A book and many things to do

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa passes it around to the others for their satisfaction.

[Anastasia]

Dolmaya frowns as you all read it, and quietly, "Conspiring with Hell rarely works well," she says, "Are you intent on this course?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa says to Agreil, "A moment, if you would be so kind? My companion is far more well versed in these things and would like to consult in private."

[Anastasia]

Agreil merely smiles, a wave of a claw dismissing you.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa moves off with Dolmaya and the documents to somewhere reasonably private.

[Anastasia]

Easy enough - a little side hallway with no one around.

Go ahead.

[Iron Dragoon]

"To be on the same page, please speak your concerns."

[Anastasia]

"Devils are vile things and dealing with them is a fool's game," Dolmaya says, "I can accept returning the staff and whatever else, but asking for them to send a representative and give them a foothold? Foolishness!"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Normally I agree, but I never said we'd allow them to stay. I'm trying to think long term about the bigger fight. The others are bouncing all over creation fighting almost everything they come across. Evey fight they get I to puts another enemy in Shar's pocket. If we can turn this into an opportunity to establish formal neutrality, should we not at least make an overture at it?"

[Anastasia]

"I don't like it," Dolmaya begins, raising a finger up towards your face.

"It's also good politics, as long as we're careful," Jarem cuts in, "The devils will keep the letter of their promises, if not the spirit of them. Just make sure you  know exactly what the letter is and what it says."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Exactly! If we can can arrange a formal neutrality agreement, it's only less knife in your backs, as long we're smart. Again, I don't like it either, but let's be realistic here. How many fronts can we fight on while having to focus on our real fight? How far do we get dragged into fight after fight until we're pulled so thin she can just brush us aside? And, hoping beyond hope here, what if we can get a few more on our side? Face it: they have every bit as much desire for us to win, even if they don't know it. We lose, and so do they. So does everyone. Can we afford not having every advantage we possibly can?"

[Anastasia]

Before you get too far into your words, Jarem interrupts by clearing his throat. "Let's not be too vocal here. The walls are strange things, growing ears all the time. The point is we have our opinions and let's make our choice here, whatever it is. Make Agreil at least work for it rather than handing it to him."

[Iron Dragoon]

"In that case, what do you suggest that add on be?"

[Anastasia]

"If you're going to deal the staff and return it, do so, then politely decide on the teacher and be done with it," Jarem says, "I personally think Dolmaya's right, it's a bridge too far with Emily there."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hm. A point. What about the option of keeping a line of communications open? Maybe a neutral ground meeting in the future, with no date set yet?"