A gruesome meeting

["Hasan Kemal" <hasan_kemal@hotmail.com>]

From Hasan's P.O.V.  Again.


Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#662RLt)

	Solidite echoes dully underfoot as one travels across the midnight blue 
stone walkways of the courtyard. Lining the walkway on both sides are small 
octagonal beds of white tulips. The remainder of the courtyard is covered 
with green grass, save for a small pathway to the northeast which ends at 
the steps leading to the ornithopter pad.

High walls of smooth cream coloured stone stretch to the north and south, 
providing the embassy with a modicum of privacy. The embassy proper, a large 
three story block shaped structure looms before you, a set of fourteen white 
marble steps leads to the single entrance way. Soft corinthian columns and 
fireze are skillfully used to offset the severe block shape of the building. 
Multipaned square windows are spaced at even intervals along the front 
facade of the embassy. Bell towers stand in each of the four corners of the 
embassy grounds, two on each end of the walls, and two behind the building.

Objects:

Bajazet Staffcar


You step into the bustling formal reception room of the Rastanyev Embassy.

Reception Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#2775Rnt)

	The Reception Hall is square in shape. The walls are covered with 
hand-polished white marble set with glit bronze sconces. A magnificent 
chandelier hangs from the high vaulted ceiling, shedding soft golden light 
around the room.

	Square windows line the front of the room allowing the bright Kaitain sun 
to pour in during the day, and the soft glow of moonlight to seep through 
during the night. A set of large ornately carved elacca wood doors to the 
north lead to the main areas of the embassy. To either side of the doors, 
two small alcoves each with a small marbled topped table and couch are 
tucked away allowing for private conversation even when a large crowd is 
present. A raised marble dais rests in the exact centre of the room, and 
upon it sit three ornately carved chairs.

Players:
Mikhail

Hasan bows as a servant leads him in. He stands beside the door like a 
stranger.

>look mikhail

Mikhail is a tall, and well built man who looks to be in his late twenties 
or early thirties. Ice-blue eyes stare out at you from behind gold wire 
frammed spectacles. His complexion is a fairly pale white, flushed with red 
at the cheeks, a complexion typical of the ruling class of Garrashu. His 
coal black hair has been trimmed fairly short, styled to imitate a longer 
version of a crew cut, it is imaculately groomed and well kept.

His garb is reminiscent of a military dress uniform: The tunic is midnight 
blue and embroidered upon the right breast is the crest of House Rastanyev 
(A rising Phoenix) Two rows of gold buttons run down the tunic. The slacks 
are midnight blue with a silver stripe running down the side of each leg. 
Fastened around his waist is a black leather belt, a small shield controller 
has been placed over the buckle. The belt bears a sheath on the left and 
right hip, the sheathe on the left holds a simple but effective looking 
sabre and the right a matched dagger. The Rastanyev signet ring (The Rising 
Phoenix infront of seven three pointed stars) adorns the ring finger of his 
right hand..

Mikhail just looked at you.

Hasan stands impassively, shoulders square as he waits to be spoken to.

The na-Earl Rastanyev sits in the centre chair of the dais. Standing beside 
his chair are four midnight-blue robed men, members of the Rastanyev Family 
guard. At the na-Earl's feet, a man kneels more in fear than in submission, 
from what you can hear, the na-Earl is definitely _not_ happy. 
"You...Ezera..." he says in a slow and deliberately cold tone, "once I 
called you friend, and charged you with protecting the life of my brother- 
your Earl," the venom seeps into his voice, "Trecharous bastard! Not only 
did you fail me, but participated in his death." Mikhail stands from his 
chair, and dismounts the dais, he draws a viscious looking blade from a 
sheath at his hip. Scarse moments later, he draws the blade across the man's 
throat, a pool of crimson blood begins forming on the floor...

The corners of the Pasha's mouth lift, not exactly in a smile, but an 
approving twitch. Still he does not move.

Mikhail dismounts the last step, he mutters somthing to the guards before 
kicking the corpse out of his way. "Who is this standing in my door?" The 
na-Earl asks in a sort of rehtorical and sarcastic manner. His eyes gaze 
over this seeming stranger's form, noting his change. "My, Pasha Kemal," he 
says in a cool and confident tone, "Well... it certainly fits." Moving a few 
steps closer to the Pasha, the na-Earl beckons him to step inside.

Hasan nods silently and crosses the floor towards the na-Earl. In doing so, 
he walks through the pool of the unfortunate traitor's blood. If he even 
notices, he does not show it at all. His boots track crimson-black 
footprints across the marble between the pool and Mikhail. He stops a few 
feet in front of the Rastanyev. "Hail, na-Earl Stalinsky. You deal with 
traitors most efficently."


A smile cracks the na-Earl's mask of rage and fury. "Pasha... It has been a 
long while since we met. I have heard many tales of this infamous man whom 
wears a blue turban... A pleasure to finally meet him." A slight chuckle 
escapes the na-Earl's lips as he beckons a servant to clean the blood from 
the floor. Servants stream out from the northern exit, as if summoned by 
some silent device. They bear silver bowls filled with clear cool water, and 
several spotless white cloths over their shoulders.

Hasan blinks several times, as if he doesn't quite understand. "I'm afraid 
to disappoint the noble na-Earl. The Malarcan terrorist to whom you refer is 
nothing more that a myth." He allows himself a small smile. "To frighten 
Harkonnen children at night."

One of the servants, on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor, looks 
towards the Bajazet, wondering if he dares to try to clean the area under 
his feet, or ask to wipe off the bloody boots. The Pasha glares down at him 
for the briefest of instants. Gulping, the servant turns away.

The na-Earl acknowledges Hasan with a small nod as he dips his blood stained 
hands into the water. A servant takes a cloth, wets it, and begins to clean 
the na-Earl's boots. "A most potent myth indeed, Pasha. I would ask you a 
favour Pasha. You must know that the Judge of the Change in the 
Moritani/Ginaz Kanly has met an untimely end..."

Hasan closes his eyes briefly, by way of acknowledgement, instead of 
nodding. "Of course, Noble-Born."

Mikhail seems shocked at the very formal title used to address him. "Please 
Pasha, such formality is not needed nor wanted here. You are a noble man, 
and one of honour. I would ask your permission to submit your name as a 
candidate for the replacement of the JoC in this matter. I believe you would 
be most..." he pauses, "efficent in moving this dispute along in a speedy 
and most fair manner."

Hasan inhales sharply, as if testing the odor of this idea. He lets the 
seconds tick by before exhaling and responding, "I would be most honored."

Mikhail gives Hasan a slight nod. "Then it shall be done. Perhaps you will 
be able to attend the Landsraad Congress metting?"

Hasan's tongue runs over his upper teeth, inside his closed mouth. "I shall 
endeavor to relieve myself of my other duties." He looks down at the corpse 
which still lies where Mikhail has kicked it. "The Forms must be obeyed". He 
steps over the victim and wipes his boots on the dead man's tunic. "The 
na-Earl knows, I assume, that I have no love for Steffan Lear von Ginaz. Nor 
to any allies of the Harkonnen. I shall be a true Judge." He stops wiping 
and looks up. "In my contempt for both parties."

Mikhail smiles in a somewhat cruel manner, "Surely you will indeed. The 
Ginaz are nothing more than a bunch of incompetent teenage fools... I have a 
feeling the Moritani will get to them before long. I only hope that the Lady 
Garamond (still refusing to call her Ginaz) can be saved before it is too 
late."

Hasan meets the powerful man's gaze straight on. "The Forms must be obeyed."

Mikhail also meets Hasan's gaze. "The form shall be obeyed. Fare thee well 
Hasan Kemal." With that the audience seems to be coming to a close.

You say, "Salaam". He bows and goes to make arrangements for his departure 
with the na-Earl's chamberlin. At the door he pauses."

You say, "My thanks to you."

Mikhail nods to the Pasha. "And thanks also to you, a noble man indeed you 
are to accept such a task."

Hasan spins on his not-terribly-clean heel and departs.

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dune III Readers Mailing List (dune3-readers@fremen.org)
This list is unmoderated. To unsubscribe, email majordomo@fremen.org
with 'unsubscribe <listname>'. For help, mail majordomo@fremen.org
with 'help <listname>' in the message.