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'Sy
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I walk with my head down and let Katherine lead. It's an easy trip to the infirmary - we take a shortcut or two along the way, though teleportation is a bad idea with someone so psychically afflicted. Aaren's mind... it's a bloodbath. I'm thankful he's unconscious, but I fear even that isn't enough to blot out the pain.
"How much do you think can be done for him?" My voice sounds unusually rough. Strange.
Katherine takes a moment to respond. "A fair bit. You shouldn't worry so much over it, hon. The boy'll be fine." She sounds oddly detached. No, she's distracted.
"What's wrong?" I run that back through my mind. More like what else is wrong.
Another strange pause, and then for the life of me, I swear she giggles. What an odd person the Advocate is, no matter what incarnation. "Nothing dire. Here, I'll get the door for you. You're doing quite well with him. I think he knows you're with him on some level, and it's a comfort."
I feel a flood of such immense relief that it makes me wonder... but only for a moment. Aaren is easy to dote on. And, well, maybe that's the answer to a lot of my behavior right now. Diyn's certainly concerned... he's hovering. Shouldn't you be busy with Schiphael?
...I'm watching over you, as I should. And attending, as I should. I swear I hear mirth under his voice. It doesn't matter - I'm too busy to deal with either of their jokes. I speak to one of the orderlies and have Aaren put in a private room under close observation. Someone skilled will attend to the mental lacerations promptly, as well as his physical injuries. I wait for a bit until they arrive, ascertain that they know precisely what Aaren needs, and ask when is the soonest time I should come back to check on him. I ignore any implications from Katherine's stray thoughts and Diyn's smirk that I am 'hovering'. I am simply ensuring that one thing today ends right. That done, I dust myself off and turn to exit the infirmary.
It is at this precise moment that I run into the Gahalespbar-archo.
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Katherine
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I really did think that 'Sy was just ignoring the Archo as he followed us to the infirmary. It is such a 'Sy thing to do, after all. It is such a 'Sy thing, and would be so convenient for us right now, that I will him to pretend that he was. I feel a little bit of guilt, too - I wouldn't be able to do that without a mental battle with him if 'Sy weren't having such a bad day already. He just goes with it instead of having to bother with more trouble.
It isn't a bad idea, either. See, he does appreciate me and my annoying Poetic leanings!
Mitheoni does a fabulous job of apologizing all over 'Sy so much that it's an easy task for the Judge to hold himself aloof about it all. I'm afraid of us losing face in front of Mitheoni right now, of him... noticing the wrong things a little earlier than we can account for them. He's nice, but he does his job, and while he may bend in certain ways, they're not 'Sy's ways. It is a crazy day. I just hope he shows his usual dislike for asking too many questions.
Mitheoni's first concern, apparently, is for our safety.
"--dangerous man, obviously very powerful, quite sneaky, and by the look of things when I recovered from the blow to my head, quite err... gone." Oh, Mitheoni's embarrassed about the Captain incapacitating him. How cute! I do feel a little bad. Radia's a real jungle for him, compared to Chethar.
'Sy brushes it off. "No matter. It's been taken care of already. If Chethar seeks reparations for the galleon--"
Mitheoni shakes his head, trying to cut off any further discussion of it. "We seek no retribution against those who merely salvaged what others assaulted. The Captain was, at least, an honest man in regards to telling me of that." His expression darkens. "But there have been other transgressions today." Oh dear, he's grown long ears this time around. Of course, there's more calamity during this visit than usually occurs, but I had hoped he'd just brush off some of this as normal Armed training accidents or stray Poetic phenomena...
"Would you like to help?"
Both Mitheoni and I find ourselves in the same circumstance - we're trying to find an explanation for how that sentence could have come out of 'Sy's mouth. There is none.
Maybe the trauma's been too much for him today... maybe he swapped out with Diyn?
Oh don't be silly, you reckless, mouthy little trollop. Well, his mental tone certainly is the norm for his borderline-jovial snipes. He seems... happy. Odd.
'Sy crosses his arms, going on. "I've been informed of enemy movement and assault on every border. If you'd like to know what it is that we're up against, I can show you, but only if we've some guarantee of aid. My walk to the infirmary was my last peaceful action on this day - I can't focus efforts on anything else but what's ahead of us now."
Mitheoni's reply does not come immediately - his pause bears the hallmarks of him silently conferring with a higher authority. In this case, the only higher authority would be Emperor Theos himself. He nods, though I'm not sure if it's to us or to someone very far distant. "You have my time, and what resources I can lend from here."
"Good. Let us convene." 'Sy leads the way to his office. I find it a little difficult to keep up, I'm so bewildered by how smoothly that went.
We'll need the Peacekeeper. In keeping with proper rank, you can even tell him to make the tea.
I smile. Today has its rare joys.
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'Sy
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I really shouldn't be feeling so happy about Mitheoni being anywhere near me. It's such a unique occurrence that even Diyn is taking note and watching me closely - or at least paying as much attention to me as he can spare. His gaze is cast a great many places at once right now.
Your son is in trouble, he says without a great deal of concern. Of course, Gerald is always in trouble. It happens so often, in fact, that my Arms didn't even need to specify which son.
Are you suggesting a course of action in response?
No, but I believe you will. And then, silence, and the inkling of background information on exactly what Gerald's situation is. Hm. I do think he can handle himself where he is - but he may run aground soon, and his party is small. Especially considering his cargo, he will need assistance.
Katherine's done her own mental conversing - with the Peacekeeper. He awaits in my office, with a ready pot of tea. Splendid. We're ready to convene. Myself, the Advocate, the Gahalespbar-Archo, the Peacekeeper of Radia, and Elric Briarseal.
Wait, that wasn't what I expected at all. Well, a little more than I expected. "Jhe Briarseal?" I'm not sure which one the question is directed at, but Camden fields it, prefacing his reply with a short bow.
"Sire, it seems that my brother has important intelligence regarding the subject of your address to us in this meeting." He looks troubled, but then, I don't blame him. I myself am not sure what I'm going to say to all of them.
Ah, yes. Jhe Elric is a Poet.
"If you can guarantee his confidence, then I see no reason for him not to be here, then." It's a comfort, knowing that even with Elete dead, someone will always show up in a cryptic fashion to discuss things regarding my future. I don't entirely understand how it's a comfort, but there you are.
The Gahalespbar-Archo shifts a little bit, coming close to clearing his throat. I lend him a small bit of my attention.
Are you entirely sure if this is wise? Ah, he really is starting to question what's going on in Radia today. Well, his concern is good. It isn't condemnation, after all.
If I were sure of it, we wouldn't need Poets around at all. The Peacekeeper will be an adequate judge. I fail to mention that Camden is a Poet as well - it's something I try to forget myself, sometimes.
If you are sure, then. He quiets, no longer fidgeting, his expression that of silent concentration.
Camden, as a contrast, appears keenly nervous. "I... cannot, apparently." He gestures to his brother. "Elric himself says so."
I raise an eyebrow. "So much silent speech?"
Camden's face darkens. "His captors... made him unable to talk. His spoken words are bent into Nultongue. He says you may speak to him by mind if you wish, but he is afraid..." The shadow on Camden's face grows darker still. "He is afraid to hurt people by being in contact with them, but wishes to speak to you regarding your son. He says they are connected." There is a bit of a pause, and then Camden seeks to clarify: "Your son Lyric."
Ah yes, I do recall the Briarseal boy coming home to Radia alongside Lyric, come to think of it. It awakens a familiar ire within me, something I didn't expect to feel in this room. I raise an eyebrow at Jhe Elric. Connected, are you?
He has the courage to not look sheepish about it. There are a great many things that shall come to pass regarding your son. You must be prepared for them.
That's not unlike the things many of my children's would-be suitors attempt to say to me. What makes this have any bearing on our meeting? Some gut instinct tells me that he's right, but the presumption that he has any right to court my child has its usual effect on me. No... it doesn't, because I haven't grabbed a weapon yet. Jhe Elric's Poetic senses are quite strong - he contrived to tell me of his relationship with Lyric in front of Mitheoni, who I'd not draw randomly in front of, lest I be tempted to stab him as well, something that Emperor Theos might take issue with. I can never be sure, with him.
Mitheoni himself looks to be getting fidgety again, but Katherine hands him a cup of tea at the precise moment that he draws in a breath to ask just what is going on and why are we all staring at each other so intently.
The plight your son is in is twined with the destiny of this nation and every other bit of soil that you have any domain over. Elric's eyes flick over to Mitheoni. Perhaps even farther. It's hard to tell, with one like Lyric. I've Seen him for quite awhile now, though captivity makes it all quite fuzzy. I... He loses the conversation for a moment, his words trailing off and out of my line of thought. I try to regain the thread myself, but he manages to catch it. Sorry. Too much in one day. I'll have to travel with you as well, to help you find him. Otherwise he'll certainly be lost... and so will we.
I don't reply. I wait for the tall Briarseal boy to explain himself. I can tell he's building up to something.
He's linked to Ebrellin-i Xaillyndesse's mind, through his own luck and contrivance. Their fates are one... and Jhe o'Audiva Rocale's fate is linked with all of ours. If he fails to make it out of this... Elric's gaze trails over to the Gahalespbar-Archo.
Mitheoni's patience appears to be wearing a bit thin.
I understand. Do you have anything to say now, or would you prefer to impart it along the way? We leave... soon.
He blinks. Later shall suffice. He seems surprised about something. Thank you for your swift understanding.
I suppress a snort. He'd better not think this is over. I'll have it out with him regarding my son yet. As soon as there's time and some privacy... I nod to Mitheoni. "We've conferred. Jhe Elric Briarseal will accompany us. His recent incarceration in Lyiannethe will contribute valuable intelligence towards our foray there." I spread my hands. "That is, if you plan on joining us in this venture."
He crosses his arms. Mitheoni is generally quite patient, but he has had a bit of a rough day, and we've been incredibly cryptic in this meeting so far. "What venture would that be? There's yet to be any details discussed. Lyiannethe is part of Jhe o'Audiva Rocale's lands to the north, yes?"
"Yes. We'll be invading them promptly."
Mitheoni startles. "Invading? But you were just sending him off as I arrived!"
I smile. "Yes. He would be the one leading the invasion."
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