Meeting at the light

[Corwin]

"Please give us a moment," Seira requests, and then ensures their conversation is not overheard or otherwise perceived, such as via lip reading, through an application of divine will.

Then, together with Donyas, she produces a draft document that depicts the cessation of hostilities treaty between the Cauldron and Celestia on one side and the dao nation on the other. On the dao side, as part of what the treaty calls gradual reduction in slavery among the dao nation, it outlaws the possession of new slaves past the date of the treaty's signing and the safe release of all enslaved xorn into Celestial or Cauldron hands.

"I want to see whether we could negotiate from this draft," Seira tells the others. "Thoughts?"

[Nephrite]

"I know it isn't ideal, but I think if we accept the freeing of the xorn and don't push them on the rest of the slavery, we can return to the topic once the efreet have been dealt with." Moore says. "I suppose it can't hurt to try this though, I don't think they're going to leave the bargaining table over it."

[Corwin]

"Our best outcome would be if they ask to consider it for some time," Seira agrees, and looks at Valar and Honeydip. "It goes without saying I have a follow up plan to rescue the rest, but getting a truce on this front is the true goal."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I defer to our legal expert for any objections, then."

[Anastasia]

The Great Khan simply waits with the patience of the earth and stones.

Donyas helps you with it, "Anything else to be added? I'd suggest something minor that may be accepted in face of other concessions they wish to move stronger against."

[Corwin]

"Like a red herring that keeps them guessing?" Seira muses. "Alright, how about we also ask for all the information the dao have on the daoin."

[Anastasia]

"Very well," Donyas says, making exactly what you wish and passing it over.

[Corwin]

"Thank you for your patience," Seira tells the Khan, dismissing the privacy screen and sliding the draft over.

[Anastasia]

The draft is read, "Interesting," Is the Great Khan's reply, a moment where he does the same. His advisors surround him as divine will covers them completely.

At this lull Valar sits back, waiting.

Lady Honeydip rests a moment, "A battle with words and tension, is it?"

[Corwin]

Since he was nice about letting them have their privacy, Seira doesn't attempt to circumvent it. Rather, she allows their own privacy screen to have her friends comment without worry of being overheard.

"Should things not go as desired, or even if they do but future events bring us at odds once more, it would be useful to gain the measure of our opponent. Thus, more a duel with many feints than a true battle, I would say."

[Anastasia]

"Of course, a certain amount of working trust is built in a good negotiation," Donyas says, then with a faint smile, "When the ones you're dealing with permit such a thing."

Meanwhile, Great Khan's negotiations finish, his barrier fading away.

[Corwin]

Seira lets their own fade in time with that, waiting with polite restraint.

[Anastasia]

A counter offer is produced and presented to you, "Our offer," The Great Khan says, a copy of the document appearing before the five of you.

[Corwin]

Seira takes a glance, the privacy screen getting its use once more.

[Anastasia]

This treaty offers the following:

- Peace between the Cauldron, Celestia (including other allies involved such as Sylica) and the Dao.
- The Xorn will freed and left to their own devices in Earth, free of interference from the dao, Celestial, the Cauldron or any other signatory of this treaty. This includes an agreement to forswear allies doing the same at your behest.
- The occupation of the Abyssal Lake will be vacated by Sylica. Should those here be unable to speak on Sylica's behalf, their council shall be sought directly.
- Information on the daoin from the Great Khan's archives.
- This treaty shall guarantee peace for 100 years between all signatories.
- All sides shall offer monetary compensations to widows, orphans and others left deprived of family as a result of their actions in the war, with the exact amount and payments to be negotiated at a later date.
- The dao and Celestia, Duke Moore in particular, shall convene negotiations at a later date regarding Duke Moore's usage as a diplomat to Mineral and Crystalle.