The Next Step Forward

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa snorts. "A sarcastic jab. Friendly, but sarcastic. He said it reflects my attitude. No, I'd he thankful. I think he likes strong women, though. So none of those shy glances. Take the man as yours and give him something else to look at."

[Anastasia]

"Understood, ma'am," Lorathana inclines her head towards you. "I only worry he may be a dog in truth, content to chase at whatever tail is willing to wag his way."

[Iron Dragoon]

"He might be at that. Though I suspect he takes his oaths very seriously. It may be more of a race to get one out of him before he wanders away."

[Anastasia]

"That is the challenge, ma'am. Getting a ring out of one such as that is always an art, or so I hear." Lorathana remarks, the faintest hints of a wry smile on her face.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow and replies in an amused voice, "Ring? Someone is thinking long term. I meant more a promise to be true. Still, goals. And we know his weaknesses. Like any other man. He mentioned that the Red Knight has, and I quote, 'magnificent tits.'"

[Anastasia]

A pause at that, eyes narrowing. "Did he?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles, "He did, but don't go getting upset with him when you're not even together yet. Poison in the well, that."

[Anastasia]

"Hmph." Lorathana looks to the side, arms crossed.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles. "Oh this'll be a smooth courtship. Don't forget he's a soldier. Make sure to appeal to his sense of home when he leaves. Keepsakes, meals that keep, that sort of thing."

[Anastasia]

"Which will give him chances to strut around like a dog if he wants to," Lorathana softly huffs out, still looking away.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa outright laughs. "True, but that is between you and he."

[Anastasia]

As you talk, Jarem opens the door and pokes his head in, "You have a problem. Ule was poisoned, pretty badly. Only reason he's alive is because I was up early."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Which means I was probably right. We have a Shar agent here. Do you know what with, where, and when? We need to find a way to track this person down; they're likely protected from divination like last time."

[Anastasia]

"Not yet," Jarem says, "I was neck deep in keeping him breathing, it was a close run thing."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Alright. Let's get a couple of our mages over there to work with the clerics. Let's see if we can figure out what it was. See if Emily might have an idea, too. Seeing it in action might give her a better sense of the stakes. I get the feeling she's not been around weaker people much."