eachdraidh | fifth arrow → VIDEO → both courts (backdated to the 10th)

["Check for survivors. If there's any, we'll take them back to the fortress. They'll be safe there." "Yes, my Lady."

It's the early morning when the locket flicks on, the sun just beginning to peek but still quite dark, the silhouette of the creature in the distance. The sound of two voices comes over the network, one a familiar, if not thickened by emotions, Scottish brogue and what sounds like another woman. The way the locket is positioned shows a scene that's becoming all too common to some people - an entire village, ripped away by the path of the Jabberwock, fires lit and devouring the remaining houses. Bodies, rotted and decomposing thanks to the Jabberwock's aura, lay on the ground.

The image shakes as the sound of footsteps fades and Merida raises her locket to look at it. There's no denying the rage on her face and in her eyes, bright blue eyes usually so full of life and laughter narrowed to the point of seemingly glowing an electric blue in the darkness of the morning. Her voice comes out clipped and sharp.]

I hope th' lot of you are proud of yourselves. If you thought this battle would be kept to just th' opposin' factions, you're wrong. Innocent natives who have nothing to do with either side have been caught up in that thing's path of devastation!

[The more she speaks, the more it sounds like Merida is trying desperately to keep her anger under wraps, but it's obvious with the way her voice pitches higher and higher that she's about to snap at someone. She inhales, and by the grimace on her face it's obvious the stench of death and decay is starting to get to her. Raising her free hand, she pinches the bridge of her nose and sucks in her anger.]

I now have two children under my protection until I can get them to their uncle no thanks to this war. Gods know how many others. I want a headcount or a map with villages near Caer Glaem that I will send people to or investigate myself. An' for th' sake of all those above an' below, somebody take that creature out! I don't care whether it lives or dies at this point!

[The locket snaps shut with a mutter of "the Shuck's not going to be happy". but she'll respond.]

Threaded | Flat

The rot of the Jabberwock will be a problem.

That is easier said than done, lady. [Never mind. He didn't mean to snap but. You know. Stress.]

[He takes a breath, nares flaring and ear tufts pricked forward. His tone is noticeably less hostile when next he speaks.]

I can go toward some villages.

Do you need assistance?

[She offers before she thinks. About where the girl is or what she can do. But it's instinct to help, to offer to take the children or bury bodies or something because she's useless enough as it is. So she softens.]

What would most help you?

[ Well. He couldn't exactly say what he expected when he began looking through his locket as he sat wounded in the Cothromach. Certainly not a lecture on the dangers of war (though perhaps it was something of a relief). ]

Such is always the nature of war.

[ He's reminded of the chaos that fell on the hinterlands. Mages, templars, and everyone else stuck in the middle. Who do you think is the real loser of the war? The banners might have changed, but the idea was the same.

And this time, there was no Inquisition. ]

At the very least, I managed to alert one of the cities, should the creature venture there.

[At first there's just a heavy sigh, one that Steve probably didn't mean to be heard. Innocent people always die in wars. He hates it more than he can put into words.]

Do you know what areas are already being covered?

( U g h. This is what she has been afraid of, and precisely what has come to pass. Herein lies just why she cannot blame the people of this world for their hatred toward any and all shardbearers. What have they wrought here for them? Death, rot and destruction. )

I am assisting a goodly amount of refugees in an area called La Llorana, procuring supplies for them. Let me know what is needed, and I will acquire as much as I can.

( She makes it a point to speak calmly, to hide her own anger in her voice at least, keeping it leashed and controlled. But it is evident in her gaze. )

One should not speak of felling the creature. It knows not what it does. ( The latter, at least, she can believe. But it has destroyed the lives of countless people. She will say naught on that score, and wisely so. )

[ Maglor sounds flat and empty. He knows he should care, but all he can summon is faint disgust ]

It always is, that the innocent are those caught between hammer and anvil while the mighty squabble. I........ I am no fit state for company, and there are kin who need me. But. if you truly need my help, I will lend what aid I can.

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