Session Start: Wed Mar 12 18:15:59 2008 ==SESSION START: Insert 25 cents== GMVytor> The evening for Ryllan has been a long one. The dining room of the Mansion has been converted into a makeshift planning room, and is now littered with papers and maps rather than the expected remnants of the evening meal. GMVytor> Various orderlies and messengers enter and exit the room, delivering messages and picking up new orders to pass throughout the city. Yet there's still so much left to be done. GMVytor> Once again, Ryllan's musings are interrupted, but this time by one of his companions. * Vytor knocks on the doorframe to pull Ryllan's attention from his strategizing. * Ryllan looks back over his shoulder, "Hmm?" He asks, quite articulately. Got a sec? * Ryllan stands abruptly, spending a long moment stretching before jerking his head towards the door, "Sure. I could use some air. Walk and talk?" * Vytor drops several work reports on the table. "Sure. These can wait for later." * Ryllan heads out into the night air, "What did you need?" * Vytor walks alongside Ryllan. "I wanted to talk to you about something that's been bothering me." * Vytor turns to look at Ryllan, "Mikayla." * Ryllan nods, but remains silent. Why did you do it? I could name any of a hundred reasons. But they all come down to a single one; she was still a threat. To Trune, to you, to Niri, to all of us and what we're trying to do. How? Help me understand. She made Trune strap himself into that damn machine of his - and he was willing while it happened. What else do you think she could have made him do? Or you, or me, or anyone? And that made her irredeemable? How do you hold someone like that, Vytor? Who do you have attempt to redeem them? Did you see the look on her face before you cut her throat? I saw a lot of looks on her face all night, Vytor. She looked damned sincere when she was assuring us she would never try to hurt Trune, too. I don't know, Ryllan. That last look she gave Trune wasn't like the others she gave before. * Ryllan shrugs, "Maybe I /didn't/ see it. Regardless - she'd already shown herself to be a master manipulator. Even if I had, what would you have had me do? Would you have had me risk Trune's life on the /chance/ that Mikayla wasn't just spinning another damned web of lies?" I would have preferred one of two options. One, let the town decide her fate, or two, talk to us first before you play executioner. And who would you ask to guard her while we wait for that to happen? Who would you ask to risk being turned against their friends or family? Who would you ask to risk death at the hands of their own allies so that you could feel better about her fate? We'll never know, now. * Ryllan turns and looks at Vytor, suddenly glaring, "No, Vytor. You asked why I did it? You want to understand? Answer the question. Who would you have risked for Mikayla's sake?" * Vytor stops walking, "Is that all you think about? The plusses and minuses of this whole business? As long as at the end of the day we end up in the plus column everything's okeedokee?" No, it's not okeedokee. It's shitty, and it's horrible, and it's cruel. Yet preferable to an alternative that has an unknown outcome? When that unknown outcome carries with it a very good chance of having innocent people die along with the guilty? Yes. And you still haven't answered the question. * Ryllan pauses, "I don't blame you for not being able to answer it - I couldn't either." Actually, I can. I would have done it. Then it's a pity for Mikayla that the world still needs you. I suppose so. You need anything else? I should get back. One more thing. * Vytor reaches into his vest pocket, and pulls out what appears to be a sword hilt, sans blade. "I made this for you. I got the idea from those photonic weapons the Viles use." I call it the Formless Blade, based off a bit of reading I did while we had downtime in the east. * Ryllan looks carefully at Vytor, "...You sure? I can still walk away if you'd rather not arm... Well, me." I believe in second chances. And I'm willing to give you a second chance as well. Just like I wanted to give Mikayla a second chance. * Vytor pulls the device away from Ryllan, "However...if you ever decide to play judge, jury and executioner again, without discussing it first with the REST of us..." ...I will be very disappointed in you. * Vytor offers the item again to Ryllan. * Ryllan huffs a sigh that's mixed with a half chuckle, 'Understood. Thanks, Vy'." He takes it gently. The inscription is one that you might find of interest given the current situation we're in. Apparently its from an ancient book of strategy that predates the Devastation Era. "If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless. If it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it, nor the wise make plans against it." * Ryllan nods, "Wise, man, whoever he was." He pauses, "Oh, and Vy?" Hm? Thanks. Maybe I needed a reminder of the people we're doing all this for. Thanks for helping me understand. I don't agree, but I understand. But I can live with that. I hope you never do agree. In a perfect would, no one would see things the way I do - no one would have to. Hey, do me a favor. Yeah? Mikel. If I'd been any slower, you'd be having this conversation with him. He's on a slippery slope, and I'd be a hypocrite to try to shove him off of it. Give him a hand up, if you can. * Vytor throws Ryllan a grin, "Sure. Why else do you guys keep me around?" Well, you know, you /have/ saved all our lives a time or two. What can I say? I'm fond of you guys. * Ryllan chuckles at that, "Yeah, I'll talk to you later." Good luck Ryllan. I have a feeling we're going to need it tomorow. Thanks, you too. * Ryllan peels off into a side street - perhaps a shortcut back to the mansion - disappearing into the darkness swiftly. * Vytor exhales, and sets off once again towards the eastern wall. ==LUDE END! Yet the Princess remains in another castle.== Session Close: Wed Mar 12 19:49:37 2008