ooc: I did it. It took me long enough but I think I finished it.
ic:
Earlier that day things had not been peaceful at all. Exeter was in a very uncomfortable position. Vlasdimir entered his suite quickly, as usual.
The room was dark; the only light was several dim lamps around a desk it was reflected by several mirrors.
Apart from Vlasdimir Exeter was the only one in the room.
On the desk was a model of the land, with many wooden figurines modeled after Atlas, Kelliana, Zhashban, Daethalion and others who had interacted with Exeter.
Vlasdimir had always disliked the model, he thought it childish.
“Exeter, I have news.”
“Of course you do. Daethalion is no longer an asset. You are far to slow with you information.”
“But what are we to do?”
“We, Vlasdimir? Nothing. You are going to place a wolf’s head on Daethalion. Cut him off from the People. In addition place a bounty on his head. Four hundred thousand should do it.”
“Exeter! He isn’t a liability; he just doesn’t understand our goal…”
“On the contrary, he understands it perfectly. Though he obviously does not understand who he is competing with, but it truly doesn’t matter. Remove him.”
“Yes…master.”
So saying Vlasdimir vanished, as quickly as a shadow fleeing the sun, and twice as quietly.
As he left Exeter smiled softly as he lifted and moved the wooden figurines, he lifted that of Daethalion and that of Vlasdimir.
“Ah yes, my taste is arguable. Perhaps not as fitting as I could have done it, but it worked out well. Very well. Good bye Vlasdimir, you were helpful for while,” so saying he snapped the model of Vlasdimir’s head from its shoulders.
“Cramor, have our old friend Vlasdimir removed. Permanently.”
A small man, hooded in the black robes of the Monks of Kra’Akken emerged, bowed deeply and vanished once again into the shadows.
Exeter was once again seemingly alone. As he leaned over the model of the empire he reached his hand into the elaborately carved fireplace and removed a flaming piece of firewood,
“I must admit, Atlas, I enjoyed the charade. Just like old times. I hate to end the fun, but the joke’s wearing thin. At last it is time for the war to begin.” Dropping the fire into his model he watched as the blaze consumed Camador, moving on to take the rest of the eastern countries with it.
Vlasdimir walked through the city he was not happy, he had just sent message to the secondary leader of the People of Dis, giving the news of Daethalion’s exile. He was angered, Daethalion was not his ally, but as of yet he had no reason to distrust him and what he had would certainly dissolve all loyalty with his kinsman.
He was beginning to pant, he was tired. Possibly for the first time in his life, he was exhausted.
He thought it was merely fatigue, he working more than most, even if they were the people of Dis. But now he realized. It was Styx Water. He had been poisoned, but by whom? Could Atlas’ know the truth?
Before he could think about it more a slash of silver against the black night interrupted his thoughts, his reflexes saved him.
He dodged back quickly, flipping back he met a second Monk, he attempted to dodge him but, with his reflexes slowed by the Styx water he was caught off guard.
A third scimitar impaled him.
The other two quickly removed his head.
“Tell his Excellency Lord Exeter that the anomaly has been removed.” Said the largest
When Cramor returned to Exeter he was surprised to be greeted by a fire that consumed Exeter’s model.
Exeter quickly doused the fire.
Cramor relayed the “good” news.
“Excellent. I should be able to find a suitable replacement. One who will not believe that I am weak enough to actually fall for the exiled queen of an all but extinct civilization, if he was as gullible as that he would have failed again. Which he did, with Daethalion, though with such a fool as Vlasdimir out of the way he may yet be an asset, if he does not realize it of course.”
Later that day Atlas stood quietly, letting Zhashban speak for him. He knew what would be necessary to do later on, but now he was waiting. After Obacai’s speech however he found it important to say one thing. Standing he said it, he had the political power as the Lord of Avalon to do it so the only thing holding him back was the fact he could offend the King. The result was he chose his words carefully
“My lord, I must bring forth one simple fact. There is an upcoming war, one we have not seen the likes of since Atlantis. While your kingdom is the greatest in terms of art, culture, commerce, trade, business and knowledge is by far the greatest, your power in war and your size are greatly challenged by your neighbors.
You’re skills as leaders are remarkable but even they can not face the sheer brute size of the brewing force.
If you do not choose an alliance, then it is possible your great country falls and your memory tainted.”
The bringing up of his memory would instantly change whatever his opinion previously was. He now would choose alligence with who ever had the strongest military. And while Exeter was rich, and politically more powerful than any others his miltia was remarkably weak. Atlas had check.
