[ As Claude explains he wishes for a moment that he'd brought something stronger for his cup, the floral wine or even fathi, but he stymies the thought before it becomes a conscious request to the force that powers his Domain.
His expression only turns more grim as Claude continues. Half the city turned to rubble, all those lives lost - not to speak of the injured. He can't fault the Free Cities for their retaliation either. After the Queen's attack there wouldn't be any talks or delegations, there had to be a show of force to at least deter any further attacks on their cities for a short while. And by attacking the farmlands they put themselves in stark contrast to the crown, with Nott already unhappy under the current monarchy - maybe they hope to sway the lakeside city. ]
That's both horrific and better than I hoped. [ He shakes his head. ] From what we were shown it looked the entire city was gone.
[ Kahlil bites into his cheek for a second before answering. ] We smelled the smoke from the castle when it started, the fires were mostly centered on the forests and farmland between Nott and Thorne. The cities fared well, but there were homesteads in the middle that were caught in the blaze. I imagine anyone traveling by foot at the time would've been taken by surprise as well... [ He frowns at his cup. ]
From what little whispers I've heard, they weren't expecting an attack from across the lake. [ Which is the only reason they really should have been taken by surprise like that. ] And the Queen's paranoia's been on the rise. There was a purge of mid-level guards and mages soon after the fires here. I don't know if they actually opposed the idea of war or she just decided they weren't trustworthy anymore.
[ Probably a little bit of both.
Another pause. ]
The castle has been filling up with soldiers and supplies all month. Deploying when winter is fast approaching would be idiotic in my world.
[ Especially right after your food stores were attacked. But the Queen is hellbent. All for one man. ]
no subject
His expression only turns more grim as Claude continues. Half the city turned to rubble, all those lives lost - not to speak of the injured. He can't fault the Free Cities for their retaliation either. After the Queen's attack there wouldn't be any talks or delegations, there had to be a show of force to at least deter any further attacks on their cities for a short while. And by attacking the farmlands they put themselves in stark contrast to the crown, with Nott already unhappy under the current monarchy - maybe they hope to sway the lakeside city. ]
That's both horrific and better than I hoped. [ He shakes his head. ] From what we were shown it looked the entire city was gone.
[ Kahlil bites into his cheek for a second before answering. ] We smelled the smoke from the castle when it started, the fires were mostly centered on the forests and farmland between Nott and Thorne. The cities fared well, but there were homesteads in the middle that were caught in the blaze. I imagine anyone traveling by foot at the time would've been taken by surprise as well... [ He frowns at his cup. ]
From what little whispers I've heard, they weren't expecting an attack from across the lake. [ Which is the only reason they really should have been taken by surprise like that. ] And the Queen's paranoia's been on the rise. There was a purge of mid-level guards and mages soon after the fires here. I don't know if they actually opposed the idea of war or she just decided they weren't trustworthy anymore.
[ Probably a little bit of both.
Another pause. ]
The castle has been filling up with soldiers and supplies all month. Deploying when winter is fast approaching would be idiotic in my world.
[ Especially right after your food stores were attacked. But the Queen is hellbent. All for one man. ]