A Nascent Threat

[Csephion Draxus]

Demos, Capital of the Necian League

The Oratorium was buzzing in anticipation of Ariadne Fyrian's statements. She had been delivered a summons by the Satrapy to be questioned in reference to her father, Kairun Fyrian's plot to abscond from the Great Beacon with the Golden Lantern. There was apparently more at work than a pirate's simple desire for revenge against his hated foe. It had been arranged that for her delivery of the Lantern, and the head of her dead father, in addition to the submission of her pirate fold to the League that she would be held beyond reproach for her father's crimes, provided that she give full disclosure of the evil plot to the Satrapy.

Draxus had arrived to the Oratorium early, and was meeting with the Satraps allied with him. Opposing him was the Satrap Regulus Varo and his party, who were marginalized in their defeat to the proposal that Ariadne herself should face death for her pirate deeds. Draxus had successfully negotiated her survival, on the populist hopes that the larger threat against Necia would be discovered, uprooted, and destroyed.

Today, that threat would have a name.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

There was a sense of mild uneasiness to be felt, and Ariadne found herself clasping her hands in front of her. When she'd come before the Satrapy upon her return, she had been in a state of near panic, her bold and accusing words fueled by a fear for the young Mer she'd brought with her. There had been traces of anger as well, as when Varo had spoken she'd snapped rather magnificently at him, and despite the stern call for respect that Draxus had given, she suspected that he'd been secretly elated at her words.

As well, her apprehension for the day had been soothed by Draxus' own gentle reassurances the night before, his affections welcomed with an almost desperate hunger on her part.



In one of the many side rooms set adjacent to the main hall, the Glaucan paced. She wore her leathers, having turned away the fine garments that the Satrap had offered for this day. No. She would approach the Satrapy as herself. She'd made a small concession however, in wearing a Necian robe over her well-worn garb. It had been fastened at her shoulders, to fall to almost the soles of her boots, and gave her a foreign yet rather... Necian appearence. Her fiery mane had been pulled partially up, and her amulet held its' customary place around her neck, in plain view.

She stopped her restless pacing when one of the Oratorium guardsmen appeared in the doorway, beckoning her with a silent gesture.

Licking her lips, the Glaucan followed.

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus rose from his assigned seat, and gestured for the chairman to grant him the floor.

"Draxus of Phressia."

The Oratorium was silent, waiting for what they already knew he'd say.

"In light of the most serious events that transpired yesterday, I call Ariadne Fyrian to the floor to answer the Satrapy's queries in regards to the insidious plot against the Golden Lantern, and the Necian State itself."

Murmurs rolled through the vaulted room as they awaited the guardsmen to bring Ariadne to the dais in the center of the room.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

She held her head high, her green eyes radiating pride as she was led to the center of the Oratorium's main chamber, and moving away from her escort, Ariadne stepped up to stand upon the raised dais.

She looked at the assembled Satraps, but never let her gaze linger too long over any of them before finally settling her stare upon the chairman.

She said not a word, knowing that it would be better to allow those around her their first words.

[Csephion Draxus]

The chairman addressed Ariadne.

"Madame Fyrian, you come before the Supreme Satrapy of the League of Necia on a formal inquiry. As you are not yet a citizen, I will act as your counsel on matters of legal compliance with the questions. It is a crime against the state to bear false witness, do you understand?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian gave a nod, and her voice remained level as she answered.

"I understand."

Not yet a citizen of Necia... the thought was such a strange one, as she turned it over in her mind. To become a part of the thing that Kariun had so hated and despised. It would have made her mother happy.

[Csephion Draxus]

The chairman turned to the assembly, choosing one of the multitude of risen hands.

"Ilas of Phracthya."

One of the Satraps who leaned toward Draxus rose, and spoke with a voice practiced at carrying in the Oratorium.

"What was your father's aim in stealing the Golden Lantern?"

It was a fairly procedural question to begin the fusilade.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

How direct.

"He was tasked to do so, with the promise of rewards beyond anything he could conceive."

And an equally direct - if not simple - answer. It would not do to name Ankaa so early in these proceedings; it would be foolhardy to rush the naming of Necia's new enemy. Let the Satrapy bring it out of her, bit by bit.

[Csephion Draxus]

Another Satrap brought forth a question, this one from Varo's party.

"What compensation was Kairun to be given for the task?"

Draxus watched on, leaning over to whisper something in an attendant's ear. So far, the questioning had proceeded about as expected.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"A free reign on the southern coastlines, to do as he wished."

Fyrian clasped her hands at the small of her back, the muscles of her jaw rigid.

"As well, a charter and contract to raid Necian trade vessels with an added incentive for each corpse he could stuff into his hold."

[Csephion Draxus]

Murmurs increased in the Oratorium, and the chairman scowled at the fervor.

Another Satrap, this one among the group that was in neither of the major camps rose.

"This seems to be an unrealistic promise. Who could reasonably assure such a thing to Kairun with any credibility to cause him to believe he would collect?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"Unrealistic, yes. But please understand first and foremost the level of hatred Kariun harbored. It was deep enough to cloud his judgment and sway his decision. And, in all honesty, such a promise is enticing for many."

The barest of pauses, and she went on.

"Especially when it is Ankaa who makes that promise."

[Regulus Varo]

The entire Oratorium thundered at that, and it was all the Chairman could do to scold the crowd back down to a simmer. In the throng, he selected another Satrap.

"Regulus Varo"

At the opposition leader's name, the voices died down even more, curious to hear what he would say.

"Ariadne, this is a deposition, not a forum for supposition. Ankaa makes for a scandalous hypothetical, but you would have this assembly to believe in such a farce?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Her demeanor did not change, nor did it waver.

"I was asked a question, and I answered. If you are unsatisfied by that I am truly sorry; it is not my intention to spin false tales, else I would never have brought back the Lantern."

[Regulus Varo]

His eyes narrowed.

"Who did Kairun speak with of this plan? Who did he make arrangements with?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian bristled visibly at his tone, her fingernails biting into the palms of her hands as she fought to control her rising temper.

"There were many with whom this 'scandalous hypothetical' was made," she bit back.

[Regulus Varo]

Varo's patience was running thin with what he perceived to be coy and aloof handling of answers.

"This would be the proper venue to name such people who would be involved. That is why I asked you."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"No, you accused me of spreading near-inconceivable falsehoods. Not for you, but for your peers I will answer."

She took her eyes from Varo, sweeping them across the faces gathered.

"Aheed Jhendrai, Kazza Mohaan, Monek al'Zhinn, and Jinn Ohandra."

[Regulus Varo]

A few of the names caused the all-familiar murmuring to bristle through the throng. Varo crossed his arms as he listened.

"Kazza Mohan is the Ankaaran Sultan's liason to Necia. This implication cannot be made lightly."

Varo glanced sidelong, catching Draxus's eye. He glowered briefly, reflecting upon what he had heard.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"Do I appear to be speaking in a tone to suggest the contrary?"

She went on before he could answer, addressing the Satrapy as a whole.

"I am not here to play games. I am here because it is necessary. My father defied Denetion when he took your Lantern, and I do not wish his punishment to befall myself or those in my charge. You wished to know why he stole your relic, and I have told you."

One last scowl at Varo.

"Was I wrong in taking the actions that I did?"