[CENTER][img]https://i.postimg.cc/L5GsZ5sv/a195ca2580892c2f64767511da4ce176.png [/img] [color=gray]Location: Just outside the Jotunheim[/color][/CENTER] [hr] At first, Nellara didn't try to hide her irritation with the humans' actions. Even if they were trying to make a diplomatic approach, they had no idea of the true intentions Gesith had and their actions were only making things even worse. Especially with the 'gifts' they gave to the Glen. The more the situation progressed, the more Nellara wanted just to rip that insolent glen's throat off his neck and face the investigation from the Order of Magisters afterwards. The fact that she didn't have a proper sleep yet other than a few quick naps, despite the sun being already high was making her patience run even thinner. [color=d3c28b]"Your insolence and disrespect to the Ascension will be punished with blood, Gesith Silbermane."[/color] Nellara said, almost hissing as she replied to his words. [color=d3c28b]"I hope you are prepared for the consequences of your actions. Both for you and Mythadia itself."[/color] she continued, with a clear and not so veiled threat. [color=d3c28b]"Although... You might not live long enough to face them yourself. Good luck, Gesith. You will need it."[/color] Nellara completed as she walked back towards where her soldiers were. [hr] The next hours were quite tense for Nellara, due to the situation, not only she wasn't able to rest properly, but she had to keep an eye on Gesith's movements, see if the humans had any other wonderful idea that would end up making her life even more miserable or if Gesith decided to attack, which was honestly what she was hoping for... Seeing his lifeless corpse at her feet was honestly just what she needed to calm her ire. Regardless, there was little time to lose, even as she waited for the thought mage to arrive from Lenkik. [color=d3c28b]"I want one of you to immediately go to Lenkik as fast as you can. Even if you have to run all the way there."[/color] Nellara said with an incredibly serious tone to the remaining soldiers she brought with her. [color=d3c28b]"Order an army to be immediately assembled and dispatched to this site to deal with the Glen invaders and protect the humans. I also want an updated report about the situation delivered to the highest authorities in Lenkik, with express orders to be IMMEDIATELY taken to Arcaeda. I don't care about proper procedures for requisitioning an army or bureaucracy. I will deal with those after the current crisis is solved. Arcadea needs to know about this as soon as possible. Mythadia has formally invaded Ascension territory and is currently establishing a military camp as we speak. Reinforcements and possibly an army is already have probably already been called by them."[/color] Nellara said. [color=d3c28b]"Needless to say, whoever goes to Lenkik will be compensated for your effort. Feel free to take a few days off to rest with my permission."[/color] she said with a sigh. Even though it was highly unlikely Nellara herself would have any days off for the foreseeable future, due to the recent developments, keeping the soldiers well rested and satisfied was still important. [color=gray]"As you wish, Castigator Nellara."[/color] One of the soldiers said, taking a step forward as he prepared to the long run back to Lenkik, taking off as much armor as possible and only taking the necessary in order to not weight himself down. That particular soldier was one of the smaller among the group and had a relatively light build. Due to that, his decision to volunteer himself wasn't met with any objection from the other soldiers. Just after the soldier began making his way, starting with a steady jog before gradually increasing his rhythm, one of the humans, Ixtaro, approached their camp, just as Nellara had sat down. In any other situation, approaching them by herself would be incredibly dangerous, but the fact that Ixtaro chose them to do so and not the Glen did make her a bit more relieved. Even if it was rather reckless by Nellara's own standards, to approach a group she barely knew by herself, it was still an undeniable show of trust. Even though her interest seemed to be more focused on Shirik, Ixtaro seemed to have brought a number of objects. 'Gifts' was the word she used, as she handed them to each one of them, likely a sign of friendship and goodwill. All the objects seemed to be quite curious. From the strange notebooks and metallic writing instruments, to a small metallic box that could produce a small flame and even a curious knife, they were all quite curious. Upon a brief observation, Nellara was able to notice that most of them, despite the strange materials, seemed to have similar uses to objects that already existed in Kanth-Amerek. [color=d3c28b]"Thank you."[/color] Nellara said, thanking Ixtaro with a small bow as she analyzed the small knife on her hands, curious about the metal it was made with and the strange techniques used to make the grooves and overall form of the blade. Out of respect for the human, Nellara made no attempts to intrude or interrupt as she interacted with Shirik, even after hearing the name 'Silbermine' being said. Both the human and the strange Iriad continued exchanging pictures and words for a decent time, before they bid their farewells, promising to 'talk' more on the next day. Just before Ixtaro was about to leave, Nellara, who choose to say nothing instead of interrupting them, finally turned towards the human, with a serious expression. [color=d3c28b]"Silbermine, Danger. Take, steal. Careful."[/color] she said, turning to Ixtaro for a moment and offering her a small nod before the human left for the ship again. [hr] It didn't take too long until Kerchak arrived from Lenkik with the soldier Nellara dispatched with him and the promised thought mage and the inquisitor guards that always escorted one of his kind. The fact that they arrived earlier than Gesith's reinforcements, possibly a thought mage of his own, were incredibly good news for Nellara, since she would have a chance to communicate with the humans before Gesith did. [color=d3c28b]"Thank you. Thank you as well, Kerchak."[/color] Nellara said, nodding and showing her appreciation for both Kerchak and the soldier who were to Lenkik. [color=d3c28b]"Gesith has established a military camp and has started moving his forces. We can expect reinforcements, possibly an army to arrive."[/color] Nellara said, quickly explaining what had happened to Kerchak while he was away. [color=d3c28b]"The Ascension will do the same... An all out war between the Ascension and Mythadia seems unavoidable... Unless Mythadia gives the Ascension an official apology and sends the Ascendancy reparations for Gesith's actions... Which will likely include a punishment for the offender."[/color] Nellara said with a heavy sigh before she finally turned to the thought mage, brought in front of her by the inquisitors. [color=d3c28b]"Although I wish the circumstances behind our meeting were better, the feeling is still mutual. Your cooperation is of utmost importance to solve this situation."[/color] Nellara said, greeting the thought mage with a respectful nod. [color=d3c28b]"I assume you already received a brief explanation of the situation. Also, I assume that you know that everything you will hear, see and experience here today should be kept a secret."[/color] Nellara asked looking at Gar'Tan seriously before she began explaining. [color=d3c28b]"Last night, something akin to a meteor fell on the hills behind Lenkik. It's light and noise were enough to send the entire city into a state of alert, going as far as sending a Castigator to investigate."[/color] she started to explain. [color=d3c28b]"This is the 'meteor' you heard crashing. This huge fortress-ship is inhabited by a race of creatures calling themselves 'Humans'. Not only does the language they talk not resemble any known language, but we have received confirmation from the humans themselves that they, in fact, do not come from our planet."[/color] Nellara continued, giving Gar'Tan some time to absorb all the information. [color=d3c28b]"Unfortunately, it seems the crash was loud and bright enough for other people to see it and show enough interest to come investigate it..."[/color] Nellara said, nodding towards the camp Gesith made in the distance, with a clear expression of anger and disgust. [color=d3c28b]"To make things worse, their goal seems to be much less 'diplomatic' than ours regarding the Humans. Gesith and his knights aim to claim the ship for themselves and take the humans with them for their technology. Under the guise of 'protection', they want to disassemble the humans' ship and take it to their kingdom, with the humans as their hostages... They treat the humans more as objects to steal than sentient creatures."[/color] Nellara continued. [color=d3c28b]"We were the first to have direct contact with the humans. The few words we know of their language and the words we know from theirs were fruit of our small 'exchange'. They were the ones to explain us that they came from another planet, the name of their race, the name of their ship and even their individual name. The commander of this ship seems to be the one called 'Zeynep'."[/color] Nellara said, replying to Kerchak's worries regarding how close they were from the humans. [color=d3c28b]"Our intentions were peaceful from the start. In the other hand, Gesith appeared with a small army, both armored and with weapons in hand. I can safely say the humans have much more reasons to trust us than they have to trust the Glen."[/color] She said, trying to assure Kerchak that there wasn't any reason for the humans to consider them as enemies. [color=d3c28b]"Regardless of how friendly our first contact was, we still need to respect their territory, instead of just entering their ship without being invited. We will approach the entrance to their ship and relay our intentions to communicate by using the help of the thought mage...?"[/color] Nellara said, discreetly asking for his name with a hand gesture. [color=d3c28b]"Time is of the essence. We need to make use of the advantage we have over Gesith. I am sure he will bring a thought mage of himself to try and convince the humans to hand themselves over so he can put his greedy paws into their fortress. If any of you have any questions, the time to ask them is now. I will try to answer all of them as clearly and concisely as possible, while we head towards the Jotunheim entrance, knock and wait for the humans' reply."[/color] Nellara said as she stood up. Staying true to her words, Nellara gave a quick nod towards the Inquisitors, whom certainly had heard her words as she guided them towards the Jotunheim entrance, stopping just outside where the humans had made their barricade, before knocking on the boxes and waiting for the humans to reply. [color=d3c28b]"Vigdis, Zeynep, Ixtaro. We talk, speak."[/color] Nellara said, using both words that she heard Ixtaro and Vigdis exchanging in the previous night.