audio | unseelie locked | february 7th, post-destruction of caer scima.

[boutant]

[ She would use the video function but there's blood everywhere -- on her hands, her mouth, her chin. There will be more, if she has her way. Her voice is tight with barely concealed emotion -- rage, worry. Next to her comes the low sounds of a wolf who seems to be in pain; poor Brennan had felt it when Caer Scima was attacked, his howl having split across the battlefield like a clap of thunder. ]

If you can be spared or have the capacity, go put out the fires in La Llorona. Caer Scima's destroyed, if you haven't already heard the news. Any refugees can head for the third spire, if they need a place to go. I'd offer my manor as well, but you'll have to get through the burning forest to get there. Still, if you can, it's open to you.

[ A hissed breath. ]

Let me know if you're out of there. And- if anyone knows if a vampire named Aindrea got out of Caer Scima, please tell me.

Oh, and if you still think this war doesn't involve you, is something you can avoid? You're an idiot.

Comments

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[boutant]

Do you have enough people there, in case they look at Redgate next? I don't- we all knew they were coming. But this level of destruction?

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[enthraller]

I have enough men to ward off ordinary threats, perhaps. But if Caer Scima couldn't withstand them with most of the court gathered to defend it, then I have no illusions that Redgate would fare any better.

I'd like to think Redgate is beneath their notice. But there have already been threats made by one of the Seelie knights to kill every person living here if he has to, so there's little chance of that.

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[boutant]

Most of the court was here. I don't- they didn't go through us to get to the castle, we would have noticed.

[ She has to believe that. ]

Which knight?

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[enthraller]

Whatever they did, if they can do it there then they can likely do it here. Blood granite can only stop so much, and the power of the monarchs is well beyond that.

[And he has no doubt that there must be monarch involvement here, because there's rumor that Reul has been slain, and he can't believe ordinary shardbearers would be responsible for that.]

The man called himself Tarz. Middle-aged, dark hair and light eyes. He's an extremist intent on killing every single Unseelie.

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[boutant]

I have some contacts. I might be able to find some things out.

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[enthraller]

If you did, I'd be grateful. One of my Seelie champions is already aware and takes issue with it, so with any luck he'll be able to do something about it. But I'd rather not rely on luck, and Tarz is too dangerous to ignore.

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[boutant]

Other members of the Midnight Court will help you, if you see any. Not much point in being part of a secret society if you don't use it.

[ A pause, and- ]

Have you ever experienced anything like this before?

[ She doesn't mean Tarz. ]

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[enthraller]

[Little some thieves and spies could do against an army, especially if they can only be recognized by their brands in the moonlight. But he won't voice that bit of pessimism.]

My world was at war since long before I was born, and there were some with great power involved in it. The day I was brought here, I saw an entire fleet of ships sunk by the work of one man, the sky opening up and the sea raging against his enemies at his command.

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[boutant]

[ Maybe, but they can certainly gather information on famed Seelie shardbearers with big mouths.

But first- ]

Holy crap.

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[enthraller]

[You should be used to this kind of shit by now, Miss "Devourer of Light".]

He was a friend, luckily.

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[boutant]

[ She doesn't control oceans, okay. ]

That's part of what worries me, honestly. How do I know that some of those Seelie soldiers weren't people I've made friends with?

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[enthraller]

Hopefully, you have better judgement than that. Do you believe anyone you've made friends with is the sort that would blindly follow orders to destroy the home of non-combatants and kill innocents?

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[boutant]

No, not if they knew what was happening, but I've been wrong before.