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

un: wei wuxian

[weifinder]

Deimar wants us investigating what that is? Did he give you any other hints at the whole?

Also, the man should be kicked firmly in the backside for how neglected his sister is. His brother the same.

[vdovy]

No, I don't think he does. I suspect he knows more about it than he was willing to say, so he is keeping us in the dark.

He did say that Alem stumbled upon it accidentally and that it has the power to free Rathakku. It might be under the fortress, perhaps encountered during mining? Maybe that's a reach but he used the words "pandemonium at our feet."

A kick in the ass is the least of what they deserve. We're the only people who seem at all concerned for her.

[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?

[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.

[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?

[vdovy]

Well, yes, they have mirrors. Very ornate ones. Everywhere except in Prince Haiva's quarters, where they are no longer permitted. I had brushed it off as a strange rumor but one of Haiva's maids claimed he was eating the shards from a handheld mirror.

[weifinder]

... Did the maid know where that hand held mirror went? Because that might be the way things changed. Mirrors are linked to the dark water and curses, and is how this all started with those researchers in Ellethia.