Eida stepped up in front of everyone, about to follow through habits that he knew by rote before realizing that his Warlord was gone. Eida was not an adviser anymore. He was tlamacazqui with no peer. With a rigid formality, he introduced the group. siegemaster Ruby is the enlightened Copper Spider. Knight Donovan is the valiant Quicksilver Falcon. Princess Callista, the steadfast Golden Bull, and myself, the Iron Wolf, and last of the Nahuatl tlamacazqui." His pale eyes judged the man, a flicker of Green as he looked about him with Jaeda's eyes. There was power in him, but nothing with him here. Eida didn't know what he was here for, and the change in the guards still had him on edge. "We are no guards, and need none. We are here, and you may speak."
Cion watched the shirtless name step forth a little annoyed at his conversations with the ladies being interrupted. ”Those are very nice names, but the lady already introduced you all,” he said looking at him curiously. The he finished his bit and Cion realized what he was inferring. ”Oh. You are the Lawgivers? I had expected something a little different but it is nice to finally meet others like myself. I am very pleased to meet you all.” He took a moment to size the group up again, a bit confused that only one looked as if he might be a formidable warrior.
Jaeda was hissing in his head at the disregard he showed them, but Eida chose to step back and watch it play out. Cion obviously saw little worth in him, and he could use that later on. Donvan was the one that had caught his eye while he spoke about meeting others 'like' him. The girls he was quick to flirt with, but wasn't sure what else he felt about them. He probably fought as straightforward as he spoke. He wouldn't be a match for even the wraiths, the Khal's men learned that the hard way.
"Thank you for the more formal introductions, Eida. If you really are another chosen of the Unconquered Sun then we have much to talk about and would be happy to meet with you after we address the Khal," Callista smiled, amused by his rather forthright and charming nature. He seemed to be honest in his intentions at the very least but she could only tell so much with her new talents.
The doors opened and they were shown inside the throne room where the Khal addressed them first. ”Thank you for giving us time to consider your offer. As we all have compelling reasons to remain here and continue our duties we have decided to do so. However, if any of my associates should change their minds, I would like your word that they may end their service without any repercussions and may leave at any time they see fit.” Callista knew it wouldn't be so easy for her to leave as it was likely he still viewed her as his protectorate but she wanted her friends to have the freedom she didn't even if it meant they chose to depart later.
The doors opened and they were shown inside the throne room where the Khal addressed them first. ”Thank you for giving us time to consider your offer. As we all have compelling reasons to remain here and continue our duties we have decided to do so. However, if any of my associates should change their minds, I would like your word that they may end their service without any repercussions and may leave at any time they see fit.” Callista knew it wouldn't be so easy for her to leave as it was likely he still viewed her as his protectorate but she wanted her friends to have the freedom she didn't even if it meant they chose to depart later.
The Khal regarded Callista in silence a moment.
"Who is this woman who stands before me?" he looked at the other members of the court, non of whom understood the question. "She looks so much like my daughter, but it cannot be. Not so long ago she was still a girl, climbing trees in her orchard and giving her bodyguards headaches. Now I see you, a woman grown and seemingly a leader in your own right. I would tell you of the pride that fills me, to see all these years later I am right. But the Unconquered Sun has beaten me to it, it would seem." he rose from his throne, walked down the steps and embraced her.
"This concession I will give you, with a slight alteration; they may not leave with a task they vowed to complete unfinished. Is this fair to you, Children of the Sun?" he stepped away to stand before them all.
"Who is this woman who stands before me?" he looked at the other members of the court, non of whom understood the question. "She looks so much like my daughter, but it cannot be. Not so long ago she was still a girl, climbing trees in her orchard and giving her bodyguards headaches. Now I see you, a woman grown and seemingly a leader in your own right. I would tell you of the pride that fills me, to see all these years later I am right. But the Unconquered Sun has beaten me to it, it would seem." he rose from his throne, walked down the steps and embraced her.
"This concession I will give you, with a slight alteration; they may not leave with a task they vowed to complete unfinished. Is this fair to you, Children of the Sun?" he stepped away to stand before them all.
Standing silent in the court. The old man’s words echoed in Donovan’s mind. It would not be she that married a prince but a prince that would marry her. The future unfolded in his mind’s eye. She would dutifully serve the Khal, but unless he removed her she would overshadow the rest of the royal family. In fact as rumor spread she most likely already had. It was not a matter of coup or guile on her part. It was just a certain future like the sun rising each morning. Others may try to stop of stymie it, but such efforts would more than likely only serve to force her into taking the position of power. Awilix had abandoned Eida, who proved wise and powerful even before the event, which provided her with a capable advisor and mystic. She had Ms. Starling, and this new comer, persons from outside the kingdom that stand by her side, personal alliances, that would present a powerful diplomatic message.
Donovan stepped forward at the Khal’s words and took a knee.
Khal of Khals. May you forgive my presumption, but we had already counseled before our arrival here. Let us prove our loyalty to you and the kingdom. Let us lead your forces to take Shu Han.
Donovan stepped forward at the Khal’s words and took a knee.
Khal of Khals. May you forgive my presumption, but we had already counseled before our arrival here. Let us prove our loyalty to you and the kingdom. Let us lead your forces to take Shu Han.
The call turned his gaze on the young knight from An-Tir.
"Your eagerness to go out and face Shu Han is commendable, Brother Donovan, but foolish." he said, climbing back onto his throne.
"Men judge a leader by his accomplishment. A leader judges himself by his failures. Each failure to you must be more valuable than your triumphs. Your failures should come few and far between the more you understand this." he spoke as he would his sons, or Awilix. Teaching young minds who would one day prove to be great leaders.
"Our first assault on Shu Han we were bested before the walls. Their weapons were superior, as were their martial arts and battlefield tactics. At the time, I only used the auxiliary forces to hold ground taken by my Temujin. I learned then the value of adopting your military doctrines, spent two years learning from your finest generals. My next failure was the wall. Two of the mightiest cavalries in the Hundred Kingdoms are at my disposal, but they can do nothing with such finely crafted walls. Our last failure some would give to treachery. I do not. Shu Han's magic was superior to ours. You have been sent to me from Divine intervention. I will not see you wasted, improperly armed and raw with the powers you posses. That is the path to more failure. Rather, I would have you learn, grow and arm yourselves for the coming conflict while I focus my efforts against the hated Guan Yu." he motioned for the tattooed Ogun to step forwards.
"This is Nezhno Abidemi, Blacksmith of the Ogun. He has been tasked with arming you. Azuma Sanjuro is known to most of you. He and Captain Kamoko will be teaching you to fight. Vordu will teach you what he can about sorcery, and how best to deal with it." each of the advisors stepped forward as they were called.
"Your eagerness to go out and face Shu Han is commendable, Brother Donovan, but foolish." he said, climbing back onto his throne.
"Men judge a leader by his accomplishment. A leader judges himself by his failures. Each failure to you must be more valuable than your triumphs. Your failures should come few and far between the more you understand this." he spoke as he would his sons, or Awilix. Teaching young minds who would one day prove to be great leaders.
"Our first assault on Shu Han we were bested before the walls. Their weapons were superior, as were their martial arts and battlefield tactics. At the time, I only used the auxiliary forces to hold ground taken by my Temujin. I learned then the value of adopting your military doctrines, spent two years learning from your finest generals. My next failure was the wall. Two of the mightiest cavalries in the Hundred Kingdoms are at my disposal, but they can do nothing with such finely crafted walls. Our last failure some would give to treachery. I do not. Shu Han's magic was superior to ours. You have been sent to me from Divine intervention. I will not see you wasted, improperly armed and raw with the powers you posses. That is the path to more failure. Rather, I would have you learn, grow and arm yourselves for the coming conflict while I focus my efforts against the hated Guan Yu." he motioned for the tattooed Ogun to step forwards.
"This is Nezhno Abidemi, Blacksmith of the Ogun. He has been tasked with arming you. Azuma Sanjuro is known to most of you. He and Captain Kamoko will be teaching you to fight. Vordu will teach you what he can about sorcery, and how best to deal with it." each of the advisors stepped forward as they were called.
There were several reasons for some of the other Solars to want to take on Shu Han again, and for a few it was the reason for them to want to stay. Callista thought on this, she saw reason in the Khal's words but she also saw the subtle insult he had not intended.
”That is a wise decision, Khal of Khals, as we need time to adjust and learn about the gifts Sol Invictus has bestowed upon us. This will only be a small step to the larger goal of breaching the walls of Shu Han,” she bowed slightly. Callista hoped this promise of regaining their honor in the future would hold them together long enough to find out if it was truly destiny that brought their second souls to them at the same time. It might have been a little selfish too, she had found new friends within the group and she did not desire for them to depart so soon. ”Thank you for your kind offer of your advisors, I am sure their wisdom will be most helpful.”
”That is a wise decision, Khal of Khals, as we need time to adjust and learn about the gifts Sol Invictus has bestowed upon us. This will only be a small step to the larger goal of breaching the walls of Shu Han,” she bowed slightly. Callista hoped this promise of regaining their honor in the future would hold them together long enough to find out if it was truly destiny that brought their second souls to them at the same time. It might have been a little selfish too, she had found new friends within the group and she did not desire for them to depart so soon. ”Thank you for your kind offer of your advisors, I am sure their wisdom will be most helpful.”
The Khal smiled again. Then he caught Sanjuro's eye and remember they were not done.
"It would seem my next order of business is also of significance to you, Lawgivers." he motioned for the next guest to be shown in as he returned to his throne.
"It would seem my next order of business is also of significance to you, Lawgivers." he motioned for the next guest to be shown in as he returned to his throne.
Cion made his entrance with the bold strides of someone who was used to being recieved well and the confidence they got from knowing how to handle the courts. He flashed a bright smile with a small wink at the group as he passed, possibly in particular to the ladies but it was hard to tell. Stopping just before the dais the Dawn bowed at the waist with his arm folded over his chest.
"Dia dhaoibh, I am Cionaodh Is óige mac Sonek. I have been told that a you are the person in charge here, the Khal, if you will excuse my unfamiliarity with the term,” he said. ”I have come seeking the Lawgivers, to share in their knowledge and hopefully learn from them.”
"Dia dhaoibh, I am Cionaodh Is óige mac Sonek. I have been told that a you are the person in charge here, the Khal, if you will excuse my unfamiliarity with the term,” he said. ”I have come seeking the Lawgivers, to share in their knowledge and hopefully learn from them.”
Many of the advisors bristled at the young man's demeanor, and the implication that a man who'd conquered one in ten of the hundred kingdoms was unfamiliar to him.
Shono however, didn't seem to mind, his Jade eye glowing faintly as it looked the strange man up and down.
"Where do you come from, Kee-yawn-oth Sonek, that my Shining Horde is unknown to you? I have spoken with merchants from Nexus, courtiers from Thorns, hung spies from Lookshy and sent back the heads of Greyfalls priests." he asked, clearly intrigued by the man.
"And what business do you have with my daughter and her warriors? What can men and women so young teach you that you could not learn in your homeland?"
Shono however, didn't seem to mind, his Jade eye glowing faintly as it looked the strange man up and down.
"Where do you come from, Kee-yawn-oth Sonek, that my Shining Horde is unknown to you? I have spoken with merchants from Nexus, courtiers from Thorns, hung spies from Lookshy and sent back the heads of Greyfalls priests." he asked, clearly intrigued by the man.
"And what business do you have with my daughter and her warriors? What can men and women so young teach you that you could not learn in your homeland?"
"Your Shinning Horde is known far and wide, it the the words I must learn. We would say Flaith, but that does not denote any sovereignty or Rí benn, but that is more of a smaller title of leadership but not quite fitting for a respected conqueror such as yourself. You can see where the confusion comes in.” He gave the court an apologetic and charming smile that had won over more than a few people in the past.
Cion thought it was odd that a woman so beautiful could come from such a rough man but he decided to keep that opinion to himself, as his own father had several wives in his lifetime. ”It is not conventional knowledge that I search for but answers to the question if my own Exaltation. I thought perhaps that others like me could help me understand it better. If a tiger wants to learn to be a tiger, he does not go live with the wolves”
Cion thought it was odd that a woman so beautiful could come from such a rough man but he decided to keep that opinion to himself, as his own father had several wives in his lifetime. ”It is not conventional knowledge that I search for but answers to the question if my own Exaltation. I thought perhaps that others like me could help me understand it better. If a tiger wants to learn to be a tiger, he does not go live with the wolves”
Donovan nodded to himself. With the Khal having a tenuous attitude to them at best, and perhaps the entire world against them if he believed the men at Cao Wei, it would only help to learn from each other, and to protect each other.
Shono chuckled at Coins words about tigers and wolves.
"So he does." he ran a hand through his beard and looked at the Solars before returning to the firey young man, his suspicions confirmed.
"Your teachers were all my subjects, prior to becoming chosen, and have agreed to continue as such. I offer you the same deal; leave my realm to use your new found powers as you wish, or remain here as part of my Empire. Here you are safe from those who would hunt you, and shall be given the items and training to be successful. But your success will be my success. I will allow you two days to consider this, speak with my tigers, and my wolves. Speak to the sheep if that will give you insight." he laughed again, referencing the man's own phrase.
"So he does." he ran a hand through his beard and looked at the Solars before returning to the firey young man, his suspicions confirmed.
"Your teachers were all my subjects, prior to becoming chosen, and have agreed to continue as such. I offer you the same deal; leave my realm to use your new found powers as you wish, or remain here as part of my Empire. Here you are safe from those who would hunt you, and shall be given the items and training to be successful. But your success will be my success. I will allow you two days to consider this, speak with my tigers, and my wolves. Speak to the sheep if that will give you insight." he laughed again, referencing the man's own phrase.
Service. It would seem leaving his father's domain he was cursed to come full circle but he had a few days to decide and maybe he could find the answers he needed before then. Of course, either one of the lovely ladies would be fine to spend some time in the company of, especially the very soft looking princess.
"Go raibh maith agat. Thanks to your goodness, I will consider this offer and speak to the many creatures of your court and give you an answer in two days.” He flashed another charming smile as he bowed again.
"Go raibh maith agat. Thanks to your goodness, I will consider this offer and speak to the many creatures of your court and give you an answer in two days.” He flashed another charming smile as he bowed again.
Moderators: cyranax Callista (played anonymously) Eida (played anonymously) Kellian Roux (played anonymously)