VIDEO ( UNSEELIE LOCKED );

[conqueress]

[ The locket reveals the face of a young woman--some would say a girl--peering into it. Her hair gleams silver-gold in the candlelight, her eyes an unusual purple color. In the background, an imp peers over her shoulder, its claws clinging to her bared skin. ]

There is magic in the Free Cities and Qarth alike, yet I have seen nothing half so convincing as Allaidh Darach. It is ... [ She hesitates; what to call the place that's imprisoned you against your will? ] ... intricate work, truly. Were I settled into my kingdom, my children fierce and grown, perhaps I would not mind it so much, calling Caer Scima home.

[ For a fraction of an instant, she looks sad. Did Drogon sense her as she faded into this world? ]

But lush pillows will not shield my freedmen from those who would send them back to the shackles, no more than peach tarts will keep famine away from my gates. [ The imp shakes a foul little fist at the locket in punctuation, as though its fellows didn't help to abduct her only four nights ago. Dany turns and fixes it with a measured look. ]

Leave me now. I want no spies.

[ It hesitates, but something in her voice convinces it. Muttering, it releases her shoulder and shrinks away as though scolded. Dany waits impatiently for two more of the creatures to leave her presence, some private struggle raging beneath. Then, at last, she exhales in a sigh. ]

Yet time is not so easily disrupted, I have learned. Tell me, was I spoken true? [ It's phrased as something of a demand, but there's a very clear plea beneath it. The queen is there, but so, too, is the girl. And the girl is frightened, fearing for her people and her dragons alike. ] Will my people notice I have left them, or will all be as it was? How may I be assured of their safety?

[ Restless fingers pluck at the fringe of the cushion in her lap. ]

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[uneulogized]

The Drabwurld is the world that begat all other worlds. So to speak. If this ends, everything else goes with it. If you go to the coast, you can see the Void that threatens us. Leathann is the best place, but I'm sure you can get a view from spire ten. It's far enough east to do the trick. [Though Jason hasn't checked for himself. He hadn't been part of the foolish attempt to move the mountain. It had seemed unwise at the time. It's not the mountain that needed moving—it was the Void itself.]

I don't know why you don't have the dragons, but my guess is that they limit people's strength and powers to make them fight for them. It's a cruel move, but you can get your dragons back. If the monarchs make a request of you, do as they ask. [He wants to say that it's simple, but he hadn't lost anything upon his arrival. Jason doesn't really understand that particular boat.]

And the queen does allow herself to be seen. They can't be present at all times because when we can't see them, they are usually fighting with the Seelie monarchs. The Seelie hope to end all the worlds, so they have to battle in another realm. They explained it as a recent audience. It's not neglect that keeps them away, but worry. When they don't fight, the Seelie threaten our holds on this world. They can cut us loose, and take away our opportunity to fight for our causes.

video.

[conqueress]

So this is a gods' realm. [ Dany's voice is wry. ] Perhaps that is why these monarchs think they will inspire loyalty through trial and cruelty. [ The gods have rarely answered her prayers, but she cannot deny that they have answered them before. She believes in gods, but has never known which ones are true; all are said to be mysterious and favor great suffering.

Her eyes sharpen at the news of boons. For a moment, her breath catches, halting before it may pass her throat--and then she exhales, her shoulders falling gently. ] I see. Some great favor, then. And what manner of request have you received? [ She's imagining the larger-scale, more brutal kind of favor, such as slaying a member of the Seelie court. She's only ever known the worst possible sacrifice. ] I have only ever known great rewards to follow even greater sacrifices.

[ Her hand falls back to her lap. Her pulse has quickened, her guard lowered enough that she now speaks with some degree of curiosity, rather than solely with the cold fury that had driven her initial response. ] I will ride out and take my measure of this world, this Void and the common people alike. [ She fights hardest when she's seen what she fights for. ] What must I do to gain an audience with this queen?

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[uneulogized]

Little things, at first. I gave her something great, something she asked for, and she gave me a favor in return. Power is how you succeed here, and some people need power in different forms. [Jason motions to his eyes just the same. She will know where he gained this appearance, at least. But it hadn't been a boon. He doesn't tell her the details of his boons. He doesn't trust other Unseelie not to share the information.]

As for your audience—bring her news of importance, and she'll open her doors to you. If you don't, you'll have to wait until she calls all of us. She will. But it'll be on her schedule, and not yours. Keep yourself busy, and she'll like what you have to tell her.