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Alistair.

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The Art of Restraining Power

Date: TBD by Alistair
Location: Lysoria

Hans had done as he had said. Using his Coven and Lysorian connections, he had made sure that there was a reception waiting for Alistair at the Lysorian gates. When Alistair approached the grand city, more regal than jumbled Ne'haer, he would find a waiting group of people at the gates.

"Lord Alistair Venora?" the biggest man asked gruffly. Once he had ascertained the man's identity, he would ride with the man and his entourage through the streets. Curious Lysorians looked out their windows and stopped what they were doing in the streets to observe this newcomer, clearly a man of some import due to the reception he was receiving. "We have been expecting you. The chambers are ready now."

Through winding streets they went, Alistair's group and the Lysorians. For all that there was curiosity toward the group, Alistair would be able to feel some hostility, too. The Lysorians knew something was on the horizon - what, they could not say, but tensions were high in this noble city. An outsider without an obvious purpose boded more trouble on the way.

Eventually, they reached the largest and grandest building in Lysoria. With marble columns and grand steps leading up to the double oak doors, here were the council rooms of Lysoria - where the government was housed, and where Alistair would be meeting with the ruling House of Amielle and their advisors. Alistair and his most important companion were ushered into a door, unassuming.

Inside, sat a long oak table, sat three individuals. A man and a woman, younger than you might expect, with fair features and dark hair. They looked almost as if they could be siblings. The man beside them, a squirrelly man with gnarled fingers and parchment before him stood upon Alistair's entry.

"Lord Alistair Venora," he said, his voice husky. "Welcome to Lysoria. Might I introduce Lord Stefan and Lady Lorelai of House Amielle." The two looked on, haughtily, in silence, waiting for Alistair to introduce himself properly - and with respect.
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Alistair
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The Art of Restraining Power

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The reception he was receiving was... not uncommon, nor were the estranged, distant looks, nor indeed the confusion. Alistair had been involved in high noble politics for all of his life, from a land far more populous and powerful than this, and indeed within a Kingdom of incredible tension and ideological clash. The hostility he gathered, while disappointing, was not truly bothersome. He merely looked onward to the direction of the road, without caring to make much observation of all that surrounded him.

The hostilities meant nothing, and the curiosity meant nothing. The onlookers were all commoners, and he'd gathered that fact by their fascination alone. The aristocracy had the only significant influence on whether his new dynasty could launch, and even then, their endorsement was not a necessity. It was a... preference of his to acquire it. As such, he remained relatively quiet and compliant until arriving upon the council house, of marble columns and oak doors.

The place of leadership for House Amielle and their advisors. Amielle. He hadn't known much of them before coming to Ne'haer, Vhalar of the previous arc, but since then their actions had been on many tongues and scribbled onto many propagandist pieces. It would be interesting to meet them for himself, and to see if they had the same decadence and pomposity as other noble houses attached.

And indeed, they did. He was ushered in, and there he saw them, whilst greeted by some... feeble oaf of theirs. The nobleman barely offered him a glance, maintaining his own air of superiority in order to contest theirs. He had no sense of inferiority among these individuals - his land, one that he ruled, was one of the wealthiest in all of Idalos. He would let that be known, and assert himself as the laudable man that he knew himself to be.

And so came the titles.

"Your Grace," he spoke to Lord Stefan, then further to Lady Lorelai, "My Lady." He did not bow while addressing them, considering that he was not of inferior position. He came here as a negotiator of sorts, a partner. He would maintain that position.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Lord Stefan, Lady Lorelai. I am Alistair Nathaniel, of the House Venora, first in line for the ducal throne; heir to the wealthiest land in all of the Northern Realms, and the place from which all wine, art and beauty hails from. I am Baron of Novilane, a land hegemonic among one of the wealthiest trade nodes in this world, and ruler of the great industrial center of Oxentide. Today, I speak as a Lord of a foreign Kingdom, but not as a conqueror or bureaucratic dignitary. I sincerely appreciate your greeting me this day, and hope we can understand one another by the time this discussion has adjourned." He spoke as pleasantly and properly as he could, revealing both his titles and relevance, as well as his approach.

Perhaps all of the noble claptrap was nauseating for others, but among individuals such as these, he acted as was proper of his blood. Now, the question was, what did they care? Did they have any idea what he sought? He would need to be prepared for their words, harsh or otherwise.
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The Art of Restraining Power

The old advisor frowned at Alistair's words, but Lord Stefan rose a hand, silencing him. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Alistair. Welcome to Lysoria." His voice was even and measured, a deep baritone. As he spoke, Lorelai watched on, her eyebrows raised, obviously rankled at something that Alistair had said. Still, she did not speak. She would do so when the time was right.

"Please, take a seat," he said, gesturing to the ornate wooden chair set across the long table from him, where Alistair would be at a distance. "Gregor," he said, turning to the advisor. "Please fetch refreshments for Lord Alistair. He must be tired from his long journey." Gregor sent a nasty glance towards Alistair, before leaving the room. A moment of silence fell upon them.

"An interesting greeting, Lord Alistair," said Lady Lorelai, suddenly. Her voice was thin and regal, but she held no hint of submission in her tone. In Rynmere, a Lady might be submissive to her Lord, but in Lysoria things were different. "I do understand you have wealth that perhaps House Amielle might not, but it is you who comes to us for help today. If money were all, you would not be here. Or am I mistaken?" Her tone was measured, but there was a glint of anger in it. "After all, if your land is the source of all beauty, wine, and art - as you say - then why come to this part of the world? What could we offer you that you do not already have?"

This might have been a time for Stefan to interject, to mediate the proceedings, but Gregor came back in at that moment, bearing a plate of wine and cheese. The cheese he sat in the middle, but he poured wine for all the nobles at the table, before silently retreating behind Stefan, his gaze watching Alistair skeptically. Stefan rose his glass. "In good health," he murmured, before drinking. Lorelai did the same, before placing the glass down and waiting for Alistair's response.
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When greeted by Lord Stefan, the Baron nodded his head once, accepting the man's graciousness and taking a seat as he requested. It was clear that the decaying creature of an advisor had no great opinion of him, though it was likely due to Alistair's evasion of him as a result of their difference in class. It wasn't that the mage was an aristocratic supremacist, he simply operated under similar assumptions as he would have in Rynmere, a land with a clear class divide and a variety of noble customs one needed to follow in order to appear well grounded. Lysoria was clearly different from what he'd experienced already, particularly whilst observing the eyes and expressions of the others in the room.

An interesting greeting, the Lady began. He could almost feel the slightest hint of irritation within her tone, rising through her throat. He had called her My Lady, a title secondary and beneath Your Grace, reserved for Dukes. Then again, did they even know that? These people did not seem to utilize the noble hierarchy in the same way. There was no... Lord or Lady regnant? One above the other?

"My declaration of wealth is for nothing other than boasting, I'm afraid," he responded. "I am new to these lands, and so do not fully understand your customs. I know only mine; we are a proud and equally unbearable people, in truth. We must always drone on and on about what we have that others do not. Perhaps it's what keeps such a rigid hierarchy in place -- reminding others of our greatness, and their lack of it." He shrugged, though he kept an eye between both of them. The mage decided it was best not to act overly customary -- this was a real political exchange, not a practice of etiquette. They would eat him alive if he did not adapt to the conversation, particularly due to his own lack of foundation on this side of the world. He had no position to argue from - only a far-off great dynasty, unable - at the moment - to pull weight here.

Gregor returned, and decorated the table with a mediocre offering of food. Wine, and cheese. No great dinner, nor a dessert of cake and truffles; another customary difference from Venora, to be sure. Their extravagance applied to each and every occasion - even rigorous political debate. The wine, he poured from the same bottle, alleviating some level of anxiety over the contents. As Stefan took a sip, Alistair did the same, and repeated his words.

"In good health," he whispered, raising the glass. After doing so, he set it down onto the table and brought his fingers together, weaved within one another before his chest.

"I will arrive at the point, Lady Lorelai, Lord Stefan," he corrected his previous mistake, "I am here to search for more than just wine, beauty and art. As marvelous as my birthright may be, it is a land for complacent and flowery noblemen to die after serving a lifetime from within the mundane corridors of the system. This life, long and precipitous, will be spent serving the arbitration of the Kingdom and its political development; always a game of bandaging whatever wound the King or the surrounding Duchies can muster." He rose the wine to his lips, and took another sip. His eyes focused on Lady Lorelai, noting her clear skepticism. She would need to be persuaded, first and foremost.

"I have no desire to rule in Venora. My place is in another land, with people of like mind, and subjects who wish to drink of a well of greatness rather than cling to ancient and menial traditions. I have heard of a simply crisp territory in which my vision - brave and new - could be realized. If I am not mistaken, it is called Kaernhad, a land vast and difficult to tame; precarious, with an ancient history of bloodshed. I do not know all there is to know about this land, but I do know that I wish to master it... and that my King wishes to fly his banners over every little hovel and fort in its reach."

Taking a breath, he rose his arms as if to demonstrate his ambivalence on the King's prerogative.

"Fortunately for all of us, the King is thousands of miles away, and it is I who will be offering you terms." His gaze rose to both of them; it was a clear message, that he cared little for what his King wanted in this matter. He was not ruled by a foreign overlord, but instead carrying his name as a weapon alone. "I have heard whispers from within this region, of an ongoing conflict between the northern regions and Ne'haer. I have also heard that Ne'haer boasts four million people within its metropolitan and outer borders, a great deal of wealth to its name, the world's greatest navy and a contingent of healers and Holy warriors alike. To be honest, I do not imagine your position entirely favorable in this exchange," he spoke bluntly, but added: "yet."

"But that can change. All of my wealth and foreign significance may seem like irritating banter to some, from across the sea, but in truth my Kingdom and family hold weight. If you allow me the opportunity to colonize to the West, without enmity or bloodshed, I will aide you as best I can in your war in the South. That is why I have come here today."

He got to the point, positive that they did not appreciate pleasantries and needless speech. They wanted an offer, and he made it.
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The Art of Restraining Power

Lorelai said nothing to Alistair's flowery apology - or rather excuse. He may not have known about the customs and history of Lysoria, but it seemed that Alistair had coasted on the privileges of the Venora name and assumed it would carry him into any place or position he chose. It was not so here. Lysoria had their own problems, and their own focuses. The ambitions of one noble man from a far off country meant little to the Lysorians, and yet...

After they had drunk their health - in name only - Alistair began to speak again. Stefan and Lorelai exchanged a look, their expressions passive, and seemed to come to the almost telepathic decision to remain quiet, and listen to Alistair's proposal. For all his flowery words and offerings of wealth, it was he begging House Amielle of something - and not the other way around. They could say no, and he could hightail it back to Rynmere, tail between his legs. They held the power in this meeting, and it was time Alistair should remember it.

They let him speak. And when he was done, there was a resounding silence in the room. Stefan and Lorelai looked at each other for a long moment. Gregor, lurking against the wall, had clenched his fists, and was staring at Alistair in anticipation for - what? And then the Lord and Lady spoke.

"Kaernhad," repeated Lord Stefan slowly, as if he were musing over the name, trying to restore the memory to his mind. "Yes, Kaernhad is to the west. But what do you know of it? You speak of ancient bloodshed. Do you know just what happened there? And what the land is like now? Do you know the reasons only the most foolish choose to tread there?" Lord Stefan took a long draught of his wine. The implication was there - Alistair would be one of these foolish.

"There is very little there. It is barren, and people speak of hauntings in the trees. But - in more or less repair - there does exist a fort there. It is not overgrand, but Fort Kaernhad sits in the mountains, in a valley. And adventurers avoid it at all costs. Why now? Why this land? Have you not heard the rumours?"

Again, a measured silence, and this time, it was Lady Lorelai that spoke. "And your king - he is not our king, and to place his likeness and banner in Kaernhad would be an act of war. I daresay even Ironridge and Ne'haer would band together to fight this colonisation. But ... if you do not run his flag, what is to say that the Andaris' wouldn't find it prudent to come and reclaim what they consider theirs? Yes," Lorelai continued, her tone still measured. "You may not have bothered to find out about us, but we know of the Venoras - and their constant and desperate struggle for power."

From the side of his eye, Alistair might catch Gregory shake his head suddenly and fiercely at him - almost as a warning. A warning toward humility.
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He listened to their words. They were fierce, and direct, and most of all - their questions were good, and proper. He did not know much of the land, and they surely understood that. It was unlikely that many here knew of its history, considering the historic savagery that had occurred within its borders. He knew only one thing: that once, long ago, the people of the West engaged in a war so vast and unprecedented that entire regions were hollowed out and doomed to memory.

Alistair had heard once, from Ellasin, of the same war but far from here... near Hiladrith, at the displeasure of the Dead King. Millions must have been lost in these conquests, in the reclamation, and in the displacements and even genocides that had to follow. History was cruel. But, few knew that better than the people of Rynmere, who had survived a massacre far more brutal than what the Horde unleashed.

"To be honest," he replied, "I do not know everything there is to know about Kaernhad. I am sure you know far better than I, and I accept your superior judgment on this subject. But," he proceeded, "when the Sheoran people originally fled to Rynmere, we too called it barren and foolish to consider. So many went elsewhere -- Rharne, Etzos, even other places that no longer exist. The ones who believed, and the ones who fought, now stand as the men and women who founded one of the greatest Kingdoms this world has known." He did not speak this to further decorate his own land, but to offer perspective.

"I have heard from your ambassador that your family, too, came here and braved this territory, previously undeveloped. I'm sure it was difficult, then and now. I'm sure many died settling these lands, which were once similarly beset upon by the Horde, and left in a state of grim depravity. Yet the Lysorians prevailed, and so too will the Kaernan," he called them, an adjective for the people that they would be - one day. If he succeeded.

Would he? Perhaps not. But he did not imagine whether he succeeded or failed would matter much to them. And that was ultimately the position he would speak from.

"You say this land is barren, and that I am a fool for its pursuit. Good. If so, then surely my acquiring it will be of no great loss to you. If I succeed, you will have an ally to the West rather than a hollow collection of mountains and valleys. You'll have a vanguard for invasions from the West, and a trade partner once the harbors and roads are built and restored - whichever. If not, then I will die, and that's fine. Perhaps he'll send another noble later, more loyal to him, less agreeable. Perhaps you'll run over their makeshift colonies and eradicate all traces of Rynmere in the West. It does not matter to me."

And that led into his final statement, something he had no difficulty saying. The mage's fingers gathered together atop the table, and he spoke clearly to both of them.

"I will not claim for Rynmere. I will claim for Kaernhad. My goal is to rebuild a culture and a Kingdom, not bend on my knees and beg my King to reduce tariffs, or cut his exploitation of our resources, or stop sending Knights to rape and abuse his settlers away from the public eye. I know what colonization can look like, if done by a tyrant. I will not allow the King to remind me." As for whether or not they would come and take it, after the mage claimed independence?

"They won't be able to take it back. When they've sent their ships here with their settlers and men, I will take their vessels for my own and all will go silent. Any ships they send to Kaernhad to investigate, I will kill their crew and take them as well. If they come with a fleet, well -- I have a powerful ally in mind that would be more than happy to eradicate said fleet." The Eternal Empire. He'd proposed this move with them a long time ago, for the day where he inevitably set against his King. Cassander's losses, if attempting to reclaim the colony, would be so colossal that he would be dethroned. The voyage was too far, and the sea too unknown. While a few colonial ships at a time could traverse the Orm'del with few casualty, the navy would face attrition and devastation, only to be met by a defense of Kaernhad's ships and the Empire's aide.

Lysoria wouldn't need to lift a finger. They wouldn't want to; the Baron would need to handle it all on his own.

"I apologize, to all of you," he said, including Gregor with a nod, "for my pomposity upon entering. I appreciate your forwardness, and am grateful for your honesty. I may only ask today that you offer me leave to take these brutal, fearsome risks - and to offer you a partnership if I am to live."

He placed his hands back at his lap. Alistair could say no more. It was to them to decide, now.
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