#fenixtj

THis seems to cause some growling but also some head bobbing

Jess listens, not understanding it much, and watching.

"I can get us a week of peace , no attacks, for every two we return" He turns to her "it seems stingy to me"

She shakes her head. "That's a non-starter for me, Otem, but thank you for trying. My people wouldn't accept that; these Nunnehi must be made to never attack us or my people again."

"THat I cannot guarentee, but I can try for more" He nods and turns back to talking

Jess lets him work.

He works on a bit more, then says "They think they can arrange a peace talk with you and oen of their chiefs in exchange for their release"

"I -cannot- let them go without parole on their part. I -can- offer them some kind of recognition that our people will not attack them when they cannot defend themselves in return."

OOC How many prisoners total?

(2 she hadoriginally, and 5 more now)

BIC: Otem nods, then says "I understand. I am sorry, Jessica. Their hearts are full of hate. "

"Well. We'll see if maybe some time to think of solutions helps." She addresses the prisoners "I hope we can get to know each other as we have time together. I will do my best to get you back to your families, safely. Your needs will be met while you are here. If you wish to speak with me, just let the guard on duty know."

There are grumbles , glares, but some also just nod

She nods to them, and goes to check on Duff and anyone else that was wounded.

She finds Duff, he looks much better in the pool. He's... half nude, but she's seen whole nude so.... He glances up "Jessica. How are your people?"

"Everyone seems to be ok, or at least healing. What happened?"

"They came at my store hoping to attack by ambush. But we trolls are alert in general, and I am, as you know, borderline paranoid" Dryly

"I do." she agrees "But why were they coming to attack you?"

"From what I can gather, they wanted to take me alive. I think they hoped to ransom me. I'm a bit amused by the notion. "

"Do you think it's because of our past? Or yours?"

"Both give cause, but I think more because of our past. Don't beat yourself up about that, you've been in danger because you knew me too so it evens out. But if they can ransom someone they think you value, they could try to parley so you 'left' their lands"

"The amusement is because I am sure it would be tempting to let them keep me"

Jess looks grave. "You know I must put the needs of the people and the county above an individual, Duff."

He seems unfazed "Of course, and besides, once you gave in once, no one you knew would be safe after that. I've played rougher games than this, Jessica and you'd be wrong to pay for me at cost of your own power base and yes, over the good of your people. But these raiders don't know you like I do"

"True. And I guess that's a good thing."

"Now, how can I help whatever your trying to do as a result of this? Want me to play dead for a time? Or show up as if untouched?"

"Let's ask Otem."

"mmm" A consideration "They'll be after him too, perhaps with even greater reason"

Jess frowns, nods. "I"ll go find him. You rest." and she does.

"I'll dry off and get dressed" Duff says

And Jessica seeks out Otem who looks..frustrated

"Hi. Do you have a moment? Everything ok?"

"No," He says "I mean, yes, I have a moment, but things are not okay"

"What's wrong?" she asks with real concern.

"I.. it is unseemly. I am just ... angry with my people. The raiders who will never seek peace, I mean. The mainlanders who time and time again have proof of your intent, and time and time again they'd rather be killed and worse kill than consider peace. "

"It's frustrating." she agrees "I have to concede it would be easier if they just saw the light... but I understand why they don't. Hundreds of years of betrayal and loss is a lot to just get over."

"Yet 'we', the local circle, did... or at least are TRYING to. They could do as much"

"We've known each other longer." she points out "Come talk with Duff and I?"

"Yes" He says "Best to focus on what we might yet achieve than lament what failurs I've had"

Jess leads him back to the other troll. "We were trying to figure out next steps. What do you think, Otem?"

Otem shakes off his frustration, "I think you will soon run out of cell space. I am not sure what to do about that"

"I really don't want to build more cells." she sighs "I suppose we could work out a dictum, forbid them to bring violence to the Fae."

"You also have another option you're not considering" Duff says "You could turn the Redwaters over to the Mer court to curry favor"

"They'd almost certainly be executed." she says, but looks to Otem to check she is correct.

Otem ponders "I do not know the Mer well enough to say but it would be likely"

"I'm not sure we're seeking an alliance with the Mer."

"All right" Duff says "How about Sunkissed waves? It has prisons"

"They already have one Nunnehi prisoner. The Baron's champion is going to duel him, maybe at the Pitt." Jess says absently, thinking.

She sighs. "Otem, if they chose to take a Oath, as Foamfang suggested, would they be bound by it?"

"Yes, but oaths under durress are often rage inducing and might work against us" Otem says "We must give them the option to decline and just stay imprisoned"