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Duet Fortuna     The Order of the Binders is not exactly the greatest in power these days, but a lot of tradition sits behind it. Thusly, Gray Windson is actually fairly well-off, though one wouldn't call him 'rich' by most accounts. He DOES have a very nice house, but it's a part of his station, and somewhat old in nature.

    The place is also well-guarded now. Most of them look fresh and awkward, but a few veterans linger about. With the war REALLY turning against the Empire, people are very on edge.

    Fortunately, Bloodstone, while not well-liked, has enough sway to get Nathan a meeting with Windson. Escorted to a pleasant but aged room with well-polished furniture, Windson doesn't leave Nathan waiting too long. The General of a mighty power in opposition to what the Empire is fighting is... a good guest to entertain.

    "Ah... welcome," he states as he walks in, taking a seat across from Hall. "General Hall, I would have expected you to meet with our military, but I will do what I can for you. I'm told you had a particular need to speak with me?"
Nathan Hall     "Salutations, Head Binder Windson. Thank you for seeing me. It is time we met properly about a certain subject." Nathan says, in a level tone. His tone is, of course, always level, but it's the way that musters the old style of energy. His posture is as robotic as ever. He seems, though, to have a sort of undefinable ominousness about his atmosphere. "I have business with your military. However, the business I have with them is not the business I have with you." Technically true.

    He clasps his hands, propped up on the table, and leans forward. "The Empire is in peril." He says, simply. "And you are a part of that Empire. I am no fortune teller, and I do not know the future for certain. However, there are arrangements we both need to make for the possibility of the Empire suffering a setback that it is unable to return from." All of the words are designed to sound utterly harmless, but to subtly play up and enhance the feeling of being on-edge that he's detected among people. "I have arrangements that need making. I have several candidates, potential people to make these arrangements with, and you are the first. And I understand that while your institution is allied with the Empire, you have some separation, and some history of differences." The brutal destruction of many other Binders, for example, but the spoken words remain neutral and harmless, designed to mostly work subconsciously.

    He's remained utterly motionless, so it's particularly noticable when he tilts his head just slightly, an inquiring sort of blank look. "Would you consider it a dishonest breach of your loyalties to establish insurance for the possibility that the Windward Empire itself may not recover from the efforts of the Confederacy?" He intends to go harsh later, quite a bit harsher, obviously. But for now, he needs to make this man worry as much as possible, and make this man consider him as harmless as possible, to make him open to a mutual exchange.
Duet Fortuna     The question is quite pointed even with the attempt to buffer it. As one of the servants - not slaves, at least - pours tea, Windson folds his hands into his lap. "While we are a part of the Empire, the church spreads beyond its borders. The Empire supports us as we support them, yet it is the people that we have our loyalties to. Well, at least the Binder order, I admit. Snowdrift may have more firm opinions on that, but he and I see even less eye to eye than Bloodstone and I."

    He offers tea, then sits back with his own cup. "What is it that you are offering? I can make no promises for us, but you need not concern yourself that your offers would put me into a bad position."
Nathan Hall     "Good. I would hate to put you in a compromising position." Nathan says, making one vague gesture with his hand, before he returns back to his neutral position. "I have good reason to believe that the Confederacy is going to strike very decisively, and good reason to believe that other parties intend to do so as well. Due to our political differences with the Windward Empire, we cannot render enough assistance to them that it would likely avert much of the risk. I can tell little for certain, when it comes to the future, but I believe Lady Fairchild and the Confederacy are not likely to stop here. They will continue, and destroy everything that has wronged her."

    "My offer is simple. Insurance. Protection. The Union cannot render assistance to the Windward Empire. Allow us to ensure her wrath does not turn to you. I offer the assistance of the Union in protecting you, in exchange for something you can provide for us. Assuming you can assist us with a critical matter of our own, you will have assurance that you will survive the ongoing war unscathed... Whoever might come out the victor in the end."

    He wants to get his interest before he makes the demand. He's tried to build up the worry, and establish himself as a helpful escape, so he can create the proper desperation setup for when he gets a little more harsh. All without seeming threatening himself.
Duet Fortuna     Windson makes a face. "I have to admit, the Empire's successes so far have been... not particularly inspiring." He sits back and sighs, rubbing his forehead. "I'm not sure I can entirely agree to that, but I am willing to listen to your proposal. We... are a dying order, really, and while we're largely ceremonial in role, we do handle dangerous sites and monsters that need sealing. If we were to vanish it would be... troublesome."

    He sits up again. "So, yes, I do have interest in the survival of my order. Lady Fairchild has proven to be a more... dangerous foe than we thought, due to her allies. You think you can protect us from her and them?"
Nathan Hall     "I can protect you from her. Consider it a personal guarantee. I hold trump cards in the conflict that Now. I believe you have information that is useful to us, and the specific purposes of how we intend to address the issues facing the Windward Empire." He leans forward. "I have very good reason to believe you and I are very similar. I believe we both know people with a certain set of skills, pertaining to the Amethyne and the Shajem. Not Binding. Something... More?"

    His eyebrow quirks a bit. "Ceremonial, you say. You are still sticking to that?" Now he's made Windson show the cracks. Time to spring the trap from the false sense of security. "Well. That is your decision, as many things are. Perhaps it is not a relevant thing you must do. What is relevant, however, is the messenger I sent to tell you that was wrong." The Lord of Cowardice. Nathan's first Negotiation handn't been enough to hold it, but it didn't need to be. It had lasted long enough to send the Shajem to deliver the message to Windson's faction, right? Nathan distinctly recalls the direction of sorts he had seeded in there.

    He's attempting to show, very, very clearly for a moment, that he's entirely on the level, so to speak. By claiming a sort of control of an independent Shajem that should have previously visited Windson, under Nathan's commissioned Binding to have it make him fear the Shajem, he tries to utterly catch Windson off-guard, and seem much more capable of dealing with Shajem and Amethyne than he might really be. "It is what is relevant. And I am quite aware of the matching efforts of my opposition." More indirectly claiming he's aware of abuse of the Amethyne to bolster the Blooded nobility... If anyone knows about that, Windson does. Head of the Binders, the people who KNOW how to deal with beings like this, there's no way he doesn't... Right? "I require the words of a man who... Has authority on that subject. A certain testimony you may expect. With those words, the Union will ensure your safety absolutely, from all relevant threats."

    And, implicitly, without those words, the Union will ensure against it, judging by the sudden eye-obfuscating glare on those glasses. Nathan hasn't moved an inch, but his entire atmosphere has changed imperceptibly, from a passive ominousness to an active one. Nathan's not taking no for an answer. Even if Windson isn't in on the conspiracy, it's possible that he's going to push Windson into taking the fall anyway.
Duet Fortuna     The cup trembles slightly, and Windwon pales. "Right. Yes. I should say, our order is ceremonial NOW. I thought it was such until... recent events." He takes a deep breath. "I'm not really sure what you're saying otherwise. You won't offend me by being direct, General Hall. I've already had my world view shattered."

    He sets the cup down suddenly, and adds to his earlier statement. "I will be honest, though. The knowledge to deal with the Shajem as they are now is... largely lost. I've had my people looking, discreetly. Bloodstone has been more open. We've been at odds before, but we're collaborating on this. What he's managed to do with offworld help is really the best we have. We simply don't have the resources any more, and Binders are increasingly rare. Many of the best families have died off."
Nathan Hall     Hmmm. This isn't going the way it should. Either Windson has more guts and savvy than he looks, or he's not near enough to the top. Nathan's not going to hold much regard for his feelings, though. He's incredibly considerate at times, but right now, he's so focused on furthering the agendas that he's getting a little brutal with the emotional blows. "You know why." He says. "You are a man of systems, rules, and archives. Nothing disappears without a trace." Nathan presses on, leaning forward just slightly. He's confident he can use the intimidation angle of the situation much more effectively. "Lady Fairchild took something. Something from your order. Something only she found, but something that was a remnant of the past. Of a certain, specific blasphemy."

    "I am a librarian. I know how this works. You are not the man who loses such information entirely. Ceremonial though you may have thought the Bindings on the Shajem were, I know you understood Binding. Not as much as the rogue prodigy your system produced, but enough to reach the top and cling to it despite the brutal destruction of Binder families. I would rather you not deal with her alone. And your collaboration is appreciated. But I need you to do what needs to be done. If the Empire burns, Lady Fairchild will agitate enough sentiment against the nobility that little will survive but that which is perceived as having value against them."

    He leans back enough to unclasp his hands and lay them on the table in an emotionless but just slightly inviting gesture. There's a 'last chance' sort of feeling to the posture. "You do not reach the top without knowing what I know, merely having seen what your order has cast off and lost. Knowing about one hundred and ten thieves. We both already know what sort of use the Shajem and Amethyne can be put to." The stare is now locked in. If Windson trembles, Nathan manages to somehow do the exact opposite, above and beyond motionlessness. "The information you lost. The use of the Amethyne. I understand this is bigger than you. You do not have all of the picture, and you have even less of the power. But you have enough. And your word will suffice for what I need. So." His voice gets briefly tense. "Provide me what I need, Windson. Your testimony about the Amethyne." He takes it more direct for a moment, and the tension almost alters the monotone. "Your testimony about why the Blood does not grow thin." And then right back to the less tense monotone. "And then we can assure your safety against Lady Fairchild."
Duet Fortuna     Windson's face is... blank, at least at first. He is not, however, a stupid man. As sharp and well-read as he is, he can put a few things together, and the mention of blasphemy, and the various hints, have gotten his mind to click. It isn't the right conclusion, but it's close enough for him to realize something. He sets his cup down again before continuing, finally managing to steady his voice.

    "I don't know what you're talking about," he starts, lifting a hand to forestall any argument. "But if I am hearing you right, what you need is records, records that tell something that I am not sure I like. I can't give them to you."

    He rises suddenly, walking toward the window. "The man you need to speak to is Snowdrift. The best I can do is work to give you access to the records you want... but there is a reason they are forbidden." Awfully helpful suddenly, isn't he? The reason becomes more clear when he looks over his shoulder. "The Blood does not grow thin... what, exactly, are you wanting, General Hall? If you have evidence that something bigger is afoot, then it would be best to simply say it here, one of the few places fully warded against scrying or spies."
Nathan Hall     Snowdrift. That name again. "The one with more firm opinions about loyalty." He's putting things together. Normally he'd probably have a more positive approach, but unfortunately, it seems like he's a bit too moody to do that lately. On one hand, he wants to make sure that his plan doesn't leak. Eveningstar made him sure that nobody could be trusted, among other things that have damaged his usual faith in people.

    He begins attempting to correct his perception of things. Every time he thinks he has the way to go, he finds things go higher. Steppenworth, Wightseer, Windson, where does it end? He resolves to force his way to Snowdrift, and get what he needs. "Fine. Snowdrift. Do what you can to get me access, thank you. Where is he, and what is his position?" Nathan says. He is hopeful that it will be somewhere near the capital. If he can't get this before the end of things, he can at least get it during the chaos, some work to do on his own.

    Then he considers discussing this directly with Windson. "...There is something being done. Something done to bolster the thinning Blood. A blasphemous Binding or Sorcery designed by ancient humans, keeping the disparity of the people at its most vicious and miserable." He makes a tense noise. "I have tapped methods like theirs independently. Forcing the Shajem to do what I wish. What I claim is not impossible. The Amethyne are being used to bolster the Blood that ought to thin with generations. Lady Fairchild derived her mechanism of power from materials she took from your order. From this 'Snowdrift'. Drake Wightseer found materials like this. The methods of Binding. Only Binders can do this. Only Binders seem to know how to do any of this."

    He narrows his eyes for the first time in the conversation. "There is something rotten within the Binders that remain alive, or even above them. Whether or not you know the truth, you will assist me. And I will have my proof, one way or another. That is what I want." Then he leans back, reclasping his hands. "And if you assist me in acquiring it, you will be provided the protection of the Union." Implicitly, if he spills this, it'll be more dangerous, of course. Nathan is still much, much more vicious about negotiating right now.
Duet Fortuna     Windson taps the windowsill. "The Blood does not thin because of the divine blessing, the gift that was given to us. What you speak of is pure blasphemy, and the sort of ranting that would have you incarcerated or executed. My guards will see to that."

    He turns around and sighs. "Or that is what I would say. I have never been a particularly faithful man, my calling lies in the more mundane clerical work. With the changes and events of the past few years, what you suggest is... horrible, yet not impossible. I won't do anything to help you with this matter, though... not directly."

    He tucks his hands behind him. "You have some compelling arguments, with Whightseer and Fairchild, but no real proof. Snowdrift may know more. He is... while not the spiritual head of the church, he manages its leadership. I would also seek out Bloodstone, who has the pull and yet the rebellious reputation that he could investigate these claims. All I can do is make certain the inquisitors are kept off his back."

    He sighs, "You offer me a damned choice, General. If I help you, I ensure the 'survival' of my order, but if what you say is true we are destroyed in the manner we exist now anyway. If I do not help you, I fully believe that Fairchild and her allies could crush us. So I will give you what I can and simply hope you are wrong."
Nathan Hall     "It is horrible." Nathan says, as if that were a normal thing to say. "What I suggest is awful. It is a blasphemy against the natural way of things and it is terrible by nature to consider. That is why I intend to find it, and I intend to stop it. And the first thing I need /is/ proof. That is why I am here, holding you over the barrel that is Lady Fairchild." He makes a displeased noise. "Manager of the church. It sounds like he keeps much of the relevant power. Adequate."

    He raises an eyebrow, clearly more on an information-squeeze now, than anything else. "Tell me where to find him." He remains ever-hopeful that Snowdrift is where Elliana intends to make her final push against the Emperor. If Snowdrift is the one who would know best, perhaps Nathan can extract the evidence in all that chaos, and ignite the fires he's hoping to start all in one go... "And you will survive. It will be unpleasant and thoroughly miserable. That is how things always are, when betrayal redefines identity."

    He seems like he's wrapping up here. But he'll press his question about Snowdrift before he gets up to leave.
Duet Fortuna     Sigh. Windson eyes Nathan and shakes his head, "You really aren't doing yourself any favors," he points out. The man makes a vague gesture, then. "He's sometimes in the Temple of Chalaine, sometimes in the Imperial City, but most often he's at the seat of the Church's power, at the Alloran Falls. You'll find them on most maps under the Windseared Falls, but if you call them that then people will know you've spoken to the Church." He points, "While not a secret, exactly, I don't want that broadcast all over the Multiverse. That is a holy place, and if you're wrong and end up defiling that place..."
Nathan Hall     The temple. THE TEMPLE. The one Elliana assaulted. Nathan tenses, in a way that continues to be imperceptible, but continues to affect the atmosphere strongly. Then the city. He can only hope the timing is right. And then... The Alloran Falls. His eyebrow quirks there. Nathan knows a message when he sees it, a breadcrumb he was supposed to follow. He can tell, without even a hint from her, what Elliana meant, with the message to Psyber from Duet, the one he's heard now.

    He needs to take Psyber with him to the Alloran Falls when the final fight at the capital of the empire is done. It might be a... Subtle way to clear the air, if he can figure it out. And maybe she wants him there for some particular purpose, too. He'll follow along with that plan. "I intend to defile nothing. Once I have my proof, I will know for certain what is sacred and what is not." he says, standing. "And I expect you will find it is much less than they think." He seems to ponder for a moment, and then shakes his head.

    "We are done here." He says. "I did not find what I was seeking. You will be provided provisional protection by the Union until we have results." There was, of course, never any real threat, not really. But he can take away a bit of the false threat. "And you will have it properly. /If/ I find my evidence." He heads out dramatically, and somewhat impolitely... But in a viciously calculated sort of way, the kind meant to make double sure the atmosphere he leaves behind will harshly impede the chance that this might leak.