Elephant's Folly
Fourth Day of the Fourth Month 293 AC
"I have made a similar offer of land to those joining my Legions and I will not see these men cheated out of their due, even though they are not legionnaires yet," you reply, the implications clear enough that even a far less subtle man than Zherys could read them clear as day. These men will be loyal to you one day... loyal enough at least that they would not lightly consider rebellion. "They will be recompensed with land and can state their preferences from among the places being settled at the time like my own soldiers."
"Excellent," Zherys nods, his posture only now relaxing ever so slightly. "We should then speak of the fools against which the armies are soon to be..." He trails off, intrigued and cautious in equal measure when he sees you obviously wishing to speak.
"Such a momentous agreement between Valyria's children should be sealed by something more than words," you begin, drawing forth a Valyrian dragon's egg colored black and gold from your pouch. You had briefly considered offering the one given to you in Braavos for the irony, but the jest might be taken badly by both parties, not to mention that you would rather hand Zherys a living egg than teach him how to awaken those fallen to stony silence. No doubt Volantis holds many more given how enamored they ever were with Valyria's legacy, and given the High Speaker's character and skills you greatly suspect that most if not all those eggs have made it into his hands or at least those of trusted subordinates.
The sorcerer gingerly touches the egg, no doubt feeling the same pleasant steady heat from within you do. "I am honored to receive such a gift Excellence." He speaks quietly, almost reverently. His gaze does not long linger on the egg though, the spark of wonder swiftly locked away behind the bastion of calculating will. "How was it awoken?" he asks after a moment.
What do you answer?
[] The truth, either the Tragedy at Summerhall or devil's magic woke the egg
[] Explain that slumbering dragons shift to stone and any magic that can return cursed stone to previous life can also breathe life into the unborn
-[] Offer one of the still slumbering egg (write in which)
[] Write in
***
The five of you then settle to plot and scheme, the matter of Volantis' treacherous magisters turned and twisted from every perspective. Thankfully, Teana's words aside, Zherys was not without cause in thinking he could put an end to his foes with only the resources of the Mysterium to call on. For one he had arranged to have a cursed ring fall into the possession of the head of the conspiracy. The ring is set not with any common stone, but a single bloody human eye, the sickening fruit of Valyrian flesh-crafting. Supposedly it allows its bearer to react swifter to peril, but it also has a second hidden power, allowing Zherys, who holds the other eye, to scry his foe without flaw or chance of failure.
"Of course Qhaedar would not question his 'good fortune'," Teana snorts upon hearing the tale. "He is, after all, the luckiest man in the City." Seeing you and Malarys turn curious looks to her she explains. "Alios Qhaedar is deeply invested in the slave trade, though not for anything as pedestrian as money. Has supposedly beds more slave girls in a week than others do in a year, and he uses them just as readily to show his favor or court some support from others."
"Indeed," Zherys agrees dryly. "I suspect a succubus of some sort was the first to sink her hooks into him. Perhaps one fleeing Mantarys. Whatever the case, Alios is sadly not without his own base charm and of course vast wealth by which he has made inroads into the Elephants' midst at the behest of the dark powers he serves. There are already quasits..." he pauses and gives you a quizzical look at the look of rage that likely crossed your features.
"The craven little pitspawn have caused me far more trouble than any of their greater brethren from the fact that they are inclined to flee, often with whatever valuables are at hand, rather than stand and die," you explain.
"As demon troubles go that is by far the lightest I have ever heard," the High Speaker notes, lips twitching momentarily upwards in a sardonic smile. "As I was saying, there have been minor rituals to call quasits, but so far nothing larger and more impressive has been seen within the walls of the city. However reports of dead and missing slaves from the conspirators' households as well as divinations match somewhat more potent rituals, generally warding, so far but also fiends called to guard the fools' manses that they may plot in 'peace'"
Maelor laughs. "If it's peace they're looking for mayhap they should have searched higher for a patron."
Zherys glances at him approvingly for the first time, but also counters: "True. However, the head of an angel makes poor proof of treachery." His face darkens as he turns back to you. "Unfortunately the current Archon is currently out of the city inspecting the Banners of Renown..."
"Don't you mean fortunately?" Maelor interjects again. "Be right easy to kill for you."
"Too easy, my young friend," comes the rueful reply. "If the Archon should perish in any way during the inspection the freemen will be blamed and so will I. The citizens will take to the streets just as the conspirators launch their attack. Quelling
that with with an army of freed slaves is likely to leave most of the Old Blood of Volantis flowing in the gutters."
"So what is your plan, then?" Malarys asks carefully. So far he seemed to have been reasonably impressed by Zherys compared to his peers among other free cities, but it is clear he is still withholding final judgement.
"The Archon is to announce his decision on how the men are to be rewarded. That decision will of course be a death sentence. However, it is to be delivered before a sizable contingent of high ranking officers and their bodyguards, one which will be allowed into the inner city for the 'ceremony'. No doubt the conspirators hope to use demons to slay them quickly or perhaps they have some way for the Archon to flee, but I will be present in disguise to counter either and after which the gates can be sized from the inside allowing the Banners to flood in as liberators from the no doubt rampaging demons."
What do you reply?
[] Offer to help cut a deal with Flame Keeper Benerro that you may use the Fiery Hand to quell unrest
-[] Write in
[] Suggest that you simply kill all the fiends and conjurors and keep a few gruesome mementos to show off after the fact
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: Don't worry, Zherys does not have a color preference. If you suggest another dragon egg he will gladly take it. 
