[h3]Uicle and Ovak[/h3]

[color=598527]“Oh yes, having murdered my parents and then burned my siblings to death, only to resurrect them centuries later and apologize, puts me on remarkably good terms with my family. Lidda should try it some time. The self-loathing just does [i]wonders[/i] for your mental health.”[/color]Uicle replied dryly, still in Ancient Yarosmerian. He didn’t want to scar Lyn after all. He looked at Greg, muttering, [color=598527]“Traitor.”,[/color] under his breath before refocusing on the Archmage and switching to Naersan, a language universally used.

[color=chocolate]”Don’t be harsh on the mental hound, if he wasn’t so loyal than you would’ve been banished by now. Even teachers aren’t immune to the laws of the College after all. We would've ended up being down one necromancer teacher.”[/color] Ovak chided Uicle as his sharp hearing caught the sudden mumble clear as day. The old man nested deeper into his chair, his knuckles rested on a small cane used more for show than necessity. His sharp eyes scanned the room and kept a visual on the diplomates collecting to the assigned tables, waiting patiently for something. Several visions whipped through his mind, pushed away when he heard Uicle continue.   

[color=598527]“Banish? Please. We both know I would have went complete back into my old ways and someone would have had to uh…”[/color] One could feel Uicle’s non existent eyes shifting to Lyn. [color=598527]“Release me. Besides, if I actually meant what I said I’d just scrap him and rebuild him.”[/color] A wounded woof came from Gregor. [color=598527]“Yes! I mean you! Better be nice or I’ll get a new dog!”[/color] Uicle grumped. He wouldn’t though. Gregor had been with him as long as Minos.

Ovak merely chuckled lightly, his head cocked in knowing the teacher was jesting. Gently, the archmage took his cup of honeysuckle wine and brought it to his lips, taking a small sip. It burned slightly going down though he enjoyed the bittersweetness, holding its tang upon his tongue for a moment or two after it passed down his throat. Uicle, however, continued while the soul filled golem stood in front of him. His words caught the archmage’s attention rather quickly as his eyes settled on the armor suit.  

[color=598527]“Lets see. The Snow Elves are being destroyed bit by bit by a demon army that claims to serve uh...the Big K. The Dwarves and the Forest Elves are at each others throats. The Orcs are ready to go into civil war. Tidehome is on the verge of becoming a new battleground for Djarkle and Eania. Yarosmere is under the rule of a xenophobic tyrannical priest dictator, who has turned the country into a bunch of fanatics who are just as hostile and xenophobic.”[/color] 

[color=598527]“Eania is one diplomat away from declaring war on us. And that diplomat has already had one attempt on his life. Someone is murdering the Djarkel Barons, and making it look like Vampires. Did I miss anything? Oh yes! There are no less than two diplomat groups from the Scorched Lands, respectively claiming that the others are rebels or servants of a warmongering maniac. Shall we start sending students out now, or later?”[/color]

[color=chocolate]“Personally, I rather not. I’m not eager to jump to war Uicle as any common sense individual would be, to put those that trust us in danger. Especially when not all the pieces have been revealed yet. However, we can’t simply leave others defenseless.”[/color] Ovak said, his hand pulled his cane up higher and rested the end into his chair’s seat end. He stated it in a tone that spoke he had already figured something out, though asking him was another matter. He wouldn’t reveal it for fear of changing something. [color=chocolate]“After hearing the news, don’t they seem rather odd to you?”[/color]

[color=598527]“No one’s eager to jump into war. But I’d rather nip these problems in the bud before they even begin to bloom.”[/color]Uicle retorted, before addressing Ovak’s question. [color=598527]“Everyone aside from the Djarkel and Eania diplomats seems odd. Tense. The Dwarves and Forest Elves normally get along well. The Snow Elves have never had any reason to be attacked by anyone. Tidehome’s problems are just now coming to a peak. Yarosmere is just randomly becoming a fanatic single god worshipping nation. And this is all just happening at once? Completely by coincidence? I don’t think so.”[/color] Uicle sighed, watching Lyn for a moment longer.

[color=598527]“But only two of these situations is a pressing matter and can’t be addressed here. The Snow Elves and the Yarosmerians. We can’t just let an entire nation be eradicated. And we certainly can’t just let that maniac go unwatched. Wiping out the Naga might only be the tip of his iceberg.”[/color]

[color=chocolate]"From all my experience here, there's one thing I have learned: there is no such thing as coincidence. That aspect, despite mortal insistence, doesn't exist."[/color] Ovak stated then noticed Uicle's glance linger on Lyn. 

He could see the worry and pain though the man's soul was trapped in iron, unable to fully express himself. The child's life was going to be a difficult one as well as the rest of their family. A bitter ironic truth was that in a few future possibilities... Uicle, himself, had ended up killing the darling child. Either through accident or on purpose, sending a ripple through the Naga's very existence. It was strange to see an unwanted and feared offspring have such an important role among such an isolated race when it came to change. 

[color=chocolate]"You keep staring at her, she might have her growth stunted. Quite a feat to have a child, of two different races, born here. It also seems the Gods have a partially deep  fondness over her...though it's likely due to unseen influences beyond us. She's got a fate even I can't understand myself...one that she has to carry alone sadly. "[/color] 

[color=598527]“You say that like it’s a bad thing. How old is she, six months?”[/color] Uicle chuckled, before continuing. [color=598527]“Fondness? We must be thinking of different Gods. And are you really surprised she was born here? If you’re that curious ask Althalus. Mar would just hit you with her tail. He’s at least polite enough to tell you to mind your own perverted business. As for carrying alone, well, tell that to Tyrael, Mar, Althalus, and Alaira for certain. [i]Alone[/i] isn’t something she’ll be aware of for quite some time.”[/color]

Ovak continued while his eyes shifted from Lyn, the child still playing with the large, metal dog as she rubbed the  belly. A fact Uicle had it polished smooth still made the arch mage chuckle. The child was spoiled that much was certain and thankfully, she was intelligent enough not to be ruined by it. [color=chocolate]"Back to the the Yarsomere situation. I agree. Something is happening and wiping out the Naga will end up having it's own repercussions in the future. They help provide a balance for the Ravine as well as Tiien. Destroy one, you are left with the other spiraling out of control. Though it might be best to keep Mar, Lyn and likely Althalus from the Yarsomere diplomat. Namely I rather not have an incident. Though having one of the student approach wouldn't be a bad idea. Any nominations?"[/color]

[color=598527]“Ssarak, Meirin, or Leith. Althalus [i]probably[/i] won’t kill him. Can’t make the same promise for Lucillia, I’m afraid. Regardless, those three are the best bet with Ssarak being the preferred choice. For a giant warrior with wings, he seems remarkably diplomatic and gentle. Much more then me, at least.”[/color] Uicle replied, idly twirling his staff between his fingers.

[color=chocolate]"I see the best outcome with Ssarak, namely since he could easily be persuaded due to his attachment to Lyn and Mar. If I recall right, he's been helping her with taming and letting out her emotions, hasn't he?"[/color] Though his words were made into a question, Ovak's words were firm and without uncertainty over this matter. [color=chocolate]"Leith might be better suited for either the Eysire, Djarkel or Tidehome. I'm leaning toward Djarkel mostly. Less hostility there due to his appearance and history with Eania fantics. Though Lucilia might need to be present... Granted she's in trouble but her aid might be  ideal to at least smoothly introduced him."[/color]

His thin fingers tapped his chin for a moment. [color=chocolate]"Aramir might be suitable for the snow elves but I don't want her doing it alone. Annabeth or Mei should likely accompany her. Namely to keep an eye on her mood. I'll leave which one up to your judgement."[/color] 

[color=598527]“Ssarak has. As for Leith, that smooth introduction is riding primarily upon none of the Barons being one of the diplomats, and the diplomats not being hostile and afraid of vampires because of the deaths. Send him to Yarosmere instead, he did save the stupid bastard from Grey and the rest,, have Ssarak go the Esyire’s and have Mei go to Djarkel? Right now we’re just getting an idea of the situations. Send Alaira, with Althalus to watch her and ensure she doesn’t do something stupid, to Tidehome. Though why we should we send someone to watch Aramir? There’s no reason why she should be afraid or angry or what have you with the Snow Elves.”[/color]

Uicle’s gaze bored into the Archmage. [color=598527]“Or is there something you’re not telling me?”[/color]

[color=chocolate]"Sound choices and reasoning. As for Aramir, How well do you think she will fair at hearing other tribes being wiped out? Her own history has had quite a lot of bloodshed and the risk of her breaking down would not be a good one. She'll need emotional support in case she can't keep herself together. Else things might become much worse than we intended. One wrong move during this feast... I don't need to tell you what the college future could look like, do I?"[/color] Even before Ovak spoke, he was prepare to flood Uicle's mind with mental images that would should how terrible the went could end. Including one that would include the mass slaughter of several, including Lyn, students. A matter that wouldn't go over well for many. 

[color=598527]“Fair enough. Not everyone can have killed their emotions and replaced them with acidic sarcasm like me. As for the future, no, I can imagine. Trust me.”[/color] Uicle replied, pausing for a minute. Refocusing on the Archmage, the necromancer explained. “There. Golems have been sent for each of the students, and they know what they have to do. Anything else your pestering ability to tell the future needs me to fix so I don’t accidentally doom the world by sneezing at the wrong time?” 

[color=chocolate]"Auriel, the one Aramir’s been keeping company might be ideal to be included as moral support. In addition, you know as well as me that trying to account for every little thing will more likely result in a mess. Most often the most miserable outcome. It's a curse in the end and I'll be most happy to be rid of it when my life comes to an end."[/color] Ovak stated kindly, assumed at Uicle's sarcasm. His eyes shifted to a room wall and his expression clouded over in concern. 

[color=chocolate]"Lucilia has been still assigned to giving Khan's medications, hasn't she? I get this sense he's not been taking them as regularly as he should."[/color] Ovak pondered for a moment and considered his next words carefully. [color=chocolate]"Might be ideal to request a few students to help in keeping tabs on him. He could use the motivations after all."[/color] 

[color=598527]“Oh so that makes two of us with something we’ll be happy to be rid of when we finally die.”[/color] Uicle said cheerfully, before refocusing. [color=598527]“Have students nursemaid Khan, and complain at him myself with Lucillia. Got it.”[/color]

[color=chocolate]”Sounds reasonable when you sum it up, though getting it accomplished is another matter. I just hope the students won’t mind else I fear we will end up losing Khan permanently. Some futures for him are rather bleak and sad.”[/color]Ovak said, his eyes drifted a bit then added. [color=Chocolate]”What students should be sent to retrieve Khan?”[/color]

[color=598527]“Depends. If you want it done quickly, Darius and Baldur. If you want it done by people Khan has chatted with, Aramir and Mei. Those are the two I’ve seen him with the most, at any rate.”[/color] Uicle shrugged. It could be Khan was far more friendly with other students during the day, but he hadn’t seen any evidence to support that.

[color=chocolate]”Bad part, Khan waits for others to come to him rather than seek them out. A flaw, I’m afraid to say, is his own undoing. It doesn’t help he’s usually been shy even when he was a student here. Those runes don’t help him much either…”[/color] Ovak said, clearly, his thoughts knowing if they weren’t there than Khan would’ve never attracted Kudd’s attention. [color=chocolate] “I would suggest Darius and Balder, namely as Aramir’s going to be dealing with the diplomat and I believe Mei is busy. It would also be a good idea for Khan to meet more than just selective students.”[/color]

[color=598527]“Fair enough. Sending golems too them no-”[/color] Uicle’s words were cut off as there was a minor [i]boom[/i] from the nearby kitchens, and black smoke began to pour out of the doorway. [color=598527]“Just because you can’t curse me doesn’t mean you can have fun with the others in the College! Ren! Do your job!”[/color] Uicle complained, looking up at the roof briefly before going to see what the problem was.