RP:Matters Of The Crown

Part of the The End's Not Near Arc

Summary: Xzavior approaches Queen Hildegarde about alliances now that the Alithryian throne has been stolen by Jaize. He indicates his own interest in the city's future with a vision not shared by the late Reginae. Hildegarde offers her advice, as his friend but suggests a more indepth meeting in the future if they are to discuss political options.

Throne Room

Xzavior had arrived finally after a few days. Having taken some time to collect his thoughts and think a bit about what had happened at the coronation and what the next steps would have to be in order to take back what was stolen from the naga. And to get some well deserved revenge for the murder of Reginae. Coming quickly to the fortress in Frostmaw, Xzavior waited for a meeting with the Silver, so far the only one he believed to be able to help him in this situation. He didn't have as good a standing with any other kingdom. Something he would have to remedy and fast. Pacing the throne room, he slowed a bit when he realized what he was doing and decided to take a breath and relax. Hard to do when you have a kingdom to think about.

Hildegarde was not quick to enter the throne room. Not out of spite and not out of a lack of care for Xzavior, but simply because the duties of the realm would always be her priority and thus always cause a delay. As she enters the throne room, she offers Xzavior a smile that is tinged with weariness and sadness; she knows he is here due to Reginae’s protected body being held somewhere within this fort. “Xzavior,” she greets, reaching out to give him the traditional warrior’s shake and clasp her hand against his forearm for a strong and firm shake, “it is good to see you. I wish we were seeing each other on better terms, however.” Disengaging from the shake, Hildegarde is swift to add in her apology, “I am sorry to have kept you waiting. Matters of the crown,” she said with a most apologetic look.

Xzavior looked over to Hildegarde as soon as she came in and let out a soft breath that he had been apparently holding. Returning the shake he waved off her apology saying, "You've got yours to worry about, I've got mine. But I do agree. Perhaps we should plan ahead for it." He joked quickly before falling back into a more serious attitude, "But, onto the matter at hand. Reginae should be returned to her home to be buried among her kin, but that is not the only reason that I am here." he straightened himself up to perhaps look more fit for what he was about to say. "I need your help. Obviously, with Jaize back, things are extremely complicated. The guards and army are both under her command now and I can no longer make a statement within the city without risk. And with her in command again... I fear my city will be lost for good this time. I need to rid the throne of her but I can't do it myself."

Hildegarde listened as Xzavior spoke of what he believed should and shouldn’t happen. “Reginae will remain in Frostmaw until such a time that funeral rites and the like can be assured. I will not see her body disgraced, nor will I return her body to Alithrya for Jaize to undoubtedly mutilate and desecrate,” she was firm in this position. “Reginae will be returned to Alithrya when it is possible. I do not mean any disrespect and I hope you have faith in my honour and my word to know I will do right by her body.” A body which few had seen. As Xzavior claims he cannot rid Jaize from the throne himself, Hildegarde nods slightly in agreement. “Indeed. Jaize seemed to be rather well-organized for this takeover. What do you have in mind?”

Xzavior trusted Hildegarde fully. That came without much question. However, he knew he wasn't going to hand over the body to Jaize. He would rather lose the better half of his tail then allow that to happen. He was just stating for future purpose. When she asked for his plan, he gave a nod and said, "As stated, she has an army at her disposal, however, I'm not sure she has the loyalty of all of them. Nor the city. So I am thinking we find a weakness there. But, when Jaize first made an appearance, after everyone had left and I was making my exit, I noticed that there were naga there that were cloaked. I'm not exactly sure when they came in but I do believe they were a major part in Jaize's return. If we get rid of them, then she should weaken further."

Hildegarde tilted her head from side to side, as if thoughtfully listening as Xzavior pointed out these discrepancies. “A disloyal few do not necessarily make a rebellion,” she is not trying to destroy all his plans, merely strategize. She has been Frostmaw’s strategos for far too long, now. Devising plans and schemes long since before she was named Steward or Captain of the Queensguard, her strategies were battle proven. “And a cloaked naga could be just about anyone, Xzavior. Take off the cloak and they become just a naga. Jaize was quick to assume power and the people were quick to rally behind her. Something suggests that there was… well, some kind of organization to this.” The knight then paused for a moment before adding, “These disloyal few. What do you seek to do with them? Extract them from Jaize’s service so they might serve you? Keep them in the army but informed of a plot to bring Jaize down? Or simply bet on the chance they will aid when someone challenges Jaize?”

Xzavior on the other hand was not all too familiar with the scene. He's not fought too often in large organizations. That didn't mean he would stop any time soon. He had to learn and do it fast. Made better with someone with more experience. "Betting on chance gets us nowhere. If they don't believe that I stand a chance, then I'll get no support from anyone there. Which still needs to be done frankly. No, instead, we keep them there. Inform enough to get a foothold inside the city. Too many and there might be unwanted attention or someone might get caught." But her statement that an organization was, or could be behind this, seemed quite appropriate. "Seeing as everything was and still is so disorganized, I wouldn't be surprised if something like that was going on under our noses." The more he talked and thought about it the greater he realized how bad of a spot he was in. As much of a change he wanted to make and be the one to do such a thing, he had very very little experience in such things... Other then the clench of his jaw however, he tried not to show how much anger he was starting to feel over all this.

Hildegarde shrugged her shoulder at this suggestion of informing a few but keeping them within the army, “It only takes one weak link in the chain for it to break.” The Silver prods his chest: first near his shoulder, then to the left of his chest before poking right where his heart would sit. “You’re dead. There were weak links in your chainmail. My sword has pierced through and cut through your heart. You are dead.” Withdrawing her poking finger, the Silver offers Xzavior a soft smile. “I am not trying to be cruel. But tell ten men your plans of an uprising, Jaize or a Jaize loyalist will find them. How long do you think they will hold out under torture? How long do you think it will take for them to break and reveal their cohorts and you?” Hildegarde has been in this exact position before, she had learned from these mistakes. She survived them, but that was by sheer luck. “First: you build your strength,” both her fists gently push against his shoulders. “Jaize will build hers too, but she is in a unique position right now. She will have dissenters and those who are loyal to Reginae. She will have those she must still convince to sway to her side. It is now, officially, a race. I imagine from your keen interest, you are seeking the crown too? Or do you wish only to avenge Reginae and find someone else to sit upon Alithrya’s throne?”

Xzavior wasn't exactly that new to the whole thing. But with her explanation of how easy his plan could crumble, it didn't make things any easier for him. In one area. In others, it served a lot better for him. Giving a breath he lowered his head a bit and shook himself off. He was rushing far too much wasn't he? "I've my reasons to not fully believe that Reginae could make Alithrya even better then it was before. Though that doesn't mean I'm doing this just based on my lust for the crown. Reginae deserves to be avenged." he explained before rolling his shoulders and saying, "Then I suppose we start from the ground up. We need to find whatever naga were apart of the few who brought her back. I doubt they'll be treated or act like any other naga especially during these early stages of her rule. They'd more then likely act far more loyal to her then anyone else."

Hildegarde was curious now. “Do you lust for the crown?” As Xzavior speaks of starting from the ground up and seems to be counting on Hildegarde’s assistance in this regard, Hildegarde sighs softly. “Firstly, you need to be honest and plain with me. I will give you advice, that I will always give you my friend. But if you are asking for my aid and the might of Frostmaw to help seat you on the throne and unseat Jaize… we will have to discuss this more thoroughly.”

Xzavior shook his head firmly and stated just as, "Like I said, this is NOT because I lust for the crown. I just have a belief that Alithrya could have a better future if I had a firm position to lead it in that direction, and Jaize is in no way fit to do so. She will lead it back to the way it was before Q'na had put us in a frozen state. Reginae, for as amazing as she is, I don't believe she could bring us to the point I see us being at either. Albeit not in the direction that Jaize will take it either. The city needs a change. Perhaps a king will bring a change better then a queen."

Hildegarde offered a little smile at his comment regarding a king doing better than a queen. “I have met many men who have thought they could do better than a Queen, simply by the merit of their gender!” It was difficult being a female knight, after all. It was a male dominated career. “Tell me what your vision is then.”

Xzavior rolled his eyes at the statement with his own smirk and added, "Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that based on gender. I'm just doing as I've always have and going against the norm." For her question about his vision, he did smile a bit wider and said, "It's a bit obvious especially if you had asked Reginae the same question. I'm looking to make it a place where no one will double guess themselves on if they are allowed and accepted. Somewhere where people will want to go. Strong, able to defend itself but still able to help allies as well. It'd be great to still be remembered as a powerful kingdom but not as the warmongers we used to be." He could prattle on and on about it but honestly, it all came down to him to bringing the kingdom to a more modern, beautiful and strong nation.

Hildegarde offered Xzavior a wry smile in reply, “Just watch your wording, friend! You’re in the hall of a mighty Queen,” it’s obvious she’s only teasing and being playful. As he describes his vision for Alithrya, Hildegarde can only nod her head slightly. It is a change she is unsure of. A change that she thinks the naga people may not entirely agree with, but perhaps they did. She was no naga, she could not truly know. “I think it is time we end our meeting for tonight. You want the throne of Alithrya. I believe you want my help in this matter. If that is my advice as your friend, Hildegarde, that is fine. If you want my help in this matter as Queen Hildegarde… well. We will have to discuss things a bit more properly, won’t we?” Xzavior nodded at the final statement and smiled still. "Of course. I don't plan on just jumping into this without talking to others of similar positions." However, his main concern was Larket... He wasn't a fan of what they are doing there, but he would still need to make sure they were on good grounds if he is to make sure the early stages of him being in power goes smoothly. "Well, I thank you for your support Hildegarde. It is always a pleasure to see you. I'll come by if anything comes up or if anything new happens." Offering a bow of his head as farewell he positioned himself to leave