Jade holds Julien's hand in hers. She weaves their fingers together.

"Selfishly, I want you to stay. I think it would be best for the elders to stay close by in this time."

Jade looks down at their hands and then back up to Julien.

"I miss you as well. We have both been so busy."

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"Holding." He says with a nod. "They were pushed back some initially but they have been holding steady since with the assistance of the Graveyard's undead."

Storm, standing a bit behind Jade with Saige slumped over her shoulder, jerks her chin. "How is the road to Kog'Thrak?"

Julien glances back at the draconian. "Last I heard from Volaire was that they were holding steady as well after an initial pushback. But I have no clue if the road to the village is safe so I would ere on the side of caution and avoid it if possible."

Julien glances around at the gathered faces before looking back at Jade. "I was going to go check on things in Volaire. I think Calliope will be safest here so long as the fighting stays outside of Umrbis. Unless you need me elsewhere?" He reaches out and takes Jade's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "I will go wherever you need me."

Storm leans over to whisper to Saige. "Want to go hang out in Volaire until we're needed? I could use a nap."

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She pauses quickly, letting out a slight gasp.

"Oh.. hello. Yes, I guess you could say that... It seems I'm stuck here until this "surrounding" is over"

She pauses to scan his appearance, somehow intrigued and anxious both at once.
Her tail displays a slight sway.

"Do you perhaps know where I should go? Being a 'newcomer'. Or should I just.. roam about?"

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Not long after Velithra removes her hood and begins walking back through town, a figure approaches her. He is wearing a green tunic with dark brown pants and a favor with black and red on his hip as well as dual daggers sheathed on each side. He has blonde hair tied back into a ponytail, a purple chaos star on his neck, and his eyes are dark and sunken. 

He smiles as he reaches her. "Hi there! I notice you seem... A little lost. Are you new to town?" 

 

The elf hums once, replying after only a brief pause of consideration "I know the basics of both weaponsmithing and armor-craft, most of my experience in that realm has been maintaining my equipment. I thought it likely there were enough experienced smiths here that I would be in the way if I focused my attention that way, so I didn't bring my tools for such with me for"

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Zuigrii takes a second and looks the elf over. “I know you have a proficiency in alchemy and I see you at least appear to have some knowledge about leather based on your tools. Can you do anything else? Any other handy skills you have? Even just the fundamentals is fine. I’m more than happy to introduce you to the guild mistress. I just need to know what all to tell her before I send you to her.”

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Jade looks exhausted and battle worn. Her skirt and face are smeared with dried blood and swamp muck. She returns a small hug and nods.

"We got them out. But I think it was a distraction to start the onslaught. How is the front line?"

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The bearded elf pauses, waving back, and gives a moment for the beastkin to get the barrel set down and the members directed before he fully approaches.

"Good to see you again, Zuigrii. I find myself unoccupied and feel I could be of use here. Who would I speak to about that given the..."
He'd gesture around to the hub of activity
"...Preferably in a more formal sense, so I don't have to do this each time I am free to help."

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As soon as Jade and crew return to the embassy, not even a full minute after the doors have shut behind them, the embassy doors burst open once again.

Julien steps into the embassy. His clothes and Sehstau favor are spattered with fresh and dried blood and he wields two different daggers in each hand.

He immediately begins barking orders. ”I need a warded room! NOW!”

The Seshtaun behind the desk jumps to their feet with a nod and rushes off.

Julien steps aside, holding the door open with his back, and people flood the embassy.

First to enter are Roman, Calliope, and Korenai. Calliope is doubled over and moaning with deep breaths while Roman and Korenai support her on either side. Julien continues to wave people with Hatilaja markings inside and everyone is either armed or paired with someone who is armed. They rush inside and begin forming a shield around the entrance of the embassy while the trio steps further into the common room.
Julien releases the door to someone else, sheathes his daggers, and charges through the main room at the same moment the Seshtaun from the desk returns.

“This way Lord Julien!”

Julien nods to them and turns to Roman. ”Go with them!”

Roman gives no indication he heard and instead begins walking with Calliope and Korenai down the hall with the Seshtaun.

That is when Julien finally notices Jade.

”JADE!” He turns to her and rushes up, throwing his arms around her for a brief hug before he pulls back again. ”Leib Olmai started sending out constructs and pushed our line back again. I thought it best to move our people back to the embassy for the time being. Calliope just went into labor.”

He looks her over. ”Are you okay? Did you save them?”

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The smoke billowing out of the chimneys is the first sign that can be seen of the hive of activity that is the artisan’s guild. Approaching the door, a cart can be seen getting loaded with repaired arms and armor to return to the frontlines. Zuigrii can be seen carrying an entire barrel of arrows by himself to the cart before sending it off. As he notices Morris approaching he waves to him as he starts directing members back to work inside. 

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Morris... is the thoughtful sort. One who normally does not act without at least some consideration, unless pressed to. However, when the Heroes return from the Gathering of the month of Vaelora, and he knows he won't be able to return to his preferred comfortable camp... He decides to put his skills to use. He knows the artisans are going to need as many hands as they can get to help weather the siege, and that merely joining a guild does not bind him to stay in one place for too long... and with him unable to safely pursue his private endeavors, he opts to travel towards the Artisans guild. dressed for alchemical work and keeping his tanning tools on his hip as well, in case those are more relevant for whatever reason.

As he approaches, he eyes the exterior, a light hum on his lips.

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She growls lightly out of frustration, looking down. She ponders for a moment before sighing.

"I.. suppose I should just stay then, hm?"

Her tail swishes a few times before she walks back towards the town. She pauses to look around, gripping her belt.
She then continues on into town, following the unknown paths upon her.

She takes down her hood, her ears perking up, perplexed at all the sounds surrounding her.

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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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