Rp - Gavel's Darkest Hour- Act Two Begins [7/7]

"It's not what I'd call affordable. How about you lower the price?"

 

Tranki looks up, surprised. The Delegates all look somewhere between pleasantly surprised and slightly disappointed. Elimut shakes his head. "We have studied the Forgery enough to rule out both of those as possibilities. It is its own distinct entity, along with the figures within it, and it would benefit from the best mages we have available. Since they have refused representation and yet are clearly sentient, surely their present is an affront to the Coalition's democratic ideals? And as to the people of the North Gate area - they're villagers, living just outside Cinfras, and yet they're being ruled from Suinos? They themselves would rather be closer to the Crown - I've spoken to them."
The Delegates seem doubtful about that last claim.

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"Why would I? Do you know how difficult it is to acquire and work with Touroto leather? I don't have to deal with peasants!"

 

"But you do have to deal with me knowing you take bribes"

 

He backs away and collides with a hat stand, littering the floor with expensive looking headwear.
"I do not, uh, take bribes from anybody, especially not Esmé Deepwater and I can, uh, I can prove it if necessary! I will not have that kind of disgusting slander in my shop! Out!"

 

"I know you do. You only got this defensive because it was true because if it wasn't you wouldn't care"

 

"I would like to check on that latter claim myself after this Summit, if possible. And as for The Forgery, the Coalition does defend the democracy, and while they do not speak up, it's their right to express their thoughts and to socialize with other members, and if they do not want to do so, I see no problem in that. It is still in their rights."
"I feel like an alliance would still benefit both sides, or if you must insist, all three. Afterall, we could all learn much from the experience, and elfs naturally gather knowledge in their long lives, which could be used to perhaps get the best out of the studies."

 

How well known is the reason that I fled? (Mana testing and all that)

 

"Well, you can't prove it can you? No! OUT!"
He reaches behind the counter, almost tripping over a large green hat topped with a stuffed dragonling, pulls out a crossbow and points it at you. "As I said, OUT!"

Elimut seems slightly amused. "But an alliance was always the goal and always will be. It is only the terms of such an alliance we are discussing. One of the terms must settle the land dispute. But such an alliance would not be enough for our researchers. There are a few Coalition restrictions on magical study that would act as a serious barrier to discovering the truth. While they do good work in protecting vulnerable magical species within the Delegations, the Forgery is too mysterious, too potentially dangerous, to let them get in the way there."

You don't know.

 

k.
-----
"Never."
How far away is Togak from me?

 

I draw one of my swords ready to deflect the bolt that he shoots and say "Do you really think I have no proof?"

 

Lean in closer and try to reply the amusement with a small smile.
"Exceptions could always be open, but yet again, I must express my thoughts on the fact that the deaths of some of the Summit Representatives should have given us at least enough time to get proper substitute instead of me, to say the least. I would have liked at least some time to build up my arguments, which I didn't have."
Crack one of my thumbs and take in a deep breath. "I may be new to all of this, but it doesn't seem much fair."

 

He's standing about a metre away from you.
"I do appreciate your concern. Our methods have treated you unfairly in the past and we do sincerely apologise for that. We have changed - our goal is inflexible but our practices must change to suit the times. You would be welcomed back with open arms."

"Oh no. What if you do have proof? I'd have to kill you!"
He fires an arrow but is trembling so much he completely misses. The bolt embeds itself into the front door.

Tranki gives you a grim look and answers for Elimut. "Unfortunately, that can't be done. This summit was ordered by King Brian directly and that order still stands. A new summit, even a day later, cannot be called without authorisation from the King, and no King is available. This meeting must reach a conclusion."
Elimut nods. "It was you or nobody. The Coalition at least gets some representation."

 

"I am more than sure that a carriage with a proper substitute from Suinos could have made it here from the events of yesterday to this moment." I say, ignoring the grim glare.
"Now, in the case the Northern Gate seems closer to the Crown than the Coalition, I am sure they can send a memorandum to Suinos and the decision can be made simply and peacefully. The Forgery, however is a separate case. Like you have been saying, even though it is a part of the Coalition, it has a separate mind and does not get involved with our politics. That should mean that the agreement shouldn't be between the High Delegate and the King, but with the King and the Forgery's representative, don't you agree?" Say to Elimut, looking as calm as possible. "I would like to be present if I stay as High Delegate, at least so they can sign the papers to separate themselves from the Forest, if that's the case."

 

"I see the crossbow is just for show, and I'm pretty sure an attempt at murder is also a crime. So do you wish to rack up more crimes

 

"Of course I would be." (sarcastic)
"After all, I'm the best subject for you experiments."

 

I investigate the source.

 

Tranki sighs and says under his breath "Well, they tried that. If only they could agree on who to send..."
Elimut gives you a slightly odd look "The Forgery are no more interested in talking to the Royals than the are in the Coalition - their isolationism is universal. We don't even know if they can actually speak to us at all. We would love to let them make the decision. It would make this so much simpler... I'm afraid that is not an option."

(accepting a bribe is not actually a crime in villager regions (including Cinfras), though offering one is. It's supposed to be too much to expect of a villager to turn it down. Up until he threatened to kill you he hasn't broken the law.)

"I see you do not trust us. Why would you? While I do not deny that you would be involved in study, you would be asked before every test, you would be given full membership of the Embassy and the privileges that grants, and you would be helping us discover something that may very well save the Province. What would it take to convince you?"

You look inside the tent and a villager immediately grabs you and pins you to the ground.
"You saw nothing," he says, hitting you with a spell that makes you briefly go blind. When you can see again, he's nowhere to be seen, though he can't have gone far - a scroll or a portal spell would have made a sound. The inside of the tent is full of papers, some in Dogun runes, some in Dwarven, some in Villager and others in a strange, elegant script that must be Elven.

 

Oh ok I didn't know then I say "And now you've broken the law, I could easily go to the guards now"

 

"Not if I kill you first!"
He takes out a bejewelled greatsword from behind the desk and runs towards you with it - he's clearly not strong enough to actually use it. He starts trying to reload the crossbow with one hand, dropping most of his bolts on the floor.

 

I draw my second sword and stand in defense not wanting to hurt him, but also showing him he has no chance at beating me