[center][h1][color=f26522]Carnatia de Valmont[/color][/h1][/center]
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As the group made their way through Sielse, Carnatia's face occasionally scrunched up in disgust. The province of Sielse was in poor condition. Whoever was charged in the province had failed utterly at upholding their duty. She cannot imagine what conditions the common people living here were facing. At this point, calling it a failed state was not an exaggeration. At the very least, it made her feel better should her actions here would indeed end up in Westernant annexing the province. Surely, life under Westernant cannot be worse than this for the people of Sielse.

If any even yet lived, that was, Carnatia thought as they travelled through the province with nary a soul in sight.

Eventually, however, they encountered natives of the province. A group of soldiers attempting to arrest a man. The man claimed that he had the information they were seeking, but then again, of course, a man on the verge of death would claim that, clinging to the hope that their group may be his salvation.

For a moment, Carnatia mused the current conundrum at hand. One side of the argument was to respect the 'laws' of the land. These soldiers claimed to be the authority here, and thus far, nothing Carnatia had seen betrayed that fact. This was definitely unlawful conduct, considering that this was in the middle of nowhere, Carnatia doubted that the man had been sentenced in court and was simply being executed here, however...this was still their land—for the time being—and thus it was their prerogative to enact such barbaric law enforcement.

On the other hand, the fact that such barbaric law enforcement was upholding might count toward the eventual argument Westernant would make that Sielse was a failed state and thus they needed to move in to restore order. Thus, as a noble of Westernant who had a duty to advance her country's agenda, it might be prudent to save the man as a witness to the barbarism of the ruler of Sielse.

That, coupled with the fact that currently the representative of the Church, meant that her duty would be to not tolerate such blatant wickedness...

Yes. Saving the man probably would be the correct choice. That being said, killing the soldiers of the land's ruler would be ill-advised as they would have enough trouble without being wanted by the ruler of the land.

Therefore, diplomacy should—

Just as Carnatia came to her conclusion, however, Mirielle charged.

[i][color=f26522]'That hothead...!'[/color][/i] Carnatia thought.

Carnatia put herself between Mirielle and the soldier.

[color=f26522]"Hold, Mirielle. Best we pursue diplomatic avenue further!"[/color] she shouted, her rapier drawn and enhanced with magic, her senses sharpened to sense any incoming attack with her prescient defence, just in case Mirielle did not incline to reason or the soldiers attacked anyway.

Then, she added toward the soldiers, [color=f26522]"We clearly have conflicting interests, let us parley with your lord. That is the only scenario in which this won't end poorly for you. If you refuse, then we have to fight, and this is not a fight you'd likely win."[/color]

Gesturing at Amaris, she continued, [color=f26522]"This Sarkaz is the infamous 'witch' who massacred an entire town. I'm sure you've heard the rumours of a border town between Varenhaim and Westernant being destroyed by a single witch.[/color]

Then, gesturing at herself, she added, [color=f26522]"Even if you somehow win, it will not end well for you. For I am a daughter of Westernant's Ducal House, de Luson. Killing me is ground enough for Westernant to declare war. You will be known as the soldiers who invoked the wrath of Westernant, probably causing a war. I'm sure your lord won't look kindly at that."[/color]