The Cauldron Rises

[Ebiris]

Cool, lets go to Brightwater then.

[Anastasia]

Empress Sulia's quarter is broad streets and fancy villas, seemingly never ending. All is pleasant as you appear at the border and pass in, no resistance at all. Instead, a pegasus drawn carriage appears from above, descending down to where the two of you are.

The door opens and a man in fancy livery steps out, older and refined. His hair is slicked back and he bows deeply to the two of you, "Empress Sulia presents this, shall you wish to travel in style here, Your Majesties."

[Ebiris]

"We're much obliged for her hospitality," Alicia says, climbing aboard and making herself comfortable.

[Corwin]

"Yes, thank you," Seira agrees, following suit.

[Anastasia]

The inside is plush and pleasant, the air cool. Drinks and snacks are on a table within as the door is closed behind you. "Where do you wish to be taken?" he asks, as he goes around to drive the carriage.

[Ebiris]

"We would like to meet with Empress Sulia wherever is convenient for her," Alicia asks, helping herself to a refreshing cool drink.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, milady," The driver responds to that.

It is a long, comfortable flight. Cool fruit juices are provided as you fly. Looking out as you get closer, you are descending towards a tall villa, the roof smoothed over and with a seating ensemble there. Large umbrellas cover tables and chairs, that sort of thing.

[Corwin]

Seira tries a local snack, always on the lookout for more sweets to decorate her home with.

[Anastasia]

Thus you descend down. Amid these chairs of blown glass and wrought iron sits Empress Sulia. She is fanned by a servant, sipping a glass of iced juice and reading a slender book. It is just warm enough here that the fanning surely feels wonderful.

"Seira! Alicia!" Empress Sulia smiles, "Welcome. Have a seat, I'm just finishing with some pesky aboleths."

[Ebiris]

"Hello Sulia," Alicia greets as she leaves the carriage, going over to claim a seat. "Syala was actually telling me about that, Daun yes?" she asks. "I heard the new Lord of Avernus stuck his nose in and nearly messed things up as well."

[Corwin]

"I believe I heard something about that as well," Seira muses, taking the offered seat.

[Anastasia]

Sulia comes up and gives Alicia a hug, kissing her cheeks and then doing the same to Seira. She sits after as a single servant waits nearby to be called on, should you desire anything. "It was dreadful," Empress Sulia shakes her head. "Mephisto's the devil with any progress in the world, and we have an understanding that we leave each other alone, because the aboleths there are the overwhelming threat. They bow to Demogorgon, and neither of us want him dominating a world."

A thin smile passes Sulia's face, "Mephisto is at least a devil of good breeding and manners. He understands what is done without being said. It seems Lixer needs a refresher. He nearly cost me a legion of knights that are the only force saving a country from aboleth domination." Her book vanishes as she sits prim and proper, posture good. "Waukeen assures me it was an honest mistake, but the damage is done. Had dear Rickys not been there, they would have been decimated."

[Corwin]

"He's overextended and trying to grasp as much as he can before he's stopped," Seira notes.

[Anastasia]

"He needs to be stopped," Sulia agrees, "Firmly, darlings. Firmly." She frowns, "Thousands would have fallen under the aboleth yoke had he succeeded. I care not why it was a mistake or how unlikely it was, it cannot be tolerated. I have instructed my agents and faithful on other worlds to strike out at any growing cults that he has."

[Ebiris]

Alicia of course returns Sulia's affectionate gesture before she sits and listens to Sulia's tale. "I'd say it's dangerous to give any devil too much credit, but we did have to rely on some help from Baalzebul after our crusade to kill Agares way back - we all have to understand the risks and rewards of these deals... but Lixer, yes. He's in a delicate situation right now, and I think deserves some pushback. Not to mention Seira and I have long wanted to remove Bel's predecessor from Hell, and hopefully learn more about how Torm ended up the way he did. Are you interested in joining us for this endeavour?"