How does the earth around your feet

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: Istredd and anyone!
WHAT: Catch-all for November
WHERE: Thorne, Horizon, Nocwich
WHEN: November
WARNINGS: May be spoilers for Witcher s3 in comments.





Starters Below!

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Comments

[funbreaker]

Istredd seems to answer his own question, though both of them are musing out loud about the possibilities. Thancred likes to be ready for any outcome, and that means considering as many of them as is feasibly possible. "I imagine they would prefer to take the risk of going the long way, if it came to that. It would also mean there would be less chance of the Free Cities receiving intel of the oncoming attack before it arrived."

They as Summoned cannot be in Borrel all the time to keep an eye on the naval activities here. If the admiral is a smart man, he would deploy the ships when he was relatively certain there weren't any Summoned here to observe it, which wouldn't be difficult.

"We can hope it's merely a way of deterring the Free Cities from making a move against them, aye," he replies. He can feel the cool sea air tousle his hair now, as they near the water, though it's difficult to appreciate the scenery given their topic of conversation. "Though I would say we should always be ready for the worst. Thus, we arm ourselves with information to let those in the Free Cities know what to expect if that worst case comes to pass."

As for the comment about the newly appointed admiral, Thancred glances to Istredd, brows lifting with curiosity. "How much do you know about him?"

[magicalarchaeologist]

"Yes, there's no one in the Badlands that would warn them. It's hard to say if the Free Cities would be already making moves to protect the coast, as I don't know their forces well." If the two of them are smart enough to see the potential route to danger, it can be assumed a war council can do the same.

"It's been over a thousand years since the Free Cities and Solvunn won their independence. Even if they have the war books from that time, the landscape has changed. They haven't seen war since then, and not this royal house." And yet they're very close to it at all times. Istredd assumes it's been tense for years though, although the Free Cities and Solvunn Summoning their own people amped it up again. The Summoned seem to continue to be a good excuse for them, with the Nocwich attack too.

"If we hear of anything we can warn them, albeit with the understanding of what position that would put all of us in." It isn't Istredd saying they shouldn't. It's that a choice like that would put all of the Summoned at risk, not only the people who would be behind the information sharing. All choices are dangerous, as they both know.

At the question, he gazes out into the water, appreciating the image as he has always been landlocked himself. Rarely appreciating any visual splendors around him unless forced to look up from a book. "Nothing more than what is shared commonly. That he's respected and considered honorable, by whatever terms Thorne considers those things." It changes between people, obviously. "But the queen is his blood, and we know how she is." Family doesn't mean everything, but he suspects her admiral uncle may have some opinions about her reckless behavior. Anyone would.

[funbreaker]

Thancred doesn't know all that much about the Free Cities' military forces either, save that they are robust. That's the whole point of keeping in close contact with Geralt, Jaskier, and Sam, of course — they will be able to fill in those blanks. "We can always ask our friends," he remarks.

While it feels like they're always at the precipice of total war breaking out, Istredd makes a good point. It has in fact been years, and it may be many more years before it's an out-and-out conflict. Granted, the attacks exchanged between the two factions already should not be discounted, and it could always escalate, especially with the Summoned as another factor (or fuse).

"It's a risk that I imagine would be worth taking," he says to Istredd with little hesitation. "I know not every single Summoned in Thorne might agree, but..." He trails off and frowns. Well, they can address that problem when it actually becomes a problem, rather than mere speculation, but Thancred is willing to make his opinion on this particular issue known. To know that forces were moving toward the Free Cities and yet say nothing would be wrong, and he won't do so, especially not after what the Queen did to Libertas. He hated feeling so helpless in that moment.

Thancred nods along as Istredd recaps what both of them know of the admiral. It isn't much, and only what's been spoken of publicly. As they descend a stone staircase that leads down toward the docks, he heaves out a sigh. "That we do. The question is how much she's taken after her uncle. I suspect we'll find out, sooner or later."

as you mentioned on plurk, we can wrap this here!

[magicalarchaeologist]

"It may be a case where we should speak privately to the Thorne Summoned, as we've done before." Istredd invited all of them into his Horizon the last time so they could understand the gravity of their situation. Except it's changed since then, some Summoned gone, some new. He can't do it every time which is why he wrote down his blackboards of information for people.

"We may make the decision regardless, but they should know. We can decide if that happens if they are trustworthy." That's the other concern. One of them could decide to rat them out on their own. They won't know until they get to that point, which could be some time from now, or never. But he wouldn't feel right about doing that without warning people. It sounds like a disaster in the making.

"I might consider him a different type of threat. We'll have to keep our eyes on it, and our friends' eyes on their end. Full out war hasn't happened yet. But we're not out of the woods." Istredd may note that they are quiet ... for now. Except Thorne has always wanted their former lands back.

It feels fated at this point.