As the ward lowers and the cacophony of sounds explodes out of the guild, there is one voice booming above the noise.

"Get yer ass-! No no no! You hit it like this! Like this! These men need weapons and armor NOW! We don't have time to redo things!"

A tall woman with long blonde hair tied back loosely to keep it out of her face is hammering away at a sword. "Alright. See here? See where it's warped? Don't do that! This is how you do it."

She hammers down hard a few more times before she passes the hammer off to a sweaty young man who is nodding quickly. "Yes ma'am! I see now!"

"Good! Now fix it! We don't have time for mistakes!" She steps away from the forge and looks up, wiping her brow. 

She spots Zuiigri and nods to him. "What are you doing here? I expected you'd be on the front lines with the other Heroes. Ah. Or you need something?"

 

He looks her over quickly and nods. "Hm. Well, if you are the fighting type, we could always use an extra hand there. If you're not..."

He suddenly stiffens for a moment before he chuckles. "My apologies. I'm being rude. I should probably introduce myself first before recruiting you to the defense of the town, eh?"

He clears his throat and dips his head to her.

"You may call me Julien. I've been helping defend the town and the barony of Seshtau. I'm a little..." His words drift off and he shakes his head. "Anyways, who might you be? And forgive me for being blunt in asking but can you fight? Do you fight?"

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Julien squeezes her hand in his. "I-"

He hangs his head and sighs. "I suppose we have been busy, haven't we? I honestly can't remember the last time I-" He clears his throat before lifting his gaze to meet Jade's again. "I know we've both been fighting the invasion so how about we take a break?"

He steps a little closer to Jade. "You need rest if you're going to keep fighting them. Everyone should be safe here so how about we head upstairs?"

Storm raises her hand. "Got a spare room for us? Just long enough for the sun to go down. Then we can head back to Volaire."

Julien looks back at her and nods. He turns, without releasing Jade's hand, and waves someone over.

"See to our friends here. Escort them to the portal if they wish to head back to Volaire, otherwise, get them a room so they may rest."

The Seshtaun nods and turns to the others, waiting for someone to approach them.

Julien returns his attention to Jade. "Have you eaten? Maybe I could make you a relaxing tea and we can eat while we take a break."

Storm looks to the Seshtaun. "Can we get a room til sundown?"

The Seshtaun nods and gestures towards a hall. "If you'll follow me."

"Come on, Saige." Storm shrugs to gently nudge the wild elf. 

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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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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?" 

 

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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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.