Editing VidansSecretNotes (section)

==Third Vanishing==
After dinner, the tables are cleared away and music starts playing, and the servants wander around with little trays of drinks.  The delegations start moving a little apart, but not super quickly.  Taking your "go talk to the other religions for us" job seriously, you head towards Red, as the place most likely to be receptive to a priest of Navare.

You're one of the first people to seriously strike out from your delegation to another one.  You do see a centaur [that you recognize now as Diomarche] heading from Red to Yellow at about the same time you head to Red, but mostly that delegation seems to be meeting with itself rather than heading out to talk to others.  Watching it as you get close, it is fairly clear it's more five separate delegations than one big one - four political ones and a Rushian group - although it's also clear that a lot of them know each other even outside of their sub-delegations, as they start socializing cautiously.  

By the time you get there from Purple, the Reds have resorted themselves moderately - Rush-ites from each of the political delegations have gone over to the big Rush group, a few other priests have divided off into a sub-group of their own, and the political groups have re-organized so that the head of each group has at least one person from the other three groups nearby.  As the political groups slowly start to drift towards the dance floor, you approach the Rushites and introduce yourself.

"Delighted to meet you, I'm Daniel."  One of the priests from the group steps forward to shake your hand.  "Sergeant, if you would convey to our friends the Lord Captain's position on things while I speak to our Purple Comrade?"  he adds over his shoulder.  The woman he addresses as Sergeant looks a little sour, but nods, and he pulls you a little aside.

"I must say I'm surprised, but pleased, to find one of our faith in the Purple delegation.  Perhaps between the two of us we can sort out Victoria's border disputes with the Empire amicably, and turn all our forces North.  I'm afraid Lord Karsten is not likely to be the most accommodating of negotiators, but I'm sure I can arrange to rein him in if you can wrangle some concessions from your side.  Does that seem reasonable?"  A bit surprised at how quickly he leapt to the point, and cognizant of your inability to actually promise anything on behalf of the Empire, you murmured something noncommittal, and he backed down slightly.

"Ah, of course, I should have realized you would not be in Command of your delegation, forgive my enthusiasm.  Still, you have given me the excuse to start circulating with others, instead of being trapped dealing with internal Red politics all night, and for that I thank you.  Perhaps you could point me towards someone in Purple who might be able to negotiate more authoritatively?"  You mention Li Karest's name as the Minister of Borders, and he strides off purposefully in that direction.  You are not at all sure that his directness will play well with a fourth rank Bureaucrat, but ... well, you can only do so much.  

Deciding not to go back to the Rushites, you head towards the other group of Fiveists.  

"... very well, this evening it is.  When shall..." the person talking cuts off as you come up from behind him.  You don't actually catch anyone giving him a signal, but feel like it must have happened.  They all turn to face you.  You introduce yourself as Vidan, Priest of Navare.

"Well met!" says the man who was talking.  "I am Gyvail, priest of Orellian, and these are my friends, Westrak of the Nameless, Dora, Priestess of Jord, and Caitlan, a Priestess of Navare.  Welcome, friend."  Gyvail's enthusiastic welcome gets a smile from Dora and an eye-roll from Caitlan, but everyone says hello politely, and is happy to talk to you for a bit.  You note that while they are each from a different one of the political delegations, they definitely know each other fairly well.  They are happy to talk about their hopes for the conference, and an opportunity for the forces of the Gods to prepare for the attack of the Breaker before it comes, and curious about your knowledge of the Twins' position on things.  They are definitely looking at it more from a religious point of view than the political one Daniel leapt to.  And you notice they never come back to whatever it is that will be done this evening.