Chapter 1: The council meeting
A meeting was being held in the war council of the Spear of Adun, it wasn't that long ago the same room was used to determine the actions against Amon's forces. Vorazun quietly observed the other uneasy members that were waiting for the initial announcement. It was really uncommon to all the War Council members and the tribe chiefs to be called to a meeting. Whatever was the content of the message that Artanis received, it should be important.
Rohana sat by her side, the older female was visibly anxious. "Young Matriarch, were you informed the reason for this sudden meeting?"
Vorazun was informed, just not by Artanis. The Nerazim Matriarch always had her ways of knowing everything that happened in Antioch as soon as possible.
"No" She lied. "But if the situation was grave, we would have been informed more urgently."
Artanis was the last to enter the room, he noticed the uneasy feeling of the others.
"Greetings! I am pleasured to see that all of you could come to this meeting." Artanis' voice was relaxed, it was enough to ease a bit of the tension in the room. "The Tal'darim sent a message to inform us that they have found a new homeworld."
"Why would they tell us this?" Vorazun asked. "They made it clear that we shouldn't meddle in their affairs."
"They wish to maintain contact with us, they even proposed a meeting there." Answered Artanis. "We should continue this amicable communication."
"Are you sure, Hierarch? After the war, they refused to be part of the Daelaam and pushed away all our previous attempts of reconciliation. This change in attitude raise suspicion." Rohana said.
"I understand your doubts. However, this could be our only chance for diplomacy with them, could be the beginning of an alliance." Answered the Hierarch. "I am proposing we chose diplomat in this meeting, to make a visit to their homeworld."
Immediately, everyone got tense. The silence was showing how unwilling they all were accept the idea.
Rohana sighed and spoke. "If we truly want to maintain a relationship with their people this is the wisest option."
Vorazun looked around and got a bad feeling. Only the members of the war council got to know Alarak, so the tribe chiefs were not a good choice. The best option to this mission would be Artanis, since he was the one who had the most interactions with the Highlord, but there was no way to risk such an important figure in this mission. "And the second choice would be me." She thought and got even a worse feeling. The Nerazim started looking around in hope that someone else volunteered.
Rohana was seeing though a window, Karax looked nervously to his own fingers, Talandar was impatiently poking the table with his blade and the tribal chiefs of the Daelaam were discussing with Artanis, about the necessity of training an ambassador, instead of using an important political figure.
"Alarak won't accept just anyone. He could see it as our lack of confidence or an insult." Answered the Hierarch.
Rohana talked to Vorazun psionicly "Friend Vorazun, I believe you are the most fit for this mission. You know Alarak and went to a mission with him. I saw how you could deal with him without losing your temper. This indeed is an awful mission, but if we don't choose now Artanis will probably go by himself. We cannot afford that."
"I am unwilling to go as much as anyone else, but I understand your point. It's better to resolve this the sooner as possible." Vorazun stood up and said reluctantly. "I could do this visit. It's just a simple formality. If some problem arises, I am certain that I can come back unharmed."
"Thank you, Matriarch." Artanis seemed satisfied.
The meeting was finished not long after the Matriarch volunteered herself to the mission. Rohana put one hand in Vorazun shoulder and spoke tenderly.
"You made the wisest choice, young Matriarch. Be careful on your visit."
"I will. I appreciate you concern, Rohana."
After the meeting, Vorazun started the travel preparations. She asked Karax to upgrade her transport ship, and the best Nerazim artisan to make an adornment she could use as a gift. In her way to the starport, Artanis came to talk to her.
"I feel a bit restless to send you alone. Maybe I should go with you." The male protoss seemed anxious.
"I appreciate your concern, Artanis. But you talk like you don't have confidence in my skills."
His face deepened in color "I apologize, I did not mean that. I know you are capable of handling any problem you face there by yourself, Vorazun." He stopped for a moment and spoke softly. "Just be careful and come back as soon as possible, please." His hand moved to touch her, but stopped and retreated, he hoped she didn't notice his gesture.
The Matriarch was surprised by his concern and couldn't find something to answer Artanis. She still wasn't accustomed to the way the he interacted with her. Artanis could be confident and straightforward in the meetings, but he seemed a bit lost when talking in private. She gave her farewell to the Hierarch and entered the ship.
A/N: Hey there! I changed the text to make it more comfortable to read. Hope it's better.