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Post by Daos on Mar 10, 2022 13:24:26 GMT -8
"We'll just have to keep our guard up," Daos remarks. "We can assume she'll always follow her own self-interests, but we can at least trust she won't threaten the world."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Mar 10, 2022 23:47:14 GMT -8
"I know Selena's reputation," Caelynn says. "It was a miscalculation on my part," she admits with a shrug. "But, Her Majesty should be prepared for people trying to trick her. That is part of court life."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 11, 2022 7:45:09 GMT -8
Daos:
Meine nods resolutely. "Trust me: around Selena, my guard's always up."
Caelynn:
"You sound like my mom," Valerie laughs.
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Post by Daos on Mar 11, 2022 14:49:20 GMT -8
"You sound like you two have a more complicated history than I was previously aware of," Daos remarks.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 11, 2022 15:15:24 GMT -8
"I, uh, used to think she killed my mom, for one," Meine sheepishly admits. "But, you know. Bitter teenager in grieving, and all...Elsh, I probably shouldn't have told you that..."
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Post by Daos on Mar 11, 2022 17:10:04 GMT -8
"It's alright, I'm not the sort to spread gossip," Daos assures her. "If you ever want to talk about it, though, I am here for you."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Mar 11, 2022 21:14:09 GMT -8
Caelynn laughs lightly and shakes her head. "Just a little wisdom after working around that type for so long," she says.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 12, 2022 7:32:50 GMT -8
Meine nods and says, "Yeah, all right. Thanks, Daos."
Over the next few days, the journey to Foccupolis goes smoothly. No one passes the group except a few merchant caravans, Meine treats Caelynn with a little more civility (only a little, though), and Count Lenkinshire keeps his complaining to a minimum.
The Count smiles as the city comes into sight. "We're here...we're finally here!" he whispers to himself, with what Caelynn notices is an odd sense of relief. Countess Cryfold remains silent...lost in thought. The guards at the city gates accept the group's explanation of taking the traitors to the crown to face justice.
"About time, too," one of them says. "Everybody in the city's calling for their heads, seeing as they tried to kill the king."
Lenkinshire mouths "What?" to his captives.
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Post by Daos on Mar 12, 2022 8:51:02 GMT -8
Daos will lead the way straight to the throne room, where he assumes the king and Serpentine are waiting.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 12, 2022 17:08:04 GMT -8
On the throne sits the King, a portly man with a large beard. Selena Serpentine stands next to him, in her emerald green robe, her jet-black hair tied up behind her. The king’s gaze turns to his daughter, and he grunts “Meine.”
“Father,” she replies.
“I’m, uh…glad to see you unharmed,” he says, before Miss Serpentine clears her throat to cut him off.
“Greetings, Mister Soulstaff, Miss Caelynn–your majesty,” she says, with a small bow in Meine’s direction. She pays little mind to Qurrak or Valerie. “You have both traitors to the crown with you, I see?”
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Post by Daos on Mar 12, 2022 17:51:34 GMT -8
"Yes, we have captured them alive and returned them," Daos says. "And we have learned some rather disturbing things in the process, that could cause a panic if the public learns of them. Regarding their employers...and the one ultimately behind the assassination attempt. Is it safe to speak openly here?"
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Post by HorizonsDream on Mar 13, 2022 2:12:17 GMT -8
Before entering the audience with the King, Caelynn subtly points out to Daos that Count Lenkinshire seems more relieved to be here than afraid.
Caelynn gives the proper curtsy to the King and Miss Selena. "And I also have something for you Miss Serpentine," she adds. Daos was the one with most of the information, so she was going to let him talk.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Mar 13, 2022 9:16:39 GMT -8
Miss Serpentine nods to Caelynn, saying, "We'll speak of it shortly. This matter comes first."
The King waves at the guards, and they exit the room. "You may speak. What's this about the one 'ultimately behind this?' Isn't Lenkinshire responsible?"
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Post by Daos on Mar 13, 2022 13:24:04 GMT -8
"According to Lenkinshire himself, Ozymandias himself spoke to him. He still lives, in a manner of speaking, as some form of lich within the barrier. That was why he wanted Serpentine dead; with the barrier down, he could finally be free," Daos explains. "I think it likely that the Night's Breath are working directly for Ozymandias, perhaps even were originally created by him, to work his evil will from beyond the barrier."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Mar 13, 2022 20:19:30 GMT -8
"What could possibly entice people to want to bring the barrier down?" Caelynn asks. "What is this lich promising them?"
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