Finding the wheel

[Nephrite]

Moore lets out a laugh and then smiles. "I understand where your wisdom is coming from. Let's just relax for right now and see what Lord Barachiel has to say on this matter. I'm rather curious myself, especially since I heard that there's a bounty on my head now, or will be anyway."

[Anastasia]

"How much?" Jetina asks right away, "Dead or alive, for that matter?"

"Not enough and hopefully dead," Xandra says, "One does not want to be brought alive to someone like the Grand Sultan. At least before that death may allow your soul to escape."

[Nephrite]

"I don't know, but I imagine that may be a thing we discuss." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

A few chuckles at that, mostly from Kaja. "I once heard a story of a dragon who ravaged and waylaid several kingdoms. It got so bad that the kingdoms put out a huge bounty for him, so the dragon tried to claim it himself. He made a clone of himself and offered himself in exchange for the money. Fool. They didn't give it t him of course, and he got killed because in doing so, he made himself an easy target."

[Nephrite]

"That's an impressive amount of hubris, even for a dragon." Moore says. "I really have to wonder though, if the efreet could actually accept slavery as no longer being something they're allowed to do."

[Anastasia]

"I doubt it," Xandra says, "This is likely no more than a polite excuse to size each other up before war. I doubt either side is going to relent." She smiles, "Let them come. So long as we do not lose sight of other foes."

"..." Cresiel is silent, eyes closed and arms crossed. His head is bowed as he speaks, "I am all for stopping this evil, but that is the crux of the argument against it. If we choose this evil, we are neglecting others. Why now? There have been so many eras they could've gone at the efreet, but why now? This is going so far because the Hebdomad is supporting it."

"Do you question the wisdom of the Hebdomad?" Xandra's voice is soft, understanding, but steel lies in it.

"No." Cresiel looks up at that, "But I think there is more going on here than we know of. I do not think this is the reason that Chronias has become radiant."

[Nephrite]

"Hm... better the devil you know than the devil you don't know?" Moore asks. "Perhaps Lord Barachiel can shed more light on this particular subject. It does seem like we're missing a few key pieces."

[Anastasia]

"Then let's find out," Cresiel says, settling in.

Anything else to add here?

[Nephrite]

Nope, we'll wait.

[Anastasia]

You wait perhaps 45 minutes, lost in comfortable conversation and passing the time. That's when your escort returns, "You will be seen now," he says, "Please come with me."

[Nephrite]

"Of course." Moore agrees as he moves to follow!

[Anastasia]

You are escorted to a throne room - a simple throne of wood, wood that shines of gold. Here an archon sits, skin purple and wrapped in dark purple cloth that glitters with all the stars of the heavens. He sits there, attended by seventy seven solars, kneeling and at the ready. Yet even solars seem meaningless next to Barachiel, who speaks in the Words of Creation themselves, words of power understood to Moore.

"Duke Moore, you may approach with your friends," Barachiel says, voice clear and true, commanding.

[Nephrite]

Moore gestures for them all to follow -- not that they don't understand what Barachiel is saying, of course, but...

"Thank you for this audience, Lord Barachiel." Moore says as he moves in to approach, offering a deep bow once he gets closer.

[Anastasia]

Cresiel and Xandra kneel behind you, Jetina and then Kaja following suit.

"Great events bring us together," Barachiel agrees, "Speak your mind and ask what you wish to ask of me."

[Nephrite]

"I would like to know if you have any insight on what you think the efreet are trying to accomplish." Moore says. "Do you think they suffered such losses from Celestia's attacks that they wish to negotiate, or does this have deeper meaning in your opinion?"