Winds of Change [nephero] [M]

[GoblinFae]

"It does not have to be a lie." Enoka shrugged. He had no feelings either way regarding the matter. Whether he lied or his mask was taken off, if he was interrogated and examined or allowed to go on through, it made no difference to him. He was known well enough among his people and certainly the Night Fliers for his more eccentric mannerisms. His family on the other hand would worry. Enoka's wife in particular would tug on his ear plenty, not that that had ever succeeded in grounding him.

The other three Taluvans moved ahead to the marked entrance, greeting the Talons and Strigi there enthusiastically before being let in. Enoka waited though to introduce the Cortlans, keeping close with a hawk-like gaze as each one was touched and prayed over before being deemed safe and permitted further.

"Seems Little Mouse will NOT be served tonight," he teased gently. "Come, Atsida has probably become a frozen owl statue by now from all the waiting." Enoka leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to Aike as they were lead into a large warm tipi, "he hates the cold."

Inside about fifteen to twenty unmasked Taluvans were gathered about a single fire, laughing and smoking as they sat bundled up against the cold. The moment they saw the Cortlans enter though they all scurried to cover their faces until their masks were in place. A few were not nearly as quick as they hoped though allowing an observant newcomer to catch that the carvings on the masks matched the tattoos on the Taluvans's faces.

The gathered throng watched with hushed bated breath as Chief Atsida the Great Horned Owl whose back had been facing the entrance applied his own mask and rose to his feet to turn and greet their guests. He bobbed in greeting, motioning with his open hand for the Cortlans to come in and sit even as several of the Taluvans scooted to make room or politely vacated altogether. By the time everyone was settled, all that remained were the eight Cortlans, their four Taluvan guards, the Elder Night Flier, an unknown Taluvan individual who would serve as interpreter, and the Chief himself.

"Greetings Chief—er Governor Aike Jadon. Chief Atsida the Great Horned Owl bids you welcome and hopes that your journey to us was safe and uneventful. My name is Enanea Feathers Float Mildly. It is my honor to serve as your translator during your time here," they spoke calmly in a soft voice that suited their name. Their hair hung down loosely to their waist like many of the men gathered but was shaved on the sides like most of the women inside the settlement. Their mask also shared the same horizontal line across the cheeks and the bridge of the mask's beak-like nose. But, unlike all the other masks in the tipi, Feathers Float Mildly's mask had a single carving on the chin instead of on the cheeks like the Talons and Night Fliers.

[nephero]

   Out of politeness, Aike turned their head and raised a hand to their brow while the assembled Taluvans gathered their masks and pulled them on. It wasn't something that they commanded of the other Cortlans, but several followed their lead anyway, while others simply looked down at the ground until they were invited further in.

   Aike settled into a sitting position with the same fluid grace they had during the first meeting at the border, their accompanying guard fanning behind them same as before. Aike noted that the gathered Taluvans did not include the man Aike had snapped at, and remembered Enoka's words about Atsida taking careful steps to assure that the visiting Cortlans would be accompanied by less hostile individuals. It made for a more pleasant experience, they supposed, but still underlined how tenuous this relationship truly was. They'd have to walk carefully indeed to see that this thread didn't snap beneath their feet.

   "Thank you for your hospitality and the warm welcome," they began, tilting their head to the side and forward in a gentle acknowledgment, "our journey was a quiet but cold one, and we are glad to be near a fire again."

   They smiled, and then remembered what Enoka had mentioned about the candies. They reached into their satchel and removed a small bag of pepper candy, leaning forward to place it towards Atsida.

   "I was told that these have been quite popular. Please, have some more."

[GoblinFae]

Atsida laughed suddenly in surprise at the translation. The sound was warm and genuine as he collected the proffered bag and nodded in thanks pressing it to his chest over his heart before carefully setting it by his knee.

"Chief Great Horned Owl thanks you for the gift and states that eldest Owlet of Great Horned Owl has become quite the little monster for them. She's taken to quite the antics to achieve them, even enlisting the other children to assist where her little legs cannot carry her," Feathers Float Mildly translated with their own small giggle.

"Would you all like to eat or rest before continuing with talks? Chief Great Horned Owl says he wished to ensure you made it here safely but doesn't wish to rush you off your feet."

[nephero]

   Plenty of Cortlans had grown up hearing the same rumors, underscored by other accounts from other territories, that Talu murdered any who they caught in their lands. That they took no prisoners. That to be captured there was certain death. That they only wore masks to hide themselves from a world that would see them for the monsters they were.

   But to see them, to hear such a laugh come from their leader... to hear such a charming little story about something as innocent as sweets... Aike distantly wondered what manner of untwisting had been done to tell those rumors for so long.

   "Oh, dear. Now we will have to negotiate a trade line just for her." They said with a wide smile, giving only the smallest of twists to their wrist. It wasn't a terrible idea.

   "I admit that while our journey was an easy one, we have not yet eaten and would sorely appreciate a moment to correct that." They inclined their head again, and was almost sure they could hear several Trapdoors' stomachs growling over the crackle of the fire. Sikke always had the loudest stomach.

[GoblinFae]

Enoka snorted as Atsida chuckled more with a shake of his head. "++Please no more,++" he begged, good-naturedly. "++We caught her climbing the top of the tipi trying to drop in.++"

He motioned then Cloud Dancer who hopped eagerly to their feet to get others to bring food in. Large trays of tree bark were set before the fire for both sides to share. Smoked meat, dried berries, and nuts piled up in a colorful array were shown off with pride. Cloud Dancer also returned with a heavy pot of stew and bowls to share it while Feathers Float Mildly explained what each item was and urged the Cortlans to take pieces for themselves first as honored guests.

"Chief Great Horned Owl asks if you have children yourself, Governor Jadon."

[nephero]

   "++Oh, then I simply must reward such boldness and courage.++" Aike said, tone mild but grin wide and mischievous. They chuckled softly to themself, echoed by their guard at least until the food was brought in and they were all of them summarily distracted from their teasing. While Aike managed to retain some sense of decorum - they would be expected to show table manners in Ketra, after all - the other Cortlans were less concerned with civility and dug right into their trays.

   Aike focused on the stew, the warmth of it inviting after spending time in the cold of the mountains, and the fullness of their belly did wonders to clear their head of the last cobwebs of fatigue. At the question, however, they paused and gave a slight tilt to their head.

   "I myself do not. Before I was appointed Governor, I spent much of my time out in the wilds with my squadron." They gestured back to the assembled Trapdoors who were breaking out their waterskins and pipes, reaching out to share the tobacco with the nearest Taluvans to them. "No place for an infant, and I do not see myself having the spare moment in the near future."

[GoblinFae]

The Taluvans all glanced about themselves at the joke, elbowing Atsida lightly as the joke was translated and he dipped his head in embarrassment. "**You have no idea what you're offering,**" he replied lightly as food was passed and shared. His own bowl of soup sat uneaten on his knee as they feasted and exchanged casual pleasantries.

Aike's reply though was met with a knowing nod. "**You are young still and even old warriors settle eventually. You'll find the time soon enough if it is your wish. Talu will not take all of your attention forever.**"

Enoka stood as tobacco was passed around and shared, pointedly taking a strip of dried meat and dropping it into Atsida's lap before moving to stand behind him again just as he had done in the open plains. He gave the Chief's shoulder a firm squeeze but said nothing as the talk turned to the real reason for the Cortlans's arrival.

"Chief Great Horned Owl asks how the mountain pass preparations are going and when we can see the closure of those that threaten Talu the most. We had another slaver party pass through only two weeks ago. Several of our people were injured in the process."

[nephero]

   Aike took a few puffs from their stone pipe as they watched Enoka move behind Atsida much as he had stood before at the border. There was a noted shift from pleasantries to business at hand - Aike could feel it even without reaching to touch the web. They breathed out a soft plume of smoke and set their pipe down, hands resting on either knee as they looked to Atsida's masked face.

   "Preparations are going well. We did not get much time before winter set in, but there is already a new outpost and many more planned for first melt." They tilted their head to the side, brows knit some. "Our people have walked the passes to find where there has been the most evidence of use. It will be some time before they are fully protected, but we hope to see improvements just from that. It would be a bold party indeed who would use what they think are open roads."

   Aike considered him for a long moment, before pushing on.

   "Cortla has done as you have asked. I will be able to move even more squadrons to the mountains, when Talu fulfills its promise."

[GoblinFae]

Atsida tensed at Aike's words. "**Talu has kept her promise. We pulled half our patrols a month ago now as soon as the last of us reached Whispering Canyon. We honored our word. Have your reports said otherwise?**"

"**Pfft!**" The Elder Night Flier scoffed, motioning to keep from his words being translated. "**Of course the cowards couldn't be bothered to even check their intel. Provided of course they even cared at all. They just want us to be gone so they can take advantage of their absence! You're a fool Atsida!**"

Enoka rolled his shoulders, the tension evident in every line of his body as he listened but did nothing without Atsida's command. The Chief himself kept calm and firm though his voice was like stone, brooking no argument. "**If you do not like my choices as your leader you are free to challenge my right to it at any point. Until then though you will not speak such lies in front of a man who cannot understand you enough to defend himself.**"

Atsida motioned with his hand as he continued to Aike. "**You will apologize for what you said and if it continues I will have you removed. Am I understood?**" A thick, heavy tension hung in the air as the two men glared each other down. At last the Elder relented though and with the translator's assistance formally and stiffly apologized to the Cortlans for doubting their dedication to the peace between their territories.

[nephero]

   Aike's head cocked to the side, expression suddenly stony as they looked between Atsida, then the Elder Night Flier, and finally to Feathers Fall Mildly and back again. Though the Trapdoors had quieted down as the talks began, they were just as still and silent as they watched, shoulders tensed and ready.

   They didn't relax much even after the man's apology.

   "...Perhaps," Aike said with all the mildness they could muster, though it was clear this was a great feat indeed, "there was a misunderstanding. Yes, there are less men, but according to our reports, they are as hostile as ever. My need from Talu is that my people are assured of peace, not just less of a number to do the fighting."

   Aike took another steadying breath, and lifted both hands palms forward in a placating kind of gesture.

   "I will not question your dedication to keeping your word. Simply that my patrols take threats seriously, and in the interest of peace, it may be best to not antagonize them."

[GoblinFae]

The Taluvan Chief blinked at Aike's reply but it was Enoka behind him that openly turned his head to glare through his mask at the Elder Night Flier. Both men knew exactly who was to blame for this newfound information and if Enoka had anything to say about it, Atsida was going to hand it to the Elder. But, knowing Atsida's traditionally milder nature it would likely be more of a slap on the wrist than a bloody brawl.

Enoka cracked his neck side to side again, shifting his stance. He hated these things. Talk, talk, talk. That's all it ever was. Where was action? Fight or don't fight. But, what is the use of squabbling about it? Aike and Atsida would get far more done if the two of them simply took to a fistfight in the grasses and came to terms once the blood dried.

But, no. Of course Atsida, tender, sweet, gentle-hearted Atsida would prefer to take the longer road to peace. He would fight every tradition that demanded death in order to protect their very traditional Taluvan lifestyle. It made absolutely no sense to Enoka. But, then he'd never been one to take much interest in the clamoring of the masses. He kept a much clearer head if he simply heeded his own whims. It was only out of respect for Atsida that he took conscious effort to not cross too many lines, too often.

Atsida looked weary. More and more he pressed into Enoka's legs as if he could absorb his strength through such firm point of contact. The tension in his shoulders was visible too despite the heavy layers Atsida wore to fight the cold. While the Tipi was warm, the Chief always seemed to grumble about aching joints when home among his family. Enoka smirked beneath his mask at the thought even as Atsida tried his best to smooth over things with the Cortlans.

"**I will look into this matter further. It was not our intention to imply that you were untruthful. And if this is truly the case, the matter will be resolved promptly. This is unacceptable and not at all my design for Talu. I thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.**"

Atsida placed a hand over his chest again in a placating gesture of his own. "**What other reports has Cortla received regarding Talu, if I may ask?**"

[nephero]

Aike continued to look between those gathered, and slowly tilted their head forward.

"I do not think you were being untruthful. Perhaps just that our ideas of what was expected were different."

They set their hands on their knees again, shoulders relaxed but back straight. The bit of camaraderie that had been shared had, unfortunately, made them forget about just how little people had wanted this peace. Their own people had even pushed against these meetings, against the new outposts, against showing Talu anything but the bottoms of their pits.

And so, it seemed, Atsida was facing much the same kinds of struggles. Aike felt a twinge of sympathy, but also how dangerous this was: if Atsida was the only one who wanted for this, then that left Cortla very exposed for all their attempts to show their good will.

What else could those Taluvans manage before Atsida knew about it? How many dead patrols before Aike could bring it to a meeting? Through a letter?

Aike pursed their lips and shook their head. "Besides the movement away from the border, not much. We promised to fortify the passes, and so we have focused on doing so. I did not think it much of a show of friendship to spy on you."

[GoblinFae]

Atsida nodded his head as he listened. He understood Aike's concerns as they were his own. It was not that his ideas of what was to happen differed from theirs. And they were being quite polite in phrasing it that way. The resistance of his own people though troubled him deeply. It was far from the first time of course that there had been disagreements even among the Parliament. But, for the Elder Night Flier to either knowingly leave more hostile warriors out at the border, or to blatantly disregard Atsida's wishes, were neither of them good things.

It felt like he was facing a war on all fronts. With the precarious dance he was performing with the Cortlans, balance was certainly needed. But when the tightrope you were standing on was being bounced around behind you by your own people, even more care was needed. It appeared it would be many more restless and sleepless nights ahead of the Taluvan Chief before his dream could be realized.

"**I was not accusing you of spying, Governor Aike Jadon. I only wished to know if there were other instances I should be aware of given I appeared to have missed this. Two pairs of eyes are better than one lone pair after all and I welcome the help.**"

A small wail broke out suddenly from outside, causing Atsida to pause and glance towards the tipi entrance before returning to Aike. The sound tapered off for a moment before increasing intensity and fervor before quieting again. Behind the Chief, Enoka's shoulders shook ever so slightly in amusement.

"**That being said how long do you feel it will take your people to properly secure the passes enough to begin work on closing those that threaten Talu? I am sure you are eager to return your people to their eastern posts after all.**"

[nephero]

   This whole speaking through a translator thing was more difficult than Aike thought. They could feel themself getting frustrated with how ineffectual their words were. Distantly, they remembered a meeting with their council, and how one councilmember knotted and wrinkled with age had warned them of such a thing.

   In a land where it is practice to hide your face, words will be hidden, too.

   Aike took a deep breath, and let the moment hang between them as they felt the ground below the blankets, felt the heat where it passed under the fire, felt the sturdiness and long age of a rock that had once been a living thing, and finally... felt the thread that connected to the Chieftain himself.

   As before, there was no malice in the man, just that deep sadness, that even deeper exhaustion, the tiniest strands of fear that branched outwards and away from himself. There was the stronger connection to Enoka behind him, an old thread but unfrayed. Trust. The same trust towards Feathers Fall Mildly. ...A plucked, vibrating thread towards the Elder Night Flier. Something was wearing at that one.

   Aike pulled back, blinking back into awareness of themself, and looked to Atsida's masked face once more. They could rely on the translator much more so than their first meeting at the border, but words had so many meanings. Ketran was flowery, seeped in the niceties of the court, where a simple change in inflection could drastically alter the meaning. Aike had to choose their words far more carefully.

   "Apologies, another misunderstanding. We did not monitor Talu, because we were afraid of how Talu would feel about us doing so. I will, of course, bring any concerns I have to you as soon as possible."

   It was hard work, going from their linguistic training to far more blunt phrases. It made the words feel heavy in their mouth, unwieldy, and they so wished they could just slip into Cortlan again and be free of all the different trappings the foreign words dragged with them. The little wail, thankfully, gave them a moment to collect themself and steady once more. It faded for a moment, only to return twice as loud before quieting down again. Aike turned their head in the direction of the sound, unable to help a small chuckle.

   "++Such big feelings.++" They said, before turning back to face Atsida again, brows knit in concentration. "...Chief Great Horned Owl, Cortla's gift to you is that those eastern posts will not be returned to. What outposts we make in the mountains, there our numbers will stay, so the passes will no longer be a threat to Talu."

[GoblinFae]

Enoka snorted softly beneath his mask, understanding the Cortlan tongue and a joke that it seemed only he knew out of everyone in the tipi. Atsida for his part did his best to listen to Aike's words but the more they talked, the more frustrated he could tell everyone was becoming. To make matters worse the wailing began a third time and this time refused to abate. Someone was very much done with today, not that Atsida could blame them.

The Chief held up a staying hand to Aike, asking for a ceasing of their words even as he shook his head before looking up at Enoka. Atsida murmured something then that caused the standing man's eyes widen. The Chief nodded his head, assuring his firm decision before Enoka shrugged and exited.

Atsida refused to acknowledge the Elder Night Flier's attempts to gain his attention even as Cloud Dancer and Rainweaver elbowed each other in deep amusement. The man lifted his mask some to take a sip of his now cold stew, only replacing it on the ground as the wailing drew closer along with a decidedly furious female voice.

Enoka returned then, a blanket-wrapped wailing bundle in his arms that he quickly thrust into Atsida's lap before returning to his place behind him while a far smaller, masked figure stormed in after him despite a heavy limp, while trying to grabble back for the child.

She hissed angrily then, turning her ire to the Chief instead as she shouted and stomped her foot furiously. For his part, Atsida's voice remained calm and low, cradling and rocking the small bundle close to his chest while refusing to return the slowly quieting babe. The pair continued to exchange words before the woman finally let out a frustrated growl of aggravation and stomped back out, not of course before managing to smack both Atsida in the back of the head and Enoka in the back on her way out.

Atsida let out a deep sigh, finally looking down at the bundle and lifting the blanket enough for him but not the Cortlans to see the squirming child inside. He cooed softly, his eyes seeming to grin back as the little one inside let out a telltale audible yawn before curling in close and quieting. Only then did Atsida look back up to meet Aike's eyes.

"**Please forgive the interruption and disturbance. My family and I have recently welcomed a new owlet into our family and she has run my beautiful, spirited wife ragged. I hope you do not think poorly of her for her outburst as we have not gotten much sleep in the past few months and stress and exhaustion have weighed heavy on her. And this naughty one,**" he continued, obvious fondness seeping into his voice that was translated in Feathers Fall Mildly's as well, "**is very particular about who her naptime holder is. We may resume now though. I do not foresee further interruptions. Again, my deepest apologies for the trouble.**"

[nephero]

   Aike quieted long before Atsida gestured for them to do so, being completely distracted by all the wailing. Whoever's tiny little lungs those were, they were doing some serious work. A twinge back and to their left told them that Rakal was less than enthused by infant screams.

   Whatever was being discussed between the Taluvans, Aike didn't have to wait long to find out. Enoka returned shortly with a shrieking bundle, and it didn't take Aike long to realize this little tiny pile of blankets was the source of all the noise. They watched patiently as the child was handed over to Atsida, though they were again distracted by even more yelling as the smaller Taluvan woman stormed in.

   "++I think we have finally met your sweetheart, Rakal.++" came the low quiet bass of Sitkal, earning more than a few soft bits of laughter from the other Trapdoors.

   "++What? Did you say something? I can barely hear myself think.++" She replied with a twist of her wrist, though looking at her somewhat stunned expression showed that the volume was indeed getting to her quite a bit.

   The domestic dilemma finally finished with two sound smacks, and there was another small bit of laughter, though this time out of shock. Even Aike was unsure of how to handle it.

   "++Spicy.++" Was all Rakal said once the tipi was quiet again, the tiny bundle more than happy to settle down now that she was inside and in the Chief's arms.

   "...I have none of my own, so I can only imagine how taxing that is on you both." They said, very carefully and very diplomatically. Which was true, they really had no idea how being woken by a crying child would affect them, and so their wrist stayed perfectly still. "No need for apologies. As I said, it is Cortla's intention to maintain the mountain outposts rather than the eastern ones, in order to provide protection within those passes."

[GoblinFae]

He rocked the child in his arms, buying himself time to think. Atsida could already hear the Elders's reservations, and he'd be lying if he didn't agree with some of them. The Taluvans Walked the Circle every year, passing by Cortla's eastern border every autumn. He worried about the majority of his people passing by being seen by the Cortlan civilians as posturing for war, when in fact it was simply their way of life. His other fear was that without the Cortlan outposts filled, the protect that they supplied was lost. A fact, Atsida needed to be careful with wording.

"**These outposts do not guarantee full protection though as well as leaving our shared border very exposed. How far could people get into your lands before you'd be able to take notice? How many of them could invade from my lands to overwhelm Cortla? Or how many can flood from your lands without you knowing to overwhelm Talu? While I am more than willing to trust Cortla at her word, but I am deeply concerned over our two territories being taken advantage of because we become compliant.**"

[nephero]

   Aike could feel the deep amusement behind them from the gathered Trapdoors. It was a feeling they themself shared, even if it was laced with a small amount of frustration. Still, Aike gave a reassuring sort of smile, shaking their head.

   "The eastern outposts, Chief Great Horned Owl, were never meant to give full protection." They stated, before pausing and considering just how much Talu needed to know. They chewed at the inside of their cheek, and then pushed forward. Better to be honest, as much as possible. "Cortla has much more than just soldiers guarding the borders, and it would be a very unwise group indeed to move through our lands away from the roads. We mark them for a reason."

   They tilted their head and considered those gathered in the tipi.

   "As I have stated before now, in our first meeting, we cannot fully close those mountain passes. They are the Cortlan people's only escape, should something find its way into our cities. Permanently closing them is too dangerous, and is not negotiable. We have plans for keeping them under watch and making them far safer for Talu, but I will not doom my people to do so."

[GoblinFae]

"**So all it would take is someone keeping to the path to pour into either of our territories. I mean no insult but that hardly comes off as reassuring. If anything it feels as if you're trading one vulnerability for another.**"

Atsida sighed, pursing his own lips in deep-seated frustration as well. He took the moment to calm himself and cradle his precious bundle closer. Deep below the current of frustration was grief and sorrow. He couldn't afford to lose his daughters. His people didn't deserve to lose their sons and daughters like this because he wasn't capable enough to protect them. But, even coming to Cortla begging for peace and help didn't seem to be enough. It was not that he wasn't grateful for what they were doing. On the contrary it was a relief, but it still wasn't enough in his mind. Perhaps it was due to the youthfulness of their Governor who had neither family nor children of their own, but it felt as if Cortla was naive to the true horrors of the world that plagued Talu.

Without looking up, he continued in the same soft tones as before. "**You have travelled a long way to be here only to be forced into immediate negotiations. It seems we are making no headway with this and it would serve us all some time to rest and think on the matters at hand. Is this amenable to you Governor Aike Jadon**?"

[nephero]

   Aike's mouth was in a thin line, the only outward sign as to how much these opening 'negotiations' were getting under their skin. While Aike understood that Atsida was not trying to trick them - they could feel the ache in the threads attached to him as deeply as they had at the border - it seemed as if the man was completely unwilling to see any path but the one he desired.

   Which made Aike's job of telling him 'no' all the more difficult, if you asked them.

   "I think that is a good suggestion, Chief Great Horned Owl," they said with an incline of their head, "thank you again for the warm fire and the very satisfying meal. Your kindness will not be forgotten."