The Next Step Forward

[Anastasia]

"They make a lot of sense on defense, especially if you use magic to make them selective, though that's more for permanent traps in a permanent defensive structure, not battlefield defense," Jarem pipes up. "Be it as simple as wooden stakes to slow down infantry so your archers can decimate them, to simple caltrops and rope trippers, these can have big returns for minimal investment. At worst, if you have the time, you lose almost nothing but using them, even if they all fail."

Emily listens, "That makes traps sound really defensive, but aren't they used offensively to hurt people like us?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"They can be. There are some rogues and specialists who focus on actively using traps. I like to think of them as fences. Use them to channel things where I want them. They can be cheap and effective. If you use the right magic you can even deploy them quickly and quietly. Telekinesis lets me do that, to a degree, though I haven't really focused on traps much."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah, Queen?" Jarem perks up, "Got any particular tricks with that you've worked out?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not quite. A few ideas, but I need someone more specialized in building the mechanical components. Thoughts of self-contained all in one kits. Move it to a location of choice, and press a button to set it up. If I can get the weight down, it can be done with a simple Mage Hand spell, then."

Alyssa looks around, watching for more traps or anything interesting.

[Anastasia]

Ahead is a room full of books, like many others here. What's different is the gilded, golden treasure chest sitting in the middle, like something out of a story.

[Iron Dragoon]

"What do you think Emily?"

[Anastasia]

"Check it for traps, of course," Emily says, right away.

"Traps? Preposterous!" The chest's lips opens, showing lots of teeth. "I happen to be completely untrapped and thoroughly friendly, so long as you can answer some riddles."

[Iron Dragoon]

"That's new. I doubted the treasure was truly in the chest, but for the chest to be... a librarian, I'm guessing?"

[Anastasia]

"Close enough, close enough. Tell me: You are sentenced to die and must choose between one of three rooms. One room is full of mages ready to throw deadly spells at you. The second is full of boiling acid, ready to melt you. The third is full of hungry lions that haven't eaten in years. Which room is the safest?" The chest asks.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Do we each get a chance to answer or is it a single answer for all of us?"

[Anastasia]

"Talk and answer, answer and talk! Choose wisely and once," The golden box declares.

Emily watches in fascination, "A mimic! How amazing, and a friendly one no less, one that communicates. So as to the riddle...?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, consider each and give your opinion. I personally think the lions are the best choice. If they've been starving for years, and there's more than one, then there's something preventing them from killing each other. What do you think?"

[Anastasia]

Jarem stands back and smiles, keeping it out of it.

"Oh, oh! You just told me the answer. If the lions haven't eaten in years, they're dead, right?" Emily says.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Depends. If they're dead, how can they be starving? That requires hunger. Undead lions are possible!"

Alyssa smiles at Emily.

[Anastasia]

"But the riddle doesn't bring that up!" Emily stomps her foot, flushing. "That's assuming! Riddles are meant to be self contained!"

"Wow Princess, your claws are showing," Jarem drawls.

Emily looks sharply at her hands, flexing them back and forth. "They are not!"