The scribes were amused by Persian's exceptions for the temple. Aptuv's land was not and never would be any part of their bargaining, but they didn't fuss, just quietly tittered about it among themselves.
The coffee was accepted gladly. It was not unknown to the Inizae, but it was a rarity.
Even so, by the time dawn broke, they were all red-eyed and bleary, but the treaty Persian wished to present was at least not downright rude anymore, and multiple copies had been translated.
Aetes flinched to see Rheinhard place the knife blade so close to his eye.
"It's still hypocritical," the priest muttered, running a hand over his hair.
"If they could not handle these things, they should never have created it in the first place."
He grimaced, and glanced over at Rheinhard.
"Not that I'm saying I wished you didn't exist. Because I'm very glad you do. I just... wish you did not have to carry this burden."
At the mention of
Klaus, he leaned back against the stone with a sigh. He... could not say that he
liked Klaus in any sense of the word. But he also couldn't deny that he'd greatly enjoyed the... experience they'd had together, even as angry as he'd been that Klaus had forced Rheinhard out of the way. There... were things he enjoyed that he doubted Rheinhard ever would, and he wasn't about to force them on the man.
"The muzzle wouldn't stop him if he truly wished to kill me," Aetes finally said wryly, injecting some teasing into his voice.
"We could just start tying you up every night if you're that concerned."
Nailah frowned, and tucked herself back into
Chaceledon's chest. Other than her mandatory rest, she'd been... trying to give him some space to grieve and process everything that had happened at the Nameday. She knew all too well what it was like to lose your people, family, and
culture in a day. Even when she knew it was inevitable, it still... there had been no amount of preparation that was sufficient.
It hadn't been her intent to isolate him, though.
"You're not useless," she told him quietly, tightening her arms around him again.
"I was just... trying not to intrude. But there is something you could do."
It had occurred to her a few days ago. While the Inizae Empire of the past had some dealings with the fae, as a general rule, they were minimal. Avoided unless absolutely necessary. But if they were going into the heart of fae territory soon...
"I need you to teach me. I know barely more than Seteta does about how to deal with the fae. If we're going to the Autumn Court, then I don't want to make any fatal blunders," she said, looking up at him and resting her chin against his chest.
She'd missed being held.
Four more days passed before the last of the elders finally arrived. Seteta's presence was not required in that time, and so Nailah spent most of it with Chaceledon, and working with the healer to continue building back her physical strength and stamina.
Aetes, unfortunately, had to spend less time with Rheinhard and more time with Persian and the elders. Negotiations were strictly off limits yet, but Aetes and Rehema assured Persian that getting to know the elders as they arrived would only help him when the time came. She advised, though, that he not reveal his identity yet. She wouldn't put it past some of the elders to lure him off the temple grounds to call in a blood debt.
Ausar made sure that Rheinhard had a way to blow off energy, though, and assigned him to train with the temple guards. He left it ambiguous whether Rheinhard was the trainer or the trainee, and just gave the instruction that no blood was to be drawn by either party.
On the morning of the fifth day, the elders convened. Aetes and Persian, obviously, would be in attendance. Rehema had advised that they all be there as well. Nailah--though many of the elders would have met her as Seteta in prior years--and Chaceledon. Rheinhard, and Ausar since he was currently the Steward. The two scribes Persian had brought who were interested in joining the Inizae, and Hassani. Rehema herself would be there for the beginning of the meeting, and then she could be called on for anything vital since she was not supposed to be leading anything right now. The healer had also specified that Seteta was to be excused whenever she needed to be.
A sand structure had been erected outside the temple. The south side was open to the air and allowed the sunlight in to help warm it, though there was a large firepit shaped out of the floor as well and fire was already burning merrily away. Rugs and blankets and cushions filled the open areas, and acolytes with scrolls and quills sat in the corners to record the proceedings, however many days they might last. There were also other temple servants tending to food and drink outside the structure.
The elders were about a dozen in number, slightly more men than women, and all of them with at least a touch of gray hair at their temples. Supti was among them.
When they were all gathered, Aetes cleared his throat.
"Rehema originally called you all here," he said, looking around.
"She is with child, though, and under advisement from the healer, I am acting in her stead.
"You are all familiar with Pedeo," he continued once the quiet murmurs of delight congratulations to Rehema and Ausar had ceased,
"but it is unlikely any of you have seen its... engineer" --he didn't really stumble over the word itself, but there wasn't an Inizae word to adequately translate in its place-- "before. This is Persian de Soto, and he wishes to negotiate peace with us."
Aetes gestured for Persian to come sit next to him.
The elders grew eerily silent. While most of them would not have met Persian before, they knew of him. Many glared at him with daggers of hatred in their eyes. A couple were genuinely curious, but still uneasy. One of them refused to look at Persian at all, preferring to stare into the fire, eyes blank.
