In fairness, if I'm understanding Flarestone's explanation correctly, it's the pages that are easily replaced, not the manakete-essence they've been infused with.
I considered suggesting Goldheart, but that sounds a little too cheesy, even for a manakete tween.
Checking Ryza's magic primer, manakete associate yellow magic with energy above all else. Unfortunately, "energy" is a clunky word to fit into a name, and it doesn't have any good synonyms.
That's why I was suggesting the things like Life/Vim. In that chapter her father notes that living is how that energy is generated, so life and lightning are the two things closest related to energy.
[X] Ask her to write to neither. You want to see how your meeting with the Revisionists at the Hall goes before you give anyone else information.
I agree with the mage name ending with heart, it has the manakete meaning but there's also the obvious association between the heart and life if you want that.
Also it will make Ryza sound like either a magical girl or a carebear and that's funny to me.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
Keep it simple, share the culture stuff, don't draw too many people down to produce clusterfuck
... So, an absolutely absurdly talented ninja just ganked the Emperor in the heart of his own fortress using a beam of Light Magic.
I... I can't see how this is a reaction to Ryza, because if it is, they didn't need to be this extra about it. If they wanted her dead they could have just used that insane stealth and instant-kill laser beam to drop her and nobody would have known the difference. (Honestly, the fact this kind of thing exists to begin with is going to breed paranoia spirals OOCly too--knowing that you could just randomly die at any moment and you can't do anything about it sucks)
Like, I honestly can't see how this benefits anybody, unless it's just part one of a general purge of his loyalists to replace them with people who'll do your bidding instead. But at that point it's a coup in all but name, and there was no reason to be discreet about it.
So, yeah, I just don't understand what the fuck just happened. It's a massive show of force--the only real gain I can see is "I want the entire continent to catch fire because everyone is freaking the fuck out that there's an invisible mage assassin running around who can gank the most powerful man alive without him being able to so much as resist, in the center of his fucking power". But that doesn't actually benefit anyone except Always Chaotic Evil Megamonsters.
Which, to be fair, does tend to be the actual Final Boss types of a Fire Emblem Game, just that you have to hack through the Relatively Reasonable People first to expose them.
Edit: Forget everything I wrote before I think I tried to unify my various theories over the course of the quest and made an unfounded assumption.
He's probably the most likely culprit if it's a character we know of. His motive could be removing a reform/peace minded Emperor because it'd be a problem for his future plans.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] Write-in: Ryza can share what she knows about Manakete culture and history and answer their questions. Specifics about how Manakete magic works might be something Ryza could maybe discuss, but since magic is dangerous she would need to think carefully about the implications of sharing any given piece of knowledge on a case by case basis. It might be best if Ryza's age, circumstances, and whereabouts remained Agrithian secrets for however long that can be done at this point. Ryza doesn't want to court would-be dragon hunters to Agrithe's doorstep should word leak out beyond the Revisionists. Ryza will remain vague about the Manakete transformation and its weaknesses, too. It's enough for people to know that she can transform for now.
-[X] Write-in: Maybe the Duke or Kopoi would have some feedback on how best to do all this, like the best intermediaries to use for handling discrete post or something. It would probably also be good to run the idea by one of them in case the whole idea is just too dangerous. Ryza doesn't want to endanger her friends or herself by accident because she doesn't know the human world well yet.
-[X] Write-in: Tell Jenna about how Ryza wants to work on finding an alternative to Manakete remains for humans to use to perform magic with, and ask if any of the Revisionists she knows might be interested in such a long term research project. They might start by looking into how Thunder's Cry works and doesn't burn out, but there are a lot of possible things Ryza wants to look into as she has time to learn about magic properly.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
Less so than just getting the word out to as many people as possible, I think it's best to be as politically neutral in this as we can and not make it appear as though we/Jenna/Revisionists are favoring one side over the other.
As for the upcoming name vote... names are my kryptonite. I am not going to go anywhere near that for my own, and everyone else's, good.
I am a bit interested in the implication that the Emperor's assassination was a consequence of our votes if only because they don't seem very causally connected at first glance. Ryza's actions saved the Southern Kingdoms from fracturing and combined with a reform/peace minded Emperor we stabilized the political situation and made a peaceful resolution possible such that whatever faction is behind this decided to forego all subtlety? Like Plan A was to kidnap Artemis to make the Southern Kingdoms declare war on the Empire to get her back, Plan B was to rope Mantrae into accomplishing the original goal and this is Plan "Screw It"?
It does bring up Alectai's point of "...But why?" though. I could put on my tinfoil hat again about how the human/dragon war may have been conducted but I'm still trying to gather myself a bit on that after I realized I got so carried away with it that I started confusing the theory part with the known part so I want to vet it a bit more before just casually tossing crazy ideas out... as fun as that can be.
I will slightly correct myself to say that what happened had nothing to do with Ryza's actions. News of her had not spread at all three weeks before the "current moment."
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
I'm still on team "Tell everyone there's a living manakete and she's proud of it" but I can restrain myself and okay maybe that might be a little dangerous.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
I bet it's safest to tell the Empire revisionists everything rather than the Divine Realm. The Empire revisionists have nothing to gain by eroding any of the Empire's legitimacy aside from knowledge's sake and potentially a bit to lose. I feel they're the most likely to be sincere. The only problem with writing to them is that I'd bet they're being watched by the subversive faction of the Empire who are evidently doing their best to seize the reins right now.
The Divine Realm's interests of eroding the Emperor's legitimacy could be useful but overall they seem less interested in the truth and more how it could benefit them, and that is potentially dangerous to Ryza, so I would like to be cautious for now.
In the end I don't want to just do nothing. If we get some word out now then people can be working for us in the background.
The Divine Realm's interests of eroding the Emperor's legitimacy could be useful but overall they seem less interested in the truth and more how it could benefit them, and that is potentially dangerous to Ryza, so I would like to be cautious for now.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
I am certain that her colleagues will wish to evaluate the strength of Flarestone's sources eventually, but for now it likely behooves us to test the waters before deciding which of them can be trusted with the full truth.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both, Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
Scheduled vote count started by SoaringHawk218 on Dec 12, 2022 at 8:11 PM, finished with 38 posts and 21 votes.
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] Write-in: Ryza can share what she knows about Manakete culture and history and answer their questions. Specifics about how Manakete magic works might be something Ryza could maybe discuss, but since magic is dangerous she would need to think carefully about the implications of sharing any given piece of knowledge on a case by case basis. It might be best if Ryza's age, circumstances, and whereabouts remained Agrithian secrets for however long that can be done at this point. Ryza doesn't want to court would-be dragon hunters to Agrithe's doorstep should word leak out beyond the Revisionists. Ryza will remain vague about the Manakete transformation and its weaknesses, too. It's enough for people to know that she can transform for now.
-[X] Write-in: Maybe the Duke or Kopoi would have some feedback on how best to do all this, like the best intermediaries to use for handling discrete post or something. It would probably also be good to run the idea by one of them in case the whole idea is just too dangerous. Ryza doesn't want to endanger her friends or herself by accident because she doesn't know the human world well yet.
-[X] Write-in: Tell Jenna about how Ryza wants to work on finding an alternative to Manakete remains for humans to use to perform magic with, and ask if any of the Revisionists she knows might be interested in such a long term research project. They might start by looking into how Thunder's Cry works and doesn't burn out, but there are a lot of possible things Ryza wants to look into as she has time to learn about magic properly.
-[X] Write-in: Jenna can tell the Divine Realm about the living manakete she found, but not the Empire. It will be nice to not have to explain you are everywhere you go, but...maybe we shouldn't trust the Empire just yet.
Alright, looks like Jenna's going to have to walk the tightrope between giving her friends enough information to make them interested, while not giving so much that it's obvious the only way she could have gotten it was finding a survivor (or rather, a survivor finding her).
[X] Ask her to write to both. The more people who can spread the news about what your people were really like, the better. Jenna said that they're all trying to prove the same thing, and more voices lead to bigger echoes.
-[X] To both: Ask that she only mention she's discovered new evidence about manakete, not the source.
"Running anything means meetings. Lots of meetings, where everyone feels the need to express their opinion instead of doing something. Then when they do decide on a plan of action half the time they come up with the worst possible solution. All while you have to sit there and look like you're paying attention."
-Sky Marshal Leia
You feel emotionally drained as you leave the library. You know that it's a good thing in the long term to get all this information out, but every time you need to start explaining something that's obvious to you, you remember why it's novel to humans. Remember that they think everyone like you is dead.
That's why you had to ask Jenna to be discreet. She promised she would be. The thing she recommended using as the centerpiece was the rough but functional dictionary translating between Human Common and Makai that you'd made. It's not perfect, if only because you've only been working on it for a week, but it has a lot of the most important words and concepts.
This is something that Jenna assures you will distract the other Revisionists from asking too many questions about her source as they started going through any fragmentary records and scrolls they have to figure out what they say. "I'll just hint that it came from an old scroll or tablet I found at a new site, and they'll be busy for a good long while," she says. "Hopefully, by the time they get around to actually asking questions, your mind will have been put at ease enough that we can share more." She smiles comfortingly. "Only if you're willing, of course."
You hope you can get comfortable with the idea of sharing. You don't like being paranoid and suspicious, you want to spread knowledge; but Mother and Father would want you to see to your own safety first and foremost. While you'll bend that rule to help friends like Artemis and Sypha… you're not willing to do it for a bunch of strangers. Not yet, at least.
Still, you remind yourself, it'll all be for the best. You'll convince the humans not to be afraid of manakete, one stupid false story at a time if you have to. Then you'll show them the don't have to use your people's remains as a source of magic, and then everything'll be better. Then… maybe all the other manakete, the ones who're hiding, because there has to be others, there just has to be… they'll know they don't have to be afraid anymore, and they can come out, and you won't have to be alone anymore.
You believe that.
You have to believe that.
So distracted are you by your own thoughts that you don't notice you're walking past Artemis until she wraps an arm around your shoulders. "Hey Ryza, are you alright?" she asks.
You jump a little before forcing a smile. "Yes, I am," you say. "I just needed to talk to Jenna for a while. We finished the test, so I can go get accredited, but… well, she has friends, who can help tell people the real story about manakete."
"The Revisionists," Artemis says. "I've heard of them, but I'll admit I never really thought about them much before I met you. They're not a big group, but they're a noticeable one. I suppose if anyone would be able to start telling the real story, it's them, though they'll have their work cut out for them…" She shakes her head and starts guiding you down the hall. "Well, it's a start, I suppose, and you have time. But we do have something to do tonight: Father was asking for you. I was able to convince him to let you finish your talk with Mistress Flarestone, but it is important."
You wince. "Sorry…" you say.
"Your business is important too," Artemis says. "Especially getting accredited. The sooner that gets done, the sooner Father has someone he can officially turn to on magical matters."
"So what does he want to talk to me about?" you ask.
Artemis grins. "You'll see," she says playfully, making you cock your head in curiosity. Artemis isn't usually this mysterious. However, you don't question her further and allow her to guide you along the now-familiar halls of the castle towards Archduke Letoro's office. Sometimes, you wonder if he ever does anything other than eat, meet visiting nobles, and work. Surely he has to have some hobbies; it's not healthy to dive too deep into work that you neglected yourself.
These thoughts are driven from your mind, however, as you enter the room and see the Archduke speaking with another familiar face while two more linger in the background. "Kelton! Robin! Belle!" you cry happily. It's always nice when people who've left you come back safely. "You're back!"
The soldier grins. "Yep, and it's nice to know you're able to get out of your very important magic bu-" Belle casually kicks him in the shin. "Which is to say it's good to see you too."
"So how did you get here?" you ask.
Robin glances at Archduke Letoro, who nods. "We followed young lord Bernard's advice, and we made it to Baron Warwick-Lightbringer without issue," he says. "After being interrogated by him for a while, he was generous enough to provide an escort back to the Kingdoms, and we made our own way back here."
You frown. "Interrogated?" you ask worridly.
Robin raises a placating hand. "Just a precaution on his part, nothing hostile. Thankfully, the man was grateful enough that we'd saved his ally's son that he did not push too hard on the how. I was able to get away with telling him you were simply a powerful magic user who could move young lady Sypha and young lord Bernard more safely on your own." He grins. "Which is completely true, if you think about it." He glances at the others. "It is possible that some of Countess Mantrae's men said more, but I do not believe so. These two have assured me they did not either."
While Kelton bristles, Belle grins easily. "You paid me for my silence, and a deal's a deal," she says casually. "Though if I'd known what sort of secret you were asking me to keep beforehand, I'd have charged more."
You rock back and forwards on your feet. "I'm sorry I lied to you, back at the Talon camp," you say.
The woman waves a hand. "Don't worry about it, kid, I'd have lied to me too," she says. "Besides, I get the feeling I did more to save the other guys than you. With the amount of damage you did while tiny-"
Archduke Letoro clears his throat. "As fascinating as this is, we do have important things to discuss," he says firmly. Belle immediately shuts her mouth; it seems she's a bit scared of Archduke Letoro as well. The man looks back at you. "The conference I called will be beginning tomorrow," he says. "And as such, it is important for everyone to be on the same page. Artemis has attended meetings like this before, but from what I understand of your background this will be your first time in a large gathering. Is that correct?"
You nod. "Yes, Your Highness," you say.
"Very well. The most important thing to know about meetings like this is that it is imperative to stay focused. Our goal is to remind everyone of the Kingdoms' need to stand together in the face of outside danger, to convince them of the severity of that danger, and to set forth tasks that all can accomplish to keep us all safe. I will handle the first and third parts, you need not worry about them. However, for the second phase you, Artemis, Sypha and Rickman will have to testify about what you saw." You nod, slightly confused.
"That seems easy enough…" you say. "I just tell everyone what happened, right? I've done that before."
The Archduke sighs. "Sadly, it will not be that simple. You've told the story to small groups: speaking before larger gatherings will be much different. You will need to be careful with what you say and endeavor stay on topic. There will be those among the nobles who will try to make your testimony about you, rather than the matter at hand. Don't let them distract you. Stick to the relevant facts of what occurred. You're not here to justify yourself or your manaketeness, you're here to tell them what happened."
Why did he have to make it sound so intimidating? "Okay, I will," you say.
He nods. "Very good," he says. "There are a few strategies that might help you, if you would hear them." You nod, and over the next few minutes Archduke Letoro gives you some ideas and tips for how to deal with a crowd.
You wonder about the fact that a fair few of them include just ignoring the crowd and keep talking. Whenever you and Father and Mother talked, you would all listen to each other. You hope it's just a big group thing and not a human thing.
After he's done, you sit back to digest the ideas. "Alright," you say. "Thank you, your Highness." He nods. A moment later, you remember something. "If you don't mind me asking… how did the meeting with Countess Mantrae go?"
The Archduke nods. "Thank you for reminding me about that. It was productive, and Countess Mantrae and I came to an agreement that should prevent anything like this from happening again." He gives you a dry look. "You will not have to launch any more daring rescue missions." You wince a little, but nod. You'll have to check with Countess Mantrae to make sure you've fulfilled your promise, but it's looking hopeful. "She will be staying for the meeting, and since she does not seem willing to let her daughter out of her sight for the foreseeable future, Sypha will be staying as well."
"I'm glad everything seems to have worked out," you say.
"As am I," Archduke Letoro says. "Which means that, as far as anyone else is concerned, there are no and have never been any issues between Agrithe and Legerius, and it shall remain that way." Confused, you cock your head. "It would be best, for Agrithe, Legerius and all the kingdoms, if you did not speak of any conflict between us. If you are pressed on the issue, Countess Mantrae asked for your help finding Sypha and I allowed it, but do not speak of it at all if you do not have to.
You blink. "You want me to lie?" you ask.
"If necessary, then yes," the Archduke said bluntly. "The matter is concluded, but if others find out about it they will try to use it for their own ends. It's possible some know or suspect already, but so long as it is not aired too openly there is little they can do." He meets your eyes firmly, forcing you to look down after a moment. "Honesty is a virtue, yes, but there are times when even virtues can be twisted to destructive ends, by those who see the opportunity. We must not give them that opportunity, understood?" You nod meekly. "Very well. Moving past that, has your testing with Mistress Flarestone been concluded to both of your statisfactions?"
You force yourself to nod again. "Yes; I passed Jenna's test, and she said she'd sponsor me at the Hall. We also talked a bit about what manakete were really like, and she has some friends she can talk to to help spread the news."
"Very well," the Archduke says. "If there is nothing else, I have a few last things I need to discuss with Robin." Recognizing the dismissal, you stand up and try to curtsy again. You like to think you're getting a bit better at it.
As you leave, you hear Artemis, Kelton and Belle coming with you. "Hey, Ryza, could we talk for a moment?" Kelton asks once you're out in the hall.
"Sure," you say. "What do you need?"
He and Belle glance at each other. "Well, we were wondering if you'd be alright with us sticking around with you for a while," he says.
You hear a faint intake of breath from Artemis, but you can only cock your head in confusion. "Shouldn't you be asking Archduke Letoro about that?" you say. "This is his home, so he'd get to decide if you're allowed to stay."
Belle smiles thinly. "I think what the boy means is we're wondering if you want us to stick around and be ready to help you out if you need it. There's a fancy term for it nobles use, but basically we're there to watch your back in case someone tries to stick a knife in it." As you gape at her, she sighs. "Kid, you've got some good friends here by the looks of it, but not everyone's gonna be your friend. There are gonna be people who look at you and see a mark of one sort or another and will act accordingly."
"Are you on that list?" Artemis asks icily.
The cloaked woman meets Artemis's eyes firmly. "I'm not gonna lie and pretend I'm a perfect woman. I'm not," she says. "But one thing I don't do is fu- mess with kids. That's why I went along with the big lady's crazy plan even when the smart thing for me to do would've been to bail or turn on her." She looks back at you. "Look, we can help each other. You're decently sneaky, but in the sense that nobody's gonna think you're up to anything. That won't last. I can help you with anything that requires stealth; I'm very good at it."
You cock your head. "And how can I help you?" you ask.
"Well, I'm at a bit of a crossroads right now," she says. "I got a full pardon in Legerius, but that doesn't mean they want me around anymore. You, meanwhile, seem like you could use some help, and we've worked together before. So I got to thinking that if I stick around I'll actually be 'respectably employed' for once." She shrugs casually. "Up to you."
You look at Kelton, who shrugs. "She did stick around even after everything went pear-shaped," he says.
"Thanks," you say. "But I was more wondering about you. Don't you want to go home?"
The soldier pauses for a long moment. "Well, the Countess promised she'd make sure Miau stays safe," he says. "And you did save my sister, so I need to pay you back for that…"
You're still learning about dealing with humans, but even you can tell that there's something more going on. Folding your arms, you stare at Kelton until he sighs. "Okay, I'll admit, I kinda want to stick around since things are never boring with you around, and I also kinda want some distance between me and… Legerius, for a while. Might as well help a friend while I'm at it."
As you digest his words, Artemis speaks up quietly. "Don't worry too much about where any payment would come from," she says as you turn to face her. "You're functionally Head Mage already, and there's a budget that can easily afford hiring some help for you. The only question is: do you want them to be your retainers?"
As you glance back at Kelton and Belle, you ponder. It would be nice to have some friends who stick around, rather than having to leave if the Archduke tells them too. On the other hand… well, are you really still friends if you're paying them to be there? It seems weird…
[] Hire Kelton as a permanent party member
[] Hire Belle as a permanent party member
[] Hire both
[] Hire neither
The next day, your nerves are fluttering in your stomach as you follow Archduke Letoro, Dione, and Artemis into the great hall. For all that it's less crowded than usual, with only the nobles, their trusted advisors, and some guards around, it feels like there are even more eyes on you as people look you over. Swallowing, you force yourself to stand up as straight as you can, just like Artemis's father told you to and you practiced last night. You're wearing your shiny outfit, and you're very glad you brought it as otherwise you'd feel horribly underdressed.
Finally, as Artemis subtly guides you to stand with her and her mother off to the side of the raised area near the head table, Archduke Letoro moves to stand in the center, facing the crowd. Almost immediately, everyone stops talking, turning to face him expectantly.
Still, he waits for the last echoes to fade away before he speaks. "Lords, Ladies, and Representatives," he says firmly. "Welcome to Agrithe. It is heartening to know that the bonds our ancestors forged live on to this day." He pauses and looks around. "Four hundred years ago, the forefathers of many in this room came together, determined to chart their own destinies. They knew then, as we know now, that while our Kingdoms might not always agree on everything, that our numbers might fluctuate over time, that occasionally we even quarrel and fight, we shared a common bond and a common destiny. They knew that they shared, as we share today, a duty and a responsibility to come together against our common enemies. Today-"
A voice rises from the crowd. "What could possibly threaten one who has claimed a dragon as a pet?" a man calls.
You cringe back as the crowd explodes into noise. Denunciations, agreements and questions fly back and forwards too fast and too loud to track, but still you can clearly track the glare of the man who'd spoke. After all, he's staring straight at you.
You'd never spoken to Count Boris Redward before, but you certainly knew his opinion of you. At dinner four days ago, you'd been seated two chairs down from him. He'd never addressed you directly, but his vivid description of the Lake of Pillars, his musings about just how many people had died in "dragonfire", the fact that his voice was carefully loud enough to be impossible not to overhear…
It hadn't taken a genius to figure out he was trying to make you feel unwelcome. It had taken a lot of self-control not to either start shouting at him or run off crying, but you hadn't wanted him to think he'd gotten to you. Instead, you'd just swallowed and done your best to ignore him.
However, it seemed he wasn't done yet.
Archduke Letoro's hand slammed down on the table behind him with a sharp crack. "Count Redward, you forget yourself," he said icily as the shouting faded away. "You are a guest in this hall, but if you cannot be a respectful one, you will leave. And if you cannot be trusted as a guest, you cannot be trusted should the Empire come knocking."
A tense silence filled the hall, the two men glaring at each other. After a few seconds, however, Alejandro Rignali speaks up from his spot leaning against a wall.
"As a member of the demographic currently at threat of being randomly kidnapped, I'd rather like to know more," he says casually, "As would my lord father, so why don't we focus on why we're actually here." He throws a look at Count Redward as he says this, and a wave seems to move through the room.
Finally, after another second, the count nods. "I apologize to you for disrupting your speech, Archduke Letoro," he says. He does not look at you.
Artemis's father nods to Alejandro before continuing. "As the honorable representative from Rignali reminded us, we are here to discuss the acts of war taken against two of our numbers," he continues as if he'd never been interrupted. There are few murmurs as he speaks, but he does not pause, instead continuing over them. "Four weeks ago, mercenaries of the Shrieking Talons ambushed two traveling parties without provocation, murdered the knights and soldiers escorting the noble heirs of Agrithe and Legerius. They successfully abducted Sypha Mantrae, as well as her cousin, Bernard Rickman of Wyrmbone Mountain."
Another ripple of murmurs filled the hall, and you glance over at where Sypha, Bernard and Countess Mantrae are standing. She swallows, but gives you a nod and a smile.
"The group that ambushed my daughter, meanwhile, were denied a similar victory only by quick thinking, sacrifice, and the aid of an unforeseen ally." People glance your way, but the Archduke continues before anyone can think to speak. "Therefore, we must first understand the true scope of events, from the voices of those involved. Then, we shall decide how to respond as a united front." He turns to look at Artemis. "Step forward, Artemis, and tell us of what occurred."
Your friend nods and strides forward without a hint of nerves. You hope you'll be as brave as her when your time comes, just standing here is nerve-wracking.
Artemis clearly and concisely tells the story that you've heard before: how she, Selena, Master Shadebringer, and the others were traveling through the pass underneath your home. There, they were betrayed by Robert and ambushed by the Talons. She spoke of her climb up the mountain, finding your home, finding you, and your escape into Legerius.
She leaves out Mantrae's betrayal, smoothly passing over it by saying she made her way home from Legerius without further issue. Thankfully, nobody seems to question it. Instead, the gathered nobles ask a few questions about Robert, as well as if there was anyone in Empire might have known the path she was taking.
Finally, once Artemis is done and she's returned to your side, Archduke Letoro turns to the Legerians. "Sypha Mantrae, if you would."
The girl looks up at her mother, who gives her a gently nod and pat on the head. Swallowing, she ascends the steps, turns to face the crowd, and tells her story. Just like Artemis, she leaves out any hint of trouble between Agrithe and Legerius, instead focusing solely on the Talons. On the way they attacked without warning, killed almost everyone, and took her away to the Empire. She must be stressed, but she once again speaks with the calm dignity you saw when she stood by your side in the forest near Glenhaven and convinced her mother's men that the best choice was for her to go with you.
You wonder how long she spent practicing last night.
Thankfully, after she describes your rescue of her and the flight back to Agrithe, there are few questions asked of her. One woman asks why you didn't take Sypha straight home, but your friend is able to spin a story about going in a different direction than expected to throw the wyvern off that you'd have believed if you hadn't been there. Soon after, she was allowed to go back to her mother, and Bernard took her place.
He swiftly corroborated everything Sypha had said, but then his reception was more contentious. "It seems obvious to me," a noble from a place called Fallrun says snidely, "that the Empire is behind these events. Why should we trust you, boy, when you are of the same nation that has sought to enslave us for centuries?"
Bernard's fists clench for a moment, but he speaks with an icy calm. "I bled for my cousin, sir," he says coldly. "And I would do so again, as she is my kin. Whatever troubles might exist between the Empire and your Kingdoms, that would not break the bonds of family." He glares around. "My father had nothing to do with this. I have also heard from Baron Warwick-Lightbringer, and he stands with my father. Together, they intend to petition the Duchess of Southlands to carry out a full investigation. Whoever is behind this heinous betrayal, they have made nothing but enemies among the Southlands."
The baron of Fallrun glares, but does not comment further. A few more questions are asked as the council picks Bernard's brain about who he thinks might be responsible, but in the end they let him go.
Swallowing, you stand up straight as Archduke Letoro turns to you. "Ryza, if you would share your view of events," he says.
Suppressing the urge to say "no thanks, I'm good," you walk forwards to stand where the others stood. "Hello," you say. "My name is Ryza…" A few people start calling questions at you, but since they're not too loud you do as Artemis's father suggested and just keep talking over them. "Well, I got involved when Artemis woke me up…"
Several times during your telling of the story (where you scrupulously stick to Artemis's telling of events), you're forced to raise your voice to speak over some of the nobles. You're pretty sure that, had the Archduke not been looming behind you, the crowd would have shouted you down. As it was, it took you a long time to tell everyone everything, and you're proud that you're able to keep your voice from going hoarse. Finally, however, you finish with landing back in Legerius and getting Sypha and Bernard back to the castle. Bracing yourself, you look around.
"Does anyone have any questions?"
Another explosion of sound, not as bad as when Count Redward shouted out of turn but still overwhelming, nearly makes you stumble back. "One at a time, please," you call in vain. You glance back at Archduke Letoro, who nods.
Looks like you're going to have to use the emergency silencing strategy he suggested. You'd really hoped you wouldn't have to.
Sighing, you turn back to the crowd and extend your wings as fast as you can. A sharp crack fills the hall, and everyone goes silent.
You let your wings shine for a moment before folding them away. "One at a time, please," you say again, your eyes scanning the crowd before picking out a man near the front. "Yes, Lord…"
"Ostensien," the man says. "And where were you during the Fell War-"
You raise a hand. "Please, Lord Ostensien, that is not the purpose of this meeting," you say tiredly. "We are here to discuss the present threat, not the past." Before the man can argue his case, you move on. "The lady in the blue dress, please-"
It takes a few more refusals before you realize that people aren't taking the hint that you're not going to talk about your nature. Finally, fed up, you turn to Alejandro, who's been waiting patiently. "Lord Rignali?" you say. 'Please, please…'
"On the topic of the wyvern, the one the Talons had," the man asks, and you wince, hadn't you just ignored a question about whether you could talk to wyverns?! "Where did it come from?"
You blink, confused. "My lord?"
Smiling, Alejandro elaborates. "Which direction did it come from, when it was flying back to the camp? If the Talons thought they were safe, it would likely have flown straight to and from its destination; which could give us a clue as to the ones responsible."
You grin: finally, a good question! "It came from north-west-west," you say after a moment of thought. "I was on the south-east-east side of the camp, and it came from almost directly opposite me."
"That's the direction of Castle Southguard," someone says after a moment of consulting a map. "Could the Duchess herself be involved?"
"Unlikely," someone else cuts in as Bernard starts to bristle. "She's only recently ascended; all signs are that she's still shoring up her power base. She would not be thinking of expansion so soon or in such a risky fashion."
Thankful for the break, you let the nobles talk about whether or not it's likely Duchess Callista of the Southlands is involved in the plot. In the end, they decide it's unlikely, and so the questioning continues. However, they seem to have gotten over the messenger, and now they're actually asking questions that make sense. You give the best answers you can to how much your efforts degraded the Talon's strength, how many of them there had been, whether you could corroborate Sypha's memory of a "northern wing."
Finally, as you finish giving your recollection on what exactly Robert had said about there being a broader threat, the room is silent. After a moment, Archduke Letoro steps forward, giving you the opportunity to begin retreating. "If there is nothing else, then we shall-"
"One last question."
You desperately try to restrain a wince as Lady Tremaine's sharp voice cuts the air. Turning with all the dignity you can muster, you meet the cool eyes of the iron-haired woman. "Yes, Lady Tremaine?" you say.
The woman stares at you for a long moment before speaking. "It is a simple question, but an important one: what is your stake in all this? You are not of the Kingdoms. You are not even human. What business is it of one who will live for centuries what happens today?" Her eyes narrow. "Why do you care, dragon?" You expect some outcry, but the hall goes silent as everyone looks at you.
You know you should reject the question as you had others about your nature, but as a flicker of lightning flashes through your soul, you meet her eyes as firmly as you can. "Manakete," you say. "I am a manakete, and I care because my friends care. I care because people were getting hurt, both physically and emotionally, and helping them was the right thing to do."
The silence stretches on for several more seconds before she slowly nods. "I shall accept your answer," she says.
You nod back and, trying not to seem like you're rushing, return to Artemis's side. "You did wonderful, Ryza," she says softly as her father speaks again. Dione smiles gently, patting you on the shoulder as you turn to face the room again.
You start as you realize Kopoi is standing next to the Archduke. When had he gotten here, you hadn't seen him at all?!
"-will give his testimony as to the most recent movements of the Talons," Archduke Letoro is finishing before gesturing to the spy.
"Of course, Your Highness," Kopoi says, his quiet voice somehow reaching every corner of the room as the crowd stares at him. "I arrived at Glenhaven approximately a day after Ryza's successful rescue of Lady Sypha. From there, it was easy to discover that, after an aborted attempt to pursue Sirs Robin and Ector, likely believing they still had Lady Sypha and Lord Bernard, the Deathwing Chapter retreated towards the south-western portion of the Empire, which is their usual operating area."
His eyes swept the crowd as he pauses for a moment, but nobody interrupts. He soon continues. "Ambush and interrogation of the rear echelons of the Talons provided insight into their movements, both before and during their attack. The Deathwing Chapter has only existed for two years, and yet they were paid an exorbitant amount of money. Far more than would be usual even for a job of this magnitude. Likely, that amount was to buy their utter silence on the matter. Even their mid-level officers knew little of their reasons for being here or who hired them. All communication was done through intermediaries. Whoever's hand was guiding them, they wished to protect their identity not only from us, but from others within the Empire. They seemed especially keen on avoiding interactions with the Southlands nobility."
"Could have just be for plausible deniability," you hear a nearby noble mutter, but his words are thoughtful rather than scathing.
"I also determined that the Talons were specifically tasked with attempting to abduct as many members of the Southern Kingdoms' nobility 'as practical,'" Kopoi continues. "This is the reason for their split operation agains both Legerius and Agrithe, they determined that Robert's betrayal would allow them to use minimal force to abduct Lady Artemis while their primary force moved against Lady Sypha." He glances at you for an instant. "Unfortunately, due to either deliberate destruction or damage during the distraction fire of the rescue mission, any records were lost, limiting our knowledge of the reasoning behind this."
There are a few mutters before the spy's voice raises slightly "Based on the level of secrecy, it is most likely that such records were deliberately destroyed. It would be in keeping with the level of obfuscation on display. As of this moment, the Deathwing Chapter has finished its retreat into the southwest, having lost one quarter to one third of their numbers. While they remain an effective force, they are a diminished one that does not seem eager to continue operations against us at this time."
A long moment of silence passes before Archduke Letoro steps forwards. "If there are no questions, then we shall take a short break so that we might all discuss events with our own advisors. Then, we will reconvene to speak about what actions we will take in response." A general murmur of agreement fills the hall, and everyone breaks apart into small groups, talking quietly to each other.
The Archduke moves to join you, along with Kopoi. "Well done, Artemis, Ryza," he says. "You handled yourselves well."
"Thank you, Father," Artemis says. "But Kopoi, when did you get back?"
"Just recently," the spy says, studying you. Then, after a moment, he gives a deep nod. "You did well, Ryza," he says with a subtle but present note of respect. "A very successful operation. Well done."
"Thank you," you say. "I'm glad to see you're alright too. I was wondering where you'd gone."
"I go where I am needed," he says quietly, his face smoothing back into his mask. "Though the need was not so great as I had originally thought it would be."
As you digest that line, you watch as a Legerian guard enters the room and quietly approaches Countess Mantrae, who's speaking with Sypha, Bernard and Jenna. She takes the letter he offers her, opens it, and reads for a long moment. You watch as her stance goes tense, she swallows, and gently disengages from her daughter to approach you all.
"Cartese, we have a problem," she says, and her voice is… shaking slightly.
You feel a chill as you glance up at Artemis. This doesn't sound good.
The Archduke also seems to pick up on it. "Something to be addressed in council?" he asks.
"I believe so."
The man nods and steps back to the center of the raised area. "Lords, Ladies, Representatives, a moment," he says. "Some new information has just been received, that we would all benefit from hearing." He steps aside, allowing Countess Mantrae to take the fore.
The woman unfurls the letter. "This was rushed to me by Pegasus-courier, from my cousin Baron Rickman of Mount Wyrmbone," she says, her voice once again steady. "It contains information that I believe this council must hear at once." Taking a breath, she reads aloud.
"The reason I send this message in haste, however, is because I have just learned of an event that may be related to our shared troubles," she says. "Three weeks ago as of my writing this letter, His Majesty Emperor Thaddeus Wyrmblood the Second was assassinated by parties yet unnamed and uncaught."
Gasps filled the hall, and suddenly everyone was paying rapt attention to Countess Mantrae.
"His only son, Thomas Wyrmblood, being not yet of age, has requested that the Lord Chancellor Justinian assume the position of Regent until such time as he is ready to rule in his own name. The Lord Chancellor has agreed, and while no official proclamation has been made, the quiet word is that the Regent is on the trail the ones responsible for the Emperor's murder, and he intends to bring them and any who have aided them to justice by any means required."
"Whether it was due to a message that was not passed on to me, or simply caution, Duchess Callista has begun a quiet mobilization of her personal forces, and has 'encouraged' her vassals to do the same. This is not yet a full mobilization, and at this moment it seems to be precautionary in nature. However, both of these facts could change in a matter of weeks."
"Normally, I would not speak of these things, blood though we are. However, due to recent events, I cannot help but fear that there is some connection between the attack on our children and this sudden change. Perhaps I am wrong, but if I am correct I cannot in good conscience let this pass without giving you some warning." Countess Mantrae looks up. "Who you inform of these events is up to you, cousin, but I encourage you to be careful."
"Spirits watch over you."
A long, tense silence fills the hall before Alejandro speaks up, his voice devoid of its usual humor.
"Well shit."
The hall explodes into noise again.
As Archduke Letoro tries to restore order, you look nervously up at Artemis. "Is this bad?" you ask.
"It's certainly not good," Artemis says worriedly. "For all that I don't like the Empire, even I admit Emperor Thaddeus has been a moderate. He's been trying to ease tensions between the Empire and everyone else. If he's dead…" she shivers.
"Who would want to hurt him?" you ask.
"In my opinion, the most likely option is someone in the war-hawk faction of the Empire," Artemis says. "If we're lucky, the Regent realizes that and is going to try and clean house. If we're not lucky… then he's a member of the war-hawks and he's going to take advantage of this to try something rash." She looks at you seriously. "Ryza, what are you thinking of doing? You'll probably have time to do it, though depending on what exactly's going on things could get very messy very fast."
As the Archduke finally restores some measure of order and the gathered nobles jump immediately into a debate on whether they should start raising troops immediately or wait for more information, you ponder. What are your plans for the near future?
(Please vote by plan)
Path Forward:
[] You need to go to the Marble Hall to get accredited. The fact that the Empire is apparently having problems means that you need to do this sooner rather than later, so you don't get caught up in anything. (Gain one extra Learning option)
[] You've had some thoughts for a while about going home and seeing if you could pick up some of the things you left behind. Your home is on the border of the Empire, and at least some of the Talons who probably work for bad people know where it is. Going just became imperative, and you want to do so now. (Will gain Items)
[] The fact that the Emperor who wanted peace died just as someone seemed to be trying to provoke a war… makes you nervous. As much as you want to go and do something, you don't want to be elsewhere if something happens right away. You'll stay here in Agrithe, to stand by your friends. (Gain one extra Social option)
Time Options (I'm testing out the new idea of splitting Social and Learning. You currently have 2 of each)
[] Social Options: Who do you get to know better?
-[] Artemis
-[] Sypha
-[] Kelton
-[] Belle (Only available if hired as Retainer)
-[] Jenna (Only available if going to Marble Hall)
-[] Archduke Letoro and Dione (Only available if remaining in Agrithe)
-[] Axton and Lancel
-[] Robin and Kopoi
-[] Write-in (subject to veto)
[] Learning Options (Can choose the same option multiple times to focus on it)
-[] Continue learning White magic
-[] Continue learning Yellow magic
-[] Continue along the Path of Awakening
-[] Begin learning Red magic
-[] Begin learning Green magic
-[] Begin learning Black magic
-[] Begin learning Runewrighting
-[] Write In (subject to veto)
Boon and Bane (Take one free Boon since Ryza's been doing well, but you can vote for additional Boons beyond the first by taking Banes on a 1-to-1 basis.)
[] Boons:
-[] Your nature is warmly received by the Kingdoms.
-[] The North receives a blessing.
-[] A pleasant dream offers hope.
-[] Unexpected but welcome allies arrive.
-[] The world at large receives good fortune.
-[] A boon unique to your path forward appears.
[] Banes:
-[] Your nature is coldly received by the Kingdoms.
-[] The North suffers a setback.
-[] A terrible nightmare rends your soul.
-[] Dark forces march at the worst possible moment.
-[] A shadow moves beyond your sight.
-[] A bane unique to your path forward appears.
