Aftermath

[bravesirrobin]

As Kairos, speaks the Councillors look increasingly surprised and astounded. As he finishes there is a pause, as each of them considers the words. There is a very brief whispered conversation, and one of the three men stands up in order to respond to Kairos.

"Firstly, I have a request of you. Please do not treat us like we are simpletons or idiots. We may not have the power that you do, or the experience, or a vantage point of your lofty magnitude, but we are not imbeciles. When you come to our city, defeat our armies, take us captive in our own inner chamber, and then demand our surrender, it is frankly insulting for you to say that you are surrendering to us or to imply that you do us a favour.

Secondly, I do not know which of us it was that summoned you," He glares behind him quickly at the two councillors and the two unconscious bodies, "and I do not know what lies they have told you. I do not know if your story is a true one, or if you tell it for some other purpose, but I feel I must refute it anyway.

Manaas was not a tyrant and not an awful leader. He had a way of doing things, different to what you may have encountered before. He was fair and just. He controlled everything in order to make sure it was done with maximum efficiency. You say that we taxed 100% of produce and you are correct. But we also returned what was needed, you will find that our citizenry has more food, better clothes and less disease than any other nation in the kingdoms. They do not appreciate the value of what they have, they may not like the lack of freedoms, but Manaas has improved their lives immensely.

My colleague knows who you are, and I do not know what interest the guild has in Maluka. You have taken away our order and stability, and you have replaced it with chaos and uncertainty. You claim that you will give us your sovereignty, yet you demand that we acquiesce to any further requests you may have of us in future.

We have never once had a riot or any form of unrest in this city before today. This unrest is of your making, not ours. If you wish it to stop I suggest you do so, I do not have any such power. You have taken away our leader, and you have taken away our very free wil, the only crime you can accuse Manaas of. Already today we have found that half the army would not raise swords against you, you have used magicks beyond my knowledge to create this situation. I name you for what the Dynasts call you, Anathema. You have taken away everything that once worked and once was great about Maluka. I do not know what further sorcery you have used to create these riots, but for you to suggest that I may have some power over them that you do not is laughable.

I will attempt to put this city back together if I can, whether it be under my own governance or yours, because I love it, it is the ground I was born on and the sky I have lived under my whole life. I care deeply about my fellows, and will do whatever I can for them. You have defeated us, and it is your decision what to do next. If this is how you wish us to run the country, as your vassal, so be it. We are yours to command."

The councillor lets out a great sigh, seemingly echoed by the other two, and suddenly he seems tired. He had some stature, but there seems to be a fire in his eyes that has gone out. He almost stumbles backwards to his chair and sits down heavily. Kairos catches the glint of tears in his eyes.

[Flurry of two social attacks - (i) to make you think better of Manaas (ii) to make you help the citizenry. (i) 3 successes (ii) 7 successes. You have a +3 bonus to MDV from appearance.]

Throughout these two speeches the sounds outside this room have been getting louder. The council chamber is deep into the palace complex and not for the first time, the lack of windows is highly irritating. The sounds of rampage and destruction now seem to be coming from directly above you. And for the first time, echoing around the corridors you can hear raised angry voices closeby and hurrying footsteps.

[Learned Hand]

Kairos listens solemnly, nodding in agreement with several of the points made.

'Please accept my apologies. Now you mention it I see how condescending my words were. However ill-judged they were, though, please believe they were well-intentioned. Your fellow council-member' he nods at Annoying Woman 'had attacked us and I wanted to reassure you that I was here on a mission of peace, to prevent further bloodshed, and in so doing I exagerated my intentions towards you

'That said, I will be dissapointed if I leave this room without an agreement which leaves your council sovereign, and my army departing, and so in that sense there can be no other way to describe what I am doing

'I also owe you an apology for failing to introduce myself. My name is Kairos Orcos and my colleage is Ferric Iron. We are indeed Chosen of the Sun, though I hope in time you will change your mind regarding the label 'anathema'

'As for my position in The Guild, I have been on sabbatical since I was chosen, and at the end of that period I shall resign my position. I am not here in my capacity as a Guildsman. I completely retract the condition regarding open trade, and I hope that this goes some way to convince you of my independence from The Guild. I shall swear an oath confirming this in due course.

'It seems the information I was given regarding the unanimity of The Council was not true. However, I must take issue with your description of Manaas. It is true he gave people what they needed, but he did not give them what they wanted, or even what they deserved. Sometimes what you need isn't enough. The people of Maluka demanded justice. You accuse us of using Magicks to persuade your people not to fight. I put it to you that they had no stomach for fighting at all; the only reason they joined your army was to escape the confinement of the fields. When they saw me they saw their salvation.

'Our actions have indeed precipitated a riot, and I have only regret for that. However, our actions did not cause the emotions and the rage of your people. For that we must blame your lord.

'Your loyalty is commendable, but ask yourself where your real loyalties lie. To Manaas? Or to Maluka and her people? If the latter, then I urge you to work with me to quell the riots, establish order again, and look forward to the future.

'I see from your eyes that you favour Maluka, and I hear it in your words; few can speak so eloquently unless moved by emotion. That is why it must be you; all of you, who rule it as you see fit.

'You say that I am asking you to be a vassal state. Would a vassal state be able to overrule her master, provided all 6 members of a council agreed? If it could, then perhaps you would be a vassal state. Would a vassal state have to pay nothing in tribute to her masters? If it would, then perhaps you would be a vassal state. Indeed, can you tell me one way that your vassalage would be different to your independence from me? I think not

'I came at the call of a member of this government, to right wrongs. I came because I spoke to your fine citizens, and realised that they deserved better. I came to look, liberate and leave; not to conquer. I came to take this country away from a cruel - yes a cruel- master, and give it to those who would make it grear. I cannot make this country great because I do not love it as you do.

'And the only thing I ask in return is that you consider my advice in the future. I who have tried to give you so much. Not even that you follow it; if you are all opposed to me, then I shall accept your decision. This is surely no vassalage. No king would accept such disobedience from his council.'

For the last few paragraphs, Kairos' voice has been becoming increasingly passionate. As the volume of the people outside the doos rise he looks imploringly at the council members.

'Please, swear an oath to accept that I am not representing the Guild, that The Council of Maluka shall have sovereignty of the country and rule it as they see fit, the only exception being that my decisions will be binding unless opposed unanimously. This oath is magically binding; if anybody knowingly breaks it great harm shall befall them'. He looks at the door, slightly desperately. 'Please, so that I can calm the crowds with the news of stability'

[one social attack, using a performance excellency for an extra 6 dice; object is to convince them to swear the oath, playing on any intimacies towards Maluka they may have]

[bravesirrobin]

The speaker nods, resignedly, not attempting to say any more, he's said all he can, and now fate will take it's course. Possibly the only person you've ever seen looking more morose is sitting next to him.

But the third man, the one you had to chase into the tunnels doesn't look the same. He leaps defiantly to his feet to give his own speech.

"No! I will not stand for this. I have done many things I regret, but I will not live to see this city brought low by such devils. Manaas was a glorious leader and without him this city and this state will never achieve it's full potential. I refuse to be a puppet. to sit here waiting for things to get worse. And I do not wish to be here when Manaas father arrives!"

Suddenly everything happens at once. There is an almighty crash from somewhere above you, and smoke begins coming through one of the ventilation shafts in the enclosed room. At the same point a small group of citizens suddenly rounds the corner, brandishing rudimentary weapons and flaming torches, they freeze when they see the two solars, unsure how to proceed.

And the third councillor who is on his feet whips a small knife as if from nowhere, and plunges it into his own throat. He collapses, blood pouring from his neck. The other two councillors remain in their seats, shocked but looking expectantly at the solars, waiting for something else to happen.

[Learned Hand]

Years later, when the people in that room remembered what happened (as opposed to the hundreds who would claim to be there but weren't), they would all agree on one thing.

Time slowed down.

Before the first blood of drop had hit the floor, Kairos had wheeled around the face the crowd, oozing warmth, and time kicks in as he begins speaking.

'Citizens, I'm so glad you've finally arrived. You will be able to witness this historic act. In just a few seconds, power will be returned from the tyrant Manaas to the people. Thousands will envy your place here in this room.'

He turns back to the two conscious councillors and beckons them forward. In a daze, they rise and approach the crowd, who are sitting in reverent awe.

'Your gracious rulers have been waiting for you to witness this historic agreement. They, in front of their citizens, will swear a magically binding oath to rule in your name. There first act will be to double the tithe paid to the great people of Maluka. Henceforth, they swear that they shall endeavour to rule as they see fit, and to endeavour to be worthy of your loyalty. As your liberator it is only right that I have some influence in the decisions, but as an outsider it is only right that it should not be final. My decisions shall be law unless your council oppose it.

'Come my friends, swear this oath with me'

[Using heart compelling method to invoke a feeling of 'calm gratitude' in the crowd]

[assuming the two swear an oath then I'll carry on; otherwise consider the post to stop here].

As Kairos' caste mark flares whispers of reverence pass around the crowd. The emotion is infectious, and even those at the back of the crowd feel calmer. More importantly, the news of the 100% increase in income floats backwards. A lot of the citizens have family in the farms, and they're willing to accept a lot of wierdness for such an increase.

'Come my friends; to the roof! We must spread this news to everybody in the city!'. Nobody in the crowd wants to miss out on any of this. [if they do, Kairos will use HCP to induce a feeling of exuberance] Progress is slow due to the numbers, but at least they are enthusiastic, looking to participate rather than annihalate. It will only be much later that anybody, and even then only a few people, will remember that they hadn't been summoned as witnesses to that chamber, and that they hadn't gone into the palace to be part of history. Eventually the three burst out of the door at the head of a crowd of people. Kairos immediately begins shaping Commanding Presence of Fire.

When he is, for the third time that day, visible to the city he talks.

'This is a historic day. The tyrant Manaas is slain, and the council, as much victims of his rule as you all, rule in his place. Their first act has been to double the tithe paid to the people of this land. Truly, on this day you are liberated. Those of you who are rising up to help overthrow your oppressors; the day is yours. Those of you who would have defended the government; the day is yours. The same government rule, but free of Manaas' grip they rule for you. LET THERE BE REJOICING'

Kairos raises his fist and cheers, and the voices that join him can be heard from miles outside the city. Inside the city people are throwing their weapons aside and hugging the same people they were trying to kill seconds ago.

[Learned Hand]

Kairos watches the celebrations for about 30 seconds - long enough to be confident that the vast majority of the people are won over - before raising his hand for silence and speaking again.

'The time for celebrations will be soon, my friends. But we must still do work now, so that there will be even more to celebrate. There are fires in this city to attend to. Please, those of you who are near them form bucket lines and attend to them. Your neighbour's fire might very well soon be your own.

'There are also wounded in this city. Remember that people on both sides were fighting for you, although one side's best intentions were misdriected by that tyrant. Please offer whatever aid you can to the wounded.

'Finally, please throw open the gates, and allow freedom of movement. There is much business to be done and expedient movement of officials is necessary. On that note, commanding officers will need to report to the palace as soon as possible. We have another army on the way and we must make sure that there are no further misunderstandings when they arrive.

'Tonight we shall drink, feast and celebrate. But for now, let us make sure that we have as much to celebrate as possible. To work!'

[HCM to instil a sense of patriotism]

[oneiros]

[continued from 'Inside Maluka' - and trying to avoid as much retconning as possible...]

With barely disguised disgust for the huge changes wrought in the emotions of the populus, Azir pushes his way through the throngs of revellers, military and civilian alike, and into the palace itself. Enough people recognise him to try and thank him for what he has done in assisting the wounded and opening their eyes, which he brushes off with increasing discomfort.

Making his way past clerks trying to resume normal business and restore order, he reaches the council chamber, quickly surveying the scene [invoking Mastery of Small Manners] before bowing his head. Standing on the threshold of the singed and cracked door, he announces himself, "Azir Lerayn, medical representative of the people." Straightening up, he casts a critical eye over the bodies in the room, be they flaring, sitting or prone. "Did somebody call for a doctor...?"

He moves to stand in front of the shining golden form of Kairos before continuing, mild disdain lacing his words, "I presume I'm talking to the leader of the beseiging forces. I have just returned from speaking to your commander outside the walls in the hopes of negotiating a settlement for the city but I see such an... imposition... is no longer necessary. Since you 'appear' to have things under control I shall retire for the evening and rest that which has been rather 'taxed' today." Azir turns to leave but lowers his voice for his parting remark. "I daresay you'll be calling for me in the morning."

He departs, heading back to his tavern lodgings, ignoring the laughter that doesn't quite cover the whimpers of the wounded in the triage centres.

[oneiros]

However, a firm hand on his upper arm stops him leaving and the quiet words of Kairos ask simply, "Can you aid this woman please Doctor? Her injuries look critical." Yet, the subtext was plain for both Solars to hear. They needed to have 'Words'.

"Very well. Bring her." Turning to one of the other councillors, Azir asked where the nearest suitable bedchamber was and received directions. Once settled with the patient, he dismissed everyone else barring Kairos, requesting his presence in attendance. His keen diagnostic talents, refined with the power of his Exaltation, had already told him of her status. Some internal bleeding, severe concussion - all rather mundane really.

Before making any attempts to treat her, Azir turned to his companion. "You couldn't have just listened to me I suppose? Ignoring the rather reckless impatience with which you and Ferric stormed the palace which was the cause for the mob formation, by the way, the matter of the councillors is now an awkward one. My logic was sound. Better that they died 'resisting' than what we have now where the populus doesn't trust them or have faith in their ability to lead them. Well, other than what you have just told them to believe that is. Wonderful performance.

"We could have begun afresh - a new rule where those leading had been involved in the reconstruction directly and more natural bonds of leadership formed. There are too many loose ends now. As an experiment in social engineering, I'm sorry to say that I consider our methods require a fiar bit of refinement. I had matters under control within the city. One more day and we would have succeeded without much of this hassle.

"Nevertheless, it is done now and we have to deal with the consequences of your deal-making. The injured and wounded abound in the homes and barracks. I have personally seen to the emergency care in this city and my professional assessment of the situation is that services are reaching straining point. There are insufficient doctors and medical supplies to cater for everyone effectively. With your bounteous edict, things will be worse.

"My opinion is that we 'allow' the population to reduce, clear out the dead weight that are a burden to the economy. Without my ministrations, that would be the natural course anyway. Whilst this would cause temporary shortfalls in military capacity, we can cope and it will allow the city to recover more quickly without being strained. Of course, we could always speed things up by 'ensuring' reduction in the surplus population, it wouldn't be difficult to engineer such efficiency.

"As for the Justice Minister, Mistress Sasseryn will live. With a little attention she will even wake up." He turns back to her prone form and places a hand at her throat, as if checking her pulse. Turning back to look Kairos squarely in the eyes, but without moving his hand that is now over her windpipe, "If you really want her to that is. If you really want such... inconvenience."

[Learned Hand]

After listening to this monologue with mounting disgust, Kairos replies.

'You ask why I didn't listen to you. Before I tell you permit me to ask why you didn't you listen to me. Before any of this happened I asked for you help, Azir. For your counsel. Who did you think I was talking to when I asked for a doctor to fly out? How many other doctors have access to giant wasps? But you didn't come, did you. Only Ferric. Perhaps if you had been willing to discuss strategy, rather than embarking on one, then we may have been more in tandem.

'And what, for that matter, were you doing that you could not skip? I have barely seen you today. Once, was when you arrived for all of a minute to make sarcastic comments about my temperance, before you told me to kill in cold blood -very temperate of you, by the way- and then leave. The second was just now, when you announced that you were part of the defending force, before trying to leave again.

'And now you have the audacity to berate me for the lack of refinement in my strategy, and for not following your commands. It's true I may have reacted, rather than planned; although I would again point out that when I wanted to plan you ignored my request to see you. I might therefore accept your criticism were it not so rampantly hypocritical.

'You told me to kill for you. That, Friend Azir, is not refined. Nor is it a command I can follow, not without hearing why it is necessary. But of course you were too busy leaving, in a manner that you would no doubt sneeringly refer to as 'a dramatic exit' were I to have been guilty of such actions.

'So to answer you question, I didn't listen to you because whilst I may be a killer I am not a murderer.'

Kairos sighs. A lot of the anger that has been boiling up in him all day has been released and he feels somewhat better. He is also concerned about his friend.

'But there was another reason. I didn't kill for you because whilst I may be a killer and not a murderer. You are not even a killer. You are a healer; a man of compassion'. He looks Azir straight in the eye 'Will I be able to say the same off you tomorrow?

'Listen to yourself, man. You're talking about letting innocent people die. And of killing even more innocent people. Perhaps she's not innocent, but surely those in the 'surplus population' are. And why? For the economy? I'm an economist before I'm a diplomat and I didn't promise any more than the city can afford. For efficiency? Efficiency concerns choosing the best means to get to a specific end. I though we both shared the end of a happy and a living populace? How will more deaths serve that? I'm willing to sacrifice some economic growth for the good of individuals, and frankly I thought that the goals you serve, Doctor, would see that as an efficient course of action.

'Which brings us to her. We need to use the systems that are currently in place for now. Who else in this city is even able to rule? Us? We can't be everywhere. The best we can have is a veto, which I've guaranteed us; I'll swear to you now if you wish that the veto I have will be used on The Circle's behalf, not on mine.

'She is the current system. If we let her die we lose face, and for every council member lost the council loses face.

'But don't save her because of that. Save her because you must. Because of who you are'

[oneiros]

The impassioned fervour of Kairos's rebuttal sears the frozen bastion that has grown steadily around Azir's heart, the portcullis having dropped into place with the events of that afternoon. He moves his hand away from the woman's throat and tilts his head slightly, looking slightly askance at the other Solar.

"Ferric went because I sent him and he would serve no useful purpose stuck in the city other than to provide a diversion. I did not think it wise for us to totally abandon a presence in the city. It was necessary for us to have someone here to observe how they reacted. And I must say I am reasonably impressed with how they responded. To a point, that is. Though, we probably should have discussed things a little more before you left to start the battle. I was under the belief that we would be effecting change through removal of the current power structure - Maanas and his cronies. Which is what I have been working towards.

"I was hoping to convince them of my services as a medical adviser and therefore that more fighting would not be in their best interests. However, the fact that we caught them fleeing was unexpected but would have worked to our advantage since the people were already growing restless at the lack of firm guidance. So, how better to proceed than to get rid of obvious traitors - a plan that the citizenry could get behind so that we end up more endeared in their eyes. We could have told them anything once the only people who could realistically gainsay us were out of the picture.

"'Murder' is such an emotive term. You are a Guildsman and... I am no stranger to doing what has to be done to achieve a goal either. It may not be refined but, on occasion, it is necessary." He breaks to give a derisive chuckle, devoid of any warmth or humour. "Besides, those who cure woe are often just as capable of causing it as well. I am Chief of Medical Services for the Nightstars of Nexus after all, with all that the euphemism entails. Here I believed it is/was necessary in order to efficiently reach our goal. However, it would appear that we had different notions of what that goal was.

"I have no desire to fight you on this for the situation now is as it is and I can do nothing to change our actions. We both pursued a path at odds with one another - something we must work better to avoid in the future. I suppose, if nothing else, this has been a useful test. We must look to getting some means of distance communications. Mayhaps the thaumaturges of Elemyr have something useful.

"I stand by my comments though. The wounded and dying are already a strain on this city's services and your offer of doubling their recompense will severely tax this country's ability to recover from what has gone on today. Unless you can defer that or build some other loopholes into the system, the country will be at a severe disadvantage for longer than I think is viable for our purposes. We don't actually have to do anything to assist the situation, most will die of their injuries naturally. Though it might be better if we were to put folk out of their misery without undue suffering.

"A population reduction should actually benefit the city and the nation and not just in the short term. Note, even if a fair proportion of those wounded live, a significant number of those will not be capable of productive work of anything but the most basic kind. At least not without extensive retraining." He sighs. "Or without me spending the necessary time treating them - either by natural medical talent or obviously calling upon the gifts of the Unconquered Sun, which I don't think they're quite ready to accept and may not be the best use of my time and resources. If they were receptive to the idea of Sol Invictus then it would be easier and using my powers openly would actually work in our favour but that is not the case at present. Do you propose some kind of disability allowance or pension that they may eke out the remainder of their years or to relieve the burden of their families caring for them?" There is more than just a little scorn in his voice at that last point.

"I guess the choice is are you willing for the populus to endure a period of hardship with the impact that will have on an economy that we are already going to be changing and opening up or will we make a, admittedly difficult, decision to be, for want of a better term, brutal in the short term for a more advantageous future?"

He turns back to the unconscious woman. "The Auspicious Advisers have already lost face. However, since you have sworn to uphold the council, it ill behooves us for her to perish now despite such foolishness. I will ensure that she lives. What is more I shall make sure she is restored to full health since that will probably endear us to her and maybe even the rest of the council."

"But understand that I do so because you believe it may help us, not because of some notion that 'I must'. Assure me that it is the most efficient method and I will do it. After all, I could quite easily say that I tried and she still died despite 'my best efforts'." At Kairos's look of consternation, Azir responds, "I won't, you have my word on that, but I could. As for the rest, well that decision lies with you... or the council, my friend."

[bravesirrobin]

[That was very very cool, 3 dice stunts to both of you.]

[Learned Hand]

'You are wise as ever. This was a test of our abilities and though successful, it was not unmitigatedly so' He hesitates 'We need the woman. As for the rest, there is only so much one person can do. You are often my conscience. I trust your judgement.

'There is also one remaining, live member of the council who has fled. They may be able to find allies of Manaas and organise a resistance. I believe if we summon an elemental we may be able to make up for their headstart. They've been gone for no more than an hour [], and the ritual takes four. If the elemental finds them, though, I may need your sorcery to catch up with it. Will you be able to meet me in the council chambers in 4 hours time?

[Continued in Loose ends. Also, thanks BSR]
[Do I need to make a compassion roll to not continue trying to persuade Azir, and not summon a medicine-based elemental?]

[bravesirrobin]

[You don't have any compassion]

[oneiros]

"Then she shall live, Friend Kairos." The golden caste mark upon Azir's brow starts to shine and a pale violet light starts to both suffuse his eyes and dance in wispy motes around his fingers. His friend would be forgiven for thinking there was a shadow of a smile that flitted briefly about his lips. "I daresay I can have her up and about tomorrow morning in fact."

"As for the rest of the population, as much as I would prefer to ensure they passed on with the minimum of fuss and bother, I understand that this is not to your liking. A simple metabolic poison in their stew would make things so much easier but it is, alas, not to be. I will provide necessary medical advice for as long as I am around and ensure that there is no spread of disease - we don't want healthy folk succumbing to cholera or the like. Also, anyone who requests euthanasia will be provided with it, painlessly. Then we shall let nature run its course. If they die, so be it. If they survive, all well and good. That's the best you're going to get from me tonight, I'm afraid.

"As for Slavion Ysa, well, assuming you didn't completely override their feelings, there are standing orders for his arrest if any of the military spot him. Though I suspect he'll be outside of the city. It won't take me long here. I join you in the council chambers when I'm done."

He turns to the prone figure, the Twilight mark glittering brightly as the air becomes almost humid with the gathering of Azir's Essence. The very air above his head seems to shine like an ethereally limpid pool, ripples moving out as his anima coalesces around him while he murmurs the soft prana that focuses his mind and power for the work ahead. Standing at the foot of the bed, he places a hand over her ankle then reaches up into the swirling banner, apparently drawing down a faintly glowing tendril of pure Essence that flows and swirls, writhing sinuously before connecting to the limb at the specific pressure point indicated. He strides round the bed touching other points, the other ankle, both wrists, the side of her neck, the heart, her forehead.

All the while he continues to softly chant as his hand movements across her flesh speed up. Violet and gold light plays out in flashes, sometimes surging down his arms, as he manipulates the very flow of energy in her body, somehow managing to stem leaks, reduce swelling and reknit organs - all without breaking the skin and all through the raw Essence that surges through him. Then, having moved in a blur for the last minute or so - it's difficult to accurately tell - he places his hands on either side of her head and chants one final phrase that sounds suspiciously like the Old Realm for "Time's Not the Greatest Healer, I Am" before wrenching his hands up, plunging them back into the brightly flaring anima and severing the Essence cables from her body.

Work complete, he looks down on her face, the light from his banner casting a strange light across the scene such that you might think you were looking at the sleep of one who drowned as opposed to that of one recuperating from major surgery. That should do it he thinks, settling down to double check his ministrations worked whilst waiting for his present conspicuousness to fade back into the ether...

[1wp, 25m to invoke Time's Not The Greatest... (yay finally get to use it!) with 3 successes from 2nd Med Ex]