The Iron Marshal looks it over. "Seems reasonable enough. Assuming the O- Vendrien Guard find the capture and release terms acceptable."

"It's hard for me to promise that," says Tarkis, "not that it seems unfair. I think Captain Pelox will accept it, but I'm less sure about the other two forces."

Nested Clause adds, "I agree. Better to split that out if you want to send it quickly."

Lantry takes a look, reading it out loud within Verse's hearing in case she has comments.

"If you're confident the forces in the outer valley will agree, we could add that restriction - 'taken prisoner by the Vendrien Guard in the portions of Vendrien's Well outside the loop of the Matani River'."

Verse slows down as she approaches (Barik's not alarmed), and sits rather than draw bronze.

When Lantry finishes reading, she says, "There won't be many who go for it; too much fear, too much doubt. But they know how you operate, it won't do any harm. And if we're lucky, Sniggler Dagos will take the offer - that'd wreck their supplies if this doesn't end quickly."

Alright, she can split that out.  "I specifically wrote that with the intended reading being that you could, under those conditions, not that you must, anyway," she directs to Demos.  "Arri doesn't have to trust me further than she can throw me."

"The Chorus won't know which Guard have agreed to the terms, Fatebinder. I think it's only minimally useful if they can't trust that."

"Mm.  Right.  It's my understanding that you do accept surrender, though, generally?  This is - an option extended above and beyond that and honestly as we are people negotiating in good faith...

"I suppose we can start with it being Pelox's camp so authorized first and then negotiate further, but I'm mostly just - trying to lay out enough guidance to avoid the failure mode of someone getting held for a month by the Vendrien Guard and not getting their chance to surrender."

"...Actually, let me just..."

That FURTHERMORE any members of the Scarlet Chorus TAKEN PRISONER BY THE VENDRIEN GUARD shall be offered such terms UPON THEIR TRANSFER INTO KYROS'S KEEPING, and the VENDRIEN GUARD is TRUSTED TO DISARM AND RELEASE THOSE WHO WISH TO RETURN TO NONCOMBAT ACTIVITIES should they AGREE TO RETURN ANY IRON SO SEIZED,

That EVEN IF THE VENDRIEN GUARD OR A FACTION THEREOF HAS NOT MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO DO THIS WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF KYROS, IF SUCH AN OFFER OF RELEASE WAS ACCEPTED IN GOOD FAITH IT WILL BE HONORED BY THE COURT,

"...Hm.  And one other thing I should probably specify."

BE IT KNOWN:

That CRIMES COMMITTED BY THE ORDER OF NERAT AND THOSE LOYAL TO HIM, ESPECIALLY THOSE COMMITTED UNDER THREAT OF DEATH OR CONSUMPTION, are CRIMES OF NERAT AND NERAT'S LOYALISTS, and NOT CRIMES OF THOSE WHO UNWILLINGLY COMMISSION THEM,

That NONETHELESS SHOULD NERAT HAVE BLACKMAILED, THREATENED, or OTHERWISE INDUCED YOU TO COMMIT A CRIME, YOU ARE OBLIGED TO MAKE ALL POSSIBLE EFFORTS TO AVOID SUCCESSFULLY SO DOING NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, AND SURRENDER TO WHOSOEVER IS THE LOCAL FORCE OF ORDER AT YOUR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY,

That SHOULD SUCH A FORCE, ESPECIALLY SUCH A FORCE LOYAL TO KYROS, WISH TO PUNISH A PERSON OR PERSONS TURNING THEMSELVES OVER UNDER THIS DECLARATION with any punishment HARSHER THAN CONFINEMENT of LIMITED DURATION GENERALLY NOT TO EXCEED FIVE SPAN while EVIDENCE OF NERAT'S INVOLVEMENT OR LACK THEREOF IN SUCH CRIMES AS MAY HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONED IS EVALUATED, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO FIRST CONSULT A FATEBINDER OR OTHER AUTHORITIES AS MAY BE APPROVED BY TUNON'S COURT BEFORE COMMENCING SUCH PUNISHMENT, OR OPEN THEMSELVES TO LIABILITY FOR SUBSEQUENT BREACH OF KYROS'S LAW, SUCH AS THE STATUTE OF KYROS'S PEACE;

That this AMNESTY shall apply only ONCE PER PERSON, though to ANY SUCH CRIMES DISCLOSED.

Those who wish to consult past precedent supporting this declaration are advised to consult the decision authored by Fatebinder Ophelia Vaudelle entitled in re: Scarlet Chorus Conscription of Beastfolk Tribes, c. Disfavored, for an explanation of the principle of tools.

SO WRITTEN AND SO JUDGED

Fatebinder Ophelia Vaudelle

"Mmm, that should do." Well, at least if someone can read it to them. But there's nothing they can do for the rest.

"Yes, that looks reasonable. Past that: I know we'd only started, but if you're going to mobilize, should we adjourn this parley? Exchange birds and come back in a week? I'm certainly feeling enthusiastic about hunting Chorusers at the moment."

Ophelia nods. "Do you think you could sell your command on two fists of ignoring eachother in favor of focusing our efforts on the Chorus and Nerat?"

"I think so. The two inner rings are already mostly dealing with them" Well, also 'dealing with them', but they don't need to know that and it's not like Nerat bans his Chorus from attacking people he's covertly helping. "and it doesn't take much to hate the people who stole your neighbors and all your stockpiles of food. Probably not a strict armistice, though."

"Aye, I was hoping we'd hammer that sort of thing out over the fists of just - staying out of eachothers' way."

Ashe is still seething, but more steadily.

"Iron Marshal, do you see any reason we should not agree to that?"

She tilts her head, takes a few moments silently, then shakes it. "No sir. We can also promise not to try to trace the birds to their camp for the same time." Which they're pretty bad at anyway, the good scouts aren't within the valley, but offering it is slightly reassuring.

"Then I think it is agreeable to both of us."

Then she can write that down too.

BE IT KNOWN:

That EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS have occurred, and merit such responses;

That therefore the DISFAVORED, and any others under the command of GRAVEN ASHE, ARCHON OF WAR, commit to pursuing no offensives against the VENDRIEN GUARD for the duration of TWO FISTS (or TEN DAYS) from the date of this memorandum, in the expectation that the VENDRIEN GUARD shall equally not pursue offensives against the DISFAVORED;

That the DISFAVORED further commit that they shall MAKE NO EFFORT TO TRACK BIRDS KNOWN TO THEM TO BE OF THE VENDRIEN GUARD over the same timeframe, though they may trace birds they believe to be from the SCARLET CHORUS during this timeframe;

She passes this to Ashe, and assuming that it's acceptable, finalizes it with

Witnessed by FATEBINDER OPHELIA VAUDELLE, in Kyros's name, on this the FOURTH DAY of the MONTH OF BLOOD, in the year FOUR-HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE by Kyros's TRUE RECKONING.

and of course her Fatebinder's seal.

It's acceptable. Ashe bows shallowly to Tarkis. "Thank you, Captain Tarkis. In accordance to our ancient customs north and south, let us conclude this truce in peaceful accord. May peace find you soon."

"I wish it was under better circumstances, but it was a pleasure to meet you.

"May peace find us all."

"Thank you both," he says sincerely, then bows and wrly adds, "May peace find you soon." He turns and leaves, with most of his squad.

Nested Clause signals Lantry before she leaves, and after he approaches her and they speak briefly, hands over a small cheesecloth bag. Then she turns to follow.

Ophelia is very curious what that was about, and what on earth the note was, but she's not inclined to press the matter in public.  She will ask Ashe - "Is there anything I ought to know about what was happening during the meeting, General Ashe?  It seems like something may have, but I wouldn't want to assume it's my business."

"Outside the meeting? No," he says. He pauses for a moment, then continues, "If you were considering the Iron Marshal's notes? That was just a routine update; enemy movements in the area, status of the troops along the Matani. 'No change' is often worth conveying." And the Marshal is a compulsive organizer.

The camp is growing loud with noise as the ranks gear up and walk out to the field between camp and pavilion, assembling in ranks.

She nods as well.  "I am at your disposal, should you wish my word upon any announcement you make regarding this.  I had best send word to Tunon of today's occurrences, otherwise."