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Seeing the Ambassador's purposeful hesitance, Danya took the cue and led the way, eyes sweeping about him as he exited the room and into the outside hallway. He slowed his pace once Beullion was in step, mimicking a simple stroll. He took notice of the indifferent composure with which the Ambassador accompanied him. He wasn't nervous or nearly teeming with the newest gossip. He was shockingly neutral, and yet, it was apparent that he had some sort of motive. What that motive was, well, Danya wondered if Beullion even knew. He spoke so matter-of-factly about the allied nation of Dein that it made it difficult to tell whether they were true enemies or the closest of friends. Was the man always like this?
Swallowing, Danya realized just how out of his element he truly was. Beullion was far better versed in this political game than Danya could ever be. The Tuzkayan tried not to dwell on this fact--insecurity would be his downfall.
Danya listened attentively to Beullion's words. His eyebrows raised slightly, breaking the neutral mask he had assumed. The king had recovered? So, they had outdated information. This was cause for concern.
Wait, but something didn't add up. Danya's openly conveyed confusion succeeded in melting the ever-present mask off of his face. He searched Beullion's countenance for answers only to come up with nothing. Which meant that various answers of his own flitted through his mind instead.
What did this mean? Had Graydon come here today, offering an old, obsolete arrangement in an attempt to reclaim control to his father's kingdom through means of subterfuge? Funny how an alliance had been dreamt of at a time of uncertainty when Dein was at its most precarious. The alliance was likely originally meant to solidify Graydon's own rule, a concrete representation of peaceful intentions to help "sell" his ascension to the people. To mollify any misgivings they might have of a smooth transition, considering the same Heir Apparent had been poisoned in his youth. No wonder he had been so impertinent, so forceful at the summit tonight--his political future had been riding on it.
Of course, this was only one interpretation of the knowledge Beullion shared, and the only easy one for Danya to digest. The alternative, however... the alternative... was much, much worse.
The alternative meant Graydon didn't know. Hadn't realized the conspiracy that had so freshly rose against him. If that was the case, Graydon was likely safer here.
With him.
Danya's heart beat harshly in his chest--could Beullion see it? See the rattling of his ribcage that Danya could so acutely feel? Concern welled in his stomach, as did a misguided protectiveness over his childhood friend. What did this man know that Graydon may not? Surely Graydon was aware of the dichotomy in his own court.
And just how extreme were the two opposing views? Danya's mind went down a rabbit hole--he hadn't even noticed Beullion pause, only saw the man turning towards him as if observing from several paces away. The Ambassador's movement was exactly what Danya needed to bring him back to present. There was an instinctual series of events that occurred when a man confronted him face-to-face. It was the basal need to survive that had him zeroing in on the man before him and it succeeded at snapping him awake. Danya's expression slid back into one of neutrality. He needed to feign neutral for fear of expressing anger instead.
Not only was anger unseemly in a political situation like this, it was also highly revealing. Danya had no reason whatsoever to be angry with the knowledge Beullion imparted. It would only serve to raise suspicion assuming he had only just met the Deinian prince yesterday. Gratitude would be a much more appropriate emotion. He decided he'd meet Beullion's advice with appreciation instead.
The soldier was hyper-focused and his eyes tracked the motion of Beullion's arms as they slid to his back. Again Danya noted the Ambassador's almost martial stance. He listened as Beullion reminded him of Graydon's ephemeral offer. This time, Danya smiled, nodding in acknowledgment of what Beullion was saying without knowing if there was even a modicum of truth behind it. It would make sense the offer wasn't guaranteed if political tides were shifting in Dein. Danya had much to think about.
And, of course, this man of many tales and but one single, unbothered face had one more bomb to drop in Danya's lap.
'You may very well be contending with his brother instead.'
Danya's smile faltered. He slapped it quickly back in place, his face tight.
He had much to think of, indeed! Either support Graydon's kingdom or support the incumbent's. What a position this was for Tuzkaya!
Quite frankly, Danya hadn't signed up for this shit. Battle had been easier.
Up until now, Danya had merely listened, soaking up bombshell after bombshell as Beullion laid Dein's troubles bare. It left him with but one thought. Danya had to ask.
Danya took a small step closer to Beullion. He tried to do so in respect of privacy, but in reality, his eyes may have been stretched too wide. May have been too imploring. He continued to smile, however, ever the face of Tuzkayan hospitality.
"I thank you for bringing me up to speed, Ambassador. I like to consider all of my options prior to making a decision, and I can only do so objectively by seeing all sides. You aided me in that, today, and for that I am grateful," Danya spoke plainly. The Tuzkayan paused and ever so slightly looked the Ambassador of Bruinsar over. "Speaking of sides... if I remember correctly, Dein has had its share of spats with Bruinsar in the recent past. Though, now, of course you're allied. Which brings me to question..." After his once-over, the Commander-in-Chief's gaze eventually sought the Ambassador's eyes. For what reason, he had no clue--he knew he'd never find any truth there. "What do you look to gain by telling me all of this? I mean, Tuzkayan alliances are very popular these days, might as well throw your lot in with everyone else's. It'd surely be simpler," Danya attempted to insert a bit of humor with the last couple of statements, fearful the first had been too forward.
Swallowing, Danya realized just how out of his element he truly was. Beullion was far better versed in this political game than Danya could ever be. The Tuzkayan tried not to dwell on this fact--insecurity would be his downfall.
Danya listened attentively to Beullion's words. His eyebrows raised slightly, breaking the neutral mask he had assumed. The king had recovered? So, they had outdated information. This was cause for concern.
Wait, but something didn't add up. Danya's openly conveyed confusion succeeded in melting the ever-present mask off of his face. He searched Beullion's countenance for answers only to come up with nothing. Which meant that various answers of his own flitted through his mind instead.
What did this mean? Had Graydon come here today, offering an old, obsolete arrangement in an attempt to reclaim control to his father's kingdom through means of subterfuge? Funny how an alliance had been dreamt of at a time of uncertainty when Dein was at its most precarious. The alliance was likely originally meant to solidify Graydon's own rule, a concrete representation of peaceful intentions to help "sell" his ascension to the people. To mollify any misgivings they might have of a smooth transition, considering the same Heir Apparent had been poisoned in his youth. No wonder he had been so impertinent, so forceful at the summit tonight--his political future had been riding on it.
Of course, this was only one interpretation of the knowledge Beullion shared, and the only easy one for Danya to digest. The alternative, however... the alternative... was much, much worse.
The alternative meant Graydon didn't know. Hadn't realized the conspiracy that had so freshly rose against him. If that was the case, Graydon was likely safer here.
With him.
Danya's heart beat harshly in his chest--could Beullion see it? See the rattling of his ribcage that Danya could so acutely feel? Concern welled in his stomach, as did a misguided protectiveness over his childhood friend. What did this man know that Graydon may not? Surely Graydon was aware of the dichotomy in his own court.
And just how extreme were the two opposing views? Danya's mind went down a rabbit hole--he hadn't even noticed Beullion pause, only saw the man turning towards him as if observing from several paces away. The Ambassador's movement was exactly what Danya needed to bring him back to present. There was an instinctual series of events that occurred when a man confronted him face-to-face. It was the basal need to survive that had him zeroing in on the man before him and it succeeded at snapping him awake. Danya's expression slid back into one of neutrality. He needed to feign neutral for fear of expressing anger instead.
Not only was anger unseemly in a political situation like this, it was also highly revealing. Danya had no reason whatsoever to be angry with the knowledge Beullion imparted. It would only serve to raise suspicion assuming he had only just met the Deinian prince yesterday. Gratitude would be a much more appropriate emotion. He decided he'd meet Beullion's advice with appreciation instead.
The soldier was hyper-focused and his eyes tracked the motion of Beullion's arms as they slid to his back. Again Danya noted the Ambassador's almost martial stance. He listened as Beullion reminded him of Graydon's ephemeral offer. This time, Danya smiled, nodding in acknowledgment of what Beullion was saying without knowing if there was even a modicum of truth behind it. It would make sense the offer wasn't guaranteed if political tides were shifting in Dein. Danya had much to think about.
And, of course, this man of many tales and but one single, unbothered face had one more bomb to drop in Danya's lap.
'You may very well be contending with his brother instead.'
Danya's smile faltered. He slapped it quickly back in place, his face tight.
He had much to think of, indeed! Either support Graydon's kingdom or support the incumbent's. What a position this was for Tuzkaya!
Quite frankly, Danya hadn't signed up for this shit. Battle had been easier.
Up until now, Danya had merely listened, soaking up bombshell after bombshell as Beullion laid Dein's troubles bare. It left him with but one thought. Danya had to ask.
Danya took a small step closer to Beullion. He tried to do so in respect of privacy, but in reality, his eyes may have been stretched too wide. May have been too imploring. He continued to smile, however, ever the face of Tuzkayan hospitality.
"I thank you for bringing me up to speed, Ambassador. I like to consider all of my options prior to making a decision, and I can only do so objectively by seeing all sides. You aided me in that, today, and for that I am grateful," Danya spoke plainly. The Tuzkayan paused and ever so slightly looked the Ambassador of Bruinsar over. "Speaking of sides... if I remember correctly, Dein has had its share of spats with Bruinsar in the recent past. Though, now, of course you're allied. Which brings me to question..." After his once-over, the Commander-in-Chief's gaze eventually sought the Ambassador's eyes. For what reason, he had no clue--he knew he'd never find any truth there. "What do you look to gain by telling me all of this? I mean, Tuzkayan alliances are very popular these days, might as well throw your lot in with everyone else's. It'd surely be simpler," Danya attempted to insert a bit of humor with the last couple of statements, fearful the first had been too forward.
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