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	[color=tan][b]"E ke né en train din gajer a élur vurbinneuç?"[/b][/color] [i](And what do we not have to gain by speaking to them?)[/i]

	[color=silver]Lucinêa punctuated his voice, such that even the shouts that were required to break the clamor of their mounts' gallops reduced his phrases to mere hushes.[/color]

	[b]"Ja né élur konfïdeu.[/b] [i](I don't trust them.)[/i]

	[color=silver]The elder's words were bold. Clear and as unwavering as the overhead sun. His late translator looked over in weary suspicion, naught a moment into conversation yet already tiresome of it.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"Aççurantâ, zo Léza-"[/b][/color] [i](Surely, the liza-)[/i]

	[b]"Élur avéren un agendâ, e nuača avï çïré defrâodeuč a prender dečiziux čin zo Gardinâ."[/b] [i](They have an agenda, and we have been tricked before by making decisions without the Gardinâ.)[/i] [color=silver]Leokadra scoffed in return.[/color] [b]"Ačionar čin zo Gardinâ nuača avéreneuç a ruïn muilte fois inâinte."[/b] [i](To act without the Gardina has led us to ruin many times before.)[/i]

	[color=silver]Begrudgingly, he sighed, turning over his head to the road ahead. Lucinêa - as befitting for a military man the likes of he - was very much a proponent of action, for he knew full well that, in the greatest texts and teachings of war, to seize and maintain initiative was paramount. Alas, a direct belligerence he was not in, and so the finer loci of diplomacy he would need to subscribe to. Leokadra's words rung true, he knew, for that was the worst part; The divisions sewed by accord and treaty kept their people under constant partitioning, and all of it was only possible by one foolish Yuravian making peace deals first and consulting the remaining tribes thereafter.

	Innumerate treaties forced the disunion of Yuravia, for even a thousand spirited tribes' soul went for naught if they were to be kept where their chants were drowned out. The Third Rebellion saw the signing of the Treaty of Jurivêa, that famously humiliating decree. If it were not insult enough to prohibit a people's most honored custom of election of a rightful and just Čévdinčévi, that so much fruit and toil be given to the traitors which made it possible made it all too overbearing. Lucinêa was correct to know that these treaties would, as soon as they were drafted, too, come to a just and fitting end. There would soon come a day where righteousness would prevail, and shackles cast down, for his opinion was but one in a sea of Yuravians. 

	Yet, such notions were cut short by the reminder of his mission, delivered through a lizardman atop a galloping horse. 

	Not all was lost, however, for his inquiry soon brought about an intrigued look upon Lucinêa's face: Rea-Abi was curious about the state of Arkronia.[/color]

	[b]"Kê čerê?[/b] [i](What does he ask?)[/i] [color=silver]The chief questioned.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"Çu çere deçpre zo maladul d'Arkronêa."[/b][/color] [i](It's about the Arkronian disease.)[/i] [color=silver]Lucinêa responded swiftly. He turned to the chief, who gave no visual response, his eyes glued to the forward road.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"Kê çeç dévrâi vurbir?"[/b][/color] [i](What shall I say to him?)[/i]

	[color=silver]Chief Leokadra fumbled for a bit, mumbling and musing as he softly shook his head. Soon after, he swiftly barked his response.[/color]

	[b]"Vurbê kê voç vrê."[/b] [i](Say what you want.)[/i] 

	[color=silver]Text[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"We have had many merchants return from Arkronia with very...troubling stories. They are in the midst of a rather troublesome illness, one which only seems to afflict their people. One man - a man I with so great of honor I may hold even his most ridiculous of tales to truth, I might add - has told me of entire villages being claimed in a week. Their [i]medičes[/i] have quarters which fill with entire towns, trying in vain to grant some comfort to the ill before contracting the sickness themselves. The common folk of Arkronia are affected the worst, but...in due time, he believes that truly no Arkronian will be free from its touch."[/b][/color]

	[color=silver]Before continuing, Lucinêa looked back at his chief, stoic as ever, then glanced his ocean-dyed eyes back to his lizardfolk accomplice. His eyes narrowed, his horse galloping closer as if to offer some discretion.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"Many among us believe that, in these times of dire circumstances, the Arkronians will turn to much more...[i]radical[/i] leadership."[/b][/color]

	[color=tan][b]"It is no secret that those of House Rhaskozikan have long had eyes on the Arkronian throne."[/b][/color] [color=silver]Lucinêa cast another brief glance back at his chief. This time, he in turn made quick eye contact, where the two shared a short series of nods.[/color] [color=tan][b]"Where Chief Leokadra and I unfortunately disagree on is his intentions. The Chief and I both believe that they will no doubt attempt some power play to increase their influence in the near future...the Chief believes that, while they are most certainly rather...hostile toward persons the likes of you and I..."[/b][/color]

	[color=silver]Lucinêa took a deep sigh.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"...that they would need to be utterly mad to plunge a disease-ravaged nation into war."[/b][/color]

	[color=tan][b]"However, I have always been of the belief that sanity was never a value of House Rhaskozikan."[/b][/color]

	[color=silver]At the mention of his thoughts, Lucinêa could visually straighten, as if a soldier on leave with the instinctive passing of his superior. The road and coronation were miles and weeks away, he knew, yet...he had felt exposed, like he had make some utter flaw amidst his musings that would reveal some great conspiracy. Such was the power of a culture of paranoia, he imagined.[/color]

	[color=tan][b]"Now, do forgive me, for what I will say will come to you as madness, but...I believe it may be in our best interests to ensure the young prince lives a long and fulfilling life. It may come as insanity for a Yuravian to wish well of the Arkronian throne, but I believe it will be better for both of us to have a lethargic throne than one which actively wishes for our destruction."[/b][/color]

[sup][@gowia][/sup]