Collab between Chihiro, Allanon, and Kallen.
Chihiro eyed Allanon calmly as he explained wanting a third party with him. Once he finished, she looked down at Hilde and then at him. "Very well. If he means us ill, you do of course realize I will be incapacitating him. I can also dose him with venom that makes him more...reliable in speech." She leaned down and kissed Hilde's forehead, a small smile creeping across her face. "After all, I have my happiness here, so let us get you yours."
Allanon smiled as Chihiro agreed to come with him. He took a breath in and out before responding. "Thank you, Chihiro. He said he had a room at Allard's inn." He turned towards the direction of the inn. "I'm not much interested in getting happiness. I simply have a promise to keep."
Allanon had truly not thought about achieving happiness in a long time. Certainly not after his contract with the Calabris ended, and absolutely not when it started. He closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and readied himself to confront a possible threat. In the moment he took to do this, a flash of a memory of his wife, and the promise he made to her hardened his resolve. This time he would not be alone. With that he strode forward to the inn to Kallen's room.
Upon arrival, he knocked upon the door. "Come on in," came the response from Kallen. Allanon opened the door to see Kallen had set up a small dining arrangement in his room. A small pile of books were set up to one side of the table, and Kallen closed a book in his hands. A history tome from what Allanon could see. An unopened bottle of wine rested on the table with a pair of glasses.
"I'm glad you came so soon," Kallen smiled as he glanced between Chihiro and Allanon. "I'll admit I was not expecting you to bring a comrade, but that's fine enough." He gestured towards the seat across from him. "Take a seat, and as for your partner. Hmm..." He clapped his hands twice. "Chester! Move to my right side on the table before me and settle down."
An unassuming chest sprouted many small human-like feet, and shuffled over the the ordered location before retracting the feet and settling down. "Not as comfortable as a chair, I apologize for that." He grabbed the bottle of wine. "Wine? Any good business talk should have some libations I believe."
Allanon took the seat staring Kallen straight into the eyes. "I don't drink."
Chihiro took the offered seat but also did not take any wine. "I'm content without wine. When in a business situation, I prefer to avoid anything that might distract me." She flashed a fanged smile at Kallen and crossed her legs, folding her hands in her lap. The chest, while odd, was far from being anything too weird for a 300 year old naga. "Now, let's begin. Kallen, I am Inquisitor Chihiro Aozaki of the Flores Sororibus Serpentis. I am here to mediate and act as a neutral party in this matter. Is this agreeable?"
"Shame," Kallen murmured glancing at the bottle of wine. He did not like the idea of being the only one drinking, so he slid it aside. "Certainly agreeable, Inq-"
"So," Allanon abruptly spoke arms crossed. His focus was on the potential threat before him and not a magical chest. "Kallen, care to explain why a Calabris family member like yourself asked me here tonight."
Kallen cleared his throat. "Branch family member. I am Kallen Peregris. I am... dead as far as they know. I'll be direct. I want to work with you. I hate the way the Calabris family is right now. They've lost sight of their original purpose. Certainly, our great founder was a tyrant, but he worked to protect humankind. Now, all I see is a hunger for power at all costs. I know very little about the Ironblades you were a part of, however, I know you were retired in a most unnecessary fashion. I want to either take over, or replace the Calabris family. I want to stop terrible things like your experiences as an Ironblade. If we work together, we might actually be able to change them for the better."
Allanon leaned back into his seat to consider for a moment. This was not a small decision to make. He certainly did not trust Kallen, but he hesitated to believe Kallen was an enemy. If Kallen was being honest, his help would be a massive hand in achieving his promise to his wife. Even so, he was uncertain about working with Kallen.
Kallen leaned forward. "If it will help you feel assured about my intentions. I am willing to sign a contract with you, and m'lady Inquisitor Chihiro here as witness."
Chihiro leaned back, crossing her arms under her bust and scrutinizing both men throughout the whole conversation. "Hmm, if it is as you say, then give me more context. I'm not as familiar with the family and history. Have they always been slavers? What changes do you wish to see in it? These are important topics to consider within this context as changing for the better is not a singular event. It is a devoted decision for continual improvement. Any contract made with me arbitrating is specifically tied to my code of conduct and thus my order's mission." She leaned forward and quietly drummed her fingers on the table. "As I would imagine, Allanon here would likely generally agree upon my mission to create the greatest possible good. That leaves you as the wildcard here."
She looked Kallen in the eye, her countenance becoming severe unlike her usual warmer demeanor. "And if you break that contract and go down the path of evil, you will be visited by me. Do not take my redemptive preference as safety. You will be redeemed or destroyed should you fall. Redemption is the first course. Refuse the rose, and I'll remove your life to save those around you."
Allanon crossed his arms and looked at Kallen expectantly. He said nothing, and simply waited for the young man to continue speaking.
"Context," Kallen repeated leaning back in his seat. "Very well. The Calabris family is one of the three major families of Portea. They rose to prominence as a part of the fall of the Grandis Empire. They were in fact one of the primary leaders in the war itself. The founder was a strict leader and history remembers him as a tyrant, but it's more complicated than that. He was always pro-human, but he was also a meritocrat who had even a few non-humans within his advisory. Slaves certainly existed and were used by the Calabris family. The institution of slavery goes far back, and I know of few merchant families that would not use at least a few slaves to reduce costs. The Red Saints are actually one of those rare families to have never used slave labor in any way as far as my studies have taught me. Anyways, thanks to the influence gained after the war, the Calabris family basically became the foremost military leader in Portea, and they proceeded to continue efforts to strengthen themselves against future threats, and the possibility of the return of the Grandis Empire. Over time that culture of self-improvement changed and corrupted itself into the form it is right now. Now, all I see is a hunger for more power at all costs without purpose. It's something that will cause the Calabris family to eventually collapse, but if they aren't stopped now that collapse could cripple humanity."
He looked at Chihiro with a serious expression. "I'll admit. I don't look at the world as good or evil, because it is never as simple as that. I'm sure the leaders of the Calabris family and all branch families believe what they are doing is good in some twisted way. I know well enough the tenants of the Inquisitors thanks to my studies of history. I would not offer a contract if I were not prepared for that. I don't need to be redeemed."
Kallen dragged over his bottle of wine and popped the cork to pour himself a drink. "The Calabris family does."
Chihiro's severe look didn't move, but she nodded, knowing most of this history except the inner Calabris workings. "Be that as it may, now would be the time to kill the slave trade within the family. So, I am asking you if you are for or against slavery. There are some true evils in the world, slavery being one. I agree that most of the world is much more complicated." She leaned back and flipped out a fan, running fingers along the outer spine of it. "As far as the Calabris family is concerned, we will deal with each in the most appropriate fashion, don't fret. That leaves our current issue at hand."
She tilted her head a little, her eyes narrowing. "So, set your word on the table, please. It will affect how this moves going forward. In addition, there will be an addendum to this stating the ability to dismantle more if needed. For example, if we find torture chambers or inhumane experimentation, we will of course end it. Understandable, I assume."
Kallen tapped his finger on the table while he drank a swig of his wine. He stopped once the wine glass settled back onto the table top. "Am I for or against slavery? I would say neither. Nor do I believe it is evil. I know of evils that have been committed to slaves, and I know of slaves that are treated better than... family. How slaves are treated is simply a reflection of their owner. Some slaves are voluntary slaves as it will improve their lives in some way. Some slaves become free and are pushed into a higher social strata than they were before they became a slave. Some are treated like trash. Just straight up abolishing an institution like slavery isn't a simple process, and those with power will make moves to maintain a legal equivalent to slavery if you do. There is a certain responsibility that owners take when they get a slave, and the worst of them forget that responsibility. The Calabris family is one that has forgotten that responsibility."
Kallen stretched his arms before continuing. "I certainly agree though that the experimentation must stop. I've been away from the family for several years now, so I am unaware of what they have been working on over the years, and even before that my access to information was limited, however, I would not be talking with you if I did not see an opportunity to make a change for the better in that regard." He looked straight at Allanon. "I don't know all of the details of what you were a part of while you were under the Calabris family's thumb, but I am aware that it was dark and sinister, and you were treated as a threat after they were done using you. Work with me and we can make things right again."
Allanon could not deny that Kallen was convincing. The fact that he was willing to enter a contract with an Inquisitor as witness clarified his good intention. "I don't care for your view on slaves, but I can put that aside for now. I do believe your intentions are good."
He then extended his hand across the table. "I will be putting my trust in you." He was sure Kallen was smart enough to know how he would react if he were going to betray that trust.
Kallen smiled brightly and met Allanon's handshake. "Excellent well. I will do my utmost to honor that trust."
The inquisitor's expression was a bit dour, but she nodded to Allanon. "We can work on ridding the world of slavery, but at least he will not desperately grip to it. I do not agree, but it shows he would at least work to guarantee quality of care in the meantime." She was far less satisfied with his answer than she let anyone know, but she also knew that his culture was massively steeped in the removal of the free will of others. He was further along than most, but she would keep an eye on him and prod him towards abolition over time.
"All that has been stated as goals and desires to be contracted will be set in stone. Thus far, we have enumerated slavery being legal but well regulated, the Calabris family being dismantled and reestablished in a manner consistent with the above table elements of the world, and that only the guilty will be killed. For his side, Allanon will provide personal assistance in the aforementioned goal of dismantling the Calabris. I will maintain my vigil to root out and prevent corruption or tainting of the cause as well as preventing collateral damage and innocent harm as much as physically possible. Any breach of contract will be dealt with and punished in accordance with the severity and reasoning of the breach, as determined by me, the mediator and present lawful enforcer. Are both parties in agreement to the stated terms, requirements, and end goals?" She looked between the two men, making it clear she was setting the verbal contract in motion and acting as the holder and prime enforcer of the contract as befits her position. Kallen, given he knew some about her order, would know that they were extremely strong contract holders, keeping the letter and spirit of the contract in mind. In addition, an ageless, forever vigorous inquisitor could also maintain it till the death of the mortals making such contracts.
Kallen noticed the Inquisitor's serious expression as he completed the handshake with Allanon. He imagined she was not at all pleased with his views on slavery. He doubted he could do much to change her mind on the merits of such an institution. He imagined this would not be the end of their conversation on the topic either, but he certainly welcomed such a discussion. It would be a challenging bit of fun. As Chihiro finished her clarification of the terms, Kallen nodded his head. "I find these terms agreeable. I accept!"
Allanon nodded in agreement as well. "I accept these terms as well."
Kallen clapped his hands together in joy at his success. "Excellent well! Now, shall we celebrate with a meal and some other libations? I am sure Allard's kitchen has quite a bit of decent options for the celebration of an agreement such as this. On me, of course." Kallen's adventures finding relics and his experience with negotiations over the last several years had left him with a fair amount of liquid currency. A decent portion had gone into investigation and research, however he always had a healthy reserve set aside exactly for moments like this.
