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 Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 12:55 pm
Jr. Weyrwoman Narisa,
I hope this letter finds you well.
We were pleased to receive word that Weyrwoman Abigail is interested in a formal treaty of peace between Trine Weyr and Euclid Weyrhold, and that you have been entrusted with negotiations. Weyrwoman Natai has asked that I arrange a meeting between her and yourself to discuss the particulars of such a treaty.
I would like to suggest that the meeting take place on neutral ground, I believe one of the un-held mountains to the south would be suitable? Please inform me by return letter if you are agreeable to this and let me know your availability over the next few sevendays so that we can choose a date that is convenient for yourself and for Weyrwoman Natai.
Best regards to yourself and Cepheith.
Yours Sincerely,
Masterhealer Bereck of Berath
p.s. Please see the following from Weyrwoman Natai:
Hello Narisa - I apologize for my lack of communication; things have been full of hectic excitement. Masterhealer Bereck is aware of everything ongoing and we're very lucky to have him. I look forward to your return letter and hopefully seeing you again soon, my friend.
All the best, Natai.
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:42 pm
Masterhealer Bereck and Natai,
I appreciate the swift response and am relieved to hear back from you. I, too, am pleased with the way things seemed to have worked out and look forward to working with the both of you to achieve the best for both Weyr and Weyrhold.
Your suggestion for meeting on neutral ground is quite wise, and I must agree. The un-held mountains to the south should be sufficient for both parties, I believe? I would also like to inquire about bringing a trusted advisor or two for each of us, that could also act as extra protection? Please, do not take my suggestion the wrong way. I am only concerned about the unfortunate fact that we are still at war. And, I fear, that the only way I would be able to meet with you is if I bring one of my Wingleader's along.
As far as my availability goes, I should be able to free up some time in a little over a sevendays time. Mornings are my most busiest, but I could arrange to be absent during the early afternoon, if that is suitable? Please tell Natai this for me.
You have my thanks and best regards for you and Berath.
Jr. Weyrwoman Narisa
p.s. Please pass on the following to Natai herself:
I am so happy to hear from you, my friend! No need for apologies either! It is tough being a leader, don't I know it! I'm glad things are going well at the Weyrhold for you. I will gladly await a time you and I may spend an afternoon together again.
Best wishes, Narisa.
And Cepheith sends her love out to Iachixth
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Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 12:53 pm
Jr. Weyrwoman Narisa,
Your concerns about safety are well understood, I think it would be ill advised for yourself and Weyrwoman Natai to meet completely alone. For her part Weyrwoman Natai will be bringing one of her brothers and I will accompany her as well. Having consulted with Weyrwoman Natai I would like to suggest that Wingleader Z'fer and Wingleader Kleos would be good choices for your entourage? I am aware that both are experienced in combat and, importantly, both have met Weyrwoman Natai in the past and got along well which is rather key to any diplomatic proceedings as I am sure you can appreciate.
Weyrwoman Natai is content to meet with you at the suggested time and she could arrange to be free either ten or eleven days from now if that is convenient for yourself as well?
Yours Sincerely,
Masterhealer Bereck of Berath
p.s. Please see the following personal message from Weyrwoman Natai
Things are going quite well, all things considered. I have missed company such as yours and am very excited to see you and yours again. Shall I bring tea? I'll admit to not being fully versed in proper negotiation manners so it may need to wait to be sipped afterwards, but at least it will be there. Are you keeping yourself well? Sleep, meals, taking a few moments to breathe every so often? I need to be reminded and so you receive the result of that in my letter-pestering.
Iachixth wiggled and said "I will flop on her!" in a tone that suggests this is a good thing and, also, sends her love.
Best wishes from Euclid as well- Natai
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:58 pm
Masterhealer Bereck,
I am glad we are in agreement on taking a few percautions. I also must say I can't deny the reasoning behind choosing Wingleader Kleos and Z'fer for myself. I had been considering Kleos from the start, but I will ask Z'fer if he is available for this as well. Especially if Natai feels comfortable around them!
I will make myself available for eleven days from now. Jr. Weyrwomen Kindra and Amelia should be able to handle things while I take a few hours for this. Please let Natai know this works for me as well!
Thank you for all your assistance and support, Masthealer.
Best regards,
Jr. Weyrwoman Narisa
p.s. Please pass the following along to Natai for me:
Oh goodness, tea would be appreciated! I'm sure after all the diplomatic endeavors are out of the way, we could spare an extra bit of time for just us! I have to admit, I am in the same un-versed situation of not knowing what is proper. But I think we can get away with it? I'm keeping myself well enough, I promise! We've been a little busy with working to build more housing. But I make sure to allow myself a few moments to breathe. Which I hope you are doing as well!
Cepheith just laughs at this, and informs me that she may certainly try!
Until the next time! -Narisa
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:06 am
Jr. Weyrwoman Narisa,
Eleven days from now a little after noon suits Natai. We can decide upon a precise meeting location closer to the time, again in the name of caution. There is plenty of time between now and then for somebody to locate one of our letters, better safe than sorry as the saying goes.
I look forward to seeing you on the day.
Kind regards,
Masterhealer Bereck of Berath
p.s. Weyrwoman Natai adds the following:
Narisa,
I look forward to answering all of this in person!
All my best,
Natai
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:46 am
The morning had passed in a bit of a blur of checking that he had all of the papers he was supposed to have, checking again, checking a third time, tidying his office unnecessarily, and then checking for a fourth time. It was a mercy when the time to depart arrived; the healer stepped out of his office and headed over to the landing area to greet Natai with a flash of a smile and a nod. "Ready?" Though he was succeeding in hiding it he was nervous, couldn't help but be nervous. If this went well then there would be one less thing to worry about but if it didn't.... But there was no reason it wouldn't, it was Natai meeting her friend Narisa. Each might be working in the best interests of their own homes but the fact that they were friends would - hopefully - mean that Narisa was set on a good outcome for Euclid as well as Trine.
They mounted up, took to the skies, and were gone from Euclid Weyrhold.
Then they were elsewhere, heading towards the site that had been agreed on only the previous day. It was quite a beautiful afternoon actually: not a cloud in the sky, not too muggy, not too hot either. Berath swooped down towards the plateau that was their destination and landed with a heavy thud. Not far away was a table and six chairs looking incongruously domestic in this wild environment. The furniture had in point of fact been dropped off about half an hour ago, one could hardly negotiate and deal with maps and papers and such whilst standing around.
Berath chirped up to her golden companion, heading out of the way of the best landing spot as she spoke and then stooping to allow her bondmate to climb down more easily.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:21 am
Natai dressed with care. She wore her favorite orange and gold skirt that flowed around her ankles with the lower hem embroidered with, upon close inspection, goldriders knots. A matching fitted vest fashioned with buttons made from wher-tooth hugged her close, accenting the elbow-length white top underneath. She'd stopped cutting her hair since coming to Euclid and so let the four inches of tight curls fluff, cloud-like, around her face and ears.
She packed her things - maps, blank papers, ink and writing supplies, a letter just for Narisa, a bottle of wine (also just for Narisa), and a small knife. Once they were secured on Iachixth, and the goldrider given an enthusiastic hug from her mother, she and Ronni lifted to the air.
Ready! Iachixth chirped in her riders place. Ronni held on a bit too tightly but the young man never did want to be a dragonrider. For his sake, Iachixth did no spins or corkscrews and landed like a proper lady.
Thank you, my love. Natai murmured, patting her hide once she and her brother slid from the large gold.
Bzzzz, Iachixth said to both Natai and Berath, her large happy eyes trained to the sky. Cephieth-Who-Did-Not-Clutch-Me is coming, yes?
"Just Cephieth, dearest. That is an awfully long name for anyone to say on the regular." Natai put the tube of some of her papers onto the table to set up, her face unlined and serene.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:53 am
Berath replied, primed by her bondmate, Hopefully the wingleaders wouldn't cause any problems.
replied Bereck, his mental tones grim. If anything was going to mess this up it was going to be one of them, he was sure of it.
Once he had set his own papers down, suitable weighted with pretty rocks from his office thanks to his faire of firelizards, Bereck looked over at Natai. She looked calm, he wondered whether or not she actually was. So long as she seemed it he supposed that was the main thing for now though, politics were all about appearances after all. Ugh, politics. There was no avoiding them though and no point grumbling about them even inside his own head right now, he needed to focus.
"Well I think that's everything ready," he said aloud with a nod to Natai. After a momentary pause he stepped over to her to give her arm a brief squeeze and offer her a small smile that he hoped was reassuring. "Nothing to do now but wait, eh? I'm sure they won't be long." With this said he turned to look out over the plateau, his eyes going a little unfocused as he drank in images from the cloud of firelizards that swooped and soared overhead. If anything moved within a klick or two they and by extension he would spot it.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 12:06 pm
Her morning was turning out to be quite busy, but she wanted to make sure it really was okay for her to leave for a little bit. She knew her two fellow jr. weyrwomen didn't mind - though Narisa felt terrible about not giving them the full reasoning behind why she was leaving. It wasn't because she didn't trust Kindra and Amelia. But she didn't want to burden either woman with this task. She knew how Kindra felt about Natai. And Amelia was still catching up on what she had missed at her Weyr.
Thank Faranth she had at least been able to talk with Kleos and Z'fer, asking them to help her make sure they had everything in order. Last minute checks on all the papers she was to bring. A couple small things just for Natai. A few pilfered cheese chunks and bread, because shardit, she would certainly enjoy a small little luncheon with her friend!
Everything shall go smoothly, Mine. Cepheith encouraged, a sparkling blue lighting up her eyes. She was excited!
Narisa paused, taking a deep breath. Right. She was stressing. Trying to make sure everything was perfect when it was impossible to predict. "Okay. I'm ready. Please let Wingleader Kleos and Z'fer know." She made one last check on herself, brushing her hand down the, admittedly faded, dark brown skirt she wore. A white elbow length shirt was worn underneath a golden tank top with lace along the bottom hem and straps. Her hair brushed her shoulders but was held back by a sash that was tied of an equal hue of gold to match the tank top.
Moriath! Calanoth! Mine and I shall meet you both by the landing strip. Message relayed, the gold awaited her rider, watching with amusement as she tied down her pack with Things for the meeting. Let us be on our way, Narisamine!
"Okay, okay." Everything as good as it was going to be, Narisa situated herself on her dragon's back as the gold took to the air for the short flight to meet the other two dragons. Kleos would receive a grateful smile. Z'fer on the other hand... Calanoth, Mine wishes to remind yours to behave! Cepheith snickered towards the bronze. Once she was sure everyone was prepared, Narisa gave the signal. Trine was quickly replaced by the almost serene scenery of the mountains and plateau. It's lovely here!
Yes! Maybe you'll finally relax. Good day, Berath! Iachixth! We come! Cepheith gave a bugle to announce them, though the awaiting party had most likely seen them. They were... hard to miss. It took her only a matter of minutes before she was landing delicately, head swiveling around to take in the humans and other dragons. Carefully, she lowered herself to allow her rider to dismount.
Whatever formalities they were probably supposed to be showing went right out the door when Narisa spotted her friend. "Natai!" She ran right over to give her a hug, feeling most of the stress she'd been suffering all morning evaporate. "It's so very good to see you again!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 12:35 pm
Kleos was more than a little relieved she had to admit, though she also had to admit to having to repress some personal annoyance. She had lost a few of her riders to this place, gone without so much as a word or a note! It was discourteous in the extreme and Kleos simply couldn't stand it when people were rude. Nevertheless she was glad that Narisa was arranging this meeting, it would be a relief not to have to worry about the Weyrhold anymore and if she was completely honest they could really do with losing some more folk to Euclid. Just so long as they left a polite letter of resignation if they were one of her riders of course.
Kleos looked up from sharpening her long knife and nodded. The blade slid into its sheath and the wingleader rose to her feet, tightening the buckles of her finest deep red leather flight jacket as she made for the door of her little office within Dauntless' headquarters. She was, she had to admit, dressing to impress today. She had forgone leather flight trousers in favour of close fitting white britches. Over the top of that she wore a thick dark brown leather belt with her knife on her left hip. Straps ran from the belt down to mid way between hip and knee where they fastened around her thighs, providing anchor rings to attach to the riding harness. Supple brown boots to match the belt finished off the ensemble, they came to just above her knees. It was more than she would usually trouble with but this was an important mission and thus it was important for her to look her best.
She met Moriath outside, mounted up quickly, and together they glided over to the landing strip to meet the golden pair.
Moriath purred to the queen dragon with swirling green eyes. Her eyes then dulled as she turned her mind to Calanoth and said;
And then they were off, up, away, and between. Kleos and Moriath both approved well enough of the chosen location, it would be impossible to sneak up on them on that plateau and they would have a good view of the surrounding countryside. Even with this known however Moriath remained in the air scanning the ground nearby until Cepheith was down safely. Once she was certain that there was nothing she was going to need to divebomb the crimson swooped down herself to land neatly a little way behind Cepheith.
Kleos unfastened herself from the riding straps and slid neatly to the ground, striding forward to take up a place a little behind Narisa's right shoulder. As gold rider greeted gold rider Kleos offered the one who was not her own a small smile and a salute before falling into parade rest, her arms folded neatly behind her back.
Ice, Kelos' blue firelizard, appeared a moment later and quickly swooped down to land on her shoulders; he might have remained in the air but there were already a lot of firelizards up there and he didn't know any of them. Better to stick close to his human where he would be safe.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:03 pm
It had been interesting -and certainly unexpected!- when Narisa approached him to help with her plans. Z'fer wasn't the subtlest when it came to his dissatisfaction with Trine but he never steered towards mutiny. He'd acted well (or so he thought) as a Wingleader; he'd just never identified himself as a rider of Trine. He still wore his Malvren knots (with a cord of maroon added ) and when introduced he made his origins clear. He was grateful, grudgingly, to Trine for their assistsnce and shelter for the last couple turns but as time went on the overcrowded southern weyr grated more and more on the young bronzerider's nerves.
This sounded like an interesting opportunity though and he wasn't one to pass it up. Z'fer had dressed carefully with a fine dark brown leather jacket over his favorite black dress shirt bearing a touch of coppery metallic embroidery at the collar and cuffs. The shirt tucked neatly beneath a broad black belt supporting his riding straps and a only slightly vain accessory in the form of a long blade with a carved handle and tooled leather sheath. His pants were new, well tailored and barely wrinkled where they tucked into his matching boots. It was a formal mixture of gatherwear and servicable gear. His hair was in it's customary braid, a single cord down the full length of his back. This he then coiled under his flight cap for the trip.
Cepheith's would ask you to behave. Calanoth's eyes sparked with amusement as he shifted his shoulders beneath his rider. The bronze was excited for this departure from routine. It had been too long since he'd done domething other than fly Thread and drills. Plus from what Z'fer said he'd be spending a warm afternoon with two queens, a green he used to know and Moriath. Not a bad day at all in his book. A brush of innocent confusion was directed at Moriath. What wad he going to mess up?
Z'fer tightened a buckle one extra notch on a small saddlebag behind him and snorted. "What am I going to do? Seduce Natai while they're discussing politics with Kleos and Bereck breathing down my neck?" He might have had personal ideas to court her at one time but never in any romantic sense. He'd learned his lesson with younger women. More trouble than their worth. Still he raised his hand and waved in acknowledgment of her warning before giving Cal the go-ahead to follow her between.
The brisk air was a fine change for Zfer and he inhaled deeply, feling it sear his lungs as they began their descent after Narisa. He might have cautioned Narisa... if she hadn't already flung herself at the waiting party by the time he'd landed. It took him a few moments to dismount and retrieve his bag before he could join them at a more sedate pace. He removed his cap and let his braid swing free before nodding with a very slight incline of his upper body. "Master Bereck, Weyrwoman Natai." See. He could be a good boy.
Cal shook himself and took himself off of the main landing stretch before bugling a bright and brassy greeting to the ladies present. Iachixth, Berath! I hope the day finds you and yours well?
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:25 pm
Cepheith! Iachixth trilled, though she mentally added the 'who-did-not-clutch-me' to Natai only just to be a brat. The gold all but danced in place until Cepheith's rider dismounted and left the older dragon free to be pounced on.
Being well aware of her size, Natai's seriousness, and the fact it'd be rude to do so, Iachixth didn't actually pounced. She did, however, scamper to Cepheith as much as a dragon could and gently butted her head at the older golds shoulder. Hello! Welcome! And - and Moriath! The hesitation took a fraction of a heartbeat, Natai supplying the crimsons name from Berecks earlier words. And hello to you! We are very, very good and you? See? She could be polite.
Natai's smile went from even to happy, wide enough for the bright flash of teeth. She wrapped her arms around the shorter goldrider for a tight returned hug and a chuckle. "I was so hoping we'd not have to be formal right off the bat, my friend. I've missed you. Welcome to the little unclaimed mountainside."
She nodded briefly to Kleos in acknowledgement along with a sight smile. "Wingleader Kleos, it's a pleasure. Wingleader Z'fer," Natai's smile widened a fraction so her eyes crinkled at the corners. "A pleasure to see you as well."
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:43 pm
Well here they went then.
Bereck watched steadily as the Trine trio descended but couldn't help a small genuine smile at the warmth of Narisa and Natai's reunion. Natai could use more friends her own age and that was just one more little reason he hoped this went well, it would mean that the young women could visit one another freely.
As the wingleaders made their own approach Bereck gave a small incline of his head, polite but indicating no deference. "Junior Weyrwoman, wingleaders, I hope you are all well today," he greeted formally; formality had been his role in the letter correspondence and would be here too, and to scribe the meeting of course. He wondered if any of the Trine party would make their own notes of the occasion, it would make sense but that was no guarantee of it happening.
"Shall we be seated?" The table was set so that the heads of the table lay east to west, nobody would have the sun directly in their face and it allowed the neat arrangement of; "Trine in the west, Euclid in the east?" With this said he moved around to the eastern head of the table and pulled out the chair for Natai.
Berath greeted the Trine dragons with a soft croon.
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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:34 pm
The older gold braced herself, except she wasn't pounced. She trilled just as cheerfully, butting Iachixth back a little playfully. Iachixth! I have missed you. Or at least her rider remembered this fact. Cepheith's tail swished back and forth in her cheer before she sat down on her haunches, glancing over at Berath. We are! Thank you for asking. And for all the help you and Yours have given Mine and Iachixth's. She was quite content to sit with the younger gold, giving Calanoth an amused look and Moriath and appreciative one.
Narisa laughed, giving Natai a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. And I'd hate for us to be so formal when it's just you and I." She paused, peering back at Kleos and Z'fer apologetically. They probably weren't super thrilled with her recklessness. "I've missed you too! I'm so happy to see you doing well. And Iachixth looks lovely too!"
Now that she took the chance to look around them, she was surprised - but pleasantly so! - to see the chairs and table set for them, so out of place yet just perfect. Leave it to Natai to be sure they were relaxed and comfortable! "This was a wonderful location." Narisa said, giving the Masterhealer a nod, a small chuckle escaping as she moved to the western most chair. She paused just behind the chair, placing a gentle hand briefly against Kleos' arm. She wanted her two Wingleader's to be at ease here, though she knew neither of them would ever not be on full alert.
Once settled in her designated seat, Narisa placed her own tube of papers on the table, but merely folded her hands in her lap. "I'm not... sure how we are supposed to really go about this." She admitted. "I believe we both have things both our weyrs will and will not agree with?" Trine probably a few more than the weyrhold. She sighed a little at the thought. "Masterhealer? May I assume that you have a little more knowledge in this arena then we do?" A quick glance to her right made her wonder if Kleos would have some knowledge in this field as well?
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:52 pm
Moriath greeted the young gold and the old green with a soft croon and a nod of her head. she acknowledged. With this said the scarred crimson padded to the edge of the plateau and dropped off, swooping out of sight for a few moments before rising with powerful wingbeats to circle above.
Kleos gave a small nod of approval at her dragon's departure; with Moriath watching the area she felt safe in giving her full attention to the meeting.
Narisa's light touch on her arm garnered a small smile and incline of her head in response and once the gold riders had sat down Kleos took her own seat, selecting the place to Narisa's right.
And how did one go about this sort of thing? She wasn't entirely sure but perhaps that didn't matter too much. "If I may?" the crimson rider put in, leaning forward a little when Narisa glanced at her. "As Queenrider Narisa says there will be matters that are of great importance to each of us. Might I suggest that we speak plainly of what each of our homes seeks from this treaty? Peace, yes, but that is not especially specific."
________________
Bereck took his own seat and uncapped a pot of ink. "Mmh," he said as he swapped his usual glasses for reading glasses, "I don't know that I have a vast wealth of knowledge on the subject, however if we don't know what each of us wants - or quite specifically does not want - we can't negotiate to achieve the best outcome for all involved. I have drawn up formal contracts in the past, nothing quite like this but I can certainly ensure that what you and Weyrwoman Natai agree upon is set down clearly on paper so that it is understood by all, formally signed off by yourselves and witnessed by the rest of us."
Mostly what he wanted was not to feel as though Trine was breathing down their neck every moment of the day, that and the legitimacy that a formal treaty of peace with an established Weyr would give Euclid. Agreements of cooperation beyond that might be nice but not if Trine wanted to drag them into its war in exchange for such.
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