[closed] a modest proposal

[katabasis]

WHO: Flint, Silver, Yseult & Thranduil
WHAT: Just a couple of reasonable people discussing a couple reasonable things.
WHEN: Early Justinian
WHERE: The Central Tower
NOTES: N/A, will add if necessary

Another warm day. Another meeting brokered with a selection of Riftwatch's division heads. Another hour promised to be spent overlooking the great ironwood table with it's prodigious canvas map and scattered markers. If he would have preferred a different room - some quiet internal office kept cool by merit of the density of stone between it and the weather, with no reminders for anyone at all regarding the length to which his patience does or does not extend -, it's irrelevant now that they're here.

And today, he is better equipped. And the business on the table is a different breed entirely. And, should all go well, they will need the map.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you are both more acutely aware of the situation in Nevarra and its delicacy than either myself or Mr Silver. With that said and understood, I would propose to you a method with which we might stabilize the conflict brewing there and earn ourselves an ally against Corypheus."

Simple.

Comments

[katabasis]

That doesn't strike you as a problem?, he doesn't say. There are better ways to.

"We agree that it's a dangerous blindspot, which is precisely why we should be putting effort into gathering that intelligence now. Say we do nothing - we'll want to know who Van Markham has at their elbow regardless. Why wait to ask the questions when we could act now and might still have the time to use the answers?"

Reaching now, snatching after that one narrow handhold she's provided: "How would you do it? If you had need for it, how would you go about finding that information?"

It's ostensibly a question for the room, but his attention is on her. Lead on, Scoutmaster.

[hornswoggle]

Several objections come immediately to John's lips: Is that not untenable, to trust we can blackmail this woman into good behavior? Would it not be more secure to simply stack the deck when Van Markham ascends the throne?

But all of that culminates in a quiet, incredulous scoff rather than anything spoken aloud. His gaze moves to Flint, assessing his expression, and stays silent for the moment. There is no need to divert from the questions Flint poses. John can wait.

[hassaran]

"Our resources are limited," Yseult points out, though her tone suggests she hopes it is an unnecessary remark, "I don't disagree that intelligence on the Van Markhams is desirable, but we have been forced to prioritize."

And rather than head down that garden path, or allow opportunity for critique of just how those priorities have been ordered, she pivots: "What is your plan, precisely? You would hand the documents to the Van Markhams to use as they see fit?"

[katabasis]

Some line shifts in his face - a flicker of irritation for bait laid and subsequently untouched, or just some physical sign of his effort to pivot after her.

"We send a small retinue to put eyes on the Van Markhams and do some limited" --a pointed word choice-- "reconnaissance to confirm that their position and circumstances, of which we currently know next to nothing about, can be shored up and made tenable with the right aid. If so, then yes. In exchange for a commitment of men and arms, I would do precisely that."

[hornswoggle]

"If nothing else, there's value in having a clearer picture of what's happening in Nevarra."

Admittedly, John's consideration skews and stretches immediately beyond the matter at hand, towards the benefits of having such contacts.

"And you must admit, putting the documents into the Van Markham's possession is the cleanest way to approach such a thing. It gives us all some breathing room, should we decide it's better if our involvement stay quiet."

John's hands spread peaceably, allowing the implication to sit: Who need know we were involved at all?

[hassaran]

"I'm not opposed to a clearer picture," Yseult can concede that much easily; the specifics of resource allocation are easily raised at a later meeting, or better yet her own decision to make as she pleases. There are some benefits to this new independence.

"And once you've handed this information to the Van Markhams, you will simply," she spreads a hand, upturned and empty in gesture, "hope for gratitude?"

[katabasis]

"What guarantee do we have that Aurelia will march in the direction we prefer if she succeeds? That she will march at all? If the boy isn't aware of the danger that Nevarra is in, you can be certain everyone else in the room and the people themselves do. They won't tolerate inaction, and Van Markham may be easily persuaded that it's in his favor to commit."

Both of them - shots in the dark.

[hornswoggle]

John's wince is felt more than seen. It's a tremor that never passes across his face.

"When we pass this information to the Van Markhams, it will be after we've ingratiated ourselves to those surrounding him."

A clarification John feels is necessary to keep underscoring; this will not be a shot in the dark. They can't afford to simply hand off this information if nothing will come of it. John needs it to be understood that this is being factored in.

"Perhaps we never make this clear to Van Markham directly, but those around him will know. They'll be the ones to represent our cause favorably to him."

Whisper campaigns. John's favorite.

[hassaran]

"Aurelia will know that if she doesn't, we have proof of her crimes we can hand to her enemies," Yseult replies, attention remaining focused first on Flint. It's not a quick dismissal; she is listening, considering. She simply isn't convinced. "We have leverage over her if we need it, or to save for the future if we don't now. She already knows it, and knows we were the ones that freed her from that influence, kept her secret, and gave her a chance to save Perendale. And she will have the entire infrastructure of the kingdom and its armies already at hand and be able to mobilize more quickly, with less concern about needing to solidify a new dynasty first."

She glances aside to Thranduil, and then back to the pirates with a shake of her head. "I agree that we must focus more attention on Nevarra, but we would be better served by supporting the Pentaghasts."

[hornswoggle]

"We cannot hold this over her head forever," John says, straightening slightly. "It builds resentment. She will seek to neutralize our leverage. At best, this is a short term solution."

John is on the verge of asking, is there another Pentaghast in line? but refrains.

"There is an opportunity to begin on the right foot with Van Markham. Is that not worth exploring?"