un: absterge

[downswing]

A child failed in Ke-Waihu. Again, in Serthica.

Here, young Princess Cle-Florens, convinced of duty as sacrifice. We cannot abandon.

Elsewise: beware the Wards, the Gut's Bind. Death wanders.

If you have come possessed or hell-tainted, speak.

Comments

[downswing]

I propose relocation.

[rehandle]

Maybe avoid the word propose for a while.

Will she go willingly?

[downswing]

Unlikely. She embraces sacrifice.

[rehandle]

She can't be appealed to by her betrothed?

[downswing]

( This man chose violence. )

Respectfully declined.

[rehandle]

[ Are you jealous of a child, Wangji? ]

You'd rather we abduct a child against her will, no questions asked, than give her the chance to be an accomplice in her own rescue? I'm only suggesting he speak to her again.

[downswing]

And make advantage of her feelings.

[rehandle]

We're going to hurt her one way or another. If she goes willingly at least she won't wake up stolen, afraid and surrounded by strangers.

[downswing]

Is this 'compromise'? The blunting of integrity.

[rehandle]

When necessary, for the sake of a life.

[downswing]

It is necessary.

[rehandle]

Then we use what we have. Better to make her sad than scared if we have the chance to choose.

[downswing]

We lead her to the caravan. Wrathion has notions.

[blackscales]

We could ask Haiva his opinion on the matter, but if he asks to see her feet I'd abort the idea.

[valeas]

( Why... )

[blackscales]

[ LISTEN HE CONSIDERS IT A VALID CONCERN.

WHO KNOWS AT THIS POINT!]

[rehandle]

[ Pointedly ignoring the mention of feet, he's come this far without getting involved in the foot mess... ]

I've not had any dealings with Haiva. Is it likely to stoke any political fires?

[blackscales]

[ Bluntly: ]

He's in charge of evacuations and seems on the surface less interested in the fighting. However, he's loyal to his brother. The biggest risk is he's likely to not want to undermine him. Which is why I suggested testing his opinion on it, not immediately asking his assistance in a kidnapping.

[rehandle]

Testing his opinion still runs the risk of putting the others on alert if he chooses to share what he's heard. But if you or someone else thinks they're up for the task of managing that subtly, having the man responsible for the evacuations on side would certainly help.

[blackscales]

I would have just gone with kidnapping the child, if they want her out of here so badly.