Ready to roar

[Anastasia]

"I think Shar's trying to hurt us but it's just one elite agent," Emily speak sup, "Maybe a few support allies, but nothing more."

[Corwin]

"Cooperative casting is a trap," Seira notes absent-mindedly. "I think you would've had better results battering their defenses with consecutive wishes."

Even as she speaks, her eyes narrow and she focuses on her daughter. "What I'm about to say isn't as your mother, but as your divine patron, Emily. Am I to understand there has been a genuine Sharran assassin sharing living space with you and going on a murder spree? For the last two weeks, give or take?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"We're primarily a research cooperative, so we're quite unfamiliar with how to deal with this. Which is why we're trying to bring in an agent. He's also targeting the council almost exclusively, though there have been a few others attacks, but not many."

[Anastasia]

"It's really hard to pin him down, he's protected well," Emily adds, "He's taking precautions, both mundane and magical. I really think he's an elite agent."

[Corwin]

"The first thing I told you was that there's no shame in asking for help," Seira tells her. "It's the thing I emphasize the most. I was just telling that to Alicia a while ago. Now let me ask you again. Are you seriously accepting a status quo where an assassin -- an elite assassin! -- working for Shar is allowed to murder people while you share living space?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa stays out of it for now, since this seems to be a direct subordinate issue.

[Anastasia]

"Well, no," Emily blushes now, "It's just...can't I find him myself? We can do it, I'm sure of it!"

Amaryl clear sher throat, "I'm sure you can, dear. But how many die? Not to cut you off or let you stagnate instead of grow, but this is a serious matter worthy of a serious response."

[Corwin]

"As my daughter, you will never disappoint myself or Amaryl," Seira tells Emily. "That's just the way it is with children. We love you, no matter what, and we're always proud. I'm saying the obvious so that you don't misunderstand when I tell you that depending on your answer to me as your divine patron, my sponsorship might be affected."

Peering at Emily over her crossed arms, Seira leans forward and asks, "If it is a matter of power? Of insufficient subterfuge? A barrier placed by pride? If you have Miracles to use, why aren't you spending them like water to claw for every piece of information, for every advantage? If you can ask Amaryl for advice on whether to come over, why can't that be used for advice on how to deal with a seemingly-insurmountable problem?"

She pauses, before voicing, "Once more, let me ask you. Are you accepting the current situation as valid?"

[Anastasia]

"Well...no," Emily repeats, "It's just you're mad at me, or I thought you were and well..." she looks down, trailing off.

[Corwin]

"I was mad, as you say, because I returned home after fighting Shar on Air to news that Shar was attacking Alicia's realm and you were out of reach. Then, I find that you ran off to a Prime on your own without telling anyone here -- that's against rule two, I might add -- to a place that got Shar's direct interest. And then you used Miracle on her spell, leaving yourself powerless in case of a retribution. Should I go on, Emily? Because I haven't even gotten to the part where you used my good name as collateral for a priceless artifact that you then proceeded to break."

Seira shakes her head incredulously. "Since you seem to be forgetting the most basic lessons I've taught you, Agathaiel will be going with you to ensure that you utilize some basic common sense." She glances over at the angel, telling her, "I'm sorry in advance as it sounds like a pain, but I honestly don't trust her to let me know if she gets in over her head and needs a rescue."

Looking over at Alyssa, Seira says, "Let's discuss your measures against the Sharran. What do you know about them or their goals, and which steps have you taken to secure the safety and well-being of your people?"

[Anastasia]

"I think you made your point," Emily doesn't look up, voice soft.

[Corwin]

"Do you think you understand, Emily? Have you been Shar's prisoner? Because I've had that pleasure," Seira tells her quietly. "'Mad'. Once you have children of your own, perhaps you could grow to understand."

[Anastasia]

A pause - Vayley brings in the first course - a soup, placing down bowls for everyone. A pause as she does so and goes out, not missing a beat.

"I'm doing the best I can!" Emily blurts out, looking up, eyes wet. "I'm sorry if I'm not as good as you, smart as you or wise as any of you!" she says, stumbling up and rushing out of the room.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not to be rude and interject in a family conflict, but on the point of the artifact, while taking it was entirely Emily's concern, the destruction of it was not. There seems to be some... Odd interaction between those around me. I've experienced it with Jarem, a servant of the Red Knight, and Emily. It seemed to be activated on its own and is completely unknown to me. It bestowed some new form of ability when it activated. It's got significant power behind it to bestow abilities and break artifacts. So while it being present is Emily's concern, the actual destruction of it wasn't directly under her control.

As for Shar, I know the core of it. I did my research after I realized where the attention was coming from. We had a severe lack of actual manpower and physical combat ability, so I made an alliance with the Red Knight who had contacted one of the Order's members to make inquiries about me. We've set up anti-scrying arrays and we've altered a rod that blocked dimensional movement into functioning as a wide area teleport barrier, which we acquired from the dragon's hoard. We're bringing in an agent to try and hunt down the assassin, and Jarem's set his soldiers as additional patrols and clerics to healing survivors. I'm sure that seems extremely bare-bones, and I agree, but remember, we were nowhere near in a position to deal with any of this and had no resources for it."

She responds as she watches Emily leave.

[Corwin]

The door from the patio Emily leaves through sends her to one of the vaults, and as she takes a few steps over the shiny golden coins piled up on the floor, the portal seals itself. An instant later, Seira's avatar materializes behind her.

"Emily Shamal Aryn!" she calls out sharply. "What is going on with you?!"

Seira's true self nods slowly at Alyssa, asking her, "Have you paired up your people and made sure no one goes anywhere on their own? While the safety given from such a measure might be minimum, the assassin would not be able to move freely, if they are blending in with the others. And how about forcing Wish and Miracle spells, while suitably protected, to try and break past Shar's defenses with divinations? Setting aside a day for that might do wonders. Perhaps application of holy power, if your order is on the righteous side? I recall an amusing story from the Aurora where one of its heroes smote an aboleth lookalike to see if they were evil. Of course, if all else fails, I recommend taking a trip to the Deep Ethereal to look for the echoes of recent events."