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Post by Ancelas on Jun 27, 2023 18:51:47 GMT -5
The sun was setting and dusk had fallen when a Mareki officer with an tired, disapproving expression on his face escorted a certain red-haired woman dressed in a Mareki uniform through the halls of Fort Kaladesh. She had approached him near the front gate, passing her off as an aide de camp in an attempt to gain access to the fort. All of the officers under the Maeth'ir's command knew Sae Cairel by sight, however, and had outstanding orders on what to do if she were to be found skulking about the town.
The officer knocked on the door to the Maeth'ir's room.
An acknowledgement came from within and the officer opened the door and stuck his head in. A brief exchange of words and he stepped back, pushing the door open to allow Sae to enter.
The chamber beyond must have belonged to the previous lord of the keep, as the room was spacious, dominated by a finely-crafted table in the center. There were tapestries hanging from the wall depicting battles between elves of both dark and pale skin against orc raiders beneath a sky of glowering orange and yellow. Closed doors led to adjacent rooms, but the chambers' sole occupant was seated in one of the chairs facing a large stone fireplace fashioned by dwarven hands.
The Maeth'ir had cleaned himself up since their earlier meeting, his mane of red hair let down about his shoulders, his battle replaced by a shirt of elven mail worn over a crimson tunic, belted at the waste. His scabbard leaned against the chair to his left. He did not look up from the scroll he was studying as Sae was admitted, the officer closing the door behind him.
Silence hung heavy in the air between them.
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Post by redcoat on Jun 27, 2023 19:10:34 GMT -5
Sae entered- she would not give the Major a confession, nor admit that her plan was foiled. This is what she'd intended.
And it was too- a meeting with the Maeth'ir, without an audience or her comrades being... helpful.
She knew the silence was a tactic- but Sae had grown in the last few weeks. Mostly through Ratha and Ve'ra helpfully (metaphorically) knocking some sense in to her. Sure, she still felt like an imposter, but those were feelings for when she was alone, not when she was in a meeting with the Maeth'ir.
She was, in many ways, his equal. A terrifying thought she'd unpack later. She turned to face the tapestry, looking it over for a moment, choosing her next words.
"I thought it might be a good idea to meet without entourages."
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 27, 2023 19:21:08 GMT -5
There was a sound of rustling parchment as Cayne moved on to a different part of the report. "I was under the impression," he said quietly, "that you preferred audiences."
The tapestry was fascinating in that it was borderline impressionistic, with trees and the field of battle rendered in blurred slashes of color. The Cairels knew fabric, but the tapestry did not seem to fit any texture or weave that Sae was accustomed to.
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Post by redcoat on Jun 27, 2023 19:28:15 GMT -5
"Hate them. They can be useful, I suppose- deals made in private are only honored by honorable men. Deals made in public have witnesses." Her fingers ran across the weft of the fabric.
"I am sorry my comrades pressed you in front of your high table. It was rude, and a conversation that should have happened in private."
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 27, 2023 19:49:00 GMT -5
"Are you truly?" Cayne asked mildly. "It seems you have gotten quite far through grand public displays. I would be remiss if I were not to acknowledge a particularly effective battle tactic. Blunt and direct... but effective."
He finally set down the scroll on a table beside his chair and turned his red-hued eyes toward Sae. "I daresay they suit you more than the subtler arts."
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Post by redcoat on Jun 27, 2023 20:05:07 GMT -5
"In that particular instance, I am. Asking you to take off your bracers and hand them over immediately was a bridge too far for my judgement." She waved off the thought, turning her attention to his next statement.
As he turned to face her, she would turn her attention to him, motioning to her clothing.
"You mean this? I admit, not my best work. And I mostly did it because I heard your mess sergeants were making tafelspitz." There was a light tone in her voice as she spoke- taking the insult on the cheek. She moved over to the other chair in front of the fire place, taking a seat.
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 28, 2023 14:34:16 GMT -5
"You snuck into my warcamp... for dinner," Cayne said flatly. And yet, there was the slightest twitch of a brow that might convey amusement in someone less stony-faced than the Maeth'ir.
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Post by redcoat on Jun 28, 2023 16:47:05 GMT -5
"My chances of getting Mareki food that I don't make myself or have conjured magically are few and far between. Magically conjured food is great- but it doesn't compare to an experienced Mess Sergeant." She leaned back in the seat, looking over the fireplace.
"But, I also wanted to meet without our entourages. To talk, to plan without a bunch of extra... input."
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 28, 2023 18:56:22 GMT -5
Cayne cocked his head to one side, some of the stiffness in his body easing after the comment on military food. He studied her as she settled in her chair.
"Fair," the Maeth'ir said, leaning back into his chair. "We speak plainly, then, without the need to maintain appearances for others." He paused for a moment, before adding, "You've earned that right, I suppose."
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Post by redcoat on Jun 28, 2023 19:22:51 GMT -5
Sae was being sincere- she genuinely liked the food of her homeland, and found magically created food missing some... soul. Individuality.
But, serious matters.
"Where would you like to begin?"
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 28, 2023 19:41:58 GMT -5
"You've come to me - surely you wish to expound on something that was said or done. Your companions have been sharing information with my generals, and I will be meeting with them for their analysis in the morning. I find that most of my questions have been answered, or will soon be addressed."
Cayne crossed one leg over the other, watching Sae. "I don't like you, Sae Cairel... you have sought to undermine me at every opportunity, to encourage others to question my decisions and my rule. Your effectiveness has earned my respect, and the truths you've unearthed, unpalatable and unflattering as they may be... are necessary truths.
"And now you are here, having hoped to approach quietly, for a private discussion with one who's enmity I assume you are aware of. So I'm curious - why are you here?"
There was no rancor in his words - he spoke of his disdain honestly and without anger, and his final question was asked with a genuine curiosity. He was difficult to read, but he certainly seemed to be expecting more from their chat than just an exchange of information.
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Post by redcoat on Jun 28, 2023 20:08:23 GMT -5
Sae didn't react emotionally, keeping control of the flash of temper at his words. Instead she let silence stretch between them, giving his question thought.
"To clear the air. To get a measure of you- how much I can trust you, especially how much to trust you with the full truth of what we've seen and what we've done. To apologize for some- not all- of the things I have done to undermine your rule. I know you are a devout servant of Talos- but I had no clue as to your philosophy of following him." She watched him, carefully.
"Soon, Valor Company will be leaving the area. First to Astoria, then to Kyr, then to Otori and even further afield. I feel I understand the other leaders- at least to the point where I can predict their actions. You are a wild card."
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 29, 2023 19:28:53 GMT -5
Cayne studied Sae for another long moment before turning his gaze toward the fireplace, his apparent acceptance of her words the only sign of his approval at her words.
"I am, as I have ever been, devoted to the prosperity of the Mareki. To free us from the manipulations and expectations of others, so that we may become the people we were meant to be."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "To achieve that, I thought it meant cleansing the mistakes and slights of the past. Now... Now, I wonder if there is a different way to achieve those ends."
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Post by redcoat on Jun 29, 2023 19:37:52 GMT -5
Sae watched him for a moment, before turning her own face to the flames. "Cleansing the mistakes?" She probed- careful, as she knew she was in dangerous territory.
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Post by Ancelas on Jun 29, 2023 19:48:05 GMT -5
"Finishing the war we never won. Holding those who sought to control us to account."
His lips twisted into a bitter line. "In the end, we were still the tools of someone else's agenda. Just not the ones I thought."
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