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"Council, I have no desire or wish to subjugate the Stari people. Despite your wish for isolation from the mainland, you have been loyal to your word and have yet to fully engage in conflict. Narus is a young man bent on revenge and I hope that should you accept a peace treaty, he will leave the rest of Logata alone. However, once I leave this village, I have no intentions of returning, regardless of the outcomes of our discussions. Even if you choose not to help bring lasting peace between us, I will not invade the Forest. It would require too many resources and it would leave us at a severe disadvantage. My terms are simple, keep the peace, I will be willing to let all of those who want to, go back to their homes and leave the Expeditionary Force. They will all be treated like regular Stari citizens and we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. In return, you will never see a military force entering the Forest. I will even leave your peoples alone for the rest of my rule so you can live out your lives as you wish to. Safe and secure from the rest of the island."
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Ranger had now said all he could think of that might influence the Council to rule in his favor. In silence, he allowed himself to glimpse at Rhykim. It was hard to imagine that a few days ago he had been out on the battle field fighting for his cause. He didn't find it surprising, as he had always found the art of war attractive. However, it did disappoint him how low he'd gone to be out on the battlefield, only to have death thrust upon his arms. His eyes then swept over to Amaya, who had remained oddly quiet throughout the entire argument. Seeing her made him think of Nyx. It was his only concern with his current actions. What would she do when she found out?
Forcing those thoughts out, his eyes returned to the Council. Some of the members were very young, around his own age, and he hadn't had much contact with them. Others, however, he knew extensively. His eyes met with those of Raina, and she held them there. They were warm green eyes which stared back, and he remembered them from long ago. She had known both his father and his mother, and he remembered her visiting the house repeatedly. Somehow, he knew she must have been thinking back to those days. Reminiscing about a trusting bond that had formed between their families. She broke the eye contact, and Ranger felt a chill go down his spine. It was now truly up to the Council's judgement. He hoped they would make the most righteous choice.Comment
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The council remained quiet as they listened to both men. As they went back and forth, some council members would nod, while others would scowl. When eventually the two had felt they said all they needed to say, Conroy stood. "We have heard you and will need to take some time to discuss what our decision will be." He gestured to the door. "If you will allow us some time alone, please. You may help yourselves to whatever food you'll require, but please do not leave the village. We will summon you when we have made our decision."Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
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Ranger gave another respectful bow before exiting. As he stepped out he didn't look back for he knew Rhykim and Amaya were right behind him. As he emerged, Dara walked up to ask how it'd gone. "I don't know, but they'll ask us to come back soon enough. Of course, they might get into one of their fights and take longer than expected. I just hope I said everything I could." He looked at some of the Stari he knew. They were looking at the Elder's hut, solemnly, awaiting the final verdict.Comment
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Rhykim and Amaya followed out behind Ranger. He had no clue where to go or how to feel about watching the villagers giving scornful and disdainful looks at him. Depending on the verdict of the Stari Elder Council, Rhykim was beginning to plan out a battle plan to stop Narus and his band of traitors.sigpic
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(The beginning part of the council's debate is in the spoiler tag. If you don't want to read the page and half of arguing, just ignore it.)
The debate continued for several hours, with people on both sides constantly making points and arguing. Every now and then, Conroy would quiet them when voices escalated and tempers nearly got out of hand. Every now and then someone would enter with refreshments, but they were bound into silence and didn't repeat what they overheard. Outside, the tribe was getting restless, muttering to each other in hushed voices as they watched Rhykim and Ranger. Whatever had been presented before the council was big if the Logatan commander and their possible soon-to-be chief had been in there.
Night had long since fallen when a Stari was called into the hut. After a few moments, he came out and went to Ranger, then Rhykim. “The council has made their decision. They request you return to hear their verdict before they announce it to the tribe.”Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
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Ranger rose from where he was sitting when the Stari approached, leaning on a tree trunk, as when the hours grew longer his legs grew tired. Dara had now completely fallen asleep, and barely noticed him leaving. Nothing had been revealed yet, as he knew the council would want to present the verdict personally. He stepped into the hut to find them all standing, faces completely masked showing no hints or feelings to their verdict. This time he did not bow or say anything at all, he simply moved to stand in front of them and bowed his head. He knew they wouldn't say anything until both him and Rhykim were there, so he waited for the Imperator to arrive.Comment
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Rhykim walked in, after telling Amaya to stay outside. He was hoping the Stari would accept his point of view and agree to his terms. In his mind, it was a fair and reasonable proposition. He entered the hut, and stood there, on the mirror side of Ranger.sigpic
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Conroy folded his arms. "Ranger, Rhykim, we have heard both your arguments and have considered them long and hard. While we agree that supporting war with Narus is foolish and a waste of life, we cannot accept a peace treaty with you, Imperator. You have not fulfilled on your other promises yet, and as you have already promised that you would not return regardless, we will simply discourage more of our members from making the choice to partake in further bloodshed." He raised a hand. "However, some of the council do not trust your promises. Therefore, we will change our policy towards outsiders. Normally we only watch and chase them out if they threaten our tribe directly or attack the forest itself. To discourage you from attacking us despite your promise, however, we will attack any who enter our forest intending violence or carrying weapons. We are a hard people to anger, Verass, and whatever you did to kindle Narus' rage, I wish you luck in your war with him. But do not drag us into it, or we will respond with blood." He turned to Ranger. "Ranger, if you choose to join Narus, you will be require to leave Rayhaven until your war is decided." The other council members placed their fists over their hearts and bowed, while Conroy simply placed his fist over his heart. "Now all of you, get out of our forest."Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
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Rhykim was dumbstruck at the Council's verdict as well as a little outraged. Everything he agreed to do would have been honored any alliance between his forces and them. He was furious that the Stari council would keep to their isolation, keeping their heads stuck in the ground like ignorant and oblivious fools. Rhykim turned briskly and left the Council's building, joining Amaya and Solar. "Let's go," he growled, picking up his weapon near Amaya. Without even looking at her or the villagers, he stormed out of the Forest, bent on never returning.sigpic
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As Rhykim stormed out, Ranger was filled with a sense of accomplishment within him. Of course, the Council was clearly not entirely supportive of Narus. But then again, neither was he. The only reason he was doing this still remained hidden in his mind, as it had nothing to do with Narus' petty revenge against Rhykim. Still, everything he had said he had meant and he was glad the Council had leaned more in his favor. Unlike Rhykim and his rudeness, Ranger stepped forward and bowed a third time. "Council, I respect and appreciate the decision you have made. I promise when I return, it will be in a much different and hopefully less war-inclined context, and I will not let our kin die in vain." He placed his fist over his heart, bowed one last time, looked at each of the member's eyes, Raina's for a bit longer than the rest. He finally looked at the Head of the Council as he spoke his final words. "May the rains forever bless your forests." With that, he turned, and exited the hut.
Once outside, the members of the tribe that had seen Rhykim's exit could guess what the outcome of the debate had been. Some nodded at Ranger as he passed, others smiled. Some didn't care at all. However, some decided to walk with him. One of them was his friend, from whom he asked what they were doing.
"Isn't it obvious? We know what happened in there, and we're with you. We will follow you to Narus." They weren't that many, but it would be enough to help earn Narus' trust. Ranger smiled, deviously, and began the journey to where he had seen Narus was getting ready for battle.Comment
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Amaya stood as Rhykim stormed out of the council's hut, wondering what exactly the verdict had been. Her question was answered when Everett exited the building after Ranger and announced it to the tribe. She felt a little annoyed that they chose not to accept a peace treaty with Rhykim, but he had stacked the deck against himself. Promising to leave them alone regardless of their decision, and nothing else, didn't encourage them to agree to one. He had been right that he couldn't attack the Stari, nor would he have anyways, if he was smart. Still, he could have made a better offer than just promising to leave them alone.
Either way, it wasn't her job to advise him, it was Nyx's. She was the fighter, the killer, while her twin was the strategist, the negotiator. She had done the best thing she could have, kept her mouth shut and not made any comments that would only have earned them the scorn of the council. "Come on, Solar. We have a war to fight." She made her way through the forest with the rest of the forces until she caught up with Rhykim, then led him through the tangled brush back to Logata City.Phillipians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
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