RP:Dragons = Danger
Part of the Surface Tension Arc
Synopsis: Although there is still personal tensions between Steward Hildegarde and Skylei Lucindio, the former asks the latter to visit Frostmaw as she has important news. When Skylei arrives, she receives a staunch warning about a threat to the elves dressed as an ally. Skylei promises to ensure that the council are aware of this at their upcoming meeting.
Walled Courtyard
Frostmaw hasn’t thawed in Skylei’s absence, but nor has her attitude to the frigid land; her heart is still ice and her face reflects that as she stomps towards the courtyard. In front of her, the behemoth of Frostmaw fort looms, casting a shadow across the snow. In her dark coat, Skylei cuts a stark figure as she approaches one of the giants on guard duty to request the location of the city’s Steward. As he gestures onwards, Skylei would dip her head in a polite show of thanks, explain that she was expected and be granted entry. Not entirely sure where she is next headed, Sky slows her pace and proceeds to dawdle across the courtyard, scanning each figure for any sign of the company she desires.
Hildegarde , having anticipated Skylei’s arrival, had elected to sit upon a bench within the green and lush courtyard. A surprising bit of greenery in Frostmaw’s otherwise white and snowy landscape, it made for a pleasant meeting spot at the best of times. As the half elf dawdles across the courtyard, the knight rose to her feet and offered a hesitant smile: she was certain the woman still disliked her. “Hello, Skylei,” she greeted gently. “I trust your journey to Frostmaw was not too arduous?” she asked in a polite manner, though she was wary of how uncomfortable small talk seemed to make the scholar. “I, er… well, you know where Frostmaw stands on this issue, don’t you? About Sage? But I still regard you as a friend and I would not see anything ill befall you.”
As Hildegarde rises, Skylei sways in her path so that she stands alongside the knight. After dealing with the strained-but-polite greetings and nicities, Skylei jumps into the heart of the matter, “What of Sage, Hildegarde? I haven’t heard any talk of Sage of late that would affect me, nor Frostmaw?” Skylei pauses, chews on her lower lip and then continues, “The council informed you of the intention to hold a meeting, I assume? You do know that there is little to no intention of the elves declaring a war to win back the forest at this time, yes? Our forces are too few, too many are reluctant – in short, we are looking to a more settled future, and a united future.” Skylei shrugs, “Sage is not on the cards for now.”
Hildegarde chortled at those words, “There is no intention of the elves declaring war, but it appears there are some folk out there who are bloodthirsty. Splayed across a tavern board for all to read and for all the world to reply to,” she said a little more softly. “I already have a ranger of Frostmaw talking of how torn he is between Frostmaw and joining any fight to reclaim Sage, so I would think that does affect Frostmaw. As for this council, it would have been a bit nicer to have heard of it first than to read of it,” but she shrugged it off, “but it’s of little matter. This council will go ahead and I wish it well.” That said, she sits back down on the bench and gestures for Skylei to join her. “There is a dragon who is interested in assisting the Elves. He is a powerful force, that much is true. Ancient and terrible. But I do not believe his intentions of assistance are entirely true. I think he seeks to bend the elves to his will or to at least make them indebted to him.”
Skylei almost laughs, “Hildegarde, neither I nor the council hold power over those who wish to go rogue and fight against the drow. Many feel threatened by their presence. It’s not their… proper place, after all. People fear an upset to the balance; t’is but natural, no? But the body of the elves simply wish to live in peace in Frostmaw. I expect it likely that the proposal will be that those spread across the land join the rest in Frostmaw and contribute to your lands - should you be willing to host them under the same laws as currently apply. We have no intention to bring war to you, and our, door.” As for the dragon, this is truly news to Skylei. The look on her face twists from surprise to confusion to strained irritation, “A dragon, aye? I will be sure to keep my eyes open for such interference and be sure that the council have been duly warned as to what his intentions might be. I appreciate your warning, as will the elders.”
Hildegarde spread her hands in either a welcoming or placating gesture, “Frostmaw’s offer stands: refugees are welcome to make this land their home,” she said with a small smile on her face. “I understand that many miss their home and wish to see it returned to them. But I think war is a poor idea,” she knew there was little more to be said and that Skylei would certainly not say more than she already has on the matter. “But I shall say no more, lest we wish to go about in circles,” she conceded. “But yes. Just be careful. You may…” she sighed gently, “You may hold a black mark against my name, but I still hold you in a high regard, Skylei. So… be careful.”
Skylei dips her head appreciatively, “You may be surprised to know I agree. Out and out war is a terrible idea for the elves. We have our refuge here. And as long as you will have us, I expect we will remain here.” With her piece said, and Hildegarde’s information conveyed, Skylei goes to leave the compound. She doesn’t comment on Hildegarde’s kind remarks, though a red flush takes hold of her pale cheeks. A reaction to the cold, surely? After a few steps away from the dragon, she would turn back around and pause for a few second, “I’ll be, uh, sure that the council’s decision is conveyed to you for your approval, should it affect Frostmaw. I’ll be in town until a few days after the meeting.”