It takes some tricky diplomacy to convince the Yemenen to go along with the Laosian plan. The kyria meets with only a few of them this time: their First, Second, and Third. She does the negotiating while Pilis, Skotonys, and Lauryn look on. During this conversation, she shows the qualities Lauryn's come to associate with Laosians: confidence, self-assurance, the kind of skill and deftness with words that Skotonys shows with a sword, and an unshakable and generally unspoken belief in the superiority of her own people and culture.
The process has many steps: first she must convince the Yemenos that they want an alliance with Notios at all. Then that they wish to conceal this alliance from their unknown enemy, and last to come to terms of the alliance that will assure the parties on both sides that they can trust in the secret alliance, and that the feigned posturing will not become real.
The first two parts take two days of negotiations. But it's the last part that's the hardest. Tokens of the alliance or a treaty document carry the chance of betraying them, and while both sides are diplomatic enough not to state it explicitly, neither one is willing to rely on the oath of the other alone. And there can be no public deeds to prove the alliance; indeed, the opposite is expected. The kyria offers Lauryn as an earnest of Laosian goodwill, but the Yemenos have no similar party to exchange and no desire to keep the cruel, dangerous sorceress with them.
At the end of the third day, the Third of Yskaj proposes on solution. "Let us swear to oaths before a priest of my people, and before your sorceress, and let any one among us who breaks the oath be cursed by both."
The Laosians are taken aback by this. Kyria Orevo glances to Lauryn. "Ria Vetyros. What think you?"
"I am no holy person, nor spirit or deity," Lauryn answers, at first, tilting her head. "Would not swearing by the Five be more appropriate, however? At best I can claim a vague connection to the deity of isityros, whom is not ascendant. But if it will accomplish our goals, I am willing swear by my magics, knowing that we are all aware of what that means for all of us."
The kyria hesitates, as if considering her next words. "You cast a curse upon Rio Ifiro. You will cast spell upon us, all of us who swear, Yemenos and Laosian alike, so that the isityros will know and punish us if we breaks our oath." Lauryn has no idea if she can do that -- but then again, the kyria's statement was not a question.
Lauryn watches the kyria for a long moment, wondering if the woman is asking her to make a show of things, or perhaps simply misunderstanding her power. To ask her to blatantly lie in a sworn oath would be a slap in the face and a stain to all their honor, though the desperate situation may make such a thing needful, even if Lauryn doesn't like it. If the kyria misunderstands her power, it is no surprise: no one understands Lauryn's true potential, not even the sorceress herself. Either way, the statement was a command, and Lauryn will see it through, in her own way -- completely through, if need be. "I will do what I must," the young woman answers in a solemn, ominous tone, so that none may doubt the weight of her involvement in this oath.
"Good. This is acceptable to us," the kyria tells the representatives of Imvar Yskaj. Now that the method for ensuring the oath will be binding has been decided, negotiations turn to the content of the oath, as well as the time and place of its swearing. The latter is solved forst: the hour before dawn is sacred among the Yemenen, and suitably quiet for a secret ceremony to be held in one of their temples. The exact content is much more difficult, and is left undecided at the close of the day.
When the subject of Lauryn's own contribution to the ritual comes up, Lauryn takes a moment to review what she has come up with while waiting. "Officiating oaths is a new role for me, so forgive my lack of experience in this matter. That said, I, Ria Vetyros, have decided upon a general course of action: I will request a single secret from those of the Laosian party who swear before me, and a lock of hair, which shall serve as symbolism and bond. I shall also investigate how the god of isityros may be refered to in this matter, if at all, as is appropriate by Laosian tradition. From this, I will prepare a ritual for the appointed time," she explains, glancing to meet the eyes of each listener in turn as she speaks, making sure they appear accepting and, hopefully, not about to balk at her plan. What they are not aware of is that her plan also grants Lauryn a measure of power, even if she has no intention of immediately -- or ever -- using what she knows. What she desires is the secret fear of her fel
fellows, and with that she will hold a power unobtainable normally -- or at least some day learn if her fellows are liars.
"It is well," the kyria says, promptly. Skotonys has concern in his eyes, and Pilis looks uncomfortable, but neither of them will countermand their leader. The officials of Imvar Yskaj are not so eager; they motion their translator to silence and hold a private conference amongst themselves. The Third looks quite insistent throughout; the First is wary. At length, they beckon to the translator. Through him, the First directs a question to Lauryn. "Ria Vetyros, it is rumored that the isityros you call upon are not fully within your control. They cursed you for a time, after you cursed your Ifiro. What assurance do we have that your isityros will not curse us for spite while we uphold our oath?"
"It surprises me that you have requested me and my isityros to officiate this agreement, then now question my ability when it has come to the matter of risk," Lauryn says, raising an eyebrow as she regards the Yemenos leaders. "When one deals with isityros, one expects a degree of danger. If you are not willing to endanger yourself, I cannot see how oaths before me and mine will hold meaning -- indeed, an oath with no bite is meaningless. But let me put you at some ease: the isityros favor my presence, those far from me may fear them less, for I have their eye. That does not mean oathbreaking will go unpunished with distance, merely that such ..," the woman makes a vague, hand wavey gestures, " ... indulgences of isityros affection are unlikely for the Yemenos, for I shall soon be elsewhere. If this remains a concern, I am, of course, willing to step aside for another form of oath."
The First exchanges looks with the Third. The felines have a grim look about them. "Let us retire for the evening. We will speak further in the morning," the First says. Though it's phrased as a suggestion, it's more of a demand, and the negotiations brak off for the night.
Before dinner, the Laosians reconvene in private so that the kyria can speak with her subordinates and determine if they have any suggestions they were unwilling to offer before the Yemenen.
The kyria massages her furred temples with one hand. "This is going as well as can be expected," she says, leaving unsaid the truth that it's still a tedious and difficult business. "Ria Vetyros, I do not want you stepping aside from your part in this ritual. There is no question of the reality of your power, or your isityros's ability to punish. We need that assurance if this alliance is to hold."
"I had no intention of stepping aside, Kyria. What I said I said to test Yemenos valor, and I do not think they will balk when we have already agreed to my requirements. Such a move would make them seem weak, and while I know it strains our diplomacy, our alliance cannot be a flimsy one, I should think. Should they -- and I believe they will -- agree, the binding will be all the tighter for the courage and weightiness I have added. As you can see, I merely added the option of my stepping aside as a test and a quiet challenge, while at the same time attempting to not appear to be forcing them, whcih I do not believe they would appreciate," Lauryn explains at length. She glances at the Archon a moment, wordless, then returns her gaze to the kyria and adds, "It is a gamble. My ability to punish so many, and so remotely, has never been tested. And I do intend to punish, should it come to be necessary. I take this oath before me as grave, high responsibility."
Kyria Orevo gives Lauryn a long, measured look. "These negotiations remain at a fragile stage. I will not see this sword broken before it is tempered. Do not put more weight upon the First than he can bear. If he balks at providing one of your tokens, can it be rescinded or replaced in your spell with something more amenable, and without weakening your spell?"
Lauryn purses her lips, then shakes her head. "The value of the tokens are the value of the oath and weights upon the balance. I will accept less if you will it, but oath is as strong as how much is given," the sorceress says at length. "But as you say, the negotiation success is more important than an iron-clad oath."
"Know that if they give less, we may also give less," Lauryn adds. "After all, it is a matter of fairness."
"No. The oath must be iron-clad," Skotonys says. "Belief that it will be enforced is important. But better -- far better -- than successful punishment of an oathbreaker, is that the oath never be broken."
"Indeed." Kyria Orevo inclines her head to the archon. "Of course we will keep to the oath. But it would be well if the Yemenos had more reason than mere fear to abide by it. There is little we can offer while this aliiance remains secret."
Lauryn glances at the Archon again, and frowns in that Laosian way she acquired over the last few weeks. "The archon's faith may be greater than mine. In him, he sees honor's road, asis his way as a warrior. Fear is my path, and yours, Kyria, words and treatise. But, I see your point. It seems we need something beyonf fear, honor, and treatise ... " The sorceresses gaze shifts to the resident scholar, then she inclines her head to her. "What may the scholar offer? Do you see secret means we may add to this bargain? Perhaps we may provide a token of Laosian material goods, or other such temptations? To allow the Yemenos to attack and seize a provided convoy of secret offerings?"
The kyria blinks at the last suggestion. "... that would do much to convince our enemy that our break in unfeigned, as well."
"It would," Skotonys says. "But it would be difficult if not impossible to practice. Allowing a caravan to be seized without injury to either side? And without informing numerous people on both sides of the ruse? The more we must tell of this secret, the less secure it will be."
For her part, Pilis is thinking about Lauryn's question but has nothing to offer immediately.
Seeing Pilis is thinking, Lauryn feels content to leave the woman be to work out her answer. She turns to the otehrs, listening to her concerns, and nods. "Injury may be unavoidable, but death, perhaps, can be. The Yemenos, I think, should be allowed to attack without knowledge of what their ultimate purpose is. We Laosians are made of greater stuff, indeed, but what we will need are special agents of great loyalty and skill, which we may need request of the Tyr himself, provided He is amiable to our plots -- and indeed, His input will undoubtedly yield greater solutions than the meager offerings of a prodotis sorceress."
The kyria nods to this, satisfied. "Afentis Pilis? Have you anything to add?"
"Not at this time, kyria. I am still thinking on the matter." The human woman looks apologetic.
"Diabaino." The kyria rises. "Let us go to dine with our hosts."
Glancing at Archon Skotonys, Lauryn remarks as she reises, "I shall have to shift my studies upon return to the captial. War and diplomacy, it shall be. After all, I never quite imagined I would be the 'devil' that others migth deal with. I must strive to maintain proper appearances."