There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-J] Nervous About Negotiations
From: "Sandy Brown" <Shinju_01@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-J] Dialogue
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2005 22:09:37 -0600
From: "Sandy Brown" <Shinju_01@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] Nervous About Negotiations
* * * * *
/snip/
They spiraled down to land near where she saw Tanami
waiting and slipped from Lunath's back. "Am I presentable enough? Oh,
and
one
thing," she added, "I don't bow to anyone. I guess you'd better give me
a
fast
culture lesson before I go inside, ok?"
/end snip/
Tanami's eyes widened. "Oh my..."
"What's wrong?" Sarilyn asked. "If I'm to be of help here, I have to
know a
lot more about your people and their culture. To go in there blind
would be
the surest way to offend someone and end up with just the opposite of
the
result we're trying to bring about."
Tanami closed her eyes and shook her head resignedly. "I know...I
should
have thought of that. The problem is...I can't be of much help there."
Sarilyn's eyes narrowed. "Tanami, they're *your* people," she pointed
out.
"If you don't know how to handle them, who does?"
"That's just the point," Tanami said, sitting down and cradling her
head in
her hands. "Those people in there...The Emperor, Baron Kiriisha, the
Imperial advisors...they're *not* my people." When she saw that Sarilyn
did
not understand her meaning, she continued haltingly. "Sarilyn...if you
wanted to know how to act at a dinner party attended by Dragonlady
Vignette,
the Warrenlady and her queenriders, Lord Grouty, and other people of
such
rank...you'd know how to conduct yourself, would you not?"
Sarilyn nodded, so Tanami continued. "But if you did not, who would you
ask
for guidance? A serving girl who works in the stables, and has little
contact with such people? Back in the Empire, at Neaopi, I was little
more
than that for all that I am a distant - a very distant - cousin of the
Emperor. I was never part of the Imperial court, and could not begin to
tell you what to do or say to them."
Sarilyn's look was grave. "Now, that IS a problem," she said. "If you
don't know, who does?"
Tanami thought a moment. "Rellik...my uncle Rellik would know. He's a
renowned scholar, and moved in Imperial circles for many years before
he
left the capital and found his dragon Leviathan."
They found Rellik sitting on a stone bench just above the beach,
staring out
to sea. "Uncle, we have a problem," Tanami said as they approached.
"This
is Sarilyn, Lunath's rider..."
"Yes, yes, I know," the old scholar said tiredly. "Your Kethriss told
Leviathan you'd be looking for me, and why."
"Then you'll help us?" Sarilyn asked.
Rellik hung his head sorrowfully. "Of course, just like I 'helped' Gus
and
Loki by my clever little trick in getting Tyler Grouty to switch
scrolls on
Counselor Oga. Now Gus and her dragon are dead, and young Grouty will
probably blame himself for the rest of his life. You don't want my
help,
child."
Sarilyn adjusted her skirts and knelt down in front of the scholar
called
Rellik, reaching for his hand, speaking softly, "But I do. I've been
trained in negotiation and court etiquete since I was a child. I don't
suppose you're one of the few who don't know but I'm the daughter of
Lord
Alexirn and Lady Kedrina of Nambril. So, I'm a Lady myself. At least in
title. First and foremost though, I'm a rider and proud to be one.
Though
I use my talents to help my Warren and my new family here."
She looked Rellik directly in the eyes, and said, with complete
honesty,
"But, I'm also honest enough to know when I might be in over my head,
and am
not at all afraid to ask for help. I need yours now. I understand how
you
feel, honestly I do. Every time we lose riders, I feel horrid, like it
was
my fault. But, we all know the risks, we know when we come up, we may
not
come back. Please, I beg you, help me not to make mistakes which could
cost
us. I need your guidence, your wisdom, and your experience. Teach me,
help
me learn what best to do, and what not to do. Let not those who have
given
their lives not have given them in vain. This is for the good of all of
us."
Her eyes shone with tears, and she rarely cried in front of people.
"Help
me do the right thing, please?"
Tanami leaned forward. "I know your reluctance, Uncle, but she is our
only
chance! I cannot do this, and they would not accept you as a
representative
of the warren. But they would accept Sarilyn."
Rellik nodded. "Very well," he said with a deep sigh. "I will do my
best
to counsel you, Sarilyn. I believe my niece is right, this warren must
have
a treaty with the Empire...and right now, at this time when we have no
conflicting interests with them, would seem to be the ideal moment."
He
straightened himself up and lookd into Sari's eyes. "I cannot help you
in
negotiations...that is not my area of expertise. What I do know is
court
protocol. And you must know it too, or they will not respect you
enough to
treat you seriously. I taught Tara what she knows, but even she
doesn't
know enough at this point to conduct the negotiations, were she here.
And
for *you* to be ready, young human, will take all night. Are you
prepared to
do this?"
Sarilyn and Tanami exchanged glances, and both nodded. "But...the
negotiations...they're waiting..." Tanami said, worried.
"We must go to them now and request that the negotiations begin
tomorrow
morning," said Rellik. "We must...YOU must...tell them that you need
the
time to prepare the Warren's proposals for a peace agreement."
"We don't have any proposals, Uncle," Tanami reminded him.
"Well, we must have those too," said Rellik. "Not tonight, but
tomorrow at
any rate."
"I know someone who might help," Tanami said. "I'm having Kethriss ask
Syngnath to have his rider try to think up some terms we can accept.
Except
for Lecia, he's the highest-ranking person we have available."
"Good," said Rellik. "Then let us go and face our worthy diplomatic
adversaries. He turned to Sarilyn as the three of them walked toward
the
stairs. "I will stand behind you, but you must do the talking. Put
the
request in plain language for now, and if anything else is needed, my
Leviathan can pass it along to your Lunath and thence to you."
Sarilyn nodded and stood, straightening her skirts, and took a
deep
breath. This was the most important thing she'd ever do, and she was
determined not to fail her friends or her Warren. She decided to show
deep
respect without bowing or acknowledging any as her 'rulers'. She
reserved
that for her Warrenlady. Just before entering the Emperor's rooms,
she
murmured to herself, "I won't let you down, Tara. This I swear."
Entering the room, she immediately saw the Emperor, and
silently
called forth everything her Mother and Father had drilled into her
head.
She dropped into the deepest curtsey she was capable of, and spoke
clearly,
but not letting her voice be as overwhelming as she could have let it
be.
"My Lord Emperor, I am Lady Sarilyn of Nambril. I am also
rider
and bondmate to Lunath, my dragon. I am representing Jasra Warren in
our
negotiations with you and your people. I come to relay my wishes that
these
negotiations will be beneficial to both our peoples, and to ask that we
begin the negotiations on the morrow."
Seeing his astonished expression, she kept right on speaking,
keeping control of the meeting. If she lost that, it would be hard to
regain it. It would also be hard to gain the respect of him and his
representatives. "The reasons for this request are quite simple. We
*do*
want these meetings to be clear and concise, perfectly understandable
to
both sides. And we also want there to be no misunderstandings or
confusion.
When we meet on the morrow, I want there to be no questions or doubts
from
either side. I want my words to be totally straightforward and our
proposals to be acceptable to you...to all of us. I respectfully ask
that
you allow me to gather my thoughts and have them ready for this most
important meeting between us."
She kept her position, she could remain in it for some time.
And
her gaze never left from looking directly at only the Emperor. She
would
show respect but no weakness.
Baron Kiriisha looked very affronted, but before he could open his
mouth the
Emperor held up a hand. "This is acceptable to us," he said. "Emotions
still run high, on both sides, despite the signs of cooperation we are
seeing all around us. It is our desire to have these negotiations
produce
something fruitful, however long they may take. A postponment of a few
hours now may save much time later."
Tanami nodded. "We are grateful for your wisdom, Majesty," Tanami said.
"I
will see to it that appropriate quarters are prepared for the Imperial
party."
Once outside, both of them let out a sign of relief. Behind them,
Rellik
cleared his throat. "That went as well as we might have expected," he
observed. "It means, of course, that they have no more idea of what
terms
to propose than we do at the moment. The Emperor did not wish war, and
now
is unsure of how peace between us should be handled."
"Kethriss spoke to Syngnath," Tanami said. "Corwin is thinking of some
possible bargaining points that we might try to achieve."
"Good, I'm sure he'll be at the meetings tomorrow, but perhaps we can
visit
him before then and see what he's come up with." He turned to Sarilyn.
"Remember that neither side is bargaining from a position of victory.
But
it would be naive to think that the Empire does not bargain from a
position
of strength. We must think of things that this warren has to offer, as
well
as what we wish to bargain for."
He turned to Sarilyn. "And now, are you prepared to learn the rudiments
of
formal negotiations, Kataani-style?"
Sarilyn nodded, "Yes, but first I think it would be wise to speak with
Corwin. I'd like to hear his thoughts, and get some more input, if you
please."
Rellik nodded, and Sari's face assumed that blank expression that meant
she
was talking to Lunath. {{ Lunath, please bespeak Syngnath and ask if
Corwin
could meet us in the Med Center waiting room, please? It is about the
negotiations. }}
(( Of course, my rider )), came the soft reply, even as the message was
passed along.
Glancing at her two friends, Sarilyn gestured towards the Med Center.
"Shall we?"
[TAG: Arlene!]
-----
JP happily co-written by :
John Pepper - Tanami & Rellik
Jeanette Bloomfield - Sarilyn/Lunath
[OOC: Sorry John.....forget your chars' exact names and Tanami's
dragon's
name...if there is one.]
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 02:25:06 -0500
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] Dialogue
Day 1
Evening
While Corwin was watched Hsina sleeping, Kethriss contacted Syngnath,
who in turn told his human bondmate that Tanami was attempting to
arrange a dialogue between the leaders of the warren and the Emperor
Toru.
<I can't leave her, Sy,> Corwin told his dragon. <Hsina needs me
here... and I promised her I'd be here when she wakes up. Tell them to
have their talk without me.>
Syngnath tried to convey that message to Kethriss, who let Syngnath
know
that this wasn't something he could ignore.
<*My rider, the safety of the warren may depend on these talks.*>
Syngnath replied.
<Why? Are they negotiating some sort of treaty?> Corwin snorted. His
dragon didn't reply immediately which gave Corwin time to consider the
woman beside him.
He had witnessed so many of his mates get wounded and even die, both at
sea and here at the warren, so what was one more? Only this wasn't
just
one of the crew. This was the woman he loved. This one carried his
child.
A child, Hsina's and his.
Who would have thought he'd become a father? He didn't have many
memories of his own father, a drunkard who'd sold him as a cabin boy,
for one drink. His father had once been a big man, but an injury had
crippled him, leaving him bitter and cruel. When he wasn't completely
ignoring Corwin, he had been beating him.
Corwin tried to picture his mother, but there was nothing, no face, no
name. He must have had a mother? Why couldn't he recall her? Only
his
father's twisted face came to mind.
What type of a father could he possibly be? Maybe... maybe it wouldn't
be so awful if Hsina lost the baby as Balagon feared she might,
considering her injuries.
Corwin had seen the pain on Hsina's face, even as she slept. Perhaps,
it was more evident while she slept, for when her blazing eyes were
open
it was hard to imagine her ever feeling pain or fear.
Yet, Hsina could. Corwin had seen both emotions in her eyes, and
rather
than lessening her in his opinion, he had appreciated the small glimpse
into her soul that those moments of panic had left open. He reached
out
a hand and smoothed the damp hair from her forehead, glad to see that
she appeared to be resting comfortably now.
Syngnath's voice came again, <*Sorry, my rider, but yes. That is
exactly the word that Kethriss's rider used... 'negotiation'.*>
It was odd, when a dragon thought in human words. Most of the time,
Corwin and Syngnath just shared ideas -- no real words were even
needed.
The concepts were basic and passed from mind to mind without words to
muck things up. Corwin could 'hear' the word 'negotiation' as it
rumbled
around inside Syngnath's head.
<*But, Lunath's rider will ask to postpone the talks until the morning.
Leviathan's rider will help prepare the one who will speak for the
warren. But, Kethriss's rider is asking you to come up with some
proposals for terms.*>
<Perhaps. Yes, that I can do.> Corwin nodded thinking of the way the
Kataani healers had aided in the healing of the riders. He also
recalled some of the conversations he'd had with Tanami about the
dangers the Kataani faced living in the sea; dangers that a wing of
seadragons might be able to protect them against. <Yes, I believe I can
think of several ways we might be able to help each other.>
He began to search for something on which to jot the ideas down, and
found some paper in a drawer of a dresser on the other side of the
room.
He was concentrating so hard on what benefits the warren could offer
the
Kataani and what they could ask for in exchange that he didn't see
Hsina's eyes were open and watching him intently until he leaned his
head back to stretch his neck from the cramped, unaccustomed position.
"Hsina!" His booming voice echoed in the small room.
She studied him and asked, "What is that you are doing?"
"What this? Trying to think of points for the negations with the
Emperor."
"You are going to negotiate with the Emperor?" Hsina looked
incredulous.
"Well, not just me. Sarilyn, rider of Lunath, and... Lecia, the junior
queenrider. I believe they're meeting the Emperor right now...."
"Then I will go as well!" Hsina stated firmly.
[SNIP]
"You are in no condition to do much of anything" Corwin pleaded, but
Hsina
would have none of it.
"I am a queenrider, and as you so often say, queenrider is ruler here.
Tara
is unconscious and Lecia not confident. It must be I."
"Lecia is more than ready" Corwin said, though he himself was as
doubtful as
Hsina.
Hsina stood painfully form her bed and slowly bent to pick up her belt.
Standing back to her full height she strapped the heavy broadsword to
her
hip and then looked Corwin in the eye and said "It must be me."
Corwin knew she was right. Despite her very alien ways, Hsina had
become
very much a part of the warren in the time she had been here, and her
knowledge of court protocol, though very different that that from these
lands, was still every bit as regal, would be essential in this
setting.
That, and perhaps most importantly the very imposing presence she
presented,
even injured, would allow her to negotiate from a position of strength,
rather than the weaker position that he was sure almost anyone else
would
have to work from.
"Alright, but keep tonight's session short, and tomorrow's as well. If
you
want to show strength, then you have to take care of yourself."
"Agreed."
With that the two of them walked out of the med center, only to be met
by
the surprised faces of Sarilyn and Rellik.
[END SNIP]
Tanami, who had been coming around the corner, stopped and gawked in
amazement. "What is she doing out of bed!" She looked accusingly at
Corwin.
Corwin frowned, "Don't look at me! It isn't as if I could keep her in
bed when she heard you were meeting with the Emperor."
"We have finished our meeting with the Emperor for tonight," Sarilyn
answered. "It was very brief and only served the purpose to schedule
the talks to begin tomorrow."
"Then we must discuss the terms," Hsina stated firmly.
Tanami shook her head. "Well, we can certainly do that in your room as
easily as in the waiting room."
"Yes," Rellik agreed. "I'll just fetch us some chairs..."
Corwin nodded joining Rellik, "Yes, you two return with Hsina to her
room. I will go with Rellik...." And the two men stalked off.
Hsina looked like she was about to protest, but Tanami and Sarilyn left
her no option but to return with them to her own room.
---
As he and Rellik looked for suitable chairs, Corwin commented, "Your
timing couldn't have been better. I knew I couldn't keep her tied down
if she thought she was needed in the negotiations, so I was much
relieved when Syngnath told me that you were on your way to talk with
me." Corwin chuckled.
Rellik shook his head, "She will kill herself. She is only a human,
after all."
Corwin shook his head, "Sometimes I wonder... But she is right about
one thing. Her presence during the negotiations may make a difference
in the Emperor's view."
"Perhaps," Rellik conceded, "Though I think he would be more impressed
by well presented ideas than any physical threat. To be honest, the
warren is not much of a threat to him or Neaopi."
They returned with the chairs to Hsina's med center room, and though
Hsina insisted on sitting on the edge of her bed rather than reclining,
at least she was resting.
The small group quickly got down to business, discussing ways to word a
treaty of non-aggression and mutual aid.
"First we must learn how we can be of help to the Kataani..." Corwin
stated as he pulled out his notes.
"And they to us," Hsina interjected.
"Agreed," Sarilyn nodded. "So, perhaps we could send observers to
Neaopi and they could leave representatives here, so we can learn about
each other and determine where we can be of most help."
"I know one thing that the Kataani could help us with," Corwin stated.
"The Kataani healers could teach our healers some of the techniques
they
used. I have been around the medical center all afternoon, and I have
witnessed injured riders who were brought in on the verge of death,
walking out of the medical center!"
Rellik nodded, "Yes, the Kataani healers have skills that humans may
not."
"And magic," Sarilyn stated softly, thinking of the battle they had
just fought.
"Yes, perhaps even some of that might be shared," Rellik again agreed.
"But what can we offer the Kataani in return.
Corwin smiled, "I already have an answer for that. Seadragons.
Tanami, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were telling me about the
dangers your people face living under the sea. Certainly a wing of
seadragons could help with many of those?"
[TAG: John, Jeanette and Andrew.]
----
Summary
Day 1
Late Evening
Syngnath is contacted by Kethriss to inform his rider that he may be
needed to aid in the negotiations with the Emperor. While Corwin is
debating whether he should leave Hsina, Syngnath informs him that
Lunath's rider would ask for the negotiations to take place in the
morning, and if Corwin could come up with some proposals.
Hsina awakens and insists that she should attend the talks with the
Emperor, but by the time she and Corwin finish discussing this, and she
has dressed, Sarilyn has already concluded the talks for the evening,
and she, Rellik and Tanami are on their way to see Corwin.
Sarilyn, Rellik and Tanami run into Corwin and Hsina as they latter two
are about to exit the medical center. They inform Hsina that the
negotiations will take place in the morning. Then they all return to
Hsina's room to firm up the proposals.
---
Respectfully submitted by
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Corwin & Syngnath.
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