Uri - Obtaining Parley, Concerns for a Childhood friend.

In this scene... Uri speaks to Esbern of his concerns for Alexander, why Osrona would be fighting in such a pointless war, and why his King and childhood friend refused to take any of the simpler options. Uri decided that it was time to follow his gut, to dig into the diplomatic situation with a few friends of his and find the motives behind Alexanders war hungry actions... Was it to just expand Osrona and take the lands of the people and their freedom? Uri wanted to find out, just why every single nation were against them.Thus, he made the decision to act on his own with his selected crew mates before the war, to find out the truth... To maintain the peace somehow before the ocean could be filled with blood from the lives of many innocents.

21:11] Uri Sanctum asks, "Esbern'o, a moment to speak alone?"
[21:12] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "Of course, I wanted to aswell."
[21:12] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "To the guild, then."
[21:12] Uri nods.
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:12] Uri Sanctum says, "I can't speak of it...Openly.."
[21:12] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "...in that case"
[21:12] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "let's move to my warehosue, it's far more private."
[21:12] Uri Sanctum says, "Very well."
[21:14] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "Welcome to the Esbern'o Warehosue."
[21:19] He smiles at Esbern, looking around the warehouse as he said, "Well damn, this has to be the hundredth time I've entered a sketchy looking hideout somewhere no one knows about, at a table, discussing a serious topic...So, let me begin..."

He sighs, taking a breath as he'd place his elbows onto the table... "It's... About King Alexander… As you know, I always, check up on him... Been doing so since we were twelve, and I must say that, it shames me, to suspect this but... I don't think Alexander is himself anymore..."

"I've read those announcements...Religiously and thought carefully about our past... From a man who wanted nothing but peace and hated war, to someone who skips every logical step just to fight another war."

He shakes his head, looking off with his gaze cast to the side.

"Today made such things all the more clear... Nothing adds up, I know Alexander far too well for him to be such a war crazed King."
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:25] Esbern sits down, thinking that the topic will concern the king, and hopefully the twilight troupe. The warehouse itself is cluttered with his own merchandise, and slightly dusty - he trusts no one to come and clean it.

A patient smile is offered to Uri, and an understanding look is given, as one would to a friend as Esbern listens to him.

His elbows lean on the table as Uri mentions Alexander. Once he finishes, Esbern responds;

"Yes... through some sources, I managed to read those announcements while I was a prisoner in Myllenoris. The list of motives for the war seemed to grow every time there was an announcement - as though the crown was desperate for propaganda.", he comments somewhat somberly.

"It's clear this is a land grab or power play - the event at the palace with Lady Asta was no doubt just an excuse to start the war. The real question is... which side wants the war the most? Ah, but, before we go down that path...", he continues, giving Uri a knowing look, before changing the topic.

He looks around the warehouse, if to check for any prying eyes that could've gotten in. "I've heard that it's partly Queen-Consort Nebula's doing. Ever since she married the king... everything went from bad to worse."
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:32] He pondered on the idea of what could be the source of this change. He looks to Esbern once more, "The thing is... We have plenty of land and, when, Xyth and I asked for permission to create the settlement, Osilot… Alexander had only pushed a single demand, that..."

"That it be a vassal state, so that in war times, he can call upon us to fight or defend... To defend is one thing, but, Osilot is supposed to be a neutral settlement, a place for escape not war... I'm growing more and more concerned for Alexander... This isn't like him, this isn't the King he wanted to become," Uri spoke with passion behind his words.

"I want to speak... To Regulus, or lady Asta… I want to find out the true purpose behind the attack at the wedding... They couldn't have been invited for nothing right?... From what I saw today, the Queen---Nebula, took action... And if I know the law correctly, shouldn't that be impossible? How is it that she seems to have more of an influence than the King himself?...Unless this is something Serea instructed her to do... I'm not sure.."

Uri stands up, trying to think on the matter. He knew Alexander since they were children... But recently, there's been too many secrets...Too many fights over nothing, lives thrown away into the ocean of time over little tussles with Asta that ended in ways that made both parties break the law.

"I don't like or know whats going on, what Alexander is thinking... But ever since then, since the last war, he seems to keep changing..."
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21:40] "The land belongs to the crown, Uri. There's no sane monarch that would let Xyth annex part of their continent out.", Esbern says shortly, not fond of the topic.

"Queen-Consort", Esbern reflexively corrects Uri. It'd become a pet-peeve of his when people used titles incorrectly. He makes a mental note of Uri's intention to meet Regulus or Asta, deciding to bring it up later in the conversation.

"Uri, is there anything you know about the Queen-Consort? I'm not sure if you recall, but there used to be a newspaper released nearly a decade ago called the 'twilight paper'. She was the one who ran that, along with the twilight troupe.", he mentions, trying to re-focus the topic.

"Do those names ring any bells, by any chance?", he comments.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:44] He nods his head. "I remember the Twilight Troupe but, I never gave much concern for them, why do you bring it up?" He would ask Esbern… All he remembers is that there was an issue, something about a commoner becoming nobles simply because they wrote a few news papers... So, he would fold his arms.

"Queen-Consort---Fine," he scuffs playfully.

"Still... I didn't expect such a change, maybe it's a marriage thing, or maybe not... Love does make people do crazy dumb things after all... Most I ever read about the Queen-Consort was that she had the King bending to her will ---You know, Asta's letter to the world."

He shook his head, "But that's it... That woman is a total mystery to me honestly..."

He waits for Esbern'o to speak.
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:50] Esbern shakes his head. "The twilight troupe just seems to be mixed up in a lot of major events. Close with the leadership of alabastre, married to the king, even being made courtiers. I met one of their new members while I was a prisoner in Myllenoris, too."

"Just a hunch, I suppose.", he adds, avoiding stating the real reasoning behind it.

"Maybe it's just wishful thinking that the queen-consort is causing this incident, rather than the King losing his way.", he adds, seeming a little sad at the idea.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:58] Uri gave it some thought... Glancing down at the floor and looking back at Esbern… He thought about what happened a few days ago, the battle against his student, and the announcements made by Alexander, all of those events, each adding up, thinking it was Alexander who changed. But Uri, could very well be wrong, and so... He began to explain what happened that day, what he saw, what he was involved in...

"I must tell you, of the most recent events that happened almost a week ago... You remember my old student Caila of course?... And the fact that she came to speak to the King, and the moment I got there, it seemed that no one truly had authority other than the Queen-Consort, but to be fair... She did pursue Caila from fleeing..."

He shakes his head, disappointed at Osrona, "It's only after Caila defeated both her and Alexander, did they want to have a peaceful talk, but before then... Things were quite hostile and lacking of trust... I don't know why though but.."

He sits back down after walking around the crates, "Caila abandoned her goal to take the Queen-Consort to Theria as a way to stop Alexander... I don't know why either, I figured... Maybe she felt it was wrong, that she was making a mistake... But before then she was hell-bent on doing so," he smiles.

"I'm glad she didn't though, it'd be one hell of a mistake to make a war target out of herself... It just frustrates me that it takes strength for one to listen... I even tried to talk to Caila, she wouldn't stop or listen to me..."

"Maybe the words of the Queen-Consort startled her, maybe not... I just want to know why come all this way for a talk that could've been done over a letter," he wondered if he were wrong for being disappointed in Caila's choice... Luckily, she seemed to have that change of heart, fortunate for both sides, but even then... "I fear shemight now be a target, Caila…"
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

22:05] Esbern's eyebrow raises. "Yes, Caila, the self-proclaimed dragonlord. Keeps wandering into Osrona despite being a leader in an enemy state.", he comments shortly, confirming his knowledge of her.

"So... let me recap here. Caila, the self-proclaimed dragonlord, walked into Osrona to have a conversation with the King, and the queen-consort instead took over the situation, before attempting to capture Caila herself... instead of summoning the guards.", he says, his eyes flicking to the ceiling as he considers how incompetent the queen-consort's decision sounds.

"Caila defeated both the king and his wife, and then... everyone calmed down and had a civil discussion, with Caila opting not to capture the queen, and instead leaving of her own volition.", he continues, squinting a little.

"Sounds like Caila was acting a little odd... though, she always was a little odd. Perhaps it'd be better to question her about the incident, hm? To get the full story, at least", he adds.

"This is news worth hearing, Uri, but what a strange incident... that Caila managed to see the king in the first place is odd.", he finishes, stroking his own chin thoughtfully.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:09] "To meet Caila huh? That would mean, that we'll have to enter Theria, or somehow get her to come to us... Even if it is a reasonable talk with my old student... The people on that mountain will see us as a threat.

"But what about Asta and Regulus? They were actually there when all of this stuff began to happen... I'm truly starting to wonder... Who the real threat is here."

"Are we truly the good guys?"

He wondered about this a lot, making himself somewhat stressed over the idea that they were truly imperial scum. "I truly wonder... About our place in this world, and if Alexander will one day use some common sense for once instead of jumping into every...Single battle at every opportunity there is."

He ranted for that bit, but, that's where his true concerns lied all these years... Even if the ship was being built, it was tiring, being dragged into battle after battle only to never see a year of peace.
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:17] "If you'd like to meet with Regulus or Asta, I suppose I could write a letter to them for you. I did end up seeing them a few times during my stay as a prisoner, and I believe Regulus at least would be open to the idea.", Esbern offers in an amicable tone.

"That said, there are no good guys here, Uri. Are you familiar with the term 'casus belli'? Basically, the idea is that whatever happened at the castle that night was just an excuse - it's likely both sides wanted more power, more land. Just another bog standard war, really - after all, Myllenoris has gained control over Starfall tower, isn't it so?", he says with a nod.

"Hagh, but it's not worth worrying about too much. If we think of ourselves as too important or large, then the constant war is an issue for us... but that ship of yours? That's freedom.", he continues with a smile, hoping to soothe Uri's concerns at least a little.

"Oh, but everything we talked about here today is a secret, yes? Let's not mention anything said here, lest we be accused of treason!", he finishes with a short laugh.
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:25] Freedom... It seemed to come with a price, but Uri choosed to stay quiet, until the day came where he could speak with Asta and Regulus about what truly happened that night at the wedding... Why Asta needed to take the soul of Hrist and why Asta demanded that Marie in particular be in charge of Osrona opposed to Alexander... A lot of things didn't add up, but, he was trying to solve this puzzle...

Was Asta after some treasure within Osrona… Was Alexander hiding something. There was a map for Uri and his mind, and some parts went as followed:

Alexander and Nebulas wedding Followed By the war declaration, followed by Alexander's unreasonableness, the demands of Asta, the simple demands of Asta for a change of power, the early life of Alexander, his goals, what he personally told Uri he dreamt of doing. What the court has been doing involving the near execution of his friends, what the Twilight Troupe has been involved in, what the Loinhearts, despite being their enemies have done so freely, the choices of the high king up until now and the gap of consistent action from when he was first crowned king to this day, a year or two after he had been married....

He had much on his mind, and was trying to uncover the truth to it all.

"I agree, we must stay silent, or else we will be seen as that... True Pirates, and I can't afford that... You nor Astrid can afford that, not after all we've done thus far... And if we find out the truth, it'll stay with us, unless the world truly needs to hear... I don't care, because after this war, I am sailing us away, to find Los'tal… Without being a vassal to this Kingdom... It asked for too much and gave back nothing."
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:31] Esbern's gaze fixes on uri as he becomes saddened at the mention of Astrid.

"Astrid seems determined to fight in this war. If she dies... then what will all of my time spent waiting imprisoned have been for?", he says, sounding ever so slightly distraught - it's clear the worry has been eating away at him.

"And Astrid would never want to leave Osrona for Los'tal, I think. This is her home, the Salis family have been here for generations upon generations - that said, who knows, maybe we could move to Los'tal eventually."

"But yes, let's stay safe, and hidden.", he finishes, before adding one last addendum; "I guess I'll write that letter for you now, Uri, and then I'll send it off. Hopefully you'll get that meeting you want so much, eh?"
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:34] Uri Sanctum says, "-test-"
[22:35] Esbern Tyr Antioch says, "-test"
[22:36] He nods his head... "Yes, since I am a neutral party... I also wish to speak to General Alya, with Caila alongside her, I want their opinion on this war, and how it could be stopped... I don't think it's too late Esbern'o…"

He stands up, "I believe there is some hope out there... But now, I need to find a courier to do so, for the day tomorrow where I can first meet General Alya on my ship, or maybe even have a safe escort to Theria… After all... I'm part Therian, from my great, great grandfather Reno."

"And that freedom thrives within me still... But, perhaps its better we end the talk sometime soon before someone suspects us of conspiracy theories."

He laughed lightly at this, to mimic simple drunken laughter.

"I wish for everyone to be safe, and it seems like operating from the shadows is the only way..."
(Uri Sanctum)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


22:40] Esbern nods. "Well, good luck communicating with General Alya, then. Though, without having any plan before hand, I'm not sure if you'll have any luck even if you do make contact.", he responds.

"I'll get to work on the letter to Myllenoris now. Stay safe, Uri. If I get word about setting up a meeting, I'll inform you. Otherwise, you'll want to wait for a letter directed to yourself."

Staying seated, he pulls out of a piece of paper and quill. "See you later, Uri."
(Esbern Tyr Antioch)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:42] He makes his departure.

"Alya is an honorable woman... With her, I can sit and have a cup of wine without much worry."

He waves at Esbern, "Take care my friend."
(Uri Sanctum)