofcourse, Nashkel. Mi'keh's eyes hardened a bit, every time he had run into this man his life had taken a turn for the worse. Admitted, the giant gave impressive speeches but the half-Elf's master, Magnus the Red, was not one to be easily fooled by such things. Subtly his harsh glare twisted a bit into a sarcastic grin, if Nashkel was the one to do the talking it would be over quickly.

Unfortunately for Malice Nashkel probably was not the one doing the talking. It was probably the Elf, Mi'keh feared, the one wearing the beautiful armour. As his glance went past the man the half-Elf could do little but be impressed, it was all show ofcourse, he knew that, but it was a sight to behold nonetheless. Then there was ofcourse the half-Elf, Mi'keh was a little surprised to find someone with a similar bloodline in the tent, but there was no reason why there should not be, ofcourse. At least, and Mi'keh could not help but smile a real smile this time and nod to the other half-Elf respectfully, the man who was introduced as commander Skybreak seemed to have little interest in the talking that was to take place at this table which marked him as a bit more intelligent then the others in Mi'keh's eyes. He could hardly agree more. These Enamorians had come all this way to kill, they killed and were killed hundreds at a time, and now their leaders wanted to talk. It was pathetic really, Malice was never going to give up, these men here were just looking for a way to flee the scene without looking like dogs running with their tails between their legs.

Now there was only one left, if his master had informed him correctly. This one was the easiest to read, amongst these others a man at age wearing simple robes could be nothing but a mage. Magnus' apprentice did not bother slipping into meditation to see if any of the others had any skills in the area of the arcane. Mi'keh knew Nashkel was an elementalist, although he did not know what level the giant had reached, and he knew almost for sure that the robed man was probably a sorcerer or an elementalist from Brightshadows. He could not imagine that after the shameful amount of magic they had used in the assault of Malice that there were any more mages among their higher ranks. Surely anyone with arcane skills knew that attacking a stronghold of powerful mages could not be done with steel alone. He smiled and sat down finally, there was no need to tire himself over these men, and the chair was quite comfortable. Sitting back a bit more he folded his hands, his right one gloved in black leather, under his chin and produced a little smile looking much the same as Commander Skybreak did.

[Apophis]

Eyeing the men opposite of the table, the general took a look at Magnus and as the red mage nodded the silvery haired warrior took a seat and carefully sat down. Magnus himself took a chair too, carefully and in the centre of their side. It was obvious he was going to do the talking. It was obvious, too for Master Crotheny the Malicians hadn't brought anyone weak to the table. The general was an apprentice, Magnus was at least a master, probably a long-time master.

Magnus absorbed the esh'laiers question carefully and laid his hands on the table and took a soft breath.

"We were informed of her regretable demise, but we must deny any accusations in this matter; in fact we give our condolances to her immediate family and the province of Enamoria in it's whole; we have lost a great leader." His voice was calm and calculated, yet his face was as hard as stone.

"Such an accusation however, is a serious matter." He spoke with deadly seriousness. "We are however, prepared to let it slide, for now. I hope you are more willing to negotiate with us, than this incident suggests. Your party initiated the parlay; what do you require for your surrender?" cold and bold. Magnus smiled. He had no need to know the powerlevels of these buffoons. He knew them, and he was more powerful than any; and so was Duncan; who would most likely be reading his mind. As was Fabius, to keep Brachus up to date. Things would go well.

[Nashkel Angor]

Nashkel listened intently as Magnus continued, specifically denying the charges. Nashkel didn't have reason to believe they killed Elanara, It would have been better for them not to. She was after all the one wanting to make peace with them. The giant knew too well the deceased had wanted to make peace.

Knowing this, the first comment didn't suprise him. However, the second comment he made ticked the giant off. Only perhaps Duncan would know, for his jaw remained clenched shut, hating the Malician bastard even more. His arrogance was clear. He was stuck inside is stink hole of a city, full of slimy orcs and other undesirables. He had litte food and water, and while he and his top men ate well, it wouldn't be something to be said of the rest of his troops.

The leader of the city which was most foul in the whole of the empire dared to obligate the rest of a province to "surrender"-- This angered the giant to no end.

However the giant would have a chance. There would be retribution. Saying anything would display his anger, he sat instead expressionless, still his jaw clenched as it had been before. Andares had the Lords full confidence. The Commander would know what to do.

[Malkaer Andares]

Although a denial was expected, Magnus' answer did increase Malkaer's doubts regarding Malice' guilt in that matter. After the war, the death of Elanara was perhaps worthwhile investigating. "You forget that according to Allerian laws, it is the accused that must prove himself to be not guilty." The pale skinned elf smiled. Malice was guilty until proven otherwise, as if anybody cared. "But we thank you for your sympathies." Really only an elf could say that. "Were it not for her unfortunate accident, it would be Lady Al'lende speaking to you now." The word assassination was replaced with accident. Malkaer had brought the whole issue up to strengthen his authority.

Though the sound of surrender would usually make the commander angry, he ignored the little tease of the red human rather well. Malice had just as much to gain from the negotiations as the Enamorians. As the esh'lahier pictured it, Enamoria was a big, strong giant and Malice was a small halfling. In overconfidence by these proportions, Enamoria had only fought with their left little finger. And now the small halfling was holding that little finger in a painful hold, bringing the giant to his knees. In this moment of superiority, the halfling had the power to demand many things, but it also had the knowledge that when it would release the finger from it's hold, the giant had the power to strike down at the halfling without mercy.

Continueing with a businesslike tone, Malkaer said: "In preparation of this meeting, amongst other things, I have read several old Herald articles concerning Malice. One of them dealt with Malice going public and the request to become an official city of the Sovereignty of Enamoria. I may be willing to look into such a request, given that Malice meets certain requirements." The bait was out, hopefully Magnus would bite, or these negotiations were doomed.