A Meeting of the Minds [Finn]

[Talisman]

21 Glade, Year 125

[Closed - Finn]

Something that was odd that Finn had learned over this time in this place was that the senate meetings could take an outrageous amount of time before it would be declared ended by Achaka. Odder still, that the Consul of Wartime was the one who presided over the meetings, despite the fact that there was no active war going on. It had taken time, and more than a few conversations, to understand that the Commonwealth still considered itself at war with the Geleran Imperium. The war had more or less stopped decades ago when the Imperium had withdrawn what little was left of their forces.

In the meantime, Ecith rebuilt itself. This great hall held everyone that wished to attend, and Finn, as the emissary from Solunarium, was granted something of a seat to attend and speak. However, his retinue was limited, and weapons not permitted for anyone. That may well have been a good thing; being surrounded by an honour guard within the Senate building was not a favourable look. He did not have a vote, especially when it came to the matters of the Commonwealth, but it at least gave him an in to better understand this place and work on his Ecitharese. Unless he was being addressed as the representative of the desert Kingdom, most of the Senate business was done in the native tongue of the Commonwealth. There was nothing saying he had to stay, but once he left, there was no returning for the session.

It was sometimes unnerving for how long things could go on here, but debates didn't end because it was inconvenient, even if sessions were held every ten days. They would continue until the matter was considered taken care of and parties were satisfied. This had been one such session - six hours now. While refreshment was available and short breaks had been had after four hours, they were back at it. The discussion was a spirited one, about rebuilding the defense of the coast of the north. They may not have liked to have admitted it, but the Commonwealth was stretched fairly thin in that regard at the moment. Getting over the effects of the Eclipse, along with dealing with the sicknesses that had come from so much rain and darkness, and getting the jungle regulated once again was taking a lot of work.

The representatives from Ailos had already spoken - Dawnmartyrs were still rebuilding the island, and the Senate had committed resources to assisting with them. Chances were, if the Imperium came back for round two, that was going to be their first target. The discussion was now on how to move the navy, still rebuilding though it was, to ensure the considerable coast was protected, while helping ferry supplies to the island. Dragons had volunteered recovering their flights to help with that patrol. That was agreed upon, that the elders of the flights would speak with their members and come to an arrangement and report back to the senate at the next meeting.

One of the more vociferous warhawks spoke up. The heavily tattooed Orkhan, Senator Tonen Engris Tasyer, was a chieftain from one of the northern villages, and their village had nearly been destroyed during the Imperial march. "On the matter of Imperial aggression, would the Solunarian delegate wish to share anything that they are aware of? I believe that when the Imperium returns, they will not limit themselves to the sea... and they will be coming for you as well." He spoke in Common for Finn, at least, rather than make his statement in Ecitharese.

[Finn]

you see, we piddle, twiddle, and resolve;
not one damn thing do we solve.
piddle, twiddle, and resolve.
nothing's ever solved in
foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy
Drathera.

Every ten days, Finn woke early and reported to the Ecithian curia. He preferred to be early, and was still getting used to the casual use of chronomancy. Thankfully, he had Phædreon to ensure his arse was always early to the seat they had provided. He sat alone, his honor guard awaiting outside. While unarmed, he could pull a weapon out of the aether at need, or flee via the slipspace. And if he was to be assassinated before the Ecithian senate, well, his honor guard would be unlikely to prevent it and there would be larger problems on the horizon.

Every ten days, Finn sat in his seat whether or not the Solunarian question was on the agenda. It served many purposes: to more quickly learn legal and political Ecitharese; to have a constant competent but non-threatening Solunarian presence there; to gain a more holistic understanding of the Ecithian political clime.

While it was his job and he did it with good humor, he hoped his brother Ciarán was holding up doing a similar task in the ducal seat of gens Viator. Poor bastard.

Afterward, he would write a synopsis of the business in a report for Phocion. Eidetic memory was a blessing in this case. Sometimes, he would quote people directly in the language of the nation and leave the better linguists to argue over the nuances of translation. Finn was only too happy to delegate tasks to those more suited to them, and he wasn't certain that the linguistic gifts of his God would serve them in this.

For once, it seemed, being ever-present was to benefit the Ecithian senators as well.

He smiled gratefully for the boon of the Common tongue.

"I thank you, Senator, for this opportunity to be a resource to the Curia, and for being patient with my mastery of your language." His Ecitharese was not fluent, but when he was careful like this, it sounded like music on his lips. He savored its cadences, and his ear was keen for picking up nuances in pronunciation and such. But if he was to speak at length, he would speak more fluently in Common.

And then there was the gift of metaphrase, which meant all here present would understand him perfectly no matter what language he used.

"The Golden Legion stands ready to defend Solunarium against the Imperium and anyone else seeking a foothold on Ecith," he declared in formal Common. "After this session, I will ensure that you all have copies of a preliminary plan from the Legatus Præventorus to have the wyvern-riders patrol the norther coast of the continent. Should this aid be requested and confirmed, they could be worked into whatever patrols are already in place, augmenting your northern security."

Some there present had surely seen Finn himself riding Kherdroth to keep both of them in fighting trim. A Mesmer and a wyvern might not be so terrifying as a soldier on dragonback, but he didn't think Alikhandrian was ready to do such a thing. Time and Necessity would tell, though.

"I have not been made aware of impending threats from the Imperium, but I will request further intelligence from the Vigilia Argenti to share with the esteemed senators of Ecith."

[Talisman]

The Ecithians were, if anything, quite patient with his learning of Ecitharese, even those that did not like his presence and what he represented and viewed him with deep suspicion. He was clearly trying and his earnestness and determination to do his best was on display. The Common tongue was rather regularly spoken, especially in the city; if he had ventured out to the smaller villages deep in the jungle, he might have had a touch more trouble. But these senators, even from the outlying villages like Tonen, had picked up a decent grasp of Common from their time in the Senate.

His answer was greeted with murmurs and looks, some of the senators leaning to murmur to their neighbours. One was watching him from across the room, a tall, slender Hytori-seeming woman with emerald beads in her hair. Doubtless one of the representatives of one of the dragonflights.

"Legatus, I thank you for your contributions and offerings, and I believe I speak for all of my colleagues, particularly those of us who are of the Strength Track, when I say that we would be interested in such plans. However, I have questions. I understand that you represent the city of the Umbrium, not the Luxium. That the force that answers to Zalkyriax is the Silver Sentinels, not the Golden Legion. That the two cities are separate, not under one leadership any longer since the end of Thalya's reign. Further, there is no Solar Sovereign to speak for the commanding of the Golden Legion, only a temporary regent, therefore there is no authority present that can make that offer," Tonen addressed himself to Finn once again.

"Further, on the subject of the Sentinels, we have been given to understand that they have been recruiting civilian contractors for tasks where they can, suggesting they are also stretched thin. What say you?"

[Finn]

Finn considered Senator Nalasa for a moment. From what he knew, she was an elder dragon, but not yet a greatwyrm. These distinctions were important, but in most cases, most dragons were so much older than him, another few hundred years one way or another would hardly change them drastically. Quick-lived humans were the changeable ones. But she appreciated music, and supported artists—that was no small thing in his estimation.

He did wonder at her Hytori seeming, though. The platinum dragons chose elven forms as they treated most closely with the elves of Solunarium. Deravæcia had worn a more Orkhan-coded form, which had made sense in Drathera, though she was of the iron and dragons were individuals, as well.

There was a pang in his heart for the sunborn elf with platinum wings who did abide on the other side of the continent, but he didn't let that slow him down in his response.

Finn inclined his head as Senator Tonen responded.

"Aye, thank you for your question, Senator. To clarify, diplomacy has always fallen under the purview of the Silver Sentinels. Even when Thalya Derelicta was sovereign of the realm entire, it was Phocion Princeps, in his capacity as a Sentinel, who visited us in Kalzasi as Solunarium's envoy. At the same time, a member of the Golden Guard was sent to treat with Zaichaer, with support from the Sentinels, as he was deemed the person best for that employment. More on that in a moment.

"The Golden Guard still responds to the Regent. Much of his work is custodial as the powers that be vet possible successors to the Fallen One, and the desire not to install another such despot makes the work all the more important. As seen in this august body," he indicated the senators with a teasing, yet respectful smile, "the most important matters require the most measured discussion, debate, and contemplation. While I am here at the order of His Exalted Majesty, the Regent had no objections to my installment, and while Solunarium once again has two active thrones, it remains one realm.

"I can understand the confusion. It took some time before I felt anything other than a stranger in a strange land when I first came to Solunarium. If you doubt my ability to secure this military aid, the only way I can prove to you that my sincerity can also produce results is to ask. And then, perhaps, when you receive, that will be another stone in the foundation of the bridge between our great nations."

He would make this happen if it required that he ride patrol himself, whether on Kherdroth, the wyvern, or Alikhandrian himself.

In any case, several powerful Luxians owned him favors. And while the greatest powers in Solunarium—dragons notwithstanding—were descendants of the Divine Twins by accident of birth. He was chosen personally by Aværys Himself, and favored by Varvara for services performed, ancient adherents recovered.

It could cost him, but Finn could cash in his political favors, leverage all his clout, and make this happen. Then they would see that his songs were more than air; they were backed by steel.

[Talisman]

Nalasa of the Emerald Dragonflight had always been relatively pleasant to him when they had interacted. She didn't make herself overly familiar, but she was always pleasant and polite. If he played music publicly, she would often stop and listen before carrying on with a nod and a smile. Some he could coax into sharing information about themselves, she was one of those that had proven a much tougher nut to crack. That wasn't abnormal according to those who were friendlier and had more of a history with her, and it certainly wasn't personal. While a number of dragons took on Orkhan-coded forms, she was not the only one to take on a more Elven seeming, and according to the intelligence that the Sentinels had on the Senators of Ecith, she always presented that way. Why that was was ripe for speculation, but pushing with dragons was a risky venture.

Those gathered listened as he spoke. He did elicit some chuckles when he talked about things being talked through quite thoroughly, though they soon quieted. Finn did inform them of some new things, which was helpful, and he could probably tell it would be talked to death privately and in clusters, particularly by the warhawks like Tonen. "Thank you for your assurances and input, Legatus," the Orkhan nodded and sat down, apparently satisfied by those offerings.

Achaka was the next to speak, from where he sat off in the center of the room, facing the Senators. Behind him sat the three of the divine Triumvirate in their own chairs. The silver dragonborn did not need to raise his voice much to command attention, and while he tended to be fairly quiet in here, he did keep things moving and civil. "If there is no further questions for the Solunarian delegate on this matter, I move that we take the time to assess these plans once they provided for us and allow the Legatus to communicate with those at home with regards to their patrol contributions of the northern border. We can continue this topic at the next session and report in on that. I trust Senator Tonen will take the lead into following up with Legatus Finn." There was a nod from Tonen in agreement. "All in favour?"

There was agreement, Senator by Senator, to continue that subject next time, which allowed for communiques to be produced and sent out. "Is there anything further for discussion at this point with regards to the border, or are there any further subjects to be raised today? I will open the floor at this point."

[Finn]

Finn would most likely follow up with Senator Tonen after the session was adjourned. Meanwhile, he awaited the senators' final words. It was not his place to speak here and now, though he would at some point suggest to the right people that more resources could be afforded their northern border if they were reassigned from the border with Solunarium.

Said to the right person at the right time in the right way, and he might see positive results. They might begin to take small risks trusting Solunarium that would pay off and build greater trust. But it was a delicate topic, he knew, and if it was mishandled, it would only put their hackles up.

When further business was complete and the session adjourned, Finn made polite farewells to those nearest him, but strode with a purpose to Senator Tonen's side. When he had the man's attention, he bowed.

"Senator," he said, "I was hoping I might prevail upon you for whatever logistical information from the borders you might be willing to share. I intend to bring the matter before the powers that be in Solunarium posthaste, but the more information I can present up front about the ask, the better answer I can return with.

He smiled, perfectly willing to admit ignorance where he was ignorant. "I have training as a warrior, but not as a general. I would patrol on wyvernback myself if it would help, and Gods know I miss the high winds in my hair. In any case, do you think the Senate would be comfortable if I bring back a military advisor from Solunarium to help direct Solunarian military aid should that august body approve it? If not, I stand ready to act as intermediary in matters military, as well, and I will attempt to learn them more quickly than I am learning the Ecithian tongue."

In fact, he was learning it rather quickly for one his age, but shooting the shit with Karmordi after sparring with the berserker was one thing; orating before the Senate and brokering deals and treaties was quite another level of fluency.

[Talisman]

With no other business to be raised - possibly because they would wait and see what Finn would produce, if he could produce it - Achaka ended the senate session. Those that Finn said farewell to returned the sentiment. Some left, some went to talk with others. But he was right in that border talk was one that was going to have to be approached carefully. Tonen kept a reasonably polite tongue in his head, but he was a hardliner, and he had expressed earlier suspicion about Finn's presence and role here in their city. There was no formal alliance or agreement, and Finn making that suggestion likely would have had the entirety of the Solunarian contingent ejected from the Commonwealth without delay. That wasn't something there would be any coming back from, not with the historical relationship between the two lands.

Tonen had been talking with others there - Orkhan, dragon-as-Ork, dragon-as-Hytori - about following up on the discussion, and one of them nodded to him when they saw Finn approaching. It really was easy to forget how big some of these people could get when they were sitting, and Senator Tonen was no exception. Back in his home village, the Ork chieftain might have been described as 'broad as a barn', because he certainly looked to be. The senator with the shaggy black hair gave him a deep nod to his bow. "Legatus." Some of those who had been talking to him before Finn's arrival dispersed, while Nalasa and another heavily-scaled Orkhan remained to listen, though they didn't interject.

He listened to Finn, studying him with dark eyes. "The matter is that building vessels takes time. Gathering materials, moving the material, and a lot of that material needs to be put towards rebuilding. Dragons and people are recovering from those blighted illnesses, though they're about gone now. Thanks to the powers that be for that... but it delays things. And when one delay starts, everything can get snarled up. It's getting that organized and back to where it was."

He had a feeling that Solunarium's spies already knew that. And while they may not have tested the borders, they likely watched them. It was well-known that any incursions was met hard from the Silver Sentinels or the Golden Guard. "It should work itself out in a season or two, and until then, we bear down and work. If you want to fly... we'll work you into the schedule. I was curious as to if there was any intelligence that Solunarium was willing to share on the present actions of the Imperium, and their rebuilding for their next attempt on our continent. Because they've got flying ships the size of small cities from what we can tell. And that's going to be difficult, even with dragons," he glanced sideways at Nalasa and the dark-eyed Orkhan who only offered a faint nod.

"Before I became a chieftain, I thought like a warrior, too. And I learned something when the last imperialist attempt at taking over my home happened. Warriors focus on fighting, generals have to focus not only on fighting, but logistics. Armies can only march so long on empty stomachs, and that which you've run out of is of no use to you."

[Finn]

"Gods be good," he said by way of agreement, gladdened that whatever had blighted dragons and such seemed to be abating. It was a loaded statement, perhaps; his Gods were not their Gods, but he had treated with their Gods too and not been smote or sent packing, and were they to get into any sort of religious discussion with him, he would volunteer that while he had a personal relationship with Aværys, it was Aværys Himself who had told him that even the God of Power and Ambition knelt before Those greater than Him in the divine Pyramid.

In any event, he nodded judiciously, taking it all in.

"That is helpful information, thank you. I can assure our own logisticians that the relief need be only temporary, a season or two.

"As for Gelerand, I will ask for shareable intelligence. Until then, I can share my personal experience: Prince Arvælyn and I were at the wedding celebration for Talon Novalys and the dragon Aoren when the Imperial-led strike force assassinated the Shokaze and incarcerated the Shinsei and his new husband. While briefly in Zaichaer, people were still speaking of Gelerian aid coming in the form of dreadnoughts. They were pleased that their new leadership had stood up to such imperial power and kept them independent.

"From those experiences, I can only say that counterintelligence should be prepared for surgical strikes even within Drathera, and to look askance at even diplomatic or altruistic gestures from them." But then he smiled, "Kherdroth and I stand ready to fly the border. I keep busy immersing myself in Ecithithian culture between senate sessions, but that leaves nine days out of every ten open for negotiation."

He wondered if Nalasa and Tonen spent time supporting their border guard; no doubt they were even busier than he was. Instead of asking, he nodded gravely at the chieftain's wisdom, wondering how he might relate it to Karmordi, though his Orkhan friend had probably already heard similar from his own chieftain.

"If there is nothing else, then, I will leave you to your discussions and see to making good on my offer." He bowed once more, wanting to prove himself as well as Solunarian efficiency by having a positive answer before the next session.

[Talisman]

There were those that were willing to get into religious debates. Tonen may have followed the Triumvirate and specialized in the ways of Raxen, but he wasn't about to bother with that sort of thing with the foreigner. That was pointless, and so long as he and his crew didn't scream the tenets of Varvaerynism from whatever pulpit they chose within the Commonwealth, he didn't bother himself with what Gods they chose to follow. Ecith was by and large pantheistic, after all... but considering the blood between the two neighbouring realms, and the fact that they intended to try to annex the Commonwealth...

Sometimes ambitions had to be curbed.

"Thank you, Legatus, for sharing your experience," Tonen didn't interrupt, digesting what Finn had to say. "By the Tenets of Ecith, we remain at war with them. The Imperium are not welcome within the Commonwealth. They've made attempts with diplomats and they have been rebuffed. There has been non-diplomatic forays and they did not end well for them. I will not say that we have the level of... security... that Solunarium does with the way that they control their borders... but there is a magic here that is strong. There has been times when some of that magic has cost greatly, sometimes more than others."

"Kythera." Nalasa agreed quietly.

"Mmn," Tonen was grim. "But that is neither here nor there. If you want to take a trip to the northern border with your wyvern and fly, head to Raxen's temple in a few days. Someone will take you out there."

"I will," the black-eyed, towering Orkhan spoke up. "Sunrise, Raxen's temple. Four days from today." This was Varilian, the senator that represented the Shadow dragonflight. Nalasa glanced sideways at him, and then back to Finn. Varilian was one of those that vociferously opposed any interference, desired annexation or otherwise, and had been decidedly outspoken about it. There was no love lost for them - but he was older, and the notes that the Sentinels had on him inferred that he was certainly old enough to be a veteran of the Battle of the Rending. There had been no confirmation in that regard, but then again... it was awfully rude to ask someone their age.

"Is that acceptable to you?" Tonen looked back to Finn. He didn't seem concerned by Varilian's offer, but then again, he wasn't a Solunarian.

[Finn]

Finn nodded at Tonen's thanks, and heard him out as well. At the mention of Drathera, he made a gesture; it wasn't Solunarian, but rather Kalzasern, though rare even there as it was something the people in his hamlet did at mention of the deceased. It might have been calculated, but it certainly seemed to be sincere, as if he did it unawares, his hand acting without the knowledge of his mind to express a feeling of solidarity in grief.

He opened his mouth to say that he would when the words of another arrested his own.

Finn turned, eyebrows rising slightly. Senator Varilian had never addressed him directly, and Finn had spent little to no energy attempting to build a bridge between them. That one, he had estimated, would be an uphill battle, and it would be better to work on more grass roots support before he attempted anything with the hardliners. Even Tonen required a soft touch. But Finn understood the dilemma. In his youth, he had attempted to be respectful of his betters without sacrificing his self-respect. Now, as a man with power of his own, he preferred sincerity—whether positive of negative—to unctuous flattery.

"I will be there. Sunrise, Raxen's temple. Four days from today." At Tonen's question, he nodded, then bowed to Varilian. "It will be my honor to fly with you and to guard your border from the Imperium."

Granted, an incursion on his first tour would be unlikely. All the same, he was ready.

Between senate sessions, he trained at arms against Arbiters, sang with Bards, and listened to the wisdom of the Seers. If nothing else, he was doing much as he had done when he first arrived in Solunarium: soak up what he could of language and culture, and better himself in so doing.