Crom'nen
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Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Apr 1, 2014 5:50:09 GMT -8
To Bel'fima's mind, the timing couldn't be better. A distraction. She hoped that the proposal would require changing, so that she had a chance to argue. With her lekku, she motioned for the girl to follow. Instead of leading her into Crom'nen's office, she led her behind the intern's desk where her own desk was turned facing a side wall. She sat in her own chair, and waved with her hand for the girl to take one of the extra chairs which sat back there.
Once she sat, Bel'fima mentally sized the girl up, making mental notes of her features, all the while without breaking apparent eye contact or losing a pleasant smile. How very wise of Koronov to send her. She was younger than Bel'fima herself, and seemed pleasant. After the disaster with Georj Lommier, he was wise to send one of her own species in order to help break through defenses. Koronov might be better at political manipulation than he would first appear, which was usually the key to being successful.
I would gladly hear any proposal that Senator Koronov might have. Though I have never been to the Corel system, I did once have a trusted ally that was Corellian.
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Sara Ruluwoor
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Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Apr 1, 2014 20:48:35 GMT -8
=Aylee'saresh=
Aylee followed the slightly older Twi'lek woman to her desk, and took the offered chair gracefully. Seating herself slightly forward in the chair, she tucked her legs beneath it, and maintained eye contact with Belf'ima. Her lekku flicked once, smoothing out a few wrinkles in her light green blouse.
"Thank you, Acting Senator." She began. "At it's core, our proposal is simple. Ryloth is not a unique case. Not every world aligns with the one-size-fits-all approach of the current defense funding bill. A good example is Drall in my home system of Corel. The Drall are pacifists, and Senator Hadrig has on occasion been the only dissenting vote on a military vote. They have no native standing military of their own, and their police forces are armed with non-lethal shock weapons. Are they going to be willing to fund a fleet? Of course not." The blue-skinned Twi'lek smirked briefly.
"We already have a solution for this problem within the Corellian Federation, and the solution works. The other four inhabited worlds in our system fund and man an orbital defense force around Drall, and in exchange, Drall contributes an extra share toward more peaceful causes such as the Five Worlds medical center on Selonia."
"We could do something similar for Ryloth. Senator Koronov plans to suggest that Corellia pay for Ryloth's defense fleet, if the Republic will provide training to your local defenders. Where you come into this, is that we need to find something of value that Ryloth can provide to the Republic in exchange for this protection." She eyed Belf'ima carefully, watching for any reaction, and hoping that the other would let her finish before she decided anything. "And Mr. Koronov emphasized to me that Ryloth's contribution need not be financial, or even tangible, so long as we can sell the Senate on it. Perhaps we can pick something more ideological, such as quashing the slave trade by guaranteeing the security of one of the most-enslaved populations in the galaxy."
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Apr 2, 2014 5:53:47 GMT -8
Bel'fima listened intently, even giving a long pause when the girl finished. Bel'fima wondered just how cunning this girl was. Bringing up slaving to one who was once a slaver herself? Was this another attempt at manipulation. Well, two might be able to play this game. She could try to get this girl to see Ryloth as part of her own legacy, moreso than the Corell system.
I would think that the reality of Ryloth being a target in need of defense should be apparent. Our people are being loaded into ships as we speak with an attack on Lessu. But I know that taking a higher percentage of our planet's revenue will not make our world stronger. We have to rebuild our capital city, incuding the capitol building. We have to select the clan leaders once more. I do not believe as some of the Core World representatives do that an across-the-board raising of everyone's taxes is the answer, which is what, in essence, Darma proposed.
What Ryloth needs right now is more revenue. Perhaps, Koronov would be willing to talk to the Five Brothers about increasing their purchases of ryl for the production of rylca?
There also needs to be one more piece to this. The attack on Ryloth held one important key: the Jedi charged with its defense fled with the Republic ships when the pirates arrived. It seems that the Vice Chancellor was right about one thing. Our people need ship loyal to us, willing to protect our people with their lives. We need Republic training, but the ships need to belong to Ryloth, so that they will not flee the next time.
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Sara Ruluwoor
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Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Apr 18, 2014 20:51:51 GMT -8
=Aylee'Saresh=
In truth, the girl hadn't known anything about Bel'fima's own experiences with slavery, or her opinions. She just knew that it was a sensitive topic for any Twi'lek, and that major parties within the Republic were passionate about ending slavery throughout the galaxy. Anything Ryloth could do to appeal the sentient rights issues were likely to be successful. And Aylee herself hated slavery in any form, but specially the forms that usually overtook her fellow Twi'leks. Aylee flicked her Lekku understandingly as she formed her response in her mind.
"Bringing taxation into the discussion was a miscalculation." She agreed. "What matters is raising the money to make the necessary purchases, not the source of that money. If you were to make the right appeal, with a proper amount of passion and heart-wretching examples, you might be able to fund your ships entirely from whatever is left of the anti-slavery budget." There was a slightly amused look on the face of the blue-skinned Twi'lek. "That is, if there is anything left." She was unusually full of ideas today, and she suspected it came from interacting with one of her own kind.
The proposal about rylca was intriguing. It was not the first time that the commodity had been offered as a bargaining chip, and she knew it would not be the last. But it's importance could not be denied. The horrific Imperial weapon had never entirely disappeared from the galaxy, and it was only a matter of time before an outbreak occurred somewhere in Republic space. "I am sure your rylca supplies will be of interest to our medical center on Selonia. Not all parties within the Republic see the same value in eradication of the Krytos virus that you and I see, but Corellia is a mix of humans and non-humans, so the threat is real."
"As to your last proposal, Koronov would leave any decision about crews in your hands. The Corellians also believe that native forces are superior, because they have more at stake than outsiders ever do." She paused, a new thought coming to her. Perhaps all of this could be solved though a trade pact between Corellia and Ryloth, even if the Senate proved stubborn. "Do you have any specific wishes for the ships themselves? If not, our engineers at the Corellian Engineering Corporation would be happy to help guide your selections, and I believe Koronov has the authority to offer you a discount as part of a trade agreement: we would buy your rylca, and you would buy our ships." Of course that assumed that the Twi'leks would want Corellian ships, and maybe they didn't. But she had to ask.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Apr 20, 2014 4:12:56 GMT -8
=Bel'fima=
Alas, Senator Koronov might have the ability to bargain, but I do not, especially without a Clan Council at present. What we could use most of all is training officers. We have our own starfighter training corps, but nothing for capital ships. Do you think Koronov could arrange to trade ryl for officers on temporary assignment? Or perhaps an exchange program, where some of our officers serve on your ships for experience, while some of your officers train our crews?
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Sara Ruluwoor
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Post by Sara Ruluwoor on Apr 20, 2014 20:39:21 GMT -8
=Aylee'saresh=
The younger Twi'lek's face took on a thoughtful look, as did the tone of her Lekku. Bel'fima had asked a good question, but one which had not been at the top of her considerations. "Providing officers to Ryloth temporarily to serve as trainers and advisers shouldn't be a problem, but I can't answer the exchange program idea without consulting Admiral Korr." She replied at last. "And I doubt that the Corellian Defense Force would accept any payment for those services, other than room and board, so long as the arrangement was temporary. Maintaining the defense of the Republic is part of their mission."
Her blue lips cracked a smile. "So it would see that we are close to an agreement here: Ryloth gets its capital ships and training in using them, the Five Worlds get a reliable supply of rylca, and the Republic gets a chance to make a public statement against slavery." The actual credits and cents would have to be worked out carefully, later on. But that wasn't something that you finished while you were in another Senator's office. That was something you took home with you as homework, and figured out when you and your fellow staff members wrote the bill. They would have to talk about the ships, though. If they weren't going to be coming from CEC, that might complicate things.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Apr 21, 2014 6:46:04 GMT -8
Bel'fima hesitated, quickly calculating and considering. Her instincts led her to believe that Crom'nen would try to play some other angle here, but she could not figure out what it was. As acting Senator, she could not just think as a Senator, but as a representative as Crom'nen. In some ways, her hands were more tied as acting Senator than as an aide.
It seems to me that if Corellia agrees to this, we may very well have bypassed any need for this proposal in the Republic. It could be a simple trade agreement between our worlds, save that the Republic may throw in some subsidies so that it is officially holding up the agreement in Ryloth's charter. But for now, I think we should leave the ships out of the initial proposal, until Ryloth has a functioning government once more. The new government may veto any agreement that I make, so I feel we must take a cautious approach while Ryloth rebuilds.
Oh, and I must make one more addendum. Because of our lack of ships, the Corel system must be responsible for transporting and protecting the ryl from the Kala'uun spaceport. That is a burden we cannot bear at this time.
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Sara Ruluwoor
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Post by Sara Ruluwoor on May 11, 2014 20:47:47 GMT -8
=Aylee'saresh=
Aylee nodded slowly. "That was not my initial intention, and Senator Koronov still wishes to see the larger issue pushed through the Senate, but I believe you are correct." The blue-skinned Twi'lek made some hasty notes on her datapad, then checked her crono. The hour was even later than she realized, although her fellow Twi'lek didn't seem to have noticed yet, either. "This has the possibility to be quite beneficial to both worlds. However, I do not mean to take any more of your time, Bel'fima. I must discuss this with the Senator, and get his approval for the economic agreement." She stood slowly, and nodded, her lekku swishing a silent but very formal thank you. It was a relief to have someone to talk to who understood non-verbal communication.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on May 12, 2014 5:40:27 GMT -8
Bel'fima replied with the lekku twitch of her own. She stood, to see the girl out. The intern, obviously a bit smitten, also stood and signaled a less formal farewell. Bel'fima noticed this, and smiled behind his back.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Jul 7, 2014 11:14:50 GMT -8
Bel'fima was the last one in the office, as usual. She sent the intern home hours before. His useless pining over the Corellian Senator's aide made him unproductive anyway, and she like to work alone. But it was that time of night when she knew that she needed to go home, or risk an odd yawn in the Senate at an inopportune moment. She was backing a few files into a bag when the door opened. Odd, she knew she locked it.
Her heart leapt in her chest when she saw Crom'nen. He wore a smile, unusual for him. He was happy to see her. She took one step toward him before noticing the figure behind him. Ar'lah. She knew that face anywhere. True, she had aged, but that would happen when one was imprisoned in the earth. Not even Worm was aware of who was in the secret prison. If Crom'nen had released her... for the first time in a while, Bel'fima had reason to distrust his sanity and his motives.
=Bel'fima=
Senator, I am so happy that you are safe. How is Ryloth?
=Crom'nen=
As bad as can be expected, but we survived. The Pirates were driven off, and our people are being returned, though my charitable funds may be tested. Rebuilding shall be expensive and time consuming. Rebuilding trust all the more. How goes Coruscant, Acting Senator?
=Bel'fima=
I have been in negotiations with Senator Koronov. We have a deal in the works for a new economic treaty. It should provide new financial security for Ryloth, pending approval by the new clan council, whenever one is selected.
=Crom'nen=
Soon. They shall be selected soon.
Crom'nen stepped into his office, the door opened for the first time since Bel'fima learned of the attack on Ryloth. It made her happy to see him step into his office and sit at the desk. It was simple, maybe even one of the smaller offices, but he had chosen it with great reason. Ar'lah followed him through.
=Ar'lah=
My dear Crom'nen, I am disappointed. I would have thought you would have garnered a more impressive office.
She stopped dead when she saw the bronzed mask and daggers mounted as a plaque on the wall.
=Crom'nen=
That is what you never got, Ar'lah. There are more ways than intimidation to move pieces around the board. This office causes people to underestimate me, if you can believe it. The fools think the higher floor or more staff makes them better than me. But where it matters, in the Rotunda, they learn otherwise. You would be wise to remember that, and not make their mistake. Do not underestimate me as they do, nor as he did. And yes, you may consider that a threat.
Bel'fima smiled when she saw the fear in the older woman's eyes. Crom'nen was truly back.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Jul 8, 2014 8:22:12 GMT -8
=Crom'nen
Wait with the honor guard.
Ar'lah took a minute to recover from the shock of seeing the mask. She had known of Crom'nen's victory, but this visual reminder still caught her off guard. She left Crom'nen's office and went into the hallway.
=F'rarl=
She's gone.
=Bel'fima=
I am glad that you are both safe.
=Crom'nen=
We were not in any real danger, except from interference.
=Bel'fima=
What happened?
=Crom'nen=
A pirate fleet showed up to attack the fleet. When one ship was damaged, the Jedi abandoned the derelict and the defenses. They left the ship hanging in orbit. The pirates crashed it into the capital. Casualties are in the thousands.
Bel'fima grew quiet.
=Crom'nen=
A negotiated with them. I paid handsomely for the return of the captured. Do not worry. The pirates will pay. I will use our enemies against them. But our people are broken, hurting. They blame the Jedi and the Republic. But Ryloth cannot stand without the Republic. She is too fragile. In order to save the Republic, I may have to destroy it.
=Bel'fima=
Hence Ar'lah.
=Crom'nen=
Correct. I will use her to negotiate with unsavory people, then hang it all around her neck. She has sought to destroy the Republic before. No one would be surprised if she does it again.
Bel'fima studied him for a moment. Though no one else might detect anything, she was always able to read him. What haven't you told me?
Crom'nen rose and went to the window. I told you once that there were less than ten secrets that I would keep from you at any time.
=Bel'fima=
I remember.
=Crom'nen=
Of the things that I have not shared with you, item number two is currently waiting in my apartment. I am sorry.
=Bel'fima=
No, you aren't. I told you that the first time we met.
=Crom'nen=
Indeed you did. But I am not sorry from keeping this from you. I am sorry to reveal it to you. I would rather this secret stay buried.
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Crom'nen
Member
Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Jul 9, 2014 12:42:17 GMT -8
Crom'nen and company left after a brief conversation for his apartment.
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Quatl Tlokh
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Affiliation: The Galactic Republic
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Post by Quatl Tlokh on Jul 19, 2014 4:42:22 GMT -8
A Message came in to the Rylothian office, from the Vor delegates of Vortex.
Hail, Crom'nen of the Ryloth. Quatl Tlokh, future senator of the Republic wishes audience with your person and office.
Subject: Offering of aid upon harsh times.
A set of dates and hours followed of witch the Senator or his aids could choose one that was appropriate.
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Crom'nen
Member
Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Jul 21, 2014 7:53:14 GMT -8
As the only one in the office besides the intern, Ar'lah, Crom'nen's new Foreign Affair Advisor, responded to the message.
Even as the Senate gathers for full assembly, I would gladly meet with one of your staff. Please feel free for you or any of your staff to stop by anytime. If the Senator is available, you may speak with him. If is Chief of Staff is available, you may speak with her. If not, then I will meet with you.
Ar'lah
Foreign Affairs Advisor
Office of Senator Crom'nen of Ryloth.
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Oct 12, 2014 10:54:38 GMT -8
A message comes in to Ryloths Senatorial Office.
Title: Victims of Attrocity charity organisation organising a charity Ball for the Victims of the Lessu Attack
Honorable Senator Crom'nen Fenn
I am Koyi Zitan, executive chairwoman of Victims of Attrocity. I would like to give my condolensces from the depths of my heart for what transpired on your home. No people, especially not ours should be afraid of such terrorism. That is why I have taken to act, and reserved the 500 Republica Ball Hall for a charity event for the wealthy of Coruscant, so we can help our sisters and brothers in need.
I am informed that you are not only the Senator for Ryloth, but was eyewitness to the atrocities in Lessu, and I would like you to be our crown speaker on this event. Tell your story, and tell the stories of those you personally met in Lessu, both victims and the ones guilty of what transpired.
With respect and reguards
Koyi Zitan
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Oct 13, 2014 8:36:33 GMT -8
Ar'lah sat at the desk. What would Crom'nen do? He would go. He would go because he was supposed to. He would say what he was supposed to. And he would resent its necessity. She had been watching the Senate meeting. He would need to garner sympathy. This would be an excellent opportunity for him... and for herself...
To Koyi Zitan, executive chairwoman of Victims of Attrocity
On behalf of the office of Senator Crom'nen on Ryloth, it would be the Senator's pleasure to speak on behalf of his people, to raise awareness of their plight and to raise support for the recovery of the Lessu attack. If there is any way that I can use my influence to assist you, please do not hesitate to ask.
Ar'lah
Foreign Affairs Advisor
Office of Senator Crom'nen of Ryloth
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Post by Oraltor Nadon on Oct 15, 2014 10:39:15 GMT -8
Oraltor arrives at Crom'nen's office. He does not stop to intorduce himself, instead he walks straight toward Crom'nen's inner office to await his old companion.
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Crom'nen
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Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Oct 15, 2014 12:49:45 GMT -8
Ar'lah stood, surprised by the unknown intruder in Jedi robes. She started to move after him, when the door opened again. Crom'nen moved into the office with the speed and demeanor of a Coruscanti thunderstorm. He held up a hand to silence her, then moved past her into his office, shutting the door behind him. Only then did he begin to relax, and let a smirk sneak onto his face. Despite everything that people would think, that the media would say about him, (some a hero and to many a villian) he had exposed the truth, the hypocrisy of the Jedi, the broken relationship. The relationship had been broken long before. He had merely exposed it.
Speaking of Jedi, he felt something. Not in the Jedi since, of course, but in his own well developed since of paranoia. Had the Jedi sent some to confront him? Silence him? Intimidate him? Kill him? He would not put it past them, especially the last one. That was one message he had learned from the Jedi Master Javin, before killing him. It did not matter what they tried. They would not succeed.
Crom'nen moved to his mini bar. He lifted out a chilled glass, and a silver bottle containing a Bothan vodka. He as he poured a glass, he looked at the reflection. The being he saw was like a ghost of the past, like Jacob Marley from an obscure human tale. It was a brown Ithorian, one whom he had once known well. Instantly, his emotions plunged from celebration to frustration. He moved to the window to look out over the city, and took a sip.
You are welcome here, Master Jedi. Your lectures aren't.
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Post by Oraltor Nadon on Oct 16, 2014 13:16:45 GMT -8
Oraltor stands still looking at the Twi'lek. It had been many years since he had seen Crom'nen, yet ,looking into his eyes, he could see that the time had not been kind to his old companion.
I would not give you any lectures, my old friend. I reserve those to those who still can learn from them.
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Crom'nen
Member
Posts: 868
Affiliation: loyal only to himself, working with Ryloth and the GR
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Post by Crom'nen on Oct 16, 2014 13:33:59 GMT -8
Crom'nen's scowl did not diminish. If this were anyone else, he might offer them a drink, but Oraltor knew that Crom'nen knew he did not drink. To offer him one would be an insult, and Crom'nen had more direct ways to offer one.
Then allow me to offer you one. You and your kind hide away, with introspection and serenity your only goals. But while you look inward, the galaxy burns. You are a being of peaceand compassion, but the Order today stands more like Javin Gast. I intend to remake the galaxy as I see fit. The Order, the Republic, the galaxy will rise or be destroyed on my say so. And there is no one who will stop me. What have you to say to that?
Crom'nen glared at the older man, his rage boiling beneath the surface. Yes, Oraltor Nadon was one of the few Jedi Crom'nen ever trusted, along with his Master and his first padawan. He trusted him enough to not play diplomat, but to stand before him with boldfaced defiance. Crom'nen doubted that Oraltor was here alone. Any second now, any number of persons might burst through the door in attempt to kill him. But he would not make it easy for them. He chose above all else to be in control.
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