The Grand Sultan

[Anastasia]

General headshakes, along with, "What do you mean?" Cresiel asks, "Falling is hardly unique to him."

"No kidding. I fell getting out of bed this morning," Jetina remarks wryly.

"Go on," Barachiel says, "Sealtiel rarely speaks of his brother with me."

"Wait, brother?" Elle turns rather sharply at that, "They're related?"

[Corwin]

"Making terrible choices in life or turning down the wrong path doesn't mean you're an orphan," Seira points out to Elle. "To put us back on track, it's nothing short of Apotheosis. Eblis has a reliable method of ascension, one that trades the threat of being rejected by Lord Ao for other, equally terrible dangers. Recently, he had extended the option to Gathgorian, one of the devils who opposed Aurora's efforts." She nods at Moore there. "According to my information, he seems to intend to elevate one more."

And Asmodeus apparently knows and approves, but that's too much speculation to put it out here.

[Nephrite]

Moore raises a hand to his mouth. "So that's how he did it... We had heard that he had ascended somehow, but..." He takes in a breath. "I wonder if that's what that ridiculous 'duel of destiny' was all about..." He murmurs.

"Still, I can see where you're going with this." Moore says with a nod. "Or I can see how it could affect all of this."

[Anastasia]

Uproar.

"Impossible!" Vel Custos thunders, "No one has that! Why are we not awash in it, then?"

Cerulean Joy's gaze turns intently on Seira, a physical pressure against her. Overwhelming, overpowering. "How do you know this?" she asks, speaking softly, yet not crushed by her husband's declaration.

Cresiel's expression closes off in an instant, stormy and withdrawn. "Antenora Reynes," he says, "I had heard, and...you stole it. You stole the method from Eblis. What is that is so dangerous?"

Barachiel merely holds a hand up amid a dozen other exclamations. Silence falls, "Peace," he declares in a voice that will brook no opposition.

[Corwin]

"There are great dangers to the method," Seira repeats, nodding at Cresiel. "Indeed. Antenora's ascension followed it successfully, but if you know her you would realize how exceptional you need to be to even apply. You're wrong about one thing, however. It wasn't stolen from Eblis. He gave it to Alicia directly, with the confidence Antenora could not succeed without his aid. In the end, it was he who had his worldview shaken by her."

She purses her lips. "I have every reason to expect that Zaphkiel is fully aware of this matter, so if the details weren't shared with you until now, please trust in his judgement and keep this in confidence for the time being."

[Anastasia]

"And in my judgement. Do not talk of this, keep it in your confidences," Barachiel agrees, lowering his hand. "We walk in the path of Chronias. Continue if you have more to add, Seira."

Silence follows that, attention on Seira firmly.

[Nephrite]

Moore takes in a breath. "I think, in that regard then, it makes sense that Eblis' eyes would be here. He's probably begrudgingly curious what other conventions can be shaken up in this new world."

A pause as he looks to Barachiel and then nods to Seira!

[Corwin]

"There are changes taking place across Creation. We've all felt it, or were even a small part of them. The relationship between Eblis and Asmodeus has never been truly clear, and yet, he does harbor regrets. There is a chance to return him to the fold. That he elevated one of the worst devils, yet felt he could work together with Antenora... something new is taking place, here, and I wonder whether the location of Fire is not significant. I wonder just how closely the Grand Sultan factors in Eblis's plans. There are always threes, so is he trying to present a sort of alternative to Nessus and Chronias, as he is now?"

Seira stops herself before she starts to ramble in earnest. "I think we need to push for our ideals. We need to be an active part in the transformation of Creation towards one we can live with, without compromising too much what we believe in. I think we can and should reach out towards those we might rescue, be they Shar's most trusted circle or one of the greatest traitors Celestia had ever known. That's how we'll win, not just against Shar but in the ways that truly matter. And the first step towards that is ending slavery on Fire."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Yes, I agree. I'd like to make a proposal, then, that I think falls in lean with the hope of idealism." He says, before he clears his throat.

"I'd like to offer to them, as part of whatever agreement we come up with, that the Sultan can send one of his trusted members to Celestia to join my forces. Call it an olive branch, a foolhardy attempt to make someone better, but... If he's serious about this -- if he's serious about wanting to face against Shar and serious about..."

He gestures broadly towards Barachiel. "What he could perhaps not put into words in your presence, My Lord, perhaps this would be a way to have a positive influence on someone which could ripple further than just words. They'd be able to witness the actions my team takes which... as you know, has been a bit unorthodox." A lopsided smile follows after that.

[Anastasia]

Aloud, softly as if thinking to herself, "And if the Crimson Firebrand is alive and returning..." Elle murmurs, gaze downward and lost.

"Momentous times," Barachiel says, turning to Moore as he speaks. "There is more to speak of, yet all of us need time to consider what has been said. Let us rest and meet again in the morrow, before negotiations begin anew. Everyone, consider ideas such as this, consider this well, and be prepared for tomorrow.""

[Corwin]

Having said all that she intends to share at this point, Seira nods at Barachiel in agreement.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods as well!

[Anastasia]

Thus everyone goes to rest, think and talk.

You have a chance to do any prep you need to do as well as talking to anyone, or anything else you can do here. Do either of you have anything you'd like to accomplish?

[Nephrite]

I don't have anything specific to add, as far as I know.

[Corwin]

I'd prefer to deal with this. After we're done, unless it ends in a surprise betrayal, I'll see if I can't snag one of the participants for a chat. But only after!