RP:The Assistance of Friends
Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc
Summary: Hildegarde and Ashe are visited in Vailkrin Castle by Khitti and Pilar, who both offer their help in the fight to regain Frostmaw. Hildegarde takes a liking to Khitti as her liaison between Vailkrin and Frostmaw, and assigns Pilar and Ashe the task of gathering allies, including Kreekitaka, who Hildegarde plans to commission.
Great Hall of Vailkrin
Khitti had been back in Vailkrin to pilfer some books from Larewen's library in order to help with her overly complicated magical issue. As she went to leave, the dark ranger had overheard Margret, the steward of the House, gossiping as usual. This time, however, the topic had been one that actually intrigued Khitti. Hildegarde had been there. For once taking matters into her own hands, considering the fact that Alex was too drugged up and drunk since his banishment to be of any help, the red-haired female gathered the tomes she required and headed off to the castle to meet the woman that she had heard so much about from the bard. Dressed in the sleek black knee-length dress made specifically for her by Kreekitaka, black duster, and her worn boots, the vampiress finds her way to the hall and a servant sought out. The inquiry of Hildegarde to the servant is made with hopes of finding the dragon woman, dark verdant optics shifting about the hall in an attempt to see anyone at all familiar here.
Pilar's night had been rough. Between offering comfort to Larewen and the increasing problems in Frostmaw, she hadn't slept much. What little sleep she did get had been plagued with nightmares, as was usual. Visions of flying through the frozen north with her friends, only for them to be shot down, one by one, by the giants in the fort. She thought she could still smell their blood when she awakened. Dressing quickly in her usual white blouse and yellow dress, and throwing on her cloak, she descended the stairs and left the house. The castle was her destination, Hildegarde her target. She wanted to know more of Hildegarde's plan to retake Frostmaw. She wanted to know how safe her friends would be. When she got there, she almost lost her nerve. But, her time spent in Frostmaw Fort had helped to abate some of the nervousness she had with castles, and, like Khitti, she begged an audience with the Silver. A guard escorted her to the main hall, where she was surprised to find the dark ranger already waiting.
Hildegarde had been made welcome in the castle by Kasyr and had made sure Ashe had a room by her own. After all, the bard was to be her bodyguard of sorts and he would likely know Vailkrin much better than she would. He had those street smarts after all. Hildegarde had made her way to the main hall of the castle, taking a seat at the dining table so she could break her fast while pondering over a map of what seemed to be the realm as they knew it. “Can you think of anywhere else we can go for allies?” she asks of Ashe, glancing to him briefly until interrupted by the ‘ahem’ of one of the castle guards. The knight rose from her seat and immediately sought to attend to her guests. “Pilar, hello,” she said with a little smile, before glancing to Khitti. The two hadn’t met, but she recognised her from the yule ball for very briefly. “And who is your friend here?”
Ashe wasn't dressed for Vailkrin. Too many colors. In fact, the bard had done away with his cloak of crow feathers in protest to the local fashion trends. His bright red, green and white stood out like a fire in the night against the all-encompassing black. To further set the man apart from the scenery, he was draped sideways across the seat of his chair rather than sitting in it. Which may be explained by the two bottles-- one empty-- on the table next to him. Still, he sounded cohesive. ”Depends. Are we looking for armies or agents? There's plenty of mercenaries to be found. And more than a few free agents eager to earn fame and glory through heroics. The issue is the terrain. Unfortunately it would be rather ill-advised to hire just anybody. After all, even if we could pay them, a few crews of Rynvale corsairs would be exceptionally unfit for the frozen north.” he punctuated the thought by raising his half-full remaining bottle at the newcomers in greeting. ”Ho Fum! The dread comes to see the exiled!” he joked. Ever since arriving through the dark portal, the bard had seemed to have no end of gothic poetry jokes.
Khitti raised a slender crimson brow as Pilar appeared, giving a brief wave to her as the Silver rises to greet them. Before Pilar can introduce her fellow House Dragana member, Khitti does so for herself, a slight bow of her head given to both Hildegarde and Ashe. There's a bit of an awkward air to the forever twenty-eight year old, as there had been at the Yule ball and typically whenever the woman speaks to anyone new, but she still manages to say what needs to be said. "I'm Khitti Von Schreier, a friend of Alex." Her thick German accent accompanies her words, her words picked and chosen carefully, "After his banishment, he sought me out immediately and asked to help vith your cause because he believes me capable enough to do so. Vhile Frostmaw is not my home, nor any of you my people, I vill do vhat I can to aid you." Her words weren't insincere, just merely a matter-of-fact. She had no people to call her own. Not anymore.
Pilar waved back to Khitti, and then to Ashe. She remembered him fondly enough from their meeting in the tavern. She stayed silent as Khitti introduced herself and explained why she was there, nodding approvingly. She was getting better at this whole "talking to people" thing. Once Khitti was done, Pilar stepped forward. "I wanted to ask you, Hildegarde..." she paused. Was it really her place to demand to know Hildegarde's master plan? She wasn't even part of the group that was going to be taking back Frostmaw. And really, she knew Hildegarde couldn't promise the safety of any under her charge. Why had she even come here? "... Never mind."
Hildegarde nodded at Ashe’s words and gave him a little, “We’ll chat more about that later,” so as not to bore their guests; though she quirked a smile at his odd words. He was a strange yet funny one. As Khitti introduced herself, the knight bowed respectfully at the waist, “Honoured to meet you,” she said. “I believe Alex has mentioned you to me, though he did not seem to be entirely himself,” she admitted. “But you ought not to pledge to assist a person so lightly, m’lady. I may be pulling you into some untoward danger.” Yet as Pilar speaks, the knight turns her head to look at her full one and offer her sole intention. “You needn’t be afraid of speaking your mind to me, Pilar. Please, go on,” she said, offering her a little smile.
Ashe frowned rather childishly when his joke passed through the hall without even a split second of acknowledgement. Instead, he simply folded one leg over the other and took a deep drink from his bottle. ”As you can see!” he interrupted, quite suddenly and slid out of his chair as if he'd been temporarily made of liquid but was solid enough to step around the table to join the others immediately afterwards. ”My dearest patron isn't fit to be a rebel party. Excuse the ignorant for asking: Capable enough in what skill?”
Khitti hadn't completely ignored Ashe's joking, but she was in the frame of mind where things were not a laughing matter to her. A frown lines her pale lips as first Hildegarde's warning is issued and then her talents come into question. A worried look is shot towards Pilar as the other vampiress already knew of her current magical issue, but nothing is said on the matter. The frown only deepens further, but she does indeed reveal the aforementioned skills, "Necromancy...archery. I'm also currently in training for hand-to-hand combat, zhough my level of skill there is not very high." Feeling like she were being judged, no eye contact is made with either of the two from Frostmaw, her line of sight fixed on the floor. Were she a human, her heart would be beating tenfold, her mind racing in its panicked state.
Pilar hesitated to answer Hildegarde, grateful for Ashe's interruption. She could see that Khitti was getting agitated, and moved closer to her, taking her hand in hers, hoping to give some comfort, lend some strength. Well, she no longer had any reason to stay quiet, so she turned her attention back to the Silver. "Khitti is my friend. Aira and Linn are my friends. I wanted to... to know that they would be safe, fighting by your side. But I... I realize that is a foolish thing to ask. I just... don't know if I can handle them going to Frostmaw, putting themselves in danger, not knowing..."
Hildegarde could see the discomfort on Khitti’s face. “My lady, it is not my intention to make you uncomfortable, nor to make you feel as though you are beneath me. Please, come sit. We ask these questions so we know that we are not endangering you, you see. Your wellbeing is the most important, I shan’t sacrifice anyone to meet my goal if I can help it,” she said reassuringly and genuinely. “Archery, now, that is a fine talent! And one I am not well versed in,” she said, tapping her eyepatch briefly. Self-deprecation often made someone feel better about themselves! And Hilde had no issue at making jokes at her own expense to make someone feel better. “I promise you, Pilar, I would give my life in their defense. I will do everything in my power to make sure they come to no harm, though in war there is never a guarantee you will not be injured.”
Ashe nodded to himself as if Khitti had stated something obvious. Then simply turned and allowed Hilde to take the lead, since she intervened so eagerly. ”Necromancy. Common here, of course, but not elsewhere. Could be useful. Of course... most necromancers aren't the kind you trust freely.” he noted, as if to no one in particular. ”Suppose we're in luck then!” Other than that he made neither comment or statement on that subject. As the conversation had allready been taken in a different direction by Hildegarde. Instead, he wrapped one arm over the back of his chair and leaned in once he faced the others again. Looking to Pilar. ”As for your unspoken question, you understand there's a limit to how much we could tell you, yes? Regardless of the trust the lady may have for her friends, it's simply safer for a bystander not to know. These aren't friendly people playing a game of chess with us.” He punctuated the statement by emptying his bottle and placing it down on the table.
Khitti 's hand gave a squeeze to Pilar's own, as if to signal that she was alright for now, especially after Hildegarde's assurances that she did not believe that she was better than the vampiress, despite her own rank in society. Once the other three had spoken, and it was now her turn, she gives a nod to Hilde and musters a smile for the Silver, "I'm just...not great vith new people, but I am certainly vorking on it." Crimson brows knit together as her line of sight shifts towards the bard, the frown reappearing for him, though now instead of an awkward tone, it was quite stern. "Vhile zhis is true, I do ~not~ vander around raising zhe dead all haphazardly to simply say I can do so. It is a terrible, awful magic zhat I despise wholeheartedly. I have other abilities besides just bringing back a corpse and I vill use zhose to the greatest extent zhat I can before I vould ever disturb zhe dead. However, as it is all great and powerful and can be useful in times of var, I am studying as much as I can and trying to deal vith zhe issues I am having vith said ability." It was clear she didn't approve of necromancy at all, and perhaps even held disdain with the way that Larewen and other necromancers resurrected whomever they saw fit. An unneeded sigh is breathed once she had finished defending herself to Ashe, her face softening somewhat and an apologetic look given to him and then to Hildegarde, "I know vhat zhe risks are and have been reminded countless times by my beloved Daermon zhat I need not do zhis. But, Alex is my friend. Not only zhat, but he is not immortal like Pilar and I. I am not ready to lose my best friend yet. I vill not lose him, and nor am I ready to forgo his sadness should his friends and home be lost to such horrible creatures like zhose giants."
Pilar greatly appreciated Hildegarde's promise of protection. Less appreciated was Ashe's slightly condescending statement. She knew quite well the dangers of the giants, having spent several weeks hiding in the woods, only daring to venture into the city when supplies were needed. She had seen some sh... stuff. But he was right about one thing. She was only a bystander. She could not know for herself if her friends would be okay unless... unless she was there, too. Pilar glanced between Hildegarde and Ashe, weighing the consequences of her next question. "Is there... a way I can help, then?"
Hildegarde listened to Khitti’s description of her own skills and her vehement disdain for necromancy. Perhaps she would be suitable… but it was Larewen who would choose. “I suggest you speak to Larewen, Khitti. I have made her an offer, one that shall surely influence your House and perhaps your standing there. Pilar is aware of this offer and I do not mind if she informs you of it. But… Perhaps you are the one I seek,” she said thoughtfully, before finally looking to Pilar. What could Pilar do to help? She was an illusionist, that much was true. She had abilities and she was kind enough to make friends, though her kindness was perhaps easily abused. “I want you and Ashe to go on a journey together. I will not leave Vailkrin until Larewen and I have confirmed our plans together, but I wish for you both to journey together. Seek out some other allies for me. And the designer, Kreekitaka. Do you think yourselves capable of working together to achieve this goal?”
Ashe shrugged. ”I'm a friendly sort. Easy to get along with.” or so he says. Still. Offense had been taken where there was none. Suppose he'd touched sensitive nerves? ”My concern is: Can you swear to me you won't leave? Last time you acted on your own initative, this whole mess started.” he grinned softly at her. It was rather a heartless thing to say. But there was affection behind it. ”Kreekitaka? ….. I could see that working. Unless they freeze solid and die...” he thought aloud and rose up to stand straight. ”What's the deadline?”
Khitti 's face would've become as white as a sheet upon hearing Hildegarde's words were there any color to be had there in the first place. Talk to Larewen? She hadn't been at the house in nearly a month...and even before that, she'd barely seen the elder vampiress at all. And now with the talk between her and Daermon that they were going to leave House Dragana all together, things were becoming increasingly difficult. A spark goes off in her mind, however. It could be used to her advantage. Frostmaw was, of course, a hell of a lot closer to Venturil, the place that had been hopefully chosen to build a house, a life, etc. A moment's thought is given to the situation, and then a nod presented to Hildegarde, "Alright. I suppose I can do zhat." No. She ~had~ to do it. If she couldn't get into Frostmaw with the rest of them, if she couldn't help...she'd never be able to prove it to herself that she wasn't a monster. Revan was silently damned once again, her thoughts turning to that red rose that she was gifted by the undead. Quiet now as she watches the interaction between the other three, she dwelled on that damned flower that sought to plague every aspect of her life.
Pilar was not asked about the offer, and so didn't bring it up. She would probably give Khitti an explanation later, though. She deserved to be in the know. To Hildegarde, she said, "Yes, I can do that." She didn't know Ashe very well, and while she thought he was being a bit rude, she was confident it wouldn't be a problem. Some of her best friends were rude! She thought fondly of Aira, and of Khitti. Rough around the edges, to be sure, but good people deep down.
Hildegarde offered a smile in the direction of Ashe, “I will not leave without telling you again. It’s just difficult to imagine having a protector, is all!” she used that to justify not telling him. She was very much a woman who was used to protecting herself and not having to report to anyone. Now she knew how Tharn had felt about Satoshi. “It is not my place to tell you, Khitti. What you and the head of your House have to discuss… well, it may determine your future. It is important you speak to her or… well, should you ask me, I will tell you,” she said gently. “Pilar, there is a map there on the table. You may make good use of it. Once we’ve considered options for more potential allies and the designer is found… we will work on what other tasks we can have you do, all right?”
Khitti tilts her head to the side slightly, listening to Hildegarde with consideration, her attention drifting around the room before fixating on her again. The vampiress finally takes a seat near the woman, and with what she had heard of the woman, felt that she could trust her enough. "You see, as of late, I have been zhinking on my very position is zhe household. Zhere vere zhings promised to me. Teachings for my magic and yet Larewen has made herself very scarce. Vhile I know of my abilities, as does Pilar and Daermon, another member of zhe house, Larewen does not. I don't feel like her judgement vould be zhe best in zhis. I imagine she vould deny me zhis chance to prove myself and defend zhose zhat I care about because she knows not vhat I can do and likely no longer cares." The dark ranger pauses, looking to Pilar briefly before returning her gaze to Hildegarde, "I know in zhe long run, for you, she vould likely be a great ally. But as it stands right now, vith zhe zhings zhat have surpassed or lack zhereof, I am considering leaving her house." Another pause is given, as she dwells on her words, frowning a little, "Perhaps it vould be better for you to persuade her, but if you truly feel zhat ~I~ should be zhe one to speak vith her, I vill do so."
Pilar released Khitti's hand and approached the table. She looked at the map, never actually realizing how very big the land she now lived in was. She nodded at Hildegarde. "Yes. I only hope I will be able to help." Even if she just ended up doing menial labor or something, she would do whatever was needed to help keep her friends safe. She fell silent again as Khitti spoke. After what had happened the night before, she felt bad that Khitti still thought so badly of Larewen... even if she was completely justified. "I will be there with you, if you want," she offered. Perhaps her presence would bolster Khitti's nerves, or soothe Larewen's.
Hildegarde smiled at Pilar’s offer to assist Khitti. “I think having a friend there is a good idea.” The knight paused for a moment before finally sitting down across from Khitti. The Silver’s fingertips briefly scratched at her mottled cheek, rubbing the ancient burned flesh as if there was something irritating her skin. “I am no necromancer, nor mage, so I cannot teach you the things that Larewen knows. But… In Frostmaw, there is a library. A library of dark and immense knowledge that is considered forbidden. None are permitted to go there without permission. If you were to be my friend… to be my woman in Frostmaw, my ally, to pledge allegiance: then access could be given.” The knight paused to let such an offer sink in. Frostmaw was a land that was wealthy, wealthier than people gave it credit. “Pilar, you will be of help, this I know.”
Ashe had stood silent holding onto the chair as the conversation rolled on. After a bit, he almost – just almost – stumbled. After a short moment of hesitation, or surprise, he straightened back up. ”Well!” he began. ”Excuse me, O Venerable Dragon, but it seems I'm starting to feel the price of my debauchery! As such!” he raised a finger towards the roof. ”I shall retire!” and then he swaggered off. Somewhat off balance.
Khitti raised a brow as the bard headed off in his clearly drunken state, a slightly amused smirk lining her lips. Hildegarde's offer is given great consideration, the vampiress leaning back into her chair to think about it. After a few minutes, her verdant stare shifts back to the Silver, "If you vere alright vith zhe fact zhat I am likely going to be relocating myself to Venturil once my separation from Larewen is complete, zhen I am definitely your voman. It vould be much closer to Frostmaw for vhatever duties you vould supply me vith." With all of the talk of Kreekitaka, she had completely forgotten to mention, "Also, if you are looking for Kreekitaka, zhe crab-man can usually be found in Cenril, zhough I believe he also has a shop in Larket. He is currently my boss until my debt to him is paid off." The trek between Frostmaw, Venturil, and Cenril would be a long one, but with that vampiric speed of hers, it wouldn't be as much of a problem as it would were she still mortal.
Pilar still held out hope that the rift between the two vampires would be mended and that Khitti would not end up leaving the house after all... But that was a discussion for another time. To Hildegarde, she dipped her head. She doubted her own abilities, it was clear. The Silver's faith in her, however, did help with her confidence. When Kreekitaka was brought up, she nodded. Oh, how she hoped she could find him in Cenril. She did not want to return to Larket anytime soon.
Hildegarde grunted at this talk of being in Venturil. Khitti would have been the ideal candidate for the offer Hildegarde made to Larewen, but to lose her to some warlord run wasteland? It would not suit her purposes all that much. However, she was not one to impose her will upon others. “And what is your debt to Kreekitaka?” she asked the vampire.
Khitti blinked at the noise that came from the dragon when Venturil is mentioned, another smile mustered for her, "It's more zhe forest north of it, zhen vithin zhe city. Daermon is fond of zhe dinosaurs zhere after a contract ve had taken care of zhere to help zhem and vhen I suggested zhe forest, he vas very much excited." The vampiress chuckled as she thought of the elder vampire, musing fondly. "As for Kree, it is merely zhat I had commissioned him to repair an object of my beloved's and create an entirely new one. I am a model of his now, for a time until he sees fit to release me, but I'm sure it vouldn't interfere much vith zhe going's on in Frostmaw. I already made him aware of my intent to leave Vailkrin and help vhere I can in your home. If he too is to join you on your quest, I'm certain zhings vould be fine. Vith zhe fact that I vork for him, next ve speak, I may even be able to persuade him somewhat in order to aid zhe two of zhem in zheir own mission." A hand raises briefly to motion towards Pilar and where Ashe had been.
Pilar would take whatever help she could get. "That would be great, Khitti, thank you." She looked at Hildegarde. "Am I right to assume you want him for his fighting, rather than his designing?" She'd seen him in action at the Yule Ball, and he would definitely be an asset when it came time to battle.
Hildegarde nodded at Khitti’s words, having been prepared to offer to pay off such a debt if it were a monetary based one. “I see,” she said in reply, feeling she had a better grasp of Khitti’s situation now. “But I seek Kreekitaka out for both his designing and his fighting. Primarily, this time, for his designing. I must have him make something for you, Pilar, and for myself.”
Khitti raised a slender brow now at Hildegarde, seemingly confused, "You vish for him to make an outfit?" Khitti tapped her chin a few times in thought, "Vhether it's for battle or something more formal, he's definitely zhe crab for zhe job. Zhe object I had him repair vas a duster zhat had seen many battles and he improved zhe cloth tenfold. I also had him make a spare and it vas just as suited for battle as it's predecessor." Motioning down to the dress she wore now, she continues, "Even zhis zhing, despite looking like nothing more zhan a casual party dress, vere zhe whole room to be pitch black, it vould glow in zhe dark. I've yet to find a use for it to aid me in a fight, but I'm certain zhere must be one. He has many zhings at his disposal from vherever it is beneath zhe sea zhat he hails from." She started to wonder now if she should have something more commissioned from the crab to aid her in the coming war, but that would only prolong her servitude to the crab. Because, of course, she didn't have any sort of income whatsoever.
Pilar was surprised. Not just because Hildegarde wanted something designed, but because she wanted something designed for HER. She listened to Khitti speak of his talents, knowing herself that the crab-man had skill, as well as access to some truly amazing fabrics. When Khitti finished, she looked back at Hildegarde. She was still thrown for a loop, though if Kree could make armor, it made a little more sense that Hilde would want his help. As Khitti had essentially asked her question for her, she remained silent.
Hildegarde waved her hand from side to side, that cautionary ‘maybe’ wiggle that everyone knew. “I want him to design and craft many things for me,” she said, “and I have the means to pay him in what I hope is a satisfactory form of payment.” The knight felt it was important to have Kreekitaka on her side. He was a reputable designer. Josleen really liked him, so, that sort of seeded her opinion with some bias.
Khitti gave a nod of her red-haired head in understanding to the dragon as she slide from her chair, "I see. Zhat is vhere you and I are different zhen." For once since her arrival here, a grin finds its way onto her pale features, "Zhough, if you didn't have zhe money, it vould be entirely amusing if my newest co-worker vas Hildegarde zhe Great." This time, now that she had begun to warm up to the woman, the vampiress gives her a bow instead of her customary half-hearted nod, "It has been a pleasure to meet you, Hildegarde, after I've heard so much about you. But, for now I must return to Cenril as I have studying I must attend to. If you require anything of me, I am staying at the inn zhere for now."
Pilar smiled lightly at Khitti's jest. Hildegarde as a model... That'd be something to see. After Khitti said her farewells, Pilar pulled her into a tight hug. "Take care. I believe in you." There was an odd look in her eyes as she released the redhead. Was it worry? Sadness? Whatever it was, Pilar kept it out of her voice as she added, "I will see you later." Pilar watched Khitti go, then turned back to Hildegarde. "Excuse me for asking, but... what do you want him to make for me?"
Hildegarde rose from her seat as Khitti did, as that was what one did when ladies rose from their seat! “Hildegarde the Great, that is flattery, m’lady. But please, you need only call me Hildegarde,” she insisted gently, waving her hand at the bow, “nor need you bow to me!” the knight snorted. “An honour to meet you, Khitti. Safe travels to you,” she bade her a fond farewell before being caught by Pilar’s question. “Something to keep you safe.”
Khitti noted that odd look in Pilar's eyes as she accepted the hug, lifting that talisman the other vampiress had given her as if to say 'I still have it.' and that she'd be alright. Hopefully. "Yes, I vill be around. You know vhere I usually am. Likely at zhe bakery stuffing my face full of cake again." Grinning towards Hildegarde then, she nods and slips away from the table, "Vill do zhen, Hildegarde." Waving to the two women, she heads off out of the castle in the direction of Cenril.
Pilar saw the talisman and her lips twitched toward a smile. She hoped it was serving Khitti well, and would continue to do so. At Hildegarde's answer, she cocked her head. Something to keep her safe? "What kind of something?" Curious as a cat, this one.
Hildegarde said to Pilar, "Protective gear. Armour that will suit you. I cannot accept your help without knowing that you will be protected."
Pilar wondered what she would look like in armor. She wondered what her armor itself would look like. Fabulous, probably, if Kreekitaka was going to be making it. Well, she'd look like a badass, even if she wasn't one. "Thank you, Hildegarde. I appreciate it."
Hildegarde waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "Don't thank me. I'm dragging you into a war," she said, somewhat unhappily. She never liked to endanger people, but she knew that she would need the assistance of Pilar and friends to make this a success.
Pilar shook her head. "You're not dragging me into anything, I volunteered. Sort of selfishly," she admitted. "I'm going for the sake of my friends, more than anything else..." More than the sake of Frostmaw itself, she meant.
Hildegarde smiled slightly as Pilar said she had only entered the Frostmawian issue for the sake of her friends, “Ah, well, what reason is better than that of friendship? A loyal and true friend will do much and more for those they love and that is no bad thing.” The Silver meant every word. “You are a brave woman, Pilar, and very strong for doing what you do. But I… I must save my city. I must save my people from that monster who would beguile them. Then perhaps find my Queen and make her reclaim her crown.”
Pilar blushed under Hildegarde's compliments. She didn't feel particularly brave or strong. She was just doing what she felt needed to be done. As for the Queen... Pilar had never met Satoshi, had only learned of her existence after Hildegarde's death. Personally, she believed that Hildegarde was better suited for the crown, anyway. If this Queen couldn't be arsed to return when her city was falling apart, well, maybe she wasn't fit to rule in the first place. But, Pilar wisely kept that bit to herself. "I think you would make a good ruler. You care more about your people than about power."
Hildegarde shook her head at the suggestion, “Ah, I have no care… or desire to rule. It is in my heart to serve and do my duty, not to wear a crown and sit upon a fancy chair,” she said with a little smile. “Besides, I’m sure I’d make a foul Queen!”
Pilar said to Hildegarde, "But is ruling well not serving, in a way? It's a heavy burden to care for a kingdom, when you actually do care." And Hildegarde cared. She had died once for the city, and Pilar didn't doubt for a moment that she would do it again in a heartbeat. She smiled. "And I am sure that you would be a *marvelous* Queen! I know because you have been Queen in all but title, for as long as I have known you."
Hildegarde said to Pilar, "Are you trying to get in my good graces, Pilar? Handmaiden to Queen Hildegarde?" It is clear from her tone that she is jesting, even that goofy grin is an indication of that. "I make no grab for power nor for the throne. But if that is what becomes of this quest, then so be it. I am just as happy to remain Steward."
Pilar smiled warmly. "I speak only the truth. Whether Queen or Steward, you will do well by Frostmaw... Now, if there is nothing else you need of me, I think I will head home. I need to prepare for my journey with Ashe. Goodbye, Hildegarde." Farewells said, Pilar, too, left the hall. Hopefully she could live up to the Silver's expectations.