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Doc just looked to Silenus.
"As I have little knowledge of the Corsair and Gallic relations and am beyond mentally drained, I see myself contributing little, if anything to this conversation."
He then turned to Elder Buonocore, "Senor, since I am incapable of being effective in my state of mind, my services not really needed, I do not have enough knowledge of Corsair affairs and Canaria is lost, I will retire to chambers to get some much needed rest. When some sort of accord is reached, I will return."
With that, Doc walked to the chamber he was provided. It was all but instant that he fell asleep. The loss of everything, travel and attempts to play diplomat had overtaxed him.
Buonocore had much on his mind.
So much that in fact he almost forgot about the esteemed visitors he had invited.
Another day, and perhaps a fresh look on things made him hopeful.
Hopeful that there was more to talk about, before drawing conclusions.
After a sigh and a sip of wine Buonocore raises his hand, signalling he is about to speak.
"We are at war with the Bretonian government, not its people. The Corsair empire sees no reason to stop this war, especially in this critical stage. Gaians, it is your decision how to deal with that.
You are not a target of Corsair military action, but if you behave like an enemy combatant you will be treated as one.
The Corsair Empire never changed allegiances in this war. We have always fought the Bretonian government and we will continue to do so.
Such is the will of the Council of Elders and the Corsair people.
Gaians, your people are welcome in this empire. Our borders remain open for Gaian trade and exploration. The Brotherhood treats the Gaians with respect and hospitality. Your numbers are insignificant in the grand scale of this war and as such I no longer ask for your insignificant support to deal with the Bretonian government. I do not care about your actions against the Gallic invasion, as long as you refrain from engaging Corsairs. Is this generous offer agreeable?"
After this monologue he leans back and slowly gazes over those who gathered in the room.
Silenus stood, his visage unmoving and with a stone gaze now fixed on Elder buonocore.
"Evidently we have been wasting our time facilitating the interests of the corsair empire"
The hour was growing late. Through a set of patio doors to the sun blazened the cretan sky red and orange. Silenus gazed at it for a moment before turning to look once again at elder buonocore.
"We have been beseiged by gauls since long before they brought their campaign into Bretonia proper. The empire has waited and waited and waited as thousands of it's gaian allies are gunned down. Where was this compassion for us elder buonocore? For one of your oldest true allies?"
He paused for a moment, Elder buonocore seemed unmoved. Silenus turned to address the room.
"If only the kind doctor were here to see what becomes of the loyalties promised by the corsair brotherhood!"
"Alas, for all our waiting you would cast us aside like the petty enclave of activists we were twenty years ago?"
"How long have you been couped up here drinking 797 Casa de Bodega elder Buonocore?"
He paused, once again gazing out of the patio doors at the stunning view outside. The sun was low now, painting everything in sight vibrant auburn. He sighed and looked once again at elder buonocore.
"In the morning you shal find the Bretonian black market closed to you. Too long have we peddled artifacts on your behalf for such little recompense"
"As for Gran Canaria, it is neither here nor there. For now we care not for whoever has claim while a hostile armada is parked literally on our doorstep."
Silenus approached elder buonocore where he sat and leaned in to speak at eye level.
"The ground is shrinking beneath you.."
Leaning back he stood upright and gave a formal bow.
"..Elder buonocore"
Nodding to each person in turn he bade each one farewell before looking once again at elder buonocore. He turned away, strode through the double doors and into the lobby.
Flora let out a long sigh, quietly listening to Silenus' rant. She was looking somewhere to the side, her mind focused on Buonocore's words. She had a difficult time maintaining her calm composure, agitated by his willingness to let the years of their alliance go to waste in a moment's notice. Her gaze followed the acolyte as he walked out of the chamber, the woman staying silent for a few second afterwards.
- All the food. Medical supplies. Munitions, ships, our most prized technology. Shelter for your smugglers and raiders. We offered you all of this, in belief that we were building together a great alliance. We have been dying by your side in conflicts that do not concern us, purely to maintain our friendship. Was it all in vain, Buonocore? Was it naive for us to believe this relationship was mutual? Are the years we have sacrificed for the sake of your people nothing to you? Are you going to just cast it all away like this? - she paused for a second, shaking her head. - This is not the Brotherhood I worked with. This is not the Brotherhood I put my life on the line for. This is... Something else. A shadow of its former glory, and, honestly... Yeah. This shadow will not get any of our insignificant support. The Guard has never changed their allegiance in this war either, Buonocore. We have always fought the gallic government and we will continue to do so. And although you are not the target of our military action, if you start acting like an enemy, you will be treated like an enemy. - she let out another sigh, then getting up from her seat. - I will take you up on your offer. You will do your thing, we'll do our thing. Hopefully you won't end up making this any worse than it already is. Have a good day. - contrary to Silenus, Flora only graced Ladron with a slight nod, then walking out of the chamber as well.
With a serious look on his face, Buonocore's eyes followed the Gaian emissaries until the door closed behind them with a loud clunk.
His frown then turned to a smirk as he leaned towards Ladron, pouring his dear Comisario another glass of wine.
"Lovely people those Gaians, don't you think?"
The laughter of the two men echoed around the drawing room.
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