It does come down to what the people will want and accept, and while Sam remembers those in Nott being less than supportive, he also doesn't remember the lack of support being a kingdom wide thought.
But Geralt brings up The Cities, next, and Sam's expression darkens as he nods along with the information about Marlo in particular. He's kept as much contact as he can with Marlo because he knows when it comes down to it, they'll need every piece of leverage they can - but it isn't like the Cities are any better off than Thorne. Just different flavors, different regional accents, to the same problem.
"Right now, they're trying to use us as additional numbers for their army. They haven't forced enrollment yet, but it's only a matter of time."
When Istredd talks about the people deciding that the Summons might be a mistake, Sam just sort of nods. It's a problem he's thought about, himself. Something he's gone to great lengths in Cadens to try and balance out for no other reason than maybe they'll have a few more allies on their side, there. But if you get a kingdom of people behind a single idea - well. Nothing good ever really happens there.
"Most people in the Cities aren't super focused on the Singularity, either. At least not yet. They don't want to be dependent on it, but they're not actively seeking to destroy it either. Again- that can change, but right now it's a not yet." It's always a yet.
But deposing the queen, finding a suitable replacement...none of it's going to be easy. Thankfully, no one at this meeting seems to think it will be easy, so at least there's that.
Jaskier, too, has too many good points. Points that Sam wishes he could argue against, but really - there's no safe way to get rid of Thorne if the Free Cities still has room to grow. And if you take out both of the power houses... he shakes his head. Rubs at the back of his neck.
"No, leaving things the way they are isn't going to help anyone. Even if we did find a balance, if that's even possible, all it'll take is the Singularity to go haywire - again - and everything we've done will go up in smoke. But I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say murdering both political leaders isn't the move, either." Sorry, Jaskier. Sam keeps going without leaving much room for interjection. "In my experience, the only way to get nations off each others throat to is to give them something else to focus on. The problem with that is that we're easy targets."
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But Geralt brings up The Cities, next, and Sam's expression darkens as he nods along with the information about Marlo in particular. He's kept as much contact as he can with Marlo because he knows when it comes down to it, they'll need every piece of leverage they can - but it isn't like the Cities are any better off than Thorne. Just different flavors, different regional accents, to the same problem.
"Right now, they're trying to use us as additional numbers for their army. They haven't forced enrollment yet, but it's only a matter of time."
When Istredd talks about the people deciding that the Summons might be a mistake, Sam just sort of nods. It's a problem he's thought about, himself. Something he's gone to great lengths in Cadens to try and balance out for no other reason than maybe they'll have a few more allies on their side, there. But if you get a kingdom of people behind a single idea - well. Nothing good ever really happens there.
"Most people in the Cities aren't super focused on the Singularity, either. At least not yet. They don't want to be dependent on it, but they're not actively seeking to destroy it either. Again- that can change, but right now it's a not yet." It's always a yet.
But deposing the queen, finding a suitable replacement...none of it's going to be easy. Thankfully, no one at this meeting seems to think it will be easy, so at least there's that.
Jaskier, too, has too many good points. Points that Sam wishes he could argue against, but really - there's no safe way to get rid of Thorne if the Free Cities still has room to grow. And if you take out both of the power houses... he shakes his head. Rubs at the back of his neck.
"No, leaving things the way they are isn't going to help anyone. Even if we did find a balance, if that's even possible, all it'll take is the Singularity to go haywire - again - and everything we've done will go up in smoke. But I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say murdering both political leaders isn't the move, either." Sorry, Jaskier. Sam keeps going without leaving much room for interjection. "In my experience, the only way to get nations off each others throat to is to give them something else to focus on. The problem with that is that we're easy targets."