Something Should Be Done About Qa'iit

Sylvaswift leaned in close as he sat down next to the Wolf, John and whispered, "Something will be done about Qa'iit, one way or another."

The blonde said nothing but simply nodded his acknowledgement to Sylva. Having delivered his message Sylva rose again and left John to comfort Donvyn in peace. He left the clan-house, passing Qaiit, still at his post, without word or gesture. He was so very riled, it would be terrible thing right now should Qaiit try to speak to him, thankfully he didn't.

Sylva opened the door to Sumar's room and went inside to think long and hard about what to do about this situation with Qa'iit. It was good for him to be able to put his mind on something else other than Sumar's disappearance. The black khajiit had searched high and low, and questioned many of the clan - he had no leads, no clues... when the Dark Mer wished to disappear he did it well.

Many day passed before Sylvaswift got to address Ri'sari regarding these matters. During that time though he was able to amass a large amount of support behind his concerns, including Favoured Kazzah and Kath, Qa'iit's second. With Kath alone the black khajiit held the power to overthrow Ri'sari completely and takeover the clan if he wished, although Divine laws did make that tricky - Sylvaswift was tricky, he had built his empire on just that kind of trickiness.

Finally, Ri'sari called a semi-formal meeting upstairs in the Clan-house, where he was joined by Kazzah, and the chance to speak was given.

Sylvaswift was careful to re-adopt his Khajiit way of speak as he addressed the leader, maintaining the level cordiality required, an act of respect and diplomacy.

Kazzah was first to speak, he reported that trading and the merchants was proceeding well. Coin was coming in and slowly the clan was regaining what it had lost. Then it was Sylva's turn to speak...

Sylvaswift took a deep breath as he gathered his thoughts. "This one seeks to raise an important concern that affects the clan greatly. There is division forming and some are placed more at risk than others."

"Go ahead, speak your concerns." Ri'sari said.

"We have many among us, some Khajiit, some Mer, even lizards, we also have some that are undead or cursed. They are in the clan or they are not, yes?"

Risari nodded "This one knows of what you speak, Ri'sari is aware of problems with Qa'iit and the Vampires and such. He is right to have concerns, they pose a risk to the others. What do you suppose will happen once their thirst for coin evaporates, hmm? What of the townspeople if they were to know we harbour Vampires and such among us. Special arrangements for them should be made."

"You mean a separate dwelling place?" Sylva asked.

"No, no, nothing so drastic, just they must keep themselves and their true nature's hidden at all times."

"Indeed, and this one spoke at great lengths with Donvyn and the others in regards to this, and to Khajiit's knowledge they have obeyed that directive."

"Then I see no problem, " Ri'sari answered dismissively.

"This one would agree with you, however only the other day they were put in grave danger due to Qa'iit prejudice toward them, his pride and beliefs blind him." Sylvaswift paused for the next bit was hazardous, "It is this one's humble opinion it makes him unfit for leadership. This one respectfully requests that the rank of favoured be removed from him."

Ri'sari shook his head, "No, Qa'iit has been long faithful to Ri'sari."

Sylva was careful to still his rising anger, "You forget he has abandoned you twice already." He stopped, gauging the leader's reaction.

Kazzah spoke up at that point, "It is true this one also believes him to be unfit.'

Finally Ri'sari replied flatly, "Then perhaps another champion need to arise to take his place, but I am guessing it will be a hard task to best a warrior such as Qa'iit."

Those words stung Sylvaswift, just a little, Sylva had already gone toe to toe with Qa'iit in the Fighter Pit and lost. It was an admirable win and Sylvaswift could not question Qa'iits prowess as a fighter.

"That is true, if you value brawn over brains of course." Sylva countered. He did not escape him thought that an open door existed, Sylvaswift would not have to follow a more unfavorable path to rid the clan of Qa'iit there was still a legitimate means available to him.

Kazzah interjected quickly, "We could hold another Pit Fight!"

"When do you propose this to happen Kazzah?" Ri'sari asked.

"Perhaps next week this one will make the arrangements if you wish." Kazzah answered eagerly.

"Fine, I will leave the arrangements in your capable hands, yes?"

Kazzah nodded.

"One last thing then if I may?" Sylvaswift said, preparing to end his address.

Ri'sari nodded.

"Perhaps one could be named as your second to act in your stead, Ri'sari."

Risari thought this over, "There can be only one to do this as you know, a Clan Mother, and the Clan does not have one at present."

No, Sylva did not know this, being unfamiliar with Khajiit Clans and the politics involved with such. "This is true, then perhaps you should choose one soon, yes? That would avoid less issues perhaps in the future. This one has said all he came to speak."

"Thank you favoured Kazzah and favoured Sylva, that is all."

Sylvaswift stood and bowed, as was his custom and backed out of the room. Things hadnt gone as well as he had hoped but equally they did not go as bad as they could have. It was something he could work with at least.

Sylvaswift later caught up with Kath outside of Sren'ja and spoke to him at lengths about the Fighter's Pit. He was told that he had no fighters far enough along in their training to face Qa'iit in the ring. This left only Kath to stand as challenger at that stage, a prospect that didnt fill Sylva with joy; he had no doubt that Kath could best Qa'iit his concerns lay more in the area that he feared he could become a worse problem that the prideful Khajiit, with a lot more unrestrained power at his fingertips.

When he met with John Wolf, Sylva was left feeling that John did not want the position, or perhaps it was more to do with doubt Sylva found it difficult to discern. He had made the mistake of discussing his proposition with the Wolf at a social meeting with many distractions. Surprisingly, Milo the Bosmer merchant put himself forward as a challenger.

John did bring up a very valid point, that even if he or Milo won the contest he would never be named as favoured being not Khajiit, which was true. Sylvaswift had the idea of naming himself a champion who would fight on his behalf, an idea that sat well with him despite John's concerns that it would give the impression Sylva was taking over the clan, well it was true, he was but not in the way people might think. However John's caution did not dissuade him from this path; if he didnt stand himself then he would name a champion to face Qa'iit.

As it happened that very meeting with friends was interrupted by Kade and another, Sylvaswift had not met him before.

"Sylvaswift and Sumar, Risari has summoned you both to a meeting you are to attend immediately." The tone of his voice carried an air of authority coupled with a hint of smugness. Sylvaswift immediately knew something was up and stood to face them.

"Oh really now." Sylva tested.

"Yes, Qa'iit has left the Clan and we are his replacements. You are to accompany us both immediately."

Sylvaswift nearly choked at the news, both for being caught off guard by Kade's announcement and stifling an outburst of laughter at the ludicrousness that the fledgling warrior had replaced the 'Great' Qa'iit - surely Ri'sari has lost it he thought. He sensed Sumar behind him and began to walk out the doorway, pushing past Kade and the stranger without apology. On the way down the stairs Sylva's mind raced with possibilities and prepared himself for confrontation with the Clan Leader, he was not afraid in the slightest; he knew he had Sumar at his back and countless others... not to mention his own posted around the township - forever watchful. Added to that number was his only just appointed personal guard, a warrior and werewolf none-the-less, oh yes, if things went badly Sylva was confident he would come out on top, he almost drooled at the thought of a possible challenge ahead. However he schooled his thoughts towards coolness and diplomacy and went outside to meet with Ri'sari.

Sylvaswift strode purposely toward his Leader, his entourage in tow. He bowed as was his custom when he greeted him.

"Risari." he said dutifully.

Sumar stepped up beside him and bowed also in greeting. Sylva's back was soon shadowed by another a quick glance determined it was the stranger, he stood entirely too close for Sylva's liking, but given the tenseness of the moment he let it slide, the runt would pay for his impertence later he vowed it quietly to himself. He glimpsed Sumar's movement as he stepped in closer to the man, diplomatically almost daring him to do something. Sylvaswift calmly turned his focus back to Ri'sari entirely as he began to speak.

"Ah yes, favoured Sylvaswift." Risari paused, his words were notably laced with anger alerting Sylvaswift to the certain fact that this meeting was indeed not a social one. "But not favoured by all it seems."

The stranger piped up behind him muttering things accusations toward him, Sylva barely paid him no mind except to say, "Do I know you?"

"No but I know you, I have heard about what you have been up to." Ash spat.

"What have you been up to?" Risari asked threateningly.

Sylvaswift had the chance to answer the little twit behind him or address the Clan Leader, commonsense told him to answer his question. "This one has been up to many things, he is always busy, perhaps you would like to be more specific." Sylvaswift hedged his words carefully with the aim to draw what information he could from each exchange.

"Do not dance around my question, you know to what I refer. I speak of Qa'iit."

"Qa'iit? Yes, I have heard he has left." Sylvaswift did well not smiling at that point, years of practice served him well. Instead, he held the leader's gaze coolly, without any sign of emotion whatsoever.

"Drop you weapons."

Oh, oh Sylva thought but obeyed without question. He had nothing to fear. At that moment he thought to try summoning Kath telepathically. No reply came.

"What have you done?" Risari's anger had increased.

"Done? This one has done nothing." At this point Sylvaswift was becoming agitated; he wanted information and was not getting it. What was the charge and who had made it against him. Sylva bit out the words, "Perhaps if you tell this one what he is accused of he could dissuade your concerns."

Ri'sari's anger rose. "Enough of your games. Tell this one what you have been plotting against Qa'iit!"

Ahh finally, Sylva thought. "This one has plotted nothing against Qa'iit, who has made this claim?" Not waiting for an answer he pressed on."It is no secret Sylvaswift wanted Qa'iit's rank removed, nor was it a secret he thought him to be a bad leader for the clan. Sylvaswift was honest with Qa'iit, he did not hide how he felt toward him and they have had words in the past, this in no secret. However, Sylvaswift brought his concerns to you only yesterday, you stated your position and Sylvaswift has honored your position in the matter. Since then he has only spoken with others in regard to finding a challenger for the upcoming Fight Pit. If you wish, Khajiit can provide you witnesses to this." He stopped there and allowed Ri'sari to absorb the information. He had spoken truthfully and he knew that Ri'sari could not question that. However, depending on what had been said against Sylvaswift was still out there floating in the leader's mind.

" I need no witnesses... Do you wish to take over the clan?" Risari asked plainly.

Sylvaswift almost chuckled. "If I wanted that, it would already be mine - you have no idea with whom you deal with." He held Ri'sari's gaze subtlety challenging him and measuring his response of which he gave none that Sylva could discern, yet he did not look away. His confidence in his statement was apparent and perhaps the Leader if he was wise recognized that fact, or perhaps he had indeed lost his edge as Sylvaswift had suspected earlier.

Sylvaswift was not bragging with the statement he had made, it was true; none of those gathered knew him truly, only Sumar really was beginning to know the truth behind the image he presented. Sylvaswift had spent his entire 'free' life accruing power, no within him but surrounding himself with it. Sumar was a testament to this, the clan were not truly aware of his deadliness, he wore an discernible mask and hid his true capabilities well. More recently was Kath, the Renagade of Darkness, who had only just appointed him as his Master/Lord. A servant of the Divines themselves, not that Sylva believed in gods, but he knew and witnessed Kath's demonstration of power which was good enough for him.

After a long pause Risari finally spoke. "I wish you to do one thing, and one thing only. Be the eyes and ears of the Clan and report everything to me and the eventual Clan Mother." Risari shifted uncomfortably at the last part.

"I will, as I have been."Sylva answered.

"As you have been...." Ri'sari nodded. "That is all, 'Most' favoured Sylvaswift.

Sylvaswift smirked faintly at Ri'sari's use of the term 'most' in truth he wasnt sure if the leader was mocking him or whether he had just been promoted, regardless it was true whether the Leader wanted to admit it or not. With Qa'iit gone, he was now "Most" favoured, and he liked this.

He bowed respectfully collecting his weapons from the ground at Ri'sari's feet and left. As he turned he gave Kade and the stranger a hard stare and left toward his house. Sumar followed along with his personal guard John and Kazzah shortly afterward.

Ri'sari returned to his quarters in the clan house, saddened and angered by Qa'iit's exit. Despite all his flaws, Ri'sari had considered Qa'iit the most honorable Khajiit he knew. Ri'sari felt he had failed by losing him. Through the hardships since Woodhearth he had tried to change from the merciless Skooma dealer cat he used to be. But perhaps he had become too lax in the effort. Ri'sari had changed, but his clan had not.

He gripped the Mantra from a chest, unraveling it. He stared down at the words him and Qa'iit had drafted together in those hard first weeks of the clan. His claws ran through it slowly, the heavy parchment crying out as it was torn to pieces.

(( mantra: http://www.blueskooma.com/forum/m/22417574/viewthread/13409420-sugarclaw-clan ))