Zuthus Bralor had stood before them, raised his arms to quiet the room, and wasted no time in explaining to the clan leaders that there was something he'd not told them. He was a man who was committed more than most to the True Mandalorian way—a pious man, a family man, and a devoted leader of Mandalore. He was also pragmatic, more so than he was portrayed and more so, even, than he portrayed himself; like everyone else, he saw that this was a dangerous time for the Mando'ade, as the times were changing in ways that seemed hostile to the Mandalorians or, at least, hostile to Bralor's agenda for the Mandalorians.

Zuthus understood this, and that's why he had agreed when Marcus, his friend, had approached him in private to tell him it didn't need to be this way. Zuthus, as Mand'alor, had become a focal point of criticism of Mandalore (largely because of the ignorance of aruetiise, but still, it was so). Zuthus, as a man and a leader of Clan Bralor, could do more for his agenda outside of power, while a new leader repaired the planet's relations with the Republic, and with Kalevala. When Bralor realized that there were some, the likes of Ca'tra Odai, the Mereels, and others calling for civil war, he realized that a change had to be made. Things had gone too far.

Fenn Shysa understood it too. Marcus had approached him as well, and reunited him with Zuthus, his old comrade in the war. They agreed that Shysa—legendary war hero, leader of the Mandalorian Protectors, moderate and well respected both by the Mando'ade and the Republic—would assume the title of Mand'alor. It was all announced, unexpectedly, at the meeting. Throughout the room, heads were lowered in solemn respect for Zuthus as he sat beside his wife, Isko, who threw her arms about him. Everyone knew that Bralor had done a difficult and, even, a courageous thing. Fenn Shysa was humbled as he stood to address the leaders, his red hair having lost none of its fire with age.

"You all know me," he said to them, "And most of you know where I stand. We are in the midst of a crisis; a crisis of how we are percieved by others, and how we percieve ourselves. The latter is the more important of these. There are many in this room with different ideas about the future of the Mando'ade, and even if you do know where I stand, I want to know where you stand. All of you, please, speak freely in this chamber. When all has been said, all will be decided. Then the galaxy will know where we stand, together."

(( Let's reset the posting order, if that's okay with everyone. I think it'll move us along the fastest. ))

"I heard the words of Jabo'a Mereel as I entered, a moment ago," he said. "I have heard it said that he is the tyrant of Concord Dawn; that he speaks for a people who are afraid of him and his ways. He speaks fighting words of crusades and blood and war. Let us hear him speak his reasons. What say you, Mereel?" Well, it was done. There was surprise in the room as Shysa went belligerently for Jabo'a—something that the Mand'alor had hoped not to do so soon, but so be it. There was a tense silence as the Mandalorians, most of whom (including many Mereels) did not agree with Jabo'a's extreme views, waited for him to speak.

Fenn used that moment to casually pick up a datapad he'd set down on his seat, and on it he wrote a quick note and handed it off to Isko to give to Bralor. It read: "It's the Duchess. Remove her, quietly. I'll meet you outside."

A friendly smile teases the corners of her lips, breaking any tension if it were there. So that she may pass, she pats Zuthus roughly on the shoulder. Knowing her true identity, he would perhaps be surprised by the strength of her motion. Respectfully, she bowed to Fenn Shysa as she approached the table. Quietly, she would take a seat and extend her hand to her drink. She wasn't sure what it was called, but she liked the way it pinched her cheeks.

"I must first appologize for not being completely honest, and second for interrupting. Kandosii was the name of the clan that my ancestors belonged, and lives only now in our history. This armor is not meant for me, for I have not earned the honor of wearing it. I'm not a warrior, or at least not in your eyes. But I'm someone. I was once someones daughter, and anothers little sister. And although I'm not those things anymore...I became something else. Although I no longer had a family, I adopted a new one. But who knew it would be an entire world? Kalevala became my family, and I her Duchess."

She paused then and glanced over her shoulder to Bralor, who only a moment ago commended her on her bravery. But it wasn't something she felt inside, at least not yet. In response to him, she continued.

"No, I'm not brave. I see bravery every day, it lives within my people and gives their Duchess strength. Strength to do what I must, for them. Even if it means that I take from myself, or that I deny myself lifes simple pleasures. I don't deny that I live comfortably, but it is an empty comfort. What is a life without family? Friendships? Love? A small price to pay for what I truly love. Kalevala is my heart, and for her I will sacrifice. I'm young, but not foolish. It is never foolish to come to your peoples defense, or to dream of peace. To turn that dream into reality, and that's what I've done."

Her eyes burned then with a mixture of anger, hope and despair that was so great, it seemed as if her emotions might burst forth and incinerate everything in sight.

"I'm tired of being called a great many things, and yet nobody can tell it to my face. I'm not a coward, and neither are my people. It's not the True Mandalorian's that we fear, but fear that peace is forsaken. I didn't want you to know me by title, but as one of your own. I wanted you to look past my title, and respect me. But I knew it was only a matter of time before I was recognized, and I'm almost glad it's happened sooner than I originally hoped. So now that I'm here, what now? You know what I want, and your either going to make it happen or piss me off."

He sighed, then raised his hand to the others in the room. "Brothers, sisters, away with your weapons. Be seated, please," he said, "Since we were already discussing Kalevala, we might as well do so in the presence of the planet's Duchess. Perhaps we may come to some accord, perhaps not, but at least we will understand each other. Duchess," he said to her, specifically, "Your words are passionate, and no doubt sincere, but what do you think of the words of General Ordo? If we decide to compromise with you, to guarantee the security of Kalevala and the security of the Sector, will your government and your people accept this?"

"I, for one, agree with Vod Marcus," he went on, speaking now to everyone, "We needn't go to war with the Kalevalans if we can, in fact, agree on those principles that Marcus has mentioned. That, largely, is up to Lady Valeria and her government. I will be honest with you, Duchess, and with all of you, that I have little desire to rule this Sector. Only to protect it, as the Mandalorian Protectors have done for decades. Marcus is right, and I'm sure Vod Zuthus does indeed agree that we have more important priorities than how the planet Kalevala governs itself. This is Kalevala's business, not ours."

"So what say you, Duchess?" he asked again, "And what say you, Vod Mereel? I see from your words that you, too, are sincere in your beliefs, even if I disagree with them and so too, surely, would Jaster Mereel. But you are a part of this discussion also. What of the words of Marcus Ordo? Is the Mando'ade not true enough, not sure enough, not proud enough that it cannot abide a few pacifists on Kalevala? That is, assuming they stop being belligerent to us," he glanced, again, in Valeria's direction. He might have sounded combative, but the Duchess would no doubt see that Fenn was arguing for peace with Kalevala and, moreover, recognizing its status as an independent world. This was, indeed, what she wanted. It just so happened that it was also in Mandalore's own interest as well.

It was most unexpected when Jabo'a smiled at her, causing her slender brows to knit forward in her confusion. A soft sigh escaped her lips, followed by a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Relaxing, she dropped her hands by her sides and moved her legs closer together. "Manda'lor, I didn't come here to spy. I just didn't want to be judged, but that's what I felt in those moments of silence. Sometimes it's difficult to be heard, when those you're trying to reach are no longer listening. I've been called by many names that are not my own, but would you still repeat them? Even as I stand before you? If I were to trade places with one in this room, would I be so quick to judge?" She smiled thoughtfully, pressing her fingertips to her lips. "Yes, I suppose I would...but I'm asking you not to." She turned then to General Ordo and dropped her head and shoulders, bowing to him. Her dark tresses falling over her shoulders, spilling out into a sea of layers. "Kalevala agrees to your terms."