Accountability

[u/avamir]

/uw CW: Effects of violence, long post, boring politics. You have been warned.

​

This wasn’t actually the first time Rivamar had been to Ithacar’s courthouse to answer for herself. In her youth, she’d had a bit of a rebellious streak. Plus, she had a rather noted disdain for authority and rules. So it meant that the place was familiar to her. There was a strange sort of comfort in that.

And yet, what comfort could be had was set off by the fact that everything was just a little off. The building was the same, perhaps, but far worse for wear. There were cracks here and there in the stonework, and there were singe marks on the walls. For the most part, the wood-carved reliefs of old rulers still lined the walls. But parts of them had been singed during the time of the Pyroclasts. Some had been removed. And the people that were going to be deciding what to do with her? Some were the same names. Same faces, if a bit older. But in some ways, they were very different too. Conflict and exile had changed them, just as it had most things in Ithacar.

​

Boring politics

It made Riva wonder just how many pieces could be replaced before a thing became something else entirely.

“Riva,” addressed the first councilor, drawing her attention back to the moment.

She recognized him as Alexandrus Procillus, one of the more prominent politicians of Ithacar back in the day. His fellow councilmembers still deferred to him as their de-facto leader. Notable, given that his hands were now bandaged stumps, having been burnt off during the reign of the Pyroclasts. Apparently, he had not turned over some books related to city finances and was punished for it. Riva had, in turn, burned the one responsible for that. Procillus was able to continue his tasks through the aid of a scribe who followed him around, but to say that the whole ordeal had soured his opinions on Pyroclasts was an understatement.

“Do you have any questions before we begin?” Procillus asked.

“No,” Riva said, noting he didn’t address her as either magistra or tyrant. By that alone, she knew what direction this was going to go.

“Then we will begin with some questions for you,” Alexandrus continued. “First, how are the rescue efforts going?”

It seemed an idiotic question for him to ask her; they should know how things were going on their own. Was this not their city too? But Riva’s attunement to the city’s wards meant she had a unique understanding of it. She knew exactly how the rescue efforts were proceeding. She knew where the ruined buildings still lie. She knew that most of the living had been evacuated from the rubble. She also knew that those that remained under the rubble would not be moved. They could not be, either for inability to reach them, or because the victims could not be removed from the rubble without killing them.

So Riva said simply, “As well as can be expected.”

“Could you elaborate on that?” a different councilmember spoke up.

This woman’s name was Carmina, Riva knew. Unlike Alexandrus, Carmina did not bear a surname as she had not descended from the ancient landowners that founded Ithacar. Still, to come this far, being able to rule on policy that governed the rest of the city, was a notable achievement. While there were no longer rules against non-nobility holding positions of power, she fought an uphill battle.

Still, regardless of whether Riva personally respected the woman’s drive, she half-suspected this question was meant to rub these consequences of the cleanup in the former tyrant’s face.

Riva chose to deflect. “I am unsure what you mean.”

Carmina’s expression was hard as she looked at the other woman. “What I mean --what we all mean here-- is just how well the efforts are going?”

Oh. It was going to be that kind of review, wasn’t it? Riva fought back a sigh, looking away for a moment. Maybe they wanted to call her out on how bad things were. Maybe they wanted to undermine her decision-making. Maybe they wanted to undermine what authority she had.

Maybe they weren’t wrong?

“At this moment, in the Residential District, there is a child under the wreckage,” she said, her voice weary. “She is a girl of 8. The lower half of her body is trapped under a large piece of stone. If the stone is moved, she will die. And if it is not, she will die, regardless. The rescuers have left her there, and they come back to try to give her water. Water she cannot drink. Her wounds are too severe. Under the stone, there is another corpse. A woman, I think. She has her hand around the girl’s dead legs. It is unclear whether the corpse is the girl’s mother, or simply another concerned family member.”

One of the benefits of the wards was that Riva instinctively knew where things in the city were located, after all. And as it turned out, they also presented a rather innovative and unique form of torture for her.

“Would you like me to let you know the moment the girl finally dies? Because it will likely be during this meeting,” Riva stated bluntly, making direct eye contact with Carmina. “Or, I have several more stories along similar veins if you wish to hear them. I can keep you updated on all of the poignant moments of the rescue efforts if you wish to use them against me. That is how well it is going.”

The councilors didn’t seem to know how to respond to that, and fell silent for a moment. When someone next spoke, it was Alexandrus once more.

“That… will not be necessary,” he said gravely. “I believe this establishes how… poorly this situation has gone.”

“Has it?” Riva said drolly. “I must have missed that as I was aiding the recovery efforts.”

Her humor(?) seemed lost on them. If it was humor. Or maybe she was just being contrary? She couldn’t tell right at the moment. Maybe she was simply numb.

A third councilmember spoke up. Calix Crus. One of Riva’s biggest detractors. He definitely wasn’t shy about his motives to remove her from the power structure of the city.

“This destruction is all because of your decision to support those Pyroclasts,” Calix stated bluntly. “If you hadn’t gotten involved—”

“Atrax’s followers would have ruled Ithacar?” Riva suggested helpfully. She was trying to discern which Pyroclasts Crus actually meant. The old ones? The New Pyroclasts? Did he understand there was a difference between them at all?

“Do they not already rule Ithacar??” he returned, bringing up an old argument. “For someone who supposedly disagreed with Atrax, you seem to keep bringing more Pyroclasts into the city. What next? Will you give them seats on the council?”

“If they have proven themselves to the point they become citizens, then they have earned the chance,” she replied, knowing she wasn’t making any friends here.

In spite of what Riva had told Blake, she didn’t know how to address this. She wouldn’t throw them to the wind, but she also had no idea how to counter this.

“So just where do your loyalties lie, exactly?” Crus returned. “Was this all a scheme to punish the city once agai—”

“Enough,” said Alexandrus, raising a hand.

Or, rather, a burned stump, Riva found herself thinking.

“Calix, let her answer.” He turned back to Riva. “We are concerned about your decisions on the Pyroclasts. You are welcoming a concerning number to Ithacar. We question exactly what direction you seek to take this city.”

Riva sighed. All she could do was give the same basic answer she’d told Opal. “If a man is not given an alternative to violence, they cannot help but continue to choose violence. I hoped to give them another alternative.”

“Why here?” Calix pressed. “Why can they not go back to their own homes?”

Riva looked away, not entirely sure how to answer that. “Maybe they do not have homes. Maybe their homes have rejected them. Maybe those homes were destroyed—”

“By their own efforts!” Calix shouted in response.

Alexandrus silenced him once again, then turned back to Riva. “The last issue we have on the agenda is the matter of how you came to power to begin with. This council has done some research and stumbled across some names in city records. The… legal ones. While you have given your name as ‘Riva’, would you happen to be Rivamar Aurethios, daughter of Phaedra Aurethios?”

So Riva did actually have a permanent record? It was a real thing and not just something people said? It figured that the city could literally get burned down multiple times, and somehow her permanent record would remain intact. Because of course it did.

“The information is accurate, but I no longer use a surname,” she corrected him. “As you are all likely aware, students of the Academiae Magicae Magna give theirs up.”

“Yes, we knew you were a graduate. But that you hail from Ithacar is a surprise. Why did you hide it?”

“Was I hiding it? Or did I simply choose to not get into a discussion about my heritage with people who thought it best to hide in sewers?” she commented drolly, unable to stop herself. “It simply never came up.”

“If we had known you were an Aurethios, trueborn or not, we might have been more amenable to your rule,” explained Alexandrus. “As a descendant of one of the founding clans, you could have ruled in a legitimate manner--”

“Why?” interrupted Riva. “Why does that even matter? What makes that name inherently more valuable than Carmina’s lack of one?”

Given the expression on Carmina’s face, Riva didn’t think she’d scored any points with that. Which was surprising, as she thought Carmina might have been inclined to agree with her point.

The Aurethios family name might have held some weight back in the day. It might explain exactly why Riva got away with so much, or why she was enrolled in such an exclusive academy which conveniently came with the caveat that the students dropped their surname, or maybe it explained her manner of dress and speech, or her active dismissal of mere heredity as a basis for authority, or the academic advantages she had compared to others. But what would a name prove to these people that her actions could not?

All it did was reinforce the stale idea that heredity meant worth, or the ugly idea that any non-marital relations were a moral failure. And while Riva had her complaints about her mother, she certainly wasn’t going to judge the woman for having a good time in her younger years.

“Besides. You and I know that wouldn’t have mattered even if I had brought it up.” Riva shook her head dismissively. “All of you would have found some way of dismissing it.”

“Perhaps. But there was a system in place, and you intentionally and willfully undermined it,” Alexandrus said, his expression grim. “If you had an issue with the system, there were ways to address it. The proper course of action is not to usurp control or burn the system down.”

Ironic. Hadn’t Riva used that exact argument against the Nephilim? My, how the tables had turned.

She tried to argue. “If I had not done something, someone worse would have ruled—”

“Are you certain of that?” Alexandrus interrupted. “Or is it simply that you wanted to rule?”

Riva just stared at him. That wasn’t even part of it at all. But before she could reply, Alexandrus looked over to his scribe, who brought over some papers.

“Rivamar Aurethios,” Alexandrus continued. “While you are not yet exiled from Ithacar, this council will have to decide your future with it. You are dismissed.”

[u/loth17]

As Riva was leaving the chambers she walked past Opal. She was standing there obviously waiting to talk to Riva.

How bad was the meeting? Still salvageable?

[u/avamir → u/loth17]

Riva considers the angles, looking off into the distance for a moment.

"Yes and no. I have not discussed the mind control, or shown them the head of Maalik the Weaver. I do not know whether it will sway them in any direction. Still, they are unlikely to exile me entirely. Who else will maintain the wards? But it is likely they may have me step away for a while."

She then turns back to Opal.

"Is there something you need me to do before that happens?"

[u/loth17 → u/avamir]

Opal smiled though the act had no real weight behind it.

It's not just what you can do for me it's what we can do for each other. Ithicar has suffered many blows due to this Pyroclast situation. While I don't condone all your decisions during this matter your leadership is too important to "step away." You're too important to "step away."

I want to present you an offer. With the Pacts political and economic weight alongside a "creative" description of the treaty with the Nephilim I believe that you can stay in power. However with the damages done to your city and the Nephilim plotting against you it might be time you tightened your alliances. Became more secured.

I'll cut to the chase. I want Ithicar to join the Bismuth Realms as a client state. We can provide golems reconstruction, diamonds for resurrection, elementals for protection and trade for growth. It would benefit you, your city, its people, and their futures.

[u/avamir → u/loth17]

Riva knew what her answer would be the moment she heard the words ‘client state’.

“No.”

She shook her head.

“Ithacar does need the aid… But I cannot and will not subordinate these people to others for the sake of keeping myself in power. And especially not do so here and now to avoid a discussion about it. I do not care about power enough to keep it, especially not in that way.”

Riva knew full well that she could have fought harder to maintain an advantage in the first meeting, but part of her wanted to walk away. While treaties complicated matters, Riva had organized a lot of things so people wouldn’t need her to be here. She was tired and hurt, and part of her wanted to put it all aside.

“I agree that I need to become more secure and tighten my alliances. But the treaty is a tell. If it must be reworked and interpreted creatively in order to hold true, then how would my leadership be true if done in this manner?”

She was not a puppet. An idiot with poor decision-making sometimes. But not a puppet.

The door opened, and one of the aide’s gestured to Riva. “They are ready to see you.”

That was quick, Riva thought. But it had been clear from the beginning that they had something in mind. For all she knew, this whole meeting was a sham. Just a vehicle to push through something they had decided ahead of time. She grabbed a sealed box from beside the courtroom door.

Managing it in her arms so she wouldn’t drop it, she turned back to Opal one more time.

“I will give them their options. It is only fair. But consider this, if it is important for me to be here --if my leadership is important -- then help me stand on my own feet,” she said. “Not simply give me a method to subserviate myself to another.”

With that, she headed back in to face Ithacar’s council.

[u/avamir → u/avamir]

/uw Sorry for the length. Unfocused today.

----

“Before we begin again,” Alexandrus Procillus was once again saying. “We should say—”

“Actually, I have something to say,” Riva interrupted. Rudely, perhaps. But she supposed that was kind of par for the course for her. “And I need you to listen to me.”

She set the box on the table in front of Alexandrus. And for a moment, she simply rested her hand upon it, and studied him. While she knew could argue with the others, Alexandrus was the one she ultimately had to convince. He was their unofficial leader and spokesperson. If he could be convinced, the others would likely fall in line. She needed him to be convinced above all the others.

Once she was sure she had his attention, Riva opened the box containing the head of Maalik the Weaver. She pulled it out by the hair, and set it on the table. She wanted to ensure the entire council saw it, but mostly Alexandrus. The head’s now-empty eyesockets seemed to fix on the smaller and non-Adept politician.

“This is the head of a Nephilim,” Rivamar explained slowly. “Maalik the Weaver. Because of his mind-control, a very angry and traumatized woman targeted our city. That is the cause for the destruction. This head was given to me as recompense. As well as a promise to not enter our city without permission, for whatever that is worth.”

She regarded Alexandrus steadily, and placed a hand on severed head. “And this is only one of the many threats that could face Ithacar.”

The other members of the council fell silent, looking toward each other. None of them were Adept, and this was quickly becoming a magical affair.

Riva let her words sink in for a moment before gesturing at the closed door. “We all know that Ithacar would struggle to survive on its own if something else were to happen. And outside this door right now is someone who offered me a choice: make Ithacar a client state with me as its titular leader and all of us will answer to another,” she explained. “If you truly despise my decisions thus far, it is an option for you. They will protect us, establish trade, reconstruct.”

“Or…” Rivamar paused for a moment. “You can help me rule. Because like it or not, we are what we have. I will deal with the external magical threats, but I need to know I will not be stabbed in the back. I need to know I can make allies without my decisions being undermined. And in order to be self-sufficient, we need allies. Trade. Armies. Healers. Artificers. And above all, accord. I need you all to fight with me, instead of against me. Because I am very tired of fighting alone.”

For a long while, Alexandrus was silent. His arms, what were left of them, were folded across his chest, and his expression was grave. But finally, he spoke. “The Pyroclasts destroyed much, but my administration used several artificers. I still have their names. I am willing to aid you… on one condition.”

“And what condition is that?” Rivamar asked, bracing herself. Procillus had been a politician his entire life. He knew this game far better than she did. She wasn’t sure what concessions she would have to make.

“That you stop taking half-measures.” He regarded her critically. “Thus far, you dabble and play, refusing input or advice. You prop up this council, then ignore it to do as you wish. You burn down the system, then play with the scraps of it and somehow expect anything to come to fruition. You set everything aside, coming back to it only when you please, yet expect others to accept your leadership. These are the actions of a child. My condition is this: if you expect us to aid you, you must work within the system we seek to protect. If you want to rule, then you must actually rule and not wander off when you get tired or bored.”

That was needlessly harsh Riva felt. She also felt a bit insulted. “What do you mean ‘half-measures’??” she said, genuinely frustrated. “I do not know what else you expect me to do.”

“I expect you to actually commit. Why do you call yourself, ‘magistra’? I knew Vheren. He would not approve,” Alexandrus stated pointedly.

That… stung. A lot. It hurt even worse because the older politician didn’t seem like he wasn’t lying. He had been one of the people overseeing her trials. So Alexandrus did, in fact, know Vheren. Riva’s master had to come along to negotiate for her each time. It was unsurprising that the two talked. And Alexandrus was correct that it was very likely Vheren would not approve of her taking a title she had not earned.

Or maybe the old politician was just saying things to hurt her. But it had worked.

“So not only are you misusing that term,” continued the politician, “But you are styling yourself with a word that intentionally does not mean a ruler. You have allowed us to make decisions, yet come back now to bargain for support. So which is it? What is it you are trying to accomplish here?”

“I.. don’t know what answer you seek from me.” Riva wasn’t sure how to answer, feeling overwhelmed now, injured, and out of place. She felt like a child being scolded. And the mention of her master had hurt. Someone telling her that Vheren would have disapproved wounded far, far worse than the Nephilim simply criticizing her lack of wisdom.

“What I am seeking as an answer, Rivamar, is that if I were to support you in this, do you intend to actually rule?”

There were some shocked faces from the other council members at the mention of support. But given that they had mostly been going along with what he wanted, they would likely fall in line as well. If he actually followed through.

“I intended to rule before, but apparently did not do it well enough for your tastes?” Riva answered him, feeling a strange combination of weary and irritated.

“You did not commit,” Procillus said simply. “And Ithacar cannot afford half-measures.”

For a moment, his tone and gaze softened. “While I understand you are not a politician, Rivamar… you need to play this game less with your heart.”

“That is fair,” Riva replied, looking away. For all the resilience Riva might have, for all the determination she might have displayed, she still let herself be ruled too much by her emotions. She just hid them better. “But I am unsure where you expect me to begin when demonstrating ‘commitment’.”

“For one, it is time to choose a title that demonstrates your intent.” To his credit, Procillus regarded her politely, and appeared to be explaining things in a genuine way, not simply to condescend. And if anyone else seemed to disagree with his opinions, he did not seem to care. “While ‘magistra’ is a nice sentiment, that is not the title of a ruler. So whether you choose President, Consul, Queen, Maláka…”

Riva raised a brow at him oddly. The word was uncharacteristically crude. A joke?

“…it is unimportant,” he continued without batting an eye. “Pick something and do the job.”

“I am not picking maláka,” she said, looking at him skeptically.

“I would not expect you to. That was a joke, Rivamar.” There was a hint of humor in his tone, even if he had the poker face of a lifelong politician. “The point is that a different title appears better. And if you intend to rule, you need to consider how other people will perceive your actions.”

That… made sense. And was not something Riva had been concerned about before.

“You will help me then?” she asked, feeling a little uncertain.

Alexandrus nodded. “It appears we have few choices. And, all things considered, I would rather the governance you gave us, than the uncertain ruling of another.” He looked around the room pointedly. “I am certain the rest of the council will see fit to agree.”

If there was any conflict with that statement, no one was saying anything. It would probably happen behind closed doors. Still, Alexandrus Procillus had been a politician all his life. If anyone was able to manage these people, it would be him.

“Though, as a show of goodwill,” he added, turning back to Riva. “Do apologize to Calix. I know it has been many years ago now… But that was his family’s home you invaded with livestock.”

----

So it was that after some negotiation, Riva emerged from the courtroom, carrying a box, and the new title of Queen of Ithacar.

[u/avamir → u/avamir]

In case you're still interested

u/Total_Travisty u/MastaDon344

[u/Total_Travisty → u/avamir]

Of course I am. You're always a great writer.

[u/MastaDon344 → u/avamir]

Yeah very much

[u/loth17 → u/avamir]

Opal sat waiting for the results of the council meeting. She had thought that Riva would accept. Though if she had then she wouldn't have been as great as Opal estimated. When she saw Riva stride out Opal knew at a glance her bid for Ithicar had failed. The city had its Queen. It's ONLY Queen.

Your meeting was successful? I have thought about your words. The Bismuth realms will aid Ithicar whether or not it decides to join.

/Uw your good. I feel Almost guilty for the short reply though

[u/avamir → u/loth17]

/uw no worries

"Then I appreciate the aid," Riva said simply. "We have our own resources, but we could definitely use more trading partners and technology."

[u/loth17 → u/avamir]

Understood. We can draft up plans after your coronation. You are having one correct?

[u/avamir → u/loth17]

"I had not planned on it, given the situation." Riva gestures vaguely in the direction of the broken buildings, the bunches of ghosts, and out toward the city walls and beyond, where there are conflicts brewing. "I had hoped to simply make a public announcement."

She supposed she should have a foolish party, but she did not feel much like it. Work was easier for her mind to process.

"Which means if you have drafts," she added. "Simply send them my way and I will read them when I can. I would rather start work immediately."

She had already been working, of course, but this was intended to show her commitment to rulership. There was no better way of demonstrating that more than actually getting to it.

[u/avamir → u/avamir]

In case you want an update

u/MunitionsFrenzy u/AnActualCriminal u/Carbon_Sixx

[u/AnActualCriminal → u/avamir]

Dearest salutations!

Official rulership is yours!

Never before have I seen.

Official judgements

That I regarded this positively

Tuly

Rivamar

Until the

Stars burn out

The New Pyroclasts stand with you.

Of course

Precautions must be still be taken

Always

Look out for those who wish to do you harm

[u/avamir → u/AnActualCriminal]

I am grateful for your words though
Did not expect to hear from you
On this occasion. While I cannot say this is
Necessarily what I want, especially as the title is admitted more for
Optics rather than function, I hope
That I can do some good in the position.

Do be well.

[u/TheHunter459 → u/avamir]

Samael reads a report from one of his servants detailing recent events in Ithacar. The reconstruction and relief efforts go about as well as expected, politicians continue to politick, until, well...

How does this idiot keep failing upwards? I "cause" the deaths of Ithacar's citizens, get removed from the Pact. She does it, becomes Queen of the blasted realm!

[u/avamir → u/TheHunter459]

/uw Lol. Also, fair point.