[CENTER][img]https://i.postimg.cc/L5GsZ5sv/a195ca2580892c2f64767511da4ce176.png [/img] [color=gray]Location: Just outside the Jotunheim[/color][/CENTER] [hr] With Gar'Tan's assistance, after being allowed to use his powers by the Inquisitors, Nellara hoped to be able to explain the humans exactly what was going on. Fortunately, it didn't take much until Ixtaro appeared from inside the ship. Before Nellara could say anything to Ixtaro, Kareet, who was clearly very excited for finally being able to communicate with the humans, asked Gar'Tan to explain her what he was capable of doing. [color=d3c28b]"Please Gar'Tan, and thank you."[/color] Nellara said, nodding her head as she agreed with Kareet's words. Silently, Nellara couldn't help but admire Kareet's deep curiosity and love for knowledge, which prevailed despite the tense situation they were facing. Not wanting to overwhelm the humans with information, she patiently waited as Gar'Tan connected his mind with Ixtaro and explained the situation, waiting for the humans to get a bit more comfortable before she started to talk. Other than Ixtaro, Vigdis was the next known human to soon arrive to receive them. Nellara offered a small nod as a greeting to her. When Vigdis asked about Silbermine, Nellara didn't try to hide her dissatisfaction and irritation as she shook her head negatively, before raising her hand and asking Vigdis to wait for a moment. Jeon's worry was indeed a valid one, unfortunately, just as he said, there was no means to communicate consent to them with just the few words they knew... [color=d3c28b]"We will hope they will understand us and forgive us for our intrusion... Explaining 'consent' and asking for it with only a few, simple words and gestures seem to be next to impossible, no matter how much I think about it..."[/color] Nellara replied to J'eon with a deep sigh. When Kerchak asked if there was a way for them to convince Silbermine to back down, Nellara silently shook her head, before she turned to him with a grim expression. [color=d3c28b]"Seeing the point this situation has reached, avoiding a war against Mythadia seems very unlikely... Unless the king of Mythadia recognizes Silbermine's crimes against the Ascendancy and makes an active effort to repair the relationship between the nations... Which is honestly, very unlikely."[/color] Nellara replied. Kerchak would be able to clearly discern in her voice that despite her position as someone who held a good deal of military power and authority on the Ascendancy, she was also not happy with the outcome. The moment she began hearing Ixtaro's words, clearly understanding them thanks to Gar'Tan's help, Nellara could barely contain her excitement. They were effectively, the first people in Kanth-Aremek that were able to communicate with the humans. For a moment, Nellara could understand how a scholar such as Kareet was feeling right now. While Nellara and the others already understood some parts of Ixtaro's explanation, she still listened to her quietly, paying close attention as she explained more clearly about themselves, about the ship their built and their origin. [color=d3c28b]"Pardon me for the delay in replying. I merely wished to not overwhelm you with information for the first few seconds after Gar'Tan began the connection."[/color] Nellara finally replied to Vigdis, giving a step forward as she greeted Vigdis and Ixtaro with a respectful nod. [color=d3c28b]"Before addressing the current issues, I would like to ask your forgiveness for the intrusion. A thought mage was the only means we had to communicate properly. I hope you understand our choice to act and forgive us, seeing the tense situation we are in."[/color] Nellara said with a sigh as she gave a small bow as a reply to Ixtaro, after it began clear that there was some discomfort with the situation by the side of humans. [color=d3c28b]"Regardless, I wish to assure you that Gar'Tan will not pry on your memories or do anything to steal any secrets you might have. Especially since the Inquisitors and the Thought Mages belong to a neutral party and are not directly associated with the Ascendancy or any kingdom."[/color] Nellara continued. [color=d3c28b]"Without more delays, allow me to address your questions and explain the current situation."[/color] Nellara continued, giving a moment to both Ixtaro and Vigdis, especially since the latter didn't seem to be particularly comfortable with Gar'Tan's intrusion on her mind... Which was honestly quite understandable, as Nellara had already went through such process a few times before, while she was training to be a Castigator. [color=d3c28b]"Kareet's explanation is pretty spot on. Silbermine claims that your ship is a temple that was offered to them by their gods and wishes to claim it, according to their own word. After knowing you are the owners of such ship, he wishes to call his engineers to dismantle the ship and take you with them 'under their protection'... Fancy words for taking your technology and yourselves as hostages. All because apparently, they think your fortress-ship rightfully belongs to them, a gift from their gods. Especially after they saw the emblem on the side of Jotunheim."[/color] Nellara continued, expanding upon Kareet's explanation. [color=d3c28b]"Not only Silbermine invaded Ascendancy territory, clearly ignoring the natural borders between mountains and the marshlands, but he also established a military camp and wishes to annex this region as his own. The fact that he also called for an army is already enough of an offense and disrespect to the Ascendancy to justify a declaration of war."[/color] she continued explaining, being sure to give both Vigdis and Ixtaro a few moments between her words, allowing her to fully absorb and understand what she was saying. [color=d3c28b]"The city of Lenkik is governed by the Ascendancy and the Order of Magisters. I am a Castigator, someone who was dispatched to Lenkik by the capital, Arcadea and the order of Magisters itself to help maintain order and deal with any threats to Lenkik."[/color] Nellara said, briefly explaining her position and the influence she had on Lenkik, hopefully as a way to show the humans that not only she was someone very powerful, but that she had the means to help and intercede for them, such any issues arise. [color=d3c28b]"In order to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with Silbermine and his forces, our hope was to communicate with you, so you can clearly tell them that you are not 'envoys' of their god, nor you are willing to surrender your ship and your technology to them."[/color] Nellara continued. [color=d3c28b]"I have already ordered for an army to be dispatched in order to deal with Silbermine and his knights as a response for their invasion of Ascendancy lands. As the one responsible for giving the orders to this army and as a direct envoy of the Order of Magisters from Arcadea, you have my word we will not approach your ship without your strict consent and permission, so I ask you to not worry. Our goal is only to repel Silbermine out of Ascendancy lands and protect the humans, so your rights as sentient beings will not be violated."[/color] Nellara said, her words suggesting that slavery wasn't exactly 'uncommon' in Kanth-Aremek. [color=d3c28b]"I am well aware of how bad this situation might look on your side, but I ask you to believe me when I say our intentions are good."[/color] Nellara said, before she took a long glance towards Kerchak, Kareet and her soldiers, before she gave a firm nod, reassuring them that she knew what she was doing. [color=d3c28b]"Should it help to reassure our peaceful and diplomatic intentions, I am willing to offer myself as an... Ambassador for the Ascendancy for a diplomatic exchange with the humans."[/color] Nellara said as she turned towards Kareet and very clearly handed the small pouches she kept inside her armor with both the steel spheres and the refined iron sand, which were the closest thing she had to her actual 'weapons' to the humans. Even for them, the meaning before Nellara's actions and her words were clear. She was basically offering herself to be their hostage for the time being. An easy way to assure them that the Ascendancy wouldn't anything to harm them. It was a gamble. A dangerous one, but she hoped it would be enough to assure the humans of her peaceful intentions.