[center][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5531101][img]https://i.imgur.com/oqkGPuZ.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][h3]--Athroyeaux Castle - Throne Room--[/h3][/center]
[@Estylwen] [@LunarParadox] [@ERode]

Oh, he knew, they both knew, excellent. 

For a brief moment in time, "Melisande's" shadow seemed to curl a jaw-splitting grin, stretching from ear to ear; umbramancy, a trick of the mind, or perhaps something else entirely? Twas' of no importance, certainly not as much as the vindictive joy Kronos had upon the prospect of finally meeting an ally of its own, one who could properly understand its existence. Perhaps, these Faux-Shadeborns weren't so worthless after all.

[color=f68192][b]"I'm here merely to accompany my liege Lord Blackthorne, Your Majesty, Lady Teardrop."[/b][/color] Falsehood, deception, Kronos couldn't care less about the Half-Elven Court Mage, all it wanted was to return home, and preferably without Melisande perishing and dragging Evelyn with it along the way. This... spectral monarch could be the key to its salvation. Rejoice, Ghost King, not many mortals - even former ones - could claim to be owed favors from the Dremora of Time.

Then, Kronos figuratively left the spotlight, allowing the Court Mage and the Duke of Odonfield to make their own introductions.

For the benefit of both itself and its Lilim host, Kronos keenly observed through the simulacrum's eyes and ears, committing what was transpiring before it. The False Queen's plans, it already knew, but the Ghost King's response to her hubris? This one was new. 

How peculiar, a weapon capable of slaying those thalassic titans, so they meant to slay the monster [i]after[/i] it's awakened instead of interrupting the summoning process in the first place, perhaps by slaying Evelyn herself? Interesting... however, if one considered that Lamont wanted her alive, then it'd answer everything.

The sovereign of wraiths forward his proposal, who shall be the worthy bearer of this blade? A rhetorical inquiry as far as Kronos was considered, it wasn't a question as much as a nomination.

The Duke of Odonfield shall wield the Titanslayer and fell the Beast of the Deep.

[color=f68192][b]"If she truly wishes to resort to such lengths to consolidate her power, then I... no, it's the duty of all to stop her hubris, even if one supports her to the very end, she knows not what she's about to do. I do not believe for a moment that such a behemoth would answer to anyone but itself."[/b][/color] Platitudes, redundant statements, but such was the way of the court, [color=f68192][b]"So, Your Lordship, please, for all of our sakes."[/b][/color] The Lilim Simulacrum nodded solemnly at the only Human among them.

[hider=Retconned]
[center][h3]--Hathforth Pier - The Battle-Blood Minstrel--[/h3][/center]
[@Estylwen] [@LunarParadox]

[s]Immediately after Eirwen passed through the Dimension Door, Melisande followed him and dispelled the portal behind her. Then, she too bowed before the Wizard Queen.

[color=b9b5fa][b]"Few things are more precious than your praise, Your Majesty."[/b][/color] The Lilim closed her eyes with a grateful smile. For all of her flaws, the Wizard Queen was one of the finest wielders of the arcane and for one's magical talents to be acknowledged by her was nothing to scoff at. Just for this moment, Melisande allowed the euphoria of accomplishment to wash over her, tactfully of course.

Upon the Sovereign of Arrowfell's request, Melisande straightened herself then gracefully nodded, [color=b9b5fa][b]"By your word, Your Majesty."[/b][/color] The execution of the drunkard duke? Hmmm... unfortunate, but no one in their right mind would be able to deny that he brought the whole thing upon himself.

[color=b9b5fa][b]"The honor is mutual, Lord Urimyar, please, lead the way."[/b][/color] The Court Apprentice followed along the queen's advisor, heading into the belly of the wooden beast, and the kingdom certainly spared no expenses at emulating the splendors of the royal castle within the vessel's decks. Security too it seemed, as the famous Captain Roderic of the Iron Hand could be witnessed frolicking with his band.

[color=b9b5fa][b]"..."[/b][/color] In silence, Melisande took in the sights, but shifted her attention to Vuluin once he began speaking, [color=b9b5fa][b]"I see, please give our thanks to Her Majesty."[/b][/color] But then with a single sentence, he revealed his true intentions...

...and at that [i]very[/i] moment, Melisande found faculty over her own body abruptly robbed from her as she became a passenger in her-self.

[color=b9b5fa][i]Kronos, what are you-...?[/i][/color]

[color=f68192][i]Be still and let me save our lives.[/i][/color]

Unbeknownst to any observers, the Lilim standing before them was no longer Melisande, but they would be none the wiser.

[color=f68192][b]"Ah, that, twas' our efforts to identify Her Majesty's enemies, Milord,"[/b][/color] Kronos - as Melisande - answered calmly, [color=f68192][b]"Not too long ago, we were approached by a servant of the so-called Ghost King, Lamont DuFairre, she called herself Valor Teardrop."[/b][/color] It paused, letting its words sink in, [color=f68192][b]"She wished to conspire with us, Milord, the servant invited us to speak with her liege himself at his court in Athroyeaux Castle, far north from here. We decided to humor this invitation, see what schemes he had in store for Her Majesty."[/b][/color]

[color=f68192][b]"I sent my Simulacrum to Ravenfell, but Master here was courageous enough to attend by himself, risking life and limb, bravery that I do not possess."[/b][/color] Kronos nodded at Eirwen before continuing, [color=f68192][b]"Duke Laurent Rhinecliff was present too, Milord, summoned by the Ghost King, and this wraith... he planned terrible, terrible things."[/b][/color] Kronos puppeteered Melisande's brows to frown, convincingly emulating an expression of concern, [color=f68192][b]"He wished to abduct Her Majesty, no doubt to nefarious ends, and to accomplish this, he bequeathed a ghostly artifact to Duke Rhinecliff, then invited all three of us to conspire with him."[/b][/color]

Truth? Deception? Both, after all, the most convincing lies were ones based on truth. Speaking of such half-truths...

[color=f68192][b]"Shocked by this invitation to commit high treason, I wholeheartedly refused, the notion of biting the hand that had given me so much was inconceivable..."[/b][/color] Kronos then sighed, heavily, [color=f68192][b]"However, with a heavy heart, I have to tell you that Duke Rhinecliff held no such loyalty, he acquiesced to cooperate, but we all expected that, it's an open secret that he had no love for Her Majesty, indeed, his betrayal wasn't what unsettled us the most, instead..."[/b][/color] Kronos' indigo gaze then shifted toward Eirwen, barely-restrained revulsion on its Lilim visage.

[color=f68192][b]"That Lord Blackthorne too acceded to the scheme."[/b][/color]

[color=b9b5fa][i]KRONOS!!![/i][/color]

[color=f68192][i]Hush. Despise me all you want, feyling, but I will not let the False Queen and her ilk triumph, and be honest, you never truly cared for the Half-Elf.[/i][/color][/s]
[/hider]