28 Fyrva, 350BFD, 21 Ur
Baseline Management Complex, Level 2, Shevezz City
"We acknowledge there has been a longer delay than normal in accepting your urgent request. This is due to its unusual nature and its possible complex diplomatic repercussions," the Council Chairperson read, then looked up for a response.
Findat nodded gravely.
"I did not request a swift response, merely a swift initiation," he acknowledged, pulling his blue-edged official's robe around him, "if I may, what were the Council's conclusions?"
"We concur that the situation not only infers a need for further investigation, but demands it. Should we fail to acquire sufficient water within two days, the consequences will be dire," the Chairperson continued, "but we also advise caution. While we did agree that treating with our winged friends could be complicated, that was not the issue we highlighted as having 'possible complex diplomatic repercussions'."
"My lady?" Findat asked, inclining his head, "I am ready to hear and act on the Council's advice."
"And I am glad to hear the sincerity in your voice. Please also," the Chairperson coughed, and Findat thought he heard her voice crack slightly, "please know that we trust you, for you have Shevezz at heart. Now, to the
official wording," she cleared her throat, "on the assumption that some ill has befallen the Aevyormii, which we deem logical albeit not yet factual, in all likelihood something, someone or some
people have taken their place. Extreme caution is required, so no unarmed Shevezzi is placed in danger from an unknown threat."
Findat closed his eyes for a moment, and briefly shook his head.
I hadn't considered that the Aevyormii could have been uprooted.
He looked up sadly at the Chairperson, and nodded again.
"I agree. And I also glean from your phraseology that we must treat with whoever, or deal with whatever, is controlling the freshwater supplies?" he asked.
"Indeed. I am glad to see the years have not dulled your mind, Findat. To that end, the Council not only proposes, but demands that a small, well-defended, diplomatic team make their way to the Nectar Glen. You shall guide this team, though another should physically lead them, Shield Findat."
The overseer bowed.
"I am relieved to hear that, truth be told," he admitted, "so, we are to return with news of the state of affairs at the Glen, along with a record of negotiations with whoever is currently occupying that territory - whether the Aevyormii or other 'people'. Should a threat exist and be non-sentient, I assume we have the authorisation to at least attempt an extermination?"
"Correct, Overseer, but doing so is not your primary purpose. Remember, if our allies are not in the Glen, and some other beasts occupy it instead, that may not be sufficient to grant us access to the water."
"Because, by the time we return, that particular threat may have returned, or another supplanted it?"
The Chairperson nodded.
"As logic demands. Should the occupiers not be Aevyormii, and sentient, then any terms of trade must be brought in writing back to this same Council. It will come as no surprise that you have not been asked to accept or deny their terms, though your opinion on them will be taken into account," she smiled slightly in an attempt to reassure Findat, "we allocate four days to account for your sojourn, rest and negotiation, and your return. Should you be delayed, a delegation of similar makeup will be arranged, firstly to find and bring you home, and secondly to complete any tasks you found you could not contend with."
Findat opened his mouth, but the Chairperson anticipated his question.
"No, Overseer, this mission is as close to being 'judgement-free' as we can make it. A second team being issued has no bearing on your reputation or standing. Their primary purpose is your
safety not your performance."
"Thank you," Findat acknowledged, bowing his head, "does the Council have any allies in mind for specific roles in my team?"
"No, Overseer. As I said, we trust you. But please..." the Chairperson stalled, "
please tell someone, and
have recorded the moment you leave the city walls. For once, we do not know what we are sending our people into."
"I do not take your trust lightly," Findat acknowledged, "I will begin immediately to assemble my diplomatic team, though I have been working since eleven this morning."
The Chairperson looked down at her papers, and allowed her head to drop into her hands. As she sighed, in the silent audience chambre, the breath seemed to rise and float out through the closed door as fervent hope in the winds of reality.
"This Council accepts that...," her voice quavered, "you may leave in the morning, after sufficient rest and rehydration. We believe there is little to gain were you to set out now."
Which also means they believe we really cannot help the Aevyormii, Findat realised,
svarta.
He glanced around at the currently empty audience chambre with its polished stone and expertly carved oak trims, before looking up questioningly. The Council had all but confirmed to him that the Aevyormii were no longer in control of the Shevezzi water supply, but another matter bothered him.
"Do pardon me if this sounds impertinent," he began, noticing that the Chairperson had not raised her head.
"You may speak freely and frankly...Findat, with no consequences for doing so."
"My... thank you, Mendazi," he nodded, "I totally agree that four days is a reasonable timeframe due to the distance we need to cover. But our fair city only has supplies for two days, does it not? The Council’s official response stated as much."
The Chairperson fell back into her chair, reached out a hand and threw a sealed scroll down to him, which he caught with a look of confusion on his face. Mendazi seemed to drag her weary body up and she slowly made her way down to where Findat stood.
The Overseer examined the seal in the dim light of the chambre, which was likely kept that way, he reasoned, to also shroud the meeting between the two of them.
"But this is..." he stalled.
"That is a
Prince's Seal, yes," the Chairperson affirmed, "you may either not break it and go on your errand. Or, you may break it, be assured by its contents, but be bound by the consequences should anyone not authorised by this Council discover what it contains. The choice is yours and, if you had not asked what you had, I would not have passed this to you."
"Would I be correct in assuming that the members of my team are 'not authorised'?" he asked, knowing the answer before it arrived.
"You would, yes. I am sorry, my friend. I know, and can see, that this is a difficult thing to ask of you. This decision is yours alone to make, once again with no negative consequences from not opening the seal."
Findat held the scroll in two hands, his eyes fixed on the obsidian-wax seal, with its imprint of a circlet-crown.
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