((OOC: Apologies all for my inactivity over the last, like, 2 months
))
Ife Atandje; Council of Albion Headquarters, Gaia, LodjaIfe was tired. The meeting was beginning to drag, and a glance around the table showed him that he was far from alone in his weariness. With a quiet sigh to himself, he considered the Lodjian's suggestions. To accept these terms as they were would, on balance, be the most prudent course of action now. Certainly, they were not likely to get a better offer, and, in six months time, the Merinan army could be strengthened, while the opposition might wither on the vine, cut off from their supporters abroad. They might decline, or else try to circumvent the agreement, though exposing this would buy Nigyia some much-needed political capital abroad, should it come to that.
He sipped at his glass of water thoughtfully.
"My Lord Kubik" He nodded, at length "On behalf of the Commonwealth of Merina, we find your terms agreeable, and are prepared to extend the present ceasefire in line with this programme" He cast about the table, eyeing up each of the other Merinan teams in turn, before continuing "Gentlemen, the Commonwealth offers you the olive branch. Will you take it up on these terms?"
Looks were exchanged around the table, and teams spoke softly in the background, as each sought to weigh up their options. To decline, naturally, would be to draw the ire of the Council, those commanding armies quite capable of being the kingmakers in the conflict, though to accept would be to grasp a poisoned flower. Nguessa's deals were notoriously fickle.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Free State team were the first to compose themselves, and the neat figure of Theodor once again took the stage.
"On behalf of the Free State" He looked Ife squarely in the eyes as he spoke "I accept your terms. Let this day mark the ending of Merina's suffering. Toda raba"
Close on his heels was the National Liberation Army man, Colonel Valentin Bemba. He sat back, cutting a pugnacious figure in his fatigues and beret, and though his words were conciliatory, little of his earlier steel had been lost from their tone. He shot a quick sideways glance at the Lodjians before speaking.
"The National Liberation Army is satisfied that the honourable members of this council shall see the peace and justice which the Merinan people so crave realised" He smiled with his lips, though conspicuously not with his eyes "We find these terms agreeable, and shall stand by them so long as Nguessa's soldiers do likewise"
Seeing the way the wind was blowing, Noah Tergat, after sharing an unhappy glance with his team, added his voice to the clamor of assent.
"The Merinan People's Army accept Mister Kubik's proposal" He nodded solemnly, before adding to the Lodjian team "We place ourselves at your mercy, my Lords and Ladies. Rarely have a been a one for praying, but I am praying now. That you see Nguessa for what he is. That you deliver the Merinan people from our bonds. That your hearts are truly as pure as your words, I pray, for I can do no more"
With this endorsement, all eyes now fell upon the Pindari team, who had been conspicuously quiet thus far. Hushed words exchanged in their own language, suspicious glances, and shaking heads. At length, the Eorl rose, stiffly, to his feet, placing his one good hand and one claw on the polished tabletop. As one man, one beard, his team stood behind him, summoning their last reserves of poise and dignity to present a united front.
"The Fedayeen, Sir" Aliku Belawi growled, his deep voice quiet, yet somehow resonating around the room with the gravity of his words "Dae nae accept. Nae have we any further interest in exchanging pretty words wae the likes o' Ife Atendjie" He spat the name with real venom, as if merely uttering it left a bitter taste in his mouth "Th' bastard Nguessa ae a tyrant ae a monster, ae nae a single yard of Pindari soil will we yield tae him. If we must fight tae gain our freedom, then fight we will. I hae spoken, and what hae been said cannae be unsaid. Our ceasefire ae at an end, Mister Atendje. May ye soft lowlander god hae mercy on ye black soul, fae I shall not; out ae respect for our hosts I have stayed my hand here, pray ye tha' we dannae meet again, lad, fae if we do, I'll kill ye where ye stand"
Shifting his attention back to their hosts, Belawi continued, his tone softening only slightly: "I hae nae quarrel wae ye. If ye see these devils true as they ae, yae would be welcome to fight alongside me as kin. If ye ae devils yaeselves, come not tae the hills and valleys ae Pindar, fae in that land live the brave Fedayeen, and we shall nae surrender wae is ours"
With that, the Pindaris turned on their heels and, in impressive unison, walked calmly from the chamber.
In the succeeding lull, punctuated only by the retreating click-clack of Pindari shoes on the hard floor, Ife quickly gathered his thoughts.
"My Lords and Ladies" He spoke up again, addressing the remaining assembly "Our terms to each of you remain unchanged, yet clearly we cannot allow the threat from these Pindari rogues go unchecked. We shall have peace in Merina, I am confident, though for some the fight must, alas, continue a little longer"