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[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana noted the others falling into step behind her as they walked. Despite everything, it seemed they were becoming a close-knit group. She would still have to sort out her feelings about Oscar and Ursa and all of it, but that would have to wait yet again.

[Solymr]

The shaman noticed the group walking away, and made signs to Enoch to follow them and keep talking.

We can always run tests on field subjects. We are sure not to run out of enemies for some time.

Lucas closed his eyes to think how would be possible, and ran into a crate, almost falling down. But the idea was there. He looked at Enoch and extended his now armored hand.

Would you mind dropping a bit of blood on my gauntlet? I'm certain it has some iron and I want to see how it reacts.

[Blade Master Model 42]

The group attracted more than a few odd looks as Neeya guided them away from the sea, and into the heart of the city. The crimson haired woman took them past a pair of sentries into a building that might once have been a small fort, but had been reclaimed as a spartan home. The inside led to a similar impression- While the stone walls and floors were scrupulously clean, there were no decorations, or hanging art. Just a faint scent of flowers from the guarden, drifting in through open windows.

Neeya opened a door leading into a mid-sized room, where an old man was seated at a desk and Wilfort was standing nearby.

Wilfort looked up at the assembled group and smiled. "Good, she found you pretty quick. Councilman Kuimer, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Princess Diana Durhiel. And her entourage."

"Goodness. Your secret ally is princess Durhiel? Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Kuimer waved Diana closer. "A bit closer if you would, your highness. My eyesight is not what it once was."

[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana glanced at her party for support, then stepped forward and bowed slightly to Kuimer.

"Councilman. I am indeed Princess Diana Durhiel, only daughter of Drahool Durhiel. These are my companions; some of them former soldiers of my father's, some of them adventurers, but all of us are sworn to stop Exsten."

[Blade Master Model 42]

Kuimer turned and scowled at Wilfort before lookking down. "Stop Exsten? The war is over. Ansel has already won. Osngaria, Durhiel and now even Ulfijan are all simply territory belonging to Exsten. The time for stopping Exsten has come and gone."

"No. He may control the land, but he attacked with one cause alone- to plunder the Divine Weapons of other nations. They were divided for a reason, and beyond that he has broken the tenets of the faith."

Kuimer frowned. "Do you think I didn't know that? When the council-" Kuimer sneered the word as though it disgusted him, "-decided to sue for peace, Ansel's only demand was Ascalon. And it only took one assassination before the swine buckled and gave it to him."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"There's still time to defeat Ansel before the will of the people is broken."

"And if you don't believe that, then believe this: I do not care what the gods require of me, either he or I will die before I see Ansel rule the lands."

[Blade Master Model 42]

"Ansel's crimes are... Terrible. But I do not know that more war and death will bring true peace. Prince Wilfort came here seeking my aid. I am not sure whether or not I should give it. I don't even know that you are capable of reaching Ansel, let alone defeating him."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I don't know if I am either. But I'm going to give it my best. I have no other choice."

"Ansel may be preoccupied now, but sooner or later his attention will return to Wilfort and me. He'll either try to force me to marry his son to cement his claim to Durhiel, or he'll just kill the both of us to ensure there's nothing left of the royalty in either country."

"We need help, and we're very likely the best - if not only - chance you've got of getting things back to the way they were."

[Blade Master Model 42]

Kuimer's face and voice were both filled with sadness. "Princess... There is no hope of things returning to the way they were. Osngaria was all but eradicated, by all accounts. Their royal line is gone. The prince will find it difficult at best to return to his throne, even if Exsten were to be driven out. And what of Exsten? What do you plan of Ansel's country? Do you plan to march in, slay him, and march away again? And the Divine Weapons? I somehow doubt you'd be inclined to distribute them to the surviving royal families. And even if you did, what would you do with Ascalon? Or Allondight for that matter? Or would you spare Prince Armad, and simply hope he chose not to bring war to you in return for his father's death?"

"Tell me of your plans. Tell me what you wish to do. If I find your goals agreeable, I will pledge what resources I can offer to your cause. Otherwise, I am afraid lodging and politics is all I can offer to you."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"True. Osngaria is gone, and we can do nothing for it. We can still put Worus, Durhiel, and Ulfijan right, though. I would return Brahmastra and Ascalon, though I don't know what I would do with Allondight yet. And no. I cannot risk leaving a single member of Ansel's family alive. As for Exsten... I don't know. I don't particular want to annex the country to Durhiel, but I don't know what to do with it should we manage to kill the royal family."

[Blade Master Model 42]

"There is no one left to return Ascalon to, unless you were to put it in the care of one of the Councilmen. Not a course I would recommend these days."

"What is done with the Divine Weapons when we recover them is a secondary concern. As it stands, it won't be long before Ansel turns his forces toward Worus. With the four Divine Weapons it would be a simple task."

"That is to say, once his army recovers. Allondight or not, the fact is Ansel fought two countries at once, then moved on to a third. His army has to be in tatters at this point. If we're ever going to kill him, this is our only chance. We have to move quickly. And Kuimer, I'll be perfectly honest with you. If we cannot secure your assistance, I believe Diana would march on Exsten anyway... And I do believe I'd have to follow her."

The elderly statesman was silent for a short while, then shook his head. "I am sorry. I have foolish neighbors, and should they learn of my assistance, they may seek to offer my corpse to Ansel as reparation. I understand your position, and the merit of your words. But I cannot make such a decision without taking full stock of my options."

"Councilman, with respect, we don't have the time for you to sit quietly and weigh your options."

"I don't intend to go at it for a week, dear boy. I will have your answer by the morrow, this I promise. I offer my home to you and your forces for the evening, Princess Diana."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Thank you. We will do our best to not test your generosity."

"Wilfort is correct, though. With or without aid or allies, and whether or not I even want to, I must go fight Ansel. I have no other choices left to me."

[Blade Master Model 42]

"I do understand your position princess. Neeya, please show them to their chambers." Neeya curtsied to Councilman Kuimer before guiding the party from the room and closing the door behind them.

"Your highness, I offer my most sincere apologies. Had I known who you were, I would have spoken to you as befits your station when I came to collect you."

[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana nodded to Neeya.

"It is quite all right. I did not introduce myself properly because... well, you never know who might be listening in. Please, lead the way to our quarters for the night. After so many days on a ship it will be good to sleep on solid ground again."

[Swordstar]

Brann followed the rest of the group, walking near Ceil, deep in thought.

... Assassination... I don't know who... Please don't let it be the councilman who my family defends... I...

"Uhm... Excuse me. The councilman mentioned an assassination. Do... do you know who it was that was assassinated?"