Thadeus offers the departing Janus a friendly handshake, saying, "Be careful, my friend. And if you ever need a place to rest and study, do come back."
EDIT: He adds, after a moment's thought, "And if no other lab is available, I will be happy to lend you mine."
Janus's leaving and the arguing triggered an anxiety in Thom and so he presses on in his suggestions.
"Let me be a little clearer in these motions," says Thom after a moment. "Here is what I propose be added to the Charter.:"
"Be it established that the covenant of Ungulus includes the main site at Ungulus, the chapterhouse at the Oak Circle, and any other chapterhouses or outposts established by the Council, all of which are considered part of the covenant. Any member who resides at or maintains a sanctum in the main location, a chapterhouse or outpost is a full member of the covenant with equal voting rights and an equal voice in all covenant decisions, the same as those residing at Ungulus itself."
"Be it also agreed that The Chapterhouse at the Oak Circle is established as a place of study, research, and refuge, providing magi with an environment dedicated to scholarly pursuits and personal growth. It serves as a sanctuary where magi may conduct their work with less focus on the martial defense of the Order, instead emphasizing healing, rebuilding, and the advancement of knowledge. Those who reside at the Oak Circle do so in the spirit of restoration and discovery, ensuring that it remains a haven for those seeking to recover, learn, and contribute to the greater wisdom of the Order."
"Be it also established that The Praepositus Chapteri is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the chapterhouse and ensuring its smooth operation in accordance with the decisions of the Covenant Council. They maintain order within the chapterhouse, uphold its purpose, oversee the use of resources, and ensure the well-being of its members. The Praepositus Chapteri is also tasked with implementing the rulings of the Council within the chapterhouse. If the Praepositus Chapteri is away, their duties will be carried out by the next most senior magus residing at the chapterhouse, who will hold full authority until their return. The Praepositus Chapteri may be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the other members of the Council."
"I know they're not perfectly worded, but ... Well, I'm tired of the fighting and the dithering about this. Let's get this done and get to work. We didn't survive through this war only to ... The Order isn't going to be rebuilt by itself. We have to do it and it can happen right here, with us."
āOn getting a satisfactory response from the Covenfolk the stranger asks them to fetch a magi āHello I am Angus ex Miscellanea of the Ironskins mystery cult. Please fetch a magi for me pleaseā
A giant of a red-haired Scot walks out toward the newcomer having been informed of a guest by a member of the turb.
He looks Angus over, saying nothing for a bit, and then speaks in fluent Gaelic, "So... who are you? And what proof do I got that you're not a dark Diedne?"
Sionag wasn't invite in the Council, she is not sure if she will. The dispute with Janus troubled her, and she walked on the covenant, not sure about her decisions. She looks about a young magi that she doesn't know. Hearing the demand, she approaches.
"It's good, grogs. I will welcome him."
She salutes the magi.
"I am Sionag ex Miscellanea, pharmacopean and healer by passion. Welcome at Ungulus... I guess."
Hamish sees Sionag walk up and takes a step back, giving her the deference she is due.
"I still want the question answered," says the captain of the turb.
In Gaelic āI have the same proof as you do giant, my word. Besides no Diedne I have ever known would take on a full covenant aloneā
āGreeting sodalis I am Angus ex Miscellanea of the Ironskin mystery, well metā
Hamish chuckles, recognizing the lilt of the Gaelic and nodding.
"True words, fairly spoken," says Hamish. "Lady Sionag, he checks out well enough to me but I couldn't tell ye what the Ironskin stuff is about."
āWe are blessed such that no steel will harm us. It has saved me a few times from Diedne assassins these past ten years I can assure youā Replies Angus
(OOC Let us be clear. Who returns to the council chamber after lunch, as asked? Thadeus is there, but I'd like to make sure the others are before I add something. BTW, everyone is invited, including Sionag and Elric. I just want to make sure everyone is there.)
Thadeus nods, "Indeed, Janus of Flambeau has decided to step down from his position as Praetor and leave, relinquishing his membership of this covenant. We now need to decide how we proceed from that point. I suggest we address each of his propositions, one at a time."
"I agree with Thom's proposition to make the duration of the position of Praetor three years, unless the majority of the Council decides otherwise. I would suggest we make that the majority of the full members, not simply those attending the Council at a specific moment."
He looks at the others, waiting for comments.
Elric is somewhat relieved that Janus has left, but also sad, since he thinks it would have been better to have resolved the differences.
"If I may, I can see one of two options ahead of us:
Cath'rinne doesn't betray her reaction at Janus' departure. She's not disappointed by far, but there's no point in antagonizing those who feel the loss. She used to like him, she thinks. She's still not sure why things happened this way.
Cath'rinne tries to re-read that charter document that got discussed a while back as they propose amending it and writes notes.
Cath'rinne nods. "Procedurally, you're right. I'd frankly just suggest letting everyone weigh in as for the changes, and then we confirm if we all accept our membership with the proposed changes decided on, which may be smoother than voting changes in advances, and then discussing new changes again." After a moment "I'm in favor of Thom's proposal for the Praetor, with Thadeus' caveat included."
Thadeus remains silent -- though those who make a Per + Folk Ken of 6+ notice that he almost spoke -- and looks at the others, waiting to hear from then before speaking again.
Thom nods. "I agree. Can't we all just agree that we're all part of Ungulus and accepted as full members. Then we can amend the Charter in agreement with each other."
Sionag comes to the council, following an explicit invitation. She was slightly uncomfortable, which was understandable given the previous altercation. She didn't react that much when Janus announced his departure. Admittedly, it would ease the atmosphere, but she had the feeling that it should have been her turn to leave. After all, he was the leader of the covenant and she was just a guest. She had to wait until she was sure no one was angry with her for leaving before she spoke.
"Why don't we just act like we're creating something out of thin air? It might be simpler and more logical after all. Ungulus is no more, if I've followed the history correctly. By that I mean that none of the current members were before we came back here. Why, instead of playing with procedures, don't we just try to create the charter that interests us? Even if there's nothing to stop us finding ideas in the texts that preceded us..."
Sionag isn't really sure about the proposal and decides to move on straight away :
"But, if not, yes, consider everyone a temporary member for the time it takes to modify the charter to make a covenant that suits us, then sign it all together and take an oath to follow it and be loyal to each other... I suppose we could work that way."
"Have you read the Charter, Sionag?" asks Thom.
"I don't see any reason to dither around any more. That's why I suggested a few changes that seem to be the rough spots. I just don't see the point in 'starting all over again.'"
"If you've read it, what about it don't you like?"
"I agree with you, Thom. It's simpler to work from something existing. And yes, I can agree to your proposal, seeing no reason we can't find an understanding. Thadeus, what do you think?"
Elric shrugged. He didn't want any trouble from Inquisitors, in case they tried to look into Ungulus' business, and decided that the way the changes were done was punishable by the Code.
"I still feel like it would have been better, legally, under one of my proposals, but am not gonna argue about the changes themselves."
"I think we should work with what's already stated in the Charter, as much as possible. And let us do things properly. That way, we don't establish a precedent that we can just ignore the Charter whenever we feel like it."
"Are we all agreed on the proposed change to the Charter, regarding the terms of the Praetor? Is anyone against that change?"