Zukar listens quietly and then nods at the dismissal.

"Right. Of course." Zukar pushes up out of the chair. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me Baroness. I hope I was of some assistance."

He bows deeply at the waist and then turns to leave the office, waiting for the ward to be lowered.

Zukar exits the Baroness' office, back straight and chin high. He exits the Seshtau embassy...

And steps into the Foresetidale embassy, arms raised.

Immediately, eyes stop on his face and murmurs break out.

"Is that-?"

"Is he crazy?!"

"What is he doing here?!"

A couple of guards look to one another before they break away from their stations and walk up to Zukar. They exchange glances once more before pulling out a pair of shackles.

“Lor-” The guard clears his throat. “Tristan, you realize you are trespassing, right?”

Zukar nods. “I am.”

The guards exchange looks one more time before one of them reaches up to take Zukar's arms and begins shackling his wrists together. 

The guard mumbles. “Man, what are you doing here?”

“I need to speak with Warlord Shi’Kari.” Zukar declares.

“You know she hates you. She hates your whole family. Why-?” The other guard leans in and murmurs to him.

“It is about the safety of the kingdom.” Tristan says clearly.

The guards take him by the arms and begin walking him through the embassy towards the cells.

“Alright then. Your funeral.” The guard shakes his head as they disappear further into the embassy.
 

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Jade sighs as she sees Zukar melt in front of her.

"Now that I have a diffrent truth in front of me I was already shifting my opinions in my head. I am still wary of them, so don't misunderstand that. But I am open to a different approach now."

Jade lowers her hands to her lap and softens her gaze.

"All we can do now is wait. I have already told Jedash to reach out to me if he needs help with their current situation. I am aware now of what is happening. So until they come to me saying that they need help, my main focus will be the war."

Jade straightens herself in her chair.

"Unless there is more you wish to discus, I think you should probably go see to Vesta. You know how these things weigh heavily on her heart."

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Zukar leans back in his chair as Jade speaks. His expression shifts from determined to defeated.

"Forgive me, Baroness. I was... Under the impression you had spent as much time with the family as I had. Weekly dinners, celebrations, spontaneous get-togethers... But now looking back... I realize I rarely if ever saw you." He sighs heavily. "In that case, let me share what I know of that family."

He nods. "You are right about Selena. Auntie S loves her secrets. And much like the dragons she surrounded herself in, she was protective of them. She thought by keeping everything secret, she was keeping the family safe. However, I have always known the family to be quite... Open and forward."

"It honestly came as quite the surprise when we found out Wolfrum was intending to take over magic. My entire life I knew the man, he was friendly and... Well, goofy. He never seemed power hungry because he never had a need of it. He was powerful in his own rights." Zukar's eyes seem to glaze as he fades into memory. "See, the family that I know is good. They are joyful and friendly. They are welcoming to outsiders for the most part and Auntie S was always welcoming people under her wing. The rest of the family accepted whatever she deemed right."

"And I grew up with Kalil, Connor, and...." His eyes blur briefly as tears fill his eyes. "Zinna..." He clears his throat and blinks away his tears. "The entire family is protective of one another. Especially Kalil. I have always known him to be fiercely protective of Connor and his mother and now his son. He was protective of Zinna once too."

Zukar sighs softly. "My point is this Baroness... The dragons have been allies of Ariad for a very long time. They are good people. However, they are protective of one another. And they will go to extreme lengths to protect the family. That is what is happening here. Vesta crossed the line when she involved the family instead of just keeping her harsh words to Kalil and now they are on the defensive."

"I would caution you to think very carefully about the alliance you are threatening. The dragons are not enemies you wish to have." Zukar shakes his head. "Auntie S was secretive but the rest of them are not. And Jedash himself even said he would be willing to share details of their plans with those in power. I suggest you take a moment to speak with them before pursuing an annulment of the alliance."

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Jade narrows her gaze to Zukar but keeps her tone level.

"I understand that you are scared. As am I. But do not act like this came out of nowhere. I listened to your fiance and what she has told me. Until right now I have had no reason to doubt her words. I know nothing of dragons and their politics. I am working with what I have. And what I have is this."

She holds up a finger.

"Selina told me never to trust a dragon. That they are self serving creatures. And that was proven to me by their constant secrecy and Wolfrum's failed plans to take over all of magic."

She raises a second finger.

"Why would I have asked why they closed their portals? Many things have happened to them that they refused to elaborate on or involve the heros. And when asked what was happening or how we could help it was met with either being told to let them handle it or more secrecy. "

She holds up a third finger.

"My entire life has been death and deception. So exscuse me for being a little paranoid of all powerful beings who keep secrets and have power great enough to fight Fate and Destiny and win."

She lowers her hand and places it back on the table.

"Vesta's words seemed true and seemed to line up with the events that were taking place. I chose to believe her. I was wrong. But don't worry."

Jade waves her hand in the air to dismiss her words.

"I won't be trusting anyone again. It only proves to fuck me over."

She leans back in her chair and rests her elbows on the arms while weaving her fingers together.

"There is your answer. I hope it satisfied you. Because that's the only answer I can give you. I fucked up Tristan. All I can do now is try to clean up my own mess and protect my people and my kingdom. "

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Zukar takes the seat when offered and waits for Kumara to get into position and for the wards to raise.

"Jedash agreed to meet me. And so I met him." Zukar takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I will start by saying that he does not want an apology. He wants reparations to be made and he stated to me that when he decides what that is, he will let us know and let us know when payment- whatever that is- is expected to be received as well."

He sets his arms on the armrests of the chair. "Now, to my point. I have learned that by the time Vesta had the vision... Zinna was already dead. So Kalil's refusal to help by that point... He knew she was dead and that he would be retrieving a corpse and he was not willing to do so because of the cost."

Zukar leans forward now, elbows on his knees. However, I pointed out to Jedash that we asked for help shortly after the caravan was attacked and before Vesta had the vision. His response was plainly that there are things in motion that we do not know about and to quote him 'we would be jeopardizing a plan of action that would have detrimental impacts on all of our lives'."

He sighs heavily and drags a hand down his face. "Now this is where I personally found a problem. Jedash stated that he would have been willing to share details of said plans with those in the empire who hold power, but no one asked."

Zukar looks up at Jade. "So, Vesta crossed the line when she involved the family. If she had kept her complaints to Kalil, we would not be where we are right now. But because she sent that letter to Nymera and mentioned his son, Jedash, the brood-father, took that as a personal offense and is now taking that out on us mortals. And all of this is happening because no one asked the dragons why they were locking down and pulling their troops."

Zukar stares at Jade. "Now it is up to those with power to do something to prevent a great tragedy that could have been avoided to begin with if a nasty worded letter had never been sent." He narrows his eyes. "I am honestly surprised you would side with Vesta over the family. The family you were welcomed into just like I was. After everything the dragons have done for this kingdom, you would truly risk their wrath? You would bring to question an alliance which has kept this kingdom fed since Kalil took the throne? Since Kalil stopped Wolfrum from taking over magic? The dragons have been allies of this kingdom since Wolfrum's reign and officially aligned since the marriage. What exactly have they done to deserve your ire, Baroness?"

 

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The blond elf returns to the front desk and has Zukar follow him back to her office. The door is already open when they arrive. When Zukar steps inside he would see Jade sitting at her desk with her flesh golem protector at her side. Jade will motion for Zukar to have a seat. Once sat, Jade will have the flesh golem close the door and raise the ward. This time Kumara will stand post at the door on the inside.

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A few hours after taking Vesta back to the vardo, Zukar can be seen entering the tavern and heading upstairs. He has a grim expression but walks with his back straight and his chin up. 

About an hour later, he returns down the stairs of the tavern and heads over to the Seshtau embassy. He approaches the front desk.

"I would like to speak with the Baroness please. Tell her that it is about the dragons."

The young blonde elf at the front desk nods and rises from his seat to head down the hall. He knocks on Jade's door to inform her of the visitor.

 

Zukar nods and turns to return to Jade's office. Inside, he scribbles a note and then leaves it on Jade's desk. He then exits the office and walks over to kneel beside Vesta.

"It's on your desk. Thank you, Baroness." Zukar scoops Vesta into his arms and rises. "I'll get her home."

[The note says:

Jedash, 

I would very much like to speak with you in private if at all possible.

Thank you, 

Tristan]

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Jade turns back to face Zukar.

"You write the letter in my office. Leave it on my desk for me to read. I will send it myself. I'll stay here with Vesta. Hurry."

Jade walks over to Vesta and sits on the floor beside her. Jade strokes her hair and rubs her back while Zukar writes the letter.

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Zukar turns to Jade. "I need to send a missive to Jedash. Just a missive asking if he will meet with me in private so we can discuss this situation. Perhaps my connection to the family can... Help ease some of the hurt that has been exchanged."

He sighs. "I'm not asking Vesta to apologize. They want something else. And I'm going to try to find out what that is or pay the debt myself if I can."

He looks to Jade. "Just please let me send a missive to him asking for a meeting. That's all I want."

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Jade runs a hand through her hair and huffs. She turns to Zukar.

"You two go ahead and head out. I'll clean up here and do the paperwork. Keep me posted on if anything happens. Just please... No more letters to the dragons."

Jade turns around to the small army in her hallway.

"Everyone return to your stations. I'm handling it."

The group salutes Jade and march off down the hall.

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One of the gathered soldiers salutes Jade. "Aye. Ma'am. This woman exited your office and cast a spell on the door. The guardian perceived a threat and activated. She was... Contained."

Zukar sighs and slaps his hands to his face. "Vestaaaaa.... What were you thinking?"

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"The guardians should have only self activated under perceived threat."

Jade points to one of the gaurds.

"Situation report. Now."

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The soldiers and members around Jade all hesitantly begin to back away at her order to stand down. The weapons drawn and pointed at Vesta begin to raise but remain drawn. The undead wait for their next orders and Jonathan steps away from Vesta when she stirs.

Zukar takes several deep, panicked breathes. "Wh-what is going on? What could she have done to deserve this?"

The members and soldiers nearby ignore him and look to Jade for their next instructions.

 

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Almost as soon as the incantation leaves Jonathan's lips footsteps can be heard. They are rushing down the hall. It's not one set, or even two. It's several. About ten people, a mixture of Seshtau members and baronial soldiers come rushing down the hallway. They aren't alone either. They are accompanied by two death knights, two revenants, and two death rouges. All surround Vesta in defensive poses with their weapons of choice drawn. Zukar and Jade are pushed away. One of the soldiers turns to Jade.

"Baroness, are you injured? What is the situation? "

Jade pushes the soldiers to the side to try and make her way through the crowd.

"Stand down, dammit!"

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Vesta’s eyes slowly flutter open. 

She blinks against the light, her gaze unfocused as it drifts across the ceiling without truly seeing it. The figures gathered above her don’t seem to register. There is no spark of recognition, no confusion, no fear.

After a long moment, her eyelids slip shut once more as she turns onto her side, drawing her knees towards her chest and curling in on herself.

She simply lies there in silence.

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Zukar waits for Jade to order Kumara to stand down before he makes a move towards Vesta. He drops to her side and looks up at Jade while she calls for help.

From down the hall, a blonde haired elf sprints to the Baroness' side. He drops to his knees beside her and holds his hands out over Vesta. He conjures the healing magics and presses them into her. 

 

The golem does not acknowledge Zukar. It stands in silence holding Vesta against the wall.

Jade hurries out after and sees the scene.

"Kumara! Stand down!"

Kumara releases Vesta and her unconscious body drops to the marble floor with a thud.

Jade rushes over and motions with her hands for everyone to back up. Kumara takes a few steps back. Then Jade yells down the hall.

"SOMEONE WITH LIGHT MAGIC COME TO ME NOW!"

Jade drops to her knees beside Vesta and begins checking her vitals.

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As Vesta leaves, Zukar starts to turn to Jade. But the sound of something slamming into the wall right outside has him jumping nearly out of his boots. He spins around and runs to the door, throwing it wide and tearing out of the room. He looks down one side of the hall and sees nothing, then turns to look down the other way. His jaw drops.

"VESTA!" He screams and steps out of the room.

But halts as he stares at the hulking monstrosity that is Kumara. He takes a few sharp breathes as he stares at the massive flesh golem. 

"May I- May I please see to her?" Zukar asks without taking his eyes off of the monster.

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