Summer Wasp frowned, then said, sounding harsh:

"The only problem we have is people who want to steal control of the Order away from our hands. Moon Shadow will agree to letting you lead, because just like Sparrow, Snake and Peacock, she'll believe she'll be able to manipulate you into doing what she wants. They call it compromise, but it's really just gambling that you'll follow their suggestions more than those of any of the others. I'm not good at that game, and I'm not gonna play it. I want an answer, a real one, and I want it now."

Summer Wasp's group closed rank behind her, clearly willing to support her in whatever she might decide to do next.

She kept her eyes closed, thinking and thinking.

She didn't shy away from it.  After all, this was the kind of thing that she'd have to do, if she was accepted.  But if Wasp wanted to push her, well, she could push back.

"...my thought is, though, do you actually speak for Moon Shadow, or are you only telling us this because you think it will help your cause?  Your views are no secret, Wasp- and no, I'm not going to peek into your head to judge your motives or anything.  I remember when Blue Snake did it to me, back when all this started, because of some remark I made.  That's why I hold this thing."  She held up Breakwater, and nodded towards it.

"I'm not into violating someone's mind just because I want to make sure- I'd rather feel like I could trust people around me, even if they disagreed with me on things.  As much as I respected him, well... that was something I could never forget- it made me kind of understand why people are always kind of leery of those of us who focus on our minds.  It's so easy to just dive in with our power and get the answers we want, that maybe some of us don't stop to think if we should.  You get into someone's mind and that's it- you know everything about them.  Even the things you shouldn't.

So no.  I'm not going to give you an answer until after I talk to her, because while you say you're afraid of her, or Sparrow, or any of the others manipulating me, isn't that the same thing you're trying to do?

I mean, I'd love to hear your viewpoints on things.  But I need to hear from her before I do anything else, and she's not exactly here.  I'd rather hear it from her- and if it costs me your support, I'm sorry.  I really am.  But I want everyone to be able to speak for themselves- even if the opinions are unpopular.

Would you rather I have made a decision without talking to you, I ask?  How would it feel if I'd talked to Moon Shadow and not referenced you, and made a decision, then?

You bring up a number of good points- I admit that.  Maybe it's time we entertained them- even if you end up not supporting me, I'd still like to hear you speak more of them.  We've learned a lot, and we need to grow and change who we are to suit new threats and new opportunities- but even if I don't become it, I'd still support who did.  I only ask you and yours to do the same, in the end- because if the Order splinters, I fear Sommerlund- and all Magnamund- pays the price."

Summer Wasp listened to Rain Feather's spiel, then closed her eyes and said, sounding sad:

"You know, I really do think you have a good head on your shoulders. In different circumstances, I would have enjoyed sitting down with you to discuss your plans over tea."

Then she opened her eyes again, an hard expression into her eyes and steel in her voice, as she went on:

"But these are the circumstances, not others, and as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather see the Order splinter into independent groups than see it become a bunch of tugs on the command of whichever political interest manages to get hold of the leash."

She glared at the group at a whole and went on, shouting loudly so that everybody, including any onlookers, in addition to the whole group, could hear:

"Rain Feather is an undead, a zombie resurrected by the dark powers of Valador; I have the details on how he did it, and can proof I'm saying the truth. She's a soul trapped into a body by bonds to Valador's own soul, so that she could never act against him without endangering herself, and indeed, she's under a set of commands she has to obey that he setup when he raised her to ensure his control. This makes a too easily manipulated liability that cannot lead the Order."

Then she glared at where Sun Fox was standing right next to Sun Snake, and went on:

"Valador originally planned to resurrect a zombie of Lone Wolf himself, to have under his control instead of Rain Feather, and he made several practice runs of this with help from Sun Fox - help which included her betraying and murdering the young Kai trainees put under her charge; all of them there know this and are covering for her, hiding her crime."

She then hissed, focused on Sparrow:

"The dear prince here has corrupted several members of the order, some with money and favor, but more with threats to their still living families, which Sparrow closed an eye on - indeed, he had Charming Crane give herself to him despite her not wanting to, in order to ensure that he would not carry out his threats, and even then never retreated his support of him, being ready to sell out brethren to such scum."

Her eyes moved to Sabre Fox.

"And of course, not only was Sabre Fox silently condoning all of this, and even accepted gold from the prince himself, he was also fully aware of the true effect of Valador's spell, as well as his goals, but he kept silent on both just because he wanted Rain Feather back, putting his own selfish desires ahead of the entire Order."

She turned her eyes to Lenhar next, and continued:

"And you know what the goal of Valador was? He wants to secede from Sommerlund, to make Toran a self-sustaining city state free of your influence - and of course, while he would love to drag the Kai into it so you couldn't turn us against him, he doesn't need to, because he has found the way to mass produce Kai, to give the abilities to anyone. They were trying to keep it from you because they knew that, if you were aware, that'd be legal ground for you to oust, or possibly even execute Banedon, which might well mean war with the Brotherhood regardless of Valador's fate. So, what do you say, your highness, are you already looking forward to bargaining with him to get the ability for yourself, to train your own strike force without needing to compromise with Sparrow anymore? Are we even of any worth to you, now that you know we're not the only ones capable of providing you with the weapon you so deeply crave, to exert your absolute power with?"

Summer Wasp had been moving back toward her group even as she continued to shout, and once she was safely standing just a single step in front of them, she glared to everybody as she finished:

"So, what now? Still thinking of working with each other, with all your little secrets revealed?"

OOC: And we're back with a bang, everbody! ^_^

I apologize for the long delay - I knew that Rain Feather had RL problems which made it harder to post for her, and yet I egoistically kept pushing her at center stage with Summer Wasp's words. Still, I do think it was necessary to have this update carry the proper impact. I never though Rain would bow to Wasp's wishes, but I had to give her the chance to, it wouldn't have been fair to drop this bomb without giving it the proper buildup.

Speaking of buildup, I understand that the game had not updated in a bit and before that has been a few slow-moving months, but I want to change that right here and now. So, every person who is still interested in seeing this through, please post a reaction to what's just happened - I 100% refuse to believe that any of your character would have nothing to say or do after this. If instead you just are bored with the game and don't want to get to the end of it, that's perfectly legitimate and fine - just drop me a line (either in the OOC thread or in PM) so that I won't have to wait for uninterested people and make the game grind to a halt again.

This is really the final conflict, and once it's solved the game will be over - so everybody who feels up to it, let's give it the best we have! :D

Sun Snake had barely reacted to Summer Wasp's extended outburst. A look of faint surprise at the revelation of Rain Feather's condition. A small nod, as if putting a final piece together, with the revelation of Golden Sparrow's attempt to pull back the Prince.

Once Summer Wasp had stopped, Sun Snake said simply, blandly, "Of course. How else could we?"

The Kai Lord shrugged. "Don't forget the final part of Valador's plan. It's giving up. He doesn't see us - any of us, in this world - as being able to win against Naar. His plan is to suceede from Sommerlund, create a shining beacon of civilisation in his own little land, and then...fade away. Die. You'd rather see the order shatter? Then those you take with you will slowly shrink, as a group. You'll watch them all fall, and your circle will keep shrinking. Until it's only you. Maybe you can keep that circle expanding for a while with new followers to replace the old, more people to trust you unti lyou fail them. Until eventually, one day, you'll find a small end in some desolate corner of this defeated world. You're life will fade. You'll die."

Sun Snake's voice had become quiet and matter of fact. "We work together. Or we all die. It's quite simple."

His voice came back to life as he gestured to Sun Fox. There was a sadness in his face as he looked across to her, even though his voice was far more energised. "We're not hiding Sun Fox's crime. Ask Golden Sparrow, Sun Fox asked to speak with the order. Expressly because she was going to admit that crime. That's not an easy truth to share, for her, and certainly not for the order. Ever since Lone Wolf left us, she has been seen by so many as the beacon of hope. Learning of her crime I daresay may shatter the hopes of many. Certainly she could have been a figurehead for the order, united us. And yet it must be done. There must be truth or else we are frail, and weak, and could be destroyed. And instead of being some false beacon, we can instead see her as what she is. A flawed woman, but still the same as all of us. And one who has the courage to come back from darkness, when it seem the only path to keep walking. When it seemed that one tragic, awful decision could only mean another and another. Her confession may well mean her death. And yet if she has the courage to confess, even if she dies, she does not fie alone. She is not giving up, Far from it, she is fighting through to make things right against all hope and reason. Whatever her fate, she is who she is, and her actions are the lesson we need now. The inspiration we need now. She is not our crutch to be our figurehead, she is our sister fighting in ways the coward Valador, for all his schemes, simply cannot understand, only seek to stall."

Sun Snake looked to Rain Feather. "I am sorry you did not tell us the full nature of your affliction. I cannot support you as a leader. But then, once more, we seemed to be trying to put a figurehead infront of us to do all the work for us. You wanted to weave an easy story, when the truth in all it's complications has to be what we fall back to." Sun Snake looked around. "We failed Rain Feather once, and she was forced to give her life to stop the plans of an evil man. She did not die alone though, and she was not dying hopelessly. If her fate is to die again, to stop the evils of another coward, she will not die alone then either. But I am starting ot become very tired of standing around, splintered, helpless, while individuals pay the price and give their lives to buy us a moment longer to act."

Now Sun Snake seemed as annoyed as Summer Wasp had been. "We are so ridiculously powerful together. And the only price we need to pay is to curb our own desires, ever so slightly. We just need to judge each other how we would wish to be judged, and support each other as would wish to be supported. To understand that there is a compromise better than any other compromise in our future. We just need to have the courage to pick a leader, any leader, and stagger in a direction. Yet each one of us, that leader and their council, must be bound to honour a centre. We can stagger one way, and another, then another again through different leaders or decisions. The 'tugs on a leash' become a welcome change of direction, a course correction, then become a strong commitment to reach out to one side, and then another, outside of these walls. Will it take years, generations, centuries? Who knows. But there is a future to strive for. All I know is that none of us are above the order. And the order is not above the people we searve. We need to hold to the places that we have come from. Be beholden to the people that suffer at our decisions. Yet we need to be independant enough to not be brought low by petty politicking. We must always serve the people by fighting the fight. And only through that balance will be be an example. One day other places will raise their own Kai, and keep them close. Raise their own monasteries independant of this order. One that day, we must have been strong enough, held to a centre well enough, that we will be know we have won. Kai will not fight Kai across a battlefield, instead lands will unite with lands through us."

Sun Snake seemed to sag, as if the energy to speak suddenly left him. "That is the thought. I have done what I could to bring everyone together. Shining Peacock could have been leader easily, but he chose to at least indulge me to see a better way. Golden Sparrow and the Prince have both been in an unassailable position of power, and yet, here they are in a position to be spoken to by you. I have done what I could to keep Moon Shadow away from the unfortunate circumstances of my Master's death, and as you may have noticed I have made no capital of that death."

"So, yes, we need to choose what we do. Discover a way to work with each other, knowing what we know of each other." Sun Snake sighed, and said in a small voice, "I have nothing more to give to this. The order is all I have left. The choice of what happens to it is yours."


I'll get my wall of text out of the way now to give others a chance to finish this :p

"You know something wasp, I have to thank you. You've done something for me that I could not do and that's reveal Valdors plan surrounding Rain Feather" He said with a smile "Something that I could not reveal...…. reveal to anyone that doesn't know about it as per my agreement with him. A note I think he may have missed, but since you have done me the service, then im now free to discuss it with you all"

He would then fold his arms

"And considering I apparently accepted gold, I must have been asleep, because I politely refused the prince as I recall" he said, giving a nod to the Prince

He would then take a breath and speak further

"You seem to have a grasp of the situation, but certain details are new to me Wasp. Perhaps you would enlighten us on this spell he cast, for despite the fact he may have lied to me, his original extent was to trade a life for hers which I refused, and frankly if you are correct, then he has made a grave error, as I promised the wizard that if I were to regret my choice in the slightest that he would not live long enough to enjoy it, even if I marched all the way to Toran on my own to do it"

He would then sigh and smirk

"But Im open to listening to you regarding that. I have no issue with answering your questions if you wish me to fill in any gaps"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Fri 29 Nov 2019.

Swift blinked in surprise, but didn't seem to react much beyond that, her gaze moving to each of the others as they responded.
Then she spoke up herself, although in a quieter and calmer tone that sounded completely unlike the old Swift.

"Did you forget someone?  Funny, I thought I'd have been the easiest one to dig up dirt on, and it would have been interesting to see someone steal Shining Peacock's thunder."

She shrugged and looked Wasp straight in the eyes.
"No one is innocent really.  I very much doubt you are either."


OOC: Well this took an interesting twist...  :)

Summer Wasp matched Swift Fox's gaze with one of her own as she answered:

"And that's precisely the point. Everybody has secret plans and double dealings and hidden agendas going on at all times, so this idea that we could all join hands and work together is doomed to fail, as it will just turn into a game of behind-the-curtain manipulation that benefits no one. I'd rather bring things into the light, where they ought to be - any who fear what the light can reveal have no right to call themselves knight of the sun."

Then her eyes moved to Sun Snake as she added:

"And you can't possibly believe what you're saying. Oh, they're pretty words, no doubt, but it would be all too easy to make a promise of working together equally right now while planning to do whatever one truly wants later on. And besides, how are you going to guarantee that everybody gets a say, when we all have entirely different political goals? Am I going to be able to veto a decision even if everybody else wants to go along with it? Because if I can't, that'd kill any chance of true equality, but if I, or any of us, can veto any decision, then nothing ever will get done. Have you magicked up a solution to that?"

She turned to Sabre Fox then, apparently ready to answer him as well, but Lenhar suddenly interrupted, sounding clearly disdainful.

"I tire of this. The woman here is right, if there is a way for me to get my own Kai corps, then I don't need to bother with your silly politics anymore. I'm just going to order Banedon to hand over to me Valador in a healthy enough condition to replicate the process on my command, or at least to hand over the details of the process itself extracted from the man. Now make way; I've dallied here far longer than I wanted to."

He gestured to the group as he said so, since they were in the way of both the stables and the Monastery's door.

OOC: I do hope somebody can see the implications of Lenhar's trying to leave here; let's just say that letting him go right now might well leave Banedon in a VERY dangerous position, should he be unable to deliver the prince's request.

Rain, well... was stunned, her fingers tightening around her spear even as Wasp spoke. There it was, out in the open.  Her fingers trembled, and her head lowered, black hair falling about her face as she listened to the others.

"...well... I don't hate you for saying it, Wasp.  You know?  Maybe it's better this way.  The Kai need a leader, I thought I had a way to stop all of this from falling apart.  I guess I was wrong, but I only had the best of intentions.

I'm sick and tired of Kai fighting Kai, Kai killing Kai, and Kai messing around with materials of blood, bone, and other things that Naar's forces would only dream about.  I felt it obvious that with the way things are going, the second generation would bicker endlessly and even though we'd have a leader, someone would still feel miffed and angry and in the end, nothing would change.  We'd still be stuck in the same rut, tearing ourselves apart, because someone would still feel like they would make a better leader, and the power struggle would not end, but erupt anew, until we had lost so much in the way of experience and manpower that we would be too weak to turn back the darkness the next time.

Snake... you're right.  And don't worry, old man, I don't hate you for it.  I just, well... hope you'll still think of me as a friend.  That's all, no matter what's going on inside me."

As Wasp and the Prince spouted off again, though, it was obvious Rain was trying to hold herself respectful, given present company.  Her knuckles turned white as she squeezed Breakwater's shaft, swallowing down the harsh words.

"...and this is why things always stay the same, isn't it?  Because we can't trust one another.  Because we expect a knife in the back other than honest conversation from our fellow Kai these days.  Because we're still thinking about ourselves instead of the Kai as a whole.  Because there always has to be a price, isn't that right?  We can't just give from the goodness of our hearts, oh no, we have to attach conditions to everything..."

Her other hand would go to the sheathed Sommerswerd, and pull it tighter to her, trying her best to secure it.

"...and from what I've heard, I think I'll hang onto this.  Just... what in Kai's name are we doing?  Why?  Kai and Ishir, take a step back and listen to yourselves!  Is this how Kai should act?  Is this what Lone Wolf would have done, or would he have chosen to do the right thing instead of the easy thing?  Would he have let any of this happen on his watch?"

The dam broke.  She looked up, and her eyes blazed with emotion- almost literally.  It would likely be the most emotion her companions had ever seen out of her.

"...I don't think I've ever been as disgusted as I am right now.  And here I thought we were supposed to fight for what was right, not for what was the easiest way!  Not because it gave us personal power, or it didn't affect certain of us, but because we always fought for the right thing to do!  It's always harder to do the right thing- but that's what Lone Wolf always did.  That's the example he set for all of us- yes, there were easier ways to do things.  But they weren't the right way to do things.

Letting one of our own be forced to give herself bodily to a man who only saw her as a bedwarmer because otherwise he would be threatening the families of our fellow monks, citizens of the very country he was part of the royal family of?  Sommerlund royal family or not, Lone Wolf wouldn't have stood for it.  He'd find a better way to do it than just let it go on.  He'd have found a way to fight back, to do something other than just stand back and let it happen.

The first time someone tried something like that, we're supposed to fight back against things like this, and try to find a better way- ANY way!

Did Lone Wolf let Roark of Amory do what he pleased, when he was on the Lorestone quest?  No.  He stood up and put himself at risk to do what was right instead of letting him do as he pleased because it was easier for him!  When he faced off against Zakhan Kimah, for the final time, did he turn to run from him simply because he had the Orb of Death, even though it could have been the easier move, and he had everything he needed?  NO!  He FOUGHT because it was the RIGHT thing to do, and he triumphed!  He could have left thousands of men to die to cover his escape from Tahou, but he chose to do the right thing, and fight!

I have faith in the Order, still, and the people in it.  No matter who I am, or why I came back, or how I came back, I'm not going to give up the fight and just let things happen because it's easier.  I'm going to stand and do what's right instead of letting things like this go on!  And if that means standing up to His Highness over there and calling out something that shouldn't be happening, then hey- better the consequences fall on me than someone else.

Now you know the true colors of the man you called friend, Sparrow- now is the time.  Are you going to reach down and summon up the light and the fire to do what is right, or are you going to cower away and do what is easy?  Crane should stay here, with us.  She is a Kai.  And if Lenhar wants to go to Valador and beg him to convert a corps of soldiers into whatever he can turn them into, mayhaps we ought to introduce him to Fall Lobster, yes?  Show him the kind of troops he would be getting- the kind that could go psychotic and kill everything in sight and who may not even end up truly loyal to Sommerlund, but rather Valador himself.  By all means, sell a corp of men to him and let him cast his magic upon them.  Let him practice his right-handed magic on them and make more hybrids and more monstrosities- as long as they answer to His Highness and do what he commands, that's all he really wants.  If you want unthinking, unfeeling loyalty, you don't want Kai- you want Giaks.

If he wants to threaten my family, then he can go right ahead.  Threaten my mother.  Try to coerce her into getting me under her control.  The people sent wouldn't last an hour.

And Snake?  I don't care if you don't support me any more- to be honest, I don't blame you.  But I'm not giving up.  I'm going to press forward and keep fighting because it's the right gods-damned thing to do, because this is the alternative.  I'm still going to go for Grandmastership because it feels like I'm the only one here willing to fight for the position that hasn't rolled over and given up and stopped fighting the oncoming gods-damned darkness!"

There were tears coursing down her cheeks, almost like dripping fire as the liquid reflected the fire burning in her eyes.

"Maybe I'm just young, maybe it's the sword's fire in me.  But every flicker of my being knows this is wrong, and it's time someone stood up and said something other than just keeping their head down and thanking Kai it's not them being forced to play bedwarmer to somebody, or that a member of the royal family that we've been allies with for hundreds of years treats us like a pile of unthinking tin soldiers who should jump to attention and go along with whatever war or battle they have in mind, all the while acting like a tyrant.  If that is how the crown views us, then maybe the people thinking we should have more monasteries outside of Sommerlund might have a damned good point.

If it means my life, then at least let me give it fighting the real enemies we have instead of being put down for treason or something.  Let it be either the spark that rekindled the Order, or the final spark stomped out as we faded into obscurity because we just gave up because doing the right thing was too hard."

Standing there, she braced herself with her spear, tapping the butt of it against the stone floor.

"Either way, I'm done keeping my head down.  Do what's right, or we may as well just die right here and dissolve the Order.  Let Valador rule everything and just party worldwide until Naar's boys and girls show up and kill everyone because it's just too damned hard to fight back.

Kai and Ishir, grant me the strength to at least see this through, and then I don't care what happens to me.  But I'm done letting things go on the way they are now."

Tears still in her eyes, she looked at the rest of her compatriots.

"I'm sorry.  But I'm tired of going in circles and watching bad things happen simply because it's easier for us to keep our heads down."

Dusk Rat's eyes flit around the group, watching as people talk, discuss, argue, shout, manipulate, and generally hurl words around at each other. Whether or not she has anything to say on the matter is unclear, as is likely no surprise to those who've been around her long enough.

Still here, but as usual my not-very-talkative/social character has nothing to actually voice out loud to all the shouty people in front of her :D.

Swift didn't move, either not hearing Lenhar's words, or simply ignoring him.

Her gaze was fixed firmly on Rain Feather now, a brief hint of a smile on her face.  A genuine one, an emotion that few had probably seen on Swift before.

"For what it's worth, you have my support" she remarked quietly.  "With what I've learned about... certain people in the Order..."
It was uncertain if her gaze had flickered towards Shining Peacock at that moment, or if it was just imagination.
"...and others willing to condone such measures, I can't say I've felt comfortable with the direction the Order has taken.  But I stuck with it, out of loyalty to Master Moon Shadow, and the memory of Grand Master Lone Wolf, and Guildmaster Banedon.  The ones who gave me a second chance when others wouldn't have.
Yet I've seen the Order drift further from their way as time went on.  But I remained with it, repaying my life debt as I saw it.  Despite what some probably expected of me, I've never done anything to betray the Order, and I would die to protect the people of Sommerlund, even though they could easily turn on me if they knew me."

She glanced briefly at Lenhar, then back at the others, her icy blue eyes lingering mostly on Summer Wasp and Shining Peacock.
"Whatever happens, I'm tired of hiding.  So while we're all clearing the air here, feel free to say what you like about me.  I'd almost welcome it now."


OOC: So yep, the gauntlet has been thrown down there :)  (Keeping the Korlinium Gloves though, 'cos I've grown quite attached to them!)

As Rain Feather spoke, Fox would smile weakley at her in support. He never really knew the full extent of what was under the surface with her, and it seemed like he was seeing it for the first time. After he finished, he would look towards the prince and bow

"My liege" He began "I ask of you to reconsider. Rain Feather is correct, assuming that Valador did capitulate and gave you your troops, they would be little more than Giaks, pretty much mindless. I know you value loyalty, and that is what you have from a person who's mind is there own. Frankly I don't believe Valador would either do as you ask, or not have them leashed to his own command. I urge you to remember that we are people as much as we are citizens of the country, with different viewpoints and opinions. We will come through this and be better for it for Sommerlund and the world beyond"

Lenhar turned to watch Sabre Fox with a gaze whose emotions were uncertain, but which was very intense, and then the prince said, in a serious tone:

"And what loyalty do you expect I would find, Sabre Fox, in people who'd refuse to follow my orders, citing whatever reasons they could come up, with the only real one being that they refuse to leave the decision on what to do to their better, as they should? I can deal with keeping rabid beasts at a leash, but having to pretend that dallying and request for patience is anything more than a refusal to do as bid is no way to run a kingdom. Loyalty that only obeys when it suits the person doing the obeying is no loyalty at all - brains are for counseling, but when your leader gives you an order against your counsel, then you shut up and follow it, else you are not loyal at all."

He raised his head, posture straighter, and said:

"I'll show you. You made a good point, and I shall consider it, but the decision I make on it shall be my own. However, I say to you that this Kai here is refusing me passage, and as your prince, I command you to move her from my path. Now, let's see where your loyalty lie."

Lenhar's gaze was full of anger as he glared at Sabre Fox, even as his finger pointed at Swift Fox, and he waited to see what the swordsman would do.

Meanwhile, behind Rain Feather, Shining Peaock let out a long, pained breath and said:

"You realize this is entirely too reckless, don't you, Rain? Still, if this is what you want, I shall support you."

He then nodded to Sun Snake and added:

"I'm sorry - I understand your wishes, Sun Snake, and I'd normally go alongside them, but I cannot refuse to support my student in following what she believes is right."

That caused Summer Wasp to snort as she commented:

"What a surprise. Not like I care anyway - either the order takes a standing for our independence, and then I'll stay, or it doesn't, and then I and mine will leave and found our own Monastery someplace else; your little political games don't matter to me anymore."

She then glanced at Swift Fox and added:

"And I've no idea what secrets you're hiding, I don't really have anything at all on Moon Shadow, but that doesn't really matter - after the whole deal with Blue Snake's death, the doubt will linger regardless of what Sparrow said, so some people are gonna refuse to follow the possible murderer of a Kai out of principle."

The last comment caused Sun Fox to react as if she'd been slapped, but it was clear that Summer Wasp had absolutely no interest in moderating her words for anybody's benefit.

"...where respect is shown, respect is given, your highness.  How are we supposed to respect someone who refuses to respect us?

For hundreds of years, we've stood here, doing our best to take down the Darklords.  You know, the ones who had a massive vendetta against YOUR family for the whole slaying-Vashna-and-chucking-him-into-the-Maakengorge thing?

That's what we do- we're the Kai, we fight evil, we stop things like this from happening.  But we've always respected the wishes of the Crown- because we've always gotten that same respect in return.  We don't tell you how to run the country and stuff, and you don't stick your nose into business here at the Monastery and try to tell us how to run things.

But then you come out here and do all of this.  Why, I ask?  Why do you need the Kai to go play army when there is so much evil still in the world?  Why do you cajole, and threaten, and pout when things don't go your way?"

Taking slow, deliberate steps, she would stand in the way, as well, arms at her sides, looking right at Sabre.

"You're not our better.  Generations of the Sommlending Royal House understood that- they asked us for help, we provided it, but they never ordered us about like you think you ought to.

It's like I said.  If you want unbending loyalty and nothing more, you want a pile of Giaks.  And seeing as you have no respect or trust for us... then why should we for you when we can simply send someone to Holmgard and talk to your grandfather, I wonder?

I have no idea why and when you decided that you could treat us like this, but honestly?  It ends.  Now."

With a pained expression, Rain would raise her hand.  Her lips would move quietly.

"Kai, Ishir... forgive me for this.  Because I don't think they will."

Looking back up, she would grin wanly.

"Just let me satisfy a bit of curiosity, first.  Because I have ideas as to what's going on, and honestly, the sooner I quash them, the better."

She'd lift her spear, and summon up some of her power, weaving it together, and adding in a bit of the light inside her- before she sent it forth through her eyes, setting them gleaming.

OOC:  Burning WP to Sense Evil, starting on the Prince himself, and them moving to his retinue.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Tue 03 Dec 2019.

OOC: nobody in the area would qualify as "evil", as in, they don't have any dark energy within them. Just scummy politics of the traditional kind here.

Also, you meant grandfather in your post, not father; Lenhar is the nephew of king Ulnar IV, his father was the prince that fell on Alema bridge during "Flight from the Dark" - you know, the one Lone Wolf failed to save. Lenhar was barely an infant at the time, which means he's nearing forty now in story. As you can imagine, that sort of background could just result in somebody being spoiled just a little bit.

Lenhar took a step back as Rain Feather's eyes started to gleam with golden light, astounded as he asked:

"What is the meaning of this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Tue 03 Dec 2019.

OOC: Ah, right.  It's been a while since I played FFtD.  I ought to change that.  Actually, that leads me to something I might ask over in the OOC thread after this...

"Just checking on something, your highness.  I wouldn't worry, you're not a creature of darkness.  You'll have to forgive me, I had to get that out of my system because it was about the same amount of trust and respect you were showing us- blackmailing, threatening, looking for weaknesses, trying to seek out things you could exploit, like handsome dopey swordsmen who are good at heart who absolutely love their country.

...it's not pleasant when everyone looks at you with scorn and ridicule and thinks you're easy to manipulate, is it?  When you're not treated with respect?

Your father was a hero.  He fell at Alema, and was instrumental in getting Lone Wolf to Holmgard ahead of the Darklords' horde.  Without him, I imagine Lone Wolf would have not had a chance to get inside before the city was besieged.  In a way, he saved us all, when you think about it.

...but why?  Why treat us like this?  Why treat Charming Crane, and Sparrow, and Sabre like this?  Why block the Order off like this?

We don't mind offering counsel and fighting alongside the Royal Army.  I mean, let's face it- when we work together, we make an amazing team. But that kind of relationship is based on respect and trust- that goes both ways.  How are we supposed to keep this going on when one side doesn't how the other any respect?  We don't stick our noses into the royal family's business on how to run Sommerlund or the army, and the royal family never stuck their noses into our business to command us or to tell us how to run the monastery, you know?

We both care about the country.  We all have some form of love for it- some greater than others, but at least we have respect for it.

As far as getting out of your way, why not listen to yourself?  You would throw away hundreds of years of goodwill between Kai and the House of Ulnar because... why?

I've met with Valador.  We all have.  I can guarantee you, you will not get what you think you're getting if he grants you what you wish.  You might get a force of psuedo-Kai, for lack of a better word, yes.  They might appear to be loyal to you.

But deep down, they won't be completely loyal.  Because the magic Valador wields... it always has strings attached.  It always has a price.

Do you think you could stop them, when they suddenly go rogue?  I imagine you yourself are a fair swordsman, but could you stand against a fighter of Sparrow's or Sabre's skill, I wonder?  How would any of your elite fighters stand against them?

To say nothing of psychic power, or magical, or anything.

The Kai are a certainty.  You look at us, and you know we may disagree, but at the same time, well... you know we're not going to sudden;y ride for Holmgard and take over the city.  We're always going to offer clear counsel when asked, and if things come up for the crown that need our attention, all you would have to do is ask and we'd be there, fighting alongside the army.  But we're not your toy soldiers to order around and play with.  We need to be independent and able to move freely because sometimes, time is of the essence.

Or you could go talk to Valador.  A man who, like Snake has said, wants to split Toran off from the kingdom of Sommerlund.  A man who has caused your kingdom nothing but trouble and grief.   You ought to ask some of the others about some of the surprises that we had to deal with in Toran because of him.  He doesn't have anything to gain by helping you- in fact, he might just laugh you off.  He doesn't care about Sommerlund- what could you offer him to get him to listen to you?

You can't tempt a man to do anything for you if you don't have anything he'd be interested in taking in exchange. What could you do- threaten him?  Blackmail him?  You've got nothing.

You either have a sure thing that you can count on to give you clear, good counsel, and even to pull you back when you're acting like a dope, or you can test your luck with the man who has absolutely no reason to give you anything."

She'd sigh, yet again.

"And Wasp, you might be onto something, there.  It wouldn't hurt to have some presence in other countries- it's not like we'd be leaving Sommerlund, but let's face it- having people who could be on trouble spots quickly and easily could be a nice thing.  Figure out communication, and you might have something to think about."

Lenhar frowned at Rain Feather's words, and answered, in a clipped tone:

"That's precisely the point - you paint this traitor as impossible for me to work with because he'd have his own agenda, in the same breath when you encourage the traitor from your own ranks to start her own organization to better oppose my, or rather our, since you pretend it is such, kingdom with."

He gestured to the group arrayed at Summer Wasp's back, and went on:

"Do you think I don't know it, that only Kai can stand against Kai? Do you think me ignorant, of the fact that a single one of your number was enough to turn away an army, that less than two hundred were enough to completely halt in its track an invasion that had otherwise swallowed the whole continent? Of course I know, and that's precisely the point."

The prince narrowed his eyes, as if trying to win a staring contest with Rain Feather's glowing ones.

"You ask me for respect and say you won't interfere in my business, and you seem to forget that in the future, running this kingdom is gonna be my business. You speak to me as if the Kai should be a sovereign nation within Sommerlund's own borders, with their own interest and the right to refuse any of my orders they saw fit; just now you intimated I might have been a dark creature - I wonder if you won't make that claim again in the future, should I, as king, make a decision that you dislike, to better justify disposing of me?"

He shook his head.

"There can be only one king for one land, and if I allow you Kai to continue as you have until now, I'll only be king because you're allowing me to - my birthright, only granted to me at your sufferance, my decisions, only left uncontested when the Kai Order feels like they should not oppose them. Yes, this Valador would be a threat as well, indeed he already is apparently, and just as clearly, you were planning on handling this issue without any word getting out of Banedon's mismanagement of his own leadership position, all to stop a man from doing with Toran what you now ask me to let you do with your own Order."

Lenhar let out a bark of laughter, and concluded:

"And of course, next you'll remind me that you fight for the light that is blazing in your eyes, while he's corrupted with darkness. But see, that's the thing; as an evildoer, I need not show him any of the consideration that even now I'm giving you. He shall be thrown in a dungeon, his cooperation extracted at swordpoint, and of course I wouldn't so easily trust in his creations - but I'd at least want to see them. Because, and I know this is the real reason you oppose my decision, once I have Kai who answer to me and me alone, you won't be able to dictate terms to me anymore. And that, my Lady, is clearly what you fear the most."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Wed 04 Dec 2019.

"...in years and years of peaceful coexistence, have the Kai ever tried to take the throne from the House of Ulnar?  No.  Because for years, we know that Sommerlund is in good hands with your family, and to be quite honest, we have quite enough to do already without trying to take on all the responsibilities that need to be done to run a country.  I mean, there aren't that many of us- could we do what we do AND still manage to keep the country running?  I honestly think not.

I understand your point- but at the same time, I think we're both jumping at ghosts here.  Just- hear me out, your highness.

We need to be able to operate the way we do because threats could pop up at any time, and oftentimes even a few days can mean the difference between things being recoverable or from proceeding past the point of no return.  Imagine, if you will, Lone Wolf's voyage, at the King's urging, to Ruanon, to find out why things were going to blazes, there.  He arrived there with days to spare before the sacrifice happened, and even then it was still a near thing.

Now, think of it like this- if he'd been here, at the monastery, and had to wait for the okay to go to Ruanon, like I imagine you would think of... how long does it take a decision to get made at your grandfather's court?  One day?  Two days?  Maybe more, if people are feeling rather testy and emotions run high?  Then, of course, the message has to make its way back here.  It's, what, a few days on foot, maybe two on horseback to get to Holmgard from here?  A minimum five day wait on something like that- we'd have had a very different Magnamund right now, I imagine.

Being able to react to situations as they happen allow us to do our duty- to combat the forces of darkness wherever they may pop up, because that's why we're here.

But let's chase this idea you have, that we'd try to make something up to remove you as king, the first time you did something we didn't like.  Let's follow this hunt to the end.

So we end up doing that.  Your worst nightmare, coming true.

Now, not only is Sommerlund in complete chaos- winning the throne and the support of a nation's people are two very, very different things- but I imagine as the news spread, to places like Durenor, Talestria, Barrakesh, and everywhere else, people would react about the same way, and we'd have armies marching on Sommerlund, not to mention the Royal Army taking up arms against us.  The Elder Magi, not to mention the Brotherhood in Toran, wanting to know just what in the blazes is going on, maybe mobilizing as well.

You'd have a huge battle.  Thousands of people dead, the Kai all but extinguished again, and the bond of cooperation all but shattered.

And after all that mess, the hordes of the Darklands come screaming down the slopes of the Durncrags, and that's it.  We don't have the manpower to oppose them after a massive war like that, and they make for Sommerlund, for Holmgard- they still hate the House of Ulnar, with a passion, you know- and then the rest of the world.  Naar puts his feet up, draws himself an ale, and has a very, very good laugh about how the Kai were so stupid to do something like that.

After all of that, I ask you: does that make any sense, given the hundreds of years of cooperation between the House of Ulnar and the Kai?  How we've always, always been there when we were needed, to do what we had to- to give our lives, if we had to?

The Kai work for the good of all, your highness.  From the proudest royal, like yourself, to the lowliest of street urchins.  Because darkness doesn't discriminate by nationality, or religion, or society's place.  We don't just say "Oh, evidence of a Helghast slaughtering people in Barrakesh?  Not our problem, it's not affecting us in Sommerlund"- because, having to answer to the Sommlending crown, we'd have to jump through all sorts of hoops to attempt to deal with the problem instead of going out there to deal with the problem directly."

Licking her lips, and looking around at the rest, she would continue, tapping the butt of her spear on the stone floor.

"As far as Wasp and her people, they're not a threat to you, and hearing out different opinions doesn't make you a bad leader.  Thinking one person knows everything and knows what to do no matter what- it's what got the Kai in this mess, because we were so sure Lone Wolf was going to live forever that we never, ever stopped to think just what the blazes was going to happen if someone finally did do the impossible and kill him?

It's what I was trying to go for, when I said I wanted to hear from multiple viewpoints.  Would you rather blunder into an ambush on the battlefield that you didn't see, or listen to someone telling you that it looks like prime ambush ground up ahead because they've seen it before, and maybe we ought to be careful?"

Then at his words about Valador, Rain could only shake her head.

"No, your highness.  I think if you point a sword at Valador, you're not going to like what he does back.  You'll be lucky to escape with your head, much less anything else.  He doesn't care, you see.  He's done fighting- thinks the light has no chance at defeating the encroaching darkness, is the thing.  He won't go quietly.  He might even have things lined up in case that happened.  But I think the last thing he would want to deal with is you berating and threatening him to do what you pleased.

The thing that scares me the most, your highness, is that I think you're making a terrible, terrible mistake for the absolute right reason.  We all love Sommerlund, here.  I don't doubt for a second that you're doing this not out of personal power, but that you're trying to protect Sommerlund as a whole... at least, I pray to Kai and Ishir that you are.

It's that you'd go and willingly consort with evil because you think it's the only way.  I know the touch of it all too well.  It's tempting.  Kai and Ishir, I know it's tempting all too well.  But dealing with darkness... it's like gambling at a table where the dealer's cheating.  Yes, you might get what you want.  But you're going to end up losing a lot more than you win- and you'd be losing the kinds of things that you can't ever get back.

We have our disagreements, but I know you're doing all this because you worry about the country.

What Valador is doing is an affront to Kai and Ishir.

...might I ask a personal question, your highness?  How much of your family is left, besides your grandfather?   In case the worst happens, with Valador, are there any more heirs to the throne?   I worry about that, as well- with everything going on, if you ended up dead... or worse... what would that mean for Sommerlund?  You can't lead a country if you're dead.  Your grandfather... he's not going to live forever.  What happens if you die, and leave no heirs?  The House of Ulnar ends up hanging by your grandfather's weakest breath, and the populace panics- to say nothing of what happens when he passes.

We all have our roles that we've been set to by Kai and Ishir. Ours, as Kai, is to combat the darkness of Naar wherever we may find it.  Yours, I imagine, is to become king when your grandfather passes or decides to abdicate in your favor, or whatever happens when he decides it's time for you to take over.

But in order for the both of our groups- the Kai and the royalty of Sommerlund- to do what we both need to, we've got to be able to do what we both need to do without worrying about what one or the other is doing.  You couldn't do your job of ruling the country if you had to constantly ask our permission about things.  We couldn't do our job of handling the fight against the forces of Naar if we had to constantly check in and answer.

So we need to accept that the best way for all of us to be most effective, to be the best we both can be, is to just stay out of each others' way and accept that this is how Kai and Ishir made it, and they know what they're doing.:

Swift had looked as if she was about to say something, but hesitated and looked to Rain Feather as she spoke again.
She remained in place for now, placing one hand on her hip in a deceptively relaxed stance, as if she was not physically standing in the way of royalty.

Though her gaze had moved to Sabre Fox, her expression unreadable once again, as if curious to see how he would react to the Prince's order...


OOC: hehehe :)  Yep, she liked Rain's argument there, so for now is deciding not to complicate matters.  Shows how much her character has evolved to be more patient, considering that Lenhar doesn't have any bits of fancy cutlery embedded in his ribcage yet...

Not too sure about fighting Sabre though.  I think the Darklord might have been easier to deal with! ;)

Sabre Fox did not say or do anything for the time being while the prince and Rain Feather conversed. He would leave them to finish their conversation before he would address the prince further

Yea leaving this to Rain Feather for the time being, so we can see where this leads if she is getting through to him

"No." Sun Snake said it quietly. He had been hunched after his first speech, as if drained. Listening to the commotion with passive eyes, as if just analysing what was said. Even Rain Feather's stirring, empassioned speech had somehow pained him for some reason. However, something in what Rain Feather had said finally provoked a small word from the Kai. The word seemed to pull him upright, reluctantly. He said it again, with a sigh. "No."

He looked to Rain Feather, then Lehnar, then the rest of the group. "Kai and Ishir did not work separately. Kai may be the more prominant, of course. When the Sommlending were called across the seas to Northern Magnamund, it was with Kai's sword in their hands, Kai's symbol on their banner, and with powers that we named after our god, eventually. Execept, of course, the powers of magic, and empathy, and healing we now enjoy and codify are more likely the aspects of Ishir and Her influence. And while we all know the Sommerswerd was gifted to the King, weilded by the King, there was something else the Sommlending carried with them. Five things, infact. It is a story Swift Fox could tell you, but they were gifts from Ishir, given when five warriors asked for the goddesses's wisdom. Five gifts that were powerful, and yet if used together by all five, were more powerful still. Perhaps the rival of the Sommerswerd. And yet, it seems that as with Ishir's name, and Ishir's grace, the knowledge of them and the lesson of them have faded. To the point we did not even know we could be saved, without the Sommerswerd."

Sun Snake nodded to Swift Fox. "Swift Fox can tell you  the history and lesson of them in depth, but the point is this. Ishir herself worked closely with Kai. So closely we forget that, and yet still she guides us and protects us. Her biggest lesson was in forcing five wildly different individuals, with a common goal and respect, to find a way to work together to unlock the greatest power. If only we had those items now. No, wait, we do. Four of them right here in this place. And the fifth is in the possession of Valador, and we do not believe he knows what he truly has. If we look to the gods for inspiration, then let us consider Ishir's gentle message to us. We have in our hands, as if fated, something that binds five powerful individuals together. If we can but find those five people to weild it, we need never squable over the Sommerswerd as a prop. We could allow it to be wielded by a true champoion out in the world without fear of losing our only weapon against the darkness. All we have to do is defeat Valador, rather than succumb to his corrupt nihilism. All we have to do is truly defeat his schemes, and the truly find a way to work together as Ishir told us we should."

Sun Snake looked to Rain Feather. "The Kai Lord were wiped out once. It was so easy for darkness to gather together and destroy that symbol, it seems. But of course, it was never the Kai Lords and Sommlending. The Sommlending came from the sea, and went to where the Darklords were, planting alliances as they went, not conquering. And it was the Sommlending together that pushed the darkness back, blessed and not blessed. And then the Sommlending settled in the small area clensed, and set themselves - skilled and unskilled - against the darkness. When the Kai were all but wiped out, that was not the end, because the people endured. Lone wolf might have slain the Gourgaz, but as you say it was Prince Pelnar, with his troops, that held the darkness at bay. And it was not the Kai Lone Wolf, it was the loyal Sommlending and Kai Lone Wolf. He fought to the Prince's side. He had a mission that was greater, and yet when he saw his prince was in danger, he acted as a son of Sommerlund. He slew the Gourgaz depsite being only an initiate not because he was chosen of Kai, but because he fought for his prince. Blessed or not, both fought the people. And together, they held back the darkness enough. It may have taken Lone Wolf longer to fall, but both eventually fell in that goal. Not blessed and unblessed, but Sommlending doing what was right. Lone Wolf was the dutiful son of Sommerlund when the Darklords came again, torn in his duty. And it was Ulnar who had the courage, knowing the spirit of Sommerlund, who gave Lone Wolf the blessing to continue and restore the full power of the Kai Lords. Lone Wolf did not take it. He gave his trust to the people, despite his power, and the people gave their trust, despite theirs. Rain Feather, you are not listening to Lehnar. If you cannot even convince an ally of the order to give you leave to fight the darkness outside the norders of these lands, how are you going to convince other nations to allow the order inside their own borders to fight the fight? Are we to be shadows sneaking in to lands, acting with only our own autonomy? Do you see the danger inthat, given you may unite the order, but then be toppled the next day when we deal with Valador. Either because his gift of your return can be undone, or because there will be enough people who cannot accept the full truth of your return. And even if you last through that, you will eventually give the leadership to another. Do you truly trust the next leader with such autonomy? If we do not have you, who else do you see staying true to the greater good with no balance?"

Sun Snake then turned to Lehnar. "And you are not listening to Rain Feather nor Summer Wasp. And if you can question the loyalty of one such as Sabre Fox, perhaps you are not truly listening to yourself either. Perhaps once, it was the Sommlending, blessed and unblessed, who fought the darkness united, when that darkness was concentrated behind the Durncrag mountain range. But Naar has always been insidious, his champions and allies come from all sides now. Now it is Magnaund, Sommlending and not, who fight the fight. And just as before, there should be no difference seen. Kai's blessings fall further from home each year. And yet, Sommerlund has in the past stood as a symbol. We never left our lands to conquer, we sent envoys. The Sommerswerd was not lost when the first order of Kai were all but wiped out, because Sommerlund trusted its greatest ally with that blade, a symbol of unity. Kai Lords are now only half Sommlending. And yet Durenor gladly sends the Kia Lords here, despite the fact it puts those people direcly under the command of the Sommlending royalty. And Durenese only make half of those outsiders. Other nations still have allowed their own blessed warriors to be assimilated, put under the rule of Sommerlund. We did not cling to our power, nor seek to enforce it, and alwaus stood as a symbol of championing the battle against Naar. We have had so much loyalty shown to the ideals of Sommlund. We have had so much trust placed in Sommlerund. So now listen. Quite rightly, as the darkness grows, as the fronts grow, as more Kai Lords appear outside the borders of Sommerlund, the truth shows. The order is not Sommlending, the order is only Kai. Only the fact of the blessings - blessings that may just be as easy to manufacture are steel - hold disperate people together. You say the order is not loyal, and yet you seek to bring to heel half an organisation that has shown nothing but loyalty to a foreign nationality. Repay that trust, be the empodiment of what Sommlending is. Someone who is not afraid to give away personal power to empower allies, because that is how you show that such loyalty is trusted. Someone who is not afraid to demand the best of those allies, because you are living up to that ideal yourself. Do not balk at having to play politic with the order, succeed at it, show us it is possible so that other nations will know this can work. That you, when you are King, can create a network of allies through the order that has never been possible before."

Sun Snake looked to Summer Wasp last. "You seem eager to leave, rather than stay and fight. But we need strong opinions, we need to challenge each other. Whatever leader is chosen needs four others to pull at them in many directions. There are so many ways you can topple, if you try to balance on such a knife edge as we need to balance upon to succeed. This is almost impossibly hard, yet together we can do it. And that needs you to stay, at least for the moment, I believe. And yes, we do not cripple people we argue with to gain their accent. If a council has five people, each must be able to veto. Aside from a leader able to otherwise break a tie, all voices must be equal. You are right, it is doomed to fail if everyone is pulling for themselves. We must give power to each person, but that person must take the responsibility seriously. They must be trusted with power, so they know that they are respected. And given that respect, can therefore respect the others. And therefore, if four disagree with a fifth, then perhaps that fifth does not instantly veto petulantly. Perhaps that fifth does something for the good of all, respecting all other views above their own. And if they can do that, then when that lone voice vetos, they will in turn be trusted that it was not done selfishly nor casually. It is difficult, near impossible, for that to work. And yet the history of the order, the history of Sommerlund, and the history of Magnamund seems ripe with such stories of the near impossible becoming true."


Sun Snake looked back to Rain Feather. "I truly do trust you to be our leader. The reason I cannot support you is merely the situation we find ourselves in. We do not know your fate, we do not know how fragile you are in position, until we defeat Valador. And we cannot defeat Valador until we resolve the leadership, it seems. I would not hesitate to support you the second the threat of Valador and his ability to damage you physically or politically, or compromise you in any way, is gone. Until then..."

Sun Snake sighed. "However, you said we must fight, and you are right. And you have kept trying to pull me along in your quest to unite the order all this time. I am very tired though. We have lost the Grandmaster. I have lost my master. The order I love seeks to pull itself apart, the country I love seems to want to hasten that process." He looked to Sun Fox sadly. "I've seen someone pull themselves out of an impossible darkness, and yet they may well have to give their life away rather than spend the length of it atoning." He looked back to Rain Feather. "I have seen someone pull themelves back from death after selflessly giving their life, and yet that second change may well be cruelly taken away on the whim of an evil man." He looked to Shining Peaocock. "I seemed to come to a place of respect with someone who none may have thought I could, and yet the faith I asked him to show may well be shown as hollow." He looked back to Dawn Sword. "I took on a student who knew neither Sommerlund nor the order, but trusted me that they were both worth that loyalty. And yet..."

Sun Snake sighed again but turned around and stood up straight. "I am very tired, but I can see I do still need to fight to honour what was lost, and to fight for what is still here. And so, I think there is one last thing I am able to do that no one else can. And that is formally nominate myself for the position of leader."

My cunning plan of a long wall of text and sneaking that last paragraph in should work, I fully expect everyone to just nod and say 'yes' without having read it properly :)

Swift was still eyeing Sabre Fox with a neutral look to her, her gaze occasionally flitting towards Lenhar, as if waiting for either of them to make a move of some kind.

A hint of a smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as Sun Snake mentioned her, that tiny reaction showing she was still listening intently to others.

As he spoke the final words though, her eyes widened and she looked over at him, a surprised look on her face.

After a few seconds, she smirked again and gave a slight shake of her head, though seemingly amused at herself rather than denying what he had said.
"I suppose I should have seen that coming" she remarked quietly.  "The Blue Iris must have chosen you for a reason after all."


OOC: Hmm, intriguing developments...  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Sat 07 Dec 2019.

As Snake spoke, she just stood by and listened.  The look on her face flickered from time to time, but she found herself nodding at some of his points.

"Well, it would be nice if he would be up front and truthful with his desires for the Order, Snake.  I don't mind trusting the royal family- I mean, look how much they did for Lone Wolf.  But placing blind trust in someone who hasn't earned it beyond 'I'm the Prince and so you have to listen and do whatever I say' is setting us up for another disaster.  I've, well... learned that lesson.

I don't mind you putting your name up for Grandmaster- honestly, I can't say I'm all that shocked.  I just hope you know what you're getting into.

Granted, I admit there is part of me that's telling me I ought to have seen this coming, but... at the same time, I admit you do raise some good points.  It's why I was going to, honestly, leave that to you and everyone else, just in case, but...

I fully admit I believe that they would have allowed us across the border because of who we are- because we're Kai, and if we're on the move, it's usually because there's something that needs dealt with and it's not really wise to delay or attack us because of reasons, you know?"

Rain blinks a time or two.

"But in the end, it's not up to me, or you.  It's up to the others to decide- and no, I'm not going to hold any terrible feelings against you for this, old man... that's the whole thing that's kept all of this going for so long- jealousy and anger and rage and the pursuit of personal power... just... it's got to end.  If you end up Grandmaster, I'd follow you, no question, because all of this isn't about us.

But in the end, maybe Wasp over there has a point.  We're Kai, we fight darkness.  But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying to make in-roads with other nations to allow us to be able to respond to things much faster, and it's proven that the call of Kai can be found in men and women of only partial Sommlending blood, as well- so maybe we ought to be reaching out more- and until we get piles of skyships or learn to fly, well... we have ways to communicate over great distances, so why not use them?  It's not like we'd be leaving Sommerlund- last I heard, the forces of Darkness still have it out for the house of Ulnar- but our foes are adapting.  Maybe it's time we did, too.  We've been fighting the Darklords for a very long time- now that they're switching tactics, maybe we ought to, as well.  If you keep following the same battle plan, time after time, sooner or later someone will counter it perfectly."

She looked back to Snake.

"But then again, it's like I said.  I wouldn't want to take all the power for myself- there are things I'm not good at, and there are others who are better at those things.  None of us are Lone Wolf, and all of us need to work together.  I just hope that maybe you understand that too, you know?  I know you, old man, and I remember how much your master tried to do all by himself.  If you get it... don't think you have to do all of that by yourself.  And if you insist, we'll just let your student remind you of that fact until it sinks in.  This isn't about one of us, it's about all of us."

She would switch her gaze back to Lenhar, her expression cooling.

"...and I would thank you to not slander a fellow Kai, thank you very much.  Sabre might not be the best in some areas, but I trust him implicitly.  And yet, I wonder... why?  Why are you seeking so much in the way of force?"

Her lips thinned, and she moistened them before continuing.

"...or is it that you already have a target in mind and you're just out looking for the feet to fill the boots in the royal army?"

OOC: Nothing to answer to Rain Feather's declaration, Sun Snake? :)

Lenhar glared at Rain Feather and said, in a very angry tone:

"I have no idea what you're talking about, all I'm looking for is a way to strengthen our land."

Even if every single person other than his soldiers hadn't had Sixth Sense to confirm it to them, it was pretty clear that the Prince was lying, but he didn't seem concerned about it, probably because, in most circumstances, nobody would dare to actually put his word into question.

If looks could freeze, Lenhar would be the heart of a new Kalte glacier.  Her eyes focused on Lenhar's, holding his gaze.


"You see, your highness, that's the thing.  That's the reaction I was hoping for- just that little hint that there's more to all of this.  The fact that you can't even come and tell us the truth, by Kai and Ishir, as to why you need so much in the way of force, makes us all think there has to be a reason as to why, and the sheer fact that you keep stepping around the answer like a Vassagonian dancing girl makes me think you know we won't like the answer.

Keeping us safe?  Do you have so little faith in the army as it is to keep us safe, even though they've done the job very, very well for generations?  Or is it that there's something more you have in mind?  I mean, it's not like the army needs to be Kai-trained to guard the borders- they do an amazing job keeping the country safe even now- so what would they do with Kai-trained skills, I wonder?  Let's chase that line of thinking.

So we give the brave men and women of the Royal Army training, and then we follow them into the field.  Where are we going, your highness?  The only overland routes out of Sommerlund can take you to three places- over the Durncrags, down into Casiorn via Ruanon, and east into the Wildlands.  Given that I don't think even you would want to lead an army over the mountains and into the Darklands, and Casiorn is more concerned with making money.  So the only place left on that list is, well, the Wildlands.

Now, why do you want to take an army into a place they have no business being, I wonder?"

Her eyes flashed as she kept looking at him, almost daring him to answer.

Lenhar glared at that, and answered, refusing to be scared by Rain Feather's glowing gaze:

"Whatever intentions I have aren't for you to know. I have no obligation to explain myself to any of you; and the mere fact that you think I owe you any such explanation goes to show how out of hand this whole thing has gotten. No vassal would dare speak to me like that, which goes to show why this place really should be put to order."