"Yeah," Tanic says, not really paying attention.
The meeting room is one of the largest rooms in the Manor. All it features is a large round table (with a polished hardwood countertop) and a holoprojector in the ceiling above it. Each seat is cushioned and features controls for the projector, along with miniature computer consoles.
Slate sits on the other side of Geful; Tanic places himself next to you.
Rand and Gallador are flanking Sir Calthell, who is directly opposite Geful. The rest of the seats are taken by unimportant dignitaries from both sides, advisors and attaches all.
"So, let's begin," Calthell says.
"Yes," Geful says. "Computer, open 'Scribe' program. Record this meeting in text. Strike names."
The two parties begin to converse over the matter of prisoners. The Mecrossans and the Golden Serpent are openly friendly with each other and maintain a loose alliance, but they are always spying on each other for information. The majority of the prisoners are spies caught up in the game, with a small handful of important assassins. A prisoner exchange composed entirely of bad people.
This is so boring.
Rianna tries to pay attention to what is going on, but it's very hard for her to do so when she just simply doesn't care about any of this...and if it were a few months previous, she'd be trying to stop such things from happening. As it stands, though, her attention starts wandering pretty quickly.
What are Rand and Gallador up to?
If they are, they are hiding it very well as they do not say a word through most of the proceedings.
The Mecrossans and Imperials squabble over a handful of dangerous prisoners that the other is holding. One name is introduced that Rand finally takes interest in.
"Prisoner of the Serpent Number Forty-Seven, held for the murder of Corvus Vindi and his attendants and bodyguards in the Indupar system. Prisoner Forty-Seven, Name: Borm. Assassin. Designated for public execution..."
"This one we would like returned," Rand says.
"He is one of the most lethal assassins that Mecrossa Order has produced," Sir Calthell answers for him. "All that time and effort crafting Borm into a weapon would be wasted by his execution. What would it require to have him returned?"
Geful starts reading off a list of prisoners considered acceptable for exchange.
"Our reasons for desiring Borm's return has already been stated," Calthell says.
"We have reason to believe that your attache has ulterior motives," Geful says.
"Preposterous," Calthell says. "Rand has no investment in the return of our prisoners aside from the desire to see fellow Mecrossans liberated."
Rand has actively joined the Mecrossans? Oh jeez...