I will publish our conversation, so that Spurians may have a chance to know this man a little bit better. It began with him inviting me to sit down with him, and because of my curiosity, quickly became an impromptu interview (I have my suspicions that this was exactly what he had intended). He was dressed in beautiful clothes. He wore an elegant patterned brocade waistcoat, some midnight blue suede breeches, and a soft grey spidersilk shirt. His leather boots were simple but were appropriate and he held an ivory handled teak walking cane in his right hand. He leaned back and tapped his fingers on his desk. I was immediately pulled into his gaze and all else around us faded.

Rehas Othello: First, what is your honest opinion on Emjedah?

Sarithiya Darklure: I prefer it to stay as it is. Why do you ask?

R.O: It is central to most of the accusations of treason against everyone these days apparently.

S.D: I wasn't aware that there were accusations of treason aside from those of Changeman and myself.

R.O: Several others, including myself.

S.D: Care to explain?

R.O: Callik and others have implanted the rumor that I am secretly trading with Emjedah, rather ludicrous as Grandeur seeks to ruin Spur's trade.

S.D: You are referring to the rumors that drathain and moonsilver are being smuggled in from Emjedah?

(Rehas nodded)

S.D: You have openly admitted that your father had dealt in the black market, and you had followed in his footsteps. It is not surprising that suspicions would be raised against one so experienced as yourself.

R.O: Yes, every merchant deals with the black market at some point. Considering the facts it is preposterous. Emjedah has miniscule quantities of mineable moonsilver and drathain, there are far better sources than that city.

S.D: Is this a known fact or could there be secret mines?

R.O: It's a known fact, just look at the markets in Emjedah. There is more drathain for sale in the fighter's guild here than the entire city of Emjedah.

S.D: What were the charges of treason against you based on?

R.O: Apparently I am conspiring to bring down Spur and Treehaven with Lord Grandeur. Formal charges haven't been brought, but there are those who want them leveled against me.

R.O: What purpose do you see the Tribune serving?

S.D: The Tribune is neutral at this time. We are simply gathering information.

R.O: No, do you see it as a legitimate newspaper or a way to further specific ends?

S.D: I believe the purpose would encompass both.

R.O: So how can you remain neutral?

S.D: At this point, concerning Emjedah, I have not decided how to approach the subject. Overall, the paper has been less than neutral.

R.O: Obviously, though I did get a rather hearty laugh out of Dellarik's "prophecies".

S.D: It was his latest rant that interested you most?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

R.O: Most likely, though there was some kernels of truth in it. Though the events of my enslavement in Muldavia are not a time I care to speak of.

R.O: Since it was my efforts that kept you from being exiled and/or removed from the Tribune I felt it best to learn more of you.

S.D: Well, you haven't cut the hand off that writes, so to speak. I suppose I should be grateful.

R.O: And to give the press an ear on the council, as the fact several see us as some sort of secret cabal planning to put the city under our boot heels is far from the truth.

S.D: What image would you like to project?

R.O: The council wasn't meant to project an image, just to be a body of government for the city. To handle the day to day affairs of the city and to give the citizens of the city a voice rather than letting Merlin arbitrarily rule.

S.D: Do you feel that goal is being achieved?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

S.D: There must be a reason. Have you any perspective on what could be the root of the problem?

R.O: Not at this point, no. The council cannot deal with the business of the city when there are those in the city doing everything they can to divide the city into collective chaos.

R.O: We've been forced to deal with the supposed Treehaven war, which appears to be nothing more than a guerilla action of a small group who have issues with Emjedah. Forced to deal with accusations of treason, how to dispose of Malzor's laboratory and constant speculation as to our motives or who we seek to have as our puppets.

S.D: Who you have seated as Council naturally frightens people.

R.O: The Seneschal thought it wise to fill the council with as large a cross section of races and religions as possible. For some reason the fact the Seneschal is the voice of Merlin on the council is summarily glossed over and the suspicion that Lilly and I are handpicking the council seats runs rampant.

S.D: Why do you believe that assumption is prevalent?

R.O: Why do you think it is?

S.D: Perhaps it is because Merlin is not one to show himself, or perhaps it is because you and Lilly have the most power on the Council.

R.O: Or perhaps it is how some wish the public to see it.

S.D: Is the Seneschal suspect?

(Rehas shrugged)

R.O: Though regardless of his motives, as long as Merlin wishes him to be his Seneschal he shall be.

S.D: Do you ever feel like a pawn?

R.O: I am only a pawn when it suits me. Do you ever feel like one?

(I nodded yes)

R.O: Of whom?

S.D: Sometimes I feel we are all pawns in a game between 3 Muatana-als.

R.O: Which three?

S.D: Merlin, Lilly and Maloveous.

R.O: While Lilly has considerable power and ability, she is limited in her ability to influence events as am I.

S.D: I would just never put it past them. You yourself have said that at one time you had not realized how smart their race was.

R.O: I was far younger then, and had grown up with my frontacian mother telling me of the superiority of the frontacian mind. My illusions were shattered quite thoroughly I assure you.

S.D: I read Allandra's interview just recently.

R.O: From a happier time, it's recently surfaced again.

S.D: You have heard of the speculations that you are addicted to being drained by Lilly?

(Upon hearing this question, Rehas laughed out loud)

R.O: Yes, I have.

R.O: Ask any who have been drained, I assure you it is not an experience they wish to undergo again.

S.D: Have you ever been drained?

R.O: Yes, I was a slave in Muldavia for several years.

S.D: By Lilly?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

S.D: What does it feel like to be drained?

R.O: As if part of you is being ripped away, you can almost feel your soul slipping from your grasp.

S.D: Very intense.

S.D: Each time you were drained, were you filled with fear?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

S.D: Pain?

R.O: Hopelessness mostly, there was nothing I could do. Curiously, there is little actual pain until after it is done.

S.D: And then what kind of pain do you feel then?

(Rehas closed his eyes and pondered this for a moment)

R.O: It varied, sometimes like being on fire sometimes like being immersed in ice. The worst felt as if I had been rolled in shards of glass and salt.

S.D: This feeling lasted briefly or for a while?

R.O: Depended on the Muatana-al, each is different.

S.D: I see. I doubt one such as yourself would ask for such a thing.

R.O: There were some that took pleasure in the act of feeding, like Veradona. Some see it as a curse they must endure, much like the frontacian illness and the psycian madness.

S.D: Have you any idea where Lilly feeds?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

R.O: It is not something I pry into, but she strikes me as the type that does not use her need to inspire fear or to control others.

S.D: You are a follower of Elindale. How does that relate to the current situation with Treehaven and Emjedah?

R.O: Well it means I have some ties to Treehaven, I've many friends in the community. Contrary to the picture painted recently, it is a city of healers and tenders of nature. Not home to an army. And my religion and profession of forester further distances me from involvement with the despoilers in Emjedah.

S.D: Do you feel that residents of Treehaven expect you to push the Council to take action against Emjadah based on those ties?

R.O: The ships I recently lost had seeds amongst the cargo, some for the Setite garden the rest to restore the desolate plains around Emjedah.

R.O: No, I expect some of them seek to have me removed from any decision based on Emjedah as I questioned their authority and motives.

S.D: Those ships you lost were the ones that were near Spur only a few days ago, and the smell of blood floated in through town on the breeze?

(Rehas nodded yes)

S.D: Have any idea who destroyed them?

R.O: Some of the crates have washed ashore recently, the contents ruined unfortunately.

R.O: I have suspicions, yes. The one survivor found thus far has described a ship that bears a flag similar to Lord Grandeur's crest.

S.D: Has this suspicion motivated you to push the Council to move against Lord Grandeur?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth)

R.O: Grandeur and I have been at odds for some time now, an attack against my mercantile interests is not one against Spur necessarily. Unless it can be proven the attack was motivated due to the cargo's purpose.

S.D: It appears as though the Grandeur would have interest in destroying such a cargo.

R.O: It was mostly food and medical supplies for Spur's poor quarter, an effort and gesture on my part in hopes of bringing some of Spur's internal conflicts to an end.

S.D: And now you have nothing to show for it?

(Rehas shook his head back and forth. There was a knock at the door)

R.O: Enter.

(A slave hunter entered, and quickly walked into a different part of Rehas' office)

R.O: If you will excuse me for a moment, he is one of my spies.

R.O: My apologies, he feared being discovered.

(Rehas opened an oiled packet and pulled out a parchment note, which he read and then shredded)

R.O: Interesting. It seems my captain didn't go down with her ships. She is in chains in Emjedah's jail.

S.D: It sounds quite evident who attacked your ships.

R.O: Which means I shall have to find a way to rescue her. I won't leave my people to be put into slavery. But I can't have this be an open act of war, at least not without knowing Grandeur's motives are against me or Spur.

S.D: Perhaps some paid mercenaries will serve your purpose.

R.O: Perhaps. Have any friends that would fit the bill?

(I shrugged)

S.D: I am sure the amount of coin would dictate that.

(Rehas chuckled)

R.O: As always.

S.D: You said that you would like to know more about me, but this became an interview of yourself.

R.O: Yes, but I've learned from you. By finding out which topics pique your interest due to the questions I've learned much.

S.D: I am aware that you hope to control the tribune because I am seen as "pliable to persuasion".

(Rehas chuckled)

R.O: Or not, leaks are useful when you are aware they are there.

S.D: Leaks in your own Council?

R.O: In truth, if we sought to control the Tribune there are other ways of going about it.

S.D: Such as?

R.O: Such as evicting Leyara and yourself from the offices and installing staff of our own choosing.

S.D: And exiling us, correct?

R.O: Censoring the articles you publish.. controlling the information you have access to..Exile is a clumsy tool.

S.D: Especially with business at stake.

R.O: I'd hoped that statement would reach you to be honest, you seem to be the type to see such a thing as a challenge.

R.O: Hence you would seek to find the truth in what I tell you, and others, rather than taking it as gospel.

S.D: It is very hard for me to take anything anyone says to me as gospel.

(I had a moment of fuzzy memory here...something lighthearted was said between us about my mistrustful nature as a San Elf. I also asked him if it was he was aware I would publicize our conversation)

R.O: You are a reporter, so I believe you would act as one. But while you may claim neutrality, you have an opinion on events that take place involving this city.

S.D: What is it that has caused these times to be troubled for you?

(Nasci Khit came bursting through the door to Rehas' office and turned around and ran right back out)

R.O: Hrm.

R.O: The fact so many seem to be using the state of the world to cover themselves in glory, they create rifts among the city to exploit to their own ends. If someone disagrees with them, they seek to blackmark them.

S.D: That is something new in the world?

R.O: It has never been this extensive or wide-spread. Such a climate is not suitable for business.

S.D: Is it true that you sold off 1/3 of Rehas Inc.?

R.O: I liquidated much of the assets, yes.

S.D: Why?

R.O: The museum I am building and the lost shipment required coin to proceed.

S.D: You couldn't have known of the lost shipment beforehand. I am referring to Leyara's article in the Tribune a couple months back.

R.O: No I did not think it would be a risk.

(Rehas nodded)

S.D: When do you plan to open the museum?

R.O: Yes, I funded the voyage a few months ago. It takes time to provision and outfit the ships, to gather the cargo, to ship it to port.

S.D: Ah, yes of course.

R.O: The museum hopefully will be open within a fortnight.

S.D: 1/3 of your entire assets seems like quite a bit.

(Rehas nodded)

R.O: Two large undertakings, both required more coin than originally budgeted.

S.D: Perhaps this interview will serve you well.

R.O: Perhaps. We shall see what rumors Nasci spreads.. interesting that the young child should be entering my offices.

S.D: Yes we shall most certainly see.

R.O: I've taken enough of your time, sorry to have kept you this long. Please contact me if you have further questions about the Council?

S.D: Yes, that could be very useful. Thank you. I found our talk quite interesting. It was very good to meet you.

R.O: The pleasure was mine. Luck in your endeavors, miss.