[center][h1]The Saa’kaleed Abiat[/h1]
[h3]Somewhere en-route to Arkronia[/h3]
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Kasim Mul’rahh was hopelessly miserable. He had run into the Yuravian party whilst on their own way to the inauguration and swiftly passed along the missive and communicated exactly how the two parties could coalesce into a single unit. The wild nomads of Yuravia had always been one of his least favourite neighbours given their wild and brutish demeanour, though given their shared animosity with the crown he had been much less vocal than regarding other states and their peoples who seemed eager to suckle at the tit of subservience. This natural distaste had only been intensified when he realised he had received no other instructions except to see them safely into the path of the Rea-Abi, requiring of him a level of small talk and diplomatic nicety that did not come simply. Great lengths of time were spent uncomfortably silent as he came up with suitable distractions from the fact he was in fact in no position to speak for the Abiat.

Eventually Kasim had settled on deflection and deferring inquiry for until they rendezvoused with the Rea-Abi some days later, which he found thoroughly humiliating. Was this really the great work he had been picked out for? Now, having met on one of the great crossroads of states that dotted the central regions of Mycoria the two parties seemed to ride besides one another, rather than together. The Rea-Abi had insisted that the two parties be seen as separate entities for any passers by - not that there had been a soul on this stretch of the road - and instead resorted to hastily written notes or briefly exchanged words that Kasim had to pass along to the Yuravian translator and then return to his own master with the response. He did not appreciate being an errand boy, no matter how grand the errands were supposed to be.

[color=007236]"Friendship? They wanted to speak rekindle friendship?"[/color] Aram Sallah had chuckled, his mirth like that of an elder having caught his youngest great grandchild with sweet pastry crumbs sticking to his cheeks. [color=007236]"I must admit, I have missed the simplicity of the Yuravian people. They share our wildness of the blood, if perhaps it shows itself in others ways. We will have more than enough implicit dialogue in the coming days once we arrive at our destination. I shall enjoy some genuine discussion."[/color] Though, the reality of this 'genuine discussion' was instead brief comments and notes passed between one party and the other. Kasim had yet to know of any real matters of state passing between the two embassies whatsoever. That was, until roughly two weeks into the journey.

[color=007236]"Kasim, come closer."[/color] Aram had said, waving the younger lizardman forward and waiting until he dutifully acquiesced.

[color=39b54a]"Haka Marea, Rea-Abi?"[/color]

[color=007236]"Inform the chief his last remark was very funny, though our people lay eggs and I recommend he save it for only those who have some familiarity with their reproductive cycles."[/color] Kasim nodded, he hadn't understood it but apparently the Rea-Abi had enjoyed it greatly. Laughing quite heartily in the gentle rasping whisper that was common for their species. [color=007236]"Ask him of our destination, if you could. I have been doing some reading on our trip and there are... troubling reports, but it is difficult to verify their validity. I would appreciate if he was candid about what, if anything, he has heard. Some say quite worrying things about the state of the Arkronian throne."[/color] Aram nodded his head and Kasim seemed to spark with new energy. The Arkronian throne? This was the kind of thing he wanted them to be talking about, and he caused a small incident with one of the posse as he extricated himself from the procession too hastily and got in the way. Pacing his mount forwards to join the Yuravian group he weaved through until he could relay the information on to their chief once more.
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[center][h3]Aboard the 'Oasis', still harboured in the Abiat[/h3]
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The wind tickled the bared head of the Grand Vizier, causing him to shift as if his scales had just been tickled down his spine. Despite something of an aversion to water he had always enjoyed going to sea for his missions. The waters were an unimaginable endless void, the secret home of the people from across the sea who had conquered their land. It was mystery of who or what was even out there, though many academics had speculated. One remarkable claim had it that the world sat atop the back of a great leviathan, remarkably adding when questioned about what the leviathan was atop, that it was lizards all the way down. Such theses drew little attention these days, in the enlightened days of science and modernity. Even so, the unknown was enthralling and encapsulated perfectly by the sea.

[color=fff79a]"We're ready to sail, Grand Vizier, if you are?"[/color] A naval officer remarked and Faisal Hassan nodded his head, turning to move to the bow of the ship and look out. A dispatch had been sent a few days earlier inviting the First Lord of the Admiralty to a meeting just off the coast of Ikesh. It had seemed apt to discuss the island within sight of its shores, and having their discussions aboard vessels allowed the pair to discuss options away from the prying ears of those who could run away. It was a long swim back home for either side and rumours caused by the meeting could be forestalled at least until each party had returned to their respective port. When the oars swing out and dragged the light craft away from the jetties there was a lurch in the lizard's stomach. The first motions was always the strangest and he doubted he would get used to it again until it was time to disembark, such was the luck of a traveller and landsman.

Even so, it was spectacular to begin the journey into the bright blue waters of the sea. It should be a pleasurable few days before they arrived off the north coast of Ikesh and anchored in waiting for the Aegire officials. He would have liked to take the sights in, but there was work to do. Turning back towards the cabin of the ship, Faisal plodded carefully back into the shade of the indoors. [color=a2d39c]"Now, tell me about their hold to this island. Undoubtedly it involves some kind of prior occupation they claim was first?"[/color] He shook his head. This land was Saa'kaleed by blood, lost to them and then promised in return many years ago. He would do his best to recover them, or at the very least keep the issue open. He would not be the one to sell his people's patrimony.
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[@Yam I Am]
[@Trinais]