Nash stared at the Knight, and relaxed slightly, he shook his head slowly, "I do not underestimate you, but you do not understand the situation you are in. My life is nothing - sure, I will fight for it, I will do<span style="font-style: italic">anything</span>to preserve it - but the Motherland..." He sighed and seemed to make a decision. He threw his bags aside, pulling a chair away from the table to perch on it, "Then, if revolt is not happening, as I'd expected, why do you remain here? You've made a decision, whether I intervene or not my people will march. I will remain as long as there is no threat, but please, enlighten me."<br/>He drew another smoke out of his sleeve, then glared at it. He crushed it in his fist and leaned forward on his knees, "By all means, discuss what you wish, but the moment I see the hatred, the beginnings of violence, I will preserve my life."<br/>He whistled, a high, piercing sound that made several people flinch. The two guards entered, and bowed. Nash glanced back at them,<span style="font-weight: bold">"Your shift is over. Leave. Go to the Coast, meet your families before returning. Take everything with you." </span><br/>The first guard obeyed without comment, but the second, a friend, knelled by his Prince.<span style="font-weight: bold"> "Are you sure? They're murderous. I can <span style="font-style: italic">smell</span> it. And those two armored ones, they have better technology." </span><br/>Nash waved him away,<span style="font-weight: bold"> "The life of one, or the life of two, which is better in the eyes of our Mother? You doubt me...Why?" </span><br/>The guard spoke, but froze halfway,<span style="font-weight: bold"> "Because you are a Slee-er, you are a Runner, Frax. That's nowhere near enough armor to defeat them all." </span><br/>Nash nodded, "Who says I will defeat? I'll be fine, and by that, I mean Mother will be fine. Do not let it cloud your judgment. Now leave. Get out of here, Guard Yome. Enjoy your time off, send Father my wishes."<br/>The guards obeyed, and the Prince turned back to the delegates, "As I said, I do not underestimate. The Slayer will live whether I can manage to survive this 'delegation' or not." He grinned as the guards closed the doors, but did not lock them. "Why remain? Why bother? Go home and prepare yourselves. I can only offer advice. If you wish something else, speak it now, or hold your peace. I am sorry, but I've never been a particularly organized speaker, consider it a blessing you got me instead of a guard who didn't even bother to learn the Native tongue."<br/>Nash examined his gloves, still hissing from the steam, and fidgeted some more. The itch was now a steady thrum through his veins. He felt that tricks and traps were afoot. Th Cryx had a nasty look on his face, the Knight was also ready to fight, along with several other leaders. He wanted to know why they were so foolhardy, it seemed only a few had opted for peace. They were not tearing each other apart as much as standing silently, full of hostility. Perhaps he had been brash, but he wasn't one for delicate speech. Never had been.<br/>However, curiosity killed the Sceptile, as the Slayer saying went. And so he remained, despite having finished his objectives, and possibly placing himself into danger.