A Shift in the Sands

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The doors flung open and a near blinding light seemed to be released into the face of the young man that had fought tooth and nail to be granted the meeting he had traveled all the way here to have today. The light caused his eyes to squint slightly but as his eyes adjusted he could see the silhouettes of many people standing in the room including that of a seated figure in the middle. A small smile formed on his face when said figure addressed him as the "Lord of Cinders". He responded by stepping forward, entering the room and allowing the doors to quickly be closed behind him. Azazel was confident about his plans, in his silver tongue. But even so, he did not forget his manners and once he reached an appropriate distance from the throne he dropped to a knee, lowing his head in respect of the queen he was before. "I assure you the honor is all mine, Your Majesty. I must say that I am honored to be in the presence of Vroldafn's queen. My father told me many stories about the land my mother hailed from and as a child, I grew up mystified by the thought of one day visiting this place and I must say that finally being here is somewhat overwhelming to me. However, I doubt you are interested in hearing of my nostalgia and if you would be so kind as to give me permission to stand I believe we will be able to get this meeting started."
"Whilst admirable and appreciated, you are no subject of mine, such courtesy was never required of you nor is it now. Rise." Guan spoke and raised a hand to further signal that he was permitted to stand. "You are free to use your time here however you please, my lord. If you desire to reminisce or revel in our glory, you may kindly do so. However, I take you for a man of practicality and ambition, so I am going to guess that your being here is less about a love for your would-be homeland and more about your desire of something from us. From me." Guan spoke, the room falling into silence as she spoke. The Nobles on the lectures and the commoners on floor level began to murmur to one another regarding the nature of this audience, and every breath was held and eager to figure out. Guan sat anxious, though she gave no indication of such. He had Calco blood, which is exactly why she couldn't refuse him in the long run, but depending on his knowledge of their customs, this could prove a simple endeavor or a most taxing one.
Azazel rose to his feet, taking in a deep breath before quietly letting it out as if he were trying to calm his nerves. Finally, he cleared his throat before speaking, "Yes...I would consider myself a very practical man and I would say my ambition is quite large but I beg your pardon in saying you are wrong in believing that I would show up here today and waste both of our time in asking something from you or from this nation. In fact, I have come here with the intention of offering something which I believe you and the others here would like to hear. I have come here today to offer you a seat on top of the world, a chance to become the powerhouse of this continent. This nation has been denied its rightful place as the central power in Ashvattha for far too long and I believe that it is time for that terrible oppression to end. In order to achieve this goal, I only ask that my fellow Cinders be allowed safe refuge here in Vroldafn and so I would ask that you and your nation ally themselves with me." Azazel speaks clearly and with passion in his voice, his eyes watching not only Guan but those around him, for what their reactions could tell him.
"Outside of this nation, I am labeled a criminal, a terrorist by a government that would seek to oppress any and all of us who wield magic, a talent gifted to many at birth and a talent many are chained and controlled because of every single day outside of the borders of this land. Many years ago the monarch of this nation saw what evil a system such as that the Toranku have put in place would do to their people and chose to side against it and that is why the Toranku have no presence here today, why your mages are allowed to practice freely, why your people and your culture have been allowed to advance so quickly. I seek to expand such freedoms to the world, to take down the Toranku." Azazel spoke, falling silent in hopes of hearing Guan's thoughts.
Guan was just about to answer when a noble of house Oberix interjected herself into the conversation. "You offer that which we already have. You come here with promises on placing us upon a pedestal, a pedestal which we already dominate. We are the envy of the outside world. Our riches are without compare and our strength is undeniable. That might is ours and ours alone. So I will ask you this: What do you have to offer which we don't already have, and more, why would, much less should, we allow the rest of the world to catch up with us when we-"
"They are already catching up!" Came a loud outburst from one of the once empty lectures. There stood Delores Gloompond, the younger adoptive sister of Guan. "The view must be quite limiting upon that high horse of yours, since you seem to be blind to the outside world. The world is progressing towards our level of evolution, and may just be advancing faster than us. Do not speak of topics which you hold no knowledge of." Delores spoke with finality, turning her attention towards Guan. "Forgive our outbursts, your grace." She said with a nod and took a few steps back as to say that she was of little importance once more.
"Thank you, Lady Delores." Guan nodded back before turning her attention back to Azazel. While the next words were not ones she entirely believed in, she needed to take on the Calco mentality in this endeavor. "Though spoken out of turn, my ladies have made their points clear. As shall I. Our people are at the current pinnacle of evolution in Ashvattha, we stand without compare. So tell me, Cinder, how do you intend on making us reach this new pinnacle of regency and still keep our nation and culture pure and undefiled?"
"While that may be true I am afraid the rest of the world does not view you in that light. They see you as isolationists stuck in their ways, unwilling to advance and play nice with the rest of the world. They see the Toranku as their crowning achievement, a way to keep magic in check and look down on those who do not agree with their ideas. If it were up to them your entire nation would be looked at no differently than myself. My only crime was not following the status quo, not bowing before their ideas like the sheep they seek to turn everyone with power into. Their influence spreads like a disease and they brainwash more and more every single day. You may be the mightest, the strongest, nation is Ashvattha but what good will all of that do when the day comes that you are surrounded on all sides by nations that are against you? Petrico, Ishtar, Invicta, Hylion itself, and many more. Imagine it, all of them surrounding you, all of them controlled by the Toranku and all of them wanting nothing more than to trample on your sacred grounds, place your mages in chains, and control your military. The kings and queens of those who have allowed the Toranku into their borders have been neutered, their nations virtually taken from them. I may not be of nation but it is the home my mother grew up in, the land I dreamt of seeing as a child, and the place the Calco people were born and lived in for more generations than could possibly be counted and they seek to take it all away and that is something I cannot stand by and allow without fighting my hardest to keep it from happening." Azazel's hand firmly pressed against his chest as he spoke.
"You ask how I can do it, how I can make what I am promising a reality. That, Your Majesty, is simple. I will fight for you, gone are the days in which countries war with one another on battlefields, gone are the days of thousands dead by sundown of each battle. No, this war will not be won with large armies clashing but with smaller forces taking down entire nations from the inside. I have the backing out hundreds of Cinders who share the same passion for freedom that I have, hundreds of mages with powers ranging from your elements to powers you cannot even imagine all at my command and all willing to die for the sake of taking down the system that has taken way their freedom and seeks to take away yours as well. Whether you wish to believe it or not, this war will happen. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, or even ten years from now, but when it does it will be too late. That is why I am asking you to stand with me today, to strike at the Toranku before they strike at you. The Toranku will fall, as all flawed systems eventually do and all I am asking is that you be the catalyst for that downfall, to be known as the nation that stood up to the oppressors and freed the magical world. I am simply asking all of you to be on the right side of history when all of this is over." Azazel kept his eyes on Guan as he continued. "Support me, my people, my cause and when all is said and done and the branches of the Toranku lie burned and broken at my feet it will be this nation and your queen who will rise to build the new world from the ashes of the old and Vroldafn will reign as the central power in all of Ashvattha. Ashvattha needs a true leader, her people need a true leader. Your majesty, I beg of you to be that leader."
Guan pondered his words, shifting between overthinking them and not giving them much thought at all, unsure what to make of it. Murmurs and whispers of glee overtook the court, the citizens ecstatic over the prospect which he brings. The Nobles, however, the ones who knows the way to play the political game, were less than convinced. Then the room fell silent. Guan had moved from her throne and stood at the brink of the steps down. She lingered there, tempting him to up his efforts. For a regent to rise from their seat is a sign that the party have their attention. To descend the steps can mean anything from that they admit the party as kin, that they find them to be equal to themselves, or even that they have humbled them in the eyes of heaven. But as long as she stood there, it could also be taken as a taunt; 'You have taken me this far. Can you take me further?'. A way to tell that you've lost your case is if the regent goes from this position and returns to the throne. "Why me?" She asked. "Don't concern yourself with hollow and pretty words. Be clear and say why I am the better choice for this continent? Why me and not you, the leader of this glorious revolution?"
"Because I know you believe in freedom as strongly as I do. I know you have been fighting against the slavery here in Vroldafn since you took your seat on the throne and maybe even before that. You have gained the trust and loyalty of the people of this nation despite being born a pure blooded human and I am half-breed who is only Calco in appearance. I have no right nor the desire to lead an entire continent. I only wish for the best of this continent, this nation, and all of the people under the thumb of the Toranku's tyranny and it is something I am willing to fight and die for but I am unfit to lead the world I seek to help create. The fact that you stand before me now, a human ruling a land where humans are often looked down upon shows me that you have experience breaking through the bounds of normality, that on top of your leadership and military prowess shows me that you are the one worthy of leading a free and united Ashvattha. I hope you can find my answer satisfactory as I speak the truth from the bottom of my heart." Azazel finished, bowing his head slightly to the queen in hopes his show of humility would be enough to show her he was serious.
The eyes of the court were all fixated on their queen. Moments passed that were mistaken for minutes, and then it happened. Slowly, one by one, she walked down the stairs. Shortly after, she stood before Azazel on an equal playing field. No longer on her perching mountain of sandstone, but on the ground as a mortal with a fellow leader. She stared into Azazel's eyes for a considerable amount of time, no words were spoken, simply her gaze was all there was. "Leave us." She spoke loud enough for the entire court to hear her. Without missing a beat, the people in the court began to leave the premises. After a few minutes of shooing away stragglers, Guan now stood alone with Azazel in the throne room. She walked to the side where some nobles of lesser importance had been served, and pulled out a jug of some liquid. She grabbed two bottles and poured them up while handing one to Azazel. "Fruit of the Vitae'dor. You should have at least one taste of it as a Calco." She spoke before sipping at her own sour drink. She tapped the side of her goblet. "Let's say that I agree to this. What would you have me do? Certainly, there must be more you would require if you are ready to put the entire continent under my ward? Is shelter all you would ask?"
Azazel hesitantly took the bottle into his hands with a nod of thanks, not sure if he was allowed to speak at the moment and certainly not wanting to overstep his bounds when things seemed to be going well. Seeing Guan-yin drink he responded in kind, finding the unfamiliar taste sour at first but he was quick to adapt and was able to swallow the drink. At Guan's questions, the took another sip to buy himself some time to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. "Shelter is the most important thing you could offer at the moment. My people grow weary and tired of running, it is hard to feel like one is making any progress when they are never given a moment of rest. Your alliance would be the morale booster they need to know that they are making a difference. My people are not all warriors, some are just those who wish to escape the tyranny of the Toranku but were too weak to do so on their own. Offering them refuge would be a great help. As for other things we might need, all I ask is for basic supplies, food, clean water, scrap to repair our ships when needed. I won't ask for anything like soldiers or weapons. I want Vroldafn to have all possible deniability in anything you give us which is why I believe our meeting should also be kept a secret from anyone who might tell the outside. All I am asking for is your support, let my people fight the battles, take the losses, and when all is said and done you can come reap the rewards. As I said before, all I want is to see the oppressed people of Ashvattha freed. I want to live in a world where I can raise a child without fear that they might inherit my magical abilities and before forced to become a slave to the Toranku. I want to be able to tell them they can grow up to be whatever they wish to be and to have my words be true."
Guan nodded as she took another sip. "I hope you understand how incredulous this sounds for an outsider of your plans. It just sounds too good. I believe in your dream, that I don't doubt, what I doubt is the Genuity of your promise. In your own words, 'let my people fight the battles, take the losses and when all is said and done you can come and reap the rewards'. You understand how unfathomably good that sounds to us, right? This would be the best offer in history to be offered a regent." She spoke as she gestured for Azazel to follow her. They ventured up the stairs until they stood in front of the Sandstone throne. She walked forward and stroked it. "Do you know why I have such an oddity of a throne?"
Azazel understood her concerns, what he was offering seemed far too good to be true and things like that often were. He followed her in silence, finding their way back near the throne. He watched the blonde haired queen stroke the sandstone as she asked her question. Azazel wasn't sure exactly what it was she was asking. He knew sandstone was often referred to as 'the stone of creativity' and was known for strengthing the bonds between groups. It was supposed to help one keep a clear and open mind to discover the truth even among lies. However, he did not wish to try to guess at what the throne meant to her and instead opened his mouth and responded. "I do not, please enlighten me." He asked, curious if he could have gotten the answer right.
"There is a neighboring nation to ours. Back during my days as a fighter of the spec-ops company Sine Missione, I waged war against them. I toppled their cities, I slaughtered their soldiers and ultimately enslaved their people. Because no magic was allegedly used in this conflict, Toranku dismissed this conflict as one between rivaling nations in the proper way... This nation utilizes sandstone in just about all their construction work, symbolizing their unity despite it all and their stalwart courage and will. I shattered their unity, stomped their courage and broke their will. The only thing that kept us from taking the whole nation was the Toranku finally stepping in to halt hostilities. That's when I learned myself that the Toranku could not be trusted. They didn't intervene until it would come to be an inconvenience for them to lose something of value. Not because it was right, but out of inconvenience. The Calco carry strong belief when it comes to seats of power: Sit upon a seat of your own accomplishments. I was never the richest. I was never the smartest or the strongest, so no thrones of gold or iron for me. My greatest feat was the near conquest of our neighbors, so when I was elected queen, I took this sandstone as a testament to my deeds. So tell me, my lord," She said as her voice turned gravely serious and her gaze darkened. "What sort of throne will I sit upon when the world learns that my rule of Ashvattha, my victory, was earned by other men. Men whom were not mine to command. Men who did not have the courage to enter the field in open battle. Men with whom I did not stand shoulder to shoulder. What throne would be befitting of 'The Pot amongst Lions'?"
Azazel was glad he had chosen to remain silent, knowing people's reasoning often fell deeper than simple meanings or spiritual ideas. He should have expected this question, especially from someone like her but in honesty, he hadn't and now it bit him but he could not simply stand in silence. "A throne of freedom, of new beginnings, built from the ashes of the Toranku and all of its branches. No different than generals in the field of battle my people will act as tools of your will. Our accomplishments are your accomplishments, our victories are your victories. If you truly wish to involve yourself with more than just aide for my people then I will not stop you. Use me and my army as your sword and shield if you so choose, I merely wished to offer you the choice of keeping your distance from us to avoid political backlash that might come from your knowing support of a rebel group within your borders but given your military history and your prowess I should have known you are different from many other leaders who would sit back comfortably and let others do everything for them. I am deeply ashamed for not taking those things into consideration before speaking to you but I assure you my intentions were not to disrespect you in any way and I beg your forgiveness."
Guan-yin sighed. "No reason for apologies. I just desired to let you know where my people will stand if I were to agree to our current terms. Don't think me blind, my lord. I have my own sources which tell me that Toranku may be moving in on me within short. If we are to stand with Toranku, it must be by the whims of the people. And I know their hearts... They will never side with them." Guan spoke. She rubbed her eyes with her thumb and index finger. "Let me ask you this, what sort of world do you expect there to be after your coup is complete? Have you given it any consideration of what will be after they are gone? If you leave regency to me and Vroldafn, it will not be an easy transition. My people will desire the subjugation of the 'lesser races', the destruction of their sacred sites and the enslavement of the nation's citizens. I would fight them, I may just win many a debate, but here is the thing: Nobody wins for long. If I deny them the chance to battle, they will resent me. If I remove their rights to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs, they may just desire to dethrone me. I need a miracle to change their minds, and until I have done so, I can not guarantee you that I can be the leader you want me to be. I assume that you have already considered this though, so I would ask again, why me?"
"I do not wish for the world to return as it once was before the Toranku, as that was a time in which my fellow mages were subjected to a different kind of oppression as they were seen as little more than weapons to be used and wielded by the nation they were born into. There was a time in which the Toranku were necessary but I am afraid they have become the very thing they were created to prevent. The world I want to create is the next step, one in which all are free to live their lives as in the way they choose. I am well aware of how your people view the outside world and that is where you come in. No matter how much help you give me this is something that will take time, a government system as far reaching as the Toveri must be brought to its knees slowly over the course of many years." He begins to pace slowly back and forth in front of Guan, in thought as he tried to figure out how to best word what he wanted to say.
"It is in that time that I hope you can continue your fight to change the way your nation views the rest of the world. The fact that you sit on your throne at all is a massive achievement toward everything you and I are working toward and I believe that with enough time you will come out victorious not only in the battle I seek to wage but in the one you have been fighting for since you became queen. People are stubborn and they hold on to old ideas but the world is constantly moving forward, evolving faster than people realize and you can show them that. We could show them that, I want to help you show them that. I wholly and fully admit that I am taking a leap of faith in offering you the world but of all the leaders in Ashvattha I believe you are the strongest candidate for the leader this world needs." He stops and once again faces Guan, "Surely you have faith in yourself as well, you feel strongly toward your convictions and what I am asking you to do is not any different from what it is you have been doing thus far. The only difference being that the consequences of failure mean that the world of freedom we would both like to see will be out of our reach."
Whether he knew it or not, Azazel had just driven her into a corner, one where there was only a single thing she could answer. "My people put their faith in me, and as such I need to put faith in them, but we still stand at something of an impasse. Your methods may be effective, Lord, but it won't change that my people will find a victory of such means cowardly. If we are to do this, if victory is ever to be properly claimed, battles must be waged. Even a suicidal fight is better than none as far as they are concerned. They will also want to know that they played a bigger part in the winds of change than just as bystanders. If I were to agree with this, I would implore you to allow us to offer a supply of equipment and weapons. Smithing is our pride and joy, next to music, and to know that our armaments played a role in our victory would bring much comfort to the Calco."
Azazel mentally smiled, feeling as though he had taken at least one step closer to the alliance he wished for as the conversation seemed to turn from whether or not they would aide him to how they would go about it. While he knew for a fact the deal was not yet sealed he could not help but feel as though he had gained at least a small victory. "I would be honored equip my ships and my people with whatever you would be willing to supply and I would very much take comfort in knowing that the people of Vroldafn could take pride in helping us achieve our future victories. However, I don't wish to get ahead of myself with thanks and pleasantries. Does what you are saying mean that you will ally with us in the battle ahead? I understand if you would rather take some time to think this through, I doubt it is an easy decision to make. I can leave my right hand with you to act as my proxy and a means for us to stay in contact.
Guan directed her gaze upward and looked out the stained-glass windows. "That would be appreciated, as there are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration before I can give a definite answer. To make sure that my people won't cause more harm than good to Ashvattha, I need them to begin and see the use of the other races. Our seclusion has benefitted our culture well, but now it is slowly turning into a crutch as the other nations are catching up... I ask you to give me three months to make a decision on the matter. If I haven't convinced them until then, your hopes of creating this utopia with us at the helm will just crumble. Until then, I can't provide any military or intelligence aid to you and yours." Guan spoke as she turned around with a grin plastered there. "However, I won't allow you to leave without something. Until I have made my decision, you will have yourself your safe haven. My people will cover for you, you may establish a foothold in the catacombs, and any resources which are exclusively needed to keep yourselves alive will be provided. However, until any decision has been made, I don't want this being able to be traced back to us. If you are discovered before my mind is made, I will take you up on your offer and disown any connection to you and the Cinders. What do you say, Azazel?"
Azazel couldn't stop a smile from spreading across his face, "Yes, thank you, your kindness is most appreciated. My people will be glad to hear we no longer have to sleep with one eye constantly open or with knives under their pillows." His voice was now warm, changing from his former tone of deep solemn to a much more cheerful one at the prospect of their possible alliance. "I am also happy that I might get a chance to see this place in all its glory. I know that my existence is one looked down upon by your people and perhaps even you but I have done my best to leave the human side of me behind along with my father back in Hylion. It was this land that owned my mother's heart, may her soul rest here peacefully, and thanks to her stories it owns mine as well. I only hope that one day it will accept me." He followed Guan's gaze out the window, staring out into the large capital city that filled with lights and beyond that the quiet desert illuminated by the full moon high in the sky. "I do believe the time I was allowed has run out. I do not wish to keep someone such as yourself busy for longer than needed, especially not so late into the night. I will inform my right hand of what we discussed if you would be so kind as to dismiss me, your majesty?"
"A child cannot be blamed for the actions of their parents. I hold no ill against you for your heritage. To be honest, you are more Calco than most others in this city. You are free to go whenever it fits you. I would, however, ask one last thing from you." Guan spoke as she extended both her hands and forearms towards Azazel, expecting him to grasp her forearms as she would his and then tug lightly. "Greet me as your kin. Lord of Cinders, Queen of Vroldafn, such things are trivial right now. We are simply two individuals thrown into the role of leadership for the betterment of our people. I think there is kinship enough to be found there, wouldn't you think?"
Azazel was taken aback by her words but he did not allow his surprise to show physically, instead, following her lead and the two of them performed the gesture. "Yes, thank you. Your words are a great kindness to me, Guan-yin, I pray that we can both achieve what is best for our people and those roads both lead to the same destination. I hope your evening treats you well, my second in command will be able to give you any information you need or contact me when you are ready to give me your answer. Until next time, I bid you farewell." Azazel said, lowering his head with a slight bow before turned to leave the room, opening the door and leaving the room. After a few brief moments, the doors opened again and from the other side came a dark elf with dark lavender colored hair, dressed in light armor and a black cloak. She stepped forward before dropping to a knee and bowing to Guan. "Your Highness, as I am sure you already know I am Azazel's right hand and have been entrusted to act as his proxy while he tends to matters back on our ship. My name is Elise Wagner of the country of Aðalbjörg and a loyal soldier of Azazel's army. I have been instructed to serve you as I would serve him."
"Excellent. You and I have much to discuss, Elise. While no concrete decision has been made, certain treaties and rules need to be put in place in the event of where an alliance is formed. Which routes you may wander, which cities are safe and how and where we are to hide you. With you here we can go over all such matters. But I suppose that the priorities now would be to see your people into safe harbor and provide whatever resources we can accomplish to offer." Guan spoke with a certain bounce in her tone, as if she was more than pleased with the previous meeting. "I will provide you a room to continue your work, and in which you can prepare and see to it that all goes according to plan. Guards will accompany you wherever you go so that we can keep track of your movements and keep you safe from the people which would see your thrown head first out. I hope that you can agree to these terms. It would be most inconvenient for me, as well as your lord if you don't"
"Yes, I understand your precautions, Milady, and I will follow your word as law so long as this arrangement remains the same. I, on behalf of our people, thank you for your great kindness and hope that one day our efforts will be enough to repay you for what you have done here." Elise spoke with a very business-like tone, she was a soldier, and thus knew how to follow orders with near robot-like efficiency. She remained in her kneeling state for a few more moments before rising to attention with hands behind her back and legs pressed tightly together. "If I could be escorted to my temporary quarters I can begin to arrange things for any meetings in the near future. I hope our leader has given you much to think about and I look forward to acting as his proxy as we discuss the future of our relations." The Dark Elf continued, not wanting to do anything that could mess things up. Despite her demeanor, she was certainly nervous, knowing Azazel had never attempted a gamble so massive during their time as Cinders and that Guan's choice would gravely affect any chance they had of success going forward.
"Of course." Guan spoke as she snapped her fingers. Two guardsmen entered the throne room from either side of the room behind the throne. The two guards looked disapprovingly at the Cinder member, but knowing better than to question the queen they walked up beside the Dark Elf and pointed to the direction she was supposed to walk. "I hope you can forgive me for not doing so in person, but your lord was not the only individual who wanted or needs my attention today. There are the worries of nobles to be handled, a trader who is concerned about a route, and mroe to be added to the list. I hope you will find your accommodations fitting. Do let me know if anything otherwise is the case." Guan spoke as she returned to sit on her throne. "Will there be anything else at the moment, or shall it wait until tomorrow?"
"No, I will not take up any more of your time today than has already been allowed. I wish you a good night, Your Majesty," The woman spoke with an internal sigh of relief, bowing slightly before turning to follow the guards to her quarters.