While the open archways and balconies give one the impression of openness, Dar saw plenty of guards stationed in alcoves and flying patrols. There also scores of servants (and slaves), and possibly other guests staying with Thath. Abel brings Dar to a library-lounge, similar to Dr. Twig's but on a larger scale, with a second floor of stacks and double hearths.
Thath is seated in a Babel-style overstuffed chair dressed in a smoking robe. On his knee is a familiar red-furred girl in a nightgown, looking anything but mischievous. ".. and that is how Skedat beat Grok in the big race. Grok was soooo shamed by his failure and his cheating, that when he got home he lay down and let his family eat him all up!" Thath concludes whatever story he was telling the child, his face oddly friendly and animated. "Now will you go to bed, Liotina?" he asks. "Otherwise your dreams won't have a head start on Skedat!"
"I'd smash him with a rock if he came after my dreams!" the little girl claims, then kisses the old Eeee on the cheek and says, "G'night uncle." She doesn't seem sleepy as she dashes off, barely giving Dar and Abel a glance in passing.
The thing with playing a somewhat dignitary is being stiff and impassive. This helps a lot when watching Thath with the small child. That older Eeee has been nothing but a source of conflicted emotions for Alptraum for a very long time now. Even standing here is causing a series of knots in his stomach. "If another time would be better, this could wait," Dar offers as he watches the child dash off. "I do not wish to intrude on your time with your family."
"No, this is the best time I have available right now," Thath says, waving the visitor over to a nearby chair. "Lio is just a restless child."
"Is there such a thing as a rested child?" Dar inquires as he walks over to the chair and settles down into it, folding his wings about himself almost like a cloak.
"Would you care for a drink?" Thath asks. "I find I prefer a bit of warm brandy at night, of late. It seems just yesterday that I was working through the nights and catching sleep in the day."
"I would be honored," Dar says and even bobs his head slightly. "As for brandy, troubled mind? I cannot imagine the weight you carry. I have seen the same sort of expression on the Countess. Less as of late, thankfully."
"Her mood has been lifted then?" Thath asks, while Abel silently prepares the drinks. "Perhaps a new face in the castle is easing her burden? And the brandy does help me to.. relax my mind, as it where. So many things to keep track of, after all."
"Well, someone lifted it for her, yes. Not much is known about him by the castle staff. There are lots of rumors; including that he is some summoned demon. All I know as a fact is that he found some way to bring back happiness I don't think she has known in a very long time," Dar explains as he nods.
"Have you seen this person?" Thath asks, as Abel brings both men snifters of brandy. It's probably from Saskanar, and 'Pre-War' to boot.
"I have. Youngish; probably later twenties. Tall, all black save for a mane of long white hair," Dar explains as he takes the glass and then sniffs it just before a small sip.
"What of his personality?" Thath asks, sipping his drink as well. "Does he keep to himself, or seem.. happy?"
"When he first arrived I am lead to understand that he did keep a bit to himself. Though more recently I heard he's been seen sitting down in the kitchen with the staff, talking over an early morning meal," Dar explains. "And I was also told he gave a good wedding speech for an old friend who retired from the road to look after a coastal city and settle down. I would guess he has found happiness."
Thath grins a bit, but it's more of a sad grin. "Do you have any children, Mr. Siefert?" he asks.
"Not yet," Dar claims before another sip. "How about you? There are many stories, and dare I say, legends, about you. But none have ever mentioned family."
The Prime Minister is silent for a time, and then says, "I have had a wife, and sons.. but never family. Never all together and happy. It is probably what I deserve, however. Even little Lio will leave me soon enough, to be with a proper family."
Dar is now silent for a time, sipping at his glass. "I am sorry for asking such a personal question," he finally says. "It sounds as if you have lost a lot."
"Some was taken from me, some I tried to save, and some.. did better without me," Thath notes, looking into the fire. "It has been a long time since I made anyone happy. For a long time, I gave up the hope of even trying. Pretending to play along and be the good servant, while doing everything I could to destroy my own master before he could take away what little I had left. And there is always someone out there trying to take away that last bit, it seems."
"May we speak privately, Prime Minister?" Dar asks as he nods towards Abel and any others in attendance. "I am unarmed, and your servants are welcome to search me to verify that. There is something I want to speak to you about that ... cannot be said before anyone else."
Thath seems to consider this for a time, but then raises his hand and dismisses his servants. They don't just vanish, however - not before drawing heavy, sound-muffling curtains across the archways. The last thing Abel does before leaving is wind up a Chronotopian music box, which plays rather loudly.
"You have my attention," Thath hand-signs.
"A moment, then. I need to collect my thoughts," Dar signs in return. He rises from his chair and approaches the fireplace. He stares into it for a short time, quiet and contemplative as he swirls his glass of brandy. "Kaira," he thinks, "Can I let this guise fade without engulfing since it is close to my original form?"
"Well, I can drop the extra bit from your eyes easily enough," the Personal Dragon Assistant notes. "Would you just want the face then, for identification purposes? That can be done with some real-time nudging of features."
"Basically, that. I can change the colors easily enough on my own I suspect. So let my eyes return to silver," Dar thinks. Another moment and he begins speaking in Sylvanian, "I played this out through my head for weeks. Like rehearsing an act of a great story. Hundreds of variations, trying to understand all the angles, the hands for lack of a better description. None of them went quite this way." There's a pause, then he continues, "You asked before if the Countess changed people into pigs. She can, but that is one small aspect of her powers. She taught me a bit of magic in my time with her; and it has kept me safe in the journey here."
The Eeee feels his face crawl a bit, and his throat changes too. By the end of his statement, the deeper voice of Dar has given way to Alptraum's familiar tenor. There is no sound from Thath.. it's quite possible the man is actually holding his breath.
"Color is easy to change. Shape and size are harder," Alptraum says as he turns from the fire to face the older Eeee in the chair. The black in his hair seems to melt and drain away, leaving behind white. "But honestly, all of it is easy in comparison to having to talk to you again." Alptraum now draws a breath and says, "Hello, father."
It is a wonder that Thath does not drop his glass, but perhaps that would be just too melodramatic for a man of his standing. "You know that it's dangerous for you to be here in Babel, especially now," Thath replies in Sylvanian. "Why would you want to bring me the news in person?"
"Several reasons. One of the big ones was Rose. That us Countess Draco, asked me to. She said it was important for both myself and for you," Alptraum explains as he resumes swirling his glass again. "Her father was The Count. Powerful, almost a legend. They were not always close because of that; plus she was trying to lead her own life. He died defending his home against the Gallesians while she was in University; she hadn't seen him for a couple years. She never got to say goodbye to him; never got to just talk with him. It was one of the many regrets she had. She didn't want time to take away from either of us what it took from her. A chance to talk."
"You wish.. to get to know me better?" Thath asks. "What do you want to talk about? My failings as a parent? My inability to destroy the Sabaoth without help? Investing my hopes into Prince Boghaz, only to blind myself to the corruption of Saraizadze in his place? And now, even Rikat is gone: I couldn't protect him. It is only a matter of time before the Guardians demand a ransom I cannot give. The only reason you have found happiness, Alptraum, is because I drove you away."
Alptraum holds up his hand. "First; Rikat is safe. I made sure of that. There is nothing they can ransom; they no longer have him," he says. "And secondly, no, I don't walk to talk to you about your failings. I wanted to apologize."
"What?" Thath asks, looking shocked for the first time in Alptraum's experience. "He's safe.. but.. apologize? To me?" he asks.
"For hating you when I didn't understand," Alptraum says quietly as he returns to his seat. "For seeing the world in such absolutes instead of the complex mess it really is. And for not understanding what love means, and what it can, and will, get you to do."
"I'm still a monster," Thath claims. But his expression softens to something almost peaceful. "Rikat is safe though. The General cannot prevail, because the weapons of the Tower of Babel have all been destroyed. Liotina will go to the Cenestas, you will be happy in Sylvania.. and I have something here that can survive me."
"No more a monster than me," Alptraum says as he looks at Thath. "I would do nearly anything to protect Rosalind. I'm not so different in the end. Now, for the second reason I came; to try and mend the past. I can't undo what was done, I cannot turn back time. But, I can offer the chance to get to know me. A chance to get to know your grandchildren. A chance to have a family."
"Somehow, that frightens me," the old man in the chair says, and drinks his brandy. "Everything I have loved has been taken away. Is it worth the risk to have me?"
"Is it worth the pain to not try?" Alptraum counter-questions. "I cannot see the future. All I can do is offer." He even extends his left hand at this to Thath.
Thath stands, and hesitantly holds out his hand to grasp Alptraum's. "I suppose I can't die just yet, then?" he asks his son with a slight smirk.
"Not when it's more likely it'll be me," Alptraum says a bit grimly. "The General. The General is more of a problem than you may know."
"The Yodhrephath have effectively cut off the Guardian's supplies," Thath notes. "The terror weapons of the Sabaoth are gone. Soon, the men will begin to desert, and return to the new Babel. Rikat has told you something, hasn't he? Is he safe in Sylvania?"
"Rikat wasn't taken for ransom. He was taken because they thought he was me," Alptraum says before downing the remainder of his drink. "And they intended to use him by putting him on the throne as an undead ruler. Show that legends are true. The General is ... well, Amena's current puppet. And Amena is an old evil; a remnant of Aztepa; responsible for the necromancer wars. Also responsible for the degredation of BAbel over the years by slowly encouraging its corruption."
"So, a demon was responsible for the Sabaoth?" Thath asks, his eyes narrowing.
"For what he became, yes," Alptraum answers as he rubs his forehead. "And I intend to stop it. I intend to destroy the General and hobble Amena, as well as fix the beliefs of Babel ... somehow."
"I've tried to give them something to look to besides the Kindly Ones," Thath says. "People. People who aren't out to exploit them, or coerce them. It's hard. I still have some I have to keep close, because I know they are treacherous. I've dealt with evil men for most of my life, as a peer. It helps in spotting them now, but it is.. wearying."
"Khanti is one of those you speak, I'm sure," Alptraum says with a tired, but amused smirk on his face. "I've been in the shadows a bit; looking for the real monsters."
"We have been plagued with real monsters of late," Thath notes. "One of Khanti's associates, for instance. Horribly murdered along with his entire household. Except for the slaves, that is. Nobody listens to them though," Thath adds, his emphasis making it clear that he listens to them.. and quite likely had some of them as spies in the first place. "And rogue Yodh being executed by dire beasts. So far it has been.. cleaning up those who cannot easily be removed by more civilized means. And also the crazy stories of miracle healings.. on Mt. Sunala, no less, where technically all healing is via miracle."
"Yes, those," Alptraum says as he rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. "They chose their own fates. Khanti's associate was funnelling funds to the pirates, which in turn was supplying the Guardians."
"What makes you think that?" Thath asks, one eyebrow raised.
"I've been busy tracking down sources," Alptraum says as he looks to the fire, "And finding ways to end them."
"Just how long have you been in Babel?" Thath asks, sounding.. concerned. "You should not be exposing yourself to such things. You are under no obligation to face the General!"
"A few weeks," Alptraum admits. "And no, I'm not obligated to; but I am anyway. If the General succeeds here; it will spread. Eventually, it will reach Sylvania. Even the most remote places will not be safe."
"What power does the General possess that can accomplish these.. frankly not-surprising goals?" Thath asks. "There are many who would still rally behind a new Sabaoth."
"She could raise every corpse within Babel to form a new undead army; and use its people as flesh-fodder for producing even more soldiers," Alptraum says rather matter-of-factly. "If she usurps what remains of the beliefs here, she can take their powers. Imagine a single being with every power of the Kindly Ones, and with even less restraint."
"You make it sound as if Saraizadze's plan.. was just an experiment," Thath notes. "It was the General who corrupted her, I believe. I did my best to control her, but.. I was only able steer her towards her own destruction."
"Might have been. She's thousands of years old and has had plenty of time to plot," Alptraum says. "So, I'm beating her at her own game in a sense. I'm reigning in the remaining powers of belief to focus them on helping Babel and driving her out. I have allies; I'm not alone. As well as access to an ancient power that can push her back; but it must be used with care."
"I don't know that I'm comfortable with you dealing with the supernatural," Thath says, looking momentarily haunted. "Religion has not been good to us. But.. I've stood aside during the recent 'rash' of supernatural doings. I'm guessing you want me to continue to take that stance, so you can accomplish your goals?"
"I would appreciate it. If it helps, I could try to keep you updated when things change or a goal as been accomplished," Alptraum suggests. "I'm trying to shield you from this as well, though."
"It is best to keep contact to a minimum," Thath admits. "Unless you need my influence, with the Mages or similar. This sounds like it will be a battle of magic. Necromancy, in Babel! I always scoffed at the old rumors."
"I've argued with a map that liked to sling insults and drink. Anything is possible," Alptraum notes. "And don't ask, the story is long, weird, not that important." The younger Eeee then shrugs and adds, "And I'd rather not need anything from you other than what I spoke of earlier. I'm not looking for personal gain, or a political position, or anything of the sort. I have enough problems getting Rosalind to put down charters on the rates of taxation on farming output. I don't want to have that to deal with too."
"I would never curse you to lead a life like mine," Thath promises. "And if anyone found out my true son were in Babel, it would be disastrous to both of us. Please, just.. warn me if anything big is going to happen, so that I can make sure there isn't panic or dangerous rumors."
"What I can do, though, is pressure the General," Thath notes. "I can feed Khanti and the others like him enough rope.. and then yank on them all at once."
"That I should be able to do. For now I am just gathering allies and breaking her pillars of support," Alptraum promises. "And at some point that may be necessary. It would be exceedingly dangerous to track the General down in the forbidden zone. When the time comes to end this, it will be necessary to draw her out."
"Another battle in Babel?" Thath asks, sounding tired. "I would prefer almost any other option to that."
"It won't be a battle in that sense if I can do anything else. I'm tired of death and people suffering," Alptraum says. "I think a better choice of battleground may be Mount Dronnel."
"An odd choice, but.. fairly neutral at least," Thath agrees. "Nobody lays claim to it."
"Well, I do. Sort of," Alptraum says and holds up a finger.
"It's where the first Sabbaoth began, before he was corrupted. It is fitting that the source of the corruption is stopped there. Full circle," Alptraum explains.
"So.. myth and legend play a part in all this?" Thath asks.
"Well, I would think the events of the present answer that question," Alptraum notes. "The Light of Nala comes to wash away the shadows."
"I don't understand that," Thath remarks after a moment. "Light casts shadows does it not?" At least, in Babel it seems to be role of light..
"The Light of Nala is a very real thing; an artifact. It was carried by the last Champion of Nala that destroyed Amena's last attempt to take over the world. I didn't spend the past few years just sulking in Sylvania," Alptraum says as he smiles slightly.
"This is the device which ended the Necromancer Wars?" Thath asks, looking thoughtful.
"Just so," Alptraum agrees.
"And it is in no danger of being stolen, or turned against you by the General?" Thath asks next, just to be sure.
"It can only be wielded by one person, so no," Alptraum answers. "And Amena's counter-weapon has been ... stolen from her."
"And this is your edge over the General?" Thath asks, although he clearly thinks that it's the case. "Something that can stop necromancy.. somehow. It is almost certainly important to keep that away from the mages."
"Indeed. Which complicates me trying to get Cyprian on your side, and mine," Alptraum admits. "But he may also have contacts that may be able to help stop Amena by crafting a way to stop her ability to possess others."
"Such as cremation?" Thath asks. "The implication is that she can possess more than just the dead?"
"Yes. I don't understand how, but yes," Alptraum admits.
"Are there signs?" Thath asks, a bit more harshly. "Some way to detect these possessed?"
"Yes, but many require being sensitive to it. I can sense it, for example. A physical sign is a wound that doesn't seem to heal," Alptraum says, looking uncomfortable. "She possessed Rikat and intended to make him a full undead in time. I removed her .... infection from him."
Thath hisses. "The General infected Rikat with this... thing?" he asks again, his famous anger rising up in him.
Alptraum holds his hands up. "Yes, but it has been dealt with. He is safe," he insists.
"How close do you need to be to sense this possession," Thath asks.
"Myself? A few feet," Alptraum says. "I haven't actively tried to do so over a wider area."
The old man returns to his seat, frowning. "I would ask that you remain here in the Tower a bit longer," he says. "Until I can contrive some means of exposing you to everyone in the Council and any number of other people in positions of power or access."
"And how long will that take? Would it be possible, for example, to sit in a council meeting under pretense of demonstrating to a Draco representative how things are run?" Alptraum asks, "My allies may get nervous if I do not return to them soon; though I can try to placate them."
"Plus, I do not want to be a problem by occupying your servants, such as Abel, for too long," Alptraum adds.
"Hmmm, perhaps something more social," Thath says. "Another insipid party. They all come to those. And through the front door. Then again.. could magery detect these possessions as well?"
"Certain types, yes. A life mage or a Shadow mage may be able to detect it," Alptraum offers and nods. "But if you want for it to be more subtle, a party may be better."
The old man seems to think on it. "I will have to arrange one. We must set up a means of clandestine communications as well," he says.. seeming much more animated than before. "I will talk to Cyprian. It is not without precedent to be watchful for mind-controlling spells on people of influence, after all."
"I can contact you through dreams," Alptraum notes. "Provided your home is not heavily warded."
"Dreams?" Thath asks, interest piqued. "You can do this with anyone?"
"With most people, yes. I need to know them, though. I can't just randomly grab people," Alptraum explains.
"Could the General have such an ability?" Thath asks.
"I know she does," Alptraum says grimly. "She used it to contact one of her servants, and I rode along to spy."
"I will definitely look into defenses and detection measures for such things," Thath notes. "If only there were any Dream Mages in Babel. There has been an unofficial ban on them coming here, it seems, ever since.. well, you know."
"Yes, well. That is understandable," Alptraum agrees.
"Not all of her servants are willing," Alptraum adds, "If one was to be believed, he serves because his family is held ransom."
"I'll have many questions for Cyprian," Thath notes. "I see no reason for you to stay longer than is necessary. Is there anything you wish to see within the Tower, or questions about the Coalition.. or lists of council members with known criminal connections?"
"Possibly, yes, but I need to think on it. Truth be told, my thoughts were mostly occupied with having to face you again," Alptraum admits.
"Well, I hope you will stay at least another day.. for the sake of appearances," Thath requests. "I will still write an official reply to the Countess's letter."
"I would hope that you would; it was an official letter. I never read it," Alptraum says, "And a day or so should not be an issue. I am supposed to have a tour guide, a vartan, and I've already met Abel."
Thath leans back in his chair, and seems to relax a bit. "Well, perhaps there is still more I can do in this game," he notes, and then grins. "But.. enough of that. Sit down, and tell me about the Countess. How did you meet? When did you begin your.. courtship? Tell me about your life."
"You might need more to drink. Half of it is bizarre, and the other half unbelievable," Alptraum remarks as he settles back into a chair and rubs his forehead. "But it all began with a grizzled old Jupani, a pirate cat, and a map that could drink you under a table..."