psychic thread

[agentlenpc]

[The gentle brush against the Strangers' minds comes in early evening. It is, as all mental touches are from Fayura, soft and unassuming, much like a polite knock at a door. Once as many minds are connected as she thinks will open the door to her, she speaks.]

I am curious, Strangers, what you would do with the young man who shot and killed Councilwoman Vera.

Many of you come from worlds where there are laws against murder. While we have no such laws here, when a Blood male in a Queen's Territory kills another without cause, she may demand a price from him. Sometimes, that is his own life if he was negligent enough with his temper and sometimes, it's something less.

My trouble is this: if I execute him according to the laws of the Blood, of which he is not one, the Guilds will rouse their people into a furor and attack not only me, but the people of Draega. If I turn him over to the Ebon Council, the Guilds will do much the same, and that will incite the Council to strike back. And if I return him to the Guilds for accolades instead of punishment for taking a life, the Ebon Council will have cause to rip apart the Guilds and anyone in their way to extract from him the price for murdering one of their own.

Were you me, what course would you take? And please try not to shout over each other; this is as many of you as I could reach.

Comments

[agentlenpc]

[Fayura is leery of letting the landen boy work for a Blood household, especially one whose matron was a Councilwoman.]

If there is to be a trial, I will be the one presiding over it regardless of what the Council or the Guilds think. Their interests are only for themselves, whereas mine is to see them stop trying to kill each other and the world with them. Speak your mind.

[hardlyanangel]

Aye, we are in agreement at the aim of the matter.

[She may sound unsure in her tone as she 'spoke', it was more of her attempting to mesh what she had seen and experienced of this place with her home. Though the Valkyrie does indeed speak her mind.]

I cannot swear to whatever Gods you have here to this, though I do not believe the boy intended the assassination. I will admit, fully, it could be attributed to his first taking a life the shock I saw on his face. Add his dedication that he would be killed by you upon his capture? Surely he is no assassin by intent, indeed by idiocy. This does not lessen his responsibility in my mind.

Initially, I thought it was a ruse to draw out the Prince. Perhaps he was placed and panicked to actually put you into this position?

[Mentally she made a open handed gesture of frustration at not being certain enough in her observations to be useful.]

Perhaps, if there is concern of his mistreatment... I would gladly supervise the arrangement to ensure both bided their terms.

[agentlenpc]

The Guilds are not so foolish as to assassinate one of my own. [A frigid chill echoes in her voice, a warning.

The Guilds and Council have pushed her before.] They kick and scream and fight against a better future only because they cannot save face by agreeing that the future I offer is better.

[That and there are a few who just do not agree with her.]

Regardless, I will need him to talk to me before decisions are made. If he doesn't talk, I can't help him.

[hardlyanangel]

[In her quarters, she smiled to herself at that chill tone. She approved of that sentiment of the Queen declaring and protecting her circle. It was a sentiment that she also respected.]

You asked me to speak freely Fayura, though I will freely admit I do not yet fully understand the intricacies of your world, so I phrase it in terms of my own in the hope that some part may be useful to you.

I would not dismiss the foolishness of the threat of assassination, doubly so in light of your invitation of we Strangers. It is obviously a time of the unimagined routes taken. The slaying of the Councilwoman could be the first, tentative move.

The crux of the matter, is that the stakes are very high for those who hold power in their fiefdoms. Any imagined, or real threat should be expected to be met with more desperate and unheard of reactions. Like jackals fighting over the bones of dead beast.

One thing that comes to mind that may be helpful, rather than bleak, is there are almost always moderates and some unaligned within. Those not within the circles of power yet have a voice within their own. Turn them to your cause, it may not cease all resistance, at least blunt it or perhaps make it impotent.

[She blinked not expecting to be so verbose in her thoughts. internally she was fully expecting yet another scolding. Freya help her hold her tongue.]

If you grant me leave, let me speak to him. Perhaps I can convince him to speak to you.

[agentlenpc]

[She takes all of these words with thoughtful silence, listening but not reacting. Not yet.]

I might be able to allow you to speak with him, but it will have to be under the watchful eye of Master Crafter Kasik and likely someone from the Ebon Council, lest it be seen as favoritism or an attempt to somehow pollute the young man. [This, she says wearily.] But I suppose that might be better than nothing at all.

[hardlyanangel]

[She nodded, unseen, in agreement at the possible arrangement.]. One Guild, one Council, one Court would only make sense. A Stranger seems to be the best option for fairness in the eyes of all. And unless their is an alliance any one accusation should be perceived as false.

Though it is only a suggestion...even if it is from one witch to another.

[Her lightness carried in her voice, even as it dripped with the realities of things.]

I do not envy you.

In the end, it is your decision

[agentlenpc]

If you mean to do it, then let me know when. I'll make the arrangements with Master Kasik and Lord Grejor.

[Chewing glass seems more fun than this.]

Perhaps you'll be able to convince him to share his story.

[hardlyanangel]

May Forseti be watchful.

I do. Once arrangements have been made and those involved agreed to terms, if you decide this route, I will be available.

[She had not sought employment outside of the palace yet, preferring to try to understand the Blood. Besides the morning routine, and whatever labour she took part in, there would be nothing that would cause issue for such a thing.]

I will try.

[Simply said, though the tone had an undercurrent of firm]