001; video (open to both courts)

[devotedqueen]

It seems the queens are bringing more and more people in to fight for their cause.

[When the feed flickers on, Elincia seems to be muttering to herself a little before she straightens and smiles at the locket. More people was both a bad thing and a good thing in her eyes. Bad because this meant more people to fight a useless war. Good because there might be more who could help her with something that was very important if she wanted to take leave of the castle as soon as possible.

Normally, she wouldn't ask people for help in such a public manner. But here, she was completely out of her depths and there didn't seem to be any books in the library that could aid her. While the queen's gift certainly sped up the process, Elincia just didn't have the knowledge about animal taming and training in order to maximise it's potential. 

Which is why she's here right now. She looks as neat and elegant as ever but to anyone who can read her well enough, they will be able to tell she's a little flustered.]

Excuse me, everyone, if I could just have a moment of your time, there are a few things I'd like to ask.

Firstly, I was wondering if there was anyone who could give me advice on taming animals. Wild horse-like creatures to be exact but if you have any advice at all, that would be most appreciated. 

[She tips her head politely with a small smile]

While I've been around horses and pegasi all my life, I've never been asked to tame one and I find myself struggling to do so. I can offer my abilities as a healer in return, if you like.

Secondly, I would like to ask, those of the Seelie Court in particular - is there anyone else out there interested in taking their leave of the castle? I understand several groups have headed off already but if there's anyone else who desires to see the world out there [and get out of the castle's range before they were dragged into another battle with or without their consent. She had expressed interest to Lord El-Melloi before but this time, she thinks she might be able to move around more efficiently with the right preparations] then please, let me know. It seems to be safer to travel in groups than alone.

Thank you for your time.

[Another small tip of her head and the video ends]

Comments

[gordianknots]

Centuries according to everything I've read. So it's likely they may be laying these things down now so that in the very long term, when they need it most, everyone falls in line.

[devotedqueen]

It makes you wonder how far their web extends, doesn't it?

[It would be next to impossible to predict what the queens were willing to do to win this war]

[gordianknots]

The extent is worth confirming that's for certain.

[Waver pauses, to consider if he should even mention the next part.]

--There are other groups here that dissent from both sides.

[devotedqueen]

--other groups?

[That's...good. That's definitely good. The less people willing to play along with the queens' war games, the better]

[gordianknots]

[Waver nods.]

My end of the support group was dropped into the Great Greenwood. There weren't too many of us, so I took the opportunity to walk around in the forest for most of those two weeks. At one point, pretty earlier on, I ran into a particular forest spirit, who gave me a heads up about a nearby golem I'd be waking if I went any further.

Given the location of where I was, I expressed a little surprise at the help. I was told that the spirit's Sisterhood - that was the only title I got - disapproves of the war, and very much predates it.

[devotedqueen]

The spirit's sisterhood...

[That was something she would have to dig around the archives for. Surely the library had to have something. She notes the name down]

Do you know what kind of power the spirit's sisterhood holds over the land?

[To fight a war that the spirits so thoroughly disapproved of...she couldn't imagine either Queen was thinking clearly on that front]

[gordianknots]

I couldn't get much of a read on it. The spirit herself came in and out of the mist, so I assume that they're connected to the Greenwood.

Since you're closer and have easier access, you might be able to head out and explore more, if a library trip leaves you without information.

[devotedqueen]

Yes, of course.

[Elincia sounds a little distracted right now, trying to go through some of the books she had to see if she could learn anything new.

But she's quick to return to her senses and pushes the books aside to pay attention to the conversation. Research could come later]

This is extremely valuable information. Thank you. If there is a power greater than the queens, then perhaps there's another power that can return us to our own worlds. Or convince the queens to stop waging such a senseless war.

[gordianknots]

The former is more likely than the latter. If they haven't convinced the royalty here to stop this nonsense now, I don't think our appearance will change that fact.

[devotedqueen]

Perhaps not.

[She files the idea away for later anyway. Yune had not fought against Ashera herself. She had to be released first and ask those who had survived the first wave to aid her. Maybe the situation here was something similar]

But they may have a clue as to how to end it.

[gordianknots]

True and then some. At the very least, it's a potential way to make allies, and that's invaluable.

[devotedqueen]

Yes. We need all the allies we can get here.

[gordianknots]

I'll keep sniffing around as well for other third parties, and let you know what I find.

[devotedqueen]

I'll let you know if I learn anything else too.

[gordianknots]

Thank you.