abraxaslogs | july catch-all

[ Kahlil weathers his four weeks. He's not mistreated, and the accommodations are no better or worse than where he grew up in Rathal'pesha, replacing a damp cold in place of the mountain chill. The worst part, by far, is having his abilities blocked, the familiar grain of the Gray Space so thoroughly removed from his senses that it feels like he's been hobbled. He's experienced this before, the Payshmura had wards of their own and Dayyid use them both for training and punishment.

It's been a long time since he was a scared, powerless acolyte, though. And by the end of the last week, as the guards lead him outside there's a cold chill running up his spine, a fear that something in him has been permanently altered, that his power - his blessed bones, are not returning to him. It's with a rush of relief when he breaks through the invisible line of the dungeon's wards, and those senses finally return to him. He's quick to get to his room, then the washing room to scrub away all traces of that stale, damp air, til his skin is raw and red.

When it's time, he follows his escort to the new king's private office, clean and shaved and in his relatively plain, dark attire, where he waits to be let inside. He lets muscle memory take over while his mind races, his body remains deceptively relaxed as Dayyid had once taught him. ]

[The office if the newly crowned king is quite clearly not simply for show. There is little personal decoration, but a great deal of practical. Thick ledgers and journals line the shelves and the king's desk displays a number of ink pots and sheafs of papers and other important looking bits and bobs. It appears as though this monarch handles business himself.

For this meeting the king is not behind his desk. There are a pair of comfortable and expensive looking chairs by the window and the king is seated in one of them. His clothing is finely tailored and of expensive materials, but not overtly opulent. He sits with the rigid posture of a lifelong soldier.

He looks up when his guest is escorted in, expectantly, but does not yet speak.]

[ This isn't the first time they've met, though the times before were very brief and formal. Hindsight has him regretting not having attempted to keep better tabs on the captain turned admiral, now king. But Kahlil is not a soldier in the same way as Sidwell or his men, and he's never had the luxury of dwelling on could have beens. There's only what must be done now.

He glances at his escort as he enters the room, briefly wondering if they mean to stay or leave, then meets Sidwell's gaze with a slight frown, attempting to gauge what he can from the man's features. ]

I take it I haven't acted or answered every question to your satisfaction. I told your men I would answer them in person to you, but there still may be less than you like.

[ He does not approach the empty chair yet, waiting to be invited. He doesn't address Sidwell with a proper title, either. Not intended as a slight, though he's aware it could easily be turned into one. ]

[An eyebrow raises at the slight but the king's face remains the same. His demeanor appears calm and collected.]

I have always told my men to avoid assumptions. Take a seat.

[It is not phrased as a request, though there is nothing foreboding or displeased in his tone. If anything, on close inspection, the king looks less a lofty monarch and more a working man who has been working very hard of late.]

Let's not waste both our time with idle preamble.

[ He says nothing to that - biting back a remark about the four weeks spent wasted in a jail cell, and after a brief pause he steps forward to take a seat. As much as he tries to give little away, there's still noticeable discomfort in his posture. ]

What do you expect to do with me, now?

[ If they're getting to the point. ]

Do with you?

[The king's head cocks to the side and his tone has a touch of surprise in it.]

What else do you expect me to do with you? I have a kingdom to get back on track, I'm hardly sitting around and dreaming up pointless punishments for people. Or were you referring to your position in the castle?

There's that, yes.

[ His courier work, and the relative freedoms that came with it. Continuing to make him jump through hoops just to leave the castle for the next few weeks is a waste of everyone's time. ]

Your niece wasn't well liked among the Summoned, that's not a secret. I've only ever seen her decisions cause chaos since I was brought here. I want to see Thorne stable and protected. I told the last king as much. [ He continues to frown, agitated. ]

How long have you been planning this? [ He is annoyed with himself for not uncovering any discord between niece and uncle. ] What do you expect to happen now?

[For a short time the king says nothing. His lips purse and he looks beyond his guest instead of at him.]

I did not dislike my niece. Personally speaking, I held and hold nothing against her. But her temper and impulsiveness did not serve this kingdom well. Particularly in current times. It was an unpleasantness, but a necessary one.

[His focus returns and he lifts his brow.]

It does not matter how long this was planned, or the details of its planning. It is done. Now is time to look forward and see to Thorne. As you said. We are in need of stability. I intend to ensure that. Our goals are the same.

[ It matters to him. To get the measure of the man, and to understand why a more subtle, less explosive method couldn't be employed in removing her. But he doesn't see a point in pressing for an answer where one probably won't come. He notes the odd shift in his focus, and then fixes on the last part. ]

I hear Solvunn's summoned something in the gulf on one end of the border, and now the Free Cities has the means and weapons to breach Thorne's wards. Not to mention that from the outside it looks as though you've claimed yourself a fractured kingdom.

[ Hayle locked up in the north, unless something has changed. Nott again left to its own devices. ]

How will you ensure stability? How is this path different from the one your niece set us on?

I do wonder what manner of place you come from, where it's common or accepted to speak to the leader of the realm like this. I also wonder why you think I am somehow unaware of the state of Thorne.

[The king's tone is not angry, but rather dry.]

I am not my niece. I do not lead with my temper nor do I allow any maelstrom of emotions to command me. Regardless, words will only go so far, even the words of a king. As you have so astutely pointed out, Thorne is not currently in an ideal situation. But there is time to fix that. Already we have a stable line of succession. I am hardly going to sit here and detail my plans to you, but my actions will speak for themselves. I did not take the throne out of a wanting for it, but a wanting to save our land and people from the disastrous course we've been set upon.

Which seems to be your own interest, from what I've gathered so far. So perhaps you would like to tell me what you would do.

[ He studies the king again, then gives a slow shrug with no affect to his own features. ]

I could curtsy for you, but I thought since we're alone you'd prefer honesty.

[ He had acted better for the last king, but that was a year ago. Too much has happened since then, and he's more frayed at the edges than he's able to admit to himself. As for repeating what Sidwell already knows - that was an attempt to prove Kahlil isn't completely ignorant.

He cants his head slightly at the question. ]

I'm not a diplomat, but I would see what could be done to strengthen relations between you, Nott and Hayle. I'd say Nott is the more pressing issue because of its location, although I also know very little about the Duchess in Hayle and her desires. But if the Free Cities can pierce the castle wards and the mages here have found no way to defend against another attack... [ Hayle is where more mages and more knowledge would come from. He pauses, then almost reluctantly: ] I might also reach out to the Nether, to re-establish relations. Attempt to confirm how neutral they plan to be, and if they might at all be willing to trade again in the future.

[ He expects that to be a longshot. He knows from Wanda that the Draconae have at least some connection to Solvunn through that returned god. ]

Edited 2024-07-29 17:49 (UTC)

Honesty and manners can go hand in hand.

[The king makes a dismissive sound, but that seems to be the extent of the rebuke.]

Such ambitions, reaching out to the Nether. Especially when so much within our own borders needs seeing to. Shall we spread ourselves so thin so quickly? Much as I would like to simply snap my fingers and see to everything all at once, I'm afraid that is impossible. We are not ready yet to reach out to anyone, at such a delicate time.

Nott, however...I agree it's shameful how they've been neglected under the previous reign. I have no intentions of ignoring them. The crown stands for the good of all its people, the citizens of Nott are our people.

[He sounds genuine when speaking of Nott.]

[ There's a slow nod. He'd like to believe this ruler will do better for Nott than his predecessor. But he can't let go of his reservations just yet.

In any case, speaking of spreading themselves thin: ]

Then I'll ask that you give me back my freedom to travel, my old position. That's one less mage you'll have to spare for portals.

As I understand it, you're perfectly serviceable in your position. No complaints that I'm aware of.

[The king leans back in his chair, appraising his guest once more. ]

I see no reason to remove you from it. And I'm sure I don't need to remind you that said freedom is a privilege.

[Privileges can be revoked if abused.]

I understand.

[ Nothing much has changed in that regard, except he expects to be under more scrutiny. Whether or not it's a mistake to place himself right back where he started, he can't say yet. His friends might have opinions, anyway. He meets Sidwell's assessing gaze. ]

I'll need a new sigil to carry, to move past the outer wards.

Yes, it will be seen to.

[By someone else, the king has too many things to see to already. But it will be done. There is no intention to say one thing while intending another, or hide loopholes or unexpected catches. A new sigil will be provided.]

I trust that covers everything.

[ Kahlil nods, and begins to rise from his seat. For parting, at least, he offers a stiff sort of bow. ]

july catch-all

end of july; sidwell

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will there be a guard with them or are they alone for talking?

The guard is outside the door

ty!

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thank you again for the thread!