Visiting The Cousins to the North|Malagard | Khele

[Darastrix]

"That would depend wholly on whether the benefits were to outweigh the risks and by what degree." Lucifer replied flatly. "And as we both know that you could have no real interest in my own power and well-being outside of how it might benefit you, just as I would not care about yours, I must wonder what risk you are here to ask me to take on your behalf to increase your own power. And what shiny little bauble you expect me to settle for while you obtain a diamond."

No man of power from Morilanta would come all this way simply to benefit another, Lucifer reflected, and if he had, the state of the land must be very sorry indeed.

[Kender Bard]

"You'll take a tone of respect to Lord Nissar," Rajani warned Lucifer. "If for nothing else, than because he is a holy man, touched by our Force."

She was already irritable from the conditions of her surrounding. She would certainly not stand here and listen to an Ice man badmouth her lover. Just thinking about it made her blood boil - perhaps not literally but the immediate area of her began to heat up with her quiet fury.

[tuo]

Nissar holds a hand to Rajani. "He does have a point..and I appreciate his directness." To Lucifer he speaks again. "I shall state what I desire from you, and you name your price. If we cannot come to an agreement then we have no further business being here. We wish to invade Ronduin, but unless we can deal with the underwater city it may be difficult to completely dominate it. I wonder if your people might have the ability to aid me in this endeavor."

[Darastrix]

Lucifer spoke calmly, unbothered by Rajani's outburst, though the priestess did go down a bit in his estimation. Such displays of emotion were unseemly.

"You have chosen an inauspicious time to approach on the matter. Cold as it remains here, it is warming to the south. Were we nearing the beginning of Vorst instead of Nuo, the Ices' abilities might have had some use against the city, with the weather aiding their efforts. As it stands, spring is beginning and the heat of summer will be fast on its heels."

[tuo]

Nissar nods in understanding. "I am aware of this. Even if winter was upon us, such an undertaking would require careful planning. There are other things that need dealing with in the meantime. But..if there is anything we can do in order to gain your co-operation when the time comes, please name it."

[Darastrix]

Lucifer considered for a moment, then spoke. "A leaderless nation becomes demoralized and is easily made to kneel before another," he said, gesturing toward a window that looked out upon Khelek. "And I need to secure my own line. What better vessel would serve than the Mother of Ronduin?"

He gave a bleak smile, a mere thinning of his lips that did not quite reach his dead eyes. "Deliver unto me Cascata of Rondiun, sane and unspoiled, and Khelek shall aid you when the time is right."

[tuo]

Nissar raised an eyebrow and gave a small smile. "An interesting offer. I will see if the effort would be worth the rewards."

[Darastrix]

"Was there anything else you wished to discuss?" Lucifer queried.

[tuo]

Nissar starts to shake his head before pausing. "Well, I suppose that while we are here, we could try to establish a mutual trade agreement. If it is acceptable to you, I can send several of my aides to come here later to come to an agreement?"

[Darastrix]

"One would suffice, but no matter. I am at present uninterested in trade agreements. I shall, of course, send word if my position changes. If there is no other business, I bid you farewell, Imperator Nissar."

[tuo]

Nissar nods his head in respect. "Of course Lord Lucifer. We will meet again." He turns and makes his way outside of the chambers to go back to the carriage with Rajani.

[Kender Bard]

Rajani hastened after Nissar, catch his arm and clutching to it. She looked positively livid, and once outside, she hissed, "We endured that entire trip just to have some pompous second-best man look down his nose at us?!"

[tuo]

Nissar smiled in amusement. "It was not a useless journey. We had a chance to feel him out and a potential way to gain his assistance." Mentally he speaks into her mind to avoid those who may be listening in. ~And it gave me a chance to learn more about this place and those who are near Lucifer, his aides are all minds.~ He steps into the carriage with her.

[Kender Bard]

Rajani sighed heavily and decided not to voice further protests to the validity of the trip, but was great dissatisfied. "You are an infinitely more patient person than I, my master," she grumbled and pulled her furs about herself again, settling down for the long ride home.