Where the tides rest (Summit; Deinstad; Closed)

[New Calandria]

Baleucit, Nau Mu'uro, United Islands

---

The waters of the Southern Seas shimmered, stretching well beyond the horizon to parts unknown. A deep blue so heavy that it drew the eye near to the endless questions it so selfishly hid away. Along the white, sun-baked sands were families enjoying a moment of serenity, laughter, and the quiet peace that seemed so ever present to be taken for granted. Gulls crossed the sky, flying as they did in the shape of a V, undoubtedly on the watch for any unfortunate soul with fries or ice cream, anything they could get their hands on truly. This peace, this quiet, could not hold for long.

The beachgoers quickly moved to secure their belongings as several military helicopters came over the sea bearing the unmistakable colors of the United Islands. They flew inland and just as quickly as they had appeared, they vanished from sight over the terrain, though the thunderous roar of their engines took its time to depart long after they had gone.

"It has been a long time," Artuo said through the helicopter's intercom as Renée, the prime minister, stared out the window. Her gaze refused to dull away, being sharpened by the grindstone of thought that was making calculation after calculation in her mind.

''Ever wonder why they call it Baleucit?'' she finally said, her voice cracking through the headset's static.

The question disarmed Artuo, who raised a brow, ''You'll forgive me, Madame Prime Minister. I fear that I am not familiar with the specific history of the Treándres isles."

She looked at him, "No points for you, Artuo. It means Blue-city supposedly.''

Artuo sounded the word out in his head, seeing where maybe that inference could come from. ''Baleu also means whale in our language, though,'' he said, almost unsure of himself now. Here they were en route for the beginning of an important international meeting and they were talking about colors and whales and why people can't name things in more simple ways.

Renée smiled, ''And yet the city isn't blue, but it has a lot of whales, so you tell me.''

Artuo blinked. ''Is this one of those things that you do, where you come out of nowhere only to sucker punch me with a life lesson?''

She grinned, ''Look at you, we'll make you a fine Secretary of State yet, Artuo. But yes — I am entrusting you with my utmost respect to handle these negotiations between the Ordenites and the Holy Marsh and maybe bring them down to a simmer so the West can have a break. Of course, such a thing requires a lot of attention to detail, I trust you have learned about both nations — and yet, you failed to study the history of where we'd go. You must stay on your feet, Artuo, or they will eat you alive."

Artuo sighed, ''I see — understood, Madame Prime Minister.''


Palace of Waka'hae-ta, Nau Mu'uro, United Islands

---

As the helicopters sat themselves down on the pads, ground-crews came to secure and help with any luggage as Renée and Artuo departed. Other staff from the island's state government were there and waiting to receive them. Governor Malō Ttowei being among them.

''Ah! Bèvenit, bèvenit! Tala-talay-tala!,'' he bellowed out in greeting, giving Renée a big hug.

''Óla, Uncle Malō, it's so good to see you!'' she replied. Artuo stood back, a gentle smile on his face as the staff made quick work of their things. "Artuo, this is my uncle, Malō Ttowei, the governor of Nau Mu'uro.''

'''A mi me plais,'' Artuo nodded.

''I love what you've done with the place,'' Renée said, looking up at the palace. The structure had been restored by the Mu'uroans thanks to the state's Cultural Revitalization Project. The palace was once the seat of the Wannake, Waka'hae-ta of the Kaqahári tribes in the Treándres, and the ancestors to Renée herself. The totems had been restored and the large, sloping roof was painstakingly repaired. Large glass windows rose above the two massive doors, facing west to allow the setting sun to illuminate the little seashells and peals infused in the glass. The Kaqahári were the last to sign the Wuomui Accords with the Calandrians, they were seen as stubborn even by the other tribes, but for Renée, she always felt they were more courageous to stand by what they felt was right.

As they entered the main hall, a table had been set with its light palm-wood color and plenty of seating for the delegations. It would be a long round of talks, and though Renée could not stay for them, she had every bit of trust in Artuo. Maybe peace would still be possible, maybe.

[Holy Marsh]

It was the nature of societies outside of those blessed and most acutely aware of their responsibilities to seek peace in times of righteous war. The Theocracy did not look poorly upon the peacemakers and the gentle-hearted of the world. They did live in the world as the Mar'si wished it would be, where justice and kindness, peace and trust, all things good and honest could be achieved through the earnest efforts of the heart. Alas, it was the duty of the Mar'si to confront a cruel reality: Evil existed in abundance and in casual disregard for its own weakness. And it was the responsibility of the Mar'si to make them well aware of this broken point of pride until evil was extinguished from the world, the mind, the heart, and the soul. It was a duty they were pleased to undertake for they were the Chosen and upon their mighty people an endless crown of majesterial might had been bestowed. Tremble did the flawed and mortal who sought riches, for their trumpets of war came righteous and strong, a clarion call of divine judgment when mortal failings abound. Yet for all that and more, the Mar'si did not look at the peacemakers as fools, for hope was a refuge and the Mar'si knew that refuge was needed for those whom faith was lacking.

The United Isles sought to play the part of a peacemakers between the Theocracy and the State. It seemed to be well known among the mighty and meek alike that the wheels of history had turned inevitably towards the next decisive moment in regional history. Yet still they sought to play a role in the world they sought to live in. The Mar'si had agreed to attend even as hundreds of thousands and soon millions of lives were being extinguished in liquid seconds before the blood-ocean of time. The Mar'si had no intention of stopping the conflict; why would they? A divine destiny was theirs, unshackled by mortal concerns. And no doubt the State, emboldened by wickedness and vileness and swathed in annexed fabrics and bedazzled by stolen wealth, would not agree to any demands the Mar'si would make. If there had ever been a hope for peace it was in a time long since past. Nonetheless, the Theocracy had agreed. They would attend this meeting out of respect for the Isles and with the understanding that history would be well served to hear the words of the Mar'si as clearly their gunshots did ring.

The representative was Aidaj Su'Kavrun. Tall and tan, he was currently the under-secretary for affairs in the Southern Seas. His official title in the Karda was Fourth Lord of the Southern Seas, a not insignificant position in the Sea Sarda. Normally more comfortable at the beach or a kilometer under the sea in the Sarda's abyssal dives, he had volunteered for this. There was no ambassador to the United Isles yet and perhaps this would help with a more significant position of diplomatic import. He wore a blue and black tailored suit for official business, with his light red and white hair streaking according to the length of his dives. It wasn't the best that the Sea Sarda offered, but in the absence of overtly religious garb it would have to. The State was not worthy of such efforts, even if the United Isles was. He had been briefed on the general nature of what was expected from the State should they arrive as well as the possible needs of the hosts. Most importantly, he was informed that regardless of how poorly it was going to go, just making the effort would prove a new weapon in the blessed arsenal of the Theocracy. He wasn't so sure he believed that in full, but he would do well by his duties and by his hosts.

Representative Su'Kavrun strode into the Palace of Waka'hae-ta, two aides on either side of him. It was recently reconstructed and spoke to the old ways and faiths of the native people of Nau Mu'uro, a commendable effort at preserving vital culture for the Isles. The Theocracy was occasionally puzzled when enriching values and customs were turned away rather than embraced and absorbed, but then again many things puzzled the Mar'si. They were met by the Governor and other aides, stopped for some pictures and took care to answer some questions before being whisked inside to the room. A long table of palm had been set aside for this endeavor and he gave a light bow. "A pleasure, gentlefolk," he said as he sat down. "Blessed day by the Goddess, as are all days, and may we seek glory through our actions here today."