Reception Hall
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You find yourself standing in a roomy, luxuriously-decorated chamber. By far
the most dominating feature is a thick, heavy table that stretches nearly
from one side of the room to the other and is surrounded by a number of
chairs. The chairs have ornately-carved arms and legs, and each is
beautifully upholstered in rich velvet cloth. This assemblage sits atop a
similarly- colored, thickly-woven carpet. The walls all around are decorated
with paintings depicting enchanting Narnian landscapes and the creatures that
inhabit them. There is also a massive fireplace along the north wall that
supports a heavily carved mantle. Many curious trinkets and decorative
articles sit atop it on display. This room is obviously a place where the
Kings and Queens can gather and feast with their friends in small assemblies,
without the tremendous ceremony of the Great Hall.
There is an open archway leading eastward into the southeast tower. There is
also a less noticeable door in the west wall that apparently leads out onto
the south curtain wall of the Courtyard.
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Contents:
A son of adam wearing the formal attire of the royalty (Peter)
A daughter of eve with desert-tanned skin (Raistlana)
Game Set
A Castle Guard at the West Door
Peter stands behind the chair at the head of the table, glancing to the fire with a contemplative expression.
Raistlana stands nearby, keeping an eye on the door through which she expects the ambassador to enter, once again keeping her arms crossed and her expression closed.
Ardashir and his fellow dignitaries follow a castle attendant sedately into the room. Two of their own slaves follow behind, relieved of their earlier burden.
Peter addresses the attendant by name, thanking him once he has announced the arrival of said dignitaries and dismissing him. He turns toward the Calormene entourage. "Once again, welcome. We trust you found your quarters satisfactory?"
Ardashir bows courteously once more. "The hospitality of Narnia is most correctly famed, O King."
Peter nods once. "We are pleased to hear such." He glances toward Raistlana, nodding a bit in her direction as he says, "Allow us to introduce the Lady Raistlana, an esteemed member of our own court. We have seen fit to request her presence for our business this evening."
Raistlana inclines her head and shoulders enough so that it counts as a bow. "Ambassador," she intones politely, if tonelessly.
Ardashir turns toward her and inclines his head, studying her thoughtfully. "As the poets have said, it is in his own land that a man of reason notes with the least pleasure one of his own people."
Raistlana's eyes narrow slightly at his words. Her next words are spoken slowly. "Pardon, Lord Ambassador, but please speak plainly for one so illiterate and dumb as I."
Peter keeps his glance on Raistlana, but says nothing - for the moment.
Ardashir's expression remains as solemn as before. "It was not known to me before now, O Lady Raistlana, that Calormenes were in the courts of the White Kings of the North." He looks toward Peter and back. "It may be that it will cause both of our purposes to be advanced."
Raistlana likewise glances towards the High King and back, though she uncrosses her arms and downcasts her eyes as she does so, giving the sudden appearance of meekness. "I will serve my lord, as is my purpose. Whether or not that will advance your purposes rather depends on what those purposes might be."
Peter nods slightly. "So it does. Determining such being, of course, the purpose of this initial meeting." He gestures toward the table. "Although we need not conduct it standing."
Ardashir nods and moves deliberately toward one of the chairs. "A true and prudent judgment."
Raistlana selects a chair by the King's own and seats herself.
Peter takes his chair. "Then let us begin," he says. After surveying the group around the table, he begins by saying, "It is our own hope that Narnia and Calormen will come to a better understanding of each other through what will be begun here this eve. We shall see what that yet leads to, but it is our first step."
Ardashir sits straight and still between his two countrymen. "My master the learned Prince and his father the Tisroc (may he live forever) have in their infallible wisdom given unto me the task of securing such an end, O High King."
Raistlana, no longer being adressed by the men in the room, remains silent and watchful.
Peter says, "For that end, /to/ what end? What is it that the Tisorc and the Prince hope to accomplish by our two countries achieving a better understanding?" His tone is nothing but simple inquiry, suggesting only mere curiosity.
Ardashir folds his hands atop the table and begins, speaking gravely and unhurriedly. "It has pleased fortune and the gods for the Tisroc's unending reign to prevail over the great empire ever ruled by his line. Moreover, word has reached us by many means that the year in which he ascended to his throne, you also ascended to yours, O High King, and that the kings and queens of Narnia first caused the enchantress who long ruled here to be utterly defeated and cast down. It is clear to all learned and reasonable persons that such a thing could not be accomplished without very powerful magic, and to all prudent persons that such magic is not best held by any but an ally."
Raistlana turns her full attention to the High King, waiting to hear how he answers this line of reasoning.
Peter absorbs these words with an unrevealing face over interlaced fingers, and maintains his silence for a moment or two afterward. He lowers his hands, speaking slowly and deliberately. "The defeat of the White Witch and our rise to the throne cannot be credited solely to the actions of the four of us, nor should they be."
Ardashir inclines his head in acknowledgement. "As you say, O High King, so must it be."
Raistlana remains /quite/ silent on the topic.
Peter says, "The specifics of such, however, may be more prudent to discuss in more detail at a later time. You have, after all, given me the answer to the question I asked, and that is the matter at hand for the moment. It is, then, a strong ally that you seek, and the Tisroc believes that we may prove to be, should relations between us improve. Do I have that correct?"
Ardashir says, "Both the High King and the Tisroc, may he live forever, would gain a friend of great power where before there was none, and as the poets have said, fortune unlooked for is the wise man's delight."
Peter says, "It does, we admit, seem to have its advantages to both sides. Something for us to consider as we continue discussion."
Ardashir nods, remaining otherwise still. "My illustrious masters will be greatly pleased to learn that you are of one mind with them on this matter, O King."
Peter replies, "It is, as we have said, something to consider. We shall see what further talks bring about, as we become better informed. Yet it has been... informative, thus far."
Ardashir says, "Proceed with care that you do not cause the pearl to chip in opening the oyster, as the great poet has said."
Peter nods once as he rises. "One step at a time, then. The hour draws late - perhaps it would be best to take our next one after a night's rest."
Ardashir rises and bows, followed by his colleagues. The slaves, who have been standing behind their chairs, back away to give them room. "To hear is to obey, O High King. The gods commit you to sleep."
Peter says, "A pleasant rest to you as well."
Raistlana stands and, in turning away from the table, she finds herself looking right at one of the slaves... who seems to have been unable to completely squelch his curiosity. Their eyes meet for a brief moment and she looks away quickly, resettling her shoulders in barely-concealed discomfort.
Ardashir turns to nod politely to Raistlana a few moments after she has broken eye contact with his slave.
Raistlana, having regained her composure, bows to the ambassador. She does not meet his eyes this time.
Peter observes this brief exchange in silence.
Ardashir watches her dispassionately for a few beats as he raises his head. Pleasantries dispensed with thus, he and his fellows turn to leave the room the way they came in.
