"I am pleased to see you were unharmed," he replies. "I regret that we didn't get the chance to speak earlier."

He smiles. "I can be rather persuasive, both by word and by implication." He does not bring up the material advantages the exiles have over the resurrected; it would be too close to gloating, even if it's an implied offer of help.

"I would seek your direction over how to respond. I worry the mood of the city is foul, and the nobility fearful, when what we need is bravery and a show of resiliency. While we wait for the trials to conclude, I think we must show the people of the city that the riots have not cowed us, and support the Mayor in his efforts to maintain the city's fragile order."

These sound like the sort of words that precede the proposal of an atrocity. "I agree, in principle," he says. "Did you have something specific in mind?"

"My first thought was a banquet for the victims, but while this may encourage them it will not educate the populace. My second thought was a parade through the city of the murdered nobility and attacked delegates, to make it clear that further violence will not achieve their aims and only lead to their own suffering. Even if it is from the other side of a wall of pikes, I think it would be good for order for your face to be seen across the city." He hopes the implication--that as the highest ranked of the deceased nobility, the Archduke of the Heartlands would need to be the central character of such a parade--is clear.

Oh, good, he's not proposing torturing anyone to death in public pour encourager. "That sounds like a fine idea; I would be happy to participate." Possibly with security more subtle than a so-called wall of pikes. "Have you spoken to any of the other victims?"

"I did not think it proper to act without your approval. I must admit I have focused my efforts at getting to know others from the Heartlands and Sirmium, and so am not very familiar with the Menadorians, and the Hellknights I knew during my days in Mendev were mostly not of a rank that would attend this convention."

"I've known the Menadorians only briefly, but having fought and died together even against a mob ought to count for something. I can offer you an introduction, if you'd like. I also trust that you've met our host, the Duchess of Chelam?"

"I have met her before, but would always appreciate more pleasant conversation. As for the Menadorians, I would appreciate such an introduction. There is not that long before the trials complete and the convention resumes, and so I hope we can proceed with haste."

"You should certainly speak to her, then, before the convention resumes. I don't know how closely you've followed convention business, but she's been the main organizer of—the party that would just like to set everything back to the way it was before Hell took over, alas lacking Aroden, and go home."

"What do you think will become of Valia Wain? I would have expected the Church to intervene more than they seem to have done. Perhaps they're too embarrassed."

"A dream shared by many, which I would be happy to support."

The question is fraught. Wain did contribute to Blanxart's murder, whatever the trials will decide, but Blanxart's manner suggests curiosity, not vengeance.

"As for Wain, your guess is no doubt better than mine. I must confess that I was surprised by the riots, else I would have been by your side with all my guard armored, not at home, attempting to match bachelors and bachelorettes with each other. I think the church is conserving its resources, as it must, and perhaps hoping that with distance they will avoid being tainted by association with Wain."

He shrugs. "The pamphlets I find on the street do not match my secretary's floor notes; perhaps they will find a cultist of Geryon who orchestrated the whole affair, and conclude Valia was but an innocent pawn who spoke rashly from a pulpit she could not have obtained on her own merits. But it seems to me like she misjudged Cheliax, and the archmages misjudged how radical this country can afford to be." He sighs morosely. "Oh, to have lived in the Cheliax of your time; perhaps you could tell me of it someday, when we are less pressured."

"I expected problems from the moment I first heard her speak in committee, and told the Church as much, though I didn't expect the problems so soon. In truth I don't hold Wain's words against her, and have no desire to see her hang, but I do fear the public thinking the Church endorses her. They should never have allowed her to come here in their name and they need to make that much clearer than they currently have."

"At least they do seem to be paying attention, now, and to know they've made a mess of it. They're conducting an inquiry now. I expect we'll soon get more and better representation from them in Westcrown—or at least I told the paladin doing the inquiry in no uncertain terms that they ought to send some."

You didn't tell me as much! Felip now feels much less responsible for not being at his liege's side during the riots.

"I think Cheliax is still reeling from the touch of clerical rule. While we should hardly go so far as Rahadoum, I think using that country as an example while considering our political organization might lead to swifter recovery than using Lastwall as an example."

Does he dare to broach the subject? 

"I might even suggest that our President made a mistake in inviting religious delegates to the convention as a full estate, given the turnout that resulted." Blanxart spoke in favor of Theopho, when his presence was questioned. "Those clerics who managed to win an election would be those who represent their communities, and would hopefully be perceived with the voice of those communities, not their deities, as I speak for my duchy, not sorcery."

"I think the churches were drawn on as a source of Good people in a country that's struggling on that front. From what I've read of his old speeches the President not only does not worship any gods but actually somewhat disavows the entire concept of worship. No one could possibly accuse him of favoring clerical rule."

"I was glad of the support of the Church of Aroden, when it existed. Iomedae's Church in this age calls her the Inheritor, but my experience so far suggests she cannot actually do his job. I still follow her, personally, but I may be as much in favor as you, of figuring out how to do this on our own."

There's many reasons Felip left Taldor to explore, and then left it again for Mendev, and the mockery the Arodenite church makes of genuine religion is a large one. "I find the support of the gods gladdening indeed. Shall we head out, and assemble the parade?" 

"Of course. After you," he says, rising from his seat.