Council of the Corsair Elders

[Zelot]

Miguel had kept quiet so far, but not out of having nothing to say, he wanted to make sure he had a clear idea of his own preference.

"Hermanos, it's was not that long ago that, we.. the OPG, Benitez and Brotherhood were at each others throats. That was the bad old days, we have come a long way since then, putting aside long simmering differences and working together on behalf of the Corsair Nation as a whole. It really is a testament to how far we have come that it is the OPG standing first and without hesitation to defend the honor of the Benitez. Let us remember Hermanos, the pain of getting to where we are today. The arguments and dissension, nearly pulling the families apart."

"What bothers me most about this whole situation is that these.... children target that which took us so long to achieve. They targeted our unity. Whatever their reasoning, they have committed acts of treason, and flowery words and a quick about face do not absolve them of the consequences of these actions. We all most live with the actions we take, as we cannot go back in time."

"To give the Reyes a seat on this council would not only be forgiving their actions, but giving the example to future hot heads that this kind of behavior is not only forgiven, but rewarded. This behavior ought not be encouraged, it ought be condemned. These rash children have attempted, all be it ineffectively and in the end, to divide us. It is only their lack of success at this goal that brings them before us today."

"I think the real question is not how these people act in defeat. It is how would they have acted in success, what is they had managed to divide us, what would they have done then. I am quite certain we would not have them talking about the mistakes of their actions or appealing to the decisions of the Council. They do what they do today, not because of their "seeing the error of there ways' but instead come here because they have seen that their ways will be unsuccessful. All the pledges and promises are just a way to make the best of the situation they have gotten themselves into, it's is done for the benefit of the Reyes, not the benefit of the Nation as a whole."

"What we must decide hermanos, is whether add a Reyes to this council benefits the Nation or not, and as it stands right now, I can not see how their addition to the council meets that standard. Speaking for The Brotherhood, I must vote no on this proposal."

"That being said, since joining this council, Laowai has provided much inspiration to me personally about how to be a good Corsair, he has provided an example to all Corsairs that it is out of unity that we strengthen our Nation. While a seat on this Council is not the answer, exile for the Reyes is not the answer either. We must give these young ones a structure in which to learn the truths and honor of being Corsair. We as Elders try to provide this for all Corsairs, and I think more than the administration of the Nation, the example we provide is out most important responsibility as Elders, it is out example that the Nation follows, and the example I wish to provide is not one in which we deal with our problems by exiling the troublemakers, but by brining them into the fold."

"To that end I have my own proposal. I would like to extend the Reyes brothers, membership in the Brotherhood. Under my own strict supervision, I feel I can mold their impudent and over zealous youth, into a powerful force to put to use in defense of our goals, ideals, and Nation as a whole. The will be molded into guardians of the Corsair Nation, they will develop the selflessness to put the good of the Nation above their own egos. They will find that these ideas are inherent in all Corsairs, that they just need to be cultivated. I feel that while a risk, the Brotherhood may be just the structure they need to find the true Corsair that lies within."

"I will offer the Reyes a place in the Brotherhood, but only if that is judged acceptable by the Council. While I feel that it would be unwise to allow the Reyes into the Council, I think it would be equally unwise to Exile them. It is obvious the Reyes need direction and supervision, as they seem a bit hot headed on their own, and I see that left unattended their rash nature be doomed to repeat itself."

With that, Miguel walked over to the bar, picking up a bottle of brown liqueur, pouring himself a glass, and then tossing the bottle to Elder Gentle, as had become Miguel's custom while drinking in the chambers.

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