Mother

[Corwin]

No, I honestly don't want to do this. Because this mess matters to Amaryl I'm willing to make an effort, but I won't do it for free.

[Anastasia]

Go ahead and give me a bluff check then.

[Corwin]

Taking 10 for 104, though I'm not lying.

[Anastasia]

I know, I just need a number the way it works.

Akil extends his hand out, as the back of the palanquin opens up, a path out, "It's been lovely to meet you again," Akil says.

[Corwin]

"It's been an interesting experience," Seira agrees, getting up and heading for the exit. She pauses at the doorway, saying, "Entirely unrelated, I expect the timeframe to be measured in days, so you know where to find me if you change your mind," before leaving.

[Anastasia]

Akil's eyes narrow, but he nods ever so slightly to you.

[Corwin]

Seira extends her hand to Amaryl!

[Anastasia]

Amaryl takes it and...

Teleporting or something, or just walking out?

[Corwin]

The three of us will walk back out of the gates, and then transport ourselves to Zaaman Rul's realm.

[Anastasia]

This goes without incident.

Once you return, "He's scared and desperate. His time draws close," Zaaman Rul concludes.

[Corwin]

"He really is," Seira says in wonder. "He... actually negotiated over payment, even under the watchful eye of his minder. Do you think he'll capitulate and reach out ot me after stewing a bit more?"

[Anastasia]

"He might," Amaryl speculates, "If he survives long enough!"

[Corwin]

"Alright, so here is my tentative plan. Wait to see if Akil bin Faheem reaches out. If he does, we'll either be able to adjust our power balance in our favor, or deal with him if he tries to renege on the deal. That should give us a decent escape clause for our peace agreement, so long as we focus it on him and his immediate circle." Seira pauses briefly, before continuing. "If he doesn't do the smart thing, and assuming that he really can't hold onto power, we'll make an appearance and see where the leaders of the coup wish to take the efreet. If they're hostile to coexistence, we won't give them the time to consolidate their gains and take them out. At some point, someone sensible in efreet leadership will finally step onto the scene."

Glancing between Zaaman Rul and Amaryl, she asks, "What do you think? I'll also keep Celestia and Aurora in the loop, and hop over for a chat with Alicia, but this time around we're not going to expand the scope of any battles beyond forces on Fire and the Cauldron if we can at all help it."

[Anastasia]

Zaaman Rul bows his head in thought. It takes him some time to reply, "So be it," he decides, "More extensive action doesn't make sense now. We strike when the iron is hot, not when it is cold."

[Corwin]

"Let's try to direct our efforts towards gathering what information we can," Seira suggests. "That way, we'll be better poised to act if we need to."