Diplomatic Maneuvering?

[windamierofdunan]

[A newcomer sits alone at a table in the back of the tavern, accompanied by only a small notepad and a canteen of water. Occasionally, you might find him jotting down some notes, but for the most part, he's just looking around, quietly taking in the atmosphere of this unfamiliar locale.]

"Such a lovely estate...There is nothing quite so liberating in this world as a sense of anonymity, though I suppose I ought to seek an audience with whomever is in command here, at some point."

Comments

[latkje]

I was born in Crystal Valley. But I don't know where the name comes from. Sometimes I wonder if someone just liked the sound of it. [ Ha ha. ]

But Windamier is a famous Highland name.

[windamierofdunan]

Ah, yes. There are a great many names to be found in Crystal Valley...Probably the closest thing we'll ever have to a "capital of the world."

I suppose that's true! Although most Highlanders would likely have something of Harmonia in them. I'm not sure if my own family can be traced all the way back to Maroux Blight's bannermen, though we're probably not too far removed.

[latkje]

The capital of the world, huh? [ He shakes his head. ] For me, it's just home. A smaller sort of word, but a bigger one, too.

The two countries shared quite a history. That was why Harmonia allied with Highland during the war fifteen years ago. [ Not that he felt particularly allied, which might show through in his tone. ]

[windamierofdunan]

Hmm, that's an interesting way to put it...I considered the city something of a second home in my youth, when I was studying abroad. I do miss it at times, though my uncle – who is now the only person on my mother's side of the family who still speaks to either of us – advises me to keep my distance.

Indeed, sir. Largely due to the machinations of...Lord Leon Silverberg, if I had to guess.

[latkje]

Well, who knows what those Silverbergs are thinking. If we could figure it out, we'd all be famous strategists. [ He raises his hands in feigned confusion. ] But if you've studied at Soldelt, your guess is probably better than mine.

[windamierofdunan]

I do think you sell yourself short, Nash Clovis. After all, I merely revealed which city I happened to study in, and you correctly guessed my alma mater.

[latkje]

Some people have accused me of having hidden depths.

[windamierofdunan]

I do not doubt that for even a moment, sir.

So, how long have you been traveling here in the west?

[latkje]

To tell the truth, I'm something of a wanderer by nature. I've been hiring myself out as a guide the past year.

Do you mind if I get a drink? Talk makes me thirsty.

[windamierofdunan]

A guide? Interesting...Oh! Yes, of course, of course.

[Smiling, places several coins on the table & slides them in Nash's direction; what he figures would be enough to buy something for each of them.]

My treat.

[latkje]

I'll get the next round. [ He smiles, briefly, and calls the waitperson over. Nash just wants a simple glass of beer. He lets Klaus order whatever he wants, since it's his potch. ]

And what brings you to this neutral territory? Hoping to catch a glimpse of the Flame Champion?

[windamierofdunan]

[To the waitstaff.] I'll have the same, thank you.

[To Nash, after they have left.] I had best not test my luck. After all, I would hardly want your first memory of me to be of some lightweight foreigner who couldn't hold his liquor without passing out or making a bloody fool of himself...Or God forbid, both!

[A small laugh at his own expense, then–]

Ah, that would be most interesting, but to be honest, I find myself most curious about just how the landscape is going to be changing out here, in the wake of this newest "Flame Champion." It is a most interesting set of circumstances, really – a rather far-reaching Harmonian invasion, before they decided to join those allied against them in order to oppose one of their bishops gone rogue, apparently. And then, prior to that, you have Knights of Zexen taking members of their own governing Council away in chains for supposed treason. If one ever needed proof that we were living in revolutionary times...

[latkje]

Revolutionary times? In Harmonia, infighting is what keeps everything the same. [ The nobles squabble, the factions attack each other, but no one ever wins, so nothing ever changes. ] But a small band of Zexen Knights arrived here the other day. And a Harmonian bishop sometime before that.

[windamierofdunan]

Indeed...Since the end of the Civil War up there, I suppose, the Temple has been able to maintain that sort of order. That's going on...what? Two centuries? Two and a half?...An impressive run, in any case.

Hm, that would be at least two separate delegations...I'm beginning to wonder if I've traipsed into the middle of some sort of international summit.

[latkje]

Nations don't measure the years like you and I, alas.

You don't count yourself a delegation?

[windamierofdunan]

Indeed...I can't even begin to imagine, centuries. Decades are daunting enough as it is...

...Ah, more of a scout, in all honesty. I bring no official terms – I've merely been sent to...get a sense of the landscape.

[latkje]

Spying, huh? [ He seems amused. ]

I can't say I'm surprised. I'm not sure there are official terms for a lot of what's been happening.