"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. 

 

As Vesta leaves, Zukar starts to turn to Jade. But the sound of something slamming into the wall right outside has him jumping nearly out of his boots. He spins around and runs to the door, throwing it wide and tearing out of the room. He looks down one side of the hall and sees nothing, then turns to look down the other way. His jaw drops.

"VESTA!" He screams and steps out of the room.

But halts as he stares at the hulking monstrosity that is Kumara. He takes a few sharp breathes as he stares at the massive flesh golem. 

"May I- May I please see to her?" Zukar asks without taking his eyes off of the monster.

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"Where are you going, Vesta? What are you going to do?" Zukar's eyes are wide and he holds out a hand. "We have to be very careful about how we approach this. What are you planning to do?"

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Zukar reads the page once, twice, thrice. His face growing paler and paler by the second. He covers his mouth with his hand as he stares at the words on the page. After reading it a third time, he folds it back up, stands up, and places it on the desk once more. He pins the note to the desk under one finger.

“I see now why Jedash was here.” Zukar sighs and hangs his head. “Neither of you seem to grasp the gravity of the situation we are in so let me enlighten you to the way of dragons. Something I know very well after spending my entire life around that family and dragon history and culture. I have dragon lore, so listen to me very carefully.”

He sucks in a breath. “I guarantee you both that Kalil has not laid eyes on this letter. If he had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Not because he would level the kingdom, no. Kalil is more personal than that. Vesta would be dead, I would be dead, everyone Vesta has ever cared for would be dead. Because you involved his family.”

Zukar steps away from the desk, his hand falling to his side. “You sent this letter to Kalil’s mother and even mentioned his son. Nymera is not stupid. Nymera is a kind hearted woman. And she knows full well what her son is capable of. She would not deliver this letter to him knowing the consequences of doing so. So instead, the mother of the house, brought this matter to the head of the family. The brood-father.”

“That explains why Jedash was here. The words on that page are the reason he was so angry. And he is angry. Jedash does not make threats lightly. Those words were promises of things to come.”

He begins pacing. “So what has happened is the brood-mother received what equates to a threat to the family and she took it to the brood-father.” He waves a hand before Vesta can protest. “You may not have actually said the words “I am going to hurt your family” but you wished ill on Kalil and his kingdom, on the ‘family he wishes to have’. Those are threats, Vesta.”

“But that is besides the point. The one responsible for the safety of the family is the brood-father. This is not a kingdom threatening war on another kingdom. This is Jedash expressing himself to the people who would threaten his family.”

He pauses and looks from Vesta to Jade. “Let me say that again so the distinction is absolutely clear to you both. This is not a kingdom threatening a kingdom. This is an ancient dragon threatening mortals who would dare threaten his family.”

He gestures to Jade while he looks at Vesta. “And you threaten the family when they apparently have their own world ending matters to attend to? Did we not consider finding out why they suddenly locked down? Why they suddenly pulled their troops from town? Instead, you just assumed he was what? I’d truly like to know exactly what you thought he was doing behind those walls because the dragons have a reason for everything they do.”

“I may not know what is going on in that manor but I know dragons and you sending a nasty worded letter to the Queen Mother about the King of Dragons while they are facing- Well, whatever they are facing. It is all a matter of appearances, Vesta. Jade. If they let a mortal bad mouth their king to his own mother, that makes Kalil look weak. And the other dragon families will take advantage of that weakness. Do you see how this is all playing together? Do you see where your folly is?”

“He is talking about the kingdom, Vesta. Not you! Jedash, the brood-father and potentially oldest living dragon in the planes, is not threatening you, Vesta. But the kingdom. Dragons don’t differentiate between political borders the way we do. To them we are all mortals. So saying you are or are not part of the kingdom is irrelevant. You. Are. Mortal. And-” 

He turns to Jade now. “Are you absolutely certain Jedash said he wanted an apology? Because that does not sound like dragons. What were his exact words to you about repayment for this insult?”

He shakes his head. “I suspect my words mean nothing to either of you. However, I want to emphasize the point that Jedash is the one who said he would level the town and we’re in this room talking instead of buried in the dirt.”

“Dragons are dangerous, Vesta. And you are playing a dangerous game with them.”

He looks from Vesta to Jade and back again. “Am I being clear? Do you two understand yet what is happening here? Because so far it seems to me like neither of you quite comprehends the danger we are in and all because of some- some words on a parchment!”

He meets Vesta’s gaze. “I failed you,  darling. I should have read this before I let you send it. I would have stopped you. And stopped all of this unnecessary bullshit from happening in the first place. Your words have now endangered an entire kingdom. This is not a game, Vesta. Despite what you may think. Dragons are immortal. You should be terrified. They will not forget this slight for generations to come. They don’t follow the same rules mortals do. They don’t even perceive time the way we do. A perceived slight generations ago is as though it happened to them yesterday. And the punishments they dole out for insolence are ever lasting and may impact the entire planescape.” 
 

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