Circling the Throne
Location: Sandswept Sky - Al Mamoon Palace
Midna’s
@DracoLunaris, Sectonia’s
@Archmage MC, Mao’s
@Potemking, Jesse’s
@Zoey Boey, Primrose’s
@Yankee, Yoshitsune and Sora’s
@Rockin Strings, Fox’s
@Dawnrider, Raz’
@Truthhurts22, Tora and Poppi, Big Band, the Phantom Thieves, Braum, Shadow, Ciella
Word Count: 10452 (+11)
Before the newcomers even reached the Palace’s impressive doors, the swarm of buzzing Grimleal acolytes descended upon them. The cultist enforcers of the Grimleal were out in force, their
robes mages,
grim legionnaires,
horned cavaliers atop
frilled, reptillian bipeds, and masked
overseers operating not only under the watchful visors of the towering
Ruin Sentinels that could be found on guard duty throughout Al Mamoon, but also a hitherto-unseen heavy suppression automaton: the giant
Ruin Grader. Though they fanned out around the group with their weapons close at hand, they made no overt signs of hostility. Still, the show of force did not go unnoticed, and after a tense moment the overseer in charge approached Ciella as the long-eared archer moved to the forefront.
“Lieutenant Ciella?” he asked by way of confirmation, given her altered appearance. After receiving a stiff nod he continued. “We’re under orders to escort all Resistance members to the prison block.”
The Agito gave a sweeping gesture as if confused why her underlings weren’t already. “Then get on with it,” she snapped irritably.
Sweating beneath his mask, the overseer bowed his head. “Pardon me, ma’am. Despite our intelligence we never identified every last one of them. Who should we be taking?”
Ciella sighed, rubbing her temples, then one by one indicated Resistance members one by one for collection. “Him, him, him, and him. Her too,” she pointed out Reinhardt, Fuse, the Dragonborn, Mordecai, and Es. For a moment she locked eyes with Shadow, sparing no effort to mask her hatred, but what he and Mao mentioned during the trip over made her think twice about shipping them off. “...We’ll bring those two before Validar. They possess valuable information.” The overseer bowed and gave a hand sign to his crew while Ciella quietly seethed in Midna and Sectonia’s general direction.
Despite being left well enough alone, Mao was still feeling tense. His gaze fell on Ciella as he tried to figure out if he dodged a bullet, or if she was setting him up for something worse. Assuming the latter, he simply kept quiet and watched for the moment. If they were to have any chance to talk this out like most of the group wanted, starting a fight now wouldn't work. He shifted his look over to the Resistance members, nodding to Gunnar, in particular. They'd all group back up soon enough, one way or another.
After just a few moments the delay came to an end, and everyone left over could proceed. Only about half of the Grimleal parted alongside the five Resistance members, leaving a sizable contingent to escort Ciella and the others inside. Most notable, the Ruin Grader kept up the rear. Collectively uneasy but prepared for the meeting in store, the Seekers and their newfound allies marched into the titanic Palace interior. Before them lay the long hallway, brazier-lit and bordered on either side by rows of pillar archways in front of masses of verdant ferns that faded into darkness. Just a few minutes of walking separated from Validar now.
”Couldn’t spare anyone for the strike against the resistance, but, oh now escort duty, now there's something we can lavish troops on!” Midna groused sarcastically
“Since your company never informed us of your intention to participate, and to minimize casualties, we dispatched only elite operatives against our largely unknown foe,” Ciella informed her, her matter-of-fact tone tinged by snark. “Perhaps you didn’t notice, but I’m rather suited to fighting alone.”
”Not well suited enough” Midna pointed out, before adding
”Also you know you didn’t join them by choice right? You got plopped here by a malevolent light god after it ripped you from whatever you were doing and then told you that you belonged here all along. You don’t need to cover their butts if you don't want to. You don’t owe them anything.” The Agito’s look was a withering one. “You are as presumptuous as you are small and tiresome. It is none of your business, but I came here well after I arrived in this world. I cooperate with the others because they too feel disgust for the hypocritical, despair for false justice, and desire for a world without deception.” She focused forward again, flipping her hair with indignation. “I do not need you to respect my ideals. Only to abstain from afflicting me with yours.”
Als she got was a shrug in response from Midna
Click for musicTheir trip took them past the mammoth four-poster bed where her Moojesty, Queen Lowlah the Cowlipha, continued to snooze in perpetual anticipation of her next taste of cheese, and into the throne room proper. There, streaks of evening sun poured in from high windows to land on the faces and wings of immense stone sphinxes, while across the way Validar himself could be seen, seated comfortably upon the golden throne, shaded by immense lengths of hanging crimson cloth, and attended by his lieutenants on either side. The trappings of the ancient sorcerer
Kan-Ra identified him even from the distance that separated the vast chamber’s ends, and though his face couldn’t quite be made out from so far, it was a safe bet to assume that he grinned at them even now. Opposite him stood the pompous ‘researcher’
Azwel, whose sashes swayed in the hands of some ethereal breeze. Like Kan-Ra he carried no weapons, but anyone who witnessed him fight in the Temple of Khamoon knew that a veritable arsenal of crystalline weaponry was only ever a flick of the wrist away.
Rather than proceed directly across, the newcomers found a handful of allies both new and old by the entrance, and stopped there for a moment. Fox, Big Band, Goldlewis Dickinson, Raz, and Robin had been exchanging details there whilst waiting for the others’ arrival, but they seemed less than thrilled about the unfamiliar face in their company.
The stranger sported long pink hair, a slinky, fanciful dress, and two revolvers worn at her hip. Just about everything about her screamed the stereotypical femme fatale, prideful and beauteous, but she wore an ugly look on her face--a smirk of totally shameless cruelty. “Well, if it isn’t the big bunny!” she exclaimed, her voice a low, throaty growl. “You look shorter. And all those wounds, hah hah, look at you!
What happened, trip on your hair again?” Hands on her hips, she circled around Ciella, looking her up and down. “Don’t tell me those Resistance idiots gave you a hard time? After all your endless bleating about the weak and crap?”
Scowling, Ciella huffed off across the throne room to join the other lieutenants, the click of her heels against the stone echoing through the wide-open space. Cinderella laughed as the Agito retreated, taunting, “Don’t worry, I’ll get all the juicy details from your little friends!” She turned to the new arrivals with her arms crossed under her chest, grinning from ear to ear. “Man, isn’t Flopsy just the worst? I can’t stand people like her, always acting like they’re better than the rest, when they’re really the filthiest of all on the inside. So, we sent in you dopes to help her, right? Was she really that pathetic? C’mon, out with it already, I don’t have time to be bored!”
Though interested at first for totally superficial reasons, Tora had quickly gotten about as repulsed by this woman as Poppi, and both ended up looking to Big Band for help. The detective, however, had none to offer, and just gave an exasperated shake of his head as he explained, “Cinderella here’s one of Validar’s enforcers. Asked her to keep us company ‘til y’all arrived.”
“Hey, I’m nobody’s lackey, Sax!” the gunslinger corrected, her mood shifted from playful to pissed in an instant. “I don’t give a damn about him, his dragon, or any of the wackos runnin’ around here. All their justice, politics, ideals...meaningless! The more serious they try to look, the more moronic they are. Isn’t it just a crying shame?” WIth a giggling sigh, she shook her head, her hands held up helplessly. “So it’s up to me to keep it real, and really, I’m just here to have fun picking wounds.” Crossing her arms again, she looked between the Seekers. “So, are you gonna spill the beans?”
Having withstood this woman’s gormlessness for a while already, Band looked weary. “Any brave souls wanna keep her busy? The rest of us can compare notes real quick before Validar calls us over.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Cinderella chipped in. “I don’t give a shit, go nuts. He’s gonna kick things off right after Flops gets done trying to salvage her reputation. Just
someone help a girl out, I’m
literally dying here.”
"Well, first, there was the warehouse," Yoshitsune began, "and most of what happened in there is a blur to me. I know we won and that's where we found Mao. Next thing I remember is rushing to the temple." He chose to wait to see if anyone else would give more details. Cinderella looked confused, wondering who he was talking to.
"Found and brought to a draw against." Mao piped up, not wanting to sound like a chump. No need to mention the damage Band took prior to their fight, right? He thought so.
"Ciella was at Rocket Inc, the third Resistance base, with a group of these guys I led there." He added to try and keep Cinderella's attention as to not have her in everyone else's hair. He waved a hand back at the group, wanting them to formulate their plan since they were the peaceful types. He could talk crude with this woman for a while.
"I don't know what the hell her deal is, but she went from attacking the Resistance to attacking just about everybody. She's lucky to be able to go whine to her boss at all, I could've let her bite it when she ended up beaten and on her knees." He still wondered if that was a bad decision or not, leaving Ciella alive. The frustration of having nearly been killed by her twice was seething inside of him.
”She really needs to be taught manners and be a team player. She just wants to attack anything that moves, and before that, well… She didn’t do too well.” Sectonia said, not really happy with Ciella’s performance, laying into her as tactfully as she could.
”She’s a crazy arrogant bitch that got taken down an entire ladder's worth of pegs by this very dangerous guy over here” Midna said, jabbing a thumb towards the injured Shadow, who she had had the time and energy to actually put together the fact that she somewhat knew who the black and red hedgehog was. But only somewhat. Enough to consider him an ace, or maybe a wild card, up her non-existent sleeves.
The news seemed to delight Cinderella, and she wore her sadistic pleasure on her sleeve. “Ooh, no kidding? That’s good,
real good. I mean, I’d hoped she’d bumble things, but nearly getting killed and hanging on the mercy of people she just about team-killed? Hah. She’ll be stewing over it forever. Oh, this is gonna be so much fun.” She did give Sectonia a sly look, however. “You, Bugs. That how you really feel? I get the sense you’re more pissed than you let on. Won’t do you any good to bottle it up, you know. Gotta indulge yourself, from time to time. Or hell, all the time. Works for me.”
Mao smirked, finding amusement in Cinderella's worldview. It almost aligned with his own, though the current matters had left him being pretty compliant to achieve his own goals.
"Definitely give her hell over it. Just the thought is a starting remedy to the arrow she put through my shoulder." He remarked, despite that whole ordeal being easily healed off by the cat earlier.
"Maybe it'll help you to know she only managed to kill someone that already got beaten down prior." He offered, before thinking of his own brutality in the fight. He didn't have much more Ciella information, but if he had to keep her from disrupting the others, maybe some general discussion about the violence during the fight would do. Predictably the gunslinger relished the news, none-too-subtly sharing in return that her own battles tended to be abject slaughterfests. And so the delightful conversation went on.
The full story of what went on below Rocket Inc. was of interest to Primrose as well, so she kept an ear out for the conversation with Cinderella even as she turned away from them, facing the other Seekers with a serious expression. Hours ago the dancer had been willing to give the Grimleal the benefit of the doubt, but throughout the course of the day they'd proven just as unscrupulous as they seemed. The sight of Validar sitting pretty on the throne with the air of a man who had the utmost confidence that they were one step ahead of everyone around them practically made Primrose's skin crawl.
"Well," she said, exasperation edging into her voice,
"I don't suppose you might have gained any insight on what Validar plans to do next, with the Resistance or the city, what with your chaperone there...?" Goldlewis’s expression surfaced the same sort of consternation that Primrose was feeling. “Well, we sure didn’t get anythin’ outta miss Cinderella here, that’s for sure.” He removed his glasses to massage the bridge of his nose, exposing for a moment the eye always kept hidden beneath the darkened lens of his glasses. “Just a headache somethin’ fierce. No word on any big plans either. But this Robin fella shed a li’l more light on the big man hisself.” After replacing his glasses the titan of a man glanced over at his former enemy.
“Right,” Robin said, taking the baton. “I already mentioned that in my world, he attempted to revive his god, the Fell Dragon Grima, by using me as a vessel for its resurrection. In both that world and this one he lead the Grimleal cult and eventually came to rule over a desert nation, Plegia there, and Al Mamoon here. Unfortunately, none of us were here when he came to power, so we have nothing to go on except Drippy’s hypothesis.”
“That bein’ that he came outta the night an’ used dark magic to part the Queen from her restraint, right?” Big Band cut in.
Robin nodded. “Since then, he has reorganized the government and engineered many public works projects, overhauling entire sections of the city. His greatest push has been for the incorporation of ‘modern technology’, as it’s become known, and trade with other cities and settlements. Essentially, he’s seized hold of anything that he perceives as gain. To achieve all this, he and his Grimleal mages have been using Risen labor.”
“The undead,” Band remarked, an unusual bitterness in his voice, borne from animosity gained during his long campaign against the Skullgirls. “Dressed like normal workers, their heads all wrapped up in bandages. You’d never look at ‘em twice, seein’ em out on the streets.”
The tactician looked grave as he continued. ”Of course, I had my suspicions. Raising undead, changing the city, possibly working to resurrect Grima. When some friends and I learned about a Resistance, we climbed aboard, and only discovered its real purpose too late.” Sighing in frustration, he held a hand to his head. “Nastasia is her name. The one who spellbound us. Under orders from her boss, Count Bleck, she recruited people to spread chaos under the guise of revolution, ostensibly opposing the corruption of the crown. How much of it is truth and how much is falsehood, we have no idea.”
”Why does that name sound familiar?” Sectonia said, having never heard the name of the spirit she had taken.
“And this ‘Grima’ is…” Jesse piped up, reluctantly. “...bad? Good?”
“A cataclysm that would plunge the world into darkness,” Robin supplied.
"Another Taira Kagekiyo," Yoshitsune sighed, trying to ignore the new arms he'd received from the last spirit he'd absorbed.
More than a few eyes went wide at the revelation. “Goodness!” Braum exclaimed, wheedling the end of his mustache in worry but quickly covering it with a joke. “It would be nice to foil some more everyday schemes, for once!”
“Then I wonder why he bothers with the infrastructure.” Jesse said. “...but like,
literal darkness?”
"One could only assume so. The gods of my world could wield such power, so it would not be a surprise if the gods of others could too." Primrose paused to consider Jesse's other point. It was a good one, why bother improving the city if Grima would just wipe it out, but perhaps Validar just wanted a cushier life while he set his plans into motion.
”Even I could do that. It's not exactly a divine feat” Midna added casually. A whole lot of attention momentarily turned her way. Where or not they believed her, her offhanded declaration made nobody happy.
Robin crossed his arms, thinking. “The thought occurred to me as well. It could be a necessary step. Gathering the necessary resources, for instance. Because of this world’s nature, it’s possible that he’s missing vital elements from our world’s history. They could be scattered around, or...well.” He shrugged, crossing straight into the realm of conjecture. “It beggars belief to assume that everything from all worlds is here. Although it
is a little idealistic to assume that enough just doesn’t exist so as to render the resurrection impossible, and all he wants is to rule over a prosperous kingdom. But who can say for sure?”
"As you say, there is no evidence... might it be possible that Galeem suppressed his knowledge about summoning the dragon?" Primrose asked,
"to prevent any kind of threat to itself. Is it even capable of that kind of discretion...?" Subconsciously she looked to Fox, who always seemed to have more information then he let on since they'd left the Alcamoth, but perhaps the strategist held some insight.
Visibly in thought, Fox shook his head at Primrose’s conjecture.
“I don’t know… seems more like something it would conscript to protect itself. The last of its ‘Guardians’ fit Robin’s description,” though not to the letter, and he wasn’t sure if they were the same.
“That no one else can tell it exists rules out the need for discretion,” he supposed, as an answer to the second half of the dancer’s line of questioning.
“We won’t have to worry about any of this once we beat Galeem.” Jesse stated. “Destroying the cause of the AWE- of the problem- will undo the effects. That’s priority number one.”
In the midst of the gathered group of oddballs, prisoners, and mercenaries, a gloved hand was raised. “Uhm, excuse me?” Raz addressed the group at large, a bit of hesitation to him what with being a veritable rookie compared to the rest. “Hi, I’m Raz,” he began, clasping his hands together, “and while I don’t really get what you all are talking about right now, I think there’s some more pressing matters we should focus on?” He glanced up to Big Band, who seemed to have more weight to throw around here. “Validar is planning to, uh, execute all the resistance members, isn’t he? Maybe we should stop that happening before getting into whatever he’s up to around here?”
“That’s our next step,” Fox declared plainly.
“We have a bigger goal ahead of us, but we’re not going to leave things unsettled here,” he clarified, looking expectantly at Robin, who now shared with him a restored memory of lightfall. Meeting eyes with Raz once more, he continued.
“We mean to help out whoever we can, however we can, along the way, and bring on whoever will join us for the fight.” He added a softer tinge of severity to his tone at the end, emphasizing to the junior psychic their overall intent to recruit for the campaign against a
real calamity, as well as what it meant for him should he elect to take up arms with them. He would have his chance to consider what they were truly up against, and whether he was up for facing it with them or not… as soon as he was cured of his Gleam and could fully come to terms with Galeem’s existence.
“Right, right! That heroes’ number-one goal, meh!” Tora piped up. Glad to have someone around more his height, the Nopon waddled over and clapped a wing on the young man’s shoulder conspiratorially. “Current plan is throw hypnotizey blockyhead under bus and hope that work. As for other strategies...meh...”
Luckily for Poppi, keeping an encouraging composure was something she could do quite well. “We still working on other ways to convince Validar to let them go.”
“‘Hypnotizey…’ You mean the Resistance leader? The one who hypnotized everyone?” Raz scratched his chin. “It could work. But I’ve been working for these guys for long enough to know that they’re pretty stubborn. If they think that everyone’s at fault even with the brainwashing…”
Wait, he
did work for these guys. “Oh, actually, I am technically part of the Grimleal’s criminal division. Criminal rehabilitation! It, uh, hasn’t really worked out so far, but maybe I could ask for a stay of execution? Say that everyone’s been, you know, rehabilitated?”
While Tora puzzled over the unfamiliar word, Robin rested his chin in one hand to contemplate the boy’s appointment. “I still don’t quite understand that. Validar’s administration, famous at this point for heavy-handedness when it comes to crime, really set up such a department?”
“Yeah…” Joker chimed in, just as put off by the idea. He didn’t doubt what Raz said, but rather, Validar’s intent. Even after all his experience with the Metaverse by now, the Phantom Thief was still a teenager, and it boggled the mind to imagine a teen would be given such a critical role, let alone a preteen child. “Not to insult you or anything, but maybe Validar set the whole thing up to fail? Why do you think he did it?”
“Well, it definitely wasn’t because I kept bothering him to have me help out in an official capacity or anything,” Raz said with a soft chuckle, failing completely at sounding convincing. “Although it was a big deal when he ‘appointed’ me. Honestly I think part of it was to keep people from getting mad at him and the Grimleal. Good press. And hey, it wouldn’t look too great for him if he just dealt with all the poor, innocent brainwashing victims without giving them a chance, riiight?”
No stranger to publicity stunts, Big Band caught on quickly. “Good thinkin’, son! If he pulled somethin’ like that tryin’ to improve his image, but word gets out he fried the Resistance right off, he’ll lose all them brownie points an’ then some.” He deployed a little mechanical arm giving Raz a thumbs-up. “When we get up there, make sure ya mention it’s his chance to make good on his rehab scheme and start actually gettin’ the public on his side. Show ‘em he cares an’ all that jazz.”
Midna clapped her hands once and said
”Sounds like we have a plan then, unless anyone else has any bright ideas?” before taking a quick glance around for any takers.
Her gaze ended up falling on Cinderella, who was waving at the group at large to get their attention. “Hey, hirelings! Looks like Flopsy’s done covering her dumbass, so Pointy’s just about ready to congratulate you on doing all our dirty work for us. Come on.” Beckoning the rest to follow her, the gunslinger strutted across the hall. By instinct Tora and Poppi followed right behind at the head of the group, while Big Band and Goldlewis moved to bring up the rear so as to not block any of their smaller acquaintances’ views during the proceedings. Feeling a bit better collectively about their odds thanks to their last-minute discussion, the Seekers of Light approached the throne.
Validar sat straight in full Grimleal regalia, golden and spiky, his elbows planted on the armrests of his throne and his fingers tented together, their overlong nails crisscrossed. His eyes flickered with Galeem’s light, not too different from the early rays of sunset starting to tease the domes and parapets of Al Mamoon. To his left stood Kan-Ra and, once she took her place, Cinderella, while Ciella stood tall to his right alongside Azwel. They watched Yellow Team approach in silence, more or less impassively, until the seekers came to a halt. With a snakelike smile Validar untented his fingers, clapped his hands on his knees, and began.
“On behalf of the great city-state of Al Mamoon, the glorious flower of the eastern desert, I offer you my sincerest gratitude.” Placing a hand on his chest, he gave a small bow of respect, closing his eyes as he did. Then he laid both on his knees again. “I must confess, your exchange with the Grimleal earlier today he had worried for a time about your intentions, but I can see now that I was wrong to harbor such doubts. Whatever your reasons, you too came to realize that the foul crimes perpetrated against the people of my fair city by the counterfeit Resistance could be endured no longer, and chose to act. In bringing their reign of terror to an end, you have not only done my people a priceless service, but gained my trust. You returned to me my only son, safe and sound. The Railway Gun is yours.” He clapped his hands twice. “Conductor!”
A door opened over to the right of the throne, in the shadow cast by the hanging cloth. Out husted a
yellow-feathered bird in a dark coat and purple tie, sporting a wide, jagged mouth but lacking any visible eyes beneath his cap. He slid to a stop before the throne. “Yessir, Validar, sir?”
“See to it that the train is operational by tomorrow morning, and ensure that it has everything it needs to both traverse the Eastern Desert and to engage any foes our friends might come across.”
“Aye, sir!”
“In the meantime,” Validar continued. “I intend to offer you all our every hospitality. Lieutenant Kan-Ra?”
The sorcerer’s everpresent smile did not turn away from the Seekers. “Yes, my lord?”
“Supply each of our new friends with a Gold Pass.”
“Of course, my lord.” The sorcerer waved his hand, and through the same door as the Conductor entered a
mummy bearing a platter heaped with
gleaming golden badges. He shambled toward the Seekers and stopped a short way off so that all could take their passes at their convenience. “These passes will grant you free service at any restaurant, hotel, or similar facility for the remainder of your stay,” Kan-Ra explained, bowing his grinning head as he ignored Tora’s eyes sparkling in anticipation. “I recommend the public baths. I have yet to partake myself, but I have heard it’s...to die for.”
Mao's eyes fixated on the badges for a moment, the gleam catching the attention of an overlord who was feeling a little more happy than usual to take what he wanted. Being a bit too far away meant he had no real opportunity to pinch one of the badges at the moment, figuring there wasn't exactly one meant for him to begin with. That didn't stop daydreams of trying to sell one off before taking that train out of here, however. A bit of service would be nice, but he felt he could get anything he needed plus keep a little pocket change if he snooped around enough to find someone that'd want one of those passes. Sure, there'd probably be hell to pay if he ever came back, but that wasn't in his plans. Plus, whatever fool would actually take it probably knew the problems that potentially came along with having it unofficially. So whatever trouble they fell into after he left wasn't exactly going to weigh on his conscience.
Jesse didn’t hesitate. She plucked a golden badge from the mummy’s platter and twirled it between her fingers. “Sweet. Thanks.” She placed it into an internal pocket of her jacket. She’d been living in cars and shelters for too long to not accept free housing when it was given.
Yoshitsune moved up to the platter next for his own badge. Looking it over, he decided he'd probably keep it long after it was needed. Thinking back on earlier that day, he remembered his swords again. "I think leaving in the afternoon would work better so I can reclaim my father's swords from the smithy."
Sora watched the others grab their badges, wondering if there would be one for him. They looked like something he'd seen before but couldn't quite place it.
I guess all that crafting with the moogles has some disadvantages.All of this congratulatory ceremony felt a little familiar to Fox, and in more, less so. The contrast between this and his first mission (being what he thought back to momentarily) almost made him a little sick with guilt. Namely, he unequivocally knew who the enemy was back then, and hadn’t been forced to provisionally, inadvertently side with a less certain enemy to save a friend. He had hoped, and still believed, that it would be worth it. Chances were, however, that any due objections this time would likely call for a more drastic interruption, in the foreseeable event that it came to that, as he had been anticipating it might.
When the tray came Sectonia’s way, she grabbed her badge without much fanfare. She guessed this made her a VIP, free food and housing was what she should have as a Queen anyway, maybe when they were done with this town, she could get something useful with this pass afterwards, but some spa time would be nice. Wait… did Kan-Ra take Sectonia’s advice from earlier? She might need to send an antlion in first to make sure the spa didn’t make her look like a mummy.
“Alas,” Validar spoke up, tenting his fingers once more. “Before I turn you loose to avail yourselves of my fair city’s comforts, it would seem we do have rather serious matters to discuss.” He leaned forward, his expression even. “I have been led to believe that there are some...grievances, which you may be inclined to share. Is that correct...Investigation Captain Reptile?”
Right next to the throne, the air shimmered. A
crocodilian ninja, masked and clad in bone, became visible beside Validar. Even with slitted, saurian eyes, it was difficult to hide a sense of smugness, as if he knew something that the Seekers did not. “That’s what I heard,” he replied, his voice a reptilian grumble.
Mao's eyes shot from the badges to the uncloaked reptilian, glaring as the new issue presented itself. He managed to keep his reaction internal, though he was visibly irritated by Validar revealing his hand ever so slightly.
'How frustratingly clever.'To the revelation, Fox had nothing to say, though his attention lay more sharply now on Validar and the scaly ninja that answered to him, and by extension the matter presented. While the vulpine harbored no bigotry, it would be a difficult admission to make that he hadn’t the best history with
lizard folk, so naturally, Reptile’s presence under the circumstances made him feel instinctively more uneasy--enough to raise his internal alert level ever so slightly higher. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, depending, it reminded him of the similarly capable rogue woman (formerly) of the Resistance he had freed of influence earlier in the day, who was now left to her own devices, as far as he knew. Had anyone else realized the same, he wondered? Suddenly he couldn’t help being curious as to her current whereabouts and goings on… and started to wonder the same about Sly...
Minda first looked shocked, then gave an exasperated sigh and finally launched into an illconcived response based partially on her new spirit, and partially on the fact that the entire global darkness threat was deeply personal to her due to her history
”First of all, rude. Second of all, yes, we do have concerns like the fact that you apparently want to smo-”Jesse stepped forward, raising her hand in front of Midna. Though her voice wasn’t loud, it was very sharp. The message to Midna was clear: Stop talking. “Grievances like what?” She asked Validar and his spy.
Al Mamoon’s ruler gave her a curious look. “Why, that’s for you to decide, I should think.” He stroked his long, narrow goatee. “Simply put with our business having come to what should be a satisfactory conclusion, I would be mortified if we parted ways with bad blood between us.” He gestured with an open hand toward Reptile. “As such, I’ve spoken only the bare minimum with my Investigation Captain. Just enough to know that there is anger and suspicion among you. When bad blood is left to pool, it will fester and rot. What good, I ask, does this do any of us? So, I took initiative.” Validar clasped his hands together in his lap. “It was indeed underhanded of me to use the Investigation Captain to force the issue. For that, I must ask...forgiveness. In the end, my only goal is that we have an honest conversation. That you may speak your troubles plainly, so that I might address them, and set all our hearts at ease.”
This time Midna physically caught the words she had been about to bark back, biting and grinding her teeth together. It wasn't a good look, but gave someone else time to speak more carefully than the Princess would have. There was a light pressure on her shoulder as a hand came to rest there, just as much meant to reign the imp in as it was to reassure her. The long dark glove told the imp it was Primrose, and following the dancer's arm up to her face showed that her expression had darkened with the reveal of an invisible agent, and all that that implied.
“Well, all right.” Jesse replied evenly. “Our main concern is the fate of the Resistance prisoners. All of them were forced to commit crimes against their will by mind control. We went out of our way to take as many as we could alive. We don’t want them executed or treated harshly. I think we’d prefer if they were let go, to be honest. They’re victims of the perpetrator, Nastasia, who we eliminated.” Jesse explained.
"Those of us that could still fight aided them against the Resistance leader when our minds were freed." Mao added, being one of the few voices the prisoner group had aside from Shadow's half-conscious self, and Robin.
"Whatever her cause was, it wasn't something shared with us."Big Band took the stage next. “As you probably guessed, the so-called ‘Resistance’ was a false flag operation. Nastasia’s boss jus’ wanted her to stir the pot so he could make a move on the throne. So she brainjacked every poor soul she got her hands on, from adventurers to vagrants to normal city folks to li’l kids.” He made no bones about showing his bitter disgust at such a callous act. “Neither she nor her boss gave a salt peanut about anyone but their own damn selves.”
"Some of us were even just their prisoners and we were still under mind control!" Sora added loudly, very much angry at the resistance leader.
For reasons that could probably be guessed, the information did not sweep Validar off his feet. The sorcerer merely sat in contemplation, considering both the minute details and the bigger picture. “That tracks with some of our prior knowledge, including the identities of several members. Even though there are known criminals and revolutionaries among the Resistance members, there were also those with no track record of illegal activity.” He rested his arms on his throne, brow furrowed. “So, the blame rests entirely upon this ‘Nastasia’, does it? Would that she were still here to provide a confession. And would that the killing, theft, and destruction committed by the Resistance were so easily explained away. Even if it amounts to involuntary manslaughter and not murder, the hands of the accused are stained with the blood. What evidence could we present to an angry, distraught public that might exonerate them?”
This was something the detective had been afraid of. Even if Nastasia was ultimately to blame for the terrorist campaign, it had been the Resistance members who robbed people of their lives and livelihoods. With Nastasia already dead and not so much as a trace of her boss to be found, would the public be able to accept the crimes’ perpetrators walking free? It was easy to imagine fear, resentment, retribution, and riot, not just against Nastasia’s victims but against the government that seemingly let them off scot-free. Band recognized that Validar probably just wanted to save his own neck by attempting uproar, and the simplest way to achieve that was capital punishment. To sacrifice them to satiate the public. But that outcome wasn’t just pessimistic; it was flat-out heartless. There had to be another way.
“One truth prevails,” he told Validar. “If it’s the truth, they’re gonna have to accept it. We jus’ gotta hit ‘em with the facts. Have the victims testify what happened, and get anyone who’ll attest to their character. Friends and family. And above all, we can prove that Nastasia brainwashed them.”
Interested, Validar leaned forward. “How?”
"Like
this," Jesse said with dramatic lead in, stepping aside and opening her hand towards Sectonia.
The Keybearer looked at Jesse in confusion. "What?" She gave him an annoyed look.
The samurai smirked as he realized the plan and nodded his approval.
Sectonia didn’t feel much of a need to express her grievances with the Grimleal. After all, unlike the others, she wasn’t all that bothered by their more shady or evil ways. Her dislike of them was mostly just due to general suspicion that a queen would have for her rivals.
”Well, how about we just show you?” Sectonia said. With a wave of her hand much like summoning a single antillion, Nastashia materialized out of nowhere. Nastaisia gave Sectonia a very casual look, asking her what job her boss needs from her.
”Before you ask, a Queen has her methods. Now... Sectonia said, flaring out one of her cape wings in a show of flourish.
do any of you want to volunteer?” For a few moments a mild but undisguised impatience built while the Seekers passed the ball around in a needlessly theatrical manner. When Sectonia conjured the perpetrator of the ill-fated Resistance from thin air, however, Validar raised an eyebrow at her. “So, you decided to take the villain’s dangerous power for yourself, did you?” he asked rhetorically, not bothering to dignify the question with a response. A thin smile haunted his face. “How very pragmatic. After all, when it comes to such an ability, the sky is truly the limit. I cannot say I blame you, for who would have not done the same? Even if just to keep it out of the wrong hands, as I’m sure such heroes as you are wont to do.” Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his knees and his clasped hands in front of his mouth. “Although, such a will to power makes me wonder if you are not an insect after my own heart. If you are a queen, then surely you must desire to rule…?”
With a nose laugh the smirking sorcerer leaned back, relaxing once again. “But I digress. Since you all seem content to let this one speak for you, I will take your word for it. Rather than waste everyone’s time in the present, we can arrange a demonstration later. With an impartial subject, useful neither as a hostage nor pawn…” Validar’s calculating gaze saw the possibilities hidden inside Sectonia’s suggestion for volunteers, and would not allow the possibility of a trick. After a moment he looked over to the resident researcher. “Lieutenant Azwel, would the recording of not only such a demonstration, but the testimony of the victims, not make for a prudent use of your technological research?”
Azwel smiled humorlessly as he toyed with his beard. “You know, I was just thinking the very same thing. Video is such a phenomenal medium, as powerful as it is fascinating. If the public will not trust in our word, they may trust in their own eyes and ears instead, hmm? I would need only some time for preparation and then filming…” He crossed his arms, looking between the Seekers and former Resistance members. “And, of course, a little help from a few trustworthy outsiders, both to show and to explain all that’s happened.”
With a nod Validar announced, “Very well. If the demonstration of Nastasia’s power proves the point built up by all three parties’ testimony, I will take the chance that you are correct as a show of good faith. It will be your responsibility, via Azwel’s videos, to both inform and convince the public of the victims’ innocence--as well as to face the consequences should you be wrong.” The ruler of Al Mamoon wore a solemn, severe look, one meant to instill the full gravity of the situation in his petitioners. “If you agree to these terms, then I will allow the former Resistance members to go free following a short transitional period. What do you say?”
"No." Fox piped up following the call for consent to terms, making tersely clear that he didn't.
"Not agreed." With the eyes and ears of the court now (likely) on him, he proceeded with his statement.
"If you want a demonstration, we won't be staging it. We do it live." Per his intent, he was hardly subtle in voicing his skepticism with the idea of presenting the public with a video presentation, for those in charge of distributing it could show whatever they liked and push an according narrative. As frustrating as it was, he wanted to eliminate the possibility of an unfair trial wherever he could see the potential for it.
“If the people should be our jury, let them see for themselves, and not waste time showing them. Gather the crowd, pick our volunteer, and go!”He moved to make one more preemptive addendum to the proposal, looking to get ahead of the question before it was asked.
“If you’re looking for an impartial judge, someone to choose a subject, I nominate Razputin, your own psychiatric consultant,” he said, gesturing to the aforementioned.
Raz, on being singled out, straightened up at attention. “Oh, yes, hello! That’s me.”
“Since he’s already been in your employ for a while now, you can safely assume he’s not with us, OR the Resistance. I trust him to be fair if you do.” His brief rationale, he hoped, would convince the court likewise. Either way, it was clear, if nothing else, that balanced, agreeable terms needed to be met before they could move forward with anything at all.
Big Band sniffed. “I ain’t happy either. I get it that you’re lookin’ out for yourself, not wantin’ to put your administration in jeopardy, but pinnin’ everythin’ on us don’t look good either. Bein’ a leader ain’t about passin’ the buck to someone else and lettin’ them take the fall. It’s about takin’ responsibility.”
At that point, the Secretary of Absolute Defense stepped forward to add to what Fox laid out already. With his arms akimbo, Goldlewis said, “Mister Validar, speakin’ as someone who’s worked for the United States government my whole doggone life, whether the president’s tie is blue or red, I can tell ya that somethin’ most everyone wants from their leaders is transparency. They wanna be told what the deal is straight-up, no hidin’ behind videos, no borrowin’ other folks’ credibility. Maybe the problem ain’t so much that the public’s thirstin’ fer blood. Maybe it’s thatcha ain’t givin’ ‘em enough credit.” Raising his arms, he made a sweeping motion as if to indicate a big crowd. “I say, hold a press conference. Instead of dealin’ with all this behind closed doors, announce to the whole city ya got somethin’ big to tell ‘em. Then jus’ like Fox said, tell ‘em yourself, show ‘em what’s what. You’ve had Razputin stuffed away doin’ nothin’, so why not bring him out to evaluate ‘em? I reckon once everyone sees you bein’ forthright, things’ll turn out a damn sight better than ya think.”
While the others were talking, Midna floated/leaded over to Mao and asked the question that was probably on a lot of minds for pre digital eras and that was,
”Do you know what a ‘video’ is?”Overhearing the question, Sora pulled out his Gummiphone to begin recording a video of Mao's explanation.
"Of course," He answered, finger edging his glasses ever so slightly upwards. He hadn't considered the idea of differing time periods, despite the utter differences of individuals in this mish-mashed world, but now that Midna had brought up something so obvious, it made him reflect back on the whole 'internet' thing from earlier and put the pieces together.
"Think of it like an event in time that's documented in such a way you can rewatch it whenever you want." He tried to think of an example, grazing his own chin in momentary thought.
"There's such devices in some worlds that can take 'video' of something ongoing to be replayed later. Like if we had a video of Nastasia's idiotic speech this all might be less of a headache."”So like a... Like a perfect illusion spell copying duplicating everything in an area?” she said as she attempted to contextualise it within her own worlds framework
"Kind of." Mao gave her some credit for grasping the concept.
"It's more of a technological marvel than magical. There's developed machines that can play back 'videos' and there’s other machines to display them." As he thought of technological developments, a thought crossed his mind sparked by the word 'illusions', eyeing Fox momentarily.
"If they have the means to make video, though, they might also have the means to edit it." He started realizing part of perhaps why Fox refused in the first place, as the video could definitely be spun in however way they wanted if they had the correct assets. Working along as they directed could potentially lead to a trap. Looking back at Midna, realizing he probably needed to add some context, he did so.
"'Editing' is basically an illusion in video, I guess. Things can be changed, or put out of context to make certain people look bad." He laughed a little, thinking of home.
"The humans back home use it all the time in politics and general life, to slander others. It's quite entertaining when you're the spectator!" Being the one on the chopping block, though? It didn't change his view towards suffering humans or anything, but it was indeed a foul situation.
Moving to the pair, Sora held out the Gummiphone to begin playing three videos with a smile. "Does that help?" he asked with a smile.
Although some of Validar’s lieutenants greeted the sudden mixture of refusal, renegotiation, and reproach frostily, to say the least, Al Mamoon’s leader did not discount what his petitioners had to say. He considered their points with a clouded expression. “So you would have me meet the people face-to-face in a manner of public declaration, rather than hide behind spurious recordings and speak through you hirelings. To ask for the commonfolk’s trust rather than take action assuming I’ll never receive it, which in itself invites suspicion. It’s a bold strategy. Hmm...” Validar leaned sideways, resting his head on one fist.
For the first time since the beginning of the meeting, Ciella spoke up. “Deceit is an enticing pitfall for some. The urge to show only what one wishes and to hide the rest. The temptation to bend others to one’s will. The belief that others cannot handle the truth, or will not accept it. But no matter how one might spin it, there is only reality. The deceiver is powerless if one expects deception.” Arms crossed, she sent a sidelong glance at Validar. “If you espouse honesty, then you must be honest. To do otherwise is hypocrisy.”
“People don’t want to believe that their friends and family suddenly fell to insanity,” Kan-Ra reasoned. “Telling them what happened, and showing that the victims are well, will put their hearts at ease. Considering our admittedly well-earned reputation of secretiveness and harsh punishment, this course of action would do wonders for our reputation, as well.”
Hearing his name, the researcher waved his colleague’s way dismissively. “Yes, yes, I’m sure.” It wasn’t hard to tell that he was losing interest in the matter at hand, or that Cinderella never had any to begin with, for that matter. When Azwel realized, however, he treated Kan-Ra to a withering death glare. The sorcerer, of course, merely grinned.
With a small cough to get some attention, Raz stepped forward out of the crowd, taking a few steps closer to the throne than the others, putting a bit of distance between them as a gesture to talk employee to employer. “And, if I may, sir? I would hope that this arrangement includes the Resistance members that are already in custody. I’ve evaluated them earlier today and they seem to be reformed to me, so if they could be released, as a sign of good will to the people of the city, I’m sure that’ll help the cause.”
”While we’re out doing a public display, we could simultaneously give them their stuff back” Midna suggested
”I found a whole load of stolen goods just sitting behind a bunch of lasers you see. Maybe we could even convince some of the Resistance..’s victims to help in the returning of items? Really hammer home that they were not onboard with the resistance’s whole deal?” Sectonia just sat back and watched things unfold as her minions made plans this way and that. A public showing would be the most flashy, it was good to see that this was considered instead of having to rely on video, not everyone in dream land had televisions so it wasn’t the most effective thing out there. Still, it was amusing watching her minions debate with the Grimleal. If things got bad or she had a point, Sectonia would step in.
At this point Nastasia chimed in. “So uh boss, do I just stand here or..” Sectonia had to think a bit, since Nastasia wasn’t really doing much of anything.
”Well, they want an example of you later, so I suppose do whatever it is you do when you're not mind controlling people.” Sectonia suggested to her own striker, who nodded and pulled out a clipboard. The moment her pencil touched paper, her time expired and she poofed away.
Just after that, Validar seemed to come to a decision. “After considering the points of both your group and my own trusted advisors, I agree to your proposal. I will immediately circulate the announcement of this public address, scheduled for tomorrow morning. We will offer the facts and demonstrate proof, both of the victims’ wellness and the ringleader’s ability. Then we will return both them and the public’s confiscated belongings. Your sound counsel will, I’m sure, pave the way to a brighter future for my illustrious Al Mamoon.”
The news was a cause for festivity. Though Big Band and Goldlewis sighed in relief, and Midna restrained herself to a toothily pleased grin, Tora bounced up and down with a cheer before commencing a celebratory dance, and even in her mature QT Pi form Poppi spared no expense in following his example. Sora, though confused as to what exactly was going on, saw the others celebrating and smiled. Yoshitsune nodded and gave the Grimleal a small bow before moving to stand by the door, thinking it was time for him and his allies to depart. Jesse rolled her shoulder and joined him.
Shadow certainly looked pleased, although he looked irate at the same time. “Finally!” he announced, pushing himself free from Braum’s grip. The Freljordian let him go, knowing that the hedgehog was a free man (so to speak), and Shadow glared around at everyone. “Looks like you know what’s best for you after all. Just know that I’m letting you off easy. Watch yourselves.” With that, he teleported away.
'Tch, what a flashy bastard.' Mao internally reacted to Shadow's departure. But if he could do something so obnoxious without trouble, Mao considered his first taste of freedom from control-- Galeem or otherwise, to truly start tonight. With a little more confidence because of those around him, he decided for now to just pick up one of the badges rather than press his luck and get thrown into whatever prison was below. He didn't make a scene of it, rather the badge simply being stuffed away like anything else to avoid problems. He did think about the potential conditions down there however, and vowed to return tomorrow to see Klee, Baz, and Gunnar released. The others too, of course.
Fox had a hard time sharing his cohorts’ outward enthusiasm. Though it was good to see the Validar and his council budging toward a more agreeable consensus, he didn’t know how good he felt about giving them the night to comfortably prepare for anything. However, that made for time that
they, too, could take advantage of to do as they needed before the next day’s demonstration. In consideration of this, he elected this time to hold his tongue on expediting it to tonight, lest he cost him and his own a valuable timetable, and further push their luck with the acting administration in doing so.
That... went much smoother than expected, Primrose thought. She'd let out her own sigh of relief, a quiet little puff of air, though there was still a tension in her body that wasn't likely to leave anytime soon. She glanced at the golden badge in her hand, turning it over a couple of times as she contemplated what was next. Their battles had been hard fought to be sure, but somehow the confrontation they'd all been preparing for seemed... all too easy.
After a short time spent watching in silence, Validar raised and clapped his hands for attention. “With that matter settled, were there any other matters that you wished to bring to my attention?”
”So, what’s the plan now that your only opposition is taken care of and you have total control of the city aaaanyway?” Midna felt compelled to ask, leaning in and resting her chin on interlocked hands, having gotten control of her anger regarding the world of darkness rumor, but not being anywhere near willing to let it go.
"Not the time, I think." Primrose's voice came hushed by the princess' ear. While she could understand where Midna was coming from, the fact was that while things seemed to be going swimmingly now the Grimleal still had the captive Resistance members in their possession. Validar could change his mind at any point while he still had them, and the Seekers could always come back to investigate afterward. Besides, they all knew that was a loaded question she'd asked - and no doubt the Grimleal could sense her suspicious intent even if they deflected with vague lines about continuous improvement.
"Let us make sure we have everyone out safe and sound before provoking anyone, hm?" Validar looked at Midna as if she’d asked a foolish question, or perhaps a question he chose to interpret as foolish, and shrugged with an idle wave of his hand. “Back to business as usual, running Al Mamoon,” he replied in a curt, succinct manner that made it obvious that there was nothing else for her to glean from him.
Midna bit her lower lip, clearly holding something back thanks to primros’s warning/tampering of her now looser lips, before flipping back in the air into a casual recline and shrugging and saying
”We’ll see” and leaving things at that. For now.
The response was about what anyone could expect. Mao's eyes shifted towards Reptile as he wondered just how much he'd overheard. Had he been outside? Or had he only heard what they talked about once they entered the palace proper? Given Validar's simplicity regarding his answer, and how things were going rather smoothly, he assumed their opposition had no information regarding the Alcamoth discussion Midna had opened up before. He simply looked towards her, nodding as if to just accept the answer for now. On one hand because it could risk their current agreement, and on the other, these politics just meant nothing to him with the scale of the situation they were dealing with outside of this city.
”Well now that that has been taken care of...” Sectonia said, watching Midna have some kind of fit with how things were done around here.
”At some point in the future I would like to discuss a trade deal with your kingdom and mine.” Sectonia said, changing the topic entirely. Although first she’d have to find out where Galeem sent Floralia, but she could use that tower as her ‘kingdom’ for now. Although she wasn’t sure if their chief export of mercenaries and treasure hunters would even be useful here now that she and her minions had dealt with their resistance problem.
Intrigued, Validar tented his fingers. “
Your kingdom? Color me interested. I have already forged connections with most settlements in the eastern desert, so your own domain must be further afield. I can only imagine that you have trustworthy advisors indeed to leave them in charge while you range far and wide.” He treated Sectonia to a slight smile. “We can negotiate further in private, but I’d be interested to know what resources you can offer. Just to whet my appetite, if you will.”
”Unfortunately the main exports I’d offer, flowers, fruits, honey, machines, textiles, volcanic ash, and clowns are not available at this time. A little ‘rebellion’ of my own caused a nasty magical incident that cut me off from those aspects for the time being...” Sectonia said, clenching one of her fists.
”However mercenaries and magically created gemstones are still available if you are so inclined.” Sectonia finished.
“I see…” Validar looked almost disappointed. “Well, we can talk later.” He glanced over the others. “Will that conclude our meeting? I take it everyone is satisfied?”
As one might guess, not everyone was. Securing the futures of the former Resistance members was a triumph, but Robin still feared for one future: his own. As the others considered both their victory and their next step, the tactician approached the throne under his father’s expectant gaze. “Validar,” he began, his expression grave. “I take it you did intend to treat me the same as the others? What do you intend to do with me?”
A sorrowful look clouded the sorcerer’s face. “You’re quite right, of course. While I would be overjoyed to have you by my side on the road to a brighter tomorrow, alas, I fear that the bond between us has all but been severed.”
“That’s putting it mildly…” Robin muttered under his breath.
“As they say, if you love someone, you must let them go. So my son, though it grieves me to part I shall trouble you no longer. Instead I shall leave you to your affairs, and you may leave me to mine.”
The tactician crossed his arms, maintaining his composure. “How charitable of you. I’ll hold you to your word, then.”
Validar nodded stiffly, then addressed the group at large, several members of whom had already begun the trip across the throne room to leave. “In that case, it would appear that we’ve come to terms, and our negotiations are concluded. How glad I am that we could all part as friends, with no residual ill will among us. Safe travels, my friends~”
Al Mamoon’s illustrious ruler watched as the remaining Seekers filed out, gold passes accepted and ready for a night on the town. His advisors mostly kept their composure, although the last of the crown’s petitioners wasn’t even near the door before the gunslinger broke character..
“Okay, anyone else sick of standing here?” Cinderella asked suddenly, bored as she was annoyed. “I’m gonna go grab a drink. How about you, Flopsy? Bet you could use a couple.”
Ciella sighed, allowing her demeanor to shift from imperious coldness to weariness. “Yes, I expect I could.”
Laughing, Cinderella crossed her arms. “Points for honesty! You know, for how pissy they were all getting about all your goddamn friendly fire, they really didn’t even complain to Pointy about you.”
“Or bring up anything your son told them about you,” Reptile rumbled as the women walked away.
Busy writing in his notebook, Kan-Ra added with his trademark grin, “That little fairy fellow tossing around accusations of you cursing the Cowlipha must be disappointed.”
Validar waved his hand, smirking, as he leaned on his arm. “Oh, come now. Water under the bridge, I’m sure. Such heroes would never act rashly upon hidden misgivings. Were both parties not fully satisfied?”
Crossing his arms, Azwel sniffed. “Shouldn’t you have made it just a little more difficult for them to persuade you about the prisoners?”
The sorcerer looked offended. “Goodness, what are you implying? Any intention to render the death penalty was merely hearsay to begin with.”
“Hmph. Banking on them believing in your good intentions, are you?” Shrugging, Azwel turned to leave through the rear door, and Kan-Ra went after him.
Only Reptile remained as Validar himself rose to his feet. “Sir,” the spy rasped, his voice low but strained. “They were muttering about
invasion. With all they left unsaid, do you really think they’ll leave us be?”
Validar sighed, his face one of mild annoyance. “They can believe whatever they like, but they can prove nothing. All they have for certain is that my retainers treated their enemies without mercy and that we use undead for labor. I, meanwhile, gave them every opportunity for diplomacy. If they choose to oppose us, it will be not just unprompted, but unjust.” He frowned at Reptile. “So we’ll keep all that we’ve learned to ourselves, won’t we?”
Reptile bowed. “Of course, my lord.” He waited until Validar rounded the throne, caressing it as he did, to rise. Then the two departed, and the throne room was empty once more.
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