PCs: Cathak Zuriel, Ledaal Kurnaz

Summary:  While initially skeptical, Cathak Zuriel manages to convince Ledaal Kurnaz that his plan is a sound one.  Zuriel has Kurnaz begin laying the ground work for the more covert side of his plans.

Chiaroscuro is the largest city in the South, and only Gem exceeds its wealth. In many ways, Chiaroscuro exemplifies life in the Second Age: a fabulous wreck displaying the glories that Creation has lost. The Exalted built their Chiaroscuro of magically strengthened glass, from the vermilion glass streets to the stained-glass mosaics and windows that adorned homes and shops. Towers of multicolored glass rose dozens or even hundreds of stories. Immense breakwaters of blue glass framed the largest and finest harbor in the South.

The old city lies in ruins now, its towers shattered into shining rubble, but a new Chiaroscuro grows amid the wreckage. Instead of magical carriages, the blood-red streets carry horses, camels and the sedan chairs of the wealthy. Dozens of ships still leave and dock every day in the blue glass harbor, traveling between Chiaroscuro and the rest of Creation. Countless caravans bring other goods by land. Chiaroscuros population is much reduced from its heights in the Old Realm, but at more than a million souls it remains the largest city of the South. Its people do not grieve much for the past. The city thrives once more as the hub of Southern commerce. Tens of thousands come every year to seek their fortunes.

If you can make it in Chiaroscuro, its people say, you can make it anywhere. But if you can make it in Chiaroscuro, why would you bother to leave?

         Once more Cathak Zuriel summons Ledaal Kurnaz to his office. Zuriel's office doubles as the office of the Satrap, Strategos and ,to those in the know, the regional head of the All-Seeing Eye. As such it's plush, elegant, yet not ostentatious. Currently one of his Brass Legionnaires is finishing setting up a tea service for Zuriel and his guest: Kurnaz. "Agent Kurnaz," he says, "I'm glad you could make it. I have something I need to discuss with you."

Kurnaz is still slightly awed by the satrap's presence, but stubbornly refuses to show it. "Certainly sir, I live to serve," he says with a note of amusement in his voice. "What can I do for you?"

         The Brass Legionnaire finishes pouring a cup of perfectly brewed tea to each of them before retreating to the background. Zuriel begins adding two sugars and some cream to his tea as he speaks, "It is a matter of the gravest importance I'm afraid and our agency will have to be involved you see, so I wanted your opinion first. However, realise that what I am about to tell you is top secret so do not tell this to anyone." He finishes adding the tisanes and stirs his tea with a spoon before picking up the cup, "As you are aware, the Realm is at war with itself. It's shameful I know, and it's only making Creation weaker. I aim to set an example right here in Chiaroscuro and Varangia. To stop this nonsense."

Ledaal Kurnaz says "Of course sir, even my men will be in the dark on it." As Zuriel continues, Kurnaz pauses in mid-motion as he's about to drop a sugar cube into his tea cup. "You're planning on stopping the realm civil war from here? I do not mean to second guess your judgement or belittle your standing, but well... I mean you're not the leader of your house and your house is officially allied with Mnemon, the instigator of this whole fiasco. It seems like these thing are more likely to be decided on Blessed Isle than here in the threshhold, no matter what Ledaal thinks it can accomplish."

         Zuriel is forced to chuckle at Kurnaz's comment. "I have no delusions about that," he says shaking his head, "I know I can't stop the war by myself from here. However, I can set an example for others to follow which may lead to peace talks." Picking up his cup he takes a long sip before continuing, "As you know, Chiaroscuro and Varangia is home to many different Dynasts of every single House. We even have undercover Iselsi. I want to draw out an edict declaring my protectorate neutral ground for any and all Dynasts seeking refuge and that any acts of violence against Realm citizens will be dealt with swiftly and harshly."

Kurnaz nods at this. "That seems both reasonable and very magnanimous of you. It will definitely set a good example, presuming, you don't get sent a cease and desist order from Cainan. Or one from the Witch, congratulating you on your well laid trap, telling you to arrest and execute all your newly acquired targets." Kurnaz shakes his head, "Sorry, if I'm being negative about this, I just don't have a very fond view of the movers and shakers in Dynastic society. Present company excluded of course." He takes a calculated sip from his tea cup.

         Zuriel is forced to smile at Kurnaz's honesty, "Yes, I've thought about that as well actually. I have complete sovereignty here though so any such message sent to me from Cainan or Mnemon will be replied with a polite 'No.' And any assassins sent by them will be dealt with as well. Which is where you come in, I'd like you to keep an eye out for enemy and friendly operatives trying to undermine my efforts. Ultimately Mnemon and Cainan need me more than I need them." He takes another long draw from his tea cup. Replacing the cup back on its saucer he takes the spoon and stirs it again, "You see, I want to encourage other satrapies to follow my example. Particularly here in the South. If we could unite all of them from the Lap all the way to Harbourhead, creating peace throughout the entire direction then I think we'd have a good chance at forcing peace talks and ending this ridiculous war."

Kurnaz nods along until Zuriels bold statement of need. He pauses to think a moment, realizing that Zuriel is right, he has the seeds of an Empire right here, one that could survive indefinitely with or without the Blessed Isle, and that's discounting the smuggled supply shipments Zuriel sends to the besieged Reds. "I'll gladly do as you ask, I've got more loyalty to you at this point, then the Ledaals anyways. But...that brings up an important point. How far are you willing to go with and to get this unified South? Are you willing to put the Lap to the sword if they refuse? Harborhead already resents realm interference, and is liable to throw off our yoke any day now. And what if peace talks fail? If you are officially caste out of the Dynasty?"

         "Are you willing to declare independence? Are you willing to bring peace to the blessed isle with fire and sword, because that is what it may take. Mnemon wants the throne and she wants it bad. I imagine after being holed up in a siege and having her children murdered V'neef wants it for her troubles and the two are unlikely to play nice with each other. Are you prepared to depose them as heads of their houses if they refuse to play ball, because that may be what it will take. How strongly are we committing to this course of action?"

         Zuriel shakes his head, "If my venture is going to work then I must not be a hypocrit. Taking the Lap by force would undermine what I'm tryingn to achieve. Currently the Lap is mostly independent and somewhat on the Pearlie's side, I must respect that. In Harborhead while I have no qualms with putting the Brides of Ahlat to the sword, I will do no such thing to the Pearlie's forces near the mines." He smiles a bit, "If House Cathak casts me out, then they can say goodbye to the taxes I still send them. They Pearlies will gladly take me in as an ally which would mean the end of Mnemon's bid to the throne. The Reds _must_ play along with me if they want to survive. As for the peace talks themselves... I need to talk to a few other people, but I believe they will succeed with a little browbeating."

Ledaal Kurnaz nods once more. "Yes of course then. I will put my own feelers out, and try to watch for...trouble, from either side. As always I am happy to help in whatever areas you believe me and my team can serve best."

         Zuriel's expression is once more clouded with solemn seriousness, "However, before I enact this edict. I need to know your opinion. As it stands, do you believe it's doable? Do you believe there's anything I should add or amend?"

            Taken aback by Zuriels earnest willingness to ask for his opinion, Kurnaz struggles to find the right words. "I...I think...I think you have more faith in our cousins than I do. But I do think its possible. I just...I just worry that this is not going to be as easy as you hope. Whenever I run a mission, I always try to reduce the number of variables as much as possible, but we're talking about almost an entire cardinal direction here." He sighs and looks almost pained as thinks about it, "There's just *so many* different things that can go wrong. I mean yes you could side with Pearlies, but the Blessed Isle is ultimately self sufficient. What if Sessus decides to side with the Reds. What if the Imperials fall and Mnemon gains access to the Imperial Manse and the Realm defense grid? And then of course the Solars might decide they want the Isle back. The usurpation barely worked when there was a million of us and we were all working together. And then theres people with a vested interest in seeing the Dynasts rip each other apart. Like you said this weakens Creation. Look what happened to Thorns, there's things out there that want that. Want that bad." His voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were behind /Her/ disappearance in the first place... the thing that set this whole mess in motion"

         Kurnaz shakes his head once again, as trying physically dispel his pessimism and the personal demons haunting his barely stable mind, "I...No this is good. And its desperately needed because no one else is doing a damn thing, and if we continue this way we're all going to end up in early, shallow graves. You have my full support sir, and I think this is the right way to go about it. I just..." Kurnaz looks out the window at the setting sun, the red and golden beams gleaming off all the ruined glass towers, remnants from an earlier age, toppled and ground away by centuries of war and tyranny. "I just worry about what happens if we fail..."

         Zuriel listens earnestly, paying complete attention to Kurnaz not even bothering to drink any tea while he listens. Once Kurnaz is done Zuriel says, "I understand your trepidation and indeed many people have said that I am too much of an idealist for anyone's good. Perhaps that is true and if this fails, it will be bad for everyone. However on thing is certain, if no one is willing to take any action then Creation as a whole will fall into the Abyss or worse." He gives the Ledaal a strained smile, "If action means I have to risk everything, then so be it. Still, I am glad to know that I have good people like you ready to support my decision. I will draw out a draft of my edict and send it to you for feedback. This needs to be perfect. Or at least as perfect as I can make it."

            Ledaal Kurnaz nods. "Of course sir, I will do what I can, but I lack your flare for statecraft. But you ultimately correct. If we risk everything and fail, then well," Kurnaz shrugs and gives a small smile, his mask going back up as he presents his more sardonic facade, "I guess we'll be in the same place as if sat here and watched the world burn. There's really nothing to lose, and that's a bet anyone can make, not just an idealist." Finishing his tea, Kurnaz rises. How soon do you want me to start putting out feelers on this? I can get to work immediately laying the ground work but wait until your declaration or did you have a more enhanced time table planned?"

         "Immediately would be best," Zuriel says, "If there are already troublemakers within the city then it would be best to identify them now rather than later. I'll get to work on writing my edict. And thank you for your discretion, Agent Kurnaz."