video | un: wooden sword

[vdovy]

BACKDATED TO FEBRUARY 13TH

[ As soon as she is dismissed by the king, Yelena hurries to find a hidden corner of the fortress from which to broadcast. When the video starts, she looks flushed and sounds slightly out of breath, as if she was just running. ]

First of all, I must thank whichever one of you tipped off the king about the anonymous message claiming he sold us to Rathakku. He accused me of plotting his assassination so that was fun.

[ She glares into her stopwatch communicator, unamused. ] Maybe loop me in next time, yes?

[ A dismissive wave of her hand before she moves on to the real reason for this video. ]

We had an interesting conversation. Of all of us, I have probably spent the most time around Deimar. I do not believe he has sold us to Rathakku. I can't get into the details but I am asking everyone to please trust my judgment. I am not easy to convince.

More importantly, whether or not we've been sold is the least of our worries. There is something in Alem that Rathakku is after. Something he wants even more than hell itself. We need to figure out what it is and keep it from him.

I am also worried for Cle-Florens. I don't think her safety is Alem's priority. [ That's her delicate way of saying the poor girl has shitty brothers. ] We need to find a way to keep her protected.

Okay, I think that's everything. Bye! [ Another wave of her hand, this one much friendlier, and then the video goes dark. ]

Comments

[vdovy]

Deimar claims Rathakku is after his freedom. From what, I don't know, but this thing is supposed to grant it to him.

[ She makes an "awww" sound. ]

The king is no threat to me. But it's so cute that you care!

[downswing]

Abduction seldom demands consent.

[vdovy]

We need her to stay hidden, not alert the entire caravan that the missing princess is in their midst.

[downswing]

We ask those who may soothe her.

[vdovy]

There is a witch prepared to put her to sleep for the initial abduction but eventually she will wake.

[downswing]

Even if she returns, we delay them.

[vdovy]

Ideally, we would have someone in the caravan to watch over her and report back. Maybe we can pool funds and pay off another evacuee?

[reparo]

I can levitate her. If we want to not lower her down a wire. And someone might be able to take her via a portal - I'd just have to convince him.

[blackscales]

[ Ugh. Note to self: cease caring. It's never worth it. ]

I have no doubt you could take him in a fight, I was concerned he might have tried to outnumber you when making his accusation. He doesn't strike me as someone who would exclusively play fair.

[downswing]

We have such coin?

[video, un: long rope]

[eyeofthavnair]

This thing that Rathakku desires...Deimar does not know what it is? He has requested that we find out?

[bravelyrunsaway]

What controls any or all of these creatures? ( Rhetorical. ) Then we look for something here that shouldn't be. Or that smells like it's linked to him. Which will probably be the same thing.

[weifinder]

Which is why we're talking about abductions, isn't it.

( He sighs, not because he thinks they shouldn't at this point, but more because he knows they have no plan for after.

... Which is fairly consistent. )

One of her brothers needs to survive this mess. Whatever else happens.

( Because she's so utterly unprepared for the world, and her uncle has no more going for him than her brothers do, sadly. )

Then we need to turn eyes toward what changed, talk to the people who've been here longer. Speaking of, has Deimar mentioned at any point how long the seals have been sailing for Hell?

text — un: starburst.

[valeas]

Would it kill them to speak straightforwardly but once?

( raise your hand if you're absolutely sick of these riddles. )

[vdovy]

He definitely knows more about it than he was willing to share. And no, not exactly. I don't think he wants us near it. He seemed to think it was safest in his care.

[vdovy]

He waved his potato at me a lot. I think he meant it to be intimidating.

[vdovy]

Well, I haven't spent any— [ hooray for theft ] —but no, there probably isn't much left to pool by now. There must be something of value we can offer.

[vdovy]

No, but he did say that hell was sealed off in Alem centuries ago. It's never been a problem for them until now.

[vdovy]

You can smell that? [ Okay, sure. Super smell is not the weirdest power she has heard of. ] It may help to trace the king's scent, too. He is the only person we know for sure has been around it.

[vdovy]

He needs convincing to save a child?

[vdovy]

Honestly, we were lucky to get anything out of him. He seems to think he is its best protector and no one needs to know what or where it is except him. Kings and their egos.

[bravelyrunsaway]

You want to explain why I'm sniffing after Deimar, or plan on walking me along and saying it's just for exercise of a pet?

( when you're a werewolf and do not bother formally telling anyone at all. )

[weifinder]

It might be possible the dark waters and whatever curse of living death ties in with them, and the memories it mimics, and the magic it is for good and ill could be what crept through the seal, making cracks expand. From how we've seen it act elsewhere, it's possible.

Just as, do they have a mirror here? Perhaps. In whole or fragments?

[downswing]

No bodies, no bones.


( These things must be said. )

[vdovy]

You're worried about evidence?

[ she may have misunderstood ]