[sub]in collaboration with [@Meiyuki][/sub]




[h1][center][i][u]"Hope for Peace"[/u][/i][/center][/h1]




Lorelai and Medusa took their tea in one of the many out of the way gardens.  Assistants and servants moved about with nervous energy,  carrying stacks of papers that required their mistress' attention.  




[color=ed1c24]"So this is really how it ends between us?"[/color]  Medusa asked during a lull in their responsibilities.  She set her cup on its small plate and turned to lock eyes with Lorelai.




Lorelai sighed.  [color=00aeef]"I suppose so,  although it needn't if you were willing to step down."[/color]  She turned away,  casting her gaze over the flowers and trees.  [color=00aeef]"I don't see that happening however."[/color]




[color=ed1c24]"Nor do I."[/color]  Medusa replied.  A silence hung between them for some time after that,  neither witch willing to be the first to break it.




Rebecca made her way into the gardens. She moved quickly; a servant had told her that Medusa was having a quiet tea with Lorelai, and it gave her hope. If the two witches were willing to have such a moment together, it meant there was a good chance they might be willing to talk about settling their differences.




Eventually, she found them under a pavilion, just sitting there silently. She cleared her throat. "Erm, Mistress Medusa, and Lorelai, if I may be so bold to presume. Would you mind if I talked to you both for a little while?"




They turned in unison to look at the intrepid witch that had interupted their afternoon tea.  Medusa gestured to one of the empty chair near their empty table.  [color=ed1c24]"Please,  have a seat Rebecca.  Lorelai,  this is one of the members I was telling you about, joined while you were away."[/color]




Lorelai offered the lich a small smile.  [color=00aeef]"Well met then Rebecca,  what can we do for you?"[/color]




"You know what you can do for me? You can make a strong coven, together. You can set aside your differences. You can stop acting like a couple of angry children and make peace!"




Rebecca's voice slowly rose as she spoke. "There are several hunters in Seren's Folly who are at least willing to consider sponsoring peace talks between you two. They know about the war because I told them. You know how desperate someone like me would have to be to involve hunters in coven business. Please, at least think about it."




[color=ed1c24]"Have we been acting like angry children Lorelai?"[/color]  Medusa arched her eyebrow as she turned to the witch.  [color=ed1c24]"And here I thought we were struggling to keep the coven strong,  even with your lost faith in my leadership."[/color]




[color=00aeef]"That's what I had thought Medusa."[/color]  Lorelai kept her eyes on Rebecca,  her mouth curving into a smirk.  While the witch's play was irritating in the extreme,  possibly even dangerous,  Lorelai couldn't help but be impressed by the woman's boldness.  [color=00aeef]"You see Rebecca,  a strong coven requires a strong and united leadership.  I can no longer abide Medusa's."[/color]




Lorelai paused to sip from her cup.  [color=00aeef]"What then,  would be your solution to that?  This isn't a matter of petty differences,  we both believe the coven would be better off under our leadership.  Neither of us will be satisfied until it is so."[/color]




"Then find a way to share power. I've heard some covens run under a council rather than a single witch. Perhaps that would work well." Rebecca paused for a second, taking a cup of tea from a nearby thrall. "You see yourselves as trying to keep the coven strong, but all I see is a coven that's tearing itself to shreds in a civil war. I... I don't want to see anyone die, Lorelai. Not you, not Medusa, and not anyone else."




[color=ed1c24]"A council is a lovely idea,  until war darkens your doorstep Rebecca."[/color]  Medusa replied,  her voice finally betraying a measure of her anger and irritation.  [color=ed1c24]"Something comes witch,  and when it gets here we'll need one strong vision.  Democracy seeks the popular choice,  not truth."[/color]




Lorelai nodded.  [color=00aeef]"I understand your concern for your sisters,  I share them after all.  Medusa and I have already agreed to grant amnesty to the opposing faction when this is over,  they're our sisters too."[/color]  Lorelai leaned forward.  [color=00aeef]"What would you suggest Rebecca?  That would leave the coven with a single leader,  and minimize the bloodshed?  We can't settle for a council."[/color]




"I've had the same premonition myself, Medusa. That's why I'm trying to bring everyone together. I fear we will need every witch, and every hunter, when the storm comes down upon our heads."




"If councils cannot function in time of war, then use it only in peace. Let the war be decided in a series of duels to first blood, or other contests. The winner becomes the sole leader should war threaten us. It allows all involved to prove their skills, and yet be assured of keeping their lives."




[color=00aeef]"I'd be satisfied with just one duel,  a contest of wills between me and Medusa."[/color]  Lorelai turned towards her nemesis.  [color=00aeef]"The victor claiming the 'prize' of guiding our coven through the darkness to come."[/color]




[color=ed1c24]"And while that might be simpler."[/color]  Medusa rolled her eyes.  [color=ed1c24]"A leader is not simply measured by the might of their will,  nor the strength of their blade.  A leader needs the faith of her coven as well.  This needs to be decided by a contest that not only reflects our individual strengths,  but also the respect and faith we command amongst our sisters."[/color]




[color=00aeef]"And thus our impasse.  We've spoken at length about how to settle this with a small measure of civility,  with minimum blood from anyone other than ourselves."[/color]  Lorelai sighed as she turned to Rebecca.  [color=00aeef]"But alas,  we can't seem to find a solution that satisfies both of us.  Even if we were to elect for a series of duels or contests as you say,  who would chose the matches or games?  We cannot find an objective party in any of this,  because as far as we can tell none exsists that either of us would trust."[/color]




"Not among the coven, maybe, but have you tried talking outside it? There was one hunter who seemed at least somewhat open to the idea of talks, but he wanted to meet with you beforehand. Perhaps there are others as well. I think you should at least speak with him, see what he has to say. What all do you have to lose?"




[color=00aeef]"We each stand to lose more than you think."[/color]  Lorelai pressed her fingers to her forehead in thought for a moment,  before turning to Medusa.  [color=00aeef]"I say we go to this meeting,  the hunters will already know of our presence in the region.  I doubt they'll have any solutions to our problem,  but what harm could come of it?"[/color]




[color=ed1c24]"A great deal,  if it turns out to be an ambush."[/color]  Medusa gave Rebecca an appraising glance.  [color=ed1c24]"So be it,  bring this hunter,  and no more than two of his fellows.  We'll attend this... meeting of yours."[/color]




"We shall meet tomorrow at noon, in the cemetary at Seren's Folly. I must take my leave now, to return and tell him of my success, such as it is. And Medusa, Lorelai?" A glistening tear slid down Rebecca's cheek, a tear of joy at what she had achieved so far... and a tear of fear at what would happen, should she fail to bring this to a successful conclusion. "Thank you."




[color=ed1c24]"Save your thanks for when we've all made it through this,  for better or worse."[/color]  Medusa smiled softly.  [color=ed1c24]"The night's still young."[/color]




[color=00aeef]"Indeed."[/color]  Lorelai nodded solemnly.  [color=00aeef]"Good luck and God's speed Rebecca,  while I doubt we'll find peace,  you've shone a small ray of light on this.  Nurture and defend it,  and we'll see what will come."[/color]