The Council of Sarkun

((Didn't like how I wrote this. I'll either edit it to fit, or it can be ignored. Based upon whether or not anyone saw it. XDD)

The four ha'dri chitter and hiss amongst themselves for a few moments before one leans forward, hissing to their human translator who clears his throat before relaying the words of his masters to the council.

"You have made a Blood Pact with the Slumbering One. The Serpents of Sida made pacts much like yours with the Lord of Dread...Look what became of them. Not only this but you promise the Slumbering One secrets of Bane. Is he not your master? Will he not be angered that you freely give his knowledge to another? You dance and flirt with powers beyond your reckoning...Already it has cost the lives of all those in your city of Rashid. How long until we all pay the price for your arrogance? How long until the lush jungle, home to not just our people but all those here become as dead and dry as the dunes of Sida?"

The ha'dri hiss and grumble amongst themselves, obviously not pleased. After a moment the speaker raises his voice again.

" 'He will kneel to my command'. And this is not arrogance? In any case ambition and arrogance go hand in hand. Your actions will bring doom and suffering to the jungles and all who dwell within it. We will say no more, nor will we take any part in it. The events at Rashid alone have driven many of our people to flee into the jungles. Soon the rest shall follow from our cities. We will not lie in wait for the angered gods to strike you and all those who follow you down. We take our leave not in anger or discord but for the betterment of our kind. Good day to you all, Lords and Ladies of this United Sarkun."

With that the Ha'dri representatives and their translator turn to depart from the council chambers.

"Without leadership in Rashid at this time.. and seeing how the nobles left with the former Shah, I grant you the fiefdom of Rashid upon these terms and the ones we discussed." Marcus brings his hand to his hairline and brushes his hair back behind his large, curved horns that have seen to grow much since his position as champion. "The residence of Rashid will be allowed to stay or leave depending on their attitude, but none will be harmed. Full details will be discussed after this meeting, champion." 

With that the meeting comes to a close, Marcus of Muhsin escorting and seeing each of the council members out.. all except for the Aranek. Marcus shares words with them likely about whatever deal they made concerning the hold of Rashid.

There are no bountiful banners nor calls of great glory as the venerable peoples of Aqil meet the great capital of the current Maalikite nation. The pride of Aqil is a silent thing, often doing it more favors than not. The party walks the streets openly, with only proper hands and titles knowing whom they are, mostly being the town's upper guard and Demoniac Guard.

Four men walk in total. Three heavily armored fellows, all tall and of considerable equip triangulate around a center fellow, armored less so, but with his armor also well decorated. The main difference between his armor is that where his compatriots have chainmail and gambeson showing plainly, this man instead shows ornamented tabards of red color decorated and trimmed in black. His armor is less defensively merely as the gambeson of the others is replaced with his ornate red wear, which goes over the chainmail and decorates the armor.

One other lapse in appearance is the lack of a full helm that disguises his appearance; instead, this man wears an iron crown upon his head, heavy and engraved with designs. In his hands is a stave, bearing the look of a large scepter with a weighted head and a considerable shaft, decorated with precious metals over the dark grey iron. At his side is a mace of similar make, heavy iron, simple and effective, strong and reliable.

Muhsin and Qadir

Marcus soon enters after the three parties enter with his newly formed Demoniac Guard at his side and stationed all along the interior of the council halls and central meeting room. His stygian reinforced ebonbone armor brings the most protection to him despite the numerous guards at his disposal. He takes his seat at the chair dedicated to Muhsin while one of his guards takes a spot at the seat of Qadir. After placing his sword and various paper documents on the table in front of him, Marcus stands to address the council members representing the different provinces. "Very important news has happened in both Maalik and the Impo'si Empire and I have brought you all together, save Thana and Cassandra who will no doubt come in time, to discuss these events."

Marcus Olm looks over to Chalcatu with a nod. "A new alliance has been forged with my provinces and the Impo'si Empire through many ancient rites. With Chalcatu as the new emperor, their people will be prepared for the war that is to come, whomever it may be against. As such, I propose that Maalik should be just as strong and truly united under a ruler. Privately discussed with Cassandra and Thana, they nominated me as the candidate. With both my provinces, I have also backed myself for the throne."

Saffiyah and Atiya

Late as ever, Thana and Cassandra appear from the same translocation point, seemingly having had matters of court in Atiya. They walk side-by-side to the their respective seats at the council without a word.

Aqil

The men of Aqil stand at their station, with relaxed demeanors and calm smiles. As ever, Adrahal of Tisuuk is non-chalantly casting his eyes over the party, never one to sit still. He does so, sitting quietly for Olm as he reigns in the party. He keeps his eyes on Marcus as he finishes his words of unity and power. Adrahal then contributes his own, speaking in his calm, upright demeanor.

"I stand for what Maalik has always meant, and what it will always continue to mean. United or divided, it is the pursuit of our righteous strength, that strength which made the world banish us once and dream themselves a world away. I do not change in my stances, as a mage of Maalik and holder of Aqil, I stand for the propensity of Maalikite fervor. At the current, I am in no way against a single direct ruler of the land, but these are pivotal times. I may abstain for the time being, whilst the case is made, and allow my eyes a chance to open."

Muhsin and Qadir

"Abstain or not, the majority wins to elect the leader of the truly unified Maalik. As king, there will be major advances in peace as well as what war comes our way. I ask all of you to swear fealty to Sarkun and Maalik in this new alliance between the Impo'si and us. Together we will protect our home from anything that threatens us while maintaining the freedoms Maalik was formed on. The freedom to magic and ability to stay here without being persecuted for what you are or where you come from. Maalik was formed with the sweat and blood of outcasts and I will not forget that.. not for all those who died and could not be here because they were outcasts." Marcus looks over to Chalcatu and his personal guard. "The Impo'si Empire and I will speak of better terms of an alliance after this meeting and any more concerns you may bring up."

As Marcus sits down from speaking a few Demoniac Guards enter the meeting chamber and make their way to their new king. In their demonic tongue, they speak to him saying "עושים את זה" before backing away from him. Marcus stands once again with a cold, hard, and empty stare into nothingness. "If you will excuse me, I have my own matters to attend to. I apologize, but my second will take my place if you have questions." Marcus walks away with the Demoniac Guards close behind him. "Get more of the Guard and get some of the cultists as well, I will finally end these ties."