[Location] Thane's Estate - Page 15

Amber Brightwing · October 28, 2008, 05:22 PM

Amber thought about his proposal for a second. “That seems a lot of trouble and it probably won’t solve anything. Right now, people can already reclaim their identity at the Aedile’s if they lost their visa. It wouldn’t help anyone already present in the city either and without having your visa at hand yourself, thing like requesting licenses or buying property would become needlessly more complicated.” She shrugged. Slavery wasn’t really something she concerned herself with anyway, illegal or not.

“As for Necromancy, while Vortex’s name can’t seem to lose its connection with it, it doesn’t seem to harm the city’s relations either.” She grinned widely at him. “And who are we to blame others for thinking like that?” It reflected the current situation after all. Necromancy was present, but those that practiced it stayed out of trouble.

It was good to hear he could be critical on things that many would simply assume to be true. “Indeed, the three Houses don’t get along that well. They would need a very good reason in order to band together and a single Silrosian that doesn’t like Vysstichi – which is what the Herald gave as reason – doesn’t really seem all that exceptional. Add to that that you’d wonder why they wouldn’t simply have send an assassin if it was just one person they were after instead of an all-out attack. On top of that, the combined forces – which would be made up out of well trained soldiers – barely managed to make a dent in the gathered force of city guards before being defeated.” She shook her head. “The truth of it all was that this was a plot set up by a Portshire organization in an attempt to attack the Vysstichi. We’ve cleared up the matter as good as we could, but things like these don’t exactly make the job easier.”

Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto · October 31, 2008, 01:19 AM

Ilfirin nodded slowly, taking heed of the Thane’s words. “Maybe there is still another solution. There must be.” He refused to give up, not so easily. He paused for a breath, looking down. “Perhaps…we could try to hire some spies. While it does not give absolute protection, it should give better defense that what the guards are giving. It is not easy to tell a spy from a normal citizen. Likewise, it is easy to tell a guard from a normal citizen. If our city cannot afford the budget, we can find some way to raise money. And if this method does work, I promise that I will not give up until something can be done.”

“I see,” said the Air’rela at the Thane’s comment about necromancy. It was a shame. He had been hoping that there would be some way to wash away the prejudice. With the decision to learn necromancy, Ilfirin was bound to have a difficult life. It sounded unjust to the half elf’s ears, being condemned for merely pursuing his goals. He laughed it off, shrugging, “Y-Yeah. Guess it should be left as is.” Still, the words caught at his throat and there was difficulty in beginning his next sentence.

“Your Grace, I never heard of those incidents in the Herald…And because that is true, wouldn’t the people at Portshire notice as well? I’m sure that the people who read the Herald are not simply mindless zombies. The people who are outside of Portshire weren't attacked. They should have a clear enough mind to know. Even I noticed the oddity of this news. Wouldn’t, with all this information your Grace just gave me…” Though it was true that Ilfirin did not particularly enjoy the company of a Vysstichi, he was not the sort that took words as they stood. Eras of living on his own had provided a strong mentality for the half elf, and though there was a good chance that the half elf would have condemned the Vysstichi if they really had done it, he was not one without reason. Too long had he been condemned for something he was. As foolish as it was, the half elf believed that the innocent would, someday, be free of false claims.

“It appears inevitable that Vortex be blamed for all the bad deeds that happen within the empire. With that in mind, perhaps it would be best to merely…ignore their remarks.” It burned Ilfirin to say that, feeling as if he had betrayed a bit of himself. Ignoring was not his style and if he had it any other way, he would be at the idiot’s door, whoever called this attack, and attempted to strangle him with his bare fists. Then he sighed, almost laughing as he did. There was no doubt in his mind that he was too much of a coward to do that. “Instead of trying to justify and clear up problems such as these, why not build a stronger militia and guard to protect ourselves? It appears that I was too radical with my suggestions.”

Amber Brightwing · November 1, 2008, 11:07 AM

“Ah, spies.” She smiled. “We have that already: the Owls. It’s something former Captain of the Guard, Dimitri Wladisyaw started not too long ago. I’m not saying we shouldn’t combat illegal slavery, but I don’t think our successes or failures in the matter will determine much how others look at our city.” She herself had told the guards to try and stop smuggling and promote honest trade. ‘Honest’ being that they paid taxes on everything that went in and out of Vortex more then anything else of course.

She listened further to what he had to tell. “Ignoring? Why would we do that? The city tends to keep to itself on many things. The Empire, now Kingdom, leaves us alone and we abide their laws, but if people attack our city in any way we should defend it. I’ve send the first letter with those points to the Thane of Portshire as soon as I saw the article and I worked together with the Houses to solve the matter.” Small as she was, she could be like predator stalking its prey when it came to it and her bite could be just as lethal.

She smiled mischievously. “There’s two reasons why I wouldn’t build a stronger militia. First, it’s strong enough to take care of its current duties and abnormal increases might give the Kindom the wrong idea of what we’re trying to achieve. Second, if the Empire strikes it won’t matter if we double up our forces. What’s a few hundred more soldiers against legions?” She paused for a second. “That said, Vortex should be well capable of defending itself. I think one of the reasons it still stands is that the Kingdom can’t miss the armies needed to conquer it by force. If they don’t even manage to hold their own against the Orcs in Sheria, what chance do they have against the combined might of Vysstichi and Necromancers of Vortex? Arcana can be a lot more dangerous then sheer numbers.”

OOCNot commenting on the outcome or Herald articles on the Portshire matter as that has yet to be worked out IC

Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto · November 1, 2008, 11:33 PM

That wasn’t exactly the point that Ilfirin was getting to. There was more to stopping slavery than merely allow the city to look…good. That was important too, but ending slavery was just as important. But it mattered little now, not when he was powerless to stop slavery. In time, he would find a way, but for now, he simply nodded at the Thane, showing his acceptance. “I understand, your Grace. I won’t speak of that issue again unless it is necessary.” There was a loss of enthusiasm in his voice, like the half elf had just been defeated. He fought back a sigh, and listened to the Thane talk about the next issue.

“It’s my take on the whole issue of Vortex being discriminated by the other cities. Everything I’ve suggested would do little to stop the prejudice towards Vortex. It just seems…” the elf paused for a bit, finding the correct words to phrase his sentence, “…wrong.” His thoughts were scattered about and it took him a while to find the next sentence. He hadn’t known how the meeting would have affected him, how he would actually gain critical knowledge about the city of Vortex itself. It shouldn’t have been surprising, seeing as it was the Thane he was talking to. “Perhaps the narrow-mindedness of the people will lessen in time, but for now, it saddens me greatly to know such a fact.”

“I see. I thought…it would protect the citizens of Vortex if we did.” A smile graced his face, a rare event for the half elf. It wasn’t exactly a light smile, but there was no sarcasm hidden in it. Perhaps it was a tired smile, but there was sincerity in it. “Yes, arcana is strong. I believe that fully.”

“One more question, and I’ll be done. As your Grace has mentioned before, the three houses lacked unity. I believe that is true for most of the city. Even with the necromancers, they are split between Jorel and Jalat—which is a pity. I know that those ties with their deities make it very…difficult for them to ever reconcile, but I wanted to ask: do you feel that Vortex would be able to unite together if another crisis arises?”

Amber Brightwing · November 2, 2008, 03:55 PM

Amber smiled. “Don’t be too dissuaded that I’m poking holes in your ideas. That some of them were implemented show their value. I’m sure they’ll only become better once you’re more accustomed with the city.”

She didn’t have any more questions she wished to ask him, so she just kept to answering his questions for now. “It’s true that there’s little union at the moment, but even if the Houses or the Jorelites and Jalatines don’t like each other all that much, if it would ever come to the point where Vortex needed to be defended I have little doubt they’d gather under one banner, if only temporarily. I don’t think any of them would be very fond of losing their homes because they don’t like their neighbours, so I do believe they will be able to set aside their difference to protect Vortex.”

She waited for a moment to see if he had anything else to say before continuing. If he had nothing more to say she’d take continue talking again. “Well, I could use an Assistant Thane, so if you’re still interested I’m willing to give you the job. Starting pay will be 75 Crowns per cycle, but you can eat for free at the Thanal Mansion and if wanted you can get a room to stay in as well. Any expenses made for your job will be paid back by the city. How does that sound?”

Secrets :

Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto · November 3, 2008, 10:51 PM

OOC: Cool, I have an office already

Though Ilfirin was far from being actually considered an adult, he believed that he was no longer a child and thus, should not be treated as such. The words the Thane said made it seem like he was still one. Already so and so ordinations, he was no experienced adult in the world, but he was not a child. If he had been fully human, there would be no doubt that he would have had to fend on his own long before now. A slight sense of self-pity overwhelmed the half elf for a moment. There was no happiness found caught between two races-races so different. One was constantly changing, while the other moved at a slower pace, not needing to move as fast.

Still, he thanked the Thane for her words. It had been too long since someone appreciated his thoughts. "Thank you."

Then, when she answered his question, he merely stood there and listened, nodding his head at certain intervals of her speech. "That gladdens me then. It is great to see a form of unity exist in Vortex."

"Yes, I would love to take the position as Assistant Thane. It would be great to help the city. He considered the room and free meals, weighing it out with living and eating at the Temple of Jalat. While it was pleasant enough, perhaps it would be better if he lived at the mansion as well. He reasoned it would make learning easier. "Thank you for the offer as well. It sounds great."

"Well," he paused, "Is there anything that I can do to help as an Assistant Thane?

Amber Brightwing · November 8, 2008, 01:06 PM

The Thane’s words had not been intended as such. She too was fairly young for a position such as this one, and she too had informed herself and worked her into the job before taking important decisions. “Well, I’d take my time to get accustomed to the city and the job if I were you. I’ll be passing you more of the daily matters as time goes.” She pondered for a moment if there was more to say. “When do you wish to start?”

Ilfirin Tyraen Chumomisto · November 11, 2008, 03:16 AM

"I see, your Grace. I will indeed take a walk around the city, including Har'oloth." He nodded softly, as if perhaps, he was talking to himself again. It wasn't going to be an easy task, to merely waltz into Har'oloth and face what could perhaps be a similar Herozzal.

"I can start whenever, your Grace. I have no plans to travel out of Vortex during this time." That remained true.

"If there's nothing more, then I would like to excuse myself. I would like to seek out more information about the city of Vortex." Ilfirin stood, waiting.

Amber Brightwing · November 14, 2008, 05:16 AM

Amber nodded. “Of course. I’ll send an official announcement to the several offices later today to inform them of your new position. If you want practical stuff arranged such as appointments and office furniture, Amanda can help you out with that.” With that it seemed the conversation was over and they could both resume their work.

Trickster · November 22, 2008, 01:01 AM

Vortex, The Aedile Office
19th of Cryxatum, Spring Era XV

To Her Grace Amber Brightwing
Thane of Vortex
United Arium Directorate, Vortex

May this letter come swift and fast into the hands of your Grace.

Attached is a letter from the city of Paxia.

I wish to here the opinion of Your Grace in this trade negotiation between Vortex and Paxia, both of the United Arium Directorate. The trade documents noted by Senior Aedile Gandan Berker were found. These documents are also attached to this letter, after the letter from Paxia's Aedile Office.

I await your answer.

Sincerely,
Fergal Kachada
Aedile of Vortex