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[Arlin]

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'So what is it I hear about many factions laying claim to my home city?' Kain Elderan questioned. Nick, Lilyth, and Wren all began speaking, and yet said nothing to answer the mans question. Typical political non-sense Arlin though, as he leaned against the wall.

'Yew is under the control of mah army, it tha' simple Kain' Arlin clarified, stepping back to his wall. Arcana smiled at him, squeezing his hand reassuringly. It was a trying time for them both, as Arlin tried desperately to keep his heritage from rearing its ugly head. However, his matter-of-fact statement gave him several disdainful looks.

Soon, Arlins head was lost in the turmoil of cleverly hidden insults and dancing around the subject. Arlin gritted his teeth, as Arcana gripped his shoulder, trying to offer a measure of reassurence. Just as Arlin was ready to walk away, Nick piped up, far too cheerfully 'So you ran from Malas and now you took root here.'

The half-ogres eyes narrowed dangerously, and he unslung his scimitar from his back, swinging to upward and stopping just short of detaching Nicks face from his head. He held the blade steadily at the cowards neck, his mind searching for a reason not to end the mans life.

'I sacraficed mah home to save Sanctus while the Council sat on its arse and did nuttin'! I spilt mah blood ta save them peoples, and yet you 'ave the gall ta call meh a coward!' The more Arlin spoke, the more he wanted to finish the job. One look over his shoulder at Arcana, however, softened his heart and disapatted the anger in his eyes. He lowered the sword and stormed off, exausted.

Arcana caught up with him at his office, and much to his surprise, she wasn't angry at him. She spoke to him soothingly, running her hands through his hair and claming him down. 'They goaded you into that Arlin, trying to prove themselves right in thier own eyes.'

'I done messed up Arcy, I's sorry.' She nodded in agreement, and in acceptence. Just then, Corporal Dan burst through the door, announcing the arrival of Molly Willow. Arcana slid of the desk, and Arlin motioned for Dan to bring the Duchess in.

What had begun as a long night, was about to get longer.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.

[Nick]

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Nick left the Yew Court to find Wren and Lilyth talking with Kain. After quaint pleasantries, Kain asked of Yew and its council. As Lilyth attempted to explain the complex web that is the politics of Yew, Arlin piped in to, again, express his claim of Yew, with the Lady Arcana by his side.

As his convictions were questioned, he demanded war from those that questioned. Nick shook his head as Arlin confirmed the fears of the citizens of Yew, War.

Nick felt this was typical, and could notice Arlin was getting flustered as he played with bits of the wall he was leaning against.

Nick had recalled the Yew Council Meeting earlier that eve and took this chance to prove a point to those council members in attendance. As the conversation became hot, Nick made a comment to provoke Arlin.

"So you ran from Malas and now you took root here"

Nick attempted to remain calm as Arlin bellowed "That's it!" and rushed at him with his sword quickly reaching Nick's neck. Wren attempted to step in as Arlin and Nick had a heated exchange.

As Arlin backed down and took leave with Arcana, Nick smirked to the group in knowing that his point was proven…
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Lord Ambassador , STC
NICK Bard/Mage

Saints of the True Covenant Web Page

[Arcana]

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Arcana stood to one side of Arlin’s desk, her mind working quickly through the events outside of the Court of Truth and here in the office. Nick was lucky to still be in possession of his head. Arlin had endured being called a coward and an oppressor, as well as being compared unfavorably to an orc by a certain vocal group of citizens. All of whom were far more eloquent than the uneducated half-ogre, and a few of whom seemed ready and willing to put words in his mouth. Words like warfare and occupation. They continually spat on his heritage, seemingly blind to any positive action he took in the town. She detested how they goaded him.

She’d come to love Arlin’s gruff mannerisms and straightforward approach to absolutely everything, but his temper and stubbornness all too conveniently provided the means and excuse for these people to snipe at him. His refusal to even send a spokesperson to the Yew Council only justified their fear of him in their minds. It also perpetuated their skewed perception of Arlin’s intentions. Just last week, she’d even overheard someone ludicrously speculate that Arlin might be in league with the orcs.

Duchess Molly and Lodi had just departed with a well-meaning, though perhaps premature, offer of mediation. Lodi was understandably unwilling to become embroiled in Yew politics at this point in the situation, which would compromise his impartiality, so in the end he’d backed away from direct involvement for now. But his explanation of his principles of mediation had given her an idea she thought she could develop.

She sat on the corner of Arlin’s desk, which was beginning to become a habitual seat for her. “Regardless of what you said to Lodi,” she began, “you do have concerns that you want to put to the Yew Council.” She said this as a statement.

“I want nothin’ to do with ‘em,” Arlin growled under his breath.

“You want them to see past your soldiers to the hospital you’ve established and the trade you’ve brought to the town. You want them to see that you’ve imposed no laws to repress the citizens the way they accuse you. You want them to see that you’re training your soldiers to deal with the orcs, not attack defenseless citizens.”

“But Arcy, all that’s right in front of them. If they can’t see any of that, they can kiss my---”

“Arlin,” she broke in, not unkindly, “they need reassurance, not ultimatums. There are good ways and bad ways of expressing your intentions. The average person in Yew Trammel may be content enough, but the people you need to win over are on the Yew Council in Felucca. Write up your list as Lodi suggested.”

He nodded grudgingly and rubbed his temples, his broad shoulders slumping slightly. “I know I got blood on mah hands. I jus’ want t’ do somethin’ good for a change, t’ make up for it…”

Arcana leaned down and kissed him tenderly on the top of his head. “The town on this facet was half-deserted swampland before you got here. Look at the life in it now. You just need to approach the Council differently, send a representative to address them civilly. You need to have a presence there, a dialogue with them.”

She was about the elaborate further when one of Arlin’s soldiers came in to say that Wren Hapswill wished to speak to him.

[Wren Hapswill]

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Wren calmly paced the halls of the abbey, going over the events of the day in his mind while waiting for a requested audience with Arlin.

The council meeting had gone well enough, all things considered.. Though there had been a few tense moments from both sides, the Council had decided to continue towards a diplomatic solution to the current problems. Of course after the scene outside the Courts there was no telling what might happen before the next Council meeting.

Wren sighed at the thought..

He was upset with both Arlin and Nick. Arlin for losing his temper and threatening Nick.. and Nick for goading Arlin into doing so so soon after the Council's decission. The Two had forced Wren to step in between an old friend and a councilman he's oathbound to protect.

Leaving the Courts after the incident to think, he had headed north toward an old Militia gathering point. Sunwolf, he noticed was there ahead of him talking with some old Militia vets, a small crowd of young people gathering around to listen as well. He had turned and headed off toward the Abbey before he had gotten close enough to hear the disscussion, though he could guess what it was about.

Wren found himself in the small chapel staring at the ahnk..

On the one hand, Arlin had offered him a chance to join the AoF more than once, and on the other stood several allies looking for any excuse to go to war.

Wren carefully weighed the two in his mind..

Yew had seen enough war over the years. The FoA, Minax, Aragothis, the Orcs, MTC, the Juka.. plus countless skirmishs in between. If he had thought joining Arlin would help matters, he already would have.. No. Neither way presented an escape from the enevitable. It wouldn't be the first time he had faced a friend across a battle field, he thought grimly.

Reaching out, he touched the Anhk and murmured

"If only you and yours were still here to council me.. I miss you Lady."

From behind him he heard the voice of one the AoF.. He believed he had heard someone call Private Beccah, "Captain Arlin will see you now."

Wren took a deep breath, wiped his eyes, and straigtened his sash before turning.

She was pretty and young.. too young to be involved in an old war.

Keeping the grim thought from showing on his face, he smiled and motioned for her to lead the way.

As he walked behind her toward the room Arlin had taken for an office, he reminded himself that war had not yet come..

Taking a deep he went in to face Arlin.

Perhaps there was still time..